A/N: Hello readers. I know I've abandoned this story for a while, but I just needed some time to figure out where I want it to go. Now that I have, I am very excited for you guys to see how the plot unfolds. I want this story to progress and for that to happen, not everything can be happy-go-lucky. I'm also trying to make the chapters a bit longer. Hope everyone enjoys the chapter. Thanks

Ronnie POV

Ronnie walked through the long corridors of the aquarium carrying a stack of papers. Since Will was helping out at the brake shop, she wanted to keep busy, too. She had spent the previous day cleaning some of the tanks and was now on her way to drop off some paperwork at the office. As she walked, she took in some of the changes she saw. The aquarium had expanded quite a bit, if that was even possible. The obvious changes were evident, like the new paint job and flooring. But she also saw quite a few exhibits that hadn't been there the last time she was there. She was looking at a flyer for the opening of a new attraction when she turned a corner an instant too soon. A door swung open and hit her square in the face. She fell flat on the floor and her hand went instinctively to her forehead, which now held excruciating pain.

"Are you okay?" someone asked.

She propped her self up on her elbows and squinted. In front of her stood a guy with black hair and a concerned look on his face. "Hey, can you hear me?" he asked when she didn't answer.

Ronnie groaned and he reached his hand out to help her up. "I'm fine." She said. He picked up the papers off the floor and examined her. "You sure? The door hit you pretty hard. Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't see you."

Ronnie tried to ignore the sense of vertigo she felt and looked up at him. "I'm good. Really, it's no big deal." She grabbed the papers from him and proceeded down the hall. He quietly walked by her side.

"I'm Colton by the way." She nodded. "Ronnie."

"Hello, Ronnie. So do you work here?" he asked, taking half of the papers to lighten her load.

"Just temporarily. I'm just down here for the summer. I live up north in New York."

"Oh. You're Will's Ronnie." He said matter-of-factly. Ronnie's brow furrowed. Colton chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not a stalker. It's just that Mr. Blakelee talks about him a lot and said he was coming home for a while. You're the only unique and beautiful Veronica Miller around here, right?" Ronnie blushed and caught wind of his Australian accent. She cleared her throat and picked up her pace. "Do you work here?" she asked him. He sped up to walk right beside her again. "You can say that. I just come around when I'm needed."He flashed an alluring smile at her and his brown eyes gleamed. She swiftly turned around. She breathed a small sigh of relief when she got to the door of the office. "I got it." She said taking back the rest of the papers. He took the hint and backed away. "Sorry. I get a little friendly sometimes. I guess I'll see you later?" She gave him a small smile. "Yeah, see you later." Ronnie walked into the office and set the papers on the counter. Behind the desk in the center of the room sat Ella. Ella was in her late fifties and had been working at the aquarium for nearly 15 years. She smiled when she saw Ronnie, the wrinkles near her eyes crinkling.

"Hey, Ms. Ella. I got the paperwork you needed."

"Oh, thank you dear. And please call me Ella" she said with her country drawl. "I have so much to get done. You've been a real help." Ronnie smiled and looked around the quiet office. "So who's that guy hanging around outside?"

Ella thought for a moment. "Oh, you mean Colton. He's just a temp. He's only been around for a couple of weeks. He's quite a looker huh?"

Ronnie scoffed. "Come on, Ella. You know I'm with Will."

She playfully swatted Ronnie with a piece of paper. "You know I'm just kidding, dear. So how are things between you and Will?"

"Great. I think we've gotten closer since we've been here. He's really happy here."

Ella put her finger on her glasses which began to slide down her nose. She tucked a strand of gray hair behind her ear. "Any talk of the future?" she asked. Ronnie sighed and took a seat in the chair in front of the desk. "I guess."

Ella dropped the pen she was writing with on her desk and pulled off her glasses. "Well, what does 'I guess' mean?"

"You know, I want to have a future with him, but it seems like now's not the right time." Ella put her hand over Ronnie's and looked into her eyes. "Listen here sweetheart, you love Will, don't you?" Ronnie nodded. "And I know that that boy loves you more than life itself. So whatever doubts you're having ain't worth it. Everything will work out in its own time. God has a way of making thinks right no matter how helpless it seems. Everything will be just fine. Just trust me, ok?"

"Ok." Ella grinned. "Good."

Will POV

"Come on, just try it." Jonah prodded.

Will shook his head. "No, why don't you try it?"

"Because I'm a kid and if something goes wrong, I might get hurt. You're already like 30, you've lived long enough." Will chuckled. "I'm only nineteen."

"Yeah, yeah. Basically the same thing. Just do it. Try to lick your elbow."

"Jonah it's impossible." Will said. He and Jonah were at the pier waiting for Ronnie. She and Galadriel had to run a few errands and they were all meeting up at the beach for a cookout some friends were throwing.

"Please?"

"No."

"Okay then, try licking your back." Will stared at him. "Okay, why don't you try licking some ice cream?" he said handing him a cone. He smiled in satisfaction when Jonah was silent for the next few minutes.

They walked around for a while until Will saw Ronnie and Galadriel making their way up the pier. Ronnie wore a long floral sundress cinched at the waist, which showed off her shapely figure. He could see the thin straps of her bikini underneath. He felt his heart catch in his throat. She was beautiful.

"Hello? Are you just going to stand there and stare at them?" Jonah asked. Will chuckled and pulled him along. "Come on."

When they got to the girls, Will placed a small kiss on Ronnie's cheek. "Where have you guys been? We've been waiting forever." He leaned into Ronnie's ear. "The kid was trying to play fear factor with me."

Jonah blew a raspberry at him. "Wimp."

