The next few chapters are probably my favorite in this story (to read and write) Hope you guys enjoy :)

If you haven't yet, please watch the fanvid I made for Miz/Paige on: (youtube . com)/SpookysOwner1!

Wednesday, June 18: Orlando, FL – Paige's apartment

(Nighttime)

Paige's POV

We arrive at my apartment around 10PM. This afternoon's flight was delayed so we sat at the Columbus airport for hours before we could take off. Luckily, the next show isn't until Friday. I drop my bags onto the floor and kick off my shoes. It's been a long few days on the road that I'm happy I get a small break. The toll isn't just physically, but also emotionally in my case. The lights come on then Miz plops himself on the couch again. I wonder why he likes it there so much when my bed is so much better.

"One whole day off..." he mumbles, he's definitely tired. "What's your plan?"

I shut the door and nudge our bags to the side, "We can go to the Performance Center again."

"Paige—really? You sure?" He raises an eyebrow at me.

"Oh, yeah, well then you choose." I had forgotten about Summer, there's no way I'm going to allow them to train when I'm not looking again.

Miz sits up and throws his head back on the cushion, "I have an idea."

Joining him, I sit in the crease where his lap the couch diverge, "Let me hear it."

He lifts his head then looks to me, "I'm gonna take you on a date—a real one."

The thought is so sweet. We have never actually went on a legit date now that I think about it. But another worry in my mind interrupts. "Wait, we can't be seen with each other, we'll break kayfabe."

"I'm talking about a late night beach date. The sand, water, and the moon—just the two of us." He pulls me in by the shoulders, "What do you think?"

My insides flutter, welcoming those butterflies again. He's such a romantic, it's hard to not feel anything with his big blue eyes to match it. "I think it's perfect."

"Awesome, then it's a date. I mean, I didn't even take you out for dinner first before I had sex with you so I'm hoping this will make up for it." He laughs; Miz is also a comedian.

I roll my eyes as those images flood back to me, "Very funny. We should head to bed." Standing, I extend a hand out to help him up. He takes it and suddenly lifts my body as his shoulder digs into my midsection. I'm giggling, trying to break from his grasp even though I secretly don't want to.

He starts for my bedroom. The exhaustion turns my vision into a giant blur. I feel my body land on the soft mattress, then his large frame next to me. His arm drapes over my stomach as his head rests with mine. "Love youuu..." Is the last thing I hear before sleep captures me.

(The next night)

Daytona Beach is an hour drive from Orlando, so the road trip there provided build-up in my heart like you wouldn't believe. Being inside a car with Miz isn't anything new but this ride felt different. I've never felt so excited to go to the beach before. We arrive in a secluded area, away from any of the hotels or attractions. He parks the car near the sand. The stillness of the night drowns the wet air in nothing but sounds of ocean waves. I'm not even sure if people are allowed to be on the beach this late, but he insists there are rules in life meant to be broken. I won't protest—not here, not now.

I'm in a loose shirt and a pair of shorts with my bikini underneath it. I didn't really care which one to grab, because the night sky would mask it anyway. Opening the door to jump out, the breeze collides onto my skin and the fresh water smell fills my nose. In the day, the beach's heat can get overbearing but at this time, it's absolutely gorgeous. When I look up, the moon shines overhead. The details of each crater are so crisp, I'm in awe.

"Beautiful sight, isn't it? Can't be more beautiful than who I'm looking at right now..." Miz voice hits me from the left. I glance his way as he's smiling at me. The heat presses against my cheeks, once again. This man, I swear.

Past the front of the car, I reach for his hand and he grabs it. We make our way onto the sand, each step is like a mini massage through the cool, dipping surface. Whenever I would stumble over a rough patch, his grip would tighten like a support if I fell. We approach the shore as he sets down two large towels. Miz proceeds in throwing his white shirt to the side. I strip down as well and now we're only in our swimsuits. He extends his arm through the space between my ribs and elbow, coming into contact with my waist for a firm embrace. His bare skin is against mine. I wrap my arms underneath, around his toned back, to close the remaining space.

"I didn't think being with you could get any better than it already is, but this takes the cake." He says softly into my ear.

