After they had spent months as friends, helping each other through some difficult times in their lives, Craig and Emma were celebrating their 4-month anniversary. He had planned a surprise for her, a special evening for just the two of them, no one there to bug them or get in their way, a night just to think of each other and no one else.

Craig, who was dressed casually, just gazed at Emma for a second as he opened the door for her. She looked so beautiful with her wavy hair, and yes even in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She had a natural beauty the just made her glow without her having to do anything.

He grabbed a hold of her hands, helping her out of his car, since she was blindfolded, and led her through the front of his yard, slowly to his backyard, making she didn’t trip over anything.

“Craig…where are you taking me?” Emma wined, anxious to know what was happening. She never could take surprises; she always needed to know what was going to happen.

“You’ll see,” laughing a little. He thought it was cute how she was so eager to find out her surprise. He halted in the middle of the grass, slowly taking off her blindfold.

Emma opened up her eyes to find that she was in the middle of Craig’s backyard. There were Christmas lights wrapped around a couple of the trees. In between the trees was a blanket on the ground, with a picnic basket set next to it. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy at the sight of it. She couldn’t believe how thoughtful he was.

Emma spun around to face Craig, wrapping her arms around his neck, “Oh you’re so wonderful. I couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend.”

Grabbing a hold of her waist, looking into her eyes, “Oh is that right!”

“Yeah!” standing on her tippy toes, rewarding him with a kiss.

Taking her by the hand, “Come and sit down.”

They both sat down on the blanket. He brought out some food from the picnic basket and set out on the blanket.

“What do we have here?” she asked as she looked at it.

“Chicken Penne.”

“And who do we have to thank for making the meal? Joey? Caitlin?” she joked, not thinking that he had the skills to cook.

“No, I cooked it,” looking very proud of himself.

Putting her legs over his lap, “Oh, you’re cute, talented and can cook. What more can I ask for in a guy?”

“I don’t know, maybe a good kisser,” he smirked.

“I’m not sure about that one,” raising her eyebrow, “I think I may need my memory refreshed,” she said playfully.

“Is that so?” she nodded. “I guess I’ll just have to show you,” leaning into her. At first, he softly kissed her, but then the kiss becomes more intense, more passionate, as he rubbed his hands up and down her back.

Emma broke away from the kiss and soon changed the subject just to annoy Craig. “Now let me try some of this food,” grabbing the plate that was set on the blanket.

“Oh come on…that’s wasn’t fair,” he wined, giving her puppy eyes; he really wanted to keep on kissing her.

“What wasn’t sweetie?” acting as if she didn’t know what he was talking about.

“Us kissing with so much passion, then you acting normal, as if that kiss didn’t affect you.”

She just sat there silent, with a blank look on her face trying not to look his way, since she knew he would break her. She really loved to bug him at times; she just got a kick out of it. It made their relationship more fun.

“Come on that had to be the best kiss you’ve ever had,” he pleaded, forcing her to look at him.

Looking into his eyes she broke down, “Okay, okay it was,” she smiled. “Now can I eat?”

“Yes.” She took a bite of it, “What do you think?”

“Very delicious! I guess I’ll have to get you to cook for me more often.”

“Only if you’re lucky,” he joked.

He loved that tonight had brought a big smile on her face. After all she had been through; she deserved a night like this occasionally. He still remembered when Emma found out that Snake’s cancer was back.

Craig heard the doorbell ringing like crazy and thought it was getting very annoying. “If it’s the neighbors’ kids again, I’m going to kill them.” They had been ringing their doorbell all day, and he had just about enough of it.

He stormed to the front door, and opened the door in a haste, to only find a soaking wet Emma, crying on his doorstep; she looked so helpless. She didn’t even say anything; she just darted into his arms, burying her head in his chest, soaking Craig’s shirt in the process. Craig put his arms around her, wondering what had gotten her all upset, “Em, what’s the matter?”

“Snake’scancerback,” she wept, making it very hard to understand her, all he got out of it was Snake’s name.

He led her into the living room, and they sat on the couch. “Emma calm down, tell me what’s wrong…slower this time.”

Emma took a second to take a breather before she told him, “Snake came back from the doctors today. Craig…his cancer’s back,” she cried.

“Oh Em, I’m so sorry,” he said with compassion, pulling her back into an embrace.

“I’m so scared,” holding on to him tighter.

Putting his finger under her chin, he lifted it so that he could look into her eyes, “Just remember I’ll always be here if you need me.”

Emma saw tenderness in his eyes, he saw softness in hers, without even thinking they both leaned in, meeting each other’s lips. This kiss was tender, but they both felt some magic in it, which was unexpected.

They both broke free from the kiss, to take in on what just happened, both a little confused by it. He had already had a relationship with a best friend, and look where that ended up. Did he really want to risk that again?

“What was that?” Craig asked.

“I don’t know, but I liked it,” smiling at him.

Feeling a little relief that it wasn’t just him, smiling back, “Me too!”

After that night, they started going out. It seemed so natural after being so close the last few months. It had been a start of a great relationship.

Holding onto his arm, “What am I going to do without you once you head off to university? You’re going to be so far away.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll be back for holidays. We’ll write, and talk on the phone. If we really want this to work, we can do it. Anyways it will only be a year until you’ll be in Victoria with me,” putting his arms around her, leaning his head on her shoulder.

