“Do you have to be so mysterious!” Mandy complained in the Commons with Bobby several weeks into the spring semester.

“Can’t I plan a surprise for my Angel for her birthday without telling you anything about it?” he laughed, “I’ll pick you up.”

“Ohhh! Okay. Tomorrow night? What time?”

It was an idea his mom suggested a few days earlier, and his dad seconded the motion. Bobby loved the idea.

“Where are you going?” Mandy asked her parents when they showed up in the living room, dressed nicer than usual for a Saturday night outing.

“Your wonderful father is taking me out for a nice dinner! Have fun at your birthday surprise with Bobby!” her mom said, kissing her on the cheek as she headed for the garage.

“Have a good night, Little Girl!” her father said with an odd smile.

“Curiouser and curiouser!” she quoted aloud from one of her favorite childhood movies. Her parents going out dressed up was unusual, and on the same night Bobby had planned some sort of surprise that required her to be dressed nicely as well. He’d be picking her up in less than half an hour, so she resigned herself to waiting til he arrived to unveil the mystery.

“There’s my beautiful Angel!” he said when she opened the door for him.

She twirled once to give him the full view of her dress, the skirt flying up to reveal pretty pink panties, before falling into his arms for the delicious hug she always got when they’d meet.

“You look handsome!” she replied, rarely seeing him in dress slacks and a button-down shirt. “So, are you gonna tell me what the surprise is now?”

“You’ll see!” he answered with a smile and led her out the door.

“Ohh! I hate it when I know a surprise is coming! Next time, don’t tell me before, okay?”

“Then you might not have dressed so beautifully!”

“You have your father’s car!?” she exclaimed when she saw it in the street.

“Yeah, he loaned it to me for the night! It’s really cool!”

“You’re not gonna drive crazy like you did the first time, are you?” she laughed.

“Your chariot awaits, Miss!” he said as he opened the door for her. She smiled, grabbing a kiss as she got in. “Ooo, this is nice!” she commented on the interior once he got in. “Oh, I bet you like that!” she added with the throaty rumble of the engine starting.

Bobby is a male after all and couldn’t resist revving the engine a few times, and taking off quickly from the curb, Mandy gasping at the acceleration.

They pulled up at Bascom’s Chop House, and Bobby parked the car himself, not sure if his dad would want him to valet it. He opened the door for Mandy and took her hand as she got out.

“Bobby, this place is really expensive!” she warned.

“You’re worth a lot more!” he said, stealing a kiss before he led her inside.

It was early for a Saturday evening dinner, so it wasn’t too busy. The maitre’d seemed to be expecting them and led them to a table in a far corner near a gas-fired fireplace. He took them to a round table for six, and Mandy looked confused until …

“Surprise!” the crowd, consisting of both his and her parents, shouted. “Happy Birthday!” as they appeared from behind a wide wood-paneled column.

“Oh my!” Mandy said, looking embarrassed at the fuss being made over her. “Thank you! I sure wasn’t expecting this!” She gave Bobby another tender kiss before personally welcoming her guests.

“Cora! I’m so happy you and Mr. Robinson could be here!” she said, hugging Bobby’s mom.

“We wouldn’t have missed it, sweetheart!”

“If you can call her Cora, you can call me, Rob!” he said, finally getting his first hug from Bobby’s amazing girlfriend.

“I’m really glad you’re here too, Rob!” she replied, genuinely thrilled at the progress Bobby and he had made.

“Happy Birthday, honey!” Amanda started, and Brad joined in.

“Happy Birthday, Mandy!”

“Ohh! I’m so happy! Thank you!” she cried with a few tears and a three-way hug.

“Happy Birthday, Angel!”

“Bobby! I love you more than I can say!” she said as she fell into his arms. “And I love the way you hold me!”

Eventually, they all sat together as couples with Bobby and Mandy next to their dads and their moms opposite. Rob did the honors of pouring everyone the wine of their choice. Cora stood with Rob beside her, holding her glass up for a toast.

