Calvin was leaning against the wall when she opened up the door. She
stepped out and he instantly got a smile. She was wearing short khaki
shorts and a stripped button-up shirt with rolled up sleeves. She had her
hair down and the most mischievous look he'd ever seen.
"That mine," Cal said jokingly and looked at the shirt she was wearing.
They walked the short distance across the hall and into each others arms.
He wrapped his arms around her low and she put her hands on his chest and
started to trace little circles.
"Which one? Me or the shirt?" Mandy asked with a smile looking up at him.
"Well can I have both?" He asked, pushing his forehead against hers. "No, one or the other." She shook her head. "Okay..then I pick..the shirt...I'm kidding, I'm kidding..." Mandy faked a hurt look and tried to squirm out of his arms. He laughed and then pulled her back towards him. "You know I'll always pick you," he pulled her closer and started kissing her neck and slowly went up to her cheek, whispering against her skin. "Always..always and forever....your it for me...all I want...all I need.." She was loving his touch. She still couldn't believe all that was happening. She closed her eyes and listened to him. She moved her hands from his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. She start playing with his hair as he kissed her gently, moving closer and closer to her lips. She was lightly pinned against the door. He was right beside her mouth and she turned towards him. He gently brushed her lips with his own and she pulled him in. They were sweet, loving kisses at first, but they became quicker and harder. They laid a hold of each other in his hall, kissing over and over. They were getting a little crazy, and they both knew it. They also knew that they needed to get it out of their system, it's not like they'd be able to kiss so intimately for the rest of the day. It was something private and special between them, not something they'd do in public. If they did, it wouldn't be very good for either of their careers as well. Cal kissed her one more time. It was a kiss that lingered, fuller expressing his love for her. He pulled back and gave her a sideways grin. "So..why are you wearing my shirt...oh I'm sorry...I meant your shirt?" Mandy laughed, "I didn't have anything I wanted to wear, and besides, this is soft and comfortable. I like it, especially because it smells like you." Cal gave her a look with a furrowed brow, "Smells like me? I you trying to say I stink?" Mandy laughed really hard and said, "No, no , no. You smell really good, see." She picked up the shirt she was wearing and smelled it, then put it on his nose to smell. "See? Don't you smell good?" "I thought that was you?" He joked. "I mean, you are the one wearing the shirt." "Well I may be wearing it, but it's your shirt." "I thought I had the person wearing the shirt, I'd rather have that then the shirt. To hell with the shirt if I can't have you." He looked right in her eyes and laid his forehead on hers. "Hmmm..I'm yours....but so is the shirt," she leaned in to kiss him, but he pulled back slightly. "Ummm..well in that case..." The tone of his voice lowered, "you look good in my clothes." Calvin kissed her once, not wanting to get sucked in the moment, but no longer being able to resist the thought of her touch. He pressed his cheek against hers and noticeably exhaled. She grazed the back of his neck with her fingertips lightly, sending chills over his body. "I love it when you hold me," Mandy said giving him a little squeeze. "I love you, Mandy." Calvin whispered right in her ear. "I love you, Calvin." They pulled back and she traced his face with her fingertip. "We better go get some of that breakfast." "Yeah." They walked hand and hand down stair and joined his parents. He teased his mum about spoiling him with her great cooking. They only let go of one another's hands when they ate. They hugged Erin and Arthur before they left. Calvin wanted to show Mandy something, he said it was a surprise.
They drove for quite some time, the area around them slowly fading away into trees and open land. Mandy was admiring everything and completely oblivious to how nervous Cal was becoming. He pulled into a dirt road and drove down a short distance to a closed gate. He parked the car and started to get out. He walked to her door and opened it for her, offering her his hand to get out. "Mandy, welcome to the Hollow." They walked to the gate that had the name, 'O'Reily' emblazoned upon it. He unlatched it and they walked into a lot hidden among the trees. The lot wasn't big, but beautiful. It was surrounded by trees that formed a canopy over it blocking the sun, not completely, but letting just enough in to set the atmosphere. He walked ahead of her and put his hands in his pockets. They both tried to take in their surroundings. It was his favorite place in the world, besides Mandy's arms. It had been so long since he'd been there that he'd almost forgotten what it meant to him. Besides being with Mandy, the only time he felt at peace was when he was here. That's why he wanted to share this with her. He wanted to share everything with her, and for the most part, he already did. He felt like he could tell her anything. He turned back to her and watched in awe as she seemed marveled by it all. He walked back to her and said, "I'll be right back."
