Rhythm of Love

What the Hell was I thinking last night?! Telling her I love her?! Telling her I love her and then kissing her! Thank God I had enough restraint to just kiss the top of her head! She could've been awake! She could've heard me! What if she did hear me?! What will she think?! How will she feel?! I mean, I did hear her say she loved me last night, but not directly. It was the way I've heard the Russells say goodnight to us before. I've heard her say it, but never to me. Not once. So could it have been a slip of the tongue, a meaningless mistake from a girl who was half asleep, or was she wide awake? Or maybe I dreamt it, her saying what she said, and I just made this thing into an awkward mess.

Oh God, I wish she'd just wake up so I can see her reaction. It's been a whole hour and she still hasn't moved... not that I'm not happy to have her so close. Last night there was another storm, and she's deathly afraid of them. Last time it stormed, she was much more panicked. She even cried, which made me panic because I didn't know how to calm her down. But last night was easier, it was less awkward, for me anyway. I could tell she was trying to stay brave, but after a rather bright strike of lightning, I pulled her in close. Right now, my arms are still around her, her legs are tangled with mine, and her head is tucked under my chin.

"Mmmm," Annabelle hums. Jesus Christ, she awake! She's awake! What will she say?! Annbelle sucks in a long breath then lift her head up. Her eyes grow wide when she sees me, and she gasps, "Oliver!"

Maybe she's just shocked to see me awake. So in a casual voice, I say, "Good morning, dollface." She clutches her chest, trying to catch her breath, and now I feel bad for frightening her. "Sorry, I couldn't fall back asleep and I didn't want to move because I would've woken you up. So, I just laid here." And panicked for about an hour.

She blushes, "You could've woken me up. I'm the one who was keeping you up, not the other way around."

I was too busy panicking. "I'm fine."

"Thanks by the way. For last night. You didn't have to again, but you did. What a season to hire me. Spring. And nearly April, and you know what that means. Anyway, thanks again."

I smile, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"I forgot to thank you for teaching me to paint yesterday. It was interesting."

"It was my pleasure. But I do have a question." Oh no, was she really awake? She sits up and points to the mess I made on my canvas. "What on earth were you feeling when you painted that?"

Honestly, I was feeling confused when I made it. Confused about her, of course. She said to paint how I feel, and at one point I really did. Without realizing it, I made a tiny heart, but quickly cursed myself and painted a blob over it. I sit up next to her, stretching my arms. "I'm not really sure. I just slapped some color on there." For fun, I move outstretched arm in her face, but she pushes it down, but then this becomes a game. Annabelle gives first. "Hah, I win."

She rolls her eyes, and gets out of bed. "Oh yeah, because that win was counts for so much. Stop acting your shoe size, Hastings. I bet Molly wouldn't even do that."

"Coming from the girl whose scared of storms," I retort.

"Touche." Another win.

"Plus, I get special shoes made, so I don't really have a specific shoe size. So, hah."

"Special shoes? Are regular shoes too common for you?"

"Duh." She looks disgusted by the idea, so I have to redeem myself. "No, I have flat feet. So I need shoes that accommodate that." I push the blankets down and pull out a leg. "See? No arch." She leans forward to get a better look, but by her expression, she looks scared I might stick my foot in her face. Okay, maybe I would.

We go eat breakfast, we get dressed into comfortable day clothes, and then Annabelle disappears for a while. I don't bother going looking for her at first, but after a couple hours, I'm scared she ran off again. I thought it felt bad the first time, but now it's hardly bearable. When I look all around the house, she's no where to be found. So I head for my room to put on some shoes, but, of course, there she is. On my bed, books surrounding her, while she has one in her hands. She looks over at me, smiling with excitement. I merely raise an eyebrow at the sight, and go to sit in a chair in the corner.

Tonight, we attend another party. As always, whispered rumors circulate the room like a highly contagious disease, and we're constantly being bombarded with questions. Question about our engagement and even more questions the supposed baby. It's getting old having to explain to everyone there is no baby. But as soon as I'm done with one explanation, I turn around and I have to do it yet again. I wish the truth would be what goes around the room instead of lies. That would be a nice change, but I know that'll never happen. Annabelle just keep her mouth shut.

"Oliver! Miss Annabelle, hello," greets Mrs. Simonsen, one of my parents' friends.

"Hello, Mrs. Simonsen."

She grabs us both by our chins and looks at us for a moment. Then she lets go and squeals, "Oh! You two are going to have the most adorable child! When is the baby due anyway? Before or after the wedding? Have you even set the date?"

