Chapter forty

"Sarah?" He looked a little down at her next to him. "Do you have answer for me?" He continued to ask a dumbstruck Sarah.

She didn't budge, made no move.

"Now you're killing me." Richie gently too her chin and turned it upwards so she could see him and he could try to read her eyes.

He searched her for an answer in her beautiful green eyes when suddenly Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Sarah's kiss consumed him so much he didn't even notice a small flashing light somewhere above them.

Sarah carefully held her rose behind him as she pulled him even closer. Richie wrapped his arms around her. this was what he never wanted to let go of. Kissing Sarah was more satisfying than kissing anyone in the last seven years.

After a few minutes they finally broke apart.

"I, take that as a yes?" He asked, their arms still around each other.
"Yes." Sarah smiled before reaching in again to kiss.

Their kiss lasted another few minutes, only to breath did they surface again.



After finally stopping their kisses, they stood together under the rose bush.

In thought Sarah's finger stroked the outline of one of the leaves of the flower Richie had given her. "It's beautiful."
"I'll buy you a ring." He promised.
"I still love the flower." Sarah assured him.

The rose really was beautiful.

They found a bench and sat down for a while, enjoying the peace and quiet around them. The hotel was mainly calm, not very late yet but enough for people to go to their rooms and enjoy some quiet time.



When the night's sky had more than a few starts sparking brightly above them, they decided it was time for them to go up to their room too.

Their hallway seemed abandoned, nobody walking around, not a sound. They couldn't possibly all have gone to bed that early.

In their room Sarah carefully put the flower down on the night stand by her bed, she planned to keep it to remember their beautiful night.

When the rose was safely sitting on the night stand, Sarah sat down on the bed, watching Richie walk around the room.

"What are you doing?" She asked when she realized he must be looking for something.
"I guess we don't have candles." Richie sighed and got on the bed next to her.
"It's fine sweetie. I'd rather see your face anyway." The smile on her face hadn't faded all night and was still brightly there.

Richie leaned in to kiss her, his arm wrapping around her back as she moved closer to him on the bed.

Sarah did the same as she felt him press her closer to his chest.

His hand stroked down over her back and rested on her bottom for a while before travelling back up under her shirt. The next time he pulled his hand back it went straight to the front of her blouse, unbuttoning the tiny buttons in a hurry.

He had waited two weeks for this moment, he hoped Sarah knew he was ready to burst by now. She'd know, she knew last time too.

When he had all the buttons undone, he pushed the blouse over her shoulders, moulding his hand over her bra. The fabric was thin and he could feel the heat off of her body.

In the mean time, Sarah's hand had gone into his open shirt, feeling those hard pectoral muscles again.

To help Sarah out of her shirt and bra, Richie tore his lips away from hers. When Sarah got her chance she helped him out of his own.

Richie didn't stop there and immediately started fumbling with Sarah's skirt, not finding the zipper just yet.

She felt his warm hands everywhere on her skin, making her nerve ends tingle with excitement all over.

His hand made a long stroke over her leg, all the way to under her skirt, feeling the soft skin of her legs, so smooth. He found her undies were a matching fabric as her bra was. Her skirt was in the way for him to reach into them and he went back to finding the zipper.

Sarah let him search for a while, enjoying his touch so much.

Richie certainly enjoyed it too, watching her chest starting to heave faster the more he touched her.

Finally Sarah moved to sit up so Richie could get to the zipper on her hip, by laying on her side, it had gone hiding.

Slowly he zipped it down, then pulled her skirt down and off. He sat up to watch her, her heaving chest and all her beauty, the only thing still covering up were her panties, then he leaned back down to kiss her. She looked so beautiful just like she always did, he simply couldn't watch her any longer and needed to kiss her.

Sarah could feel all the passion he poured into the kiss, not only the passion from him but the passion and desire she was trying to give back to him.

Richie's lips started to linger to her ear, tickling that spot right behind before he kissed down her neck, finding the crook between her neck and shoulder, where she always wriggled of delight when he kissed her. Just as every time, she did so now too.

A gasp escaped her when he let go of her neck and latched onto her breast, sucking hard, then kissing the exact same spot as if to heal it.

The next time his lips met her skin, they wrapped around a nipple, teasing it until it stood up straight and he moved on to the next. Sarah's loud breathing in hear only turned him on more. His jeans were rapidly becoming too tight.

Her skin cooled as Richie's lips left her again, she watched him as he watched her while he sat up next to her. Sarah was now laying on her back next to him, waiting for what he'd do next.

He reached for her undies and slowly pulled them down, exposing all of her to him. Just like the first time, it felt overwhelming to finally see her naked.

He moved along her body to take off her undies and drop them over the end of to bed, letting them fall to the floor, they wouldn't be needed anymore.

Now just his needed to follow, he unbuckled his belt and within seconds he was as naked as Sarah was.

Sarah still couldn't believe how big he was, again his dick looked rigid and straight, ready. It amazed her how it actually fit but was very glad that it did. His dick had given her more enjoyable orgasms than she had ever had.

Keeping a straight look focused on her eyes, he carefully spread her legs to he could sit between.

Sarah watched him as he slowly bent down, pursing his lips, inching closer to her skin until they met and he kissed her clit in exactly the right place.