"Okay," she said and dragged her hands across his back as he walked past her. He walked back to the car and pulled a blanket out of the trunk. He saw that she has walked farther ahead as he came back. Cal laid out the blanket and walked back to her. He came up from behind her and put his hands on her hips. She smiled and grabbed his hands, wrapping them around with hers. He bent down and kissed her neck. "This has always been my secret little place. It was my Granda's, he named it the Hollow. It was always my getaway, somewhere I could go to just be cut off from everything that didn't matter. When him and my Granma decided to travel, he gave it to me, he knows how much it means to me. There's a little outlet to a small lake over there." Calvin swayed from side to side as he held her, "For the longest time, this has been the only thing that could calm me. I missed it so much since I've been gone, until..." "Until what?" Mandy turned around in his arms so she could face him. He looked down at her with the most emotion that she had ever known someone's eyes could hold and said, "Until I met you." Mandy looked up at him and thought that she might cry. She felt guilty for doubting him last night, for every having to ask him if he loved her. He told her everyday what he felt for her. He showed her a side of him that she knew many didn't see. Even this place was a part of him that no one disturbed, and her she was, standing in it. Calvin didn't know what is was, but she just leaned in and started kissing him all over again. I hadn't even been a day since their first kiss, but now it was like the flood gates had opened and they just couldn't keep themselves contained. He willingly kissed her back, lost in every second that their lips still touched. They made their way to blanket. Calvin was laying on his back, running his hands through Mandy's hair. She was sitting on top of him again, like they were before, but neither on the verge of sleep. She had her hands on his chest as they kissed, grabbing his muscle shirt, pulling at it. He put his hands back on her hips and rolled them over so he would be laying just above her. Calvin was propping himself up as they kissed. She had her hands around his neck at first. Then she slid them done the front of his shirt and under it. She grazed her hands along his skin and Calvin smiled. He realized that was beginning to become a reoccurring thing, her reaching under his shirt. "Why do you always put your hands under my shirt?" Cal asked in between kisses. "Does it bother you?" Mandy stopped kissing him and looked a little serious. "Mandy, why would you touching me ever bother me?" He looked are with a smile to try and ease her worries. "Well, you asked.." "Only because I wanted to know why you feel so compelled to do so. I mean, this is something you do often," Cal laughed, he wasn't really being too serious, he just wanted to know. He started rubbing his nose against hers. "Ummm, it gives me chills..good ones." "Well in the case.." Mandy went back to stroking his back as they started kissing again. They just couldn't seem to get enough of each other. There were times when Calvin tried to just not kiss her, but he couldn't. Even if he wouldn't kiss her first, she'd kiss him. Maybe it was just because they'd waited so long, or because they were so in love. They didn't really think about it. They were too..distracted.
The spent the day rolling around and playing in the Hollow. They had so much fun just being two people in love. They knew soon they would have to go back to the busy world that is their careers, but for now, they had a week of care-free happiness. They had already decided that after his last performance for Britney, he was going to go back to Florida with Mandy. Her parents had invited him to stay with them for awhile. He would also get to meet Scott that way. They watched the sunset and headed back to Calvin's home with the windows down. Mandy tucked herself into the crook of his arm as they drove and stared off at the road ahead. It was a casual drive, and a quiet one at that, but it didn't matter. They just smiled. They ate when the got home and decided to turn in early for the night. Calvin got ready for bed and headed towards the guest room. He said good night to Mandy as he passed the door and went in to the other room. He got settled into the bed for the and put on some music in his portable cd player. He had been listening for awhile when Mandy walked in his room and closed the door. Calvin turned off the cd player and said, "Hey, do you need something?" Mandy smiled, "Yes..you." Cal put the cd player away and she walked over and sat neck to him on the bed. He smiled as he looked at her, big T-shirt and shorts, she looked adorable. "How come you didn't come into your room?" Mandy asked. "What are you talking about, I am in my room." Cal laughed. "I mean your real room, the one I'm staying in." She looked at him like he should have known, but she wasn't really smiling. "Oh..I didn't know you wanted me to." "Why wouldn't I want you to." "I don't know, I just didn't think. I'm sorry Mandy. Will you forgive me?" He gave Mandy the puppy dog face and made her laugh. He reach over to her and pulled her closer to him. "Well..only if you scoot over and let me under the covers." She teasingly answered. "Oh but of course." He turned to his side and lifted the covers up for her to get under. She snuggled up close to him as the spooned in bed. He started placing light kisses on her neck as they were getting comfortable. She grabbed his arms and held them as he held her. She caressed his arm with just a small touch of her fingers. "So..what were you listening to?" She adjusted her head on the pillow. "Oh, just some music." He nestled his face at her neck. "Well obviously it was music, but