To warn you or not to warn you...that is the question. ;-) Enjoy!
"Honey, I'm home!" John shouted through the front door of his Florida beach house. He heard Lilian running down the stairs.
"Did you get it!" she asked excitedly.
Before he answered her, he looked around his home. It was spotless. He looked at her and put on his best Cuban accent. "Lilian, you got some s'plainin' to do!"
"Your house was a pig sty, John! There was no way I was going to stay here for three days." She grasped his face in her hands. "Did you get the movie?"
"Yes, I got it." He sighed dramatically and pulled the Notebook from his bag. "Haven't you seen this like a 1000 times already?"
She smiled brightly and took the movie, walking over to pop it in. "Actually, last time I counted was about 459. Trish and I can recite the whole movie by now, but I'll never get tired of it."
He shook his head and joined her on the couch, grinning softly as she placed a pillow in his lap then laid down. "Just don't expect me to cry!" He started to gently work his fingers through her hair as the movie began.
Lilian sighed contently, murmuring softly. "John, this movie makes everyone cry."
"Well I'm not everyone."
"Shhh!"
By the end of the movie, Lilian had sat up, holding a Kleenex in her hand. She was sniffing and big tears were streaming down her cheeks. John glanced over at her, shaking his head. I have a beach two inches from my door, and I'm sitting in here watching the chick flick of the century with Miss. Water Works.
Once the credits started rolling, John flicked the TV off. Thank God, he said silently. He looked back at Lilian who was still crying.
It took her a few minutes to collect herself before she finally spoke. "I want that one day."
He arched a brow. "You want to be in a nursing home?"
"Not that! But being able to spend my life with the one man who means the world to me, the one I know I'm meant to be with. To have him there, every day reminding me what we once had. It just has to be the most amazing feeling in the world." She glanced over at him, watching as he tried to discreetly wipe at his eyes. "Told you that you'd cry!"
"Baby, these aren't tears. This is my wiping the sleep from my eyes." He raised his hand again to rub his eyes.
"Ugh, you just don't like it because nobody's head got blown off!" She crossed her arms and pouted.
John stared at her for a moment. "Yeah," he said finally, "pretty much."
She slapped his arm. "You have no heart!"
He gasped. "I do too...and it's full of love for you." He snickered and smiled sweetly over at her.
She rolled her eyes and stood. "You are the biggest dork I know, I swear."
"Now see that's not what you were saying last night. Then again you did saying something about me being the biggest..."
She leaned down, covering his mouth with her hands as she added sweetly. "Pig."
"Oink, oink!" He smiled at her. "Can we go out on the boat now? Please?" he whined.
"Yeah," she said half-heartedly.
"Aw, c'mon Lil! We've only been out there four times today!"
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, four." She stood up and giggled. "Let me get changed."
John gathered all the tissues she'd used up and threw them away in the kitchen. He was getting some food gathered for the outing and decided to turn on the radio. Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" was playing. He shook his head and went to grab some towels.
A few minutes later, Lilian made her way downstairs. She had changed into a light pink sundress and pulled her hair up. She walked into the kitchen, trying her best not to roll her eyes as John whistled playfully.
"Ay dios mio! Como se llama, Bonita."
"Please, you did not. Oh God, no more Spanish music for you!" To emphasize her point, she reached over and turned the radio off, causing John to pout.
"That's not fair! I don't complain when you speak English!" One look from her and they both started to laugh. "You uh, weren't supposed to catch that."
She grinned and decided to toy with him. "¿Tu sabes soy bonita?"
John thought about it. "…no?"
Her jaw dropped and then she pushed her bottom lip out into a pout. "Thanks John. I'm just going to go drown myself for the sharks now." She sniffed and walked for the door.
He grabbed her by the arm, swinging her back to him. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips and winked. "I'd hate to have to kill a shark for eating you. Then again, who could blame him? You do taste pretty damn good."
She laughed and shook her head. "Would you please get your mind out of the gutter for at least five minutes?"