"Richie!" She gasped frightened.
Shocked he looked back up. "What?"
"You... What?" She didn't know what to say.
"I..." Richie wasn't very sure anymore either and his pause only got longer until he realized something. "Let me guess, Jonathan had never done it that way?" He asked with a bit of attitude and annoyance.
Sarah shook her head. "He said is was disgusting and repulsive."
"Well then he's an even more fucked up asshole than we already knew he was." Richie said.
Sarah didn't know what to say.
"Okay, I won't do it now but if I do, I know better than him. It's actually pretty amazing for both of us... Just smelling you that close..." He lingered.

Sarah away from him a little so she could sit up a bit.

In an instant Richie grabbed her hips, looking up at her. "I mean it but we'll wait 'til it's time for that too."
Sarah nodded.

Relieved, Richie reached back in to kiss her, carefully he pulled her back down and leaned over her, resting on his elbows above her.

"Trust me?" He asked.
"Of course I trust you, you're my fiance."  Regardless of what had just happened, her smile still hadn't disappeared.
This time Richie nodded his approval.

He reached a hand down, positioning himself at her entrance.

"Ready?"
Again she nodded.

In one swift motion he was inside her.

He held still inside her and watched her eyes. "Alright?"
"Of course."
"Watch me, just like last time, okay?"

He pulled out and thrust back in her, with his thrust Sarah gasped loudly. With every following thrust she started to moan louder, making Richie's mind go crazy with the sound. He held an enjoyable pace for both of them, his thursts long, making Sarah shudder every time her thrusted in her.

His slow moves made it incredible for Sarah, every time was better than the last, just like this one, she almost thought this was better than the first time, maybe it would be by the end.

She watched his face above her, keeping close attention to his eyes as his face contorted as he thrusted harder now, she gasped and moaned louder. The faster he moved the faster she felt her orgasm approaching, starting at the end of her body, rushing to the middle where it exploded, spreading back all over again.

Listening to Sarah's long moan of his name made him too, he wanted to fall down on top of her but contained himself and held himself on his elbows.

"Oh Richie." She breathed. "How does every time get better than the last one?"
He chuckled. "I don't know but it does."

Richie lowered himself a little more, getting more comfortable.

"Let me know if I'm too heavy." He said.
Sarah shook her head. "You're not, I kinda like you this close?"
"I like you this close too."

A minute later he decided to change his words.

"I love you."
"I love you too, so much."

Richie smiled and leaned up to kiss her again.

Sarah was a bit let down when she felt his dick soften inside her and slip away, when it did, Richie got off her and moved to lay on his back, pulling Sarah to lay next to him.

Instantly her hand went back to roam over his chest, she teased his nipples as she played with his chest hair. Her fingertips felt each patch of skin, when they had, they travelled lower, lazily drawing patterns over his belly.

Richie watched what she was doing closely.

Her hand felt the whole expanse of his belly before finally following the trail that wanted her to follow it lower.

Slowly Richie watched her hand go lower while Sarah was following her hand too, a little unsure of what she was doing, yet sure that she wanted to do it.

Finally her hand got to the right spot, Richie sighed, Sarah felt around before wrapping her hand around his dick, again Richie sighed.

His dick stirred, like it was coming back to life, Sarah held it gently and started moving her hand up and down, stroking him.

With every few strokes she got more courageous and held him tighter, pumping him faster. She could feel and see him getting bigger and harder in her grasp, just like before.

"Are you going to join me?" Richie asked when he knew he still had enough time to pleasure her too.
"Maybe I want to watch?"
"You could... You know..." Richie suggested.
Sarah shook her head vividly. "I can't. I'm really bad at that."
"You have to forget whatever Jonathan said, none of it's true."
"But..."
"It's sucking, it's impossible to be bad at it but if you don't want to, it's fine." He encouraged and reassured her.

She let go of him to sit up next to him and put her hand around him again, continuing her previous motions, she wasn't sure yet what she was going to do.

He grew even harder in her hand.

Richie watched her, hoping she'd take the step, hoping she dared doing it.

Finally he watched her bent her head and stuck out her tongue against his dick's head, making a long trek to the top. He held his breath for what was going to happen next.

To his surprise she did the same a few times over, not actually wrapping her lips around him but it was enough to drive him mad already.

"Sarah..." He said when he felt his orgasm approaching.

She moved up a little and moved her hand faster and faster, her eyes fixed on his, a minute later she felt her hand wet and warm, then she looked back down. Most of it had ended over his torso, only a few drops had made it onto the back of her hand.

With thought all written over her face, she lifted her hand and licked it off.

Richie groaned as he watched her.

He couldn't just let her do that, he needed to do something back for her, if she wanted.

Sarah lied back down next to him again, snuggling against his side comfortably.

At least he had to ask her.

He turned onto his side, making Sarah turn too.

"Trust me?" He asked.
"I already told you I do." She answered, still with that smile on her face.

Carefully Richie sat up and made her lie down like earlier, he got back to the end of the bed and Sarah knew what was going to happen now. She took a breath and held it, anticipating what would happen.

 A minute later she could see his shaggy hair between her legs, his lips on her most intimate skin, she almost instantly started wriggling against him, caused through his touches again. How had she never done this before, this was pure heaven.

Her hands moved into Richie's hair, she wanted more but didn't want to push him and held his head there.

"More." She sighed. "More."

Richie knew she'd like, he dragged his tongue back up to her clit and circled around it in small circles, holding her hips as she moved against him.

The smell made him want to go again but he didn't care about that right now, he wanted it to be enjoyable for Sarah, it was more important than his own pleasure.

