Chapter 12- This Isn't Done Yet!

What a stressful weekend! Cress recovered miraculously early, which he gave all the credit to Fantina of course, who was touched. They spent many weeks together just exploring and being lovey-dovey dating publicly, which was huge scoop for the press, but Cress didn't care about anything until the last week of her stay.

"Just a little more." He cajoled.

"How much, dear?" she asked.

"Closer, closer... good! You're here!" he said as he opened Fantina's eyes and she was overwhelmed. This was none other than Cress' Notting Hill at night which looked amazing! The whole grassy hill was resplendent in emerald and had tons of beautiful conifer trees. Flowers were minimum, but there was an amazingly large and beautiful lake which glittered in the full moonlight and that was not all. Fantina was absolutely consumed with admiration when she saw that all the stars were visible as if she just lived in the Milky Way as they adorned that beautiful midnight blue sky. It was a dream come true! Of course, this was one of Cress' many secrets.

"How is it?" he asked grinning.

"I am at a loss for words, mon amour! Merci! I... this is beautiful!" Fantina exclaimed while hugging Cress who just blushed and grinned ear to ear. Not a dull moment was spent with Fantina ever.

Then they sat by the lake and stared at the sky. Sighing deeply, they started to talk, a must for every couple. "So, can you extend your stay in Unova just by a week more?" Cress pleaded. "Je suis desolee, but I have to look after my gym back home! They've been suffering long without me, and I really love it there." Fantina replied. This made Cress rather crestfallen, but he still persuaded. "Are you sure?" he inquired. Fantina smiled. "That doesn't mean I will not be back now, will I? Absence makes the heart grow fonder, my love!" Cress just laughed, albeit rather sadly as he rest his head on Fantina's shoulder.

"Why not move here? You can have another gym here! We could be together forever! Nothing can stop us then, can it?" Cress proposed. "Ah Cress- you really do have a teenager's maturity- 10 years younger than you really are, mon amour! I miss my home- what will I do without them? My town is like my family- I can't do anything without them!" Fantina replied sadly. Then she turned to Cress and spoke "Family. Strange isn't it? Can't do with them, can't do without them. I guess that's how you feel about your brothers too, am I right? You may be different, but you are bonded by family. They'll be there for you every step of the way, and that's what I love about them. Admit it, if I asked you to leave Unova, you never would unless your brothers came with you, I know it!"

Cress sighed- Fantina knew too much about him.

Placing his hand on hers, he then said "You know, Fantina...that time when you and I had our first kiss and I'd admit that was the first kiss I ever had in my life. And it was the best one so far- I really can't imagine my life without you ever. Some day, I want you to come here and stay with me and my family, hopefully forever. The idea is just too great!"

Fantina blushed and smiled. "True, boy. I've had many lovers, but I feel yours and mine is just too strong. I felt really strange when you told me that you love me. I never understood what I really felt about you- I mean I thought of you as a charming and kind waiter, but you are much more than a waiter or gym leader. You mean so much more to me, as a friend; As a lover- I promise you, you will always be by darling little lad... I really do love you, my dear."

"Soulful talking... Don't get too much of a chance to do this much, but I really like this. Please, I beg you- come back really soon! Arceus alone knows what I'd do without you!" stated Cress as he continued clutching Fantina's hand.

Then she suddenly got up. "You know Cress; they often say the first kiss is the best kiss of your life. You certainly felt that way, didn't you?" she stated. "Yeah, it was heavenly. Although I did wish we had more privacy..." he confessed. Then Fantina rose and heard some music play. It sounded beautiful, almost like a guitar serenade. "Did you plan this?" she asked amazed. "No, some bright spark is just playing something... but it is beautiful, isn't it?" he crooned dreamily. Then he had an idea. "Dance with me, Fantina. I am good." He proposed.

She couldn't help but giggle as she put her hands round him and he did the same and they started to move in a waltzing fashion, a slow dance to some street performer's music. It felt weird, but they were really private, so who cared? Not them at least!

"Feels weird, dancing to some strange music played from a distance on top of a grassy hill!" said Fantina jokingly as she kept dancing with her lad love. "Yes, but it sure is beautiful! Don't you think?" Cress replied as he held a little tighter. She giggled. "Yes, it sure is beautiful, mon amour! I have to agree." As they danced a little longer; Fantina herself was just revelling in this thrill and joy. "Strange." She felt. "Just a few days ago, I was coordinating my darling Mismagius to perform a dance of the skies and now I'm doing this myself- I really live in a strange world!" Still, she loved being with Cress, he was such an angel of a person, anyone could guess that.

Still not as good as she could.

She still couldn't believe how soon this happened. Just a few months ago, she had just met that charming waiter and now she was in his arms as a lover.

Life sure is weird, change is so constant.