“Sweet, beautiful Mandy! This isn’t just a birthday celebration. When Bobby asked me for ideas for a restaurant to take you for your day, I asked him if we could come as well to thank you properly for helping Bobby, and indirectly us, to bring our family back together. You’re a remarkable young lady, and we couldn’t be happier that you and Bobby are together!”

“I second that motion,” Rob added with his hand on Bobby’s shoulder. “And we couldn’t do this without your parents, who must have done an incredible job raising you to be that remarkable young lady!”

“To Mandy, Amanda, and Brad!” Cora said with her glass high.

Mandy’s tears flowed as she hugged Bobby, unaccustomed to such attention.

“Thank you, Rob!” Brad said as he stood holding Amanda’s hand. “I told Mandy recently that she was wise beyond her years, and now that she’s reached the ripe old age of nineteen,” he smiled, getting the laugh he was going for, “we couldn’t be more proud of her and Bobby! Happy Birthday, Little Girl!”

Mandy cried tears of joy, holding onto Bobby as though her life depended on it. Glasses clinked, and finally everyone sat down.

“Thank you, everyone!” Mandy started. “You don’t know how happy it makes me to have us all here together!” Sitting down, she whispered to Bobby, “Isn’t it wonderful, Love?”

“It is,” he replied softly. “A sign of things to come,” he added, knowing she was referring to their always being together, which included their families.

Dinner was joyous and delicious, and the seating changed over dessert, with the kids sitting next to their moms. Rob excused himself and went off to quietly take care of the check. The maitre’d knew him from hosting his better clients there and knew he always took care of the check away from his guests.

When they finally left, the parents waited for the valet to retrieve their cars while Bobby and Mandy drove past, shouting, ‘Thank you’ from open windows.

“Bobby! What a wonderful night!” Mandy enthused as they drove. “What’s next? We should go somewhere – alone,” she suggested with her hand on his thigh.

“We are! Mom and Dad are going to his place. For the night!” he added with a stroke of her cheek. “I have a present and another surprise for you at my house!”

“Bobby! I told you not to tell me before a surprise! Drive faster! I can’t wait!” she giggled. “No! I’m kidding. Drive normal!” she added when he goosed the car forward.

Settled into the den they frequented, a long-desired embrace ensued, ending with her sitting in his lap, facing him, her arms around his neck. Fingers had started exploring when Bobby stopped.

“I have two surprises for you! One is a gift,” he started.

“Tonight has been so wonderful! I don’t need anything else but you!” she cooed as she shifted forward, grinding on the lump in his slacks, trying again to kiss him.

“I think you’ll enjoy them both!” he said, reaching under an end table for a gift-wrapped package.

“There’s that VS again!” she smiled, sitting back to open the gift while still in his lap. “Ooo, it’s beautiful!”

“It’s called a Babydoll!” he said excitedly as she held up the lacy lingerie, with half cups, a satin waist tie, and a wide open back. She smiled devilishly at the matching panties that would also leave her bottom exposed while barely covering the front with sheer lace.

“I love the color!”

“It’s called denim blue. I like you in blue!”

“Well, I’m gonna go put it on, and you’d better be ready to live up to the promise of such sexy lingerie!” she challenged, as she kissed him, slid off his lap, and headed for the bathroom to change, wondering if there was a purpose behind his choice.

“Oh, wow! Mandy!” he exclaimed when she returned, doing another pirouette to show off the back, her bottom bare and inviting. Putting her arms around his neck lifted her breasts invitingly. “Mmm! You don’t look good enough to eat, you are good enough to eat!” he said with his hands squeezing her cheeks behind. ”But that’s for later! Right now, I have something else in mind for this perfect little bottom!”

“Ooo! Really!?” she said, looking up at him with babydoll eyes and a bitten lip, hoping he was finally going to redeem the gift certificate she’d given him for Christmas.

“Yes. Are you familiar with the tradition of birthday spankings?”

“Oh yes! Give me my birthday spanking, Bobby!” she pleaded as he sat down and patted his lap, which she threw herself into, sighing and writhing provocatively as his hands squeezed her soft cheeks with the thin blue string running down between them.

“You get nineteen spanks, young lady!” he said as he patted both cheeks, “I want you to count them, okay? Ready?”

