A/N: Finally here's the next chapter. Lizzie and Red get closer. Yes all this Red in the water is for my own good because I would like to see Spader in swimming shorts and in the water. So this is closest I'll get. Thanks again to all who keep reading. I really appreciate it. Also we're coming to an end of this one...

Chapter forty-six

Red was already on the beach looking out onto the water, sitting on two big towels. The sun was nice and warm. He'd been feeling miserable yesterday; as if his body and soul were already dealing with the loss of his Lizzie. He'd hoped she'd come to him and tell him she was ready to start their future together, but he hadn't been sure she would.

She'd come to him though and she'd told him she wanted to spend her life with him.

He was brought out of his reverie by a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and looked into the smiling face of his girl. She was wearing a sun hat, her sunglasses and when she walked around him he saw she wore the thin white sundress again. What he loved seeing most was her big bright smile.

"Where's Jethro?" He asked, looking around for the dog.

"Well." Lizzie began while sitting down next to him. "I remember you saying you didn't want an audience the next time we went swimming."

"Mmm…, that is true."

Lizzie sat close to him, leaning her shoulder against his. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her fully against his side and kissed her hair. She pushed her body against him until he lay down on his back. She ran her hand over his still shirt clad chest and breathed a content sigh. Softly Red ran his hand up and down her back.

"I'm glad you're here." Lizzie whispered.

"Me too."

Leaning on her elbow to look at him she returned his soft smile before she brushed his lips with hers. Her lips lingered and she felt his smile against her lips. She kissed him sweetly again before laying her head back on his chest.

"Don't feel like swimming?" Red asked her.

"I do, but I like this too."

"The sun is warm though so why don't you let me put some sun screen on you. I don't want you to get sunburn."

"I'm still wearing my dress." She teased. "I don't need any sun screen yet."

"Better be safe than sorry."

Sitting up Lizzie looked down at him. "Is this for my benefit or yours?"

"I always put you first." Red grinned and sat up. "However sometimes things can be beneficial for both parties."

"Sure thing, Red." Standing up Lizzie removed the light summer dress and her sunglasses. She grabbed the sunscreen, handed him the bottle and turned her back towards him.

Red took his time rubbing the sunscreen on Lizzie's back, making sure he didn't miss a spot. Her fair skin was beautiful. Finished with her back, he turned her around and looked her up and down. "Here you go." He handed her the bottle and took a step back. She was far too enticing and he took a lot of his willpower to not devour her on the spot.

She smiled knowingly at him and rubbed the lotion on her skin. She threw the bottle at him. "I'll be waiting in the water." She said as she sauntered towards the water.

"You're not going to help? What about my back?" He called to her.

"I'm sure you can manage."

A good five minutes later Red joined Lizzie in the water. He couldn't see her though, but he wasn't worried. Lizzie was a good swimmer. Getting deeper into the water, he still didn't spot her. He looked around while swimming slowly. From behind him and unnoticed by Red, Lizzie swam under water towards him. When she reached him, she shot up from the water, put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him under.

Above water again Red delighted in Lizzie's laughter and her big smile. "You shouldn't have done that." He said threatening her and swam towards her.

"Really?" She teased, swimming a bit backwards.

Red ducked under water and within a few powerful strokes he reached her. He surged up, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest. "It's good to hear you laughing."

She wrapped her arms around Red's neck and smiled at him. "It's good to be together again." She kissed his cheek softly before letting go.

He watched her swim away. For the first time in a while he was finally seeing a glimpse of his Lizzie. She was returning to him. She was healing. He was happy to see her improving and he was thrilled to realise they were going to start a life together. She was his second chance, his chance of true happiness.

After swimming, chasing and teasing each other they were back on the beach again. Red was lying on his back with Lizzie against his side, her head on his shoulder.

"I remember being here with my dad. I don't remember how old I was anymore. There was this big thunderstorm. I never liked thunderstorms, I still don't. They scare me. We just came back from a walk on the beach. The sky turned black in a few seconds. We got inside just in time. Immediately it started poring and the electricity went out. Dad was finding candles so he left me alone for a while. I was so scared. All I could see was the lightning and the thunder. Then he came back and took me into the living room. He'd lit candles, but best of all he'd made a tent with some sheets, put pillows in the tent and he started to tell this story about a princess. He made an adventure of it and I forgot about the storm. Despite hating thunderstorms, it is one of my fondest memories of my dad." Sharing this memory with him was nice, but it saddened her too. It emphasized what and who was missing in her life. She sniffed and felt Red's arm tighten around her.

Though she couldn't see it, the fact that Lizzie shared such a memory with him, touched him deeply. He swallowed thickly. "Sam loved you very much, Lizzie." He said, his voice thick with emotion.

Leaning up on her elbow she looked down at him. With her finger she traced his jaw to his lips where her finger lingered. "Why won't you call me sweetheart anymore?" She asked, but avoided his eyes.

Her question surprised him. He hadn't even realised he hadn't called her sweetheart. Before he could react though she continued. She, yet again, surprised him.

"Is it because you're still mad at me?" Sitting up right she crossed her legs, her body turned towards him. "I like it when you call me sweetheart." She looked away from him for a moment, feeling shy and a bit embarrassed.

Mirroring her position, Red sat up to. With his finger under her chin he made her look at him. The fact that she was asking him now why he was or wasn't doing something made it clear she was really committed to them. "I didn't know I hadn't called you that. It's not a conscious decision. I'm not mad at you."

"Okay." She nodded, giving him a small smile.

"I love calling you sweetheart. You, my love, are my everything." Red whispered, his voice a bit lower than normal. He cupped her jaw and leaned in until his lips touched hers. The kiss was slow, sensual and powerful. When he ended it, both were breathless. "Come here." Red put his hand on her waist and guided her towards him again. "Let's enjoy the sun some more."

TBC...