Chapter 7

"Don't worry about where we're going, babe. Just sit back and relax." he flashed a smile her way.

She liked the way he gave her a pet name. It made her feel wanted, but she knew it was dangerous to get too comfortable.

"U-uhm... Im actually supposed to go shopping for a new outfit... i-its my dad's birthday and we're having a party today."

She felt like the air in the car was thinning and running out.

"And you weren't going to invite me?" he gave her a mock frown and reached a hand over to rub her upper thigh.

She flinched at the sudden contact and how close he was to her intimate parts.

She slightly pushed his hand back towards her knee and looked away embarrassed.

The car ride was silent with nothing but the sound of Lacey's nervous breathing and her heart fluttering frantically in her ears.

Danny glanced over at her and squeezed her thigh as if in a comforting gesture and then rubbed her thigh with his thumb.

She decided to push past her nerves and just let go.

As she watched the scenery she noticed that it had changed from buildings to trees. Danny was talking an old dirt road that looked vaguely familiar.

"Danny... Where are we?"

He squeezed her thigh again and smiled at her.

"You'll see."

Lacey nodded slowly and sat back, hoping he wasn't taking her anywhere too crazy.

The drive had continued deep into the town woods and Lacey drifted to sleep, the rocking of the car driving over dirt lulling her to sleep.

Danny looked at her face as she slept.

She looks angelic.

He thought to himself. He caressed her leg once more and sighed.

Finally, he arrived at the place he wanted to take Lacey to since he first got there. He parked in front of the wooden fort that seemed huge back when they were kids, but small now. Looking over at Lacey sleeping, he didn't want to wake her and decided to sit in the car for a while before disturbing her sleep.

Danny had always had a crush on Lacey, even when they were just 11 years old and had just learned what a crush was. He always loved her spirit and her smile. He smiled as he reminisced the days when they would play on the swings outside of his house and run to the fort, never looking back. He remembered they day when he finally had a chance to be alone with her.

Jo had the flu and her mother wouldn't let her play so they decided to throw a 'get well party' for her at the fort for when she was better. It was Lace's idea but Danny went along with it to make her happy. He couldn't care less how Jo felt.

They ran side by side into the forest yelling "Last one to the fort is a rotten egg!" they would both laughed and tease each other mercilessly. If the night caught up with them at the fort, they would make a bonfire and huddle close together, roasting marshmallows and burning anything that would seem funny. He loved spending time with her. And today he was finally going to tell her abou-

Half way through his wave of nostalgia, Lacey began to murmur in her sleep and woke up.

"Hmm... Where are we?" she said in a raspy sleepy voice.

Danny almost moaned at the sound of her voice falling over him but he shook his head and scolded himself for being so ridiculous.

"You don't remember?" he had a sad look in his eyes.

She rubbed her eyes and stretched arms, trying to stifle a yawn. Then she sat up and scanned the surrounding area. He jaw dropped open and Danny chuckled. She looked over at him with the biggest smile he had ever seen and he could feel his heart stutter.

"Oh my gosh! Is this our fort?! I haven't been here in ages!"

He loved the way she said 'our fort'.

He nodded at her with a smile.

"This is it! Come on, I have a surprise." He jumped out of the car and walked around to Lacey's door, opening it for her.

"Here.." He offered his hand.

Lacey looked at his eyes and glanced at his open hand before signing and taking it.

She hopped out and stared at the fort. Danny interlaced their fingers and led her into the fort.

Danny had placed psychedelic beads at the entrance, and decorated the entire room.

Lacey gasped as she pushed aside the beads with her free hand.

He had placed a small wooden table in the middle of the room - which had two pillows as chairs - and adorned it with a lace table cloth and three small lit candles. Throughout the entire room, Danny had draped white Christmas lights on the walls, and placed a picnic basket next to the table.

"This is beautiful.." Lacey looked up at Danny.

He smiled at her wholeheartedly and leaned down to kiss her.

This time Lacey didn't feel nervous or scared so she leaned in as well and kissed him back. She turned her body into his and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. This time the kiss wasn't rushed or hard. It was a soft intimate kiss, their lips brushed against each other softly with a new sense of familiarity.

Danny pulled away from the kiss and kissed Lacey on the tip of her nose.

"Wanna sit?"

She blushed slightly, still unaccustomed to the intimacy and nodded yes.

She walked over to the light blue pillow and plopped down on it, crossing her legs and thanking God she had worn leggings with her heels today.

Danny lowered himself down onto the pillow across from her and reached over to the picnic basket.

"I made you lunch." he grinned at her, obviously proud of his deed.

Lacey smiled back at him, "I can't wait. I'm starving."

Danny reached into the basket and pulled out two wine glasses, two plates, utensils, and various containers. He placed the cutlery neatly on the table and then began to open up the containers which held the food.

"I made Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and shrimp, Cesar salad, and some garlic bread." He set the opened containers on the table and gestured for her to start serving herself.

Through out the entire lunch, they kept a light conversation that resulted in many laughs and the occasional hand hold and warm smile.

Once they were done, they seemed to just sit there staring at one another.

Lacey tried to break the silence, "so... what now?"

"How about another bonfire?" Danny grinned at her.

Lacey nodded enthusiastically and they both stood up and walked to the corner of the room where Danny had placed a large purple beanbag chair in front of the fire pit.

"Sit with me?" he smiled at her.

"Uhhh... Sure.." she nodded.

He plopped down on the bag and she next to him. Deciding that they had already gone passed the awkwardness, she cuddled up to his side, laying her head on his chest while he wrapped her in his arms and placed a kiss to your head.

"Lacey... I want to tell you something."

Lacey tipped her head up and placed a kiss to his jaw.

"Yeah?" she settled her head back on his chest.

"Well.. I've alwa-"

He was suddenly cut off by the sound of a car driving up.

"Wh-whos that?" Lacey sat up.

Then the car door slammed.

"Crap. I think it's Jo!" Danny whispered harshly.