3 WEEKS LATER

Ryan's POV

"You all can go home now. Case is closed. See you first thing tomorrow morning. And happy birthday Sarah." Horatio smiled.

"Thanks Horatio, you sure you don't want to come to get some drinks with us?" Sarah asked.

"My drinking days are long gone." We all laughed at Horatio's joke. "Besides, I have to finish up some work in my office."

"Are you sure?" She asked once more.

"Positive. Have fun tonight." He walked out of the office. She turned to look at me. She put her hands inside my lab coat jacket and pulled me close. I smiled at her.

"Ryan, please, can you just give me the gift?" Sarah begged.

"Nope, you have to wait until tonight." I smiled at her anxiousness.

"As long as I'm waiting, this birthday present better be good."

"Don't worry. You'll love it."

"You're lucky that I love you." She grinned, showing all of her teeth.

"I love you too." I kissed her on the cheek as she headed out of the DNA lab. As I began to pack up my stuff, Eric came into the room.

"Any plans for tonight? You might get lucky!" He jokingly punched my arm.

"It depends on what she wants. I'm not going to pressure her." I replied.

"Aww, aren't you such a good boyfriend?" Eric laughed. I ignored him and finished what I was doing.

"I'm headed out, I'll meet you at the bar?" He shook his head in agreement. I headed to the locker room to gather my belongings. I said my good byes as I walked towards my car. As I started the engine, I smiled at a picture of Sarah. I loved looking at this picture. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a purple polo. She had a slight smile on her face. Her hair fell down in a wavy motion towards the top on her back. Her eyes were a deep brown. I took the picture when she spent the night at my house. It was an off-guard picture, but her beauty made it seem as though she was a model. The camera loved her, but not as much as I do.

I entered my house and threw my keys on the counter. I walked up the stairs and laid out a pair of jeans, a black v neck shirt, and a gray blazer. I put my phone on the charger and walked toward the shower. With that, I began to get ready for the night.

Sarah's POV

I got out the shower and began to get dressed. I ended up wearing a blue hip-hugging dress with silver pumps. I put on my jewelry and I began to do my makeup. Eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow and lip gloss. Then, I brushed my teeth. The last thing I did was my hair. I took out the curlers and began to tease my hair. I pulled and tugged to make sure my hair looked just right for tonight. Who knows what could happen?

I waited downstairs for Ryan to pick me up. When he finally came, I was just as amazed as he was.

"You look gorgeous." He whispered.

"Thank you." I smiled. "You're not too bad yourself." I replied. He let out a slight chuckle.

"You ready?" He asked.

"I'm more than ready." I shut off the lights and I closed the door. Ryan opened the car door and I got inside. He entered Ryan drove so fast, we ended up at the bar in less than five minutes.

"Hey you're here!" Natalia grinned.

"Of course I am!" I replied.

"You look incredible," Calleigh commented. "That's such a cute dress. Did Ryan plan on taking it off tonight?" She giggled.

"Shut up Calleigh." I blushed. "I'm not sure if he's ready to do it yet. I'm not going to work his nerves about it. It's better that we just take our time in the relationship."

"Do you want to, you know, do 'it'?" Natalia asked, eager for an answer.

"Well, yeah, I guess." They began to cheer loudly, but stopped when they recognize a group of people looking at them. I laughed at their embarrassed faces. "But if I have to wait, I'll just wait until we're both ready."

"Well, just incase you both become ready," Natalia started. She slipped something into my hand. I opened my hand and stared at a condom.

"Wow, thanks guys." I blushed. A couple minutes when by and Eric finally arrived. We all began to engage in conversations and sip drinks. I sat on Ryan's lap most of the time. Comments followed almost immediately behind.

It had been 3 hours since we arrived. I sipped the last of my drink as Ryan pulled out a box from his back pocket.

"My present!" I smiled.

"Yes, the one that you have been waiting for all day." He handed it to me. I was eager to see what he had gotten me.

"Ryan, it's so beautiful." The small little box held a diamond necklace. He opened the clasps and placed the necklace around my neck. I planted a kiss on his lips.

"Whoa, save it for the bedroom!" Eric laughed. I blushed as I took another sip of my drink.

Soon, everyone gathered their things and went home. As I got into Ryan's car, I looked at him and smiled.

"Well, did you have a good birthday?" He asked.

"Yeah, I had an amazing night. This necklace is so beautiful." I placed my hand on the diamond.

"Not as beautiful as you." Everything Ryan says still makes me blush, as if I just met him. He got out to walk me to my door. I fidgeted with the door lock until I got it open. Ryan laughed at me.

"Goodnight Ryan." I leaned in to give him a kiss.

But this kiss felt way too different.

I didn't want to let go. Nor did he. We kept kissing as we walked into the house. I kicked my shoes off as we headed up the stairs. He ran his hand up my back. I was about to smile, but then he pulled away.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked.

"Ryan, I have never been so sure in my life." I smiled as he began to kiss me again. We headed up towards the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes behind.

Everything about this night was just so perfect. Honestly, I don't know how I could be so lucky.

Ryan's POV

I guess Eric was right. I am lucky. Lucky that I have Sarah. Lucky that I love her. She's no ordinary girl; she's amazing. I love being with her. She makes everything, perfect. I love her sweet smell and her bright smile every time I see her. This moment that we're spending together, it honestly couldn't get any better.

Okay, I know you guys are like WTF? What kinda chapter is this?

But im in a rushh right now ! School has been chaotic; and I have a show tomorrow with my band. So it's been rehearsal after rehearsal ! && plus, I got a job babysitting, so I just don't have room to fit in as many chapters as I could before. But, I'm already working on chapter 20 as we speak! You'll love me for it (:

Oh yeahh; && if you wanna hear me sing; go to youtube, then type in therealmariahlyttle. I have like 10 videos, most of them are from earlier this year.

On this day, 9 years ago, at 8:46, the first tower in NYC was attacked. Shortly after, the second tower was attacked. Millions of people lost their lives trying to save themselves as well as others. Pray for them, after all, anyone of us could've been in the Twin Towers when they were attacked.