I have to bite back a grimace. But as I'm about to explain for the millionth time, Annabelle decides to take over,  "Thank you so much, Mrs. Simonsen!"

"You're welcome my dear! I hope you're ready have a child. They can be tiresome. But he will be adorable."

"If our child looks anything like his father, naturally, he or she will be adorable!" What is she doing? "Have you seen his baby pictures? He was precious!" This causes me to turn red." But of course, the baby will be a handful, if you know what I mean."She jerks her head at me. "Just like his father." She giggles. "Now if you would excuse us, I see a buffet table on other side of the room and I am eating for two now." Mrs. Simonsen steps aside looking just as lost as I, then Annabelle yanks me away.

When we're out of earshot, I whipser, "You've seen my baby pictures?" I will kill my mother.

"No, it's called a bluff. And sorry, I know that won't help the rumors. You can lecture me later."

I stop and look down at her, "I'm a handful?"

She smiles innocently, "Bluff?" I just sigh and roll my eyes.

At the buffet table, no one disturbs us at first. But when someone finally comes over to talk to us, it's thankfully not about congrutaltions on anything. It's just Danielle. She invites us to a trip to the beahc tomorrow. I love going to the beach and it's been a while, of naturally I accept the offer, but when I look down at Annabelle, she's glowering. There's a bad father story that goes along with this that ends with her nearly drowning. I'm left speechless.

Later on, back home, we prepare to go to bed. We say our normal good nights, with no extra I love you's thrown in. She sleeps on one side, I sleep on the other, or I try to. I kind of just lay around for a while, thinking. Thinking about how to deal with my feelings for Annabelle. And every few moments, I look over at her sleeping peacefully. I can't help but smile at that. Eventually, I decide I have no restraint and do something bad. I gently pull Annabelle closer, wrap my arms around her torso and close my eyes to go to sleep. I'm fall asleep in minutes and don't wake up until morning. I yawn and stretch, then put my arms back around her, not caring what she'll think when she wakes up in this position. She seemed okay with it yesterday. But after a few minutes, I look at the time. We overslept. I jump out of bed, probably waking her up. "Oh great!" I look to see her sitting up. "Sorry, I just saw what time it was."

"And what time is that?" she yawns.

"Ten thirty. They're coming to pick us up in half an hour and we're nowhere near ready." I squat by my dresser and go rifling through the drawers. "I can't find my swimsuit and I don't have to time send someone to buy one for you."

"I am not going in the water. I'm going to stay nice and dry on the sand."

My snaps around to look at her, "What? Where's the fun in that?"

She picks up a book. "I'll be reading this. I find that very fun." I roll my eyes. "When one of you drowns, I promise not to say I told you so. But know that's what I'll be thinking." I roll my eyes again.

"Can you please help me look instead of complaining?"

Of course when she gets up to look for it, she finds it in five seconds, in the very drawer I couldn't find it in. She waves it in my face, smirking, "Oh, look what I found."

"Shut up. And get dressed." She crawls over to her drawers, but looks a unsure on what to wear. "Wear that pink dress with the white polka dots." I admit, I've been wanting excuse to see her wear it. Why not today? "Just do it. And wear the sun hat."  Annabelle gets up and runs into the bathroom and the second she leaves, I run in. For now, I'm wearing some simple slacks, a shirt rolled up to my elbows and suspenders. I'll change at the beach. I attempt to somewhat straighten out the mess that is my hair, but not too much, and once I'm satisfied, I leave.

"Oliver? Is that you?" It's my mother. "I'm in my room. Can I speak to you?"

This can't be good, but I put on a polite smile. "Yes, of course." And I walk into her room. She gestures for me to sit down next to her on the edge of the bed, but I shake my head. I point over my shoulder. "I'm sort of in a rush. I need to finish packing for-"

"Packing? Where do you think you're going, young man?"

"The beach. Annabelle and I were invited to go to the beach by Danielle last night. We woke up late so now we have to hurry."

"Danielle? I always liked her, you know. She comes from a respectable family, she's beautiful, charming, personable, well brought-up, smart-"

I fold my arms, bored by the subject, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Not that Annabelle isn't... charming in her own way, but she isn't... she isn't like any of the other girls you've taken out."

"Which is one of the many things that I love about her."

She nods slowly, "Okay, well, don't you think she'll feel left out? She doesn't exactly fit in with this lifestyle. Danielle on the other hand-"

"Can you stop bringing her up?"

She walks up to me and firmly grabs my shoulders, "But she's such a sweet girl. And you'll never have to worry about whether she loves you for money or for you."

