When someone randomly pops in and you're not expecting them, you have the right to jump around and scream your lungs out because you're happy to see them, right? And when that same person tells you that he's going back to the States, and he's bringing you with him, just because he has the money for the plane ticket and also because he likes your company, you have the right to be slightly baffled, but to go along with his ideas, right? Now, when that same person drops you off at a cute little house approximately fifty steps from the beach in California where one of your best friends is staying, you have a right to be mystified, but not complain too much because you're too busy hugging and squeezing the life out of your friend, right?
Christina was thinking through all those chains of logic as she sat, curled up on the window seat, staring out at the ocean. She had left her hair unbound, and the dying sunlight made her blond tresses seem to shimmer as she listened to the calming call of the waves. Being here, in this little house, with Kintra was all well and good, and the past couple of days had been borderline perfect, but Christina was still at a loss as to why Joe would bring her to California in the first place. She shook her head, clearing the organ of any pressing thoughts and simply focused on the way that the sun was illuminating the ocean as it made its sinking trip below the horizon.
Christina was so absorbed in the wonders of nature that she never heard Joe slip in through the front door. He waved to Kintra, who smiled knowingly and signed where Christina was located. He found her still curled up against the window, and the sight made him catch his breath. This girl, now twenty-two, was the sole reason for his existence. She had challenged him and made him work for her, and she had brought him out of the shallow state of stardom that he had found himself sinking into. He smiled and leaned against the doorframe, her eyes taking in every inch of the innocent picture she was unwittingly painting for him.
The doorframe was old, and therefore groaned against the weight of Joe's shoulder. Christina turned at the sound, her eyes lighting up when she saw who it was. A huge grin stretched across her face and any hesitancy Joe had felt about what he was going to do vanished in that instant, replaced by a confidence that swelled through his whole being. "Hey," Christina said softly.
The familiar greeting made Joe smile and he responded, "Hey." He crossed the room in long strides and stood next to his girlfriend, looking out at the same ocean she had just been admiring. "Why don't we take a walk?"
Christina smiled. "I'd like that," she said, uncurling herself and sliding off the window seat. Joe grabbed her sweater off of the chair she had hung it on and handed it to her.
They left the room and waved to Kintra, signing that they would be back. Kintra winked at Joe and signed, "Take your time. Make it good." Joe smiled at the girl nodded, opening the door for a mystified Christina.
The couple took their time walking down the path to the beach, their fingers entwined and swinging between their bodies. "Where've you been?" Christina asked, breaking the silence between them.
"We had a couple of shows to do up near San Francisco, but we're now free for a while." Joe gazed at Christina as they walked, their feet just beginning to touch the sand. "What've you and Kinny been doing?"
Christina smiled up at him. "Oh, you know," she said vaguely. "Doing our nails, going shopping, talking about boys…" she trailed off and smiled up at him. "The list goes on."
Joe jumped in front of her, taking her face between his hands. "Are you Christina?" he asked worriedly. "Are you feeling okay? I mean really, shopping?"
Christina giggled and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine, and I was just kidding. Can you really see Kinny shopping?" She laughed. "That girl detests anything to do with malls and clothes."
The two adults continued on their walk, this time walking a little closer to each other. The breeze whipped up Christina's unbound hair and she pushed it back, leaning her head on Joe's shoulder. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked.
Joe followed her gaze to the sun, which was suspended just above the horizon, tingeing the air with brilliant oranges and pinks. "Yes," he said, "and no."
Christina glanced up at him, confused. "What do you mean, 'no'?" she asked.
Joe smiled, using his hand to rub her arm. "I see something more beautiful right in front of me."
Christina blushed and said nothing. They had made it down to the water and Joe suddenly stopped. "Here we are," he said, and Christina finally looked up.
There, before her was a picnic blanket spread out over the sand with a picnic basket and a bottle of apple cider sitting on top of it. Her smile grew and she turned to look at the young man standing behind her, waiting for her approval. "It's wonderful," she breathed out.
Joe smiled. "I'm glad you like it," he said, seating himself cross-legged on the blanket. "I hope you haven't eaten," he added, knowing full well that she hadn't. It had been one of his strict instructions that Kintra was not allowed to let Christina eat dinner that day.
Christina took a seat across from him, shaking her head. "Now I know why Kinny wouldn't let me eat," she said as the realization began to dawn on her. She chuckled. "She wouldn't even let me have an apple." She looked at all the food Joe was pulling out of the basket and smiled. "She told me that apples weren't good for my girlish figure."
Joe snorted and pulled out a container of apples smothered in peanut butter, a favorite delicacy of both of them. "Maybe that will make it feel better," he said with a grin, and Christina nodded, playing along.
"Probably," she muttered, watching as Joe fixed her sandwich and gave her a generous helping of her favorite chips.
"I even have your favorite chocolate chip cookies for dessert," he said proudly pulling out a container.
Christina licked her lips and smiled at Joe. "You know," she said mock seriously. "This is doing absolutely nothing for my girlish figure."
The corners of Joe's mouth twitched as he looked his girlfriend up and down. "Trust me," he said seriously, handing her the container of cookies. "Your girlish figure is perfect."
They ate in comfortable silence, just smiling at one another and watching the sun set. As the sun kissed the horizon and Christina pulled her second cookie out from the container, she glared at Joe. "Are you doing this because you want something?" she teased.
Joe smiled at her crookedly, finding her question ironic since she didn't realize how close to the truth she really was. "In a manner of speaking, yes," he said with a nod.
Christina snapped her fingers. "I knew I shouldn't have accepted the cookies!" She smiled at Joe and asked, "Alright, I'm being serious now. What did you want from me?"
Joe leaned back on his elbows and replied, "An honest answer."
"Okay," Christina said, drawing the word out uncertainly.
"Remember when you told me last week that you wanted to come to the States and start a dance studio?" he asked.
Christina nodded. "Yes, but I was just daydreaming."
Joe cocked his head to the side. "So that's not what you want to do with your life?"
"No," Christina hastily amended. "I do. What does this have to do with an honest answer?"
"Because," Joe said, sitting up, "I know of a small little place that's begging to become a dance studio right here in L.A., and I'd like for you to take it."
Christina's eyes widened. "Seriously?" she asked, unable to contain her excitement.
"Seriously," he responded.
A wide grin broke out on Christina's face. "This is awesome!" she cried. "My dreams are coming true!" She paused for a moment and then asked, "But how much does this place cost? Are we talking owning it or leasing it?"
"Owning it," Joe replied, "and as to price, let's just say that I have a fair proposal."
Christina raised her eyebrows. "Oh really?" she asked, intrigued. "By all means, make your demands."
Joe ignored her teasing and his hand slipped into his pocket. He pulled out a piece of paper and held it up so that she could see it. "I will give you this deed to the property," he said, "if you will consent to wearing this forever." He handed her a small box.
Christina took the box, afraid to get her hopes up, yet those same hopes refused to be pushed down. She pushed back the lid and her face lit up. Inside was a delicate ring made of gold and inset with one diamond which sparkled brightly in the fading light. She took it out and handed it to Joe, indicating that she wanted him to slide it onto her finger. "Forever and always," she whispered as she leaned in to kiss him.
A/N: Aww! This chapter was so much fun to write! Only one more chapter before this story comes to an end! Let me know what you think!