He ran his fingers up her arm, fixing the strap of her dress. "But it's such a fun place to be."
She smirked. "Well then, you have your fun and I'll have mine." She pulled away and started for the door.
"Wait...what do you mean by that?"
She turned back to face him. "Well, I mean, I know how much you love the boat and your dirty thoughts, so I figured it'd be fun if you slept out there tonight. You know, your thoughts will keep you company." She winked and headed out the door before he could respond.
Quickly, John grabbed the food and towels and chased after her. She was already on the boat, working on untying it from the dock. "I had a thought," he said, stepping on board.
"Five bucks says it's a dirty one."
"I owe you," he said slyly. "I don't really want to be on this boat all alone tonight on this boat. I might be eaten alive by the bugs, or flying fish." Lilian giggled and waited for him to continue. "So, I was thinking, how about you stay out here with me and we'll see if we can rock the boat and make some waves." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Showing no expression, she walked up to him, grabbing the plate of food. She balled up her fist and hit him in the stomach. He dropped the towels and doubled over. Lilian picked up one of them and stepped around him.
John gasped for air, finally standing up. "What was that for!"
She simply shrugged. "For being an ass, or because I felt like it. Take your pick."
He stared at her for a few minutes then shook his head. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, why?" She arched a brow and looked up at him.
"You just seem really…," his voice dropped and he moved to put some distance between them, "…bitchy tonight."
"Oh honey, I'm sorry," she said, her voice dripping in sarcasm. "Maybe if you had a heart you would see things my way."
He closed his eyes and sighed. "You're still pissed about the movie?"
"I was never pissed, John." She grabbed a bottle of tanning lotion and poured some in her hand. "Just disappointed."
"Lil, I'm a guy. I'm not going to cry at stuff like that. There's too much testosterone in this body for that to happen."
She sighed, rubbing the lotion into her arms. "I know, sometimes I wish you were gay."
"You wish I was what?" He shook his head and walked to start the boat. "I don't understand women in times like these. I mean what woman wishes her boyfriend were gay?"
She walked over to the side of the boat, watching the waves for a few minutes before turning to face him. "I honestly don't know what I meant by that. But it wouldn't hurt to show a softer side from time to time, especially when it's just us."
He sighed. "Lily, you know that's hard for me to do. It's nothing something I can help."
"You could try at least."
"You act like I'm Oprah and that I should cry for the starving children in Nigeria."
Lilian gasped. "You don't cry for the starving children in Nigeria!"
"Woman, I'm not poppin' any Estrogen pills so I become a wimpy little boy."
She glared at him before laying her towel out across the top of the boat. She breezed past him and lay down on it, closing her eyes.
"What, now you aren't going to talk to me?" She didn't respond. He scoffed and started the boat.
After getting the boat started, he'd usually walk over and join her but this time he stayed at the wheel. Silently watching the woman in front of him, it was times like this she amazed him, not in a good way though. With a sigh he ran his hand over his short hair and focused his attention on the water, guiding the boat at a steady pace.
Close to an hour later he walked over and knelt by her side, shaking her gently. "Lil…"
She lifted her head and glared up at him. "Do you mind? I'm trying to sleep here."
"Why are you acting like this?" He paused. "You aren't pregnant are you?" he joked.
"Fuck off." She lay her head back down, closing her eyes.
"No. I'm tired of fighting with you." He narrowed his eyes. "You always bitch and moan about how I'm not sensitive, or that I'm heartless. You know what Lil, that hurts. You act like if I ran someone down, I'd reverse the wheels back over them to make sure I got 'em good." She sat up and opened her mouth to say something. "I'm not finished. You think I should be crying over a movie! A movie, Lilian. It's not like that shit happens every day. I just wanted to spend a few days here with my girlfriend and relax."
"Are you finished yet?"
John sighed. "I don't know why I even started, it's not getting through apparently." He stood up and started to walk away.