what cd? What band?" "Oh, I don't know if you know it." "Try me." "Don't worry about it, let's just go to sleep." "Why are you being so evasive?" "Why do you think I'm being evasive?" "Why aren't you answering the question?" "Why are you asking?" "Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll just look in your cd player." She made a mad dash to grab it before he could stop her, though he tried. He rolled over and hid his face in the pillow as he heard her open it up. He knew what she would find, but he didn't know what she'd say. Mandy looked at the cd and then turned to him. "You don't think I'd know it. Calvin Aiden O'Reily, this is my cd, literally." She turned to see his red face and knew right off that this wasn't the first time he'd listened to it. She was still being silly when she said, "look at me, Cal." He put down the pillow and looked at her. "Do you listen to my cd a lot?" "Ummm..." "Cal?" "Yes." "Which songs?" "All of them." Mandy laughed that bubbling happy laugh she got with him. "Oh." "What?" He was still a little embarrassed, but he had to know what she meant by that. "I think it's cute, that you like my singing. But why haven't you ever just asked me to sing for you in person?" She set down the cd player and rolled over into his chest. "I guess because I mean, doesn't everybody, I don't want to be one of those people who's always after Mandy Moore the singer, I mean, I know that's you, but I'm not in love with you for your voice. Don't get me wrong, I love your voice, I think it's incredible, but I think every single thing about you is incredible. I'm in love with you, just Mandy." Mandy smiled and kissed his lips gently. "If you ever want me to, I will sing for you." "Maybe some day I might ask you, but right now I'm still in awe that your in my arms, the love of my life." "I love you." Mandy curled up to him and started to fall asleep when something pulled her back. "Mandy, can I ask you something?" "Well you just did, but do you want to ask me something else," she teased.
"Yeah.Why are you wearing my boxers?" Calvin's tone of was priceless. Mandy laughed. "Because they're yours, and because they're comfortable." "Well I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you look damn good in my clothes." They both laughed, and got comfortable as they went to sleep with their arms wrapped tightly around one another.
"Well can I have both?" He asked, pushing his forehead against hers. "No, one or the other." She shook her head. "Okay..then I pick..the shirt...I'm kidding, I'm kidding..." Mandy faked a hurt look and tried to squirm out of his arms. He laughed and then pulled her back towards him. "You know I'll always pick you," he pulled her closer and started kissing her neck and slowly went up to her cheek, whispering against her skin. "Always..always and forever....your it for me...all I want...all I need.." She was loving his touch. She still couldn't believe all that was happening. She closed her eyes and listened to him. She moved her hands from his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. She start playing with his hair as he kissed her gently, moving closer and closer to her lips. She was lightly pinned against the door. He was right beside her mouth and she turned towards him. He gently brushed her lips with his own and she pulled him in. They were sweet, loving kisses at first, but they became quicker and harder. They laid a hold of each other in his hall, kissing over and over. They were getting a little crazy, and they both knew it. They also knew that they needed to get it out of their system, it's not like they'd be able to kiss so intimately for the rest of the day. It was something private and special between them, not something they'd do in public. If they did, it wouldn't be very good for either of their careers as well. Cal kissed her one more time. It was a kiss that lingered, fuller expressing his love for her. He pulled back and gave her a sideways grin. "So..why are you wearing my shirt...oh I'm sorry...I meant your shirt?" Mandy laughed, "I didn't have anything I wanted to wear, and besides, this is soft and comfortable. I like it, especially because it smells like you." Cal gave her a look with a furrowed brow, "Smells like me? I you trying to say I stink?" Mandy laughed really hard and said, "No, no , no. You smell really good, see." She picked up the shirt she was wearing and smelled it, then put it on his nose to smell. "See? Don't you smell good?" "I thought that was you?" He joked. "I mean, you are the one wearing the shirt." "Well I may be wearing it, but it's your shirt." "I thought I had the person wearing the shirt, I'd rather have that then the shirt. To hell with the shirt if I can't have you." He looked right in her eyes and laid his forehead on hers. "Hmmm..I'm yours....but so is the shirt," she leaned in to kiss him, but he pulled back slightly. "Ummm..well in that case..." The tone of his voice lowered, "you look good in my clothes." Calvin kissed her once, not wanting to get sucked in the moment, but no longer being able to resist the thought of her touch. He pressed his cheek against hers and noticeably exhaled. She grazed the back of his neck with her fingertips lightly, sending chills over his body. "I love it when you hold me," Mandy said giving him a little squeeze. "I love you, Mandy." Calvin whispered right in her ear. "I love you, Calvin." They pulled back and she traced his face with her fingertip. "We better go get some of that breakfast." "Yeah." They walked hand and hand down stair and joined his parents. He teased his mum about spoiling him with her great cooking. They only let go of one another's hands when they ate. They hugged Erin and Arthur before they left. Calvin wanted to show Mandy something, he said it was a surprise.
