A/N: Hey, guys. It's been more than a month since I updated! Between the time when I published Chapter 19 and now, I really learned a lot of new things and made new discoveries about myself and of people in general. I'm really happy that I have this story to somehow act as a record of how I change and grow. It's not like I've become wiser – nah, it's not one of those emo realisations xD – I think the word "open-minded" would be more suitable. :)

Now *claps hand together* Whoop! Whoop! Chapter 20!

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Their hands occasionally brushed against each other's; there wasn't the need to constantly have their fingers intertwined. Michael breathed acalm sigh. It was peacefully quiet.

Cassie's eyes wandered towards the amusement park rides. The colorful lights shone particularly beautifully against the sky's deep night background.

Cassie stopped in her tracks, hesitating for a moment.

"Can I go onto the rides?" she asked Michael.

Like Cassie, Michael glanced towards the amusement park.

"Sure. Which one?" he said with a smile, his hands tucking into his pockets.

"The Ferris wheel?" Cassie suggested.

"Okay," said Michael, and he led her across the grounds to the chosen attraction.

The passenger cabins were progressing in a slow, laidback manner, so it was easy for both of them to get themselves into one when it lolled smoothly to ground level. Cassie peered down curiously as they were carried upwards. From above she spotted the carousel.

Oh, I should have chosen that instead, Cassie thought with a tinge of regret. The very first time Cassie came to Neverland, it was the sight of the carousel which made her decline Michael's kind, initiative invitation to the rides.

Those unhappy memories ... they seemed to be fading. They were gradually becoming trivial and they mattered less and less to her. There was still a lot of wonder in this world to be discovered, and at that second, she was floating in a bubble of peace, Michael at her side. Why dwell upon the past, think of the people she had met before, when everything she had went through led to who she is now, as well as the beautiful present she was living in?

Oh, I should really have chosen the carousel, she thought. It could be the milestone-moment in her life, she mused, of becoming someone different, someone happier.

The cabin had been lifted further up. The wind seemed to whistle louder at this height. Even with the cabins securely attached to the wheel, the swaying motions in mid-air was unavoidable. Cassie shrank back to her seat. The growing perspective was exciting, but enough thrills for now.

Cassie turned towards Michael. He had been watching her with those gentle brown eyes of his. His hands were folded neatly in his lap. Cassie raised her eyebrows in puzzlement at his formality.

A small, uncertain smile formed on Michael's face. "Just thinking ..." he mumbled.

"About what?" Cassie asked, but she had already guessed. Sooner or later the subject would have to be breached again.

Slowly, Michael leaned forward, not breaking eye contact.

"I care about you ..." he began.

"I care about you, too," Cassie interjected in a whisper.

That one single sentence drew a chuckle from Michael. There was that happy sparkle in his eyes. Cassie made a mental note to express that more often. It made him so happy.

"I just want to make sure that we're both, you know ... just comfortable with how everything is going," said Michael. "Do you really want us to, you know, to have this relationship ... for real?"

They weren't giddy young lovebirds flocking about in their fluffy, cotton-candy world. She wouldn't have to worry about not being financially well-off, honestly, but there would be responsibilities in the form of two little kids Cassie would have to share, not to mention some other unforeseen situations in Michael's life she would be involved in ... They could remain friends; a long-term, serious relationship had its risks.

"What are you hoping to do in the future?" Cassie asked, avoiding Michael's question for the time being.

Michael sensed the deflection, but did not press on. "In terms of work, I'm currently working on a new studio album," he said. "We estimate that it'd be released in about a couple of years. But looking further ahead, I hope to venture into some new territories, go behind-the-scenes a little, and be involved in things like filmmaking ... I want to try new things, and not just keeping producing albums."

"Wow, big plans," Cassie said, impressed by the enormity of Michael's ambitions. "Not thinking about retirement and pension schemes, aren't you?"

"Maybe I'll consider that a few more decades later," Michael said with a laugh. "What about you?"

Somehow, Cassie was momentarily stunned. At the present, Cassie was working as a photographer; there were unpleasant experiences with several clients but overall, she was happy with her job. It was a thousand times better compared to sitting with her back stiff on an office stool.

Michael was aspiring to do so much more. His question triggered new possibilities – things she had not done in her life, but deep down,wanted to achieve.

I want to do so many things. Can I ever be like you?

"O-Oh ... I'll go on the same. I love what I'm doing," Cassie said simply. She couldn't think of a list instantly anyway.

