Chapter 28

Tom had Sam in front, her back to him. His hands were over her eyes, concealing her vision from his plan. Gently, he removed his hands, placing them on her hips instead.

A gasp escaped Sam's lips as she took in the view before her. The calm waves at the far end of the garden were illuminated by around thirty small lanterns, which had been organized by Joey, Ajit and Keatan - overseen by Kayla. A low barbeque stood on the sand, slowly burning the coals.

"Tom, this is amazing." Sam whispered.

"I have to admit, I couldn't have done it without help."

"Who helped you?" Sam asked.

"Joe, Keat and Aj set everything up, while Kay bossed them about - as usual."

"Oi! Don't be mean about your sister."

"I think it was more of a compliment, actually." Tom mumbled.

"Well, anyway, I think it's great."

"I'm glad." Tom chuckled. He quickened the few short steps to be before Sam, and swiftly lifted her onto his back, so he was giving her a piggyback. She yelped in surprised and laughed as he sprinted across the grass, on to the sand with her clinging to his shoulders and neck.

Tom carefully put Sam down on the beach towel that was sprawled across the sand, next to the grill. Once on the ground, Sam pulled Tom down to lie next to her. As he rolled to his right to flip the steak that was sizzling, she slung one arm over his midriff. Snuggling her face into the crook of his neck, she lightly began to kiss his skin.

"Hmm," Tom moaned. "I can't wait." He jumped up.

"Can't wait for what?" Sam asked, confused greatly.

"For this," Tom said as he slipped one hand into his dark, uncertain colour – due to the ever fading light – jean's pocket. His white shirt was pushed upwards as he pulled his hand out. In the dark, Sam could still see what was in his hand; a small blue painted, wooden box, lined with a soft material.

"Tom…" Sam barely made it audible.

When Tom went down to one knee, Sam sat up, crossing her legs.

"So I know I've already asked, but I wanted to go down the more traditional route. Will you marry me?" He asked as he opened the box to reveal a thin, platinum ring with a clear diamond enlarging it at the centre.

"What do you think? I've already said yes once, again won't hurt." She replied.

Tom took the ring out of its box and slipped it onto Sam's ring finger. Sam stared at the ring for several seconds, admiring its beauty, before Tom broke the silence.

"What do you think?" He asked hopefully.

"It's amazing. You seem to be doing a good job at making everything amazing tonight." Sam giggled.

"How do you want your steak?"

"Let's go for medium rare." She quickly grabbed him down to her again, and began to kiss his neck, lightly at first, growing more intense. In a split second, he lifted her lips to his. She pulled away shortly after. "On second thoughts, make it very well done."

He laughed playfully at her confidence. They continued for at least five minutes before either of them spoke.

"Can we do it here?" Sam asked, unsure but still feeling higher than anyone else.

"I guess. It's private property."

"What if someone sees us?"

"There are trees all the way to the water on both sides of us. Someone's going to have to be extremely noisy to look. Besides, they've probably already heard us." As Tom finished his last sentence, Sam slapped his upper arm and began to unbutton his shirt.

With the couple too caught up in each other's naked limbs, neither noticed the slam of the back door or the almost silent but discernible scuffled across the grass and sand. Only when the people spoke were they aware.

"Seriously? Isn't a bed more comfortable?" A woman voice hollered in uncontainable laughter.

"Don't mind us. We're just getting the surfboards." Joey. It had to, hadn't it?

"You're going surfing at this time of night? It's dark." Tom panted. He was so thankful that it was now pitch dark. He shielded Sam's body with his, hovering over her, while her legs were wrapped around his waist.

"We were going to wait until morning. But now I think I need to surf to hit the image behind me out of my head - quite literally!"

"Keep an eye on him Cath." Tom called to the brunette woman. Catherine, Steve's wife, was a rather petite woman. Steve and she had only married last November, with few people present. Only the couple, Joey, the priest, three of Steve's colleges – also the couple's friends – and Cath's brother, who had walked her down the 'aisle' on the short stretch of grass near the water edge. Everyone wore leis.

"Will do," she turned to go. "Oh, Tom, Steve's asks if you could come to your grandmother's tomorrow evening at about five."

"Why?" Tom was still thankful for it being dark, and for the little light coming from the nearly burnt candles.

"Early Thanksgiving. Half of us won't be able to get away again at the time, so we thought now would be good. Oh, and don't forget it's Aj's birthday tomorrow." Joey explained. "You might want to stop with the burning steaks," and then Cath and him left.

"Little awkward." Sam muttered into his chest.

Tom suggested that they should head inside. While he sorted out his failed attempt of cooking a meal, he told Sam he'd be just a minute.

"Which room?"

"Joey refused to let us in his room, so the first one on the right at the top of the stairs."

Then she was gone, him not far behind. Their night was resumed - in a tangled mess of sheets.

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