May 26 2025

Two weeks has passed and everything was going smoothly, Anne's break was finally over and was ready to cook in the kitchen again, Gladly, No one spoke about what happened weeks ago. Some of the employees were staring at her but Winters chose to ignore it, She even tries to keep some distance from Steve in order to not cause any suspicion on their relationship, But Miller never thought too much about it and still talks to her like he always does.

Meanwhile, Maria and Anthony's relationship has been going smoothly, They were in love but both of them were still new to this since this is their first relationship, But they always call each other, rarely text because Anthony prefers to meet her instead of talking to her through the phone unless it's necessary.

Today, Everyone was going to be busy, Caleb and Lois were going to an amusement park, Benjamin and Anna were gonna binge into their favourite TV show, Alex and Sydney were going karting together.

Anthony wanted to take Maria out to the marketplace again just like the last time, She agreed however both of them had an interesting idea. . . They decided to invite Anne and Steve with them, Making this a double date. Maria explained everything about Anne and Steve's relationship, Hearing their story surprised him a lot but he also couldn't help but laugh a little. Maria was doing anything to bring them closer

Maria was seen holding Anthony's arm, smiling to herself as Crawford smiled a little but was taking a look around the marketplace, He observed the markets nearby and continued holding her arm.

Maria: Is it me or it's crowded then the last time?

Anthony: *Chuckles* I think there's major discounts happening somewhere.

Anne: Wait, You guys were here before?

Maria: *Giggles* Mmmm, It was Tony's idea.

Anthony: Aww giving all the credit to me?

Steve: *Chuckles* How romantic, You both should have dated right there.

Maria blushed, burying her face on Anthony's shoulder which made him smile as he looked at both of them.

Anthony: Is she always so flustered?

Anne: *Grins* Always, Especially now she got her first boyfriend.

Steve: *Smiles* And It's your charm and kindness that got her into you.

Maria: *Laughs* Stop, You're boosting his ego now.

They shared a laugh together and continued walking through the marketplace, It was more crowded as Steve immediately took Anne's hand, making sure she stays close which made her smile.

Anthony: Alright, Should we check out that little arcade they have down the street? Or maybe the section with all the handcrafted stuff? I heard they've got a guy who makes keychains shaped like your initials.

Maria: Ooh, that actually sounds fun!

Anne: Keychains!? That's super adorable.

Steve: *Smirks* What, you want one?

Anne: *Giggles* Maybe, if someone gets it for me.

Anthony: Alright, keychains first! then arcade. Let's go before the good ones are taken.

The four excitedly walked to the shop and began looking at different keychains, finding the ones that they like, Maria picked one of them up which was shaped like pizza and that made her laugh.

Maria: Tony, Look at this. It's a pizza slice.

Anthony: Perfect, But look for burger and fries, So both of us can get matching ones.

Maria: *Laughs* Tony! Are you serious!?

Anthony: *Grins* You and I both know how much we love food.

He pinched her cheek, smiling as Maria continued laughing while blushing, The couple continued looking through different keychains that were dangling on the hook, Meanwhile Anne and Steve were trying to find a keychain that they liked until Winters found a keychain with the initial "S"

Anne: Steve! I found one with your initial.

Steve: *Smiles* And look what I got.

He was holding a keychain with the initial "A" which made Anne giggle as they took a good look on their initials.

Anne: That's cute

Steve: Cute? I was going for perfect match.

He smiled, gently grabbing the keychain from her hand as Anne's eyes lit up and felt her heart skip a beat, She turned away, smiling a little before he walked to the salesman while Winters continued looking at him.

Eventually after they brought their own keychains, The group left the shop and looked around and the civilians were passing by, They continued walking by until they noticed a photo booth which made their eyes lit up with excitement.

Anne: You guys thinking what I'm thinking?

Anthony: Definitely but how is everyone gonna fit in?

Steve: We can try, As long as my shoulder doesn't dislocate.

Maria: *Laughs* I have an idea, First me and Tony will go, Then You and Anne. And then let's all squeeze in for another.

Anthony: *Cringes* I'm not excited on the last idea.

Anne: *Laughs* Oh, come on, you'll survive.

They laughed as Anthony and Maria went inside the photo booth, They adjusted the curtain and stayed closed since the space was really small.

Anthony: I feel like I'm in a shoebox.

Maria: *Laughs* A handsome shoebox.

Anthony: *Smirks* You're gonna boost my ego before the camera even flashes.

The screen counted down and by the last second, Maria surprised him by leaning in and kissing his cheek as Anthony froze before smiling a little.

