Stomping down the stairs I huffed and puffed into the kitchen. It was clean and everyone was gone. “Hello? Anyone? This isn’t funny!”

Looking around the kitchen I saw a piece of paper on the counter. Picking it up I saw it was from Gage.

Dear Annie,

Don’t freak out. We are all safe. But I lied. Today is all about you. I want you to go upstairs, take a relaxing bath and get dressed. A princess can’t have a proper scavenger hunt without a chariot. Your car will be here at ten. The driver will have the clue to your next stop. There are a few rules…accept them and follow them. I’ll be waiting for you. Love you.

Rule 1…No cell phone today and no, you cannot borrow someone else’s.

Rule 2…there will be a photographer stalking you, don’t mind him.

Rule 3…You must read each clue out loud so the photographer can also record with a flipcam.

Rule 4…Relax, have fun, and enjoy your day

                                                                                                                                                               Gage

What was going on? Smiling, I looked at the clock, eight forty. I had an hour and twenty minutes before my car was here.

Taking my time, I took a relaxing bubble bath with candles and soothing music. I was dressed and ready five minutes until ten.

At exactly ten o’clock the doorbell rang. Opening the front door I saw a nicely dressed older man with a large bouquet of lilies. Behind him was the photographer, snapping away.

“Good morning, Miss Holland. I’m Chet, I will be your driver today.” Handing me the flowers he said, “These are for you, make sure to read the card.”

Taking the flowers, I sat them on the entry table and pulled out the card. Opening the card I found another note.

Go for a ride and trust me. Your next clue awaits you at 6489 Paradise Lane.

Grabbing my purse off the table, I smiled to the two men.

“This way, ma’am.” Chet said, pointing to the limo. Gage really did go all out. Following Chet to the limo he opened the door and I slid inside, the photographer right behind me. I was surprised to find Leigha, Sadie, and Jenna inside.

The three of them were laughing when my mouth dropped opened.

“Ok, can y’all tell me what the hell is going on?”

Jenna said, “We really don’t know either. Gage text us last night. He asked us to meet at the bar this morning, that there would be a car waiting. And here we are.”

Leigha grabbed a champagne flute filled with Mimosa and held it up. Jenna, Sadie, and I grabbed a flute and held ours up too. She said, “To girl’s day and to Gage for being so generous.” After clinking glasses we all drained our flutes.

Turning my head to look at the photographer I asked, “Do you know what’s going on?”

Winking, he replied, “You’re not supposed to see me. I cannot answer that question.”

“Oh! You know, don’t you?”

Giving me a half smile and another wink he tilted his head. “By the way, my name is Todd.”

Sticking my tongue out playfully I said, “Nice to meet you. You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?”

Todd grinned. “Nope.”

I turned to face my friends again. Leigha turned on the radio and the car was filled with Gage’s voice.

“Hey, ladies. I have made a special CD for Annie. It is filled with songs that are all special to us. In the small compartment beside the radio you will find a box of Kleenex. Annie will need them. Enjoy your day, ladies. And, Annie, I love you.”

As Gage’s voice ended and Your Call by Secondhand Serenade came through the speakers. This was the song that was playing the night Gage told me he wanted to be more than just friends. He wanted to be my one and only.

Feeling my eyes tear up, I looked to the girls and asked, “Tissue, please?”

I saw Jenna getting teary eyed too when she said, “He really loves you. I’m so glad he found you. You have changed him, he’s the old Gage again. Thank you so much.”

“I love him too, so much, maybe too much. I don’t know what my life would be like without him and I don’t ever want to know. I can see myself marrying him one day.”

Jenna, Sadie, and Leigha smiled at me and dabbed their eyes with a tissue. Feeling the car stop I looked out the window. We were at Beach Beauty Nails to get our nails done. Chet came around to open the door and we all got out. Walking into the salon the girl at the front desk sweetly asked, “Miss Holland?”

I nodded and said, “That would be me.”

“Great, please follow me.” We were led to an area in the back where I saw Heather waiting.

“You’re in on this too?” I asked in disbelief.

Heather stood and said, “Of course! Now here, read this.”

Another clue!

What princess doesn’t have their nails ‘did’? It’s all paid for, so you ladies go crazy. But, for your nails go with French Tips. Your next clue will be given to you when you’re done.