"Any crazy dreams?"

It was as though Michael could read her mind. 

Cassie tried to come up with an alternative answer this time.

"I want to help animals," she said. Animals were beings close to her heart. "It's not just volunteering or feeding the dogs and cats I see on the streets. I want to start something ... I don't know how I'm going to go about with it or bring at least a small group of people together, but I hope to make it happen."

It was the first time she voiced the idea which came and left every now and then. And as she said it, it felt probable ... She was delighted to be able to share these thoughts with someone.

"That sounds amazing," Michael said, a warm encouraging smile spreading across his face. "I'll definitely support you. Keep me updated on whatever you might be doing."

"Really? Oh, thank you ... so much," said Cassie. She appreciated Michael's positive response. He was always so present, so ready to listen when she spoke to him. She looked into his eyes, smiling, and gently, placed her hands onto his, giving them a squeeze, receiving the same reassuring gesture from him.

Michael's gaze softened, and he slipped his hand just behind her head, bringing her closer. Cassie closed her eyes. She could feel every breath he inhaled and exhaled. His warm presence. The tip of his nose brushed hers, and he stayed there quietly.

"Hey, look, it's definitely not now or in a couple of months ..." Cassie started to say softly. "But if the time is right – God, that would be a very long time –"

"Just say what's on your mind," Michael whispered. His almost-teasing voice and the close proximity of his mouth made the breath caught in her throat.

Cassie let out a breathless laugh. Her hand reached up to trace the front outlines of his face. "You already know what I was going to say," she said softly, "but, for real – you better stop giggling, you idiot – what I mean is ... I really like how we get along, and if there's some point in time ... I'd be willing to share your responsibilities."

Michael's smile widened. He was grinning from ear to ear. "Same here," he said.

"Satisfied now?" Cassie snapped at Michael, but of course she, too, was smiling.

Michael chuckled and ignored Cassie's further questioning. Holding her face in his hands, he kissed her forehead ever so tenderly and Cassie put her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

Heated arguments would come, certainly. Compromises, adjustments – the process all over again. Maybe she should try settling with someone safer, someone who did consider retirement and pension schemes ... But funny enough, she couldn't see what kind of future that would lead to. In most cases, it wouldn't be the lack of romantic love which broke relationships, it would be the absence of friendship. Michael would always be that strong, solid moral support she could depend on. He made her believe she could dream and stay grounded at the same time.

That moment, filled with so much hope and wishes and wonderful prospects. How could she ever let go?

* * *

They descended from the Ferris wheel about twenty minutes later. Cassie was surveying the landscape around her when she muttered involuntarily, "I can't imagine living with you."

"Unlike perhaps some other guys, I have excellent hygiene practices," said Michael.

Cassie burst out laughing. The two words – "hygiene practices" – could imply so many undesirable, disgusting prospects!

"I don't mean that!" Cassie half-laughed, half-shouted.

"No, no, I do know what you mean," Michael said, more seriously, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I understand."

They were making their way back to the main house.

"You free any weekend?" Michael asked.

"Mostly," said Cassie. "Since you don't seem to be paying me now." Increased frequency of communication disrupted the original photography schedule, but Michael didn't give the impression that he was bothered at all by the change though.

"Hmm ..." Michael tapped his chin with the exaggerated air of a philosopher. "How about I offer you this deal? Mademoiselle Photographe, you come here for the weekends and I'll offer you free lodgings?"

"What kind of deal is that?" Cassie laughed, not catching on the clue.

"No, Cassie, what I mean is --" Michael grabbed Cassie's hand to hold her back. "What I mean is, you can know what it's like here. Neverland. It may seem different from the typical drawing of a house but ... it's my home."

It was nearly impossible for Cassie to mask how pleased she was at his thoughtful idea, but –

"What about Queen and Mr Tubs?" Those two were her primary concerns. Her babies, literally.

"Just bring them over!" Michael said brightly. "But oh ... oh," he trailed off. "Mr Tubs."

Transporting a fish without giving the creature motion sickness took some planning. Michael had to go a little out of his way, but sending down a car, and attaching a manual oxygen air pump to the aquarium was eventually what he did.

- - -

A/N: That's my dream man, right there. *dreamy sigh*

*COUGH*

I may be writing fanfiction, but I assure you I am one of those dull, "duh" people who are immuned to romance when in real-life. xD So, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Here, have a hot chocolate. Extra milk. :3