16. A Million Ways
Miley rubbed her eyes confused. Something heavy was on her stomach. Or more like someone. She opened her eyes sleepily and was met with two orbs staring right back at her. She closed her eyes again. She opened them and the same orbs stared at her again. She looked around. Her room, that was good. Then she groaned. She rubbed her left hand over her face. Something cold came along with it. She looked at her hand. The person with the gorgeous eyes smiled a little at her antics.
Miley stared at her ring finger. A gorgeous diamond ring was attached to it. But suddenly, the confusion washed away and she smiled brightly. She turned to the person.
"Did this all really happen?" The person nodded. Miley giggled happily and buried her head in the person's chest.
"I can't believe it!" The person chuckled and pulled her closer.
"Well, believe it fiancée, we're engaged." Miley smiled brightly and pulled back. She stared into his eyes and kissed him.
One day ago…
Demi jumped up and down on Miley's bed, trying to wake her up. She had to get up in at least five minutes because the plan would go into action in about ten and if she wasn't up, the plan would be ruined.
Miley groaned and rolled over, knocking Demi off her bed. Demi glared at Miley and rubbed her head while getting up.
"Miley, you have to get up!" Miley groaned again. She shook her head and put her arm over her eyes, shielding out the light. Demi pulled on Miley's arm and made her roll over.
"Come on, Miles! There's something on TV I want to show you!" Miley sighed annoyed. She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"What could be so important that you can't record it?" Demi had her mouth open ajar for a moment to think of something to say.
"Uhm, you know, if you won't see it now, the whole magic around it would be gone." Miley looked at Demi weird.
"What magic?" Demi looked at the clock on the wall. Only three minutes left.
"I don't know, think of some magic and that's the one you'll be missing. Now get moving, it'll start in three minutes and if you won't move your butt in a second, I'll drag you into the living room." Miley rolled her eyes and got out of bed. It was three days after the encounter with Nick at Patty's. Miley was a little better since she talked to Nick.
Demi looked Miley up and down. She cursed Miley under her breath. The plan would include Miley leaving the house and she could not leave the house in those sweatpants and that old cut up shirt. But Miley couldn't change now anyway because she had to be at the TV.
"Okay, I'll get you some jeans and you'll go and turn on the TV." Miley looked at Demi confused but did as she was told. Demi raced into Miley's closet and grabbed some black skinny jeans and boots and then ran into the living room. Only a few seconds until the plan would start. Demi switched to the important channel and plopped down next to Miley. She handed her the jeans and the boots and stared at the TV.
Miley looked at the jeans and boots. Then she just shrugged and looked at the TV. Demi was grinning like a mad person already. And then, the program was cut short and a guy started talking.
"We're sorry to interrupt this little show, but there's something important we have to show someone. I hope she's watching." Until then, the TV was completely black, but suddenly, Larry came into the picture. Behind him was Patty's, that's where he was at right now. Miley looked at Demi confused. Demi just smiled and motioned Miley to look forward. Miley did so.
"Well, my friend – I hope I can consider her that – Miley Stewart got her heart broken about two weeks ago. By who, you might ask? Well, by one of my best friends Nick Gray. You know him, I know you do. He's the model agent – Miley's model agent. You probably know Miley from this bikini spot from a few weeks ago. Anyway, she got her heart broken by Nick because I dared him to ask her out for a wedding from one of our friends.
And because I dared him too, he agreed. I only dared him to do that because I knew he liked Miley. The dare consisted in him asking out the next girl to walk through his door. My dare would've been different if Miley wouldn't have been the next girl to walk through his door. I saw her at the front desk and knew that she would be the next one so I made him do the dare.