Anthony: Okay, You definitely planned that.

Maria: *Giggles and rolls her eyes* No, The camera just caught me at a romantic angle

Anthony: Oh, Now you're teasing me? Look how the tables has turned.

They continued taking pictures, Some of them were goofy and adorable, There was only two shots left as both of them were thinking for another pose until the curtains suddenly opened and Anne and Steve tried to barge in.

Anne: Move over! It's double date photo time!

Steve: *Laughs* Yeah, come on, you've been hogging it for ages!

Maria was laughing out loud and tried to shove both of them away but they already got in as the four of them were squeezed in as Anthony groaned.

Anthony: Great, Now it's a clown car.

Maria: It's not your turn yet!!!

Anne: Nah, We can't wait anymore- Oh quick! Strike a pose!!!

Steve: Group hug!!!

They all awkwardly hugged each other and couldn't stop laughing as well as the photo was snapped as they decided to another silly pose before it was finally over as they were excited to see their frames.

Soon, It was Anne and Steve's turn as both of them stood, straightening their outfits and making sure they look good for the picture as Anne spoke to him.

Anne: We might break the booth before he pictures even start.

Steve: *Grins* Good, That was the plan.

She laughed and buried his face on his shoulder before the countdown begun, Steve wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close as Winters smiled, holding his arm before Miller had an idea and smirked before leaning towards her ear.

Steve: Every time I think about you, I get that crazy urge to make you scream my name, right here, right now~

Anne: *Gasps* Steve!!!

The photo snapped in the right moment as Winters looked at the screen, realising his plan before Steve began laughing as Anne glared at him, nudging his shoulder before smiling a little.

Anne: You're weird!

Steve: *Laughs* You and I are the same, And your reaction was priceless.

She nudged him again while he continued laughing before they decided to do more silly and adorable poses, Anne even jumped on him, wrapping her legs around his waist which made him grin until the curtains opened and Maria and Anthony decided to squeeze in

Maria: Let us ruin the photos now!!!

Anthony: Watch out, We're gonna steal the spotlight now!

Steve: *Laughs* I saw this coming.

Maria: *Smacks Anne's back* And for God's sake, Get off of Steve for two seconds! You're not a koala!

Anne: You can't stop me, Maria!

The photo booth was filled with laughter and screams as everyone decided to share another group photo before finally leaving the booth, holding their photo frames while they were still laughing at what happened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anthony: Rock, Paper, Scissors. . . I win!

Maria: *Laughs* Hotdogs it is.

Anthony: *Smiles* But don't feel so bad, I promise I'll feed you the first bite.

Maria: *Blushes and smiles* Is that your way of saying you want a kiss?

Anthony: Maybe, I have different ways to say it.

She giggled as Anthony took her hand, pulling her close, Maria looked away for a moment which made him tilt his head.

Anthony: You know you don't have to be so shy anymore

Maria: *Chuckles* I'm still new to this whole thing, I never really expected to fall in love like this, It's all new and exciting, but also kind of. . . Scary.

His eyes softened, His hand moved towards her hair, gently caressing while smiling at her, This was their first relationship, But Anthony didn't feel so nervous like how Maria was and he completely understood that.

Anthony: It's okay, Maria. I'm here to take it slow, as many times as you need, No rush.

Maria: *Smiles* Thanks, Anthony, I guess that's what makes this feel so special. . . Knowing you're patient with me.

Anthony: Because i understand how that feels and I want you to be comfortable with this, I'm also looking to not rush things, But just so you know. . . You mean so much to me.

He placed a kiss on her forehead which made her blush as she began holding his hand.

Maria: I'm so lucky to love you.

Anthony: I love you too, Sweetheart. . . Now come on, Let's get some hotdogs, Chef.

Maria giggled as they continued holding hands before walking to the hotdog stand, There was a slight line of people as both of them stood there, talking to each other, But both of them were also wondering where Steve and Anne disappeared.

Meanwhile, Anne and Steve were exploring the marketplace, It was a little quieter then the other side of the market as both of them were passing by different shops and stalls.

Steve: Wow, It got a little quiet suddenly, I feel like thoughts are gonna get louder in my head.

Anne: *Smirks* I never hear my thoughts around you. Only the sound of my heart trying to keep up.

Steve: *Smiles* Aha, Isn't that right?~

Steve stepped closer, watching her with a grin on his face that made her heart flutter as he began holding her hand.

