The red moon recently has given me different takes on old stories, ever since Sandy was reunited with SpongeBob after the horrific shock in "How to Save a Life" I've always wanted to write/record a different path where Sandy meets SpongeBob just before he plans to attack the monster. Happy 22nd Birthday to my favourite Nickelodeon show of all time and Happy 35th SpongeBob! This story is my gift to you, also a continuation of my SpongeBob the Musical title stories, this one is called "Best Day Ever".
Fate had a funny way of playing with Sandy that day, she had only left the Tree-dome so she could do some martial arts but had now eavesdropped on her first friend beneath the waves willing to sacrifice himself for the brainless jellyfish. Sandy knew that SpongeBob SquarePants wasn't much of a risk-taker, more of a scaredy-cat in nature, but before she could even speak or call out Sandy lost her balance for a second which caused her boots to kick down pebbles alerting SpongeBob and the younger sponge, who Sandy guessed was his son, and without a word said SpongeBob stretched his arms to catch her.
SpongeBob expected to feel his hands zapped by a jellyfish or feel the familiar tingly slimy sensation of tentacles, so he was shocked to his core when his retracted to reveal who it, or she, was: dangling from his fist was a light-brown squirrel with a tan muzzle in a pure white spacesuit with an acorn symbol in the centre looking like she hadn't aged a day. SpongeBob felt the ancient adoration that he had swallowed down into the depths of his soul resurface painfully as her name formed silently on his lips while his eyes grew misty. Sandy Cheeks.
"Ha-ha, howdy!" Sandy chuckled nervously, trying to ignore the 30-mile stare she was getting from SpongeBob, directing her gaze to the darker sponge whose mouth was agape and his dark-blue eyes glowed with admiration as if he was meeting a legend before letting out a squeak, "Are you Sandy Cheeks? THE SANDY CHEEKS?" When Sandy nodded her head in an answer the younger sponge finally cleared his throat and held his hand out for a shake as he replied "My name is Junior SquarePants, Dad told me so many stories about you! You're awesome!"
Sandy was completely flattered by Junior's worship of her, she hadn't expected for SpongeBob to tell stories about her after their last talk years before, but she was shocked more when SpongeBob rushed up towards her than wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. Sandy stayed silent out of respect until she heard deep, deep sobbing rises out of the old sponge while tears pinged against her glass dome helmet and his glasses slid off his nose onto the grass but SpongeBob didn't seem to care or fully understand what had happened, it felt like he had mourned her for a long time. Sandy raised her gloves up slowly to the sponge so she could stroke his back, feeling as if she were comforting a kid, as she quietly consoled him "It has been a long time, huh SpongeBob? Sorry that I gave ya'll a scare like that but I couldn't let you two goes face that monster…" Her explanation was stopped by a sob again from SpongeBob again but this time words flowed out as he rasped "Sandy. I've. Missed. You." Those four words hit a chord in Sandy's heart making her tear up a little, she never knew a man could be so heartfelt with so little words but this was the same SpongeBob who wrote "Best Day Ever" that helped so many of his castmates when they were down and it was obvious that he needed time to talk alone with her.
"SpongeBob, ya'll can let go of me now. I'm losing circulation through my arms." Sandy gently whispered but SpongeBob just silently shook his head, if he let go, she would disappear was his thought process, which made Sandy gently pull him away from her so he could look up at her those gorgeous blue eyes gleaming with tears as she continued "How about… some Texas Ice Tea and Cookies? Then we can talk." SpongeBob hiccupped as he nodded his head in agreement before looking over his shoulder at his son with a pleading "Please, leave us to talk alone." look which, surprising to Sandy as she thought he would protest, he nodded his head in agreement.
"You're the first friend in a long time who wants Dad to come visit in twenty-five years. See ya back at the pineapple, Dad!" Junior called out the last words as he raced back to the disused snail shell to gather the jars with a slight skip in his step, he was more like the sponge that he shared his physical looks than his mermaid spawner, but was quickly forgotten when SpongeBob finally slid down off Sandy's suit as his squeaky shoes hit the sand with a light thump but still stayed unusually quiet.
SpongeBob stayed that way until they were outside the Tree-dome when Sandy pulled out his old water helmet, that he'd hidden after the third anniversary, when he rasped "Why are you being so nice to me? I mean, after so long." He saw shock register on the older wiser squirrel, at how quickly her friend had picked up on her inner thoughts, as Sandy turned back at SpongeBob to see mistrust show inside dull eyes which scared her. The SpongeBob she remembered would have hesitated or prolonged the question and would have trusted her wholeheartedly, but this 58-year-old man showed no signs of his past self almost like Sandy was talking to a dead corpse.
"If you're going to yell at me again or beat me up, go ahead. I don't have anything to live for, anymore." SpongeBob said in the driest tone he could do as he spoke the truth and almost flinched when Sandy walked up to him before she bent down to give him a hug as she gently whispered, "Who in the whole ocean has hurt ya this much? What has changed the happy innocent sea-sponge in shorts I once knew that caused you to deaerate to Squidward?" SpongeBob didn't answer, as he was scared that Sandy would jump to the wrong conclusion again, then walked into the Tree-dome surprised at first by the soft tingling of the overgrown grass against his thighs as they walked over to the picnic table. He watched silently as Sandy walked back to the Tree-dome to get the snacks, it was only a few minutes but the familiar anxiety of the twenty-five years settled in his stomach, SpongeBob tried not to imagine Sandy rushing back out and karate chop the water helmet so he could die by air pollution until he shook his head in despair. "Sandy was never like Mindy, idiot! She didn't want you to face the Black Bellied Striker or kill myself, would Mindy do that?" even when he thought this SpongeBob knew the answer already as Sandy walked back holding a big jug in one paw and a plate with fresh baked cookies on the top which made his tongue water as she put both down.
"So, ya haven't answered my question SpongeBob! You can tell me; I won't repeat to anyone not even my bosses." Sandy inquired as she took a sip of the drink so SpongeBob could answer at his own pace but was shocked even more when he took one small bite into a cookie leaving only a scratch as he answered again in that same dry tone, "Do you really mean that? How should I know that you're not going to kick me out when I say that I'd been trying to tell you for five years? But who would believe the so-called abuser or the stupid kid in a man's body/ naïve fry-cook that you once knew?" the moment those words left his mouth SpongeBob regretted his sentence of inner hatred and knew that he was reflecting all of it onto Sandy unnecessary as he knew that deep down who was to blame.
SpongeBob: I'm sorry, Sandy. I meant what I said earlier, I just… rather have died there than tell the truth. M, M, M…
Sandy: Maybe it would be easier if you spelt out the name?
SpongeBob: No, my hands would shake too much. Ok, Mindy Neptune.
Sandy shrieks: MINDY NEPTUNE?
SpongeBob shushes her as he looks around with scared eyes until he remembers that he was safe here.
SpongeBob: it was horrible six months in 2004 Sandy, just horrible. One night when I was walking back home from work Mindy came up behind me and knocked me to the ground before ripping my pants and… (he sobs) stuck her thingy into me. She was the one who told me that no girl would ever love me after this and placed the doubt that anyone would believe me. The next day, King Neptune came into the Krusty Krab 2 and said that I had my way with Mindy so I was forced into marriage than she killed off the one relationship that I still cared about: you, Sandy Cheeks.
