Mark stood outside her hotel room and drew a deep breath. "Ok, just knock the door and take it from there." he told himself, and knocked on her door. She heard the knock on her door, and gave up the zipper on her dress. "Stupid thing." she muttered as she turned the doorknob. "Hi�Wow�" he said when he saw her. She looked even more beautiful than she had the previous day by the lake. Now she stood in front of him wearing a blue dress, and her long hair fell softly over her bare shoulders. He got a sudden urge to reach out and touch her, just caress her cheek and bury his face in her hair. "You look� you look absolutely amazing." he said, and she smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. "Really? I wasn't sure if this was a bit over-dressed or not." her hand smoothed out some invisible wrinkles on her dress. "No, not at all. You look perfect." he said, and couldn't take his eyes off of her. He was completely bewitched by her and she by him. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Where are my manners? Come in." she said, and held the door open for him. He smiled at her as they brushed near each other in the doorway. "Thank you. I hope you'll like the place we're going to, it's one of my favourites," he said. She smiled, "I'm sure I will. Oh, this zipper is driving me crazy!" She tried desperately to pull it up, but it seemed to be stuck. "Here, let me help you." he offered. "Thank you, Mark. I haven't had problems with it before, it's just typical that it would get stuck today." She lifted her hair, and turned her back to him. He took a hold of the zipper, and wriggled it loose. "I think I've got it now," he said, and she could feel his warm breath on her neck. It made her flesh break out in goosebumps, and chills ran down her back. He pulled the zipper up, and they just stood like that for a little while. Mark lifted his hand, and holding his breath, he touched her neck. Her skin was soft, and she smelled like a garden full of roses. She closed her eyes and held her breath at his touch, and in the silence they both heard her draw her next breath. He moved his hand up to hers that was holding her hair, and she let it go. Long, soft blonde hair fell over their hands, and their fingers got tangled together. She gasped quietly, and quivered. "Belle� are you all right?" she heard him whisper in her ear. "I'm fine." she whispered back. He turned her towards him, and their eyes met. Their faces drew closer together, and neither of them could control what happened. It was as if there was a force, something bigger than the two of them, something they couldn't control. Belle closed her eyes, and she felt his soft lips on her own. He wrapped his arms around her, and she slowly put her arms around his neck. Hot and cold chills ran down her back, and she went weak at the knees. He drew back and kissed her forehead. She still stood with her eyes closed, and Mark pulled her close and hugged her. He buried his face in her hair, and knew that he had never felt this way about anyone before.

After dinner they walked around in Sligo in the warm spring night, holding hands like they had known each other forever. And for every step they took, for every word they spoke, they fell more in love with each other. It was strange, but then again it wasn't. They had only met the day before, but it was as if they belonged together. "Maybe it's fate, maybe we're born to be together." Mark wondered as he looked at her. It was as if she glowed; her hair was gold and silver, her eyes diamonds and stars, her skin and lips silk and velvet, and her being angelic, like she was out of this world. It was as if she didn't belong here on earth, she was heaven-sent. Sent from heaven to him. And every little thing she did and said made him fall even more in love.

The next day he took her on a picnic by the lake, and they spent the whole day there. They lay on their back looking at the white clouds sailing by. Mark turned around and laid on his tummy looking at her. "What?" she asked. "Nothing." She smiled and laughed. "You're looking at me. What is it?" she asked again. "But your eyes are closed, how can you notice?" he started. "Oh, right, I forgot. You have a sixth sense about things like that." She opened her eyes and looked at him. "You remembered what I told you�" she sat up. "Yes. Why do you sound so surprised?" his voice sounded concerned. "Oh, it's nothing." she said, waving it off. "No, tell me. Why did you sound so surprised?" She closed her eyes at the sun, and he sat up and put his arm around her shoulders. "It's really nothing. It's just that you listened to me, that you actually listened to what I said." Mark put his head on her shoulder. "Of course I listened. I can't get enough of you," he said. She laughed, and kissed him. "And I can't get enough of you." They sat by the lake until the setting sun coloured the sky in beautiful colours. "Go out with me tonight." Mark said when he walked her back to her hotel. "There's someone I want you to meet." They stopped outside her room, and she pulled the key from her purse. "Who is that then?" she asked. "Some friends of mine. I'm sure you'll like them." he answered. "I can pick you up at 8, if that's okay by you." She turned the key, and opened the door. Then she turned to him and smiled. "That sounds great, Mark." "Cool. See you at 8 then." he smiled, and kissed her. "All right."