Steve: You know, Everytime you smile and tease me like that, You make me forget things. . . And you end up making something harder~

Anne: *Smiles* So, what now? You gonna pretend to be all professional and just smile back cause we're in public~?

Steve: Unless you're looking for something dangerous?~

He grabbed her by the waist as Anne looked at him with a grin on her face, She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling at him.

Anne: Trouble's exactly where I want to be~

Steve: *Licks his lips* Maybe we should find a spot with fewer witnesses. Somewhere we can cause some real trouble~

Anne: Lead the way, Sir~

Both of them looked around before grinning at each other as the duo was looking for a private spot for their private fun.

Soon, In a private area, Anne was pushed to the corner as Both of them were kissing passionately, There was faint sounds from the public but right now, Anne and Steve didn't care about it. The kiss became more desperate as he slid both of his hands under her shirt before they broke the kiss as he began leaving a trail of kisses on her neck which made her gasp, He began biting her neck while his other hand slipped beneath her jeans.

Steve: Trouble's exactly what you're craving, isn't it? The thought of being caught only makes it fun~

Anne: Keep going, That's what I need~

They chuckled before sharing another kiss as Steve fully took off her jeans and lifted one of her legs while Anne tried to take off his belt and that's when it continued to get steamier and messy between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anthony and Maria were circling around the marketplace, They were confused by where Anne and Steve were at, It's been fifteen minutes since they were gone as the couple were holding two hotdogs in their hand.

Maria: Oh my gosh, Where did they even go?

Anthony: It's not even that crowded anymore, Do you think they left?

Maria: Anne would have messaged me at least-

Anne: Maria! We're here.

The couple turned around and saw Steve and Anne jogging towards them, Anthony raised an eyebrow while Maria was confused and looked at Tony before looking back at Anne.

Maria: Where have you two been? We're been looking for you!

Steve: Sorry, We got lost in the crowd, haha.

Anthony: Ummm, Steve. Why did you wear your jacket backwards?. . . It wasn't like that before, Was it?

Steve's eyes were widen and bit his tongue as Anne looked away, pretending to be innocent, Anthony and Maria kept looking at them, knowing something was wrong until Maria's eyes were widen

Maria: Wait. . . No- Ewww! Did you guys just-

Anne/Steve: *Cringes* Busted.

Anthony: *Laughs* Oh God. . . This hotdog is mine now.

Steve: We swear it was quick. . . But uhh. . . Apparently not quick enough.

Anne: I'm surprised we didn't get caught.

Maria: You guys were in public! Have some shame!

Anthony just kept laughing but he was also surprised they did something so risky like that, Maria felt like she wanted to facepalm but she was already holding two hotdogs, Anne bit her lip, giggling while Steve was holding his laughter.

Steve: Sorry, I promise we won't do that ever again.

Anthony: Oh sure, Maria told me a lot stories of you two.

Steve: No promises

Maria: *Laughs* I'm gonna faint from all of this, I just hope your hands are clean.

She quickly gave a hotdog to Anne who was laughing at Maria's reaction, Winters tried to pat Marshall's shoulder but she immediately stood back which made everyone laugh.

Steve: Anthony, Can I get my hotdog?

Anthony: *Slowly turns away* It's mine now.

Crawford tried to quickly walk away but Steve began chasing him which made Anne and Maria laugh as they finally took a bite of their hotdog, Soon, Maria looked at Anne with a playful glare, clearly not forgetting what they did which made Anne giggle.

Anne: I'm. . . Not sorry.

Maria: Of course, Always the girl that takes risks.

Anne: Aww you know me so well, Maria.

Maria: *Chuckles* Now I wonder how you'd behave if you were a doctor instead.

Anne: I don't think I would have this much fun, hehe.

Maria smirked and playfully nudged her as Anne chuckled, Both of them were walking and saw Steve snatching the hotdog from Anthony as both of them shared a laugh together, Maria and Anne couldn't help but smile at them until something clicked on Maria's mind.

Maria: Anne. . . Are you ever gonna tell Steve?

Anne's smile faded away, knowing what she was talking about. She didn't responded and just shaked her head as Maria's eyes softened.

Maria: You know, You two can't have this casual fun forever. . . Take the chance, Anne. Tell him how you feel.

Anne: I don't know, I'm worried honestly. . .

Maria: One day, You have to tell him. You already kept it a secret for years and now this is your chance.

Anne knew she was right but there was a hint of worry, Winters looked at Steve who was eating and talking to Anthony, Her heart skipped a beat when the wind blew on his face while Maria continued looking at her, knowing that. . .

She shouldn't wait anymore.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)