**************
Casey walked down one of the many halls in The Gund Arena, looking for Rob. She bumped into Amy, who had a knowing smile on her face.
"I know, I know, don't start with me, you were right, I was wrong, yadda yadda yadda. Now, where is he?" Case asked, not wanting to hear a long lecture from her friend.
Amy just smiled and pointed behind Casey, then simply walked off.
Casey turned around to find Rob just staring at her, not moving an inch. She walked up to him and waved in his face, trying to break him out of his trance. When he finally broke out in a huge smile, she started to say something but was beaten by Rob, who started talking first.
"I know you are probably blaming us not talking on yourself, but it's not your fault. If anyone it's mine. So, to save any argument, lets just settle that I'm really sorry, I would never hurt you, you know that. I miss having my best friend around." He started, trying not to kiss her right then and there.
"Aw, Rob, its not your fault. I need to tell you something. When I said I love you as more than friends, I meant it, I was just scared that you wouldn't return the feeling. But now, I dont care, because I need to tell you the truth. The truth is, when I said I dont want you because you made me hurt myself, I was lying. The truth is I want you too much, and knowing I stuffed any chance of there ever being an "us", that was what made me hurt myself and lie to you." She told him, tears escaping her eyes.
"Case..."Rob started, slipping his arms around her waist.
"Yeah?" She asked, slipping her arms around his strong neck.
"I forgive you, just shut up and kiss me!" He laughed, pressing his mouth to hers.
"Yefhhn..."Casey started to say, but her voice was muffled by Rob's mouth on hers, not that she was complaining.
The too stood there kissing passionately, everything falling in place, until Rob pulled away suddenly.
"Wait, wait, this isn't supposed to happen yet!" Rob told her, laughing at the look on her face. He htought she was about to slap him, so he quickly continued.
"Your supposed to walk into my locker room first. So go there and follow the instructions." He told her, walking away, laughing at the dumbfounded look on her face.
Casey followed his instruction obediently, walking into his locker room. She had to laugh when she found Adam, Jeff, Jay, Matt, Scott and Amy standing there, waiting for her. Jeff was the first to approach her.
"Get out of those clothes, in the bathroom please, and put this on, with those shoes, your going out on a date." Jeff told her, laughing at how lost she looked.
"Did you tell him about us?" Casey asked him , taking the shoes from Matt.
"Yeah, returning the favor. Beth says thank you, by the way." He told her, hugging her before she made her way into the bathroom.
Once inside the bathroom, Casey looked at the dress she was about to put on. Hanging up, it looked a bit too small for her, but upon sliiping into it, she found it to be a perfect fit. It was a strapless black dress that reached the floor, tailored up the top, but going into an A-line skirt down the bottom from her waist. It suited her perfectly, and the shoes were a perfect fit. They too were black and strappy. She made a face as she noticed the slight heel.Give her runners anytime and she was happy. Exiting the room, she came out to a host of oohs and aahs. Laughing she did a little twirl for them, to a round of applause. Adam and Jay couldn't resist giving her a few wolf whistles in there, laughing as she flipped them off.
"I am so not a dress person." She told them, fidgeting a bit.
"Stop fidgeting, you look absolutely stunning." Scott told her truthfully.
"Aw, scott, are you getting all sentimental on me?" Casey aske,d laughing, but feeling herself fill with love at how proud Scott was of her. Her surrogate bog brother was proud of her indeed.
"All right you two, dont get all soppy. I have strict instructions to do your hair and make up, then send you on your way." Amy told them, leading Casey to the bathroom again.
"Where exactly am I going?" Casey asked her, sitting on the toilet so Amy could fix her up.
"Not telling!" Amy said, a cheeky grin on her face.
"Fine! Oh, and Ames, thanks for picking out the dress, I really like it." Casey said sincerely.
"How d'ya know it was me?"
"Well, you know my exact size, both clothes and shoes, and, besides, none of the guys could pick out such a nice dress."
They continued to chat excitedly as Amy put Casey's hair up in a stylish bun, letting pieces of her curly hair fall out here and there. Applying just a little bit of make up to her face, Amy stood back and akcnowledged her masterpiece.
"TaDa!" She exclaimed proudly, quite happy with her work.
"Thanks dudette, nice work." Casey thanked her, stepping out of the bathroom behind Amy.
"Wow, look at you, all grown up!" Terry told Casey as she approached the car. He laughed as Casey tried to bow, failing moserably. The little sister he had practically adopted had grown up a lot in the 4 years he had known her. She was once very shy and naive, now she was confidant and all grown up.
"Thank You, Thank you!" She said, smiling wide.
"You look....stunning, absolutely gorgeous."he told her, pride filling his voice.
"He's a lucky guy, try not to stuff it up this time." Terry continued as he hugged Casey.
As they drove to the secret location, Terry refused to tell Case where she was headed.
"Fine, you people are party poopers I swear."
"Dont swear, it's not good for a little girl." Terry joked, cracking up at his own joke.
Casey just glared at him, trying desperately not to laugh.
"Who's the smartass now , eh?"
After Casey was taken to the door of the villa by Terry, she waited inside as he drove off. Standing by the counter, admiring the view of the beach from the sliding door, she didn't notice Rob sneak up behind her.
He quietly slipped his arms around her waist, whispering into her ear.
"You look amazing. So beautiful, oh so precious."
She didn't need to turn around, she knew who it was.
"You set this up?" Casey asked him, leaning back into him.
"With a lot of help from some friends. You like?"
"I love it all... I love you!" Casey told him, turning around in his arms to kiss him.
"Well, I did this because I love you too!" Rob told her, taking her hand and leading her to a candle lit dinner that had been set up.
*************************************
Later that night, after an exquisite dinner followed by lots of talking, Casey and Rob were taking a walk down the private beach. Only a few other houses were stationed on the beach, and they were spaced out generously. Walking hand in hand, barefoot, along the sand, they were just enjoying each others company, when Casey broke the silence.
"Why do you love me?" She asked out of the blue.
"Huh?" Rob asked her, totally confused.
"Why do you love me? You could have any girl in the world and you pick me. I'm just curious is all." She otld him truthfully, kicking the sand at her feet.
"I love you because your you! You wont change for anyone, your genuine, sweet, caring and absolutely beautiful. I love you for who you are in here." Rob told her sincerely, placing his hand over her heart.
Casey had no words for him, love taking over her thoughts. They made there way backinto the house, both knowing what they wanted.
As their kissing became more heated, Rob took Casey by the hand, leading her to the master bedroom. As he undid her zipper, he stopped and asked her if she was ready. When she said he was he searched her eyes for any sign of doubts. After finding none, he let her dress fall, guiding Casey to the bed. What followed was a long night of passion that had been building for more than five years finally being released. Throughout the night, Casey thought about the road that led her to this moment. Sure they had their bumpy times and absolute rock bottom times, but they made it this far, and they would definitely keep going. But could either of them possibly realise how bumpy things were about to get?