He tasted every inch of her, making sure she'd get enough pleasure out of this before reaching her high.

Sarah continued to moan and sigh his name until she felt the, lately, all too known feeling of an orgasm approaching.

To her annoyance though, Richie's tongue dragged lower, which halted her orgasm for a while, she could feel his tongue push inside her, he was crazy, how did he know what to do? So perfect and flawless.

Soon in enough the feeling was back and Richie went back to focus on her clit, Sarah tensed all over as her orgasm rippled through her.

Richie, though, didn't let go of her and lapped up all the juices he could find, she tasted so incredible he didn't want to stop tasting her.

"Richie... Too much." Sarah finally made him stop.

He didn't want to but moved up to lay back down next to her.

"Was I right?"
Sarah nodded. "You were." She looked up at him to be sure she could see his eyes. "Richie, sweetie, honey, I love you so much, you're so incredible."
"I know honey." He padded the bed next to him until Sarah moved next to him and he could wrap his arms around her. "I love you just as much back."

He reached in for their last kiss before they fell asleep.

Chapter thirty-nine

This time, thanks to my friend, Shelbey for being a sappy romantic and being able to put it into words.

Back at the hotel Sarah plopped down on the bed.

“Sorry we didn’t do anything more exciting.” Richie said as he walked over to her.
“More exciting? I liked that a lot, it’s just really hot.” Sarah sat up to look at him.

Richie agreed, it was scorching hot outside, their air conditioned hotel room felt much more enjoyable than the hot air outside.

Richie sat down next to her, when he took her hand in his, he remembered he was going to propose as he looked at her ring finger.

Wouldn’t a big ring look good there? Should he ask her now? Maybe the Parthenon had been a nice place to ask, too late for that now.

He could take her to a nice restaurant and ask her then but he didn’t really want to ask her where everyone could see. Who knew where that might end up then?

He preferred keeping it a little more private. The public didn’t need to know, this was his business.

“What’s on your mind?” Sarah asked when she noticed Richie’s unbroken stare at their hands.
Richie looked up to meet her eyes. “Would you like to go out for dinner?” He suggested instead of actually telling her what was on his mind, he couldn’t tell her that just yet.

Without a ring? Wouldn’t that be a letdown for her? With every proposal went a ring. How would she react to that?

It didn’t matter, as long as she said yes. He’d get her a ring the next free minute he had.

“Sure but can we stay here? I don’t want to go out in this heat again.” Sarah said, even if they’d only be outside to get in the car, it was simply too hot.
“Why don’t you go shower and I’ll phone the restaurant to get us a table.” Richie suggested.
Sarah nodded. “Are you going to join me in the shower?” She asked before making a move to get up.
“Yeah, take your time, I gotta phone first.” He said.
Again Sarah nodded and got up.

Before going to the bathroom, she leaned back down to kiss him.



When he was alone, Richie got his phone out and texted Jon.

5.38pm: I’m gonna ask her!

While his text send off into space, he called down to the hotel lobby to make sure they’d get a nice and private table.

His phone call was short, he hung up and checked his cell phone again, finding a few minutes old reply from Jon.

5.40pm: Good luck

Richie smiled and put his phone away.

As he walked to the bathroom he discarded his clothes before he walked in naked.

The room was already hot and full of steam but still it felt more pleasant than the heat outside.

Sarah was sanding under the shower when Richie opened the glass doors.

“There you are.” She smiled at him.
“Did you finish already?”He asked, not noticing soap anywhere on her body or in the water.
“No, I was waiting for you.” She still smiled at him.
“I’ll help you then.” He winked at her, grabbing the shampoo.

It had been a while since he got the chance to wash her hair, to touch her.

Sarah moved from under the water and let him wash her hair. She liked it when he did it, he knew perfectly how, how he massaged her scalp, it was so relaxing.

“Do I get to do your hair too?” She asked. She had missed his body too.
“If you want to.” He pulled his hands back and motioned for Sarah to get under the water, he helped to rinse out the shampoo from her long blond hair.

He didn’t want to stop touching her and grabbed a wash cloth and soap. Before Sarah could say anything, his hands were back on her skin.

Sarah could see what he was thinking and how he reacted when she looked down. The shower was one of the places they hadn’t had sex yet. Yet? The few times they had, it was in a bed.

“Richie, tonight.” She reminded him, she was comfortable in bed, not sure about the shower.
“I know.” He said as he bent down to continue washing her.

When he finished her feet and toes and Sarah was wriggling because it tickled, he stood back up. It was a little disappointing he was done now, even Sarah felt so. Tonight.

Sarah took the shampoo again and started with Richie’s hair. Soon enough she could start with the soap, spreading it over his arms. She loved how strong his biceps were. Her hands spread over his shoulder to his chest, loving his pectorals too. Her hands went lower to his belly, a little less muscle there but just as much to love.

Richie grabbed her hands before she could go lower. “If you want to wait for tonight, we better finish showering.”
Sarah looked him up and down and realized what he meant.

She turned off the water as Richie got out and got them towels. He wrapped one around his waist and put the other over Sarah’s shoulders when she stepped out.

Richie finished drying off and doing his hair sooner than Sarah did and walked back to the main room, leaving his towel behind.

He found his favorite pair of jeans and looked around for a clean button down shirt.

When he found one at the bottom of his bag it was all wrinkled, he couldn’t wear it like that.

