{December 31, 1999 ~ New Year's Eve ~ Southern Cali}

Walking from the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around him Mike let out a sigh of exasperation as his eyes narrowed in on the item that lay glaring back at him from Amelia's bed. The thought entered his mind that it was actually their bed now. Since his return from Northern Cali he had moved into her room and they had shared a bed every night. A slow smirk appeared on his face casting away the serious expression the item had brought to it. The time he had spent with her since his return had been the best in his entire life to date. They spent the days and nights wrapped up in one another, his smile grew at the thought of her withering underneath him. His bubble was burst though as the peered back at the article upon the bed. Mike knew he was going to have to draw a line in the sand. Picking up the article he made his way down to the lower level of the large dwelling, following the faint humming sound that drifted in the air. He smiled as he recognized her sweet voice.

"Babe we need to talk," Mike entered the kitchen that was almost as big as his house in Reno.

Amelia lifted her head to look above the refrigerator door, her smile beaming brightly in his direction, "What is it baby? Why the somber look?"

"This is not going to happen," He gave a scowl holding up the shirt, "Pink? This shirt has pink in it." Shaking his head as he continued, "No fuckin' way babe, not going to happen."

"It's not pink baby," She giggled walking towards him intentionally swaying her hips in a seductive manner, "it's salmon there is a huge difference. Plus it's just a hint of salmon."

"Huge?" He chuckled at her, "Hint?"

"Huge," Amelia spread her arms far apart indicating just how huge she was talking about as she laughed, mouthing the word "hint "silently. She pouted at him after finishing the words.

Shaking his head he mouthed the words "No" as she stood before him. Truthfully though he felt like putty in her hands. The famous pouty look she had on her face, the look, one of many that he found sexy as hell. The look was breaking down his resolve about the hint of pink. He really didn't think pink belonged near him. Damn it what would my brothers say? He stood contemplating a time when pink aka salmon might be acceptable. He could feel himself growing stiff under the towel as an image of Amelia in a pink lace thong entered his mind. Pink lace thong with her sweet pussy of other side, suddenly pink was becoming his favorite color.

"Babe, if you don't stop looking at me like," He paused allowing his eyes to roam her body, "I can promise you we won't be making it to that party."

"Save it for after the party, biker boy," Amelia spoke the words teasingly as she rubbed her body up against his.

The shirt in question dropped to the floor as Mike reached out pulling her into him. His hands instinctively ran up her tight short skirt, up the smooth satin surface of her upper thighs until they found the cheeks of her perfectly shaped ass. Squeezing gently he pulled her even closer. Always considering himself a guy that thought ahead, he surveyed the contents on top of the informal table that stood close by. Satisfied that nothing of monetary value would get broken in hast, he began nudging her in its direction. His hands still planted firmly on her ass.

"How about we have some now and later?" He smiled at her playfully as the destination in sight became closer.

"Don't mind me you two," Marie chimed out as she entered the kitchen with a sack full of groceries.

Amelia blushed as she attempted to wiggle from Mike's tight hold on her derriere, "Marie, I thought you were gone to market for a while."

Smoothing out her short skirt that was riding up revealing her skimpy thong. She attempted to smile innocently as if nothing was occurring.

"Obviously," Marie looked at the couple arching her brow when her eyes came to gaze upon the towel the young man was wearing.

"Err, I'll just go get some clothes on," Mike picked up the shirt before he turned heading swiftly up the stairs feeling as though he were a teenager that had just been caught by the parents.

"Mike, if you don't wear the hint of Salmon at least wear a color that is not black, you aren't an undertaker for Christ sake," Amelia called after him.

Mike paused half way up the stairs an almost eerie smirk crossing his face as the thought that he really was almost like an undertaker at times. Perhaps more like the grim reaper, the vision of the last man he had sent to the other side flashing through his mind. He looked back in the direction of the kitchen wondering what she would think of him if she knew the truth. Sighing heavily he hoped she never found out the ugly truth. He pieced together from the talks they had, had that she had left Janowitz over his bloody hands. Mike knew that the amount of blood on his brother's hands, didn't even compare to the amount on his. He could wash his hands for the rest of his life, and never would they be free from the red stain.