Sandy: me? I was the only one you cared about and what do ya mean by relationship?
SpongeBob: I know that this might come out of nowhere considering you might have moved on already, but… (he speaks quietly) I love you.
Sandy: What was that? I didn't quite hear you, SpongeBob.
SpongeBob: I LOVE YOU, SANDY CHEEKS! DO I HAVE TO SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU? I've been in love with you for years since 16, but I'm okay with another guy already stealing you away from me as I'm not right for you, never was in retrospect. You need someone who could bring the ocean to you and make you always feel worth the love that you deserve while I deserve to be forgotten and rid the ocean of this… (spats) defective sponge.
Before Sandy could respond she watched SpongeBob walk away from her as he left the Tree-dome without looking back, as if he took her silence for an answer, not even when Sandy ran out and yelled "SPONGEBOB WAIT! COME BACK, I DIDN'T MEAN…" but she heard a guttural scream of pain echo from the other side of Jellyfish field's which reminded her of a dolphin calling out their pain after it's whole pod had been murdered which broke her heart. She had never guessed that this poor sick sponge had loved her this long, 42 years of unrequited love coming from the one guy in Bikini Bottom with the smallest brain but the biggest heart saw her more than a friend. He loves me, that was the only thought running in Sandy's head, after all these years she had been his flame that he had been forced to quench all because of Mindy's manipulating mind control and her misjudged jealousy. Surprising herself, Sandy found her cheeks wet but also a yearning coming from her heart, to hold a certain sponge in her arms and kiss his heartbreak away but she knew that she had to talk about this with someone, with her mind set on Conch Street she decided to find Squidward, Patrick and Junior.
She found Squidward standing outside his Easter Island head-shaped house talking to a worried Junior SquarePants and, surprisingly concerning their last talk with SpongeBob, Patrick Star. The elderly octopus grunted a greeting when he saw Sandy running up to him but the first person to communicate was Patrick who shocked her by body-slamming Sandy to the ground and held her down as he lazily punched her in the stomach which Sandy blocked with quick reflexes by smacking it away. Before he could attempt another blow, Patrick was wrestled off the land squirrel by both Squidward and Junior allowing Sandy to rise to her feet again unhurt physically but what Pat said next hurt emotionally, "Why did you even come back here? Did you want to hurt my best buddy more, enough to kill himself, my first and best friend?" Patrick sobbed the last words as tears ran down his face as he stopped resisting enough to fall to the ground with a sob.
Sandy shocked: W-what do ya'll mean by that, Patrick?
Patrick: Because of you and your friend-zone, my best pal is going to die! You finally pushed him to the edge, I thought you'd re-spark that flame of happiness inside but I saw him rush past my rock sobbing his heart mentioning that he's gonna do it and that he… he… was sorry about being a horrendous friend.
Squidward: he said the same to me expect he apologised for being a horrendous neighbour, boss and employee, also to pass The Krusty Krab 2 down to Junior.
Junior: He told me just now that he loves me and that he's so sorry about his actions regarding me and my sis. (He slaps a hand over his mouth as he remembers that Sandy didn't know of the rape) err, I mean…
Sandy: It's okay, SpongeBob explained it in full context what happened right now but you're wrong Pat. I DO love SpongeBob! I just… didn't react quickly enough as ever since I left Bikini Bottom all those years ago, he was the only man on my mind. Those big eyes of his, that adorable laugh and cute smile, finally his optimistic look on his life. Well, how it used to be.
Squidward: I always expected that my own depression would consume me first, but… the minute I saw his dead blue eyes look at me I just can't bear the thought that he would even do this.
Junior: Any ideas, Mrs Cheeks?
Sandy: Tomorrow, I want Junior to keep an eye on SpongeBob until he leaves the pineapple when he does, I want to be called immediately and told his location. When I've talked some sense into that idiot, I want all of us to appear and, if we're lucky, we'll have our old beloved SpongeBob back.
Squidward quietly: If we're not, he'll be dead.
Keeping Squidward's sombre thought out of her mind for a bit, Sandy turned around to head back home when Junior walked up to her with a note and what looked like a sketchpad both addressed to Sandy. "Dad said that I should give you this. He said that this was a goodbye." The last words came as a sob as Junior's dark-blues sparkled with hidden tears, reminding her so much of a younger SpongeBob, as he continued "Please save Dad! I hate this depressed version of him, I never knew him happy in the old days but I love him and it would hurt too much if he…" Surprising him Sandy hugged the younger sponge, imagining he was his father, she whispered "I'll do mah best, Junior."
She impatiently waited until she was back at her picnic table eating the forgotten snacks, Sandy finally read the letters. As she started to read though Sandy felt like crying again as SpongeBob's old voice popped in her head.
My Dearly beloved Sandy,
If you're reading this than I re-joined Gary in heaven or you found my body battered or torn apart by sea beasts and wondered what made me do this. Despite what I said earlier, you should know that I never blamed you or want you to feel responsible for my passing but I can't live in a world where there would be no "us". Why did I expect you to kiss me after I yelled those words? You probably hate me more for the stupid gullible kid that I am deep down.
"SpongeBob, I don't hate you for what you said, I thought it was kinda sweet." Sandy whispered to herself but kept reading,
I know that love between two completely different species is unrealistic, or the fact that I will help to make a baby as I have none of the normal reproductions, but then again normal sea-sponges don't have facial figures or organs anyways. Dyha (Sandy could hear the famous dolphin laugh the minute she read that), what am I a freak of nature? I bet your boyfriend laughed when he heard that your former best friend was a square-shaped sponge with blue eyes, I hope he treats you well like you're his queen like I would have.
"What gosh darn thing made you jump to that conclusion, SpongeBob? I'm single, have been for thirty years, like you." Those words made Sandy realise that this was the reason why he'd been so tense earlier, he didn't want to find out she had another. Pain shook her as that hit her mind, she had to reveal the truth to him before it was too late!
I never thought that I would fall for anyone as most girls, in Bikini Bottom, bore me that they only care about their looks above all. But you, dear Sandy, shine above them all with your amazing mind that fights against all stereo-types of girls and that's what I fell in love with the minute we met. If I only caught you sooner when I had the chance, or made it a proposal on the 10th anniversary like that joke, I love my kids but every single day I wish that I had guts to leave Mindy or told you about the attack first instead of blindly going to work the next morning. If I had done so, my heart wouldn't have broken in little shards!
Take care of Junior for me? He'll need your strength after I'm gone but never forget about me, Sandy as I'll watch over you until we met again.
I L.O.V.E Y.O. U
SpongeBob SquarePants
Sandy noticed through blurry vision that SpongeBob had signed his name in a messy signature, as if his hand had been shaking too badly, she turned to the sketchpad next.
Far away from the Tree-dome at 124 Conch Street, SpongeBob lay on his bed still wearing his shorts while looking at old photos of the good times, where he had been happy and blind to the cruel world that Mindy had shown him yearly. He loathed the man that he had become as he realised that SpongeBob SquarePants had become Conch Street's second grouch next to Squidward Tentacles in his old age, okay not old in sponge years sure but for a fish or shark he lived past his prime, or that's how he saw himself. As he wound up his foghorn alarm for the last time SpongeBob stroke it fondly while whispering "Well old girl, this will be my final chapter with you. Thank you for always waking me up on time and I hope Junior looks after you well." Silently putting back the book on his table, SpongeBob laid back down on his bed and fell into a familiar dreamless sleep.