Hurriedly he looked around for an iron but couldn’t find anything. He decided to try his shirt on instead. In the cupboard door he found a mirror, he couldn’t see much but enough to know he couldn’t go like that.

He wanted to look nice, it had to be a memorable night, without hope he sat down on the bed. How much time did he have before Sarah finished in the bathroom?

Then he noticed a piece of paper next to the phone on the night stand. It read numbers, with each number, a service they provided.

8- Clothes service

Surely they had an iron to do his shirt quickly. He picked up the phone and pressed the number 8 button, hoping for a quick answer.

Which he got almost instantly, hurriedly he explained his problem.

As if he was talking to a person right outside his room, there was a knock at his door, asking for his shirt. He handed it over and started to pace the room, hoping Sarah would be busy a little longer.

Only five minutes it took for his shirt to return.

With relief, he put it back on, it still felt warm from the hot iron.

As he started to button his shirt up, Sarah walked out of the bathroom in her towel. He sighed, just in time and left the rest of the buttons undone.

“You’re already dressed?” She asked a little surprised.

She liked his outfit too. His jeans were lighter than the ones he had worn the last time they went out. His shirt was black but just like last time he had rolled up his sleeves and only buttoned his shirt halfway. She certainly loved his way of dressing.



Together they walked down to the restaurant where they were lead to a private, reserved table.

They ordered water and read their menus.

“What would you like?” Richie asked, looking over his menu.

Sarah looked beautiful as she looked back at him over his. This time she was wearing a plain white buttoned blouse, he was sure he could see the outlines of her white bra underneath it. Along with that she was wearing one of the skirts he had bought her a few weeks ago. Her hair was the same straight way it usually always was, tumbling over her shoulders as she moved.

While Sarah looked up over her own menu she made her decision, at the same time her eyes wandered down again, to the open buttons of his shirt. His skin look so tan, it made her want to reach out and touch again.



“You’ve done it again.” Sarah said most content.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“You made it all romantic again.”
“Yeah? Maybe I meant to, to welcome you back.”
“That’s so sweet of you.” She still smiled.

Their table was the only one with a white table cloth, the only one with two tall white candles. There weren’t even tables around them so they had their privacy.

“I love how you always make everything so perfect.” Sarah said after their food was half eaten.
“I’m glad you like it.” Richie answered before continuing to eat.

During dinner they talked some more about what Sarah was going to do come September, which reminded Richie of their summer vacation. He told her what he had found out about Lake Tahoe. He had found several accommodations and laid out the options for Sarah to pick something.



Once they finished their fresh Greek fish platter, Richie suggested dessert. He had liked how they shared it last time and planned on doing so this time too.

He let Sarah pick something out.

Since it was still hot Sarah picked out an ice cream sundae with fresh fruits.



She picked out the strawberry when dessert arrived and offered it to Richie. He all too willingly took the bite and chewed.

He in turn picked up the long spoon and scooped some ice cream, holding it out for Sarah.



Half an hour later they finished.

“Would you like to go for a walk? They have a very nice garden here.” Richie suggested, he didn’t quite want to go back to their room yet.

Sarah thought that could only make their night even more perfect.

They stepped out to the garden where it was significantly cooler than it had been all day.

“You’re right, it’s very nice here.” Sarah watched the bit of nature Richie had observed from the gym earlier that day.

The sun was setting but the garden was still well lit through garden candles along the paths.

He took Sarah’s hand and followed the path that lead to the rose bushes in the middle, where the paths crossed and bushes stood tall on each side. From the gym it had looked like only one bush.

They came to a stop between a pair of rose bushes in full bloom and a comfortable silence fell over them as they simply enjoyed one another's company.

As they stood together, Richie could almost feel the ring box in his pocket while he searched for the words to say.

Sarah's voice brought him from his thoughts; "Tonight's perfect." she turned, smiling, in his arms to face him.
"There's one thing that will make it even more perfect." he replied, softly smiling back, taking her hands in his.
Looking a little confused, Sarah asked, "There is?"

Richie chuckled a little, both at her cute expression and from his nerves. Then he spoke, having found the right words, "Yes, there is. Sarah, I love you, I've never been as happy as I've been these last 3 months with you. I never want this feeling to end. I want to always be with you and I want the world to know you're mine and I'm yours." He paused, reaching over and carefully pulled a rose from the bush before meeting her eyes again. "I don't have a ring to give you yet but," he handed her the rose, "Sarah? Will you marry me?"

If you hadn't noticed...

If you hadn't noticed, I'm making it all your Christmas present from me to you to post a chapter each night!

And guess what, comments are still greatly appreciated!

So if I were you, I'd check back every day for a new chapter cause exciting things are about to happen, :D
then finish :(

Chapther thirty-eight

Thanks to my friend, Nikki, to have an awesome idea to turn the chapter a little bit more fun:

Richie knocked on the door opposite of his and waited for an answer.

When Jon ultimately opened the door, Richie reached in to hug him.

Jon hugged him back, a little flabbergasted and padded Richie’s back.

Having known Jon for a long while, Richie knew that was the code to let go. He gave Jon a pad on the back too and let go.

“Thanks man.”
“No problem, I tried to get her here earlier.” Jon tried to explain.
“I know, I’m just glad she’s here now.” He said happily.
“I thought you’d be busy for a while now.” Jon joked as he held the door open wider to let Richie in his room.