As he continued up the stairs into the bedroom he shared with Amelia, he thought about how different he was when around her. It had been that way from the beginning, she made him laugh, and open up in a way that he never had before. When he was here, with her in this place, Mike knew he was a totally a different person than he had ever been. More and more his life was becoming a double image. The harsh MC enforcer and then with her it was as if he was any other 25 year old guy, in love with his girl. In love, he only thought the words never daring to allow them to be spoken out loud. He didn't want to rush her, but he had known since the evening of his return from Northern Cali in October that he loved her. Maybe even before that. Yeah, he thought to himself even before that.

It wasn't the fact that they had actually consummated their relationship the evening that he had from Northern Cali. Taking the turn from platonic to two people who enjoyed one another's bodies immensely, that wasn't what had caused him to fall in love with her. It was everything else, the way her blue eyes sparkled at him, the way the breeze caught her hair as she walked long the sandy shore, the way her smile lit up the entire room when she entered. How she made him feel as if he belonged. Mike had always thought that the MC had filled the belonging void for him, but after being around Amelia he realized why the road had called him almost a year ago. The road had beckoned him not for the freedom, as he had originally thought, but for her. She had been what he was looking for all along.

Standing watching him leave Amelia turned to face Marie and both ladies burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"The shirt?" Marie inquired once her laughing had ceased enough to speak.

"Yes, the shirt," Amelia giggled back at her, "Do you think he will wear it, I really think the color would look nice on him." She walked over to the counter close to Marie jumping up on it.

Marie looked in the direction where the young man had vanished just moments prior. She had been back under the same roof with the Amelia, who she considered more extended family than an employer, since September. Marie smiled as she looked at her sitting on the counter, her favorite place to be when she was working in the kitchen.

She had wanted to come from Charming immediately upon her return, but Amelia had been concerned that an abrupt departure might raise eyebrows. Amelia didn't want anyone suspecting she was back, especially Aiden Janowitz. Originally Marie had thought it foolish to hide herself form him, and had intended to tell her just that when she arrived. There was no secret Aiden still carried a torch for Amelia that could light up most of the perimeter around Charming it was so bright. She had always hoped they would get back together.

When she had arrived and met the young man in Amelia's company, she had decided to not mention her opinion or Aiden. She liked him a great deal, always had. Almost feeling a certain loyalty to him in regards of his love for Amelia. After sitting back and watching Mike and Amelia though, she decided to never mention the torch. Deciding perhaps it should be allowed to be extinguished once and for all.

As much as she had been a cheerleader for Aiden Janowitz. There was no denying that Mike brought a level of constant happiness to Amelia's life that Aiden had never been able to accomplish. Despite their ages, their love had been strong and real. It had also been extremely turbulent from the beginning. Amelia had often been flung around by the turbulence especially towards the end. Jealousy had been a huge issue for Aiden, Marie knew, having over heard the heated discussions that took place when he barred her from Teller-Morrow.

While Mike was from same MC background, he seemed to have a firmer grasp on keeping "The life" and his time with Amelia separated. It balanced everything out in a way. Perhaps it was the fact they were so far from Charming that he was able to achieve separation, but when they were together he doted on her. Amelia was the only thing he focused on. He seemed perfectly content to live in her world, more importantly was the love she knew he felt for Amelia. Love that hadn't been voiced but Marie wasn't so old that she had forgotten the look a man had when he was smitten. There was no doubt in her mind that Mike Calhoun was just that, smitten.

"Hey man," Craig spoke the words as he approached Mike at bar set up around the pool that was filled with floating candles and flowers, "Great shirt."

Mike turned looking at Craig's outstretched hand grasping it with his opposite hand that was beer bottle free. Fucking pussy whipped I am wearing a hint of salmon.