They drove for quite some time, the area around them slowly fading away into trees and open land. Mandy was admiring everything and completely oblivious to how nervous Cal was becoming. He pulled into a dirt road and drove down a short distance to a closed gate. He parked the car and started to get out. He walked to her door and opened it for her, offering her his hand to get out. "Mandy, welcome to the Hollow." They walked to the gate that had the name, 'O'Reily' emblazoned upon it. He unlatched it and they walked into a lot hidden among the trees. The lot wasn't big, but beautiful. It was surrounded by trees that formed a canopy over it blocking the sun, not completely, but letting just enough in to set the atmosphere. He walked ahead of her and put his hands in his pockets. They both tried to take in their surroundings. It was his favorite place in the world, besides Mandy's arms. It had been so long since he'd been there that he'd almost forgotten what it meant to him. Besides being with Mandy, the only time he felt at peace was when he was here. That's why he wanted to share this with her. He wanted to share everything with her, and for the most part, he already did. He felt like he could tell her anything. He turned back to her and watched in awe as she seemed marveled by it all. He walked back to her and said, "I'll be right back."
"Okay," she said and dragged her hands across his back as he walked past her. He walked back to the car and pulled a blanket out of the trunk. He saw that she has walked farther ahead as he came back. Cal laid out the blanket and walked back to her. He came up from behind her and put his hands on her hips. She smiled and grabbed his hands, wrapping them around with hers. He bent down and kissed her neck. "This has always been my secret little place. It was my Granda's, he named it the Hollow. It was always my getaway, somewhere I could go to just be cut off from everything that didn't matter. When him and my Granma decided to travel, he gave it to me, he knows how much it means to me. There's a little outlet to a small lake over there." Calvin swayed from side to side as he held her, "For the longest time, this has been the only thing that could calm me. I missed it so much since I've been gone, until..." "Until what?" Mandy turned around in his arms so she could face him. He looked down at her with the most emotion that she had ever known someone's eyes could hold and said, "Until I met you." Mandy looked up at him and thought that she might cry. She felt guilty for doubting him last night, for every having to ask him if he loved her. He told her everyday what he felt for her. He showed her a side of him that she knew many didn't see. Even this place was a part of him that no one disturbed, and her she was, standing in it. Calvin didn't know what is was, but she just leaned in and started kissing him all over again. I hadn't even been a day since their first kiss, but now it was like the flood gates had opened and they just couldn't keep themselves contained. He willingly kissed her back, lost in every second that their lips still touched. They made their way to blanket. Calvin was laying on his back, running his hands through Mandy's hair. She was sitting on top of him again, like they were before, but neither on the verge of sleep. She had her hands on his chest as they kissed, grabbing his muscle shirt, pulling at it. He put his hands back on her hips and rolled them over so he would be laying just above her. Calvin was propping himself up as they kissed. She had her hands around his neck at first. Then she slid them done the front of his shirt and under it. She grazed her hands along his skin and Calvin smiled. He realized that was beginning to become a reoccurring thing, her reaching under his shirt. "Why do you always put your hands under my shirt?" Cal asked in between kisses. "Does it bother you?" Mandy stopped kissing him and looked a little serious. "Mandy, why would you touching me ever bother me?" He looked are with a smile to try and ease her worries. "Well, you asked.." "Only because I wanted to know why you feel so compelled to do so. I mean, this is something you do often," Cal laughed, he wasn't really being too serious, he just wanted to know. He started rubbing his nose against hers. "Ummm, it gives me chills..good ones." "Well in the case.." Mandy went back to stroking his back as they started kissing again. They just couldn't seem to get enough of each other. There were times when Calvin tried to just not kiss her, but he couldn't. Even if he wouldn't kiss her first, she'd kiss him. Maybe it was just because they'd waited so long, or because they were so in love. They didn't really think about it. They were too..distracted.
