Disclaimer: I own nothing. Matt, Amy, and Shane own themselves.

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Matt's final days at home with Amy had come to an end. Matt placed the last thing in his bag and zipped up his suitcase. Amy was sitting on their bed next to him, the tears already starting to fall. Matt kissed her gently on the forehead and slipped the locket around her neck, followed by him placing an identical one around his own neck. Inside was a picture of the two of them on their first Valentine's Day together.

~*~*1 Year Earlier*~*~

The blindfold was finally lifted from Amy's eyes as she felt the soft sand beneath her toes. Matt had wanted to do something really special for Valentine's Day and wanted to keep it a surprise for as long as possible. He gave Amy a dozen roses and then told her they were off to their secret destination.

Amy quickly placed the roses in water and walked out the front door of their house where Matt was waiting for her. He opened the door and Amy took a seat in the passenger's side of Matt's car. Matt jogged around to the driver's seat and hopped in. Before he pulled out of the driveway, Matt made Amy put on the blindfold wanting it to be a complete surprise.

After twenty minutes of driving, they had arrived. Matt instructed Amy to take off her shoes without removing her blindfold. Amy did as she was told, curiosity almost getting the best of her. Matt opened the car door and grabbed her hands. Amy soon heard the familiar sound the she loved so much. The waves were crashing against the shore and rolled out into a clear blanket covering the sand.

Matt removed Amy's blindfold and she gasped at the sight in front of her. A blanket set in the sand with a single rose lying in the center. Matt led Amy over to the blanket and sat down. He wrapped his muscular arms around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

The sun was just starting to disappear behind the horizon as the sky began to twirl into mystical colors. Amy was so amazed. She had mentioned to Matt years ago when they were nothing more than friends that she loved sunsets, and he actually remembered. Not only that, but he knew Amy loved the beach and brought her there to view the beauty of nature with the person she loved most.

The sun had finally set beyond the great horizon and the sky quickly became black, enchanted by stars. Amy sighed in content. "Thank you Matt. This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me," she said gratefully.

"And it's not over yet," Matt replied, a grin creeping onto his face.

"There's more?" Amy asked shocked. No one ever cared for her enough to give her a decent Valentine's Day, and now she was being showered in gifts.

"I wanted to make this night special," Matt stated. "I wanted to show you how much I love you and how much you mean to me. Now follow me," Matt finished, pulling Amy up with him as he grabbed the blanket and shoved it in his car. Amy hopped in the passenger's seat and Matt sped away.

Matt and Amy soon arrived back at their house. Matt being the gentleman he is, went around and opened Amy's door for her while helping her out of the car. The sky was a midnight black above them and the stars and moon cast a celestial glow over the night sky.

Amy opened the door, shocked at what she saw. Rose pedals were scattered across the floor, candles giving off incense and a warm glow, and a note with a rose next to it on the piano. Amy went over and read the note with Matt's arms wrapped around her waist.

"Follow the rose pedals," the note read. Amy placed the note back down and did as it instructed. The pedals led to the porch of the house which had a table set up in the center. Placed on the table were two candles which surrounded yet another single rose. The wine was already poured in the glasses and the food was set on the table.

"Matt this is beautiful. When did you have time to do this? I mean we were just at the beach."

"I had Jeff help me out. I told him what to do, and with a little bribery, he set all this up." Jeff was Matt's younger brother by three years.

"Thank you so much Matt. No one has ever done anything like this for me."

"Anything for you baby," Matt responded, placing a soft kiss on Amy's inviting pink lips. He pulled the chair out from the table and Amy sat down. Matt took a seat across from her at the table and the two began to eat their delicious meal. Jeff emerged from inside the house to take a picture of the two before retreating home. Amy thanked him kindly for everything he did before he left.

After they were through Matt said, "Dance with me." Amy happily obliged as she placed her arms around her boyfriend's neck and rested her head on his shoulder; Matt's arms wrapped around Amy's waist. Amy fit perfectly in Matt's arms as if they were made only for her to be tangled up in. They danced under the stars for about an hour, just enjoying each other's company.

Amy let out a small yawn. "Are you tired sweetie?" Matt asked.

"Just a little," Amy responded.

Matt picked Amy up and carried her up the stairs to their bedroom. He gently laid her down on the bed. Amy was soon asleep as Matt lay next to her admiring her beauty which always seemed to stun him every time he saw her. His breath caught as he saw the silver light of the moon cast its glow upon Amy's exquisite face, illuminating her features. "I love you," Matt whispered before he too felt his eyelids become heavy and fell asleep.

Matt smiled at the memory. "I love you Aims. I may be off at war but I will never be alone. You are always in my heart, mind, and soul."

The tears began to fall harder from Amy's eyes as Matt himself began to feel his eyes watering. "Be strong," he whispered to Amy. "Be strong for me, I will always be strong for you."

Matt and Amy pilled into his car as they drove off to the airport. When they finally arrived at the airport an hour had passed but it seemed like only a few minutes had passed. Matt tasted saltiness in his mouth that was his tears. Matt kissed Amy passionately as it might be the last chance he ever got to do so.

"I love you Amy. I will come back to you, I promise." Matt held Amy tight, savoring every second he got to spend with her. "We're going to get married when I come back and spend the rest of our lives together. I love you Red."

"I love you too," Amy replied tearfully. Matt kissed her one last time and disappeared onto the plane. Amy stood and watched the plane leave, shocked that the person she loved most was now gone and she might not ever get to see him again.

TBC.. *******************************************************

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I'm gonna try to have the next chapter up soon.

~*~*Megan*~*~