Love can Overcome Anything

Chapter Seventeen: Swimming in Love

AN- Special thanks to: PriscillaN, jasmineflower001, and Ericluver for reviewing!

If there was a song that Bridget would despise the most, it would be the one that was ringing on her cell phone at 7:00AM on a Saturday. Groaning with frustration, Bridget figured that she couldn't ignore the annoying high pitched ring anymore. She stumbled out of her bed and grabbed her cell phone. Not caring to check the caller I.D, Bridget flipped open her cell phone and mumbled out a sleepy "Hello?"

A bright and cheery voice replied back "'Morning Bee!"

Bridget knew instantly that this was Eric. She brightened up considerably. "Hi sweetie!" she said, "Why are you calling so early in the morning?"

Eric replied "I wanted to let you know about my plans for us today"

"Okay"

"I was thinking of going swimming with you today in the lake at the Greengrass Park."

"What lake?" Bridget asked confused.

"You know the lake where we re-met… the one where you cried at."

"Ooh, that lake. The lake in GreenRUN Park."

"Yeah… the lake in Greenrun Park"

"But isn't the water going to be cold?"

"No, I was taking a morning run when I decided to go past the Greenrun Park Lake and check out the water. It's not cold… It's actually really warm"

"Umm… okay"

"Meet me at my place (AN- after Bridget's and Eric's encounter at the lake a few days ago, Eric bought a new, modern and stunning flat near Bridget's house after selling his old apartment in New York) in one hour"

"Sure"

"And after that, we are going to go eat at a restaurant"

"Sounds great"

"Okay… I'll see you in an hour"

"See you… Love you"

"Love you too, bye"

"Bye"

Bridget shut of her cell phone and looked outside her window. Only Eric would phone her at 7AM on a Saturday to go swimming. Eric was always an early riser. Yes, that's my fiancé. Bridget thought to herself.

­After stuffing a long colorful beach towel, extra changes of clothes, a hair brush, sun lotion, her wallet, cell phone and a water bottle in her cute new beach bag, Bridget was ready to go. She was wearing a black and white horizontally stripped bikini underneath her white Capri's and a turquoise tank top. She had white big sunglasses perched on the top of her carefully brushed hair and she wore colorful flip flops to match.

Bridget screamed out to the house "Dad! Perry! I'm going to take a swim with Eric!" and left her house. Mr. Vreeland and Perry did not know that Bridget was engaged yet. Bridget had figured that it would be best if she waited until the perfect opportunity.

Pretty soon, Bridget arrived at Eric's flat. She loved Eric's flat. It was really cozy and welcoming. It was colorful and it reflected Eric's bright, sweet and loving personality. Bridget knocked on Eric's door. A few moments later, Eric opened it. He was wearing swim trunks and a simple green shirt. He carried nothing but his car keys and his wallet.

Bridget arched her eyebrow. "Aren't you going to bring a change of clothes or something? Maybe a towel too?" She asked.

Eric glanced down at his clothes. He thought about this for a while before nodding and racing back into his flat to get his stuff. Bridget wandered inside and took a look around. Eric's flat wasn't messy; but it wasn't tidy either.

Eric came out of his room holding a folded pair of long beige baggy shorts and a simple white towel. He held out his items towards Bridget and asked "Can you put these in your bag too?"

"Sure" Bridget answered as she stuffed Eric's things along with her things.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah"

"Let's go!" Eric led Bridget towards his car and together they drove down to Greenrun Park.

As soon as Eric and Bridget arrived at Greenrun Park, they raced competitively towards the lake. Eric won by half a second.

"You didn't win, I did! It's because of your legs. They're longer than mine" Bridget complained playfully.

Eric shook his head and argued back "No, I won fair and square'

Bridget laughed as she took off her outer wear. It was a little chilly with the wind but Bridget didn't mind. The lake was deserted of course, because no one had discovered it yet. Bridget tied up her hair into a ponytail before taking a glance Eric.

Eric was standing there, apparently looking at her too. They laughed as they made eye contact. Bridget's gaze eventually wandered from Eric's face towards his chest and stomach. They were finely developed, each shaped structurally. Man, he looks good. Bridget thought to herself. Before she could say anything else, Eric had pulled her up to her feet. Skillfully, Eric lifted Bridget up into his arms. She instinctively threw her arms around his neck. But Bridget knew right away that this was a mistake. Eric was grinning, but he had a mischievous look in his eyes.

Bridget narrowed her eyes at Eric and said "Eric, you wouldn't dare"

Eric laughed and said "Never dare me Bee"

Bridget screamed as Eric jumped into the lake. The cold water was frighteningly cold.

Bridget came up sputtering and looked behind her. Eric was beaming happily. "Eric I thought you said the water was warm!" Bridget said, slightly shivering. She shoved Eric's head under the water playfully.

Eric swam up, looked around innocently at the water. "Cold? It's warm. Don't worry, you'll get used to it later!"

Bridget shivered one last time before her body adjusted to the water temperature. Before Bridget could say anything back, she felt herself being lifted. And before she knew it, she was flying back into the water.

Screaming, Bridget swam up back out of the water. Eric looked like he was laughing silently at her. Bridget narrowed her eyes before declaring war. She swam down and tried to pull Eric under. Eric laughed and tried to pull Bridget under water.

Pretty soon, Eric and Bridget were both laughing so hard and trying to pull one another down under the water that they were in danger of drowning.

"I am so cold" Bridget announced while she got out of the water. Eric was following behind her. They had announced a truce after Bridget nearly drowned herself because she was so exhausted. Eric, used to this kind of activity was panting slightly, but he looked like he could have gone on for another 2 hours.

Bridget dried herself with the towel when she said "Eric, this lake is full of good memories"

Eric nodded and suddenly, in mid-nod, he froze in motion.

"What's wrong?" Bridget asked, concerned.

Eric didn't respond. He dived back into the water and swam underwater. Bridget was starting to find this weird. They were just done drying their selves up and now; Eric just got himself wet again.

A few minutes later, Eric rose back up out of the water holding a green jersey triumphantly.

"What the?" Bridget asked confused. It was then she realized that Eric had gone searching for the green Kickers jersey she had thrown in the water when she was mad at him and herself.

Bridget screamed with delight as she came scrambling towards Eric.

"You found it!" She said.

"Yeah, I think it was a home for the fishes."

"Oh, I feel so bad for throwing it into the water."

"Ah, like I said before, if you want one, I have a gazillion at home"

"Well, in that case, we'll just throw this one back into the lake for the fishes."

"Sure"

So together, Eric and Bridget threw the jersey back in the water.

"So Eric, when do you think we should tell everyone that we're engaged?" Bridget asked in Eric's car. They were just driving back to Eric's flat after their swim.

Eric pondered about this for a moment. "Hmm… I was thinking that we should invite everyone to dinner and announce it there."

"Yeah, that's a good idea. That way, we won't have to keep repeating ourselves. But what restaurant though?"

"Maybe 'The Caribbean Blues'"

"Oh! That's a good restaurant. Who should we invite?"

"Your dad, Perry, my parents…"

"Greta"

"Diana"

"Lena, Tibby and Carmen"

"Win, Brian and Paul"

"I think that's enough"

"I think so too"

"When should we invite them?"

"Invite them today and we'll tell them tomorrow"

"I can't wait to see their reactions!"

"We should have a video camera hidden somewhere"

Bridget laughed, "That would be funny."

"Yeah, that would be funny."

"I can't wait for tomorrow"

"I can't wait either"

AN- Hope you enjoyed it! The next update should be in about a week so keep your eyes open! Please review!