The next morning SpongeBob woke with a groan as he felt his scars sting in protest, but laughed sadly as he remembered that it wouldn't be any longer, tied his shoelaces than slid off his bed walking past Junior's bedroom as he didn't want to alert him. He left the pineapple silently but stopped to look up at it for the last time which made him feel mixed emotions of the normal sadness and the ancient joy but he kept walking heading east towards the Bikini Bottom Trench.
Unseen by his father Junior watched from the top window as SpongeBob headed towards the trench, many sea creatures of the past would use this place to off themselves, before rushing down to phone Sandy. "Operation SpongeBob is a go! He's heading towards the Trench." Junior whispered than hung up as he dialled Squidward than Patrick's phone numbers.
Bikini Bottom Trench even thinking those three words sent shivers down SpongeBob's non-existent spine as he gazed down into complete darkness, he was petrified of the darkness and knew that this was the right choice as he could finally leave Mindy behind. "Goodbye, Bikini Bottom." He whispered as he stood up than jumped with his eyes shut, he felt air rush through his pours which soothed him for the inevitable crunch of sinister teeth tearing his flexible body until there were nothing left. "SPONGEBOB HOLD ON!" Without warning or any sense of know-how SpongeBob heard a familiar Texan accent yell out his name as someone or something grabbed him by the sides of his shorts and slowly pulled him back up, when he opened his eyes again SpongeBob was shocked to find it was Sandy who had saved him. "S-Sandy?" SpongeBob spluttered as he noticed that the squirrel was panting with tears running down her face which surprised him as he thought she didn't care about him that much as he watched Junior, Patrick and, surprisingly, Squidward race up towards them but his son was the closest.
Junior: You saved him! Mission was accomplished, thank Poseidon!
Sandy: It was almost a failure, I got him just in time before he fell even further. You stupid, gullible, depressed sponge! Did ya really think we would let ya do this?
SpongeBob shocked: S-Sandy. You guys.
Squidward: You may be the most annoying sponge in the universe, SpongeBob but you have a heart of gold and a loyalty that is unmatched. You're not the easiest co-worker to work alongside all the time or a good neighbour, (when he saw SpongeBob look back at the cliff) but… I would rather that it would be me who did THAT and not the most innocent guy I know.
Patrick: I AM SO SORRY THAT I DIDN'T BELIEVE YOU WHEN THE ACCUSATION HAPPENED AND THAT I'VE BEEN COLD TO YOU FOR SO LONG! I should never believe my ex-wife over my best friend all those years ago, if I listened to you before the news hit things would be a lot different.
Sandy: I was also at fault for that too. Steve was the only one of the show's casts to see through the manipulation, I left Bikini Bottom true but I never thought that I wouldn't see you again.
Junior: If you died Dad, things wouldn't be the same! I've lost one parent and sister I don't wanna lose you, too!
SpongeBob: I… I… I'm so sorry, I thought that it was the right thing to do as I'm not worthy of being loved, (looks at Sandy) especially by women who don't feel the same. First you gave me the silent treatment, then you rescue me from my own suicide only after twenty-five years of not believing this stupid fry-cook. What will it take for me to finally be happy? (He bows his head sadly)
Sandy: SpongeBob, I didn't mean… ohh.
Without a second thought on what to do or caring who saw, Sandy took off her helmet placed it on the ground upside down than kissed SpongeBob while embracing him in a hug, whose blue eyes shone with shock but didn't resist as he returned the favour. Discarding any thoughts of drowning out of her mind or letting any of his words stay in her mind Sandy let the tears she had held back flow down her cheeks, the thought that she almost lost this little guy had prompted this show of affection while SpongeBob, on the other hand, heard "Best Day Ever" play in his mind as a smile covered his whole face for the first time in thirty years.
When he noticed that her face was going blue because through lack of oxygen SpongeBob pulled Sandy away gently, reluctantly, as he finally squeaked, "Sandy, does that mean?" to which Sandy panted as she put back on the helmet "Yep, I love you too, the reason I didn't say it was that ya'll surprised me with that confession as it came outta left field. I've stayed single all this time as no man could make me happy or bring me up when I was down."
Suddenly remembering the sketchpad and the song that would be played when things were hard, Sandy sang:
Just six more minutes left
I've done all I can do,
And whatever happens next
I'm glad
I'm here with you
As if her words provoked them, SpongeBob's pours started to whistle the opening of Best Day Ever which made SpongeBob put his hand over them to cover it up while his mouth stayed shut.
A yellow sponge came up
And he smiled at me
He said
(Imitates SpongeBob) "Today's gonna be mah best day ever"
"Just wait and see"
Queen Neptune's manipulation caught us all unaware
But we're still here
And Mr Sun's up there.
Junior joins in by playing the tune on his nose, like SpongeBob taught him, while Patrick played it on his belly drum while SpongeBob stared in amazement.
Could be the Best Day Ever
(Junior) Best Day Ever
It can still be the Best Day ever
Best Day Ever
I'm so lucky
Got nothing to do
I could spend five hours
Just being with you
Every flower, every grain of sand,
Is reaching out to shake my hand
Still resisting his heart song and his inner child again, SpongeBob walked back to his pineapple ignoring his pours and his friends singing. "I'm not that SpongeBob anymore!" He thought as he slowly walked back upstairs to his bedroom but stopped when he reached his mirror. (Unknown to everyone loud banging echoed inside SpongeBob's body, where right in front of his heart a metal door was repeatedly punched by the occupant inside and with a final karate chop the door was flung aside as a bright yellow arm flew out. The arm retracted back to its owner as he ran out letting go a laugh as he left the prison while the song played, not caring in the slightest what damage he was doing to his organs SpongeBob punched left and right
It's The Best Day Ever
Best Day Ever
It can still be the Best Day ever
Best Day Ever
These past few days the world's been closing in on me
When I'm feeling down
I wanna loose that frown
I stick my head out the window and I look around
As he looked at himself SpongeBob saw his old wrinkly face change to a younger happier version of himself smiling back at him. "Don't let Mindy win." The reflection whispered before fading away as SpongeBob put his own hand against the glass. After it disappeared SpongeBob felt the familiar bubble sensation of his dolphin laugh tickle his throat which was let go happily as the words of his famous song finally reached him.
Mindy doesn't frighten me
She can't disguise
There's magic that happened right before my eyes
(Younger SpongeBob): whatever comes, there's only one thing for you to do
(Sandy) Make it the best day ever with all of you
(SpongeBob) Today's the best day ever thanks to you
Happier memories overwhelmed the small sponge as a small rainbow hung over his head to show that his mind and heart were both at peace, finally after thirty years he could be himself. Pretending to be grouchy again, SpongeBob walked back out to find Sandy and the others singing or dancing to the music which paused when SpongeBob came into view. Sandy gulped a little thinking that the small sponge was mad until the frown turned into a smile and his eyes shone with the old gleam as he sang:
It's The Best Day Ever
Best Day Ever
It's the Best Day ever
Best Day Ever
Our best day ever
The minute SpongeBob's voice came flying out, even though sounding raspy out of use, left everyone speechless for a few seconds as they let this miracle sink in until Sandy let out a happy scream. She had heard the dolphin laugh earlier but had jumped to the conclusion that she'd been imagining it so to see the depressed sponge to suddenly do a sudden U-turn made her smile knowing that she had brought the real version of her best buddy out.