She stood in front of the mirror in her room, considering the outfits she held up. After trying them both on three times, she decided on the first. It was a black skirt and an ice blue top. "Casual, but classy." she said to her reflection. She looked at her watch; it was 8.15. At the same moment there was a knock on her door. Belle smiled when she opened the door, and expected to see Mark standing outside. But it wasn't Mark standing outside; it was a young man. He had blue eyes, and blonde hair. "Are you Isabelle?" he asked. "Yes, that's me." she answered. "Hi, my name is Kian. I'm a friend of Mark's." he said, holding his hand out. She shook it, "Hello. Where is Mark?" He let her hand go, and looked down. A wave of fear washed over her. "Where is he?" she repeated. Kian looked up at her, and she read his eyes. "There's been an accident. Mark's car was hit on his way here." he started. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she lifted one hand over her mouth. "He's in the hospital, and he wanted you to come. He kept saying your name. Over and over again." Belle didn't know where to look, "No." she said behind her hand. "I'm so sorry. Come on, I'll drive you to the hospital." Kian said. She nodded, and grabbed her purse. Kian put his arm around her shoulders, and led her to his car. Another person sat in the back; he was dark haired, and his eyes were hazel-green. "You must be Belle. I'm Shane." he said when she got in the car. "Hi." she said, forcing herself to smile. The car drove out from the parking lot, and was soon on its way to the hospital. "We'll be there shortly." Shane told her. She nodded quietly, and looked out the window. The trees and houses raced by, and her tears rolled down her cheeks. "We're here." Kian stopped the car, and they got out. The two lads walked with her in, and in the waiting room two other lads sat. "Belle, this is Nicky and Bryan." Shane introduced them. "Hello Belle." The two lads shook her hand. "Hello." A doctor came over to them. "Isabelle Clark?" he asked. "Yes. How is he?" she asked concerned. "Mark is doing fine, he was lucky. He has a light concussion and a few cuts and bruises, but other than that he's fine." the doctor said, and smiled at her. "He wanted to see you. He's in room 306." he said, pointing down a hall. "Thank you!" she said, and walked in the direction he had sent her. He sat in his bed, and gave her a big smile when she came in. "Sorry for not coming to get you." he said. She laughed through her tears. "I was so worried when Kian came. I thought I'd never see you again," she said, her voice trembling. "Oh angel. Come here," he said holding his arms out to her. She walked into them, and held him tight. He stroked her hair, and kissed her head. "I'm still here, and I'm not going anywhere. You can't get rid of me that easy!" he said. She laughed, and dried her tears. "Good!" she smiled. "Well, I guess you've already met my friends." he said, as the other lads came in. "Yes, I have. And you were right, I do like them." she said. Kian smiled at her. "I'm only sorry that we met like we did, it could have been at a much nicer occasion." he said. The others laughed. "Yes, but luckily this occasion didn't turn out too bad. It could have gone so much worse." she said, and smiled at Mark.

Mark was admitted from the hospital the next day, and he took Belle out to dinner with his friends. They had a great time, and after they left the others, Mark and Belle strolled along the streets of Sligo. "Look! A shooting star! Quick, make a wish." Mark said, and pointed to the sky. She closed her eyes, and made her wish. "What did you wish for?" he looked at her. "You aren't supposed to tell, are you?" she asked. "No, but can't we make an exception to the rule?" She smiled, and nodded. "Yes, I guess we can." He took her arm, and looked at her. "Well, tell me what you wished for then!" She leaned close to him. "I wished that this would never end." she whispered in his ear. "Me too." he whispered back. "But it has to," she said, and freed herself from his arms. She walked along the street, and he stood back looking after her. "Why did she say that?" he thought, and ran after her. "Belle! Wait up." he grabbed her arm, and turned her around. Her head was bent, and she didn't speak. "Belle� why?" he asked, and lifted her chin. He saw that she was crying, "What did I do?" he asked concerned. She closed her eyes. "Nothing, Mark. You didn't do anything." she opened her eyes again, and looked at him. "Then what?" he asked, still worried for her. "I wished this could last forever, that it would never end. But it has to." she said. He still didn't understand. "But why?" "Because�" she stopped, and tried not to start crying. "Because I have to leave tomorrow." she said, and now she couldn't control herself any longer. The tears ran down her cheeks, no matter how hard she tried to stop them. She turned away from him, and started walking again. But this time he was quicker, and wrapped his arms around her waist. "But it still doesn't have to end." he said. She stood with her back to him, her eyes closed and she was still crying. "Don't you see? It can't just end, we can't let it. I've never felt anything like this before. I love you Belle." Her tears stopped, and she held her breath. "What?" she said, turning towards him. "I love you." he looked at her, and her eyes were even more beautiful than the before. "No, you can't." she said quietly. "Oh, but I do." Her eyes were big, and inquiring. "Why?" she asked. "Does it really matter why I love you?" he asked. She looked at him without saying a word. "If you want to know why I can't let go, let me explain to you; every little dream comes true with every little thing you do." She tilted her head, and continued to look at him. Her eyes searching his, and she couldn't find anything in them but love. "It's everything, everything you do that makes me fall in love with you. It's everything, everything you say that makes me feel this way." he sang softly. She smiled at him when she realised he was telling the truth. "You really mean it, don't you?" she asked. "Yes, of course I mean it. Why do you sound so surprised?" he said, happy that she was smiling again. "No-one has ever told me they love me before." she answered him. He looked at her, "Really? No-one?" She shook her head. "Then I'll tell you again; I love you, Belle. I love every little thing you do." She grinned, "I love you too Mark." He smiled happily at her, and kissed her softly.