I sat down next to my sister and spent an hour letting my hands be pampered. Once they were manicured and shiny, Jenna reached into her purse and handed me another note.

Do you remember the first place we were photographed in public? There you will find someone special with another clue.

Getting all the girls and Todd into the limo we made our way to the pier. There I was welcomed by Lydia, who gave me a yet another clue.

Remember our first official date? I’ll never look at that fifty yard line the same. Where we had dinner, that’s where you are going for lunch. You will find another clue waiting for you.

P.S. I love you

Laughing, I said, “Get back in the limo ladies. Oh and Todd, too. We’re going to Fresh for lunch.

Walking into the restaurant I saw Abby sitting at a large table waving us over. The girls and I enjoyed a lunch of sushi and beer. Just like our first date. Instead of having the check dropped off I has handed another clue.

Every princess deserves a new dress and shoes. You don’t have to go too far, just around the corner to Sunshine Boutique.

The girls and I, plus Todd, walked to the store. I was nervous to walk in, afraid of who or what I might find. Hesitantly, I opened the door and slowly stepped inside.

Walking out from the dressing rooms I saw my mom and Gage’s mom coming toward me. They both hugged me and handed me another clue.

By now I’m sure you know what I’m going to do. So get a fancy dress and shoes to match. The car will take you to your next location but hurry, you only have until eight to get ready.

I looked at my mom and asked, “What time is it?”

My mom said, “It’s two o’clock.”

“He does know me. I take forever to shop.”

Two hours later I had my dress and shoes. My dress was a strapless, tee length dark purple satin with simple silver bead accent on the bodice. I had silver strappy sandals to match.

Getting back in the car we were whisked away. We pulled up the Sheraton and I was in awe. The girls and Todd led the way into the hotel. Gage already had a suite reserved and waiting for us. We were escorted to our room, were we found massage therapist waiting for us. After our massages there was a knock on the door. I opened the door to find an army of people on the other side.

“Miss Holland, we are here to do hair and makeup for you lovely ladies.”

“Wow, really?”

The tall, slender woman nodded and smiled. Three hours later our hair and makeup was done. I looked in the mirror and was amazed. I never wore a lot of makeup but even I had to admit I looked beautiful.

Gage’s mom handed me another clue.

Now that you look every part of a princess it’s time to get your dress on and meet me at the place I first told you I was in love with you.

“Hurry, we only have an hour before you need to meet Gage.” Leigha shoved me into the bathroom so I could change. Getting dressed as fast as possible I walked back out to find everyone else had on black dresses.

“Would someone please tell me what is going on? I am so confused.”

All the girls shook their heads. They ushered me out of the suite, back to the waiting limo. Chet drove us down the coast to Fairhope. We pulled into Wet Spot’s parking lot. Chet opened the door for us to get out. I saw Gage’s dad standing a few feet away in the sand leading to the beach, a clue in his hand.

When I was close he pulled me into a hug and whispered. “Thank you for making my son happy.” He handed me the next clue.

This was the place I first said ‘I love you’. I want this to be the last place I say I love you…

I looked up from the paper when I heard Phoenix Rising playing God Gave Me You. It wasn’t coming from a radio. It was coming from Tristan, Jase, Kamp, Ryker, and Reid, themselves. Live. In person.

That was when everything started coming together and making sense. I saw Gage coming around the corner with Jinx who was carrying Londyn, Dylan who was holding Gabe’s hand, and Tyler, Trent, and Larkin.

Tyler, Larkin, Trent, Jinx, Dylan, and the kids stopped when they reached the group of girls and Gage’s father. Gage kept walking to me.

When he got to me he grabbed my hands and said, “You look gorgeous.” He lightly kissed me before continuing, “Annie, a very wise woman once told me ‘if you fight like your married, talk like best friends, and flirt like loves then you are meant to be. Well, that describes us perfectly. I guess we are meant to be. Life is about finding that one person who is your kind of crazy. You’re more than my kind of crazy, you’re my happily ever after. You were my heaven when my life was hell. You brought me peace I didn’t know I was searching for. Londyn and I are so lucky to have you in our lives and if you let us we want to be in yours and Gabe’s for the rest of ours. I love you and Gabe and would love nothing more than to spend my life showing the three of you how much I love you. Everything about you is so fucking beautiful and I want to spend forever with you. Would you do me the honor and marry me? Be mine. Today, tomorrow, and forever.”