My head presses against his thick chest, I breathe in deeply to stay in this moment of pure bliss. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd find some sort of love at my young age. If I did find someone worth my heart, I'm sure they would've been a fluke compared to who I have now. I'm truly blessed to be loved by a man like Mike Mizanin. Just knowing that he loves me is enough, but damn, I love him too.

I lift my chin to stare at him. His skin is lit a white blue under the moonlight. Each shape of shade contours his features handsomely. There is really nothing to say—nothing that I need to say.

We stay in others' arms for a good minute before he utters the first words, "Last one to the water pays for the plane tickets."

Then suddenly, I break free from his arms and we start towards the waves. I'm laughing all the way to the ocean. I don't boast about a lot of things, but there is no way his cardio could ever defeat mine. I do a head-first dive into a deeper part and pop up from the water. Adjusting my soaked vision, and just as I suspected, he's far behind me. I trudge back through the heavy sand. He rushes to my side then spins me around, lifting my body from the ground. I'm giggling like a schoolgirl as he sets me down. My hands grab his face for a solid wet kiss.

"You're lucky, I stepped on a shell!"

"Mm, yeah right, it's luck!"

We return to the towels and drop down onto the fabric. Miz lies down with his hands behind his head. Cool air hits my skin again, drying the water from every part of my body. The moon in the sky provides enough light to survey the ocean in front of us. It's just us here. Too perfect.

There's a tickle on my lower back, then I glance at him. The sweet, confident smirk of his is in full effect. Catching the signal, I fill the empty space right next to him and rest my ear on his chest. With his arm around me, I'm immersed in love. There's nothing to focus on, except this moment—stress at work can't bother me, nobody matters. I believe there's such thing as whole peace, and I've learned that it only happens when you're with someone you love.

"So babe, I kind of let you win that little race."

"Oh whatever, I—"

"No, I mean... I had to make sure this didn't get wet." His opposite hand reaches for something in his pocket.

In new curiosity, I lift my head from his skin. He sits up with his fist curled into a ball. He's looking at me straight in the eyes, and I have no idea what he's got in the palm of his hand.

"It's not what you think. Not yet, anyway..." Miz opens his fingers and transfers the item between his index and thumb. Then, I see it. It's a gold ring. "This is a promise ring."

The bright gold band is magnified under the moon and it's near blinding, but I can't stop staring at it. "Promise? What's the promise?"

"That you'll marry me someday."

I'm floored. "...Miz, I—"

"I don't mean in the next year, or even in the next five years. I mean when the time is right, when your heart is ready... Promise me that you'll be mine."

My heartbeat is pacing out of control. If this is what it's like to get proposed to, I don't want to experience the full-on occasion. But then again, maybe I do. Maybe I will...by him. Tears begin to swell underneath my eyes, I reach to wipe them away but my trembling hands are having trouble as well.

"If it makes you feel any better, I've already made mine to you." He holds up the fourth finger on his left hand to me, the golden band around it. Paired with a smile that turns me to liquid, this is all too much to handle.

I nod like it's the only thing I know how to do, "I promise, Mike, I promise." With that, he grabs the side of my face and pushes the excess hair behind my ear. He leans towards my mouth and I let him take me in. His lips are gentle yet powerful all at once. There's nothing that exists to break me away from Miz—I won't let anything break us. When I'm in his arms, there's no place in this world I'd rather be.

We part slowly, as if it's the last thing we want to do. He takes my hand and slips the ring on my finger. It fits so prominently, so completely.

"I love you, babe." He says. His innocent tone lets me know that what we have is real, but I've never doubted him.

"I love you too." I go for another soft kiss.

With all of the hours I've spent with him, our relationship has become the most precious thing in my life nowadays. I really can't understand how I've managed to get as far with him as I have, but I wouldn't want to take any of it back. A promise is a promise and I've proudly made it. He's mine, no matter what. This has got to be one of the best nights, ever.

"Nothing says tomorrow is a guarantee,

There's no way of knowing that you'll be with me,

As I walk upon the edge of no escape, in the world so flat,

And then it hits me like a bolt of faith,

I love you, not nothing else,

I want to lock you up inside my heart..."

(Lock You Up by Charli XCX)