“Yes, Sir! Ooo! One! Mmm, two! Oh God, three!” she reacted to the playful spanking, loving it even more than the first time.

“And one more!” he said with a harder slap across both cheeks after the age count had been reached, “To grow on!”

“Ooo! That wasn’t enough! Do it again? Especially the hard one at the end!” Bobby complied, making the last one a little harder. “Ow! Oh, Bobby! One more time? Please? Maybe a little harder? Oh, one! Ooo, two! Yeah, three! Ow-ow-ow, four, five, six! Oh yeah! Like that! Seven, eight, nine, ten! Oh God! Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow! Ohhh, nineteen and … Yeow!”

She pushed her bottom up into his soothing hands, moaning when a finger or two dipped between her legs. He kissed the plump roundness of her now-rosy-pink cheeks.

“Is that enough birthday spanking?” he asked, pressing his lips hard into her sumptuous bottom.

“For now! Maybe more later?” she giggled, as she rolled over in his lap, putting her arms around his neck for a tongueful kiss. “Right now, I’m so wet! I want you to eat me! Please? Eat my pussy, Bobby! Ooo!” she squeaked when he stood up with her in his arms to carry her to his bed.

“Lying down or sitting on my face?” he asked, standing by his bed.

“Which would you rather do?” she asked.

“It’s your birthday. Your choice, Angel!”

“I know you love it when I sit on your face!”

“I do!” he admitted.

“Then you’d better lie down, young man! I’m gonna wipe your face with my wet pussy! Mmm, that’s it!” she said as he put her back on her feet and lay on the bed. “I’m gonna stuff my wet pussy in your mouth, and you’re gonna eat me up!” she threatened, removing the almost nothing panties and walking on her knees, straddling his body.

“I love when you talk like that!”

“Yeah?” she questioned as she squatted over his face. “You want me to rub my … my cunt against you until I cum and spread my pussy juice all over your face?”

“Oh, God! Ymmff!” he mumbled, his last word cut off by her slick, wet lips.

Mandy felt more aroused than she could remember. A product of the wonderful surprise he arranged at the restaurant, and then the even better one here. She’d been wanting another spanking for a couple of weeks now, but the timing was never right, and she wanted him to surprise her with it anyway. She’d ask him for another, possibly the hardest yet, later.

“Oh, Bobby! I’m gonna cum! I’m gonna cum on your face!” she said in a squeaky voice whose pitch rose as the climax approached, a loud gasp when it hit.

True to her promise, she squirmed atop him, spreading her milky nectar over his mouth and cheeks. Twice more she danced on his face, the last time leaving his hands free so he could squeeze her slightly stinging cheeks, also throwing in a few random spanks, and she came explosively from the combined stimulation.

“Bobby, I need you inside me now! Please?” she begged, discarding the lingerie and rolling to her side beside him, her fingers playing with the wispy hair on her mound.

“Mmm,” he hummed at the sexy sight, “So beautiful! It’s your birthday, and I love you, Angel! You can have anything you want!”

He ran a hand up her leg, her thighs spreading wider the higher he got. After another plea, he moved between her legs with her holding his cock, ready to guide it home. They both moaned as he inched into her silky, smooth pussy.

“Oh, Angel! You feel so good wrapped around me like this! It’s my first time tonight. I probably won’t last long.”

“I won’t either, Bobby!” she gasped as she savored the gradual fullness.

She loved the feeling of long, slow strokes so breathtaking both in and out, but soon needed more, and with cries of ‘Fuck me!’ she lifted her hips, pushing back at his hard thrust. They held on as long as they could, but true to their predictions, they both came quickly, loving that it was nearly simultaneous.

Bobby gave much more than he got, reminding her it was all for her birthday, which often provoked requests for another twenty energetic and electrifying smacks to her reddening bottom. He had his first taste of his semen when she asked to sit on his face after another longer, lively fucking. He didn’t like it, but her crotch in his face hid his distaste.

With a few extended rests and one short nap, they played all night – well, they wished it could be all night. Neither said anything about it, but the thought of waking up together was often on their minds, since they had the house to themselves. Mandy never told him, but knowing this would likely happen more often with Cora and Rob back together, she was going to try to convince her mom to let her stay overnight, knowing her father would likely be the bigger problem.

