The drive in my car up to Vancouver was long and, according to Zed (who was driving as I still wasn't ready to be back in the driver's seat) I slept most of the way. He woke me up as the water of English Bay came into view.

'We're nearly home Sky.' He whispered, giving me a gentle shake.

'We are?' I was pleased, because we'd driven for about eight hours that day and just over thirteen the previous day. It was a stupid amount of time in a car, but if we had flown then my car wouldn't have been coming with us.

Vancouver was beautiful, even with the clouded sky covering the mid-afternoon sun. I couldn't wait to get outside and explore the mountains and the ocean.

Penny for your thoughts? Zed smiled as he followed the Satnav in the direction of our appartment building.

Just thinking that it's beautiful and that it would be nice to explore.

Yeah, I guess it is. We'll get exploring when your leg's better though.

I recognised the building appearing ahead of us and smiled. 'Got the keys ready.'

'Okay, eager beaver. Let me park first though.' He laughed, squeezing my hand.

We'd made it to our safehaven. Finally.

The rest of the day was spent unpacking the removal van. Sally and Simon had arrived just before us and were doing the same at their house just outside of the city. Unpacking made everything seem so real. It freaked me out; was I an adult now? I wasn't sure if I was ready for that just yet.

'You're very quiet.' Zed commented when I got into bed beside him.

'Yeah.' I sighed. 'Guess I'm just scared that I'm growing up.'

'Why does that scare you?' He whispered, tucking a loose strand of my blonde hair behind my ear.

'Doesn't it scare you?'

'Nope.' He shook his head. 'Something bad happening to you is the only thing that would scare me.'

I moved forwards and kissed him softly on the lips. 'Sorry, it's really silly.'

'It's not.' He shrugged. 'Is fine to be scared of growing up. As long as it doesn't hold you back.'

'Hold me back from what?'

He didn't answer. Instead he kissed me passionately, leaving me breathless.

'How is your leg?'

'Okay enough for this.'

I kissed him hard this time and he pulled me closer to him. His hand met the small of my back, and slid under my t-shirt, caressing my bare back. He moved his lips to plant soft kisses on my jaw line, then my neck and my chest. I moaned. He removed my baggy pyjama top and pressed his bare chest against my bare breasts. Goosebumps covered every part of my skin with pleasure.

I woke up the next day and it took a while for me to realise where I was. Reality sunk in. I was in mine and Zed's first apartment together. And we were currently lying naked in bed together. He moved over to spoon me and he kissed my shoulder.

'Sleep well in our own apartment?'

'Mmmm.' I replied, enjoying the sensation of his breath tickling my shoulder. 'Did you?'

'It was nice being able to enjoy you without worrying about an interruption.' He started trailing along my bare skin from my shoulder to behind my ear. The goosebumps returned and we made love in our new apartment. Again.

We had arranged to meet Sally and Simon for lunch, so we had the morning to continue with the unpacking.

'What are these? Hmm?' Zed asked, lifting up some of my new Victoria's Secret lace underwear from my suitcase.

'Oh nothing...' I grinned, grabbing them off him and adding to my underwear drawer.

'When are you planning on modelling them for me?' He smirked, hanging some of his shirts in the walk-in closet.

'You should be so lucky.' I stuck my tongue out playfully and carried unpacking.

'Huh. I was pretty lucky last night and this morning, wasn't I?'

I could sense he was behind me before his arms wrapped around my waist. He pulled my hair over my shoulder and planted a kiss on my neck.

'Mmmm.' I sighed, content.

'Sorry, am I distracting you?' He teased, kissing my neck again.

'Yes actually.'

He turned me to face me and planted a kiss on my forehead. 'Unpacking is so boring.'

'But the sooner we unpack, the sooner we can explore.'

'Explore what?' He purred, nibbling my lip.

'You have to stop doing that.' I laughed. 'I want to get unpacked so we can see the city... and then maybe we can do some more of what you're thinking.'

'Hmm. I guess that seems fair.' He kissed me again and pressed his forehead against mine.

We met Sally and Simon at an Italian restaurant about ten minutes from where we lived. It was busy inside, which was always a good sign when it came to choosing places to eat. The italian restaurant decor was simple but classy; white walls, a deep red carpet, white tablecloth-covered tables and white chairs with a red cushion. There were a few paintings of the city spread across the walls for decoration, and each table had a black vase of red and white flowers.