SpongeBob knew that most of his friend's thought he was better or even had reverted back to his old self but he knew that a part of him would never be the same, he knew that SpongeBob SquarePants of 28 would never be alive again but the SpongeBob SquarePants of 58 would make every day his best day ever like he used to. Even when his pours stopped playing SpongeBob kept smiling, an almost goofy cute smile, as he rasped, "I… I can't put into words what I feel right now, but all I can say is" he gulps as tears run down his face, "I have the most amazing friends and family in the world that a sponge could ask for." He was surprised to see Sandy wipe his tears away with a gloved paw as she hugged him again while whispering, "Welcome back from the dead, Mr SquarePants. Do you wanna come by mah Tree-dome and watch your movie with me? It has an awesome good ending."
Before SpongeBob could reply to this honest answer he was hugged on all sides by his friends, even old Squidward, as they called out his name to the tune of the theme song "SpongeBob SquarePants, SpongeBob SquarePants, SpongeBOOOB SquarePants!" which left SpongeBob feeling all warm inside.
The next thing he knew SpongeBob woke to find himself back in the pineapple sitting upright sweaty in his bed with Garret laying at his feet. A part of him wanted to desperately ring Sandy even race to the Tree-dome until he remembered that she was on a business trip on the surface and he didn't want to wake his hero up, but he knew his insomnia wouldn't let him sleep again until he talked to someone about this so he silently slipped off his bed in his blue stripe PJ's before walking downstairs to his living room.
A loud ringtone of Best Day Ever woke Sandy in the middle of the night, her first week at the Institute had been tough not to mention trying to prove that she was in a romantic relationship with SpongeBob so it didn't surprise to see his name pop up on the screen until she noticed that it was late. Holding back a yawn Sandy whispered into the receiver, "SpongeBob, how did you get mah number?" but when she heard his response it brought her into full conscious as she heard veiled stutter of nerves which brought her mind back to those days of isolation after the coma, "Doesn't matter, I… I just woke from a weird dream and I… are you alone?"
Sandy turned her head to check if her roommate, a white wallaby named Rocko, was fast asleep before whispering "Give me a second to get on the veranda so we won't worry about eavesdroppers as Rocko is a light sleeper," she covered her cell phone with her paw until she walked out to the veranda which overlooked the Pacific Ocean and feel the wind stir her fur which made her imagine that SpongeBob was there with a hot cup of tea in his hands.
Sandy: Okay, what kinda dream was it? Anything to do with ya know who should not be named?
SpongeBob: S-sorta about Mindy but not really, I dreamt that I was back to the time where me and Junior were about to face the Black Bellied Striker but you appeared before that. Oh, you play an important role in the dream.
Sandy: I wondered when I show up.
SpongeBob: The minute I saw you in that dream all of the husk scars broke and I confessed to you what happened with Mindy and even said that I loved you.
Sandy: Wasn't that a good thing?
SpongeBob: You stayed silent and I took it to mean that you didn't feel the same way, so… I decided to kill myself through jumping off the Trench as I thought that I had nothing to live for. But just before I did so… you followed me and you saved me by the end of my shorts and I was so relieved that I think I broke.
Sandy heard SpongeBob squeak the last words which alerted her to the only natural conclusion knowing her boyfriend.
Sandy: SpongeBob? SpongeBob… are… you crying?
SpongeBob sniffs and clears his voice trying to sound masculine: is the thing on video? Dyha, I mean what made you think that? I found myself surrounded by every one of my friends all apologizing for the barnacle behaviour and you said that you loved me back and I was so relieved when you started singing my heart song which finally broke the husk.
Sandy: SpongeBob, I promise. If anything happened like that in your dream, I would've said that I felt the same all over again to help my lover.
SpongeBob: Thank you.
Sandy: Oh, you SquarePants. Always so emotional!
SpongeBob: well yeah, my family is all about open feelings dyha dyha. Ahh, thanks again, Sandy. I love you and sleep tight.
Sandy: Goodnight, you cute dork! Ohh, and it's cute that I'm in your dreams. He-he.
SpongeBob: Goodnight, Mrs Cheeks.
Placing the receiver down slowly with a smile, SpongeBob walked into his kitchen to get himself a glass of water as he was dehydrated a bit from the crying. As he poured the water into the glass that he'd pulled away from the barrel above the sink, as he slowly gulped down the water SpongeBob remembered the conversation, he had with Sandy which made him smile as he felt the old snuggly feeling that would always come whenever she would come to his mind, a feeling that had laid dormant for 25 years and had resurfaced that first sight after waking up.
In the dream, it was now evening and SpongeBob was standing outside the Tree-dome wearing his old water helmet and a cute tuxedo outfit holding a bouquet of sea lilies in his hand with his legs trembling from nerves as he remembered the last conversation that he had with the land squirrel. When he thought over his actions today with a clear mind SpongeBob realised with a pang that he had been guilt-tripping her all that talk by projecting all of his insecurities on her but she still cared about him to invite him over for a night of movie watching. He was interrupted when he heard the door clang open to reveal Sandy standing there wearing her suit and smiled gratefully at SpongeBob which made his heart soar, "Well I'm glad ya'll showed up, SpongeBob. I almost didn't think that you wouldn't show up condsiderin' what happened earlier." To which SpongeBob laughed in relief as he replied, "SpongeBob SquarePants is always on time, if I'm not you would know something was wrong with me! Dyha, dyha." Sandy chuckled back lightly as she missed that sound but she noticed it died down again as he looked at her with a worried expression as he whimpered "Don't you think that this was a bit soon? I mean, I've just rediscovered my joyous emotions after…" Sandy nodded her head slowly in a sad expression as both of them knew that the true SpongeBob had been buried beneath a landslide caused by her sudden leaving but she remembered also that he didn't blame her because of his suicide note to her.
Like yesterday the duo stayed silent as they walked into the main part, Sandy noticed that the small sponge kept his eyes on her even when she wriggled out of the suit especially as he caught sight of her bra but meekly turned his eyes away in embarrassment which made her blush a little remembering that he had kept his hidden infatuation for her.
She's so beautiful SpongeBob thought as he distracted his wondering eyes off the nearly naked squirrel until Sandy jokingly said "The plastic interesting is it, cutie?" which snapped SpongeBob's gaze back in shock as he hadn't been called cute or anything in a positive affection which SpongeBob blushed humbly as he replied "n-no, well yes… dyha, I haven't been out of my pineapple for years so I'm a little…" "Claustrophobic?" Sandy asked raising an eyebrow inquiringly which made SpongeBob fully laugh as he said "I'm not afraid of Santa Claus, we did bring him to Bikini Bottom in the first place. I just feel… out of my element Sandy, earlier today I was depressed and suicidal but now I'm joyful excited but also anxious as I haven't been on a date before, not even with HER."
Sandy watched the little sponge's whole body shake in fear as he spoke that word but SpongeBob took a deep breathe in to centre himself as he closed his eyes for a few seconds while a smile spread across his face than opened his eyes again. "Ya should know that you're an awesome kisser for a bachelor, I don't know what came over me though. You just looked so… sad, lost as if you were set on…" she stopped the hidden word from tumbling out of her mouth when she felt smooth soft fingers circle her waist as SpongeBob hugged her from behind which was brought higher to her chest as Sandy picked the extremely light SpongeBob and hugged him.