The new year and then Mandy’s birthday celebration seemed to be the launching events for everyone in these two family groups to be as happy as ever. Her birthday and appreciation dinner highlighted the common thread among all three groups: Mandy. All would acknowledge the positive influence this wonderful and lovely young lady had on their lives.

Brad had announced his promotion and started in the new position right after New Year’s. He told Mandy that she could go to Florida State for her sophomore year if she wanted, but she declined. She told him about what her friends were like after one semester away at school, and that she really liked St. Pete College, but the main reason was Bobby. She just couldn’t imagine being away from him for weeks at a time, when even a couple of days was torture. She agreed to reconsider it for her junior year, thinking that the students might have settled down by then.

Brad’s regular travel resumed, but to the Far East rather than Central America, so the trips were longer, given the extended travel time, but thankfully were less frequent. One exciting result was the amazing coming-home sex with his adventurous wife. With his absences making their hearts grow fonder and bodies hornier, Mandy away from home most nights, and the effect of Bobby and Mandy’s inspirational example, they were experiencing a renaissance of sorts in their love life.

Rob and Cora gradually put their painful past behind them and vowed to live only for the future. While Rob hadn’t abstained from sex all that time like Cora, there was always a trace of something missing: his one true love. Cora seemed to be making up for lost time with the frequency of her desires, at times wearing Rob out with her energetic contribution to their lovemaking. Rob had a few new, for Cora, tricks up his sleeve, and they always drove her to new heights of pleasure.

With the demons of the past mostly exorcised and Bobby enjoying having a dad, they saw no reason not to marry again, and they set a rough date for late spring, when Bobby and Mandy would be out of school. Taking Bobby and Mandy out to dinner had become a fairly frequent event, but they returned to the scene of Mandy’s party to reveal their plans to the couple they thought of as their kids. The wine poured, Cora began.

“Bobby, Mandy, we’ve invited you here again because we have an announcement!”

“Oh my God, Cora!” Mandy replied instantly when she saw Cora’s hand move about to reveal a new ring on her finger. Bobby looked on, a little confused.

“Rob and I are getting married again!” she said quickly and excitedly, following Mandy’s outburst.

Mandy jumped up and hugged Cora, while it took a few moments to sink in with Bobby. By the time he stood, Rob was getting a hug from Mandy.

“I’m really happy for you, Mom!” he said sincerely, but subdued, holding her tightly.

“Are you Bobby? Really?” she asked, a nagging doubt still plaguing her.

“Yes. I am. I remember how happy and encouraging you were for me when I got Mandy back. I can only imagine how happy you must be after so long. Congratulations, Mom! I know you’ll both be very happy, and we’ll be happy for you!”

Cora cried tears of joy, which continued even when Mandy came to relieve Bobby so he could talk to his dad.

“Congratulations, Dad!” Bobby started, holding out a hand, but was pulled into a hug.

“Thank you, Bobby! I know you have a better idea than most of how this feels for me right now.”

“Yeah, I guess I do,” Bobby replied, and, with that, a new thought was born that would be ever-present on his mind for several months.

“So, have you set a date? Made any plans?” Mandy asked excitedly once they were all seated again.

“We’re thinking of early June, but we don’t have a specific date in mind yet. We’re still talking about what kind of ceremony we want. We know we want it to be small, but how small is still up for discussion. There are some things we have settled on, though,” Cora said, turning to cue Rob.

“I’d like you to be my best man, Bobby,” his dad said, relieved to see a smile growing on his son’s face. Mandy, too, looked on with a smile.

“Thanks, Dad! I’d like that!” he said, considering it the honor it was meant to be.

“And I’d like you to be my maid of honor, Mandy. I hope you’ll …”

“Oh, my God! I’d love to! Thank you!” she cried, getting choked up herself. She’d already thought of Cora as a second mom, and this only reinforced it. “I’ll help in any way I can with the planning if you’d like?” she offered, and Cora accepted gratefully, thinking of Mandy as the daughter she’d been deprived of.

