I decided that the first thing I should do was to tell Dad about me and Eric; get it over with. I knew he wouldn’t have a problem with it, but I just hated telling him things like this. The first place I checked was the garage, and he was there, working on his car. “Hey Dad,” I said as I approached him.

He looked up and then straightened up so he could respond. “Hey sweety. How was your day with Eric?” he asked, and I couldn’t keep the smile off of my face. “That good huh?” he chuckled.

I laughed and nodded. “It was great. He took me to the rink and we just skated. It was amazing. And, speaking of Eric, I wanted to tell you something,” I said nervously, fiddling with the hem of my shirt.

He wiped off his hands and leaned against the car, smirking. “You want to tell me that you and Eric are going out now, don’t you?” he asked knowingly. I nodded nervously. “Why are you so nervous? When have I ever had a problem with Eric? Everyone knows you guys are going to get married one day,” he said. I just stared at him. “Go get ready for your date,” he chuckled as he went back to the car.

I stood there for a second before moving. ‘Eric and I getting married?’ I thought to myself. I smiled at the thought and went upstairs to find the perfect dress to wear. It was only 4 o’clock, so I had plenty of time to get ready. I decided to take a nice hot shower and took my time doing it. I didn’t have a problem until it came time to pick a dress; I was stumped. “Mom?” I called from my bedroom door. “Can you come up here and help me pick a dress?”

A few moments later I heard her coming up the stairs. She laughed when she came in the door; I was in my robe, with my hair wrapped up in a towel. “When I Eric picking you up?” she asked as she went into my closet.

I was right on her heels. “He said 7 sharp, and it’s 5:30” I replied as I started sifting through my dresses frantically.

“How about this one?” she asked as she pulled out a short strapless dress. “I think this would look really cute on you; and these shoes,” she said, holding up a pair of heels.

I took them from her and pushed her out of the closet so I could put them on. “This is perfect!” I shouted though the door, and I heard her chuckle.

“Come down and show me when you’re done getting ready,” she said as she left the room. I quickly finished getting ready and by the time I was done, it was already 6:30. I put on the finishing touches and headed down the stairs. “Oh, you look gorgeous sweetheart,” Mom cooed as I went into the kitchen.

I blushed; I didn’t normally dress this nicely. “Thank you,” I said softly, looking down at the floor.

She came over and gave me a hug. “Don’t be nervous honey; you look amazing. And just think of it this way; he already loves you,” she finished as she kissed my hair. I chuckled at that and hugged her back. Half an hour later there was a knock at the door. All the nerves came back and I couldn’t get up to answer the door. “I’ll get it,” she laughed as she got up. “Jean! Your gentleman caller has arrived!” she shouted from the door.

I picked up my purse and headed for the front door. To say Eric was speechless was an understatement; his mouth was hanging wide open, and o thought for sure I saw bugs coming out. “Wow,” he finally said. . “You look amazing,” he said, a smile now creeping onto his face.

I blushed even harder. “Thank you,” I replied sheepishly. “You clean up pretty good yourself.” I looked over at Mom and saw a tear rolling down her face. “Mom what’s wrong?” I asked.

She shoved us together and pulled out her camera. “This is just so precious!” she sobbed, taking a few pictures. After she was done she all but pushed us out the door. “You two be careful now, you hear?” she said as we headed to Eric’s car. When we got there Eric opened my door and helped me in before getting in himself and driving off.

I chuckled as I looked back at Mom. “That wasn’t awkward at all,” I said sarcastically. Eric laughed and kissed my hand over the center consol. “So, where are you taking me this time Mr. Staal?” I asked.

He shook his head. “You are going to have to wait and see, my beautiful one,” he replied.

Five minutes later he pulled into the parking lot of the most expensive restaurant in all of Thunder Bay. I just stared at him, dumbfounded. “Eric, no. This is too much. You don’t have to spend all of your money on me,” I said.

He just shook his head as he turned off the car. “What? A boyfriend can’t spoil his amazing girlfriend with an expensive dinner?” he asked. “Even if that girlfriend was his best friend first and deserves everything her boyfriend gives her?”

“Let me pay the tip and I’ll let it slide,” I replied with a smirk. “We have the rest of our lives for you to spoil me,” I said as I got out of the car. We went in and were seated right away; word had gotten out pretty fast that Eric was Carolina-bound. “I just had a thought,” I said after our drinks were ordered, “what’s going to happen in September when you leave?” I asked, trying not to sound as devastated as I was.

He took my hand from across the table and squeezed it. “Let’s not worry about that right now; it’s only the middle of July,” he replied. “Let’s just enjoy tonight and being together, alright?” he asked, looking deep into my eyes. I smiled shyly and nodded.

Our food came a few minutes later, and it was amazing; it didn’t surprise me that this was the most expensive restaurant in Thunder Bay. After we finished eating and Eric paid the bill, me paying the tip, we headed outside to the balcony, where music was playing. Eric offered me a hand. “Would you care to dance?” he asked. I giggled and took his hand, and we danced.

“I should probably get you home,” he said a little later as he looked at his watch. “It’s getting pretty late.” I nodded and we headed back to the car.

We drove home in silence, but we both had shit-eating grins on our faces. “Thank you for tonight,” I said once we were back at my house. “It was amazing,” I said as I leaned in and gave him a kiss. “I love you,” I said as I opened the front door.

“I love you, too. Goodnight,” he replied before I closed the door and headed upstairs to bed. Once I was in my room, I looked out my window and saw him through his, and we waved and blew kisses.