Miley found out about the dare two weeks ago at the wedding. Nick was venting about how hard it was to ask Miley out. But the truth was, I only did him a favor. He would've asked her out eventually, I just quickened the process, you could say. Just a pity that Miley didn't hear that part. Nick actually loves her; Miley just doesn't know it yet. Well, now she does, but anyway. This video is to show you, Miley, how much Nick actually loves you." Miley stared at the TV shocked. She wanted to look at Demi, but Demi pushed her face back. The video started. It was a picture of Nick and Miley at Patty's. Demi took that picture a while back. In the background was some music playing and then there was a voiceover.
"Dude, I know it sounds stupid, but I love her already. I really think she's the one for me. Even after two weeks. – But you haven't even asked her out yet (That was Larry, Miley noticed). – I know, but she's just… perfect." Another picture showed. It was one of Miley, smiling at the camera. Miley recognized this picture from when she spent the first night at Nick's house. Slowly, tears crept into her eyes. Another voiceover.
"Larry, when did you know that you loved Pamela? – Well, I always knew, but I told her after like… maybe a few weeks. Why? – Well, I'm thinking about telling Miley I love her. At the wedding or something like that. – Already? – Yeah, I just know that that would be the right time. I also know she's the right girl, she's perfect." Miley had tears running down her cheeks. The next was a video of Miley and Nick cuddling on the couch. Miley didn't know that someone filmed that. She blushed lightly as Demi giggled. In the video, Nick was gently kissing Miley's neck up and down. Then suddenly, pictures flew across the screen of Miley and Nick, kissing, hugging, cuddling, holding hands or just laughing together. Then the video ended. Miley stared at the TV. Suddenly, Nick appeared were Larry was before. What Miley didn't know was that the video that was showing on TV was not from right now. It was from three days ago.
"Miley, I really hope you saw this. I hope Demi got you out of bed. But anyway, I guess this is my way of saying sorry and telling you that I love you. I love you so bad it hurts. And I don't expect you to forgive me just like that. So that's why I have the whole day planned out for you. Or us, but the thing is, you have to get out of your apartment and go to the place that we both loved most. There will be your first… let's call it hint? Well, Larry's cards here don't make any sense right now. Sorry, it just says that you'll find hints over the day and I'll see you at the end. Just before you leave, let me tell you once again, that I love you and that I'm terribly sorry." The video was over. Miley just stared at the TV, silent tears running down her cheeks. Demi thought that were angry tears or maybe sad tears but then Miley started smiling. It was happy tears. Nick put an effort to get her back?
Demi let out a sigh of relieve. She hugged Miley. Miley was sobbing and laughing at the same time. She already kind of forgave Nick after everything she heard and saw. Demi suddenly pulled back.
"Change into your jeans and boots and think of the place you both loved." Miley nodded and pulled on the jeans. She then slipped on her boots. She ran into the bathroom and put on some make-up. But before she could even put on the mascara, Demi pulled her hand back.
"There's no time to dress up. I know, your hair looks like a mess and you look like you haven't slept in days, but you really have to go. And I'm pretty sure you don't even know where you have to go first." Miley nodded and closed her eyes. A place both her and Nick loved? There was Patty's, but she doubted that that would be the first place to go to. Then his apartment? No, probably not. Suddenly it dawned on her. The beach where their first ended! Where he asked her to be his girlfriend, of course he'd mean that!
Miley turned to Demi and grinned.
"Is it the beach?" Demi giggled and nodded. Demi knew where to go of course. She did plan this whole scheme after all.
"Let's go!" Miley grabbed Demi's hand, eager to go to the beach. Demi laughed surprised as Miley raced to the car. They jumped in and Miley drove off. Demi looked at Miley confused.
"I don't get it." Miley sort of laughed.
"What don't you get?" Demi laughed a little too.
"Well you. Yesterday you were moping around and crying all the time and now you're happy and smiling. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but come on, be real. What happened?" Miley giggled a little.
"Well, maybe the video on television? And how Nick looked so sincere when he said that he loved me. And all the pictures and videos. Everything… just everything." Demi smiled happily. The plan was already done, she knew that. She could feel that. The way Miley smiled and laughed again. And her grey eyes turned bright blue once again.