'How's the unpacking going?' Simon asked as the waitress handed out the menus.

I tried to ignore the fact that she was checking out Zed, but I just couldn't help it. She was eyeballing him like he was a piece of meat.

'It's going well.' Zed smiled. When we're not too busy doing other things.

That's your fault, not mine. I blushed.

'That's good. Ours is taking a long time, but we'll get there.' Simon smiled. 'You two order what you want. It's on me.'

'Thanks.' Zed grinned. Simon would be regretting that when the bill came.

'Have you got anything fun planned this weekend?' Sally asked after we ordered our food.

'Not really.' I shrugged. 'Depends on my leg I guess. It's not been hurting today so we might be able to go somewhere.'

'I can always carry you!' My boyfriend said, and I knew he was serious.

'I don't need carrying anywhere. I'll be okay. I can't sit about and take it easy forever.'

'We could go canoeing. The bay is pretty apparently, especially if you head away from the city. '

'I'm not sure that's the best idea...' Simon started.

'But it wouldn't require lots of walking.' Sally smiled. 'Just make sure you wear a lifevest.'

'Well we'll see.' I said, unsure. After all, my first time rafting had been a terrible idea and canoeing was not much different.

After lunch, we all returned to our new homes to continue the chore of unpacking. I was starting to get bored of it as well. At least our apartment had already been furnished; if it hadn't been, unpacking would have taken forever. It was eight pm when we finally finished unpacking and Zed was having a beer to celebrate. I was running a bath and enjoying a glass of wine. Perfect.

'I can't believe we're all settled in.' I sighed, running my hand through the warm water in the bath.

'I know. Our first home.' He leant towards me and kissed my nose, perching on the bath beside me. He finished his beer and headed off to the kitchen.

I took off my clothes and climbed into the warm bath. I lifted my leg out slightly and looked at my leg. Xav had used his healing powers on it once more before we left and the scar had turned into a small pink line. It was nearly gone, thank goodness. I don't think I would have ever worn a dress or skirt again if it had been really obvious.

'Want some company?' Zed asked, poking his head round the half-open door.

'Okay.' I smiled. I'd never shared a bath with someone before. It seemed like a perfect and romantic idea.

I watched as he pulled off his t-shirt, showing his perfectly carved abs. He unbuckled his belt, unzipped his flies and his jeans dropped to the floor. He smirked when he realised I was watching him undress. He slowly removed his boxers and I couldn't help checking out the naked man stood in front of me. I'd seen him naked plenty of times now, but it still had an effect on me. I felt my cheeks burn as he climbed into the bath opposite me, his body disappearing under the bubbles.

'Turn out.' He whispered.

I did as he asked and he pulled me back towards him, wrapping his arms around my waist. We leant backwards and let our bodies intertwine.

'I love you, Zed.'

'I love you, Sky.'

Over the next few days it rained. A lot. I was starting to doubt we would be able to go out at the weekend, but then my luck changed. I woke up Saturday morning and noticed the sun seeping through the blinds. I nudged Zed and kissed the tip of his nose.

'Rise and shine.'

'Mhmmmhm.'

'It's a beautiful day.' I sang.

'Mmmm sleep.'

I slipped out of bed and walked over to the window, pulling up the blinds. The sun poured through the window and Zed groaned, hiding under the duvet. I climbed onto the bed and pulled back the covers.

'Are you crazy woman?' He mumbled, trying to pull them back.

'Maybe.' I grinned. 'Maybe I need some fresh air.'

'It's too early.' He buried his face in the pillow.

'It's ten AM.'

'Too early.'

'Fine.' I shrugged. 'I thought you might have wanted to have a shower with me.'

His head popped up slowly, so that he was watching me. I slipped off my pyjama top and then slipped down my pyjama bottoms. I looked over my shoulder and noticed Zed's eyes were wide.

'Just me then? No problem.' I smirked, heading off towards the bathroom.

I was about to close the bathroom door when I heard Zed call out. 'Wait up!'

After breakfast, Zed decided we would attempt to go canoeing. He parked my car at the watersports centre and led me inside.

You're shaking.

I'm scared.

You're safe with me. He squeezed my hand with encouragement, though I still felt like my breakfast was going to come back up.

'Hey, how can I help you?' An over-friendly red head grinned, eyeing up Zed. What was it with this city and flirtacious women?

'Two people for a canoe ride please.' Zed smiled, tightening the strap of his rucksack on his shoulder.

