Thank you to everyone who replied to my little note on the last chapter!! You're all so supportive and wonderful and said you'd read if I wrote another story, so I think I will.  It won't be until after this one is done, but I'm excited to start it already :) x

As seven o’clock neared, I grew more and more excited.  I sat perched on the couch in my living room, legs bouncing up and down quickly in an attempt to distract myself from counting the seconds that ticked by.  Aside from the agonizing hour I had spent trying to decide what to wear and touching up my appearance, the rest of my afternoon had consisted of trying to keep myself occupied to help pass the time until I saw Harry again. 

A glint of sunlight caught my attention, drawing my eyes out the window where I was pleased to see Harry’s black SUV pulling into my driveway.  I felt relief wash through me, easing the tension I didn’t know I had been holding.  I guess I still hadn’t fully recovered from the last time he was supposed to show me his surprise. 

Jumping to my feet, I grabbed my phone off the table and ran out the front door, shouted a quick goodbye to my mother in the kitchen, and ran out the door, too eager to see Harry to wait for him to retrieve me.

I couldn’t help the ridiculous smile that stretched across my face when I saw him halfway out the door of his car, looking sound and healthy, almost all traces of the damage that had been done to his beautiful face gone.  He had changed since school and was now dressed in dark jeans, a grey t-shirt, navy and grey flannel, and a navy zip up hoodie.  His hair was tucked styled more neatly than it had been earlier, indicating he had probably showered.  He looked incredible. 

His full lips were pulled back in a smile, dimples forming on his cheeks as I rushed toward him and threw my arms around his neck.  He caught me easily, arms engulfing my waist as I pressed my lips to his.

“Hi,” I said after pulling back.  My heart beat a little bit faster at the proximity.

“Hiiiii,” he returned, an equally cheesy grin lighting up his face, green eyes glinting happily.  “Ready?”

“Mmhmm,” I hummed. “Can’t wait.”

“Good,” he said, kissing me lightly on the side of my mouth before releasing me, allowing me to skip around the car and get in. 

As he pulled out of the driveway, he reached across the seat to grab my hand, lacing his fingers through mine.  I smiled, feeling like my heart was positively glowing. 

“Not even going to ask where we’re going?” he asked, shooting me a skeptical look.

“Nope, ‘cause you’re not going to tell me anyway, are you?” I replied, knowing him far too well.

“Nope,” he smirked.

“Thought so,” I laughed.  “So I’ll just be patient and see whatever it is you have in store for me.”

“Well look at you, finally found some patience,” he chuckled.

I shrugged.  “I figured I haven’t behaved very well today so this is the least I can do.”

“Yeah, most girls don’t typically fight guys twice their size,” he said, squeezing my hand.

“Oops,” I smiled sheepishly.  “Still love me?”

“Ahh….” he said, baring his teeth and grimacing at me.  My mouth dropped open in mock indignation as I slapped the back of my hand against his chest.  He laughed and shot me an amused look.  “Of course, Joey.”

“I love you, too,” I said, satisfied.  I had been so distracted by our conversation that I had barely paid attention to where we were going.  Now that I was aware of it, I noticed we were once again surrounded by trees, but on a different route than when he had taken me to his private spot; we were closer to the main part of town, which was clustered around the lake. 

It wasn’t until we passed a popular restaurant on the lakeside that I figured out where we were most likely going.  I didn’t say anything, though, not wanting to be voice my guess in case I was wrong. 

I caught the nervous glance he shot at me as he pulled into a parking lot, confirming what I had suspected.  The parking lot was made of gravel, and was about half full.  The setting sun sparkled across the water, illuminating the silhouettes of numerous boats drifting in the water in their docks.  Quickly, I spotted the familiar looking sail adorned with a blue stripe.  Harry had brought me somewhere very special indeed: he had brought me to the harbor. 

I could feel his eyes on me as I took in our surroundings.  Without saying a word, he turned off his car and got out before crossing in front of the hood and opening my door for me.  Peeling my eyes away from his boat, I looked up at his face, studying his expression.  The familiar expression of nervousness was there, along with vulnerability and curiosity. 

I climbed out of his car, my feet crunching against the gravel as I stepped closer to him.  Reaching up to run my fingers lightly across his cheek, I stood on my toes to give him a soft kiss.  He responded, giving me a slow, burning kiss before pulling back and taking my hand.

“Want to see it?” he said quietly, not needing to explain what he was referencing.

“Absolutely, if you want me to,” I said sincerely.  I knew this was a big deal for Harry.  This boat had been a very big part of his life with his father, and was surely full of memories and varying emotions.  He squeezed my hand as we walked.

“I do,” he replied, smiling softly at me.  We reached the edge of the parking lot and crossed a small bit of grass before starting on the dock.  The wood creaked in a rustic way as we made our way across the planks.  His boat was floating almost at the end of the dock, which split into several forks, branching out to allow more boats to stay attached there.  I couldn’t help but gape at some that we passed; massive in size and luxury, these boats were surely very expensive. 

While I couldn’t deny they were beautiful, they weren’t what really appealed to me.  They were too new, too shiny, too high tech, and not at all what came to mind when I thought of going sailing on the lake.  I wanted a boat that actually felt used, that I wouldn’t be afraid to touch, a boat that felt loved.