They arrived at the beach after ten minutes. Miley jumped out of the car and ran around everywhere, but she couldn't find anything that would hint something. Demi laughed when she saw Miley look around frustrated. Miley looked at Demi and sighed.
"Okay, only because I know what our favorite place is doesn't mean I know where the hint could be." Demi giggled and pointed to the sand. Miley looked at it with furrowed eyebrows.
"What? Why are you pointing at the sand?" Demi rolled her eyes. She grabbed Miley's hand and pulled her along, up to a sort of hill that overlooked the beach perfectly. Demi pointed down once again. Miley stared down at the sand. She could read words in it.
"Hey, so I guess Demi helped you here, but that's okay. I'll give you a hint where you have to go to next." That's where the text ended. Miley looked at Demi confused. Demi sighed and pulled out a paper. Miley quickly opened it.
"And Demi helped you again. But to write all this would've been way too much. Anyway, next hint, remember our second date? Well, you told me one thing where you love to go and this is where you'll find the next hint. I love you, Nick." Miley was still confused. Nick was in Hawaii? She looked at Demi.
"Nick's in Hawaii?" Demi laughed and shook her head.
"No! Why would you ask that?" Miley shrugged kind of embarrassed.
"Well, this thing says that I told him where I'd love to go and that's where I'd love to go. There's nowhere else that I told him… at least not that I know of." Demi rolled her eyes.
"Even I know where you want to go." Miley sighed.
"Of course you know it! You helped them plan!" Demi giggled.
"But I knew it before too. Think hard, you're most favorite place here in NY." Miley tapped her foot and thought a bit.
"Oh my god! Central Park! Why didn't I think of that before?" Demi shrugged and chuckled. They stood around there for quite some time until Demi looked at Miley confused.
"Why are we still standing here?" Miley shrugged and they ran to Miley's car. It took them thirty minutes until they reached Central Park. Miley unbuckled her seatbelt and Demi did the same. They got out of the car and walked through the park.
"Okay, Central Park is way too big for me to figure out where this hint could be." Demi nodded.
"Yes, that's what we thought. So, we decided I should tell you where to exactly look." Miley nodded and looked at Demi eagerly.
"Go on!" Demi smiled.
"Well, remember your third or fourth date – I forgot which one it was – anyway, think back to it. You were here, right? And you were under this big oak tree and you carved something in it. That's where you have to look." Miley smiled and ran towards the big old tree. She found a note stuck to it. She rolled her eyes.
"Either you were running out of ideas or you're just trying to annoy me. Seriously, first you make me run around the beach like a maniac and now you stick a note to a tree?" Demi laughed and rolled her eyes as well.
"Just read the note, would ya?" Miley sighed dramatically, though she was eager to read it.
"Well, done. You probably think that this was way too easy, but hey! We can't do everything right. Now, the next place is the place we first met. Think hard on this one, because you might even get it wrong. Love always, Nick." Miley smiled.
"Is it in his office?" Demi shook her head and Miley frowned.
"But we met there first?" Demi continued shaking her head.
"Not when you think back as to what you told me." Miley frowned for a moment until she giggled.
"Oh! Man, I'm stupid!" Demi nodded and got a slap on her shoulder for it.
"Ow!" Demi rubbed her shoulder while Miley rolled her eyes.
"Stop whining, Dem. We have to go to Patty's." Demi nodded and they drove over there. It took them quite some time to get there, but after thirty minutes, they reached the diner. Miley got out of the car. She didn't run this time. She casually walked. Even though she was anxious to know what to do next. Demi followed Miley quickly.
"So, you nervous?" Miley looked at Demi confused.
"Why would I be?" Demi giggled.
"Well, maybe because Nick's going to p… no, wait, you don't even know that!" Miley shook her head and walked into the diner. She looked around.
"Our booth?" Demi shook her head.
"Nope, it's a little easier than that." Miley thought about it for a few moments. Then she grinned.