"You and Adam thought any about our talk couple weeks back?" Mike questioned as he casually raised the dark bottle to his mouth taking a large pull from it.

"We have," Craig nodded as he replied following Mike a few steps away from the main traffic area so they could talk a little more privately, "Man, your sure you can circulate that kind of volume and keep our asses covered?"

"All we need to agree upon are the profit percentages and I have the rest covered," Mike shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant manner as if he were talking about a cake walk. Compared to many of the situations he had found himself in, running drugs and providing the muscle to keep them all safe was a cake walk. A cake walk with a huge profit margin.

"Dude, we aren't greedy, shit isn't even about the money to Adam. That little fucker is like Amelia, destine for inherited riches." Craig raised his own beer bottle to his lips.

"What's not about the money," Adam inquired as he approached gripping Mikes hand just as his lifelong friend just had.

Adam didn't normally trust many people who were as he called them, "outsiders", meaning people that hadn't grown up around them. Hell, he didn't really trust too many of those phony bastards either. Craig had always been there, they had been friends since they were young boys. That Craig liked Mike said a lot to Adam, so when he approached them about the exceptional smoke his girlfriend Amelia always seemed to have. They listened intently to his idea for expanding their recreational hobby into a larger entrepreneur business arrangement.

"Your little green thumb endeavors," Mike chuckled heartily.

He was a geek hidden under his Cali boy good lucks. A geek nonetheless, Mike thought as he continued to laugh. The smoke he grew was phenomenal, better than anything he had ever had. One of the many nights they had shared after her attack, Amelia had brought out one of decorative bongs. Mr. Green Thumbs herb had laid him on his ass. If he had not already been moved into the spare bedroom at her house, he would have been staying over that night. The shit had damn near rendered him incapacitated. Embarrassingly so after ignoring Amelia's warnings to take it easy with "this stuff." There was no doubt about it geek boys herb was going to make them some serious cash.

"I am good with the three way split," Adam replied, "We each kick a small percent back for the operational and protection expenses."

"I know you said you have several connections in that department," Adam interjected, "I got a couple of friends that are well trained and looking for work."

Mike nodded, "Are they reliable? I don't deal with amateur bullshit."

"Yeah, they are reliable and loyal ex-military guys," Craig responded, "What about your connections? Are they bikers?"

"Fuck no," Mike responded curtly, "Northern Cali MC doesn't really subscribe to this kind of way of making a living. Plus that life never collides with my life here. These guys are some connections I made in Nevada." A stern look graced his already serious expression, "It's very important to me, these people know nothing about me," He looked around the large intimate crowd of at least 200, "I am just another Southern Cali beach boy fuck up. I won't have that life causing unnecessary danger for any of us," He paused looking out on the dance floor were Amelia was enjoying herself with several girls her age. "Especially her."

"We understand, man," Adam and Craig responded simultaneously as they watched Amelia whose carefree laughter filled the air.

"Very well then," Mike smirked, "Let's get this party started," Tipping his beer bottle towards theirs. "To the future."

"To the future," Both men spoke the words back followed by the clanking of their bottles.

She could feel the beads of perspiration on her flesh as she danced with a group of girls on the other side of the pool. She glanced over from time to time her eyes catching Mikes gaze upon her. Each time their eyes met Amelia could feel her heart skip a tiny beat, he had that effect. She knew he was dangerous for her, part of the life that she had run from. Despite the fact he was part of the SAMCRO MC, just like Aiden, a coincidence she still couldn't wrap her mind around after all these months. She somehow felt safer with him and unafraid. The MC didn't pose the threat it had with Aiden. Amelia really felt Mike being so far south in the beach area she now called home had been kismet. He had after all saved her life.

