Hey readers! I finally got my first review! YAY! You don't even know how happy this makes me. Anyways, I'm a little hesitant to post this chapter because it has some very un-Nick moments. Let me know what you think!
I do not own most of these characters. A few minor ones here and there, but the majority of these lovely characters belong to LJ Smith.

Enjoy & review!

-Diana-

The plan was ingenious! Laurel was brilliant, leading Cassie here and throwing her a masquerade party was such an innovative and new idea. Diana had written all the notes and arranged them all. She left the other members in charge of Cassie's attire, the refreshments and the decorations. Even Diana was blown away when she stepped into the forest clearing, it looked magical. The trees were strung with tiny little blue and white candles that sat inside small glass jars. There were tables set up around a forest dance floor that was made of sturdy looking planks of wood, but had various blue, purple and white flowers growing from between the wood. The tables were elegantly adorned with white linen and had more blue and purple flowers twined around the legs. Finally, there was an arch at the front end of the clearing that was made of naturally bent cedar trees. Diana couldn't wait for Cassie to see it!

The only part of the party that Diana hadn't particularly enjoyed, was the fact that everybody had to bring someone that was not in the Circle. This was Faye's idea of course, but the Circle members had decided that it seemed logical. There just weren't enough people without them. The doorbell ringing pulled Diana out of her thoughts. She jumped up and walked down the stairs. Diana was already ready for the party, she was wearing a short flowing white dress that had a lovely empire waist and a light green sash. She had paired it with a pair of green heels, a silver necklace and dangling peridot earrings.

Diana opened the door to reveal one of her colleagues. Brandon worked with her at the magazine she edited, he was the graphics director. He was tall with black curly hair and electric blue eyes, which were currently popping out of his skull admiring Diana's attire. Diana internally rolled her eyes and smiled at him.

"Are you ready to go?" she questioned.

"Uh...yes. Of course." Brandon said hesitantly at first, but gaining confidence. He began walking towards his car.

"We won't be driving there, it's just up the road." Diana explained. Brandon raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything.

They walked up the road chatting quietly about nothing of consequence. When they reached the clearing, Brandon let out a low whistle.

"Impressive.", he said with an appreciative nod. Diana nodded and took everything in for a second time.

"Very.", she said.

Diana led Brandon over to where Laurel, Melanie and their dates were standing.

"Diana, you look amazing, as usual. Who's this?" Laurel asked innocently after embracing Diana.

"Laurel, Melanie, this is Brandon. Brandon, this is Laurel and that's Melanie." she said with nods in both of their directions.

"Diana, this is Jack." Laurel said admiringly about a tall, lanky man with shocking blonde hair that stuck up in every direction. He smiled at Diana and shook her hand, but then went back to staring at Laurel.

"And Diana, you know Peter." Melanie said, referring to boyfriend of almost two years. Peter was a tall, athletic-looking man with kind blue-grey eyes and auburn tinted hair. He smiled at Diana and gave her a quick hug. "Nice to see you again." he said quietly, returning to Melanie's side.

Nearly all of the Circle members and their dates were in the clearing now. Diana noticed Adam was here with a short raven-haired girl with peculiar violet eyes, a pang of jealousy went through her, but she quickly dismissed it. Nick came tearing into the clearing then, and walked to the refreshments table. After grabbing water, he walked to Chris and talked to him for a while. After about an hour of mingling, they heard Cassie making her way towards the clearing. All of the Circle members secured their masks in the appropriate spots, and took their assigned spots. Cassie walked into the clearing and the party began.

-Nick-

When Cassie walked into the clearing, Nick's breath caught in his throat. She looked stunning. The dress flattered her figure and accentuated every curve of her body. Cassie looked a little lost at first, but Nick rushed to her side. He smiled from behind his velvety black mask. Nick offered Cassie his hand and she gratefully took it. He pulled her close and led her to Diana, Laurel, Melanie and their dates.