"A coffee cup?" Demi smiled and nodded.
"Ding, ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!" Miley ran up to the counter. She smiled at Patty – obviously the owner of Patty's – and just waited. Patty looked at her confused.
"What?" Demi giggled as Miley wanted to say something.
"You have to say the password." Miley groaned.
"This could take forever!" Demi shook her head.
"Think back to your first time meeting Nick. Or more like bumping into Nick. What did you say to him?" Miley thought back really hard. There were a lot of things she said to him. What was first?
"Can you define that?" Demi sighed annoyed.
"Yeah, what was the first thing you ever said to him?" Miley thought again until she giggled.
"'Thanks a lot. This is a new dress!'?" Demi smiled and nodded.
"Right again!" Miley turned to Patty and grinned.
"Thanks a lot. This is a new dress!" Patty laughed and handed Miley the coffee cup. Miley read it out loud.
"Well, either your memory is pretty amazing, or Demi helped you out. Either or, you got the note and that's what's important. Okay, this is your last stop now. And I'll make it extra easy for you. Just go home to your apartment and whatever happens, just follow the arrows. Love, Nick." Miley was once again confused. What arrows? But she decided to shrug it off and smiled.
"Thanks Patty. Can I have a latte?" Demi looked at Miley incredulously.
"You're seriously thinking about drinking a coffee? Right now?" Miley shrugged and nodded. Patty laughed again and handed Miley the coffee.
"It's on me. Got get him, tiger." Miley giggled and thanked Patty once again before walking out of the diner. Demi followed Miley. They drove to Miley's apartment. Miley was pretty relaxed. She thought it was over. The whole scavenger hunt thing. Demi smirked knowingly. If Miley only knew.
Miley opened the door casually and walked in. She was greeted with a path of arrows. Miley knitted her eyebrows together and turned to Demi. Demi just shook her head.
"I'll stay out here now. It's almost done." Miley nodded and sipped on her coffee. She wanted to follow the arrows, but Miley held her back.
"No, don't you remember the note." Miley thought back to the note. Then she nodded.
"Right, read the arrows. Are you going to leave now?" Demi laughed and nodded. She kissed Miley on the cheek.
"See ya later, alligator!" Demi walked out of the door. Miley rolled her eyes and picked up the first arrow.
"The minute I saw you, I loved you as a stranger." Miley smiled and walked to the next one. She picked it up.
"The minute I met you, I loved you as my acquaintance." Miley smiled again. She walked to the next one.
"The minute you became my client, I loved you like one." Miley rolled her eyes and walked to the next one.
"The minute we were friends, I loved you like my best friend." Miley grinned. She continued with the next and almost last one.
"The minute you were my girlfriend, I loved you with everything with me." Miley's eyes started to water a little. She took the second last one in her hand.
"Now there's only one way, I haven't loved you like yet and I wish to change that." Miley just took the next one, not thinking about it.
"And I plan on fulfilling that wish I had since the first time I saw you. Come to your room." Miley smiled and ran into her room. In one hand were the arrows and in one the cup of coffee. She opened the door and found the most amazing scenery she had ever seen.
There were rose pedals and candles everywhere. A heart was shaped on her bed and it smelled awesome. Miley sighed and walked up to the bed. She took one rose pedal into her hand and smelled it. She smiled softly. She didn't notice someone walk in.
"I'm glad you're here." Miley jumped and turned around. Nick just walked through the door. Miley's eyes suddenly started watering. She wanted to just run up to him and hug him. But something made her stay where she was. Nick smiled and walked up to her slowly.
"Well, I guess you found me." Miley smiled softly and nodded. She wiped her tears away. Nick smiled at her.
"Do you know what my wish is?" Miley shook her head slowly. She hadn't thought about that yet.
"No, what is it?" Nick sighed deeply.
"Okay, I planned this whole speech out. I hope it comes out right. But first I need to know if you forgive me for even accepting to do that stupid dare?" Miley smiled a little more and nodded.