"So when does this party start? I'm starving." Galadriel said. Will led them down the pier and to the small alcove in the corner of the beach where the cookout was starting up. Will could already smell the hot dogs and burgers being fired up on the grill. He saw his friend Ethan near a picnic table setting up some buns. When he saw Will, he waved and walked over to introduce himself. After the greetings, he made a gesture toward the water. "Hey, there's some parasailing going on over there. You guys can join if you want." Jonah was running towards the water before he even finished speaking. Galadriel followed after him.

"I think I'll take a rain check. I have a bit of a head ache." Ronnie said.

"Yeah, maybe later."

Ethan nodded. "Okay, food will be done in a little bit." Will took Ronnie's hand and they walked over to a shaded area close to the water. They sat down in some beach chairs, close enough so they could see Jonah and Galadriel. Will placed his hand gently on Ronnie's forehead. "Why do you have a headache?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just at the aquarium earlier and I didn't see this guy open up a door. So of course I walked right into it and Mr. Door met my tender forehead."

Will gave a small smile at her logic. "Is it really bad?"

"No, I'm used to guys knocking me down on the ground anyway." She winked at him. He put his head down, remembering how they first met. It seemed like so long ago when it had only been a year. They sat there and talked for a while before heading down to the water. They hopped on a couple of jet skis and surfed around. Will got very competitive when everyone came together for a few matches of beach volleyball. He was happy to see that all that time in New York hadn't caused him to lose his touch. After the activities, everyone headed back to the tables for dinner. Will opted for a few hot dogs while Ronnie had a veggie burger. Jonah and Galadriel had joined them soon afterward, still pumped from their parasailing session. Jonah couldn't stop talking about it, that is, until he was handed a plate of food. Will made a mental note of that for future parenting.

After dinner, everyone headed to a small bonfire at the end of the beach where a circle of chairs were set up. Ronnie rested her head on Will's chest as he rhythmically rocked back and forth. The beach was peaceful and everyone enjoyed each other's company, laughing and telling jokes. Jonah was collecting some seashells near the shore. Ronnie looked up and saw Galadriel sitting on the opposite side of the circle talking to Ethan.

"Hey, look."

Will snapped out of his trance and looked up. "It's Galadriel and Ethan."

"Yeah, what do you think they're talking about?"

"Why, you think they like each other?" he asked.

"I don't know. She just seems like she's been pretty lonely lately. You know, without Marcus. Especially with you kidnapping me all the time."

"I don't kidnap you. It's not kidnapping if I have your consent."

"And how do you know that you have my consent?" Will tilted her head and placed his mouth on hers. He placed his hand on her hip, pulling her closer. His tongue lightly traced her lips, leaving her breathing unsteady. He gently pulled her away and brushed the hair from her face.

When she had somewhat gained her focus, she spoke, "Wait, what were we talking about again?" Will chuckled and kissed her forehead.

That night, Will opted to sleep in his own room. Ever since He and Ronnie had spent the night out of the house, his mother had not been too happy. Even though she didn't ask what happened, he knew it was bothering her. After saying goodnight to Ronnie about a hundred times, he walked over to the main house. He saw his dad in the living room reading the paper in some extremely tight pajamas.

"Dad?"

"Oh, hey son." He said nonchalantly.

"Um, don't people usually read the paper in the morning? And why are your clothes so tight?"

Tom looked down at the shirt that was practically choking him to death. "Oh, this morning my clothes shrunk in the wash… and I was so distraught, I forgot to read the paper." Will laughed. His father was quite a character. "Ok, Dad. I'm going to bed."

"Wait a second. Your mom's got a bit of a cold. You think you can pass by the drugstore and get her some medicine?" Of course, he thought. Leave it to Dad to get a laugh out of me and then ask me for a favor. "No problem." Will said grabbing his keys.

"That will be $10.65" Said the cashier. Will pulled out a $20.00 and paid the young girl behind the counter. After getting his change, he grabbed the bag and walked out of the store. As he was walking back to his truck, he opened up the bottle of Gatorade he bought and took a swig. He grabbed his keys from his pocket and opened the door. He leaned into his side view mirror when he saw a figure walking near the store. He turned around and saw the familiar blonde hair. He squinted, making sure it was her. "Ashley?" he called out. She didn't seem to hear him and continued walking. He proceeded to get into his car and just drive away, but she looked kind of …..lost. And what is she doing just roaming around at this time anyway? He thought. Will put the bag in the car and walked over to her, calling her name. She finally answered when he was right in front of her. "Oh, Will." She said softly. He looked into her eyes, which seemed to carry a strange reddish hue. It looked as if she hadn't slept for days.

"What are you doing out so late?" he asked her. She nodded incoherently and explained to him. He tried really hard to focus on what she was saying, but she kept slurring her words.

"Have you been drinking?" he asked trying to get a simple answer out of her. She slowly dropped her head before losing her footing and almost falling to the ground. He quickly caught her and brought her up to him. "I'm j-just t-t-tired." She managed to say. "I'm g-going home. I'll be fine, W-Will. Don't worry about me."

"No, I'm not leaving you out here alone. Come on." He hooked his arms under her legs and carried her to the truck, gently laying her across the seat. He got behind the wheel and sighed looking at her. As he drove back home, he felt her lay her head on his shoulder and mumble. "I knew you'd come for me, Will."

A/N: So what did you guys think? I introduced a couple of new characters this chapter that I think will be very essential to the story. I'm hoping to see Galadriel's life more and want you guys to see some things from her perspective. Also I'm excited to have an old character become a part of the main plot. Please tell me what you think and review. Thanks.