Richie rolled his eyes while he walked past Jon, he could contain himself that much.

“She’s sleeping.” Richie said to explain.
“What happened to the instant proposal?” Jon asked when they sat down at the table in the room.
“Fuck.” Richie swore. “I don’t have a ring now.”
“Just wait for next week and we still go ring shopping on Saturday.” Jon suggested easily.

It made sense to him to wait another week but not to Richie.

“No,” he started out, “I can still propose, I’ll think of something.”

He didn’t really know what or how he was going to propose to Sarah without a ring but he was sure to find something so he could. He honestly didn’t want to wait any longer, he knew Sarah was perfect for him and didn’t see any reason to put it off any longer.

“You’re very sure about this?” Jon asked like he had the day before.
“Yeah, man, I am. Why do you keep asking, do you have an opinion on this?” He answered with his own question.
“No, I’m very happy for you I just don’t want a repeat of the last six years.” Said Jon with honesty and care.
“That won’t happen.” Richie said very sure.
“You’ve only known her for three months.” Jon pointed the fact out.
“I know but there was just something, from the first time I saw her. I know. It’s Sarah man, I don’t want to let go of her, and I don’t wanna be without her. You knew about Dorothea when you were seventeen, just took you ages to ask her.” Richie explained and countered back with his own fact.

Jon looked a little dumbstruck, like he didn’t know what to say anymore. Richie had a very good point.

Instead Jon repeated, “I’m very happy for you.”

They talked a little longer about what Richie was going to do. He needed a plan and maybe Jon would be helpful in deciding something.

“Either way you need a shower before you wake her up.” Jon decided in the end.
“I’d wake her up.” Richie thought. He wanted to let Sarah sleep, walking in and going to shower will most likely wake her up, he explained.
“Use mine then.” Jon said.
“Alright, thanks.”

Richie got up and walked to Jon’s bathroom, he’d rather let Sarah sleep a little longer. She always woke up if he did anything at all.



Twenty minutes later Richie walked back in his own room, a big white towel around his waist and carrying the clothes he was wearing earlier.

While he was putting away his clothes and looking for clean ones he noticed Sarah was watching him. He stood up and walked over to her, to bend by the bed.

“Sorry.” He didn’t mean to wake her every time, she was just a light sleeper, like she had said, and maybe it really was because of her previous marriage.
“You don’t stink anymore.” She still sounded tired.
“I showered with Jon.”

Sarah stared at him confused and back away a little so she could see his face better.

Richie saw the surprise on her face and chuckled as he realized what he had said. “I mean at Jon’s. I used Jon’s shower.” His chuckling turned into laughter when he realized what his slip of the tongue had sounded like. “We’re not that kind of best friends.” He quickly added.

Then Sarah started laughing too.



When their laughter finally subdued Richie said, “You’re the only person I want to shower with.”
“You better, that would be strange.” She teased him.

Again Richie got on the bed next to her.

“So what do you want to do?”
“Sleep some more.” Sarah answered with a smile.

He had been gone less than an hour, so he understood she’d want a little more sleep. It was still early enough and maybe he could get back to sleep too.

“Maybe you want to get a little comfier and take your jeans off.” Richie suggested.
“So thoughtful.” Sarah smiled again as she wiggled out of her jeans and Richie got under the sheets, not bothering about his towel.

Richie pulled her close again so they were once again face to face in his dusk room. It didn’t take long for Sarah to feel asleep in his arms. Only a few minutes later Richie was asleep too.



A couple of hours later Richie was woken up by his phone again. He groaned as he woke up and reached for it on the side table.

As he moved away Sarah woke up too.

If Jon woke him up twice in one day, he just might kill him. But it wasn’t Jon, when he read the text he remembered he was going sightseeing at the Acropolis with their photographer, David.

As he rolled back he saw Sarah was awake now too.

“Want to go see the Acropolis?” He asked.
“Definitely.” Sarah said excited right away, sitting up immediately she felt the blood rush and held still for a second.
“Alright there? Richie asked a little worried.
Sarah nodded. “Yeah, head rush.”
“Be careful then.”

Sarah got up from the soft bed to find clean clothes in her travel bag.

At the same time Richie noticed his towel had gotten loose while sleeping, he dropped it next to the bed and paraded naked to his own clothes.

When Sarah noticed him, she started chuckling.

“What?” Richie stood back up and turned to Sarah.
“Nothing.” She snickered as she looked down at his crotch.
He noticed her eyes drifting. “Are you laughing at me?” He teased and walked over to her.
“No, definitely not.”
“No?” He moved even closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him, bending down a little to kiss the lips he had been thinking of kissing for the last couple of days.

He made sure he got every part of her lips to kiss, a very clear taste of her.

Already Sarah could feel his hand starting to rise under her shirt. His hand cupped over the silk and lace of her bra, he took his kiss even deeper.

Sarah carefully pushed at his shoulder a few minutes later, then pulled away from his kiss.

“Richie, we can’t do this now.” She said sounding apologetic and regretful at the same time.
“Why not?” He gave her another kiss.
“I’m still tired and we’re going out.” Sarah said.
Richie gave her another kiss and pulled his hand back.
“Tonight, okay?” She asked.
“Oh yeah.” He smiled.



An hour later they stood under the hot Greek sun, looking up at the old building.

They decided not get a guide so they could do their own sightseeing, David wanted to focus on his photographs and Sarah and Richie could read from the info brochure.