"Yeah, I do. I did after I saw the video." Nick smiled bigger.
"Good, well then I can go on with my speech and won't embarrass myself." Miley smiled an encouraging smile.
"Well, you read the arrows, so you know all the ways I loved you. I was crazy about after I kind of met you at Patty's. I thought I was going crazy, but when you entered my office… I just knew that it was destiny and… the ways I told you I loved you… Gosh, I'm totally messing up right now. Well, have you ever heard the saying 'A man can love a million women in one way, but only a real man can love only one woman a million ways'? Well, I was destined to show you how much of a real man I am. But there's one way that's missing. Or maybe two, but the second one can wait a little." Miley nodded kind of confused.
"And what would that way be?" Nick took a deep breath and knelt down on one knee. Miley gasped and clasped her hand over her mouth. She now knew what he meant.
"Well, the last way is for me the best way. I want to love you as my wife. I want to be with you forever. Yeah, I know we know each other for three months and you said you didn't want to be a couple that would rush into things. But I know that we won't be that couple that breaks up after one week because we got tired of each other. I will never get tired of you. I love you with all my heart, more than I've ever loved someone. And I don't ever want to lose that. So, Miley, I have to ask you… will you marry me?" Miley squealed and nodded fiercely. Suddenly, everything bad that happened two weeks ago was forgotten. Nick really loved her, he wanted to marry her! If he wasn't serious, then he wouldn't have asked her. So she just screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Yes! A million times yes!" Nick laughed happily, though still a little shakily, jumped up and then hit his forehead.
"Dang!" Miley stopped jumping up and down and frowned.
"What?" Nick sighed and pulled out a velvet box.
"I forgot the ring." He opened the box and Miley saw a diamond ring in this box. She gasped again. Nick smiled and put the ring on her finger. Miley admired it until Nick cleared his throat.
"Oh yeah!" Miley jumped up and threw her arms around Nick's neck and her legs around his waist. She squealed and Nick laughed. They stumbled back and fell onto Miley's bed. Miley giggled happily.
"So, what's the last way you want to love me as?" Nick smiled and blushed a little.
"I want to love you as the mother of my – our – kids." Miley smiled big and hugged Nick tightly.
"Well, you'll get the chance eventually." Nick smiled and kissed Miley again. They just stayed in bed all day, talking about everything and eventually, they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Present time…
Miley smiled at the thought of the night before. She turned around and kissed Nick. Nick sighed in content and wrapped his arms tighter around her. Miley digs her head into Nick's chest and kisses it. He had pulled off his shirt before he fell asleep, because apparently he was hot. Miley laughed and agreed with him.
Nick ran his hand up and down Miley's arm.
"Wow, if we're going to wake up like this for the rest of our life's, then I can't wait." Nick laughed and Miley giggled.
"Yeah, neither can I." They kissed once again and sighed after they pulled apart. This is the life; they both thought and closed their eyes. Yeah, it may seem a little bit too early to get engaged after three months, but they loved each other and they knew they always would. Some people might think they're crazy and some might say that they're not normal, but if getting engaged after three months wasn't normal, then they didn't want to be normal. They wanted to be together for the rest of their lives. And if being not normal was the price to pay – the only price to pay – they'd pay it any day.
Nick proofed to Miley that he loved her a million ways, Miley believed him. It was the perfect ending to a fairytale story, but this wasn't the ending, this was just the beginning.
Okay, this was the last chapter of 'A Million Ways'. I had a lot of fun writing it and I loved reading your reviews! Like I said, this is the last chapter and I don't know if there's going to be a sequel. All I know is that this story is done for now.
But don't worry, I'm currently writing a new story and I like it so I might post it soon and because I'm sick I might upload it quicker than I usually would. So keep looking out for the new story. And now, I ask you to write a last review for this story.
Thank you all for reading it and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you, Christkind2009