The small blonde bit her lip before standing. "John don't walk away, please…"
"Why not, Lil? You're not listening to a word I say. Why can't you see that while I might not cry over a damn movie, that doesn't mean I'm not sensitive? You want to know something, if that movie was real, if it was us. I'd do the same exact thing that guy did, I wouldn't leave your side for anything in this world. But obviously you don't get that." He sighed and walked below deck.
Lilian stood up and followed him. When she got down there, he was already in his swimming trunks. "I don't like it when we fight," she said softly.
"Yeah, well, it happens," he said roughly.
"Why? We used to never fight." She leaned against the wall, lowering her head.
"If we didn't fight, I would've broken up with you," he bluntly stated. He walked over to her and took her hands. "We fight because we're past all that cutesy shit when we first started dating. Now we're to the point where we don't give a damn. If something bothers one of us, we don't sugar coat it." Using the underside of his finger, he lifted her face up to his. "It's not like it's going to tear us apart, baby. We fight over stupid shit, like a movie." He chuckled softly. "But it's what keeps this relationship fun, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
She smiled softly, listening to him speak. "I'm sorry, I overreacted over nothing."
He shook his head and pulled her closer. "You're a passionate woman, it's one of the many things I love about you."
"Now you're just lying to make me feel better. We both know I'm just downright stubborn."
John laughed. "That's what I said…just nicer."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "I don't understand why you didn't throw me over the side of the boat."
"We can arrange that," he growled.
"No! You can't ruin my new Donna Karan dress!"
"We can always take that off." He pulled back and leaned forward so that they were inches apart.
"You'd like that wouldn't you?" He nodded. "I have a bathing suit on under this, so don't go thinking anything, Mister."
Well we can take that off too, I mean why ruin a perfectly good bathing suit?"
"How? By wetting it?" She giggled softly and patted his cheek. "That's the purpose of a bathing suit baby."
He sent her a pout and squeezed her gently. "Why must you be so damn smart?"
"Because I'm a woman." She winked and slipped out of his arms. "Now come on, let's go swimming." She started up the stairs, stopping only to slip her dress down. She nearly tripped up the steps as he yelled out.
"Hey baby, ever had sex in the ocean?"
She turned around and shook her head. "Nope and I don't plan on it."
He followed her up the stairs and didn't find her on the top deck. He looked around, and then checked the water, but he couldn't find her. "Lilian?" He walked to the railing around the boat, looking out. He couldn't hear water splashing and the panic was beginning to set in. Without thinking, he dove into the water, frantically trying to find her.
He nearly had a heart attack when something came from under him, pulling him down into the ocean. When he came back up, and stopped sputtering for air, he saw Lilian in front of him, giggling. "That isn't funny!" he yelled.
She stopped laughing and smoothly treaded water. "I was joking, John! Jesus, calm down."
"I thought you were shark bait! Or…or…you drowned!"
She smirked. "I was a lifeguard, but yes, I drowned." She laughed. "I'm sorry, I was only messing with you."
She sighed and swam over to him. "You're not mad are you?"
He sent her a playful glare before wrapping his arms around her waist. "Not mad, I was just really worried." He smirked playfully. "That and I was kind of hoping I'd have to give you mouth to mouth."
Lilian laughed and wiggled her body against him. "Aww, you poor baby. How can I make it up to you?"
"Well..."
She quickly cut him off. "Within reason that is."
"We've already made you my teacher, maybe now you should be my hero and save me from the depths of the ocean floor."
She raised an eyebrow. "Okay, Jacques Cousteau." She gave him a light kiss before swimming back to the boat. Making sure there weren't too many boats around, she gave John a thumbs up before sitting down on the back of the boat, letting her legs dangle over.
John dipped down into the water and started flailing his arms everywhere. He made gurgling sounds, filling his mouth with water and then disappearing under the water. Lilian had a hard time keeping a straight face. Standing up, she dove into the water, swimming over to him. Hooking her arms under his, she began to swim backwards to the boat. She pulled him up onto the boat and laid him on the floor. Watching him, she realized his chest wasn't rising up and down. "John, stop messing around."