'Do you require an instructor?' She leant over the desk towards him. 'I'm fully trained.'

'So am I.' Zed flashed his workers ID from back in Wrickenridge. 'We won't be needing an instructor.'

'You can kayak, snowboard, ski and raft too? Epic!' She fluttered her eyelashes. 'The offer still stands.'

Jealousy spread through my veins and I knew a lovely green colour was surrounding me right now.

Don't be jealous, honey. He squeezed my hand, but there was a smirk on his face.

'We're fine.' Zed assured her. 'Could we hire it for the afternoon?'

'Sure. I'm just going to need a few details.' She handed him over a form. 'Have you got your passport or driver's license?'

He handed it over to her, releasing my hand so that he could fill out some details.

'Oh! You've got that lovely apartment on my block that overlooks the bay!' She grinned as he passed the form back. 'I live in the building opposite you.'

'Sweet.' Zed replied with a smile. 'You ready beautiful?' He kissed my cheek, much to the red head's disappointment.

'Well I'm Courtney. Pop over for a coffee anytime, won't you?'

'Sure.' He shrugged, squeezing my hand.

'If you head through the double doors you can get your lifevests and then Jim will hit you up with a canoe. Stay safe.'

'Thanks, laters.' He raised his hand in a half-wave and then pulled me through the doors. 'Honey, jealousy doesn't suit you.'

I stuck my tongue out at him. 'Whatever.'

'Come on, this will be fun.'

'I sure hope so.'

As Zed rowed the canoe, I took in my surroundings, admiring the beautiful landscape. I looked on a map and pointed out what I could see to my boyfriend, who seemed somewhat distracted.

'Are you okay?' I asked him as we reached Bowen Island.

'Yeah, why?' He asked, continuing to row.

'You just seem quiet.'

'I'm fine.' He smiled. 'Come on, let's stop here for a bit.'

'You didn't have to do all the rowing you know.' I laughed as the canoe hit the shore. Zed jumped out onto the sand and pulled the boat up out of the water.

'It keeps me in shape.' He winked. 'As do you.'

I blushed, looking around to make sure there was no one who heard him. Luckily, it was just on this little bit of bay. I looked out towards Vancouver, the city in the distance. It looked odd nestled between woodland and rocky hills, but it was strangely beautiful. I took a photograph on my digital camera, though I knew it wouldn't capture the true beauty of the view.

'Can I get a photo of us?' I asked my boyfriend, fluttering my eyelashes.

'Don't do that, you'll look like Courtney.' He shook his head. 'Besides, you don't need to do that to get what you want.'

He pulled me towards him and allowed me to take a few selfies of us.

'You hungry?' He asked.

'A bit.' I shrugged. 'But I'm not sure there's any food places around here.'

'No problem.' He opened his rucksack and pulled out a blue picnic blanket, spreading it across the sand. Then he pulled out a huge lunchbox and two bottles of water. He passed me one and took a seat on the blanket, opening the lunchbox.

'When did you do all this?' I gasped as he unwrapped a selection of triangle sandwiches, pulled out a tub of salad, some potato chips, a fruit salad and some cupcakes.

'Last night.' He shrugged. 'When you were on the phone to Phee.'

'Thank you.' I smiled, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

I stretched out my legs, glad I had chosen to wear a sundress today. It felt humid, and I was pretty sure my curls were starting to get fluffy. I reached for a sandwich and Zed and I finished off the feast between the two of us.

'I could stay here forever.' I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder when we were both stuffed with food. The water gently lapped at the sand as yachts and kayaks passed us by in the distance. The sky was completely cloudless and it was silent, other than the sound of birds and the laughter of children in the distance.

Zed didn't reply. He sat there with his hand half-stuck in his jeans pocket, staring into space. He was really starting to worry me now. He moved away from me, suddenly, making me jump.

'Zed, what's going on?'

He turned back to face me, looking a little nervous.

'Zed?'

'Sky, my soulfinder, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. I know that you've been in danger a few times and I am so sorry about that. You've been through far too much and it's all my fault.'

Was he breaking up with me? My stomach twisted and I felt sick.

'But from now on, I'm not letting you out of my sight. You mean too much to me and when you were kidnapped it nearly killed me. What I'm trying to say is that I love you and you're my whole world.'

That's when he moved so that he was knelt on one knee. He pulled a small black velvet box out of his pocket and my breath caught in my throat.

'Sky Bright, will you marry me?'