The spent the day rolling around and playing in the Hollow. They had so much fun just being two people in love. They knew soon they would have to go back to the busy world that is their careers, but for now, they had a week of care-free happiness. They had already decided that after his last performance for Britney, he was going to go back to Florida with Mandy. Her parents had invited him to stay with them for awhile. He would also get to meet Scott that way. They watched the sunset and headed back to Calvin's home with the windows down. Mandy tucked herself into the crook of his arm as they drove and stared off at the road ahead. It was a casual drive, and a quiet one at that, but it didn't matter. They just smiled. They ate when the got home and decided to turn in early for the night. Calvin got ready for bed and headed towards the guest room. He said good night to Mandy as he passed the door and went in to the other room. He got settled into the bed for the and put on some music in his portable cd player. He had been listening for awhile when Mandy walked in his room and closed the door. Calvin turned off the cd player and said, "Hey, do you need something?" Mandy smiled, "Yes..you." Cal put the cd player away and she walked over and sat neck to him on the bed. He smiled as he looked at her, big T-shirt and shorts, she looked adorable. "How come you didn't come into your room?" Mandy asked. "What are you talking about, I am in my room." Cal laughed. "I mean your real room, the one I'm staying in." She looked at him like he should have known, but she wasn't really smiling. "Oh..I didn't know you wanted me to." "Why wouldn't I want you to." "I don't know, I just didn't think. I'm sorry Mandy. Will you forgive me?" He gave Mandy the puppy dog face and made her laugh. He reach over to her and pulled her closer to him. "Well..only if you scoot over and let me under the covers." She teasingly answered. "Oh but of course." He turned to his side and lifted the covers up for her to get under. She snuggled up close to him as the spooned in bed. He started placing light kisses on her neck as they were getting comfortable. She grabbed his arms and held them as he held her. She caressed his arm with just a small touch of her fingers. "So..what were you listening to?" She adjusted her head on the pillow. "Oh, just some music." He nestled his face at her neck. "Well obviously it was music, but what cd? What band?" "Oh, I don't know if you know it." "Try me." "Don't worry about it, let's just go to sleep." "Why are you being so evasive?" "Why do you think I'm being evasive?" "Why aren't you answering the question?" "Why are you asking?" "Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll just look in your cd player." She made a mad dash to grab it before he could stop her, though he tried. He rolled over and hid his face in the pillow as he heard her open it up. He knew what she would find, but he didn't know what she'd say. Mandy looked at the cd and then turned to him. "You don't think I'd know it. Calvin Aiden O'Reily, this is my cd, literally." She turned to see his red face and knew right off that this wasn't the first time he'd listened to it. She was still being silly when she said, "look at me, Cal." He put down the pillow and looked at her. "Do you listen to my cd a lot?" "Ummm..." "Cal?" "Yes." "Which songs?" "All of them." Mandy laughed that bubbling happy laugh she got with him. "Oh." "What?" He was still a little embarrassed, but he had to know what she meant by that. "I think it's cute, that you like my singing. But why haven't you ever just asked me to sing for you in person?" She set down the cd player and rolled over into his chest. "I guess because I mean, doesn't everybody, I don't want to be one of those people who's always after Mandy Moore the singer, I mean, I know that's you, but I'm not in love with you for your voice. Don't get me wrong, I love your voice, I think it's incredible, but I think every single thing about you is incredible. I'm in love with you, just Mandy." Mandy smiled and kissed his lips gently. "If you ever want me to, I will sing for you." "Maybe some day I might ask you, but right now I'm still in awe that your in my arms, the love of my life." "I love you." Mandy curled up to him and started to fall asleep when something pulled her back. "Mandy, can I ask you something?" "Well you just did, but do you want to ask me something else," she teased.
"Yeah.Why are you wearing my boxers?" Calvin's tone of was priceless. Mandy laughed. "Because they're yours, and because they're comfortable." "Well I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you look damn good in my clothes." They both laughed, and got comfortable as they went to sleep with their arms wrapped tightly around one another.