Steve Frillenburg had given the final cut of the movie on a tape to each of the cast members years ago, Sandy had already prepared some popcorn and SpongeBob had brought some soda topped with newly made ice from Sandy's fridge.
When they got to the theme song Sandy noticed that the song's namesake stayed quiet while his eyes glowed in wonderment, as they got to the managerial promotion and the letdown that glow dampened close to tears as they heard "I'm ready. Depression. I'm ready. Depression." Said in a sombre tone which made Sandy turn to her friend to ask the older more mature SpongeBob the question that the scene had prompted, "Did you react the same when I left you at that bus stop?" she wished instantly that she hadn't said this but she knew the truth had to be explored, SpongeBob stayed quiet for a long time not even watching the movie as Plankton got to Neptune's castle and the introduction of his ex-wife.
SpongeBob: I didn't leave that place until it was sun-down, by then I was soaked to my skin because of my tears and my heart heavy where I didn't work for the next two weeks so I could accept the fact that the possibility of us was never. Heh, but ever since that unprepared wonderful healing kiss earlier, I can finally feel the shattered pieces of my heart slowly glue back together.
Sandy: for me I reacted like you were an unwanted piece of barnacle that needed to leave but… every time I dared to date another squirrel it would always lack something. That something…
That left unsaid as they continued to watch the movie Sandy noticed that SpongeBob wasn't able to keep his eyes on the screen when Mindy or the old king appeared while his buck-teeth grind back and forth against the bottom but the hour and half movie was mostly spent in enjoyment until they got to the ending. "Are you kidding?" A younger SpongeBob squeaked to Squidward before pointing down and saying "I was just about to tell you that your fly is down! Manger! THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE!" as he jumped into the air holding the badge before the screen cut to black as the credits rolled and "Ocean Man" played which was greeted by an unusual applause from the main star who hollered and laughed while keeping that adorable grin on his face making Sandy feel happy to see SpongeBob so ecstatic.
It was really good to see the old sponge act like a kid again after the roller-coaster of mixed emotions the last two days but her thoughts were interrupted when SpongeBob took off his water helmet and leaned into her aiming for a kiss but paused asking with his eyes. Sandy leaned in towards him gently pressing her body against his as she encircled her arms around him and brought him up to her mouth, SpongeBob kissed her with an enormous hungry sensation as if he had been banned by Mindy to soak up any love while also filled with the tanginess of the ocean as he rubbed her back smoothly but grunted in protest when Sandy reached the shorts. "Sandy?" he murmured in her soft ears which alerted the older squirrel that he wanted to talk which she allowed, remembering that he'd been raped by Mindy, so she expected him to explain the shadow that now covered his eyes.
SpongeBob: I… I'm not ready emotionally for that yet or any form of it. Th-that action ruined my life, even though it wasn't my choice, and I'm so scared to let my heart to open to you only to be torn apart again. It's just… too soon.
Sandy: SpongeBob, look at me please. (SpongeBob raises his eyes to her) I completely understand and I'm sorry that I moved too fast, we squirrels tend to be, heh, quick on our feet when we see an opportunity but I deeply respect your mature reasons. But I wanna let ya'll know (she places her paw over his chest where she felt a steady thumping get faster in excitement) that I would never, ever harm you in that way, once a squirrel falls in love it's life and, well, I've looked out for ya for 15 years before her. When you're ready to do it, I'll make sure to go easy on ya until than we can still have a non-sex partnership.
SpongeBob: C-can we continue with the kisses and hugs, please? I never noticed how soft your uh skin feels before.
Sandy: It's called "fur" SpongeBob and fine by me.
SpongeBob: This one hundred precent ma-male just wants to hug you and kiss you and like a normal sponge will never let you go.
Sandy (Ignoring the mispronunciation of mammal proceeds to tickle the cute sponge which makes SpongeBob laugh uncontrollably)
SpongeBob spluttering: DYLALALA! DYIIII! NAHLALALA! TE-HEH! S-Sandy stop, he-eh, that's my weak spot, I'll wet my pants and this is my only good suit.
Sandy: well, that's what ya'll get when ya scare a squirrel like that! Do ya'll call a truce or do I have to bring drastic measure?
SpongeBob spluttering: T-truce, truce!
Sandy lets go of the cute sponge who pants in exertion with a slight dryness to his tone.
Sandy: You're SpongeBob, alright.
SpongeBob rasps: Do you know anyone like me at all, San-day? Squidward would have refused to visit and so would Patrick but you wanna know why I accepted?
Sandy: Let me soak up the info.
SpongeBob shakily raises his right hand which cracks a little before placing it on his heart.
SpongeBob: As I blurted it out, I love you even after that first trip here I was super naïve to think that air was a fancy ascetic. But it hit me how much I valued you when we went after the Alaskan Bull Worm, I was terrified to think I might lose you same when Mindy hid me away as I… thought you would blame me.
Sandy opens her mouth to speak but SpongeBob stops her.
SpongeBob: I know you blame me for driving you away and not racing after that bus but I was in total shock back then, the shards that were my heart have slowly glued back together thanks to you.
SpongeBob placed the helmet back on before reaching his arms out to pull his lover into a tight hug as "Best Day Ever" starts to play on the tape, "Mr. Moon came up and he smiled at me, said it will be the best night ever, just wait and see. Jumped out of bed and I ran outside, I feel extra egg-satisfied, these past few days the world felt horrible to me, when I felt down, I should lose that Squidward frown, I stick my head out the window and I look around. The true SpongeBob is back, I can no longer disguise, there's magic that's happened right before my eyes," he strokes Sandy's cheeks with his palm showing that he was talking about, "Soon Mr. Sun will be shining bright, so the best night ever can last all time, now it's the best day ever!" the last words were whispered as SpongeBob stayed glued to her body as he hugged her while the warm feeling of love re-entered his heart. Sandy let the small sponge stay the night despite the fact that SpongeBob hadn't planned it, they slept on sperate beds though as Sandy knew that he would want to take it slowly. As Sandy fell asleep, she was soothed by the familiar snore from years past of her boyfriend, even thinking that word thrilled her as she hadn't expected that song to work so quickly but… she had the old SpongeBob back and SpongeBob finally felt lighter than air, like a jellyfish, but the air was love.
In the middle of the night Sandy felt someone poking her gently which woke her up, she turned around to find SpongeBob standing over her body his big blue eyes shone with grief mixed with worry that his smile at her felt false. "What's wrong, Spongy? Nightmare?" Sandy yawned which made SpongeBob sniffle a little as he sat down next to her while looking down at his feet, he waited a minute before replying "I can't believe that you let me come back here after my little spat yesterday, I expected you to treat me horribly as revenge or you to reschedule." As he was saying this SpongeBob felt the unwanted tears threaten to fall and could hear the sob rise to his throat which he swallowed back with a gulp but they came undone when he felt Sandy pet his back gently which he flinched a little until he relaxed. "Do ya wanna know why I moved back here after twenty years, SpongeBob?" Sandy asked as she brought the little sponge close to her chest in a hug as she could hear the sobbing escape every few seconds while he gave a silent nod, expecting to hear of a new discovery or how her bosses needed a new invention, SpongeBob was shocked by what she revealed.