Amelia knew she was allowing some of the very things she had left Aiden for to be acceptable in her life now. There had many nights in the beginning she lay awake with pangs of guilt over the fact she was falling for Mike. Even though they had only been involved intimately since his return from Northern Cali in October, Amelia couldn't deny her attraction for him prior to that time. Sex hadn't brought those feelings to the surface, those feeling had been on the surface for many months. Thinking back to their chance meeting in the TM parking lot, what seemed a life time ago. Amelia couldn't deny the butterflies she had felt looking into his eyes that day. She knew she still loved Aiden, perhaps she always would, but with Mike she was a different person. They were a different type of couple. He didn't allow his MC involvement to bleed over into their day to day world as Aiden had. Sure he left her sometimes for a few weeks at a time, but he always returned. When he returned he hung his cut in the closet and it never saw the light of day again until he was called upon once more.

Mike hadn't really explained to Amelia what he did, she didn't ask him. Plus she already knew what he did. Tara had blurted out his "sorted" ways as she called them that night so long ago in the cabin kitchen. It didn't matter to Amelia. Again she knew that perhaps that made her a cold hearted bitch where Aiden was concerned. They had fallen in love at the wrong time. Star crossed from the very beginning she thought as she looked up at the clear sky. The stars flickering in response as if they were agreeing. Amelia knew she couldn't allow her mind to remain where it was. Pushing the thoughts of Aiden to the back and closing the door, a practice she had grown accustom to years ago to preserve her sanity. She listened as the music changed tempos the song now playing slow, watching as her group dissipated.

His strong arms wrapped around her waist pulling her back into his solid chest. A sensual smile overtook her features, as she turned facing the man whose strong arms were around her. Butterflies, like the ones that had just thought of, fluttered in her chest as his green eyes searched her blue ones. Feeling her body being pulled even closer into his, they swayed to the music in unison.

"Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?" Mike brushed a strand of hair from Amelia's face.

"Umm…" Amelia allowed her voice to trail off as if she were pondering whether he had told her that lately of not. Her face glowed from his loving gaze. There was really no reason to ponder the question other than to teasingly play with him. He told numerous times a day how beautiful she was.

"You are," He leaned in closer brushing his lips against hers gently.

Just as their lips touched the clock chimed and people began cheering in a new year. Amelia pulled back tilting her head slightly looking into his deep green eyes. Inhaling deeply the smell of him filled her senses. The smell was more intoxicating to her than any drug could be.

"Happy New Year, baby." Amelia whispered against his lips.

"You know, Amelia," Mike brushed her lips again before continuing, "I think this is going to be a very Happy New Year."

Playfully he reached down picking her up, her long spindly legs immediately finding there resting spot around his waist. Ignoring those around them as if they were the only people in existence their mouths met again.

"Baby," Mike whispered huskily as he pulled his reluctant lips away from her, "I love you."

Amelia looked into his green eyes. She knew how she felt, and she knew he cared but the words he had just spoken. The words took her completely off guard. She searched his expression unsure if she had heard him correctly with all the noise surrounding them.

"What?" She blinked at him stunned.

Mike could only star back at her, he hadn't intended for the words to slip out. They just did and now there they were out on the table. He looked into her blue eyes which appeared both elated and stunned. He could understand, he had spoken the words and they left him stunned as well. Leaning his forehead against hers he repeated the words, "I love you."

Wrapping her arms around his neck tightly, she pulled herself closer to him as his already secure arms tightened around her.

"I love you," Amelia replied in a barely audible whisper.

Unable to contain it any longer a huge smile broke across Mikes face and as he held her in his arms, he knew that life would never be more perfect for him as it was in that very moment.

{February 14, 2000}

It wasn't unusual for the Southern Cali weather to be 68 – 70 degrees even in the January and February, in Amelia's opinion it was one of the things that made the area such a paradise. The sun, to her seemed to keep life infused not only in the lavish landscape but in the people as well. When they woke to find the day made for lovers an unseasonably warm 75 degrees, Mike had suggested they take the bike. They were on their way to a desolate location where his crew was due to meet to try out some newly acquired weapons. Even though his new business dealings had only been running for a month, the profits were already soaring in. Amelia had been astonished at the first duffle bag of cash the three men had dumped on the living room floor of the cathedral. The word was getting around on the streets fast. There had been a minor complication a week back that had to be clarified, but it wasn't anything Mike or his team couldn't handle.

