• * 2 weeks later *
    •

    JC poked is head into Rori and Justin’s room. He found Rori sitting on the bed eating cookies and watching TV.

    "Hey Rori. Have you seen Ali anywhere?"

    "Not lately. Why?"

    JC was grinning from ear to ear as he walked the rest of the way into the room.

    "This is why."

    He opened the small velvet box in his hand so that Rori could see its contents. She gasped at the ring that was in the box.

    "Oh my gosh! It’s beautiful JC. Are you really gonna ask her?"

    He nodded his head.

    "Uh huh. That’s why I need to find her."

    "No romantic dinner with candles, rose petals, anything?"

  • " I’m taking her to the beach. About 20 minutes from here there is a place where we can see this really neat lighthouse."

    "JC, dear, it is February and we’re in Maine. It is freezing out there."

    •

    • His smile grew larger with his next comment.

  • "I know. I can keep her warm."

    "Good thinking Romeo. You better get going or I’m gonna have to find Ali myself and tell her your plan."

    "You wouldn’t." JC said as he walked out the door to continue searching for Ali.

    • He found her in the most logical place, yet it was the last place he looked. She was in her room.

    "Hey sweetie. You wanna go for a drive with me?"

    "A drive? Now?"

  • "Yeah. I was talking to Lonnie earlier and he was telling me about a lighthouse we can see from the beach. It’s only about 20 minutes form here."

    "It is freezing outside."

    •

    • JC put a hand on Ali’s shoulder and stuck out his lower lip in a pout.

    "Please Ali? I promise I’ll keep you warm."

    "How can I resist that face? Why do I let you do this to me?"

    "Because you love me."

    JC jumped up and tossed Ali her shoes and coat.

    "Do I?"

    "Yes you do."

    "I suppose I do. Now let’s go see this lighthouse you’re talking about."

    Before leaving, JC grabbed Ali’s gloves, scarf, and earmuffs off the desk by the door.

  • * 1 hour later *
    •

    After walking up and down the beach for a while, JC and Ali stopped to sit on some rocks.

  • "Ya know?" Ali smiled. "Even though I can’t fell my fingers or my toes, I’m really glad I came. It is beautiful out here."

    ""Yeah. It’s nice to be alone. Just you and one. No security. No fans. No cameras…"

    "And no Joey’s, Justin’s, Lance’s, Chris’, or Rori’s…"

    •

    • They both laughed. After a moment their laughter died and they sat in silence. Ali’s head was on JC’s shoulder. He pulled the ring out of his coat pocket without Ali noticing.

    "Ali?" he whispered.

    "Hm?"

    "I don’t have this big long speech or anything but will you marry me?"

    Ali sat up and looked into JC’s beautiful blue eyes as he slid the ring on her finger. She looked down at her hand as tears of joy began to fall from her eyes.

    "Yes. Yes I will marry you." She kissed him.

    "I love you so much." He smiled.

    "I love you more." Ali kissed JC again.

    "That’s not possible."

    "How about we love each other equally?"

    "I think I can handle that. How about we start heading back to the hotel now?"

     

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 7

    Index