"It was many reasons but the main one was…" Sandy smiled as she locked eyes with SpongeBob who only blinked up at her before she finished, "Remember how you said that the only thing you cared about was me? Well, I was in a similar spot… I came back only to be with you again as I missed you, a lot." As if that was the final cue for his tears to break, SpongeBob's sobs turned into a wail the sound reminded Sandy of the same situation when she left on the bus but she could also hear relief in the wail as it cooled down to a whimper which let out only a small "thank you." SpongeBob knew that showing his appreciation verbally wasn't going to accommodate for her mercy act, as he rewatched the first movie through mature eyes SpongeBob finally understood why Sandy had chosen this movie, despite the fact that she didn't play a big role, to show him what he had been missing for twenty years, his sense of compassion and optimism. SpongeBob felt his skin soak up the tears naturally after a few minutes which Sandy commented on by saying "I haven't seen you do that for a long time, are you feeling better now? Did I bring up a bad memory?" SpongeBob shook his head before giving Sandy a genuine smile coupled with his blue sparkly jewels, dang those eyes, finished what he was saying next made Sandy feel warm, "I haven't felt that much loved since I was 30, earlier today I didn't feel happy or myself really but now I feel so raw and it scares me a little that my emotions are flooding back so quickly." Sandy put her hand up to wipe away the tears from the sponge's face which made SpongeBob's heart escalate from a trot to a canter as she soothed his misery, "I know that it'll be hard for you to accept parts of the old you back but trust me, SpongeBob." Sandy leaned towards her boyfriend, as weird as that felt, to carefully lift his helmet off before kissing him tenderly which SpongeBob complied before finishing "I won't leave you to face this new adventure alone, I've loved you as a friend for so long that it'll take me a bit of time to register that my old co-star is now my boyfriend but, as you said quite often, I'm ready." SpongeBob laughed warmly as he kissed her again before placing the helmet back on as he slid off the bed before heading back to his own before turning around and winking.
The next morning Sandy joined SpongeBob on the way back to the humongous puddles of black jelly left by The Black Bellied Striker, SpongeBob wearing his glasses, like before, but were now filled with a certain glow that was all attribute to her where there had been nothing last time which warmed Sandy as she knew that he needed her in this moment or else he'd do something stupid. Nearing the path towards Spork Mountain the duo encountered their foe: hovering above twenty dead jellyfish was a giant of a jellyfish reminding Sandy a bit of the pictures shown to her of box jellyfish, way bigger than the everyday kind found around there and its colour scheme reminded her of a stop sign dark red spots against a black surface.
"Well, that's one huge critter of a jellyfish! What can we do, SpongeBob? You're the jellyfishing veteran, got any ideas!" Sandy whispered when she turned to her old friend who sadly shook his head, "That thing has killed so many spotters remember and it's poisonous to sea-sponges!" SpongeBob squeaked as his small body shook as his gaze took in the carnage but snapped when he heard Sandy say in a serious tone "Well it's not deadly to squirrels or met Sandra. J. Cheeks so it doesn't stand a chance." But surprisingly Sandy felt someone hold her back as she stood up in a firm grip and loud sniffling, she turned to see that SpongeBob looking at her with a determined look on his face while those big blue jewels shone at her with tears. "NO WAY! NOT HAPPENING! I've only got you back yesterday, Sandy, there's no way that this…" he gulped as a squeak rose out again but when he spoke again a mature tone entered as he continued "monster isn't gonna kill my woman!" he was surprised to feel so protective of this tough woman, after so long feeling like barnacles, but he knew one thing, "I love you so much, Sandy and I don't want to lose you again so quickly… after 25 years, I have to show that I can stand my own to protect my family." Ignoring Sandy, SpongeBob walked right in front of the jellyfish which alerted the monster to spin around to face the old sponge. Sandy watched in horror as SpongeBob stuck out his tongue and did a raspberry while saying "nanana!" before running off at an amazing speed which infuriated the jellyfish enough to chase down the elderly morsal, while Sandy ran the other way towards Conch Street.
Sharp horrendous pain shooting up through his weak body made SpongeBob stumble but love for Sandy kept him steady as he ran, the deafening buzz from his opponent kept his feet running where he wanted them to lead his enemy. He stopped to catch his bated breath underneath a natural overhang made by rocks when he noticed the chaser was a mile away, the first image to come in his mind was Sandy which made SpongeBob smile as he whispered "I'm sorry to scare you like this again Sandy but this is the only way to get this monster trapped where I want it to be without more loss." Another image even horrible was Sandy completely covered in that same goop they had seen while he lay next to her crying but SpongeBob shook his head as he repeated in his mind "Can I make it to the trap? Heck yeah! Are tough men afraid of jellyfish? Heck no! And why? Because I am invincible!" the last word was screamed out which caused the buzzing to grow louder. Ignoring his painful sides SpongeBob jumped into the air and raced off forgetting his glasses as they slid off and were stepped on causing tiny shards to enter his skin.
Back when he had shown her around Bikini Bottom when they were teenagers, SpongeBob had taken Sandy to the Jellyfishing Hall of Fame where they had in their collection the biggest crafted net in the whole sea. "Legend has it that an incredible jelly-fisher caught Plankton more's mighty dragon in this very net 500 years ago and tamed that beast. No one knows what happened to them or their partner but they do say that any descendants of this legend will weal this net and can catch anything!" Sandy watched as SpongeBob's eyes shone in complete worship to this unseen hero of old, which was quickly overshadowed by the latest image of him with love shining there for her but mixed with fear. Fear for her which was odd as he was the first in Sandy's life where it clearly showed, yesterday SpongeBob showed his depressed side to her, and right now as she contemplated his actions, he showed who he clearly loved the most and cherished the most.
"Me." Sandy said silently as she rushed past watchers towards the net: the only thing that was part of its original makeup was the handle as its strings were made of fibre glass interwoven with steel strings while the handle was cracking in bits due to its age. "SANDY! HEEELP!" SpongeBob's raspy cry echoing from outside snapped Sandy out of her recollections and, without a second thought, grabbed the net in her paws firmly as she ran outside to find SpongeBob panting breathlessly as he raced towards the entrance before collapsing on the sand. He watched in terror as Sandy ran out holding the net expertly, which was unusual as she had never participated in the casual sport before but then again, she had participated in rodeos so it must be natural for her, and swung the net straight down with a slam trapping the jellyfish which zapped once than buzzed angrily while SpongeBob did a raspberry again before letting out his victory screech.
"LOLOLOLOLO!" SpongeBob jumped to his feet as he rushed over to the net playfully annoying the jellyfish taunting it while cheekily laughing "Didn't think that your natural prey would kick your slimy butt, did you? And no ordinary sea sponge either, the only one who lives in a tropical fruit! SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS! AND THE toughest SQUIRREL FROM TEXAS, SANDY CHEEKS!" Those last words were cut off by a yelp of pain from SpongeBob which alerted Sandy so she ran over to him worry shining in her eyes mixed with triumphant as she held him steady as her new boyfriend toppled to his feet while his sight went in and out but smiled when he saw the woman he loved.
Sandy: SpongeBob, are you alright? That thing didn't zap you?!
SpongeBob: I'm feeling a little sore (holds her hand against his chest with a weak smile), there. Old SpongeBob is better now!