Amelia hugged him tighter as she felt the speed pick up, she still enjoyed riding on the back of a bike as much as she had the first time with Aiden. To her it was an incredible rush. A sense of freedom to move at such high speed with nothing around you but the air you breathed. Breathing in the refreshing air deeply, she smelled the mixture of Mike and the body wash from the shower they had shared hours earlier. No smell of leather was intermingled. The cut was where it always remained when he was in the area. In the back of the closet in their room stashed away from sight.

Mike enjoyed the wind whipping through his hair as he hit the throttle of the bike. Even though he refused to allow Amelia on the bike without a helmet, he hated the confinement. Only donning the metal on his head when he was on the road for many hours at a time. He knew many thought this was foolish, but he never felt unsafe doing it. While riding without his helmet felt nautral to him, riding without his cut still made him feel awkward. Truthfully he felt almost naked on the bike without it.

The cut though went into hiding the minute the sign for the Laguna exit appeared. It didn't reappear until he crossed that exit to take care of whatever club business beckoned him away. He knew his actions if ever found out, would be considered unacceptable by the club. Even for a Nomad. Most of them wore the leather with pride at all times. It wasn't that he didn't respect what the leather meant, or not love the brotherhood. It was her. She wasn't cut for the life, and he had known that years ago. Pulling a beautiful creature like her into it was wrong. Amelia was so full of hope and an almost peter pan never grow old innocence it would be haphazard on his part. She hadn't demanded the separation, he created it. Mike was finding out more and more his priorities were changing.

His love for the brotherhood was changing. He fought desperately to keep her separated from the life. Not because he was a jealous like pretty boy had been, he could in all ways send the message to others about what was his. He kept her separated, to keep her protected. The life was grueling and he had seen it take its toll on many souls that weren't prepared for what they had signed up for. As long as life coursed through him, Mike never intended for Amelia to be a victim of "the life".

Mike had sat her down shortly after the New Year and explained his entrepreneur endeavors with Adam and Craig. Business that was to have zero MC involvement. The only people in the area who knew he was part of SAMCRO in the area, were Adam and Craig. Well and Marie. All had given their word to keep it under wraps. Amelia had asked about some of the men, she had seen come around from Mikes past. Men who were helping to keep everything nice and tidy. He had only explained to her that they were not part of any MC, and were contacts he had made during some side business dealings in Nevada. While he didn't feel it was necessary to disclose all his sins to her, because he knew many she would find appalling. Mike did feel she had a right to know about what he was doing now, because what he was doing now would be his future. Since Amelia was his future as well, he had to be honest with her. He was surprised she had been so accepting of his business venture with her friends. Mike smirked as he thought about her only question, "Does this mean I continue to get my smoke for free?" He had assured her they could come to some sort of business arrangement.

Pulling up beside the fancy sports car he knew belonged to Adam, Mike killed the engine of his Harley. Stepping off the bike, he reached his arm out for Amelia. Once she stood before him he pulled her into a deep kiss. He knew he could kiss her forever. Mike had spent just as many hours with her in his arms making out like teenagers, as they had in bed making love. You're pussy whipped, that's why.

Nodding at the men waiting for him he walked over to the weapons they had laid out. Weapons he had obtained from another connection in Nevada. His time with Nicky the SAMREN President was paying off. While Nicky was a loyal club member, he had a lot of illegal business on the side that the club knew nothing about. He had told Mike it was the only way a man could make real bank that was all his own. Mike had become privy to the information because he had been the person to handle any shit that dropped on the doorstep. Not only had it expanded his horizons and pocket book a little more than what the normal MC would have, it had left him with a number of connections that were loyal to him. People he had done favors for. Connections that were not MC affiliated.

