I own nothing except the ideas in my head.

Thursday

I woke up that day and checked my email before going to class and I was met with a very pleasant surprise. My classes for the day had been cancelled. I texted Alyssa and we decided that we'd go to lunch together at 12. She said that before we left she had a surprise for me at 11:30. It was only 10:40 so I decided to take a shower before lunch. I got out and went to my room. Then at 11:30 there was a knock on my door. I called, "Come in!" expecting it to be Alyssa. It turned out that I was only partially right though, as Joey Richter and Alyssa came strolling through the door. I jumped up in excitement and gave Joey a huge hug. He told me to be careful so I didn't crush the surprise. I quickly stepped back and sat on my bed.

"Wow, you really do love Darren surprises don't you?" he asked, chuckling a little. I just nodded and reached out my hands. I really missed Darren so anything from him was a godsend. Alyssa laughed and grabbed the gift from Joey and handed it to me. I unwrapped the box and found that I needed scissors to get into it because of all the tape that had been used. Once I finally opened the box I was surprised to find a very warm-looking University of Michigan sweatshirt and some pink sunglasses. I looked at Joey, "Are these… HIS?" Joey smiled and nodded. He said he'd leave me to enjoy my gift, but that he was sure Darren would want to know that I had gotten it.

I put the sweatshirt on right away; it smelled just like Darren and it was more comforting than I had even thought it could be. I quickly put the sunglasses on, snapped a picture and sent it to Darren with a heart written under it. There was a CD in the box, too, that I hadn't noticed right away. I put it into my computer and it turned out that it was filled with covers of Disney songs and songs that Darren, himself, had written. The last song on the disc was "You'll be in my Heart" and it was beautiful. I downloaded the songs to my iPhone and I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to the sound of my ring tone. I looked at the name and picked it up right away.

"Do you have any idea what seeing you in my clothing does to me? God, it should be illegal! You are so gorgeous, I love you and I miss you terribly!"

I giggled at that, "Hello to you too babe! I miss you too! Thank you for the gift, it is amazing and it helps me miss you a little bit less. I love your sweatshirt and I don't ever wanna have to take it off. The CD is perfect, and are these YOUR sunglasses? Because if so I can't accept them, they are your signature piece. I love you so much for doing this for me baby. Oh and I'm much warmer now, by the way."

"I'm glad you are warm. No they are not my glasses, but my parents found them and bought them. They told me to send them to you, so I did. I'd like to point out that I did not spend any extra money on this gift. My parents did and I already had the U of M sweatshirt."

"Ok I guess it's ok since YOU didn't spend the money, but I'm sending your parents _ University trinkets, or something, now. I love that they bought this for me, but they don't need to spend money on me like that. They haven't even met me yet." I was a little taken aback by this; I mean he had said they liked me from the Skype conversation, but really. I was a little embarrassed too; I really wanted to make a good impression on them.

"You're blushing right now aren't you? God I love it when you blush. Stop being so absolutely adorable when I can't be there to see it and kiss your embarrassment away!"

"Now you're really making me blush, and I can't really help it when I blush, but maybe you should just speed through your songs and scenes and get back to me soon. I miss you so much it almost hurts. And I love you so much it does. I can't wait til you get back! I am going to spend every possible second with you for a week once you set foot back on the east coast. I love you."

"You always surprise me, you know that? As soon as I am off my plane I am heading to your school and I don't care what you are doing, I am going to come and see you. Unless of course you're in class or your scary coach is holding you "captive" in the pool with his killer sets. I am speeding through my songs and scenes don't you worry baby. I miss you and love you the same way. When I get back I am spending every free moment I have with you for a week or otherwise until you tell me that I'm stifling you, haha. I love you and I hug my bear every night thinking of you.

Addressing what you said before, my parents would absolutely LOVE it if you sent them things with your school's name on them! They know they don't need to, but they want to. I'm sitting with them right now and my mom said that she has never seen me happier than when I am with you so she is going to give you gifts because you are the greatest gift she could have even asked for, for me. My family says hi by the way."

"You surprise the hell out of me too, all the time! Haha, but in the best way possible, of course; I didn't think people like you actually existed outside of books. I'm not kidding when I call you my prince charming, Daredear. You sweep me off my feet every time I'm with you. And I don't think I could ever find you stifling. I'll definitely be on the lookout for some cool things to send to your parents as a thank you then! And tell them I say hi back and thank them for the sunglasses for me. I feel so special! Does everyone in your family have an inherent ability to make a person feel like they are the most special person in the world? Because it most definitely feels like it! What should I call your parents anyway, babe?"

"Give me a second my heart just burst and it needs to restart itself. In response to you never finding me stifling… challenge accepted! Hold on a minute and I'll tell them."

To his parents: "Catie says hello to you as well and she wanted me to thank you so much for the sunglasses. She asked if everyone in our family has an inherent ability to make a person feel like they are the most special person in the world. Because, she says, it most definitely feels like it." A muffled voice answered him and then another chimed in as well, then I heard the three of them laughing. I smiled listening to Darren with his parents; I couldn't wait to meet them!

"Babe I'm back!"

"Oh, good I was getting worried!"

He laughed, "They said that you are one of the most special people in the world and if we are the first people to treat you that way then there is something wrong with the world. My mom said she wants to meet you and wants to know if it's ok for me to give her your phone number. You can call them Mama and Papa Criss if you want. Otherwise they said Cerina and Charles are fine."

"Aww that is very sweet of them to say and Mama and Papa Criss it is then! Tell her I want to meet her too! And your dad and brother as well of course. And yes you most definitely may give your mother my cell phone number! Just remind her of the time difference babe and that I am in class more often than not unfortunately."

"It's nice to hear you say that. I will tell them all that you want to meet them and you will soon I promise baby. I'll give her your number and make sure that she is aware that you are across the country and still in school haha. Baby I miss you so much."

"I'm glad they are accepting me so easily into your life Darren, it's very kind of them and I am sure that I'll love them in person just as much as I do over the phone and the internet. I love you Darren. And I miss you too Dare, everything ok babe? Your tone kinda changed there."

"I'm fine sweetie. I'm just looking at the picture you sent me. I wasn't kidding when I said seeing you in my clothing does something to me. I love it, much more than I realized and it makes me miss you so much. I miss kissing you and holding your hand and snuggling while we watch movies and did I mention I miss kissing you? I miss everything about you."

"Mmm I miss kissing you too Dare and just being with you. Your presence makes me feel so comfortable and I didn't realize the depth of that until you weren't here. We'll see each other soon though. I love you and I am so glad to hear your voice! I have to go though babe. I have homework to get done and practice later. I miss you and I love you. You'll be in my heart."

"I love you too baby girl. I can't wait to be back there with you again! Love you, miss you, you will be in MY heart, always. Bye katydid"

"Bye Darebear."

A/N Don't forget to leave me your thoughts! And if you have any ideas for more surprises please let me know! Hope you enjoy and thanks for reading- Cruegs