Sandy: Ya'll positive, SpongeBob? You look like you've been kicked by a bucking bronco, (she notices his eyes are sparkling with tears), you're even cryin' right now! If this thing has zapped you, I will…
SpongeBob kisses her deaf and blind to the shocked gaping looks from the gathering group of fishes a smile staying on his face as tears ran down it while he held onto her so strongly.
SpongeBob whispering: The only thing that my mind reverted to keep me running was the worry that I would find you at the end dead and I couldn't save you. I was so… (sobs) scared that I lost my hero!
Sandy: Aww, SpongeBob don't cry! I'm fine, you can see that, ditto on worryin' about my favourite invertebrate dying. Just promise not to do something so irrational again!
SpongeBob laughing loudly: Dylalala! I promise, Sandy! I promise!
Sandy: And could you stop being so gosh darn adorable for a few seconds? I love you, but you're overdoing the old SpongeBob charm and you're making a bit of a scene. Heh heh. Thank Poseidon, it worked.
SpongeBob: THANK YOU, POSEIDON! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! THANK YOU FOR SENDING SANDY SO QUICKLY YESTERDAY TO GIVE ME A SECOND CHANCE, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS IS BACK BABY!
He stayed glued to her until they reached his pineapple where he jumped off Sandy and landed squarely on the floor, SpongeBob smiled warmly at the land squirrel which had brought his newfound glee mixed with love out on his face. "I never expected to do that at all! I feel sore but also like I could run all the way to the edge of Shell City and back," he stops to catch his breath as he locks eyes with Sandy "I might need to get a new pair of glasses though. The shards of my old pair are still in me but I know how to get them out, even though I haven't done this since I was about Junior's age." Without another word spoken SpongeBob closed his eyes as he sat quietly as if he were in a trance before sighing deeply as his body got ready to do the weird thing he was eluding too. Sandy watched in amazement as slowly tiny white particles float out of her boyfriend's green pours reminding her of steam rising from a hot bath on a frosty morning. Sandy remembered reading about this in her biology books: sea-sponges fed on leftovers from other animals but when they would find something that didn't agree with them, they'd absorb the toxin and let it slowly back out as particles causing no serious side effects. SpongeBob had done this with water he'd soaked up accidently as kids but Sandy never saw him so calm as if he were in a mediative space with every breathe, he took in through his nose than back out his mouth the particles kept flowing until it stopped and he opened his eyes again with a serene smile.
"There, all gone." SpongeBob sighed as he stretched his arms up towards the celling than did a bounce to warm his legs, he then turned to Sandy with a warm smile again as he continued "Sandy, remember how I said last night that I wasn't ready to… do the deed?" Sandy nodded her head as she replied "Of course, I do! I agreed on your wise decision why bring it up?" as she said this, she watched SpongeBob creep closer as he pulled his shorts only leaving his undies on with a "I want to show you that I love you" look on his face reminding Sandy of the look he had with Patty. "Racing all that way made me completely forget something important, that I need to show you in other ways, that doesn't involve sex, of how deeply my love goes." SpongeBob soon had his body pressed against Sandy's as he wrapped his arms around her thin body with his weak arms before stroking her as if seeming to draw her with this seductive gesture, he started at her boobs where he kissed them both than licked her neck before reaching to her lips and kissing them before, reluctantly, pulling away when he felt his lower half yearn to do it as he knew Sandy could feel it too.
"I love you that much, Sandy. Every part that makes you YOU, every part that I longed for but refuse to gush through me again these twenty-five years and now resurfaced." SpongeBob's blue eyes dampened as he finished what he was going to say, "I know that I want to treat you like my queen and have been for a long time, but I will never repeat what Mindy did to me as I don't want to make my true self be hated again for something that I can't change." He slid back to his shorts carefully buckling his belt than tying his shoes as he kept his eyes to the floor ashamed of himself, mentally readying himself for a rebuttal from his girlfriend.
Sandy felt a wave of mixed emotions surge over her once again like two days ago, she was seeing the vulnerable side of SpongeBob that he cleverly hid through his child-like personality but had never been allowed by Mindy to show unless it would result into more pain. "Do you really want to go through a romantic partnership right now, SpongeBob? I'd understand if you want to go back to us being plutonic with each other…" she was stopped when she felt SpongeBob's arms firmly hug her, like two days ago after he recovered from the shock, his soft spongy skin brought comfort to Sandy which was combined with SpongeBob's words, "I banned my heart from feeling pure happiness for twenty-five years and never thought that I would love a woman but I never regretted you saving me. That letter I wrote to you was a way of saying that I forgave you and hoped that I would watch you with an amazing man who trusts you, I wasn't given the taste of eternal youth until you kissed me and you're asking me if I want to go back to us being friends? Dylalala!" SpongeBob's dolphin laugh sounded dry and void of emotion but his throat finally choked up as he continued, "I have felt you, kissed you, comfort you when things were bad even tried to save you and you have made me bring back love and kindness into my heart through "Best Day Ever", do you really think I'm giving up now? Dyha, dyha, if I gave up on achieving my dream of working for Mr Krabs, he would have been steamed crab served with a slice of butter on Neptune's table, if I had given up on our friendship, I would be so damn stupid, Patrick stupid, or a self-hating introvert like Squidward like I am now."
SpongeBob raised his head to finally look at Sandy again, his baby-blue eyes sparkling with the familiar joy from his childhood tainted a little by a mature hardness of two days ago surprised Sandy to see how the former immature sea-sponge had such a hold on her with his expressions. "Six-hour anniversary and I'm sobbing like a baby," he sniffs as he rubs the tears away, "I know I had a lot of baggage heh but I didn't think that I would get this emotional. I've been through so many ups and downs but now I want to make this night special, I'm going to take you to the fanciest restaurant in town." "The Krusty Krab?" Sandy said jokingly which made SpongeBob roar with laughter as he remembered how he took Patty aka fake Sandy on that same plan, which relived Sandy to hear such a happy sound from the depressed sponge before he finally spluttered "N-no! Luckily, I'm treating my hero to a special night and I won't make you regret it. See ya at six, Sandy, I'll always love you."
Three hours later
Sandy was standing outside her home waiting for SpongeBob, taking his offer which made him smile again when she agreed on it which surprised her as she thought over it. She knew that the question of going back to just friends had come out of nowhere but how he responded surprised her, the SpongeBob of two days ago would've agreed with her even as a young adult that he would refuse but those thoughts were interrupted when the headlights shone ahead as a black limo came into view. Sandy gaped when she saw the car stop right near her and the driver, a purple fish in a blue bowler hat and trench coat, walked up to her with a smug look on his face as he opened the left passenger side door. "I've been paid to escort you on a magical date Mrs Cheeks as asked by Mr SpringBoob SquirePin," he was interrupted by Sandy who laughed when she heard the mispronunciation of her boyfriend's name but stopped with a slight cough when the driver glared as he continued "Your date is in the back and his eagerly waiting."
Thanking the driver Sandy climbed into see that he wasn't lying: SpongeBob sat there with a happy smile wearing his normal attire except they were now proper pants and his neck tie had been changed to a bow. "Where to, Mr SquirePin?" the driver asked when he had buckled himself in which SpongeBob replied "The ship in a bottle restaurant, please! And it's SquarePants, SquarePants." Before turning to Sandy with a smile, "I always thought that my first date would begin with me driving us but as I don't have my driver license this is the best thing, I could change it for. Luckily, they had a free slot today so Poseidon is smiling down on me."