"Hey, Cress?" she spoke as he looked at her. "You know, your first kiss is said to be the greatest, most special moment in your life. And it can never happen twice." Cress blushed as he replied "Yeah, I know. It sure was magical." Then Fantina, still dancing, clasped his face and spoke "How would you like to have that experience again, in the privacy of this beautiful hillock?"

"With pleasure, milady." He said as he then put his arms round her waist, still and then leaned forward and planted his lips onto hers and revelled in every minute, tasting that eternal, ambrosial summer wine he always loved. It may have been a little tiring, losing breath and all, but he could catch them anytime. Feeling a moment with Fantina was more important to him than life itself.

After that, he suddenly saw a flutter and turned round in amazement. "Fireflies!" he exclaimed. "Want to catch some?" Fantina declined. "Why not just watch them?" she suggested. He agreed and watched them in their illusory patterns while putting an arm round her and resting his head on her shoulder. He just wished this moment would never end, ever!

Two days later, all the friends came to bid Fantina goodbye at the Castelia port, shortly after the press left. "Are you sure you'd want a ship?" asked Elesa. Fantina just nodded as she went ahead to see her new friends the last time. "Goodbye, Fantina. It was a real pleasure knowing you." Said Cilan shaking her hand. "It was lovely meeting you too monsieur." Said Fantina smiling and then she went to Chilli who was bowled over with emotion.

"I promised myself I ain't shedding a tear... But it just overtakes me!" he wept bursting into tears. "Goodbye, Fantina! I'll miss you!" he wept while catching breaths as he kissed Fantina's hand with a heavy heart and hugged her too. She smiled- sometimes Chilli's hotheadedness was rather appealing as she shot a sly look at Elesa who became as red as a beet. Then she turned her attention to Cress. "So..." said he "You are coming back, aren't you?" he asked sweetly. She nodded. "Why yes, my love. Of course I will, as soon as possible." Cress was struggling to keep control, which was steadily failing as he gazed into Fantina's beautiful eyes. "You do promise, don't you?" he asked while tears streamed down his face.

"Why oui, mon amour- I sure will." Said Fantina as she then kissed him.

After that was over, Cress slipped in a little gift. "Take that home, open it there only and when you do, read the note and respond accordingly. Send it to me in a letter and take your time it's fine by me." He lovingly instructed. Fantina was puzzled by this, but she relented. "Yes darling, I will." She said stroking his hair gently and then pecking his cheek.

"Au revoir, Elesa. Great knowing you." Said she shaking eh hand. "Thanks so much for making Cress happy, it's really heart warming." Said Elesa. Fantina then smiled and boarded the ship.

"Adios! Au revoir! Ciao! Sayonara!" the trip and Elesa kept waving until the sun set as she waved goodbye too. "Goodbye! I will miss you all!" she yelled waving with her handkerchief and shooting a sly flying kiss at Cress who blushed of course. After 40 minutes, the ship was out of sight and they decided to go home. "Come on, Cress! She'll be back!" Chilli consoled as he sped off on a bike with Cilan back to their gym. Right now, gym was priority as the season was over.

Soon, only Elesa was left behind. Seeing Cress' wistful face, she then went ahead and said "Come, on buddy! She'll be here, of course she would, she loves you!" while placing a hand on his shoulder Then she had an idea. "How about we go biking? It'll be fun!" Cress lightened up immediately hearing this. "That's the spirit! Let's move!" she said as they then mounted their bikes and sped off into the sunset.

Cress didn't forget Fantina so soon, of course he wouldn't! He was a man of his word. Being with Elesa was fun, she was a real bundle of energy, but his heart truly belonged to Fantina, that he knew. But still, wistful as he was, he knew she'd be back, for she was about to get the most ultimate surprise of his life, which made his smirk smugly, yet modestly.

"Cress? Why on earth are you smiling that way?" asked Elesa while biking. Cress smiled- he'd tell her later, but why ruin it now? He wanted to enjoy the moment a bit more.

For he'd given Fantina a titanium ring with diamond on it. Titanium is the strongest metal, explains its substitute for gold. He's smuggled it to her and told her to open it there, for why shouldn't she? It was a proposal for engagement and she could decide through the note whether she wanted to or not, then send it to him. He was praying it was a yes, but only time will tell. He still had a high level of confidence that Fantina would be back super soon, if the surprise was appealing enough and if she loved him enough, which he knew she did. He'd always be ready to welcome her with open arms, whether she accepted it or not. Cress still knew some part of Fantina would agree. That really brightened his day, the fantasies he had imagining himself in a wonderful future predicament, the whole dream of being hers forever.

The idea was so appealing, without reason.

He always wanted to be engaged.


Thanking pokeninja6600 mfor her good wishes...