"Ok, well let's try these new toys out," Mike called over to the men standing close by.

Amelia rolled her eyes, Men and their toys, she thought as she walked away to sit under a tree close by.

"Where do you think you are going?" Mike called after her.

"I am going to sit under the tree and watch," She looked back at him.

"No, baby come here," Mike pointed his finger at her curling it towards him indicating she needed to come back over.

"What?" Amelia looked at him a questioning look on her face."

"I am going to teach you how to shoot a gun," Mike picked up a smaller weapon loading it as he spoke.

"Teach me how to shoot?" Amelia looked at him as if he were crazy.

"Don't give me the, are you crazy look," Mike look up her with a serious expression.

"Why do I need to learn to shoot?" Amelia stood with her hands on her hips tapping her foot, "That's what I have you for, baby….. Protection." She cooed the last words at him.

Inhaling deeply, drinking in her sexy gestures, Mike thought momentarily about pulling her into an area where the bushes would hide them from the group. Shaking his head as if to clear the thought he smirked at her mischievously.

"Babe, I need to know you can take care of yourself," Mike paused lowering his voice, "If you don't stop that sexy hand on hip thing I am going to have to pull you over to the bushes."

"You wouldn't dare!" Amelia shrieked.

"Babe, you need to face the three facts here," Mike paused whispering in her ear, "One, My mind is demented. Two, I am a pervert. Three, if you add one and two it equals the most important fact. I certainly would pull you over to the bushes, and do sinful things to that sensuous body of yours."

"Bastard," Amelia glared at him attempting to control her laughter.

"Is that a yes you are going to learn to shoot," Mike gave her sly smirk, "Or are we hitting the bushes."

Stomping off in the direction of the others Amelia supposed she would be learning to shoot a damn gun today. A mischievous smirk crossed her own lips as she thought about how a romp in the bushes might not be a bad alternative either. Wonder if I can have both …the words swirled around in her mind.

{Later that evening, Laguna Cathedral}

Amelia sat on the large chaise lounge that was facing the glorious sunset. The beautiful colors painted the night sky just as it did most evenings. Still as many times as she watched it, she never grew tired of the breathtaking occurrence. The night was cool and crisp but Mike had started a fire in the outdoor pit close by. He had also wrapped a blanket around both of them, as she leaned against his warm muscular chest, she was extremely content. Amelia knew a blizzard could be swarming around them at the moment and she wouldn't notice.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Amelia" Mike reached in the pocket of his jeans pulling out a small box wrapped in red paper with a neat bow on top dropping it in her lap.

Amelia blushed as she looked at the box in her lap, "I thought we said no gifts?"

"What? I can't change my mind?" Mike kissed the back of her neck as he finished words.

"Still it's not fair," Amelia pouted for a moment the surge of electricity from his lips hard to ignore.

"Not fair?" Mike let out a loud burst of laughter, "What's not fair baby?"

"You not letting me get you a gift," She turned around slightly a grin on her face.

"Baby, that's because I have everything I could ever want right here in my arms," He pulled her in closer his lips once again returning to the nape of her neck.

"How did you get to be such a romantic?" Amelia breathed in slowly the familiar feeling of being swept away stirring, "I never figured you for the type."

"I met this girl," Mike responded his voice jovial, "She is so incredible, lights up a room with just a smile, and she is an animal in the bedroom, Jesus Christ."

Amelia pulled away turning her body completely to look at him.

"I think you would like her," He pulled her back into him, "I know I do…" His voice trailed off as his lips continued brushing against her.

"She sounds pretty special," Amelia looked down at the small red box.

"She is….. very special," He spoke the words between his kisses.

Slowly she opened the elaboratly wrapped small box without ripping the red paper. Once the wrapping was removed, Amelia found herself starring at velvety box. She recognized the pale blue color from one of the elegant jewelry stores in the area. Cracking it open she glared dumbfounded as the last prisms of the setting sun caught the contents of the box causing it to gleam.