He stayed motionless. "This isn't funny!" Reaching over, she placed her hands on the side of his face. "Stop it!" She leaned forward, placing her ear above his mouth, listening for his breathing. When she didn't feel any air, she sat up and tilted his head to her. "I swear to God, if you're screwing with me I'm going to kick your ass!" She opened his mouth and positioned hers over his and breathed in. She pulled back up and listened, still nothing. She did it again, and jumped when his hand rose to cup the back of her head, pressing her harder against him. She felt his lips grin against hers and then he kissed her passionately.
She pulled back quickly and stood up, walking away from him. He jumped to his feet and turned her to face him, only to be met with a hard slap to the face. "How could you?" She yelled and turned her back to him. His first instinct was to rub his stinging cheek but he knew she needed him. He walked in front of her, studying her face. Her cheeks were wet, a mixture of the ocean water and tears, he sighed and pulled her to him regretting his actions.
"Baby I didn't think it'd scare you like that, I was only messing around like you did."
She buried her head in his neck, holding onto him as if her life depended on it. "I thought I lost you, John."
He rocked her gently. "I'm sorry Lily, I really am." He tightened his hold on her, resting his cheek on top of her head. "I'm sorry. You can kick my ass like you said since I was playing with you," he offered.
She pulled back, a small smile on her face. "I don't think my heart has ever pounded that fast before. I really thought…," she let her words trail off.
He shook his head and pulled her back into his arms. "I'm sorry, baby. Do you want to head back home now? It's going to get dark soon."
She nodded her head but didn't budge from his arms. "Maybe a few more minutes like this?"
He tightened his hold on her and grinned softly. "We can stay like this all night if that's what you want."
After a few minutes she finally pulled away, offering him a small smile. "I think I'm ready now."
He nodded his head and took her head. "Come on, I'll let you 'drive'."
She gasped playfully. "You're letting me drive your baby? You must really be sucking up."
He stood behind her on the ride back to the dock, making sure she didn't 'hurt' anything. He cringed as she pulled up next to the dock, without even so much as hinting at slowing down. When he had it tied down, he jumped out, checking the sides and sighing when he saw no scratch marks.
She walked past him, shaking her head and laughing. "It's a boat, John. You're going to be out here waxing it tomorrow anyways."
"Damn right. I don't need any dolphin shit on my boat."
She laughed again and walked inside his house. Setting the towels in the laundry room, she headed for the bathroom. John came up behind her, stopping her. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm taking a shower," she answered, pulling away from him.
He grinned down at her, keeping a soft grasp on her arm. "You stay here, I'll go get it ready for you." She started to object so he continued. "And don't come up till I call you, okay?"
She sighed but nodded her head, walking over she settled down on the couch.
Close to a half hour later he called her upstairs. She climbed to her feet and muttered softly to herself. "Finalmente."
She paused outside of the bathroom, he had candles set up around the tub and soft music playing in the background. Two glasses of champagne were on the edge of the tub which was filled with bubbles. The only thing missing was him, she turned around intending to call him, but found him right behind her. Her breath hitched, and her hand flew to cover her mouth. John knelt in front of her, a small black box sat open in his palm. Inside was a sparkling diamond ring. He reached forward, grasping her small hand in his. "I've been carrying this ring around with me for the past week and a half, trying to think of the perfect time to do this. But after a night like tonight, a night that summed up our whole relationship; the smiling, laughing, yelling and crying, well I couldn't wait any longer. Remember when we first started going out, Trish warned you to be careful with how fast we were falling for each other? How everyone thought we were doomed for heartache because we seemed so perfect so fast? We proved them wrong each and every day and I want to continue proving them wrong. I never saw myself finding someone like you, but I thank God for you every night. You complete me Lilian, you're the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see when I go to bed, I don't want that to ever change." He paused and looked up at her, she was already crying and he had to blink back a few tears of his own. "What I'm trying to say is, Lilian will you marry me?"