Their freshman year would be over in a few weeks, and while Bobby had the spring growing season to keep him busier than ever, Mandy was often meeting with his mom to discuss the wedding. Mandy's mention of the redecorating they’d planned for Rob’s house brought a sudden concern to mind. He addressed it with them the next time they were all together.

“Mom, I gather from what Mandy’s told me you’re planning to move into Dad’s house after the wedding? I guess I incorrectly assumed that Dad would be moving in here with us.”

“I’m sorry, Bobby. We should have told you directly. Yes, I’m moving in with your dad. He has such a nice home in a beautiful neighborhood. We want to start fresh with new surroundings. You understand, don’t you?”

“Oh. Um, I guess I do? But where will I … what about this house?”

“This house will become yours, Bobby,” his dad said.

“What? Mine?” he exclaimed, stunned by the thought.

“What?” Mandy echoed.

“I should have started by saying that we’d be happy for you to move in with us if you like, but we thought with this house’s proximity to Mandy and your customers, and that it’s always been your home, that you might prefer to stay. The mortgage is paid off, and we’ll take care of the utilities and taxes until you’re out of school, so there’s no financial burden. Not yet, anyway. Whattya say?”

Bobby was still stunned, and he looked to Mandy for – for what? An answer? No, he needed assurance that she’d be happy with that decision too, and he saw it in her bright, beautiful smile. They both realized that another piece of the puzzle that was their future had just fallen into place.

“I say,” he paused for a moment, “I’ll stay!”

When his mom and dad left, Bobby and Mandy celebrated by making love in the soft, gentle way they had when happiness, rather than desire, fueled it. They didn’t need to say what they were both thinking; that they were making love in a home that would someday be their home.

Cora and Rob’s wedding day finally arrived after weeks of planning, and the day went off without a hitch. A small celebration for close friends and family only, and not surprisingly, Mandy and Bobby were co-stars of the event, being the perfect honor attendants, charming even those who hadn’t known them as a couple.

The legalities around the quitclaim deed and the homeowner’s tax exemption for the house were handled when they returned from their honeymoon in Fiji, leaving Bobby a homeowner without a mortgage at age nineteen.

“Wow! So Bobby owns his own house already!” Amanda said, when Mandy told her about the legal details being handled.

“You know, Mom, Bobby keeps saying it’s going to be our house!” She paused, expecting a judgmental look from her mom. “Last year, on Christmas Eve, before the whole thing with his parents blew up, he told me he prayed at church that we’d always be together. I was so happy to hear him say that because I felt the same way. I know you’re going to say we’re so young and we don’t know what’s going to happen, but I think we do! I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for me, and Bobby feels the same way. If something horrible happened to us or our relationship, I don’t think I could even think of marrying somebody else! Really, Mom! Don’t try to convince me otherwise! I won’t even …”

“I’m not going to try to change your mind!” her mom interrupted.

“You’re not?”

“No. I can see – Mandy, everybody can see how perfect you are together and how much in love you are, and I believe in the way you feel about each other. If something does happen to change that, it’ll be because you want it, painful as that might be. Your father and I were only a little older than you two when we got together, and it didn’t take long before we were feeling the same way, discussing marriage. Despite what happened to Cora and Rob, it’s obvious they were meant to be together, and they were as young as you when they started.”

“You’re such a great Mom!” Mandy cried, hugging her tightly. “Mom, Bobby, and I have slept together,” she said, feeling she should be honest with her mother, having shown so much confidence in her daughter.

“I know.”

“What? No, I mean we’ve actually slept and woke up together!” she clarified.

“I suspected that too. When your Dad and I went to help my mother, right?”

“Yes,” Mandy replied sheepishly. “How did you know?”

“You did a pretty good job of cleaning up, but there were still clues. Actually, I was wondering, even before we left, whether you would do it.”

“Dad doesn’t know, does he?” she asked, afraid he’d feel betrayed by her.

“No, he doesn’t know.”

“Oh, Mom! It was such an amazing night! Not only what we did at night, but the morning was so special! I can’t even describe it!” she told her mom like she was sharing with her closest girlfriend. “With Bobby alone in his house now, what do you think about me spending the night with him sometimes? We haven’t been able to since that first time!”