“Did you know they started building this in 429 B.C.?” Sarah read from the brochure.
“I didn’t.”

While he looked around, he didn’t notice David taking photos at least it wasn’t Jon stalking him.

“And there are twenty-one archeological remains of it for us to see.” Sarah read on.
“Really? Doesn’t look like that much.”



They posed for photos when David asked them, knowing he wouldn’t use them without permission and they’d copied.

David was even nice enough to take photos of spots Sarah pointed out she wanted pictures of.

"David can you take a picture of Richie here?" Sarah asked when they stood in front the pillars of the Parthenon.

David finished the photo he was taking and turned around. "Sure."

Richie moved a little bit, spread his arms wide and smiled at the camera.

They walked around the building and Sarah pointed out another spot she'd like a picture of Richie from, so asked David again.

David took another photo of Richie, then suggested, "Why don't you go stand with him?"
"Yeah." Sarah agreed and walked over to Richie, wrapping her arms around and smiled at the camera for a photo.

They spend a very nice afternoon together, walking around holding hands as Sarah could now cross another thing of her list of things she wanted to see. She was so pleased Richie took her to all these places to see.

Whenever they had a few minutes while they looked at the building they shared a few kisses.



On the way back, Richie noticed graffiti on a wall down the street while they walked. "Eat the rich." He read the text.
"What?" Sarah asked confused.
"Eat the rich, it's over there on a wall. You know Eat The Rich is a song?"
No, I don't."
"Oh honey, it's Aerosmith, you have to know that."
"I already have to know your songs." She mocked complained at how many songs she had to learn.
"True. Come here I want a photo." He said to both Sarah and David.

In all, they had an amazing afternoon finally together again, so amazing Richie had forgotten to plan his proposal.

Chapter thirty-seven

Richie was woken up by a text message on his phone. He reached for it, grumbling that it was too early to be texting, especially while they had a concert the night before, after unlocking the screen he read the message.

A little annoyed he rolled to his back, Jon wanted to meet him at the gym?

They were in Athens; he even more gladly got up at dawn to go sightseeing privately.

Before he could even answer the text, he received another one, urging him on. He answered Jon and got out of bed, still reluctant to get up at all. It was simply too early to be up on a morning after a concert, an amazing concert.

He found some clothes and went down to the gym, finding Jon already on a treadmill. With a sigh Richie got on the one next to him.

“Man, you drag me out of bed to go running? He complained after a few minutes.

Jon didn’t even answer him, like he was too busy running.

“I’m gonna ask her when she comes over.” Richie said after another few minutes, trying to get Jon’s attention another way.
“What?” Jon looked over at him, a little confused and amazed.
“I’m going to ask Sarah to marry me as soon as she gets here.” Richie clarified for him.
“Really?” Asked Jon without slowing down on his treadmill.
“Yeah man, why not?” Richie shrugged as he ran. “I love her, there’s just that connection, you know. I’ll ask her and we’ll have a wedding at the beach.”
“Do you have a ring?”
“No, but you made me get up so I’m making you go ring shopping with me. Probably Saturday.” Richie thought.

Jon looked a little dumbfounded, he had no clue what to say.

“Only fair.” Richie said, assuming Jon was thinking about the shopping.

Finally Jon agreed.



Richie thought it over while running. Monday. That was the big day. Since Sarah would be flying in early, she’d probably want to sleep when they got to the hotel. They could spend the afternoon together, maybe there were more places she wanted to visit.

Depending on what they’d do, one of the touristic places might be a nice place to propose. Otherwise he’d take her out for a nice romantic dinner, maybe ask her then or back at the hotel in private.

He had some more planning to do to figure this out.

Instead of thinking, he resumed staring at the hotel’s garden through the ceiling high windows in front of him.

The garden looked amazing, just like at the rehab centre it made him think of a park.

The grass was very green, bushes against the walls; particularly he liked the big rose bush in the middle, full of bright red roses.

How long did Jon want to run?



Apparently another exhausting, ten whole minutes, that’s when Jon stopped his treadmill and got off. Richie didn’t hesitate to do the same. He was still wondering why Jon had asked him to come. Jon knew he didn’t like to get up as early as he did, especially not to go running.



In the elevator Richie finally decided to ask while Jon all of a sudden made his camera appear as if out of nowhere. Did he really carry it everywhere?

“Any particular reason you couldn’t let me sleep in?” Richie asked.
“I didn’t want to run alone.” Said Jon as he turned his camera on.

Why was he fiddling with it in an elevator?

“Then why didn’t we talk?”
“You were clearly thinking about some stuff.” Jon looked up at him.
“Only because you didn’t talk.” Richie agreed.



They got to their floor and the elevator doors opened to let them walk to their rooms, as usual, across of each other.

Just when Richie was about to unlock his door, Jon’s voice made him turn around again.

“Oh Rich, your birthday present should have arrived by now.” Jon said and with it, snapped a photo.

Confused, Richie just nodded and opened the door.

For a second he didn’t know what to do but with a smile, he looked over his shoulder. Jon snapped another photo and Richie rolled his eyes, making clear how annoying it was at times. Then he smiled again.

“Thanks.” He said and walked into the room, closing the door behind him.


That was his birthday present that got delivered to the wrong place? Somehow Jon had gotten him the most perfect birthday present, exactly what he could wish for. He didn’t care it was late, just glad he got it.