"Are you suggesting that Annabelle-?" I can't even finish that sentnce. "I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that about my fiancee."

I hear the horn sound outside, followed shortly by, "Oliver! They're here!" Annabelle. Thank goodness. "Get your rear outside!"

I look at my mother hard. "I love Annabelle. And there's nothing you can say or do to make me not want to marry her. Deal with it." I'm shocked to find that I mean it, all of it. I walk out of the room and right in to the girl. "Jesus Christ, calm down. I heard the horn." I stop mid-stride after getting a good look at her. "You look nice in that dress." I'm glad I told her to wear it.

"Thank you for suggesting it." My pleasure. "You too."

We race toward the living, but I get to te baskets first and smirk at my small victory. She rolls her eyes as she goes to open the door. But I see one minor detail that's missing. "Is someone forgetting something?"

"Ah, now what?!" She stomps over to check the basket, but I grab her hand and hold it in front of her face. "Oops." She runs back to our room then comes back with the ring on her finger. Better. I hold out my hand and she takes it and we walk out the from door.

"What took so long?!" shouts Danielle from the car.

"We woke up late," I explain.

"Hmph. Had a late night?" I know exactly what she's implying and it only makes me want to snap at her after what my mother was suggesting, but I hold back a grimace. Today is going to be a long day. She turns to Taylor in the driver's seat, "Move it, Taylor. Oliver's driving."

Annabelle giggles next to me, making me smile. "We're going to die for sure."

I laugh and jokingly push her aside, "I thought we were going to drown."

"That was before I knew you were driving," she retorts. "Thanks for being the death of me." I make a face before placing the basket in the back with Clarisse, which I notice has no seat. Annabelle makes the same observation. "There's no seat back here."

"I know," Clarisse says frowning.

"Then how are we suppose to sit back here? We'll be sliding back and forth with every turn." I see her gulp. "Can't we just take two cars?"

Danielle sighs loudly. "No, it's funner this way. We're going as a group, plus we're picking up more people. Just get in already so we don't waste anymore time." She groans, "Stop being a wet blanket, Annabelle, and get in!"

Taylor climbs in back next to Clarisse and Annabelle joins them, looking like she might vomit any second. I can't just let her suffer back there. I'd never be able to live with the guilt if she got sick again. I sigh, "Someone else drive. I'm sitting in the back."

She shakes her head, "No, Oliver. I'm fine. You can drive."

"What? Why?" Danielle demands.

I gesture to her, "Annabelle looks pale. I don't think she's okay with sitting back here."

"She's such a wet blanket." She turns to Annabelle, "You're no fun. Stop being a pill."

"Watch it, Danielle," I warn. "If you're so brave, why don't you sit back here instead?" She turns sharply to the front while I hop into the back of the car.

"You don't have to do this," she insists.

But I want to. I sit cross legged next to her and she gives me a weak smile. Don't have to do this, huh? "Come here," I chuckle. And I grab her by the waist and plop the tiny girl into my lap. Is it so wrong that I want hold her closer? It doesn't help me that she leans into me and around turns, I feel her sliding away, so I have to tighten my grip on her. I'm only trying to protect her, nothing more. But having her in my arms is definitely a perk.

When we reach the first stop, Annabelle read the name of the place. "C'est L'amour?"

"It means 'it is the love' in french," Danielle says condescendingly. "It's a french cafe/bistro. For people with fine taste. Or do you want to go down to some hot dog stand to get something?" I glare at her when her backs turned. "Why don't the boys order for us?"

The moment I look up at the menu, I have no idea what to get. I let everyone ahead of me so I can have more time, but I think I might be taking too long. I look outside to see if Annabelle is about to see what's taking me so long, but instead I see her with her head propped up in her hand, staring blankly at the other girls. She looks singled out. Damnit, my mother was right. I cut to the front of the line, order the first thing I see on the menu, and rush out. I put on a bright smile as I approach her with the tray. "Hey, sorry. I didn't know what to get so I just picked the first thing I saw. Is that okay?" It warms my heart when I hear her laugh and she reaches for the food eagerly.

By the time we're through eating, we've agreed we'd walk around for a while before hitting the beach. A soon as I get back from dumping some scraps, I pull Annabelle's seat back to allow her to stand up then reach for her hand. I plan to keep her within my grasp the whole time.