“I remember what that was like. Your father and I were away at school, so we had that incredible experience too. I’m not sure he saw it quite the same as I did, since dorms, apartments, and roommates detracted it from it somewhat.”

“I know Bobby felt the same way as me! That first morning, I woke up first, and when his eyes opened, and he saw me, he had the most amazing look on his face! Like he was the happiest man in the world! The next morning, when I woke up, he was crying. So happy to have me again, he said! He told me the lyrics to a song his mom liked by Simon & Garf … I don’t know, some weird name. It was about waking up with someone warm and near, kissing her hair, and telling her he loved her!”

“Bobby is a very special young man, Mandy, and I know you appreciate that. I’m okay with you sleeping together with a couple of conditions,” she started with Mandy’s excited face, agreeable to anything. “First, your father won’t know, which means you can only do it while he’s traveling, okay?”

“Okay. I was wondering how Dad would deal with it.”

“I might be selling him short, but I don’t think he’d approve. He knows you’re having sex, but not much beyond that. The other condition is that you only do it once each time he’s away. I know you think this is the most amazing feeling in the world, but it’s even more special once you’re married, and I don’t want you to spoil that experience by doing it so often it loses that unique quality, okay?”

“That sounds like something Bobby would say! Thanks, Mom! You know, you’re my real BFF!”

“Aww, thanks, honey!” she replied to the loving compliment while pulling her daughter in for another hug.   

It was nearly time to return to classes for their sophomore year, and Bobby had something he wanted to discuss with his dad. The conversation started with his classes for the coming semester.

“I met with a counselor to set up my classes for this year, but I wonder if I’m wasting my time.”

“Why do you say that?” his dad asked, concerned about his comment but thrilled that his son was coming to him for advice.

“I don’t know. Do I really need marketing, for example, to run a lawn maintenance business?”

“You might be surprised. It could help you to sell your services to new clients, show you how to promote your business, and show it in the best light.”

“But I could get more clients if I had more time, and if I had new clients, I’d have money to upgrade my equipment, which would give me even more time for new clients!”

“Okay, but what if you could get the new equipment now? Would that get you the time for more clients, but still have time for school?”

“Sure, but where would I get the money?”

“I could help you there.”

“I don’t want you giving me the money,” Bobby replied. Having seen his car and his home, he had finally realized that his dad’s success provided considerably more than just enough to live on. “I want to do this on my own.”

“I appreciate your commitment to making your success your own, and I wasn’t offering to give you the money. I could loan you the money, interest-free, or co-sign a bank loan so you can start establishing some credit. How much do you think you need?” he asked, proud of his son’s desire to remain independent.

“For a Gravely zero turn mower, a trailer to haul it, and professional grade hand tools; string trimmer, edger, blower, about twelve to fifteen grand. If I put a little money into my truck, it should last a few more years. I think the bank loan to establish credit makes sense.”

“Let’s look at your books to see how to make this work. I’ll come by on Sunday, okay?”

“Okay, but, Dad? There’s something else you can help me with,” Bobby said, and his Dad agreed, not only to loan him money for something else, but not to tell his mother about it.

“Oh, Bobby! I’m so excited! It’s been so long since we spent the night together!”

“I think this will be a night we’ll remember forever,” he replied, knowing Mandy would consider it such even without the surprise he had planned.

“Remember, it can only be this one night, even though my Dad is gone for over a week,” she cautioned.

“I remember, and I completely agree with your mom. These special nights should be cherished and rare.”

“I told my mom you’d see it that way,” she said, nuzzling into his shoulder in the booth at their favorite pizzeria on the beach.

“Let’s go see the sunset!” he offered, and they got up, leaving a couple of slices behind.

They walked across Gulf Boulevard, grabbed a blanket from Mandy’s trunk, and headed to the beach. Stashing their sandals near the restroom, they walked onto the sugar sand barefoot with arms around each other’s waist.

Scattered, shallow clouds moving in from the east set the stage for a colorful show of the sun falling below the distant horizon. They’d eaten later than usual, so they wouldn’t have to wait long, but it would still be almost an hour before the sun said goodnight.