"SpongeBob, this is an amazing surprise but I'm not worth all this!" Sandy said while emphasising the limo, "I know you think that six hours," SpongeBob holds up five fingers on his left than four on his right silently correcting her, "okay nine hours. But this reminds me of that affection you laid on Patty years ago and I feel a little off." That was when it hit her: both names of SpongeBob's crushes had been five letters each and he had known her longer than Patty… "Patty was symbolic of his hidden feelings for me, weren't they?" SpongeBob only smiled cheekily and nodded his head which pushed Sandy to ask the following, "Why didn't ya tell me this sooner, Spongy? You always came off, to me at least, the type of person that who would be the only one in the family who's the favourite uncle among the kids who had no desire for relationship." SpongeBob finally broke his silence by laughing which earned a groan from their driver but he stopped as he sighed melodically but didn't answer as the limo stopped at their location.
SpongeBob had been the wingman for his former boss's first date with his old teacher many years before so he knew what was acceptable and what wasn't, the driver patiently opened the door with his fin held out for a tip as SpongeBob bounced out while Sandy slowly stepped out before SpongeBob put two five-hundred-dollar bills in the chauffer's fin which caused him to gawp. "That's for amazing driving and for taking this job on such a short notice." SpongeBob said as he held Sandy close to him while slowly walking up the wooden steps. Sandy was shocked more as she learned that SpongeBob planned all of this in such a short time: she knew that as a star he'd saved a lot of money for his kid's education but splurging all his wealth was a little overwhelming but sweet as he was doing it only for her. As both were vegetarians SpongeBob had pre-ordered steamed algae sprinkled over fried seaweed topped with sparkling water accompanied by peaceful piano music, it was so romantic in a simple way as Sandy could tell that he wasn't trying to overdo it.
Sandy: Ohh SpongeBob! This is the nicest treatment I ever got from a man. I don't think that I deserve so much pampering.
SpongeBob: Oh, I would disagree on that my little fuzzball,
Sandy laughing: You're over spoiling me Spongy, I mean first the limo, than the fancy food and now imported music. I hope it's not putting too much of a dent in your money account, I know Mr Krabs would hate the bill that this gift is gonna cost ya.
SpongeBob: It's worth every penny! I've been planning this date for a long time, I still have the original notes in a secret part of my diary that no one knows about except me, not even Mindy knew or found it.
Sandy: That shows you're WAY different to the founder of your restaurant, as I can't imagine Mr Krabs doin' something like this twice for Mrs Puff.
SpongeBob: Actually, before he died Eugene confessed to me that he was going to propose to her, but Poseidon had other plans.
Sandy: do you ever think that you will say "Neptune" again? (SpongeBob blinks in surprise) I mean, you're a very forgiving sponge so why can't you forgive Mindy?
SpongeBob: I want justice first before that, my faith was shaken really badly by her actions and a part of me does forgive her while the huger part wants to never give her my forgiveness.
Sandy: was it the same with me? I mean your one-sided thoughts on justice and forgiveness?
SpongeBob: I never, NEVER, felt that way with you not even when you've driven me to hiding through your reckless antics and I mostly hated myself for not intervening before I lost my chance. (Before he could say more a waiter taps a fin on his shoulder as if to signal) is it that time already? Excuse me for a minute Sandy.
Sandy watched SpongeBob leave her at the table but walk up onto the stage where the same waiter handed him a guitar before SpongeBob held the mick in one hand. "Wow, I haven't been on stage for ages! I'm even a little star-struck but I just wanna say I wouldn't be here if it weren't for this wonderful person" as he says this the spotlights shine down on Sandy who's a little embarrassed but soothed by the deep love she sees in SpongeBob's eyes, "Tonight's our anniversary and I want to make this the best date ever for us." He chuckled when the piano player played the first two notes of his heart song but grew serious as he finished his speech "Until recently I never thought that someone could ever love me all thanks to my ex-wife but that all changed with her." The pianist starts to play the song's intro followed by SpongeBob's gentle strumming:
Closed up from love
30 years, I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough and it was all in vain
Time starts to pass, before you know it
You're frozen
Ooh
But something happened for the very first time with you
My heart melted to the ground
Found something true
Sandy knew from early days that SpongeBob had many talents under his belt but she had never been serenaded to before, the lyrics expressed so well what SpongeBob had confessed to her that it was hard to see this poor sponge express in song what she had brought him. SpongeBob held his hand out to point Sandy out before putting his hand over his heart at the line "my heart melted to the ground, found something true." As he too was overwhelmed by the recent revelations, he was surprised that his voice stayed steady.
And everyone is looking' round
Thinking' I'm going crazy
Maybe
But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you!
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on, closin'
You cut me open
And I
It had been Junior who brought the idea that this song fit his relationship with Sandy, the son and father duo had been planning something like this all day after Sandy left. Even though they were both naturally asexual, Junior more than his dad, it was pretty easy to see how lovesick SpongeBob had become over Sandy since she saved him and oblivious to the fact that this was a team effort or that SpongeBob was rushing way too fast into courting Sandy. "Dad, I know that you've been hoping for something like this for a long time but don't you think you might be pushing it the wrong way?" Junior's honest question snapped SpongeBob's attention back to the present as Junior continued "She's hurt you before badly just before you divorced Ma… Mindy and you've been through a near suicide attempt. I think you, honestly, are rushing far too quickly into this where the possibility of Sandy staying with you is 50/50, I want you to be happy Dad but are you sure this is the right way?"
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open
Trying hard not to hear but Mindy talks so loud
Her piercing sounds fill my pours and heart
Trying to fill me with doubt
Never know, that her goal was to keep me from falling
SpongeBob paused his strumming as he wiped away tears as he recalled what he replied to his son, "I understand your insight Junior and I appreciate your honesty but I will be the judge of what I can stand, Sandy was the one who broke me but it was a multitude of other actions that lead to my decision of becoming her boyfriend because I love her. She loves me back for who I am!" SpongeBob smiled as he kept his eyes on Sandy as he felt all of his insecurities about her love two days ago leave him.
But there's nothing greater
Then the rush that comes with your embrace
And in this sea of loneliness, I always see your face
And everyone looking around,
Thinking I'm going crazy
But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you!
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on, closin'
You cut me open
And I
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open
Sandy had heard the little sponge sing thousands of times over their time as workmates, whether singing to the songs on Squidward's radio or simply humming SpongeBob's voice held innocence and purity, both things that she valued from day one but now was showing the rawness of true love. "Doesn't he have such a way with words?" Sandy sighed to herself
And it's draining over me
Although they'll all found it hard to believe
I'll be wearing these healed scars
For everyone to see
I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you!
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on, closin'
You cut me open
And I
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep, keep bleeding love
As the notes faded into silence SpongeBob lifted his hands up from the guitar to his nose where he expertly played a familiar ending note, he heard laughter when he finished but it felt warm as he knew that the fish here knew his name possibly from their kids or watching the show themselves but it felt soothing to do that trick again. "Maybe I should come out of retirement, a new start a new SpongeBob SquarePants if Steve will allow me to come back." SpongeBob whispered to himself but it quickly disappeared as he walked off the stage into the arms of his lover, Sandy Cheeks.
The end