The days passed, they quickly became weeks. Months turned into years, and on their three-year anniversary Belle went to Sligo. Mark met her at the airport, and when she saw him she ran into his arms. "Belle! Oh, I've missed you so much, honey!" he said, and lifted her up. "I've missed you too, Mark." she giggled. He drove her to her hotel, and they arranged for Mark to come and pick her up one hour later. "I'll see you at 8 then. Where do you want to go for dinner?" he asked. "I don't know." "How about the place I took you on our first date?" She nodded and smiled. "That sounds great!"Belle went inside and unpacked. "Now, what to wear?" she wondered. Then she saw something blue at the bottom of her suitcase, and she smiled as she took out the dress she had worn on their first date. "Wonder if the zipper will give me a hard time tonight as well?" she asked her reflection, and laughed. But it didn't this time, and when she heard a knock on the door she was all ready to go. She opened the door, but no one was there. Then a bunch of red roses appeared in front of her, and she gasped. "Mark! You startled me!" she said, taking the roses he handed to her. "Happy anniversary!" he said, and kissed her. "Thank you. Happy anniversary to you too." she said, and kissed him back. "Do you like them?" he asked. She held them up in front of her face and closed her eyes, drawing in the sweet smell of the roses. "I love them." she said, and smiled. "That's good. Wow, I remember this dress." Mark looked at her. "You look so beautiful in this dress. Have you got the zipper fixed?" he smiled. She laughed, and put the roses in a vase. "Yes, and it works!" "That's good. Shall we go?" he asked, and held his hand out. "Yes." She placed her own in his, and closed the door behind them.

"What's your favourite movie?" Mark asked as they walked back from the restaurant. "I'm not sure, I've got so many." Belle sighed. "Well, just pick one then." She bit her lower lip, and he could see she was thinking. "Okay, 'Stepmom' was great," she finally said. "I've seen that movie, it was good." "What's your favourite movie then?" she asked. "Hmm� this question is much easier to ask than to answer!" he said, and she laughed. "Let's see now� I don't know, but I really liked 'Grease'." he said, and started singing. She laughed at him, and he bowed for her applause. "Thank you Miss!"They stopped outside her hotel. "Well, goodnight Mark. I had such a lovely time tonight." she smiled at him. "Me too. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" he asked. "No." she shook her head. "Now you do! I'm taking you to the lake for a picnic tomorrow, just like we always do. I'll pick you up at noon tomorrow, does that sound okay?" "Yes, it does. I'll be ready at noon then." He smiled. "Goodnight my love." he said, and kissed her. "Goodnight."She went inside, and Mark walked along to the video store. He rented 'Stepmom', and watched it the same night.

Belle decided to wait for Mark outside the hotel. It was such a beautiful day, warm and sunny. Just like it had been every spring in Sligo when she was there. She stood completely in her own world when Mark came over to her. "Hello beautiful!" he said. She jumped by the sound of his voice, and her sunglasses ended up on the tip of her nose. "Oh God! You scared me!" she said, her hand clutching her bag. "I'm sorry, I thought you saw me," he said and hugged her. "That's ok. I was in my own world, I didn't know you were here until you spoke." she said, and pushed her sunglasses up again.They walked to the lake, and found the place where they used to have their picnic. "It's still beautiful here," she said, looking around her. "I know." Belle sat down, and took her sunglasses off. "I've got to take some pictures. This is probably the most beautiful place I've ever been." She took her camera and started clicking. The swans swimming on the water, a little child playing on the path, the trees standing tall above them, the boats drifting lazily on the lake. She caught it all on film. "I'm going