“That’s true. I’ve never wished so bad that I could go with you.”

“Well…you could.”

Her head sprung back at the moment she heard that. "How? I’m not even finished gr. 11 yet.”

“You could finish school in Victoria, and we could rent an apartment together.” really wish she would say yes, he hated the thought of a year away from her.

“For one I don’t think my mother would let me and two Snake’s sick right now, I can’t just get up and leave her with no help.”

Looking into the night, a little disappointed, but he knew that it was only a fantasy, that couldn’t come true at this time, "I understand.”

******

Paige came into The Dot beaming, wearing a pink short sleeve top, and pink plaited skirt. She walked over and sat with Jimmy, Ashley and Spinner, who were already enjoying their meals. They all noticed her delightful mood.

“Why are you so happy?” Spin asked, as she sat down beside him.

“My best friend is coming!” she squealed.

“Kelsie’s coming to town?” Ashley asked.

“Yeah, I just got off the phone with her, and she and Chris are coming to visit.”

“I talked to her last week, and she didn’t mention anything?” Ashley said.

“They just decided last night. Since they moved into the new place, they thought it was time to pick up the rest of her stuff.”

“Well I don’t really like her. After what she did to Craig, I think she’s a bitch,” Spinner replied, wishing that she would just stay where she is. He didn’t really want to see her face ever again.

Paige punched Spinner for that comment. She wasn’t going to listen to him bad mouth her like that. She may have done wrong by Craig, but she was still their friend.

“Ouch,” holding on to the arm she punched. “Well it’s true,” glaring at Paige as he got up to leave.

“Well I’ve missed her so much,” not really caring that Spinner didn’t feel the same way.

“I know what you mean,” Ashley said. It had been so long since the last time they had seen each other.

“This will defiantly be interesting visit, especially if they run into Craig and Emma,” Jimmy laughed.

“I know what you mean,” Paige replied, not really wanting to think about what may occur.

“Is she going to tell Craig?” Ashley asked.

“She says yes, but I told her that it may not be the best idea. She then told me that is was something she had to do,” Paige explained.

Jimmy shook his head, “I hope she knows what she’s doing?”

“Me too!” Ashley said. “So when do they arrive?”

“Friday, let’s just pray that this weekend doesn’t turn into World War III,” Paige said thinking of how bad their last fight went when they were still going out.

******

Kelsie slowly walked through the front door of her parent’s house. Chris was getting their luggage from the cab.

“Mom, are you home?” She called out in the foyer, wondering if she was around, she did say she might be out doing errands when they arrive.

Walking in the foyer from the living room, she came up to her to give her a hug, “Kelsie…you’re here!”

“Yeah,” she smiled. Looking around, “Where’s dad?”

“In his study.” Looking at her daughter, “How are you doing?”

“I’m a little tired, that trip wore me out. And lately my back’s been bothering me, but Chris has been doing all he can to make me feel comfortable.”

“That’s sweet of him. So how’s the new place in Victoria?”

“It’s nice and quaint. I like the old charm feel about it. Reminds me a little of our place back in Sechelt.”

Chris walks through the door with their luggage in hand, “So what are you ladies talking about? Me?”

“No, you’re not that lucky,” she joked. “Actually we’re talking about our new place,” Kelsie said glancing over at him.

Moving towards the stairs, “I’m going to put this in our room, where is it anyways?” he asked since he had never been to their house before.

“Third floor, first door to the left,” Kelsie replied.

“Thanks!” smiling back at her as he went backward up the stairs

******

“Craig you’ve been real quiet all afternoon, what’s up? Emma asked as they sat in his room, on his bed listening to music he had just bought.

“Oh sorry, I was just thinking,” pulling her closer to him.

Looking up at him, “What about?”

“I was talking to Spinner today, and he told me something.”

“What?” thinking that it must be big if it has Craig thinking about it none stop.

“Kelsie’s was coming to town today.”

The smile that had been planted on her face soon turned to a frown. She got up from the bed, and she grew angry, “You still want her…don’t you?”

He got up and walked towards her, “No,” but the truth was he wasn’t sure. What if seeing her brought back all those feeling that he buried deep down inside? That he never let himself think of.

“Are you sure,” she pleaded really wanting to believe that she wouldn’t lose him to her.

“Yes,” nodding his head. “Now let’s not spoil our evening talking about this.”

Nodding her head, “I agree.”

They both went back and laid on the bed, Emma moved her leg over his leg, and wrapped her legs around his waist. She leaned towards him for a kiss, while Craig pulled her closer into him.

They were soon interrupted by a knock on his door. “Arhhh,” he said.

“Just ignore it maybe they’ll go away" Emma said in between kisses. She didn’t want something to put a damper on the mood.

There was another knock on his door, “Craig I know you’re in there,” Joey said.

“Joey can’t this wait!” he pleaded since he was in the middle of something with his girlfriend.

“You have a phone call.”

“Take a message,” he hollered.

“Alright,” he said knowing that there was no way that he was going to convince him to take it. He then headed back downstairs.

“Now where were we,” Craig smirked.

“I think I was doing this,” leaning over and sucking on his earlobe.