There on his bed Sarah was sitting, waiting for him with that beautiful smile of hers.

All his thoughts of getting up so early and having to run until he was stinky and sweaty were immediately forgotten as he walked over to her to wrap his arms around her.

“I can’t believe you’re here. What about Monday?” He asked beaming with happiness that Sarah was finally there.
“Jon phoned me.” She simply answered.
“So when we talked two days ago, you really had to go pack? When did you leave?”
“Right after we talked last night, I got here five minutes ago, I just went to sit down and you walked in.” She explained with an equally bright smile.
“You must be tired.” He said as he let go of her and moved on to the bed so they could lay together.

Sarah, all too willingly obliged, he was right, she hadn’t been able to sleep on the plane this time either.

Quickly she moved on the bed, back into his arms where she always was most comfortable.

Richie kissed her softly and held her tight.

They didn’t talk anymore and just watched each other, so delighted to be together again. Richie was sure he couldn’t have waited another five days to see her.

Sarah tried her best to keep her eyes open as she watched him, so glad she was able to watch him again, if she wasn’t so tired she wouldn’t be able to keep her eyes off of him.

“I love you.” She said.
“I love you too. I can’t believe you’re here.” He answered, still with disbelief.
“It was Jon’s idea to surprise you. He phoned me the second day after you left.” Sarah confessed.
“You’ve been hiding this for eleven days?”
“Not really, I phoned Jon back after telling you I’d come Monday. You had no clue?” She asked a little surprised.
“None at all.”
“Jon wanted me to come over on your birthday but I couldn’t.” Her words sounded apologetic.
“Doesn’t matter, you’re here now.” Richie was still smiling happily.
Sarah smiled back and finally let her eyes drift shut.

The only thing that made him sure he wasn’t just dreaming was feeling her breath so close to him. She really was back in his arms.

Then he remembered he was going to propose as soon as she came over.

Carefully he started to get up.

“Where are you going?” She asked but didn’t hear his answer as she already was back to sleep.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.” He had answered her as he stood, bending over the bed to kiss her forehead before leaving the room.

Chapter thirty-six

Monday Richie couldn’t be any happier, just a week and Sarah would come over; finally he’d see his beautiful girl again. Just seven days, it’d be over in a flash.

He had seen her on Saturday when they video chatted but it definitely wasn’t the same. In real life she didn’t freeze every five minutes.

Tomorrow they’d chat again; today Sarah was busy visiting schools while Richie didn’t have a thing to do.

He could almost not believe it, she was going to a bunch of school to ask more information about the course and job opportunities, alone. He was very proud of her.



When he stepped out of his hotel room, Richie once again walked into Jon.

“What’s got you so happy?” Jon asked, noticing Richie’s bright smile.
“Sarah’s coming on next Monday, seven days.” He explained excited.
“Monday?” Jon asked confused, like he didn’t understand why Monday and not another day.
“Why? What’s Monday?” Richie asked confused now too, he was more confused about Jon. What did it matter to Jon when Sarah was coming over?
“Nothing.” Jon answered quickly, maybe too quickly.

It only made them both more confused.

“I should go.” Richie decided to make it less strange for the both of them.

He went on his way and walked out of the hotel, onto the street he was going for a walk to clear his mind a little, do some thinking.



Tuesday afternoon Richie sat at his hotel room’s desk with his laptop in front of him, calling Sarah.

It took a few minutes but finally she answered. Sarah’s face appeared in front of him, making him even happier than he already was. He couldn’t recall the last time he had been so excited to see someone. Maybe at rehab, waiting for her to show up on the day he was leaving. Only six days he had to wait now, and she’s arrive in the early morning so they’d have the whole day.

Sarah told him excitedly about the school she had visiting during the last two days. What she had learned about the course and how sure she was about doing it.

Richie was glad to see Sarah so confident, that alone was very important. Confidence was important towards succeeding, if she was, she could do this. He’d support her all the way through it. He was sure she could do it and very well too. By achieving this Sarah would have her wish of helping people, maybe not as a doctor or a nurse but she would this way too.

“The course starts the second week of September so there’s loads of time to get ready.” Sarah explained to him.
“That’s great, you still have a whole month and Hawaii too.” Richie answered, glad she wouldn’t have to give up their vacation time.
“Yeah, about that.” Sarah said a little reluctant.
“What?” He asked carefully.
“Does it have to be Hawaii?”
Richie shrugged. “Not really, it’s more of something Ava and I do for Christmas.” He explained.
“Can we go during Christmas and somewhere else now?” She asked a little unsure of him agreeing or not.
“Where do you want to go?” He asked curious about what she had in mind now before agreeing with her.
“Lake Tahoe.” She went on to explain before he could even answer. “I saw an advertisement for it on one of the website and when I clicked it and read about it… It looks really nice and so many things to do for everyone.” She explained.
“Yeah.” He agreed. “Sounds good. I’ll look around, okay?” He asked.
Sarah smiled. “Thanks. You really want to go?” She asked unsure again.
“Yeah, it’s a nice place and you’re right there are lots of things to do. Places we can go together and we have to celebrate your birthday.” He said a little more excited now.



They talked more about it until Sarah said she had to go pack, a little confuse Richie let her go. It was still six days, wasn’t that a little early to start packing already?

He didn’t turn off his laptop but went to look for Lake Tahoe online.

Sarah had been absolutely right about the lake. It had great activities and accommodations.