They walked along the shore, their feet in the warm summer water of the Gulf. They talked a little about nothing important, but mostly they just walked, enjoying a perfect evening with a perfect person. When they got back to the blanket they’d left spread in the soft sand, there was almost half an hour till sunset. Bobby had timed it just right.

“Mandy, do you remember the conversation we had last year on Christmas Eve, when I told you about my prayer in church?”

“Yes, I will always remember that night! You told me you prayed that we ‘would be together, always,’ and I told you I wished I’d prayed for it, too. I even told my mother about it weeks ago when I asked for permission for this night!

“How did she react?”

“I thought she would try to tell me we’re too young for such promises, but she didn’t! She even said that anybody could see how perfect we are for each other! She also said she thinks you’re really special. I think my parents really love you, Bobby! Not the way I do, of course,” she added, smiling devilishly and offering a tongueful kiss.

“You know my parents love you!” he said, feeling like he was stating the obvious after the surprise birthday party earlier in the year. “But I’ve been thinking about when I lost you and how my mom and dad lost each other.”

“Bobby, that’s in the past! Don’t think about those things!”

“I can’t help it! I think about all the wrong things said and done, and the miscommunication that led to such pain!”

“But we’ve been great since then!” Mandy cried defensively. “I told you you were right when we woke up together that first time; right to make us wait to make our first time together so special. It must have been so hard to tell me about all those women before that night! But you did, and we came through it even better than before!”

“You spoke of promises when you talked to your mother about it, Mandy, but we didn’t actually make a promise to each other!” He got up, knelt before her, and fished around in his pocket. “I want to change that, Angel!” he said, taking her left hand in his, her face showing excitement, possibly anticipating what was coming. “I want to promise that we will be together always, and the best, most meaningful way to do that is,” he paused, pulling the ring out of his pocket, “to ask you to marry me! Mandy Bonham, will you do me the ultimate honor of becoming my wife?”

“Bobby! Oh my God! I can’t believe this!” she screamed, attracting the attention of a few others enjoying the sunset. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

“Will you?” he asked, having not gotten an answer.

“Yes! Oh God, yes, Bobby! Yes! Oh, my Love! I love you so much!”

He slipped the ring on her finger, and she held it up to look at it, smiling through her tears at the sight of it on her finger, and jumped into his arms, where, with her arms around his neck, she looked at it again.

“I love you too, Angel, for now and for always!”

Mandy pulled away slightly and, with the cutest smile on her face, kissed him like never before. A kiss with a solemn promise behind it.

So in touch with each other’s feelings, they didn’t have to say that it wouldn’t be till they were at least finished with school. He could have just gotten a promise ring, and his dad had even suggested it, but he gave in to Bobby’s wishes, seeing the determination in his son’s eyes. He could understand that all the turmoil in the boy’s life recently made him want this to be real; to mean something more.

“It’s not a big stone or anything,” Bobby said, making excuses for his limited budget.

“I don’t care! It’s from you, and that’s all that matters! I love it! And I love you!” she replied sincerely.

“Maybe we can get a bigger one when we get out of school and …”

“No! You’ll do no such thing!” she said adamantly, “You know me better than to think I need a big rock on my finger! You’ve been so honest, thoughtful, loving, romantic, and this ring shows that that is what matters to you, to me, and to us! This ring, like you, will be with me always.”

She’d put it better than he ever could, putting the last fear he had behind him. Like the sun, settling into the Gulf with muted pastel shades of blue, pink, and lavender, the worries, conflicts, and tumult were in the past, and with this promise made, they looked forward to a long, beautiful life together.

“Would you like to go home now, Angel?” he asked, knowing the word home had a new meaning.

“Yes, Love! Take me home and make love to me all night!”

And he did.

--===<<<O>>>===--

I hope you've all enjoyed this introduction of Mandy into what promises to be an even longer story. I've had so many wonderful comments from you during this series that I think these characters should live on. What do you think? Let me know with 'Likes,' 'Favorites,' and plenty of comments, and ... THANKS FOR READING!!!