"Oh! We have to go in there!" Annabelle wildly point to a candy shop. And without waiting for everyone's approval, she yanks me in with her. The expression on her face is priceless. She looks like a child, her amber eyes full of wonder. The selection in this candy shop compared to the one we ususally go to is vastly greater. I tag along as she goes up and down the aisles, but then she stops in front of the jelly beans. She drops my hand to go digging through her bag, but I stuff it back in. I pour her a large bag. She quirks her eyebrows, "I don't think I can afford this."

"I'm buying." And before she can protest, I take the bag to the counter and pay for it all. I hand over the bag to her and she sticks it in her bag.

"Thanks, Hastings. You didn't have to." Then she pecks me on the cheek, sending the strangest feeling to my gut. But I like it. I want more of it. She takes my hand again and I lead us outside.

The pattern continues, in a way. She pulls me in to several other shops along the street, wanting to look around. I don't complain at all, though. If anything, I'm trying to be as eager as she is. I keep making her offers. "If you see anything you like, just let me know, Annabelle. I can get it for you." I know it's pathetic that the only reason I'm offering to buy stuff is so she can give me another kiss, but I'm desperate.

Each time she replies with, "No, Oliver. You already bought me something. Plus, I don't need anything here."

She's making this so difficult. "It was just candy. That's nothing. And who says you need it to buy it? Maybe you want it." Please, just let me buy you something else so you can kiss me again! Maybe I'll 'accidentally' turn my head this time! But Annabelle is a stubborn one. She keeps refusing, and in no time, we have to turn back to the car. I'm helping her into the back when I open my big mouth. "Do you think you can handle sitting back here without me?"

"Oh no." She looks at me like I'm mental. "I'm not taking any chances." And she shoves me down and sits in my lap. This almost makes up for no kiss.

"Are you sure you want to stay up here by yourself?" We're at the beach. Everyone else has changed into their bathing suits and she's already set up the blanket and umbrella. "I feel bad leaving you alone." I'm tempted to change back into my clothes and sit up here with her.

"Oh, I won't be alone. I'll have Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy to keep me company." She holds up a book and taps it with her finger. "Go ahead into the water. Go, go, go."

"Race to the water?" Taylor suggests. And a moment later, I'm bounding toward the water. We're all fughting our way to the front of the pack, but I end up victorious. I dive straight into the water, knowing it's the best way to get over the initial shock. But when I stand up, I look up the shore to her. She's fixing her dress so it won't get caught up in the wind. I raise my hands to wave at her, but just as she's looking up, Taylor comes up behind me and pulls me into a headlock. "Damn, Oliver. I've never seen you like this before."

I flip him over and pull him into a headlock. "Like what, you jackass?"

"Stuck on one girl. Am I right, boys?"

Louis tackles us both. When we're back above water, he laughs, "Yeah, I never thought I'd see the day. Oliver Hastings, settling down."

"Why is that so hard to believe? It's not like I slept around. I was forced into most of the dates."

"Well, sure. There's that. But why her? And why hide it from everyone?"

I roll my eyes, "Because she's not like every other girl we know. I knew everyone would judge us, but her more so."

Louis holds up his hands, "I'm not judging. I like her. Annabelle's fine with me if you're happy with her." But then he smirks, and twitches his eyebrows up, "You better keep an eye on her."

I bark a laugh, "Oh yeah, because Danielle is going to let you even look at her?"

"Shut up, Oliver." He splashes me and the wrestling resumes.

Eventually the guys and I decide to take off the tops of our swimsuits. I volunteer to take them up, prompting some taunts, but I couldn't care less. I make my way to the edge of the water. The short distance between Annabelle and I is spent trying to think of something to say, but my mind goes blank when I reach the blanket. I drop the pile right at my feet. "Um... how's... how's the book so far, Annabelle?" No answer. She doesn't even look away from the book. "You must really like the book, huh?" Nothing. "Well, okay then. I'm heading back to the water, alright? I'll see you later and hopefully you'll pay attention to me." I take a step away but stop. Do I dare say it? I turn back around. "I love you, Annabelle." Still no response.

I'm can't determine whether I'm more relieved than I am disappointed. I walk back, constantly looking over my shoulder to her, but she hasn't moved one bit. In the water, I'm still distracted, but thankfully the rough housing has died down. A little while longer, I'm glad when when the girls insist we head back the blanket. I'm trying not to stare over at Annabelle, so I try focusing on everything besides her.

Louis elbows me in the chest. "I told you you should keep an eye on your girl, Oliver," he snickers. I just tilt my head and cock an eyebrow. Then he tilts his chin in the direction of our stuff and I stop for a moment. There's some other guy with her. He's holdin out his hand, ahd she takes it. She's just being polite. That's all. No reason to be jealous. We're not even in a real relationship... but I want to be. But then he brings her hand up and he kisses it.