"You look stunning tonight." he whispered in her ear. Cassie giggled and Diana enveloped her into a hug. They were engaged in loud chatter as many couples went to the dance floor. Sean was in the DJ booth operating the sound system. Currently playing was a song that Nick had never heard, but he caught some of what Cassie was saying.

"Oh I love this song! Regina Spektor is one of my favorite artists..." Hmm, Nick thought, I'll have to remember that. After making her way around the clearing and meeting every single person there, Nick and Cassie were finally left alone. Quickly after Nick had thought that, Diana came onto the microphone and announced that they were having dinner.

"Finally alone." Cassie sighed happily as she leaned into Nick.

"Finally.", Nick repeated. Nick and Cassie went to sit at their assigned table with the Henderson twins and their dates. After a delicious dinner, Nick asked Cassie to dance.

A song that Nick knew came on and he whisked Cassie onto the dance floor. Hopefully those dance classes in high school that he took were about to kick in. As the song floated to a close, Sean began to play "Come On Get Higher" by Matt Nathanson. Nick pulled Cassie closer and they danced to the slower beat, easily transitioning. Cassie sighed and rested her head against Nick's chest. He planted a kiss in her head.

"I love you." he told her.

"I love you too." she said as she looked into his eyes and kissed him softly on the lips. The song ended and Sean started playing some crazy fast rock song. Cassie pulled away from Nick and started dancing to the beat. Nick smiled and joined in as the rest of the Circle flooded the floor. The dancing lasted until midnight before Diana stepped into Sean's box and stole the microphone.

"Alright guys, settle down." she giggled. "We're going sit down now and have some dessert, we made something special. After that, we're going to do something WAY special and then go home. So, find your tables and we'll start it off."

Everyone hurried to his or her assigned tables and trays of dessert were brought out on little steel carts by the help Diana had hired. It was Cassie's favorite dessert, strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. Then, after dessert, it was Nick's turn to steal the microphone.

-Cassie-

Dessert was phenomenal, how'd they know that was my favorite?, Cassie thought. She was surprised when Nick rose and walked to Sean's DJ booth. Nick grabbed the microphone and cleared his throat.

"Hi guys. I'm pretty sure all you guys know me by now. Anyways, I'm Nick, and I'm going to make a cheesy speech for Cassie as a welcome home present. First off, I'll tell you why I'm doing this. Two years ago, when Cassie first told me that she loved me, we spent the rest of the day just talking. While we were talking she told me that one of her dreams was that someone would make her a cheesy speech at a special occasion. So Cassie, this is your speech." Nick took a breath and smiled. Cassie could feel herself getting choked up. "When I was in high school, I blocked myself off from the Circle. I was known as 'Ice Man' or something along those lines. I controlled my emotions and never let anyone see what was going on beneath. Then this beautiful girl moves into the neighborhood and breaks my walls down in less than two months. Needless to say, I fell in love with her instantly. After going through hell, fighting with people, saving her life a few times and then having her torn away from me for four years, I finally got her to fall in love with me. Since then every day has been amazing. Cassie is beautiful, smart, powerful, kind and selfless. I love her so much, and that love can only grow day by day."

Nick finished by grinning at Cassie and going to kiss her quickly. By the end of the speech Cassie was bawling. Everyone was shocked...had Nick really just poured his heart out in public?

Diana took the microphone and smiled, "Uh...well...back to d-dancing?" Everyone exhaled and rushed to the dance floor. Everyone except Cassie and Nick. They stayed seated and stared deep into each other's eyes. Cassia leaned forward and kissed Nick. This kiss was filled with longing and urgency. It held the promise that there would be more to come later. Nick broke off the kiss and whispered in Cassie's ear. She blushed, smiled and stood up. She waved Diana over from the dance floor. Diana walked over and Cassie hugged her.

"Thank you so much for doing all of this for me. I'm kind of exhausted, so Nick is going to take me home." Cassie said nonchalantly.

Diana nodded and smiled, "I've missed you so much. I love you Cass."

"I love you too." they embraced and Cassie met Nick on the edge of the clearing. She smiled at him and began to walk home with Nick trailing close behind.