I wasn’t surprised when we neared Harry’s boat and found it to be exactly that.  It wasn’t the nicest boat here, not by a long shot, but I already knew it was my favorite.  The deck was dark and worn, but no run down.  The sails were clean, but the years of love and use could clearly be seen on the stiff fabric.  It was obvious that this boat had endured many years of loving care. 

“Here it is,” Harry said, waving his arm across the expanse of the boat.  “Want to get on?”

“Yes,” I said, unable to stop my eyes from taking in every detail of the boat.  Harry didn’t let go of my hand as he crossed the deck and nimbly launched himself on to the deck. 

“Hold onto my hand, okay? I don’t want you to fall in,” he chuckled. 

“Ha, ha,” I replied sarcastically, holding onto his hand all the same.  It wasn’t freezing out, but I imagined a dip in the lake wouldn’t be too pleasant at this time of year.  Grasping his fingers tightly, I stretched my foot out across the gap, trying to jump as smoothly as Harry had onto the boat. 

Harry, it turns out, had made it look much, much easier than it actually was, because I found myself with one foot planted on the dock and the other stuck on the boat, my legs stretching farther and farther apart.  I was about to let out a very girlish scream when Harry’s arm secured itself around my waist, pulling me tightly against him and saving me from a very cold, wet meeting with the lake. 

My eyes snapped up to his, which were inches away now that we were chest-to-chest.  Staggered breathing blew past my lips as I relaxed now that my feet were firmly planted on something solid. 

“Thanks,” I said quietly.  He smirked.

“Welcome.  How did I know that was going to happen?”  he chuckled.

“Hey give me a break, this is my first time on a sailboat.”

“Seriously? We live on a lake,” he pointed out flatly.

“I know, jerk.  I’ve been on like speed boats but never a sailboat,” I clarified, shoving him lightly in the chest.  He caught both of my hands in his as he backed away from me, walking backwards toward the small cabin that was perched in the middle of the deck.

“Okay, okay.  Want a tour?”

I nodded.  One of his hands released mine, still clinging to one of them as he led me around the deck, pointing out ropes, levers, and wooden counterparts, telling me their names that I would surely never remember.  He told me what each part did, trying to explain how they all worked together to sail the boat.   I nodded along with his words, acting as if I understood while everything was flying completely over my head. 

Excitement was practically dripping from his words as he spoke, clearly exhilarated simply being back on the boat again after such a long time without setting foot on it.  I couldn’t help but smile at this observation, happy that he had finally managed to find the strength to come back to something he clearly loved so much.  

After completing the tour of the top deck, he led me into the small cabin that housed a tiny eating area, a small kitchen, and had two other doors leading out of the space.  There were maps hung up around the room with courses written out in pen, nautical decorations, and just as in every other aspect of Harry’s life, photos. 

He didn’t say anything now, opposite of how he had been on the deck, only watched me as I slowly moved around the room and took in the details.  The photos spread around were all of him and his family; he and his father pulling on the ropes as the sun shown down on their skin, his mother and sister relaxing on the deck, his dad perched at the table just to my left, sipping a cup of coffee. 

They looked so incredibly happy, it was no wonder Harry loved this boat so much and had had such a hard time returning to it.  It had to be full of memories. 

I noticed that despite not having been used for many years, the boat was spotlessly clean, without a speck of dust anywhere.  This struck me as odd, and I thought I knew what Harry had “had to do” after school.  He must have come here and cleaned up the boat by himself so he could show me.

“This is amazing, Harry,” I told him honestly.  He smiled.  I was glad to see there seemed to be no trace of sadness in his features, only happiness and excitement. 

“I thought it would hurt to come back, but it’s really just so… familiar,” he tried to explain how he was feeling.

“Did you clean it after school?” I asked, voicing my suspicions.

“Yes,” he answered, blushing softly.  My shy Harry.  “I wanted it to look nice for you.”

“It’s beautiful,” I replied.  “Was it hard coming back alone?” I didn’t want to probe, but I wanted him to know it was okay to talk about it if he wanted to.

“Yes and no.  It was weird when I first walked in.  Everything was exactly where it had been only… covered in dust.  I think if it weren’t for you, I never would have come back,” he said sincerely, looking me in the eye from across the space. 

I felt a tug on my heart as he said this.  To think that I had in some way been able to help him come back to something he loved so dearly made my heart swell.  It was the least I could do for him after all he had done for me. 

“Really?” I asked, holding his gaze.

He nodded slowly.  “Really… I wouldn’t have been strong enough to handle it if I didn’t have you,” he confessed.  I could feel my breathing slowing down.

“Harry, I’m so happy you were able to come back,” I told him.  I crossed the small space so I was standing directly in front of him. He reached up to run his fingers along my cheek before sliding them into my hair, cupping his hand against my face. 

“All because of you,” he repeated, sincerity shining through his expression.  Once again, my heart fluttered as he leaned down to kiss me slowly, deeply, pouring every ounce of emotion he held at this moment into the kiss.  I was beginning to feel light headed from his perfect actions when he pulled back, smiling softly at me as his thumbs traced patterns across the side of my face.

xx