"Looks like someone's trying to steal her from right under your nose," laughs Taylor.

I throw my head back and laugh artificially. "Oh, you two are so funny! You know that? Just hilarious." And I begin marching up the rest of the way. I walk right past the guy, resisting the urge to shove him away and grin at her like he's not even here. "Hey, Annabelle!"

"Hi, Oliver. This is-" I walk behind Annabelle, wrap my arms around her and tuck my chin on her shoulder. Then because I felt like it, I crane my neck to kiss her on the cheek, but I accidentally get the corner of her lips. But you hear me complaining about that. "O-Oliver? What...?"

"Yeah, dollface?" I chuckle, re-tucking my chin. I pretend to act surprised, "Oh, sorry. Who are you talking to? I am so rude." I look at the boy. "I'm Oliver." I hold out my hand, then I want to rub this in his smug little face, "Her fiancee." He makes the right choice of walking away. I snort, "That's what I thought."

"What was that? And why did you have to get me all wet?" She pries herself from my arms. "I thought I said I wanted to stay dry."

I try to look innocent. "Sorry. I couldn't resist. I can't let some guy steal you away from me." She rolls her eyes. I change the subject. "I'm hungry, why don't we eat some of that food you and Patty packed for us."

Hours later, after we've gone back in the water, it's nearly sunset. Sunsets equal romance, romance equals just what I need. So I head for the blanket to find Annabelle closing her sketchbook. I decide bother her some for the heck of it by wetting her with my hair. "Hey! Stop! You're as bad as Roxy! I don't want to get wet!" She pushes me away, making me loose my balance, and I land in the sand. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to push you down." It's on.

"Oh yeah? And I didn't mean to do this." I pick her up and run toward the water.

"Oliver Hastings! No! This isn't funny! Not one bit! Put me down! I swear if I touch that water, I will-!" And I drop her in. I know I'm in for it now.  Annabelle jumps out of the water and pounces me. "What the Hell!?" she shrieks. "I said I didn't want to get in!"

I can't resist laughing. "And I didn't want to be covered in sand. We're even." For a moment, I thought she'd slap me, which would be quite painful, but she splashes me instead. "I just said we're even, and you splash me?"

She sits into her hip. "Yep."

"Well then I have to..." Splash her back. And this turns into an all out war. We keep splashing each other, but then I start swimming away, thinking she wouldn't floow, but unbelievably, she does. I test her for a while, swimming out further and furtherm but I'm too anxious to push her anymore out of fear she'll drown. I stop and turn around to face her. "You realize what you're doing right?"

"Chasing you? Yes."

"Swimming?" I smirk. "You're welcome." She splashes me again. "And you didn't want to get in the water."

"I still don't want to be in here." She dives in, and I follow her. She comes up before me, but I want to have a little fun. I hear her call my name. "Hastings?" That's when I grab her by the ankles and pull her under. I quickly realize my mistake.

Ah, damn, I took it too far. I come out of the water apologizing, "Sorry, sorry, sorry."

"That wasn't funny!"

"I'm sorry. I was only joking, but I took it too far." Annabelle tries to act defiant by folding her arms and turning away. But I step in her view, "Forgive me?" She caves so easily. "So I'm forgiven?"

"Only if you carry me back to dry land." And she hops onto my back.

Gladly. "Can do." At the shoreline, we wringe out her dress to rid it of most of the water it soaked up. The we head to the blanket full of our friends getting rather close. "Pass me a towel." But everyone just looks at us. "We had enough towels for everyone. What happened?" Turns out, they're soaked, so they're no good. And to make this even more inconvenient, there's a breeze and rigth on cue, Annabelle shivers. "Great," I groan, scratching my head. Why didn't I ithnk to bring a coat?

"Just sit down. I'm fine. Really."

She pulls me to the ground, but I immediately move to our basket and pull out my shirt. "I didn't think to bring a coat, but just put that on. It's better than nothing."

Annabelle slips it on and grins at me. "Thanks."

I sit back down and she hugs my arm, but pull away. I have something better in mind. I pick her up and place her in my lap like we were in the car and slide my hands around her waist. She tucks her head under my chin and leans back. I smile with satisfaction. "No problem, Annabelle." And I peck her the back of her head.

It is the least I can do for the girl I love... and think I want to marry. No. I'm sure of it. I'm just not sure she feels the same... yet.