"Oh my God…. " Amelia shifted her position in his lap so she could face him completely.

"This girl," Mike's eyes locked with her blue ones before continuing, "She is so special, I want to marry her." He paused for a moment, "When she is ready of course, but I want her to know I am in this for the long haul."

Peering down at the ring she could feel her heart pounding and breathe quickening. She looked back up into his eyes, his serious eyes.

"Are you sure?" Her voice quivered slightly.

"Baby, I have been sure for a long time." Mike smiled gently, "The question is are you sure? Listen, I don't want to rush you, wear the ring, and give me an answer when you feel you have one. I love you. I am not going anywhere. I have been trying to keep things at a slow steady pace," Mike inhaled deeply, "Baby, with you it's so hard. You are the one thing that is good in my life."

"I love you," Amelia reached up touching his cheek, "But…."

"But?" Mike spoke the words patiently, "I know I am not good enough for you, I know that. I have done things, horrible things, I am not a good person. With you though, Amelia, I am a better person. You silence this noise in me, and I would never hurt you. I would die before I ever allowed anything or anyone to hurt you."

Amelia reached up placing her finger over lips, "Baby, I know you would never hurt me," She brushed her lips against his before continuing, "I know, Mike. I know who you are, but baby you are good also."

"What do you mean?" Mike spoke the words a nervousness rising in him.

"I know about the murders in Charming," Amelia looked into his green eyes, "Baby, I know what you do for the club."

"Christ," Mike ran his fingers nervously through his hair, "How did you find out?"

"Tara, Jax's girlfriend, she told me," Amelia answered softly.

"Tara?" Mike inquired, recalling Teller being with a woman the last time he was in Charming. He didn't think her name was Tara though.

"Yes, she told me the night… the night I left Aiden." Amelia bowed her head the large sparkling diamond stared back up at her from the box.

Mike reached down bringing her face up so he could look into her eyes, "Is it him? Do you still love him, Amelia?"

"Yes, but how I feel about him has changed." She shifted in his lap desperately trying to find the right words. "I know in my heart I love you, Mike, more than anything." Amelia peered in his eyes before speaking the next words, "I was attracted to you that first time we met at the TM…"

A smile of relief broke across at the last sentences she spoke, "We don't have to rush anything, baby." He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek, "I just want you to know I love you, I want you, and I will wait even if it takes forever. I … I …" Almost finding himself choking on the last words he felt exposed for the first time in his life.

"What is it baby?" Amelia placed her hands on the sides of his face before lowering her lips to his.

"I .. I .. am lost in you baby." Mike closed his eyes before finishing the last words.

"Yes," Amelia brushed her lips against his as she spoke the words.

"Yes, I am lost in you." Mike repeated the words back thinking she was agreeing with him.

"No, baby," Amelia whispered, "Yes, I will marry you," Kissing him gently before continuing, "I love you."

His body relaxed as the relief flushed over him from the words she spoke. The words he had so longed to hear she had spoken in a delicate whisper, but still strong and confident. Christ I love her, he thought, I love her laugh, her smile, her light. Mike knew the revelation going on inside of his head was not new, news, but old news he was well off. He had been aware from very early on she was different than anyone he had ever met before. Even though they had only been together a short time he knew she had already saved him in so many ways. He knew she would argue that it was he that saved her on the beach that night. Mike knew though she had definitely saved him, had pushed the darkness at bay. For the first time in his entire life he could see light.

As she lay in his arms, the evening breeze dancing around them. He realized waiting for her response had been the scariest moment of his life. He let out a soft chuckle at the thought, knowing he had stood against some mean mother fuckers. None of them as scary as the moment that had just passed. He wasn't scared of making a mistake by marrying her or giving her the ring. Mike had been terrified of a single two letter word, "no". Burying his head into her silky hair he inhaled deeply, "I love you," were the only words he could utter.