Niall's POV

    "Can I ask you a favor?" I asked as I wandered into The Queen's office. The strong smell of pumpkin candles filled my nose the second I walked in there. It was overwhelming but almost comforting.

    "Of course," Kaitlyn looked up from her computer and gestured to the leather chair across from her. "Take a seat."

    I sat down and shifted in my chair as I took a look around the office. Even though she was my mother, I rarely went into The Queen's office.

    My eyes scanned the room; there was a fireplace crackling in the corner with family pictures set upon the mantel. The walls, just like the rest of the palace, were covered in famous paintings, such as 'Woman with a Parasol' and 'The Water Lily Pond' by Claude Monet, and 'Starry Night' by Vincent Van Gogh. To top it all off, lights were strewn along the ceiling, completing the welcoming look of the room.

    "What is this question of yours?"

    "Oh, well, I was just thinking," I scratched the back of my head, starting to realize how awkward this was. "Lately Gracey seems to be . . . distracted, I guess? Something seems to be bugging her, so I want to help her get her mind off things. But I've sort of run out of places to go for dates . . . so I was just wondering, do you have any ideas?"

    "Let me think," She stared at the ceiling as she pondered. I considered her the best person to ask, seeing as she's Queen, she knows the best places close-by.

    "I was thinking about having another picnic since she seemed to enjoy the last one . . ."

    "That's perfect! I know just the spot," She turned on her phone and sent me the directions. "If you need help setting up the location, I can ask Melody to help you."

    "I think I can do it, thanks for your help, Kaitlyn!" I said quickly. I wasn't particularly in the mood for talking to Melody.

    ~ ~ ~

    I finally arrived at the spot Kaitlyn sent me to — a lake that goes as far as the eye can see. There were small mountains covered in trees, and the whole place was very enclosed and quiet. There were few people there, but even then I knew, with my title, I needed to find a more secluded place to set up the picnic.

    I scouted the area. Eventually, I came to a small pathway that led into the thick forest. It seemed as though it was a make-shift hiking trail, rather than an official one. Screw it. I thought and trudged up the trail.

    It was quite a thin pathway, so I tried my best not to scratch my arms on the rough tree branches. I was only left to pray that there was no poison ivy on this path.

    About a minute later, the trail completely stopped. I looked around, confused as to where it led me until I noticed it continued to the left, though the path was overgrown. Once I cleared past the trees, I finally made it to the perfect place to have the picnic.

    My breath was taken away when my eyes set on the sight before me. It was a small cliffside view of the lake, far away from anyone else. It was as if it was made for us. I could picture perfectly the look on Gracey's face when she sees it. The thought of it made me grin, and motivated me to start decorating the place.

    I strung some fairy lights across the tree branches in hopes it would spice up the area. I spread out a fuzzy blanket across the soft grass and threw some pillows on as well. I left it at that and figured I would bring my guitar later.

    ~ ~ ~

    Gracey's POV

    "Meet me outside in the parking lot — we're going on a little trip ;)" The message from Niall read. I was lucky I was already wearing cute clothes so I wouldn't have to rush to change. I quickly grabbed my cardigan out of my closet before running down the many stairs that led to the ground level.

    Niall, as promised, was waiting in his car in front of the palace. "You ready, beautiful?" He rolled the windows down as I walked up to him.

    "I'm very ready, handsome." I grinned and hopped in the car as he started to drive off. "Where are we headed?"

    "That's a surprise,"

    "Just a little hint?"

    "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you!"

    "I don't like surprises." I lied, in hopes he'd give up his stubborn nature.

    He raised his eyebrows. "I know that's a lie," He smirked. "But I'll give you one hint — we're having a picnic. But I won't tell you where."

    "Well, I know that, silly, you have a picnic basket on the back seat."

    "That's exactly why I gave you that 'hint'." He smirked and turned on the radio, singing along to the song that came on.

    Soon enough, we stopped at our destination; a shimmering lake surrounded by a sea of green trees.

    "Was the surprise worth the wait?" Niall smiled, his eyes bright in the sunlight.

    "Of course, I never even knew we had a lake nearby!" I gasped, still taking in the sight before me.

    "Well, I'm glad I was able to be your tour guide for today," He laughed, then led me towards a pathway to our next destination; the picnic basket in one hand, and his in the other.

    After trudging through the thicket of trees — and Niall making a wrong turn a couple of times — we finally made it to the clearing. I grinned when I saw the fairy lights brightening up the area, and the comfort of pillows to lay down on.

    "It's so cute!"

    "It's nothing special," He shrugged his shoulders. "Take a seat."

    I sat down next to Niall as he pulled out a sandwich for the both of us. It was my favorite, Italian Meat.

    "How did you remember this was my favorite?"

    "I guess I have a good memory," He smiled and immediately dug into the sandwich.

    What started as an innocent picnic, quickly turned into a food fight. Niall threw some popcorn at me, while I promptly smeared a raspberry pastry across his face.

    Soon enough we stopped, and we were both trying hard to contain our laughter—which didn't work very well.

    "You have something on your face, let me get that for you," Niall said, his thumb brushing across my lips.

    His face was inches away from mine, and I could feel his breath grow heavier and heavier. He caught my lips in a delicate kiss, slow but steady.

    I quickly broke away from the kiss and softly whispered, "I love you." I leaned back into the kiss as Niall pulled me closer to him; I was practically sitting in his lap. One hand gently cupped my face, while the other laced through my curly hair.

    Eventually, we both pulled away, out of breath.

    "Look at the sunset," Niall gasped, holding me in his arms.

I turned to look at the setting sun. The sky had the most beautiful pink and purple colors. It was as if the atmosphere had completely cleaned, revealing the galaxy. Its reflection shone in the lake below us.

    "Grace, come here, look at the sky!" My mother beckoned.

    I waddled over to Mama and gasped as I saw the rainbow of colors that filled the sky. It was like magic.

    Ever since my first sunset, Mama and I would watch the sunset every night. Some nights were more magical than others, but they always made me feel complete. My mom would often sing me a song while we watched the sky. It became an important part of my life.

    Until she died.

    Ever since that tragic night, whenever I caught a glimpse of a sunset I would shut my windows and sob. I couldn't see a sunset without thinking of her. I shut myself out from the outside world; this was the first sunset I had seen since she died.

I felt hot tears brim my eyes. I tried to keep them from falling, but I couldn't keep them in much longer. I let my tears fall as I looked up to the night sky.

"Are you okay?" Niall asked concernedly. I'm sure a tear or two landed on his hands.

    "I used to watch sunsets with my mum every night," I responded. I felt safe with Niall. I knew I could tell him anything. "I haven't seen one since the night she died."

    Niall held me tighter in his arms. "I'm sure she's watching this sunset with us from heaven. She's watching over you, Gracey. You're not alone."

    A gentle breeze brought goosebumps to my skin and comfort washed over me. I smiled and gently closed my eyes, leaning into Niall. I felt safer when I was with him. Like his touch made everything okay.

    And for a moment, I forgot about all my troubles.

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a/n

so sorry i haven't updated in forever! school has been pretty busy and stressful and i have a piano concert coming up !

shout out to the wonderful kaitlyn, @1-800-GIGIHADID, for the chapter suggestion! was trying to think of some sorta date #graciall could go on and she gave me this fantabulous idea :) if anyone else has any other date ideas lmk!!!

i love you all so much and i hope you enjoyed this chapter! <33