Usually he let Ava take a friend on vacation with them but he was sure she’d understand if he told her not too just this time. It was going to be just the five of them, to get to know each other better.

If he had his way, Sarah might move in with her sons soon and then it was important for them to get along. Ava would understand that too.

Perhaps he should tell his daughter about how much he felt for Sarah. After talking with Sarah about marriage, he hadn’t been able to shake the idea.

As if asked for, a message popped up, announcing Ava was online. In an instant he had clicked it and called her to tell her about the change of plans.



When he left his room that evening to go to the restaurant for dinner, he walked into Jon again.

“Man, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were stalking me.” Richie joked but invited Jon down to dinner with him; he needed to talk to him too.



“You want to ask her to marry you?” Jon asked blown away after they had started their dinner.
“Come on, you can’t be that surprised.” Said Richie.
“Are you sure?” Jon asked.
“More sure about it than anything in my life.” Richie said, undeniable.

Chapter thirty-five

“I’m so sorry for not calling you yesterday,” Sarah apologized immediately after she answered the phone, having recognized Richie’s number before she did, “but when I tried to call you the line was busy.” She continued to explain, hoping like crazy that he wouldn’t be upset because she hadn’t phoned back later.

“It’s alright; I was probably talking to Ava at that time.” Richie answered
“She finally phoned you?”
“She texted me Monday but phoned yesterday, she thought I’d be too busy and waited so we could video chat.” He explained to Sarah.
“Video chat? Can we do that?” Sarah asked interested, she’d love to be able to see him if only for a few minutes on a screen.
“Sure, if you have a computer with Skype on.” Richie said. “I’d love to see you.”
“Me too, I’ll ask Caleb about it.”

Then their conversation turned to the events of their day.

Richie had a few more hours before he had to go on stage and tomorrow would be the same. Friday would be his next day off; maybe they could video chat then, only a few more days until then.

Sarah would be spending her day the same as the last few, getting distracted while looking for a job. All these webpages had advertisements and a lot looked good enough to click on. She’d continue that after talking to Richie.

She had to find something so she could finally go join him in Europe again. He’d been gone a week now and she missed him, yet she wasn’t any further in her search yet. Maybe a video chat would help, she must ask Caleb about later, and he would know far better than her what to do with it.

As long as she could see Richie, she knew that would make her day even brighter than just hearing him on the phone.



As soon as she hung up the phone, Sarah called Caleb, not wanting to risk forgetting what program Richie had said. She needed to see him.



That afternoon Sarah went back online to look for that job she so desperately wanted to have. She needed it, not only the money but to prove her social skills too.




By the end of the afternoon she wasn’t any wiser and still hadn’t found what she was looking for. It just was useless, she’d never find anything. Hopeless. Everything needed a diploma or a bunch of experience, of which she had neither.

Working at the checkout in a super market wasn’t exactly what she wanted to do, she wanted to help people, really help and make a difference in someone’s life.

Maybe Richie was right and she could go back to school, be a nurse. He could be right and she would probably like that a lot.

Getting there on the other hand would be a lot harder but she started searching for colleges in her area anyway. Maybe there was something she could do.




The next day Richie called around the same time.

Sarah had been sitting at the kitchen table with the laptop and paper to write down notes. The phone was also within hand’s reach, which she picked up on the first ring.

“Richie?” She asked excited.
He was a little taken back at her reaction, not sure to read it as panic or good excitement. “Yeah?” He asked, hoping for the best.
“I got it. I got the perfect idea.”
He was more than a little confused. “What did you get?” He asked.
“I’m not getting a job.”

Now she wasn’t making any sense at all. She wanted to stay home because she so desperately wanted a job and now she wasn’t getting one? What happened since yesterday to change her mind into a total different direction? Back to the beginning even.

He knew she wouldn’t do this on purpose, there had to be a reason or something else than a job.

“Sarah, calm down, what are you talking about?” He asked for clarification.
Sarah took a breath, calming down like he said. Of course, she was confusing him, she realized. “You were right; I should go back to school.” She explained what she had actually meant to say.
“But you said you don’t want to go to school that long.” He pointed out, but he wasn’t going to remind her about the money, he had no problem to pay that for her.
“I know but you know all those commercials on tv of those colleges “be a nurse’s aid in six months” so why not, it’s only six month.” She shrugged, she had it all planned out by now.
“That’s a great idea. If that’s what you want to do, you have to go for it.” He answered, understanding her excitement now.
“I think so.” Sarah said honestly, it seemed like a very fitting job. “I got a list of schools I’m visiting this week so how about I come over Sunday?”

He almost moved faster than lightning to turn his phone on speaker and get his schedule, looking at the following weekend, his hopes went back down.

“Sunday isn’t so good. We’re doing the concert and leaving immediately after it.” He said a little disappointed but they would be landing themselves, half an hour before she show and leaving half an hour after. There wouldn’t be any time to pick her up.

“What about Monday?” Sarah asked just when Richie was about to suggest Saturday.
“We’ll be in Spain, which works. So I can buy you a ticket now?”
“Yes.” Sarah said with a huge smile, she’d see her boyfriend in only a few days.

Sunday night Sarah started to figure out how she was getting everywhere. There were about five colleges in the area that she could visit for information. Classes wouldn’t start until September so she had time to pick to which college she liked most and plan everything how she would like it.

More than confident she went on to Monday.