"How does she get him to do it?"

Gil murmured the question as he watched the two slowly swaying to the song the local band was playing. Wasn't his type of music, he preferred old-school rock, himself, but he endured it because of the contentment on Bright's face.

He had never seen the kid look so peaceful, so at ease, so comfortable in his own skin. As if he forgot, for that moment, all the problems that normally plagued him,and allowed himself the pleasure of being a normal nineteen year old enjoying a hot summer night at the boardwalk.

"How does she do what?" Jackie leaned back against him. "Get him to stay still?"

"How does she get him to let go of all the things that normally bother him and enjoy things like a concert at the beach?" He folded his arms around her and rest his chin on top of her head. "Does she know some secret method for dealing with Bright that we don't?"

Jackie hummed a soft laugh. "She's a girl, Gil."

"You're a girl."

"Glad you've noticed."

He chuckled at her wry tone. "My point is that you struggle with getting him to agree to do things like this."

"Sorcha's a nineteen year old girl."

"Is that her secret?"

She elbowed him gently in the side. "Didn't you do things at nineteen because of a girl?"

"I did lots of things at nineteen because of a girl."

Many he ended up later regretting. It was all part of growing up. Learning to make mistakes and growing from them. He didn't have all the problems Bright did, though. Hadn't endured all he had. The bullying and teasing from his classmates, extreme social isolation, and the biggest one of all: having a serial killer for a father.

"Then you can figure out how she's gotten Malcolm to do things that we can't get him to do."

"Like agree to spend the weekend at Ocean City."

Not only agree, he realized as the delighted cries from those on the rides mixed with the pinball bells, and the calls from the carnies. Actually enjoy himself, as well.

Gil had his doubts when Jackie told him they were going to spend the weekend with the two in Ocean City. The only way Jessica would agree to let Bright go, she told him while handing him a suitcase.

He figured it wouldn't matter if he agreed to chaperone or not.

Bright hated the beach and carnivals.

And he hated the food typically served at boardwalks and carnivals.

He assumed the kid would balk at the idea and put an end to things.

He'd have been wrong.

Sorcha figured out how to get around all of the kid's complaints and protests. She and Jackie prepared foods that wouldn't upset his stomach and they planned out things to do so that everyone got to do something they wanted.

Turning the weekend into the sort of family vacation he and Jackie tried to take the kid on when he was younger.

Still, he couldn't help the worry sloshing around in his belly with the three beers he allowed himself as a treat. Bright didn't have the greatest history with relationships.

The last one, especially.

Gil suspected there had been serious physical and mental abuse going on throughout the three-month relationship.

Not that Bright would tell him the truth any of the times he asked him about the odd bruises and cuts on his body. A reminder he shared with Jackie as the band started to play another song.

"The last girl Bright dated did a real number on him."

"Sorcha isn't like Denise."

No, she definitely isn't like Denise Lewis, he silently agreed as he watched the kid bury his face in her hair. The only time Sorcha Corbin struck out at anyone had been in defense of Bright.

"If she turned out like her," he said as cheers erupted from the crowd, "I'd have gotten a restraining order to keep her away from him."

"And I'd have agreed with you about it."

"You like her, though." He tightened his arms around her. "Admit it."

"I do like her." Jackie slid her hands atop his. "She doesn't care his father is The Surgeon. Doesn't care he is rich. Doesn't see him as he sees himself."

"She argues with him about it."

Gil's lips tilted up as he recalled one long drive where the two went back and forth about his being broken. Bright gave up in the end because Sorcha outright refused to accept his reasons for why he couldn't be fixed.

"That's why she's good for him," Jackie said. "Sorcha doesn't allow Malcolm to run himself down. She helps him find healthier ways to deal with his anxiety and depression. Makes sure he eats and sleeps." She nodded towards where the two were slowly strolling away from the stage, hand in hand. "She makes sure he has fun."

"She can't make all the moves, though." A warm breeze cruised over the boardwalk, stinging the summer and salt water clinging to his skin. He counted the pain worth the happiness that had been on Bright's face all weekend. It was so rare and all the more precious for it. "Bright has to make them, too."

"Why do you think they keep sneaking off when you aren't looking?"

A chuckle burst from Gil as he caught her meaning. "Some detective I am."

She sent him a teasing smirk.

"You've just forgotten what it's like being nineteen and in love."

Gil's brow knit. "Do you think he even knows he's in love?"

"Did you at nineteen?"

"No." Gil pressed a kiss to her forehead. "But that's because I hadn't met you."

"Good answer."

"Marriage has made me a wise and prudent man."

"Well, wise and prudent man, do you want to pretend we're nineteen again and sneak off like them?"

Quiet suggestion hummed in her throat and burned in his blood. Much like it did whenever she spoke in that sultry tone.

"I know just the spot."

"Well..." Amusement danced in the eyes she lifted to his. "What're we doing standing here then?"

A rocket burst overhead as Gil led Jackie in the opposite direction the kids had gone.

He could remember being nineteen, after all.

And what he remembered most was how the last thing he'd have wanted was his parents hanging around while he was trying to have some alone time with his girlfriend.

A/N: Hello, all! Hope this finds you well!

I just want to send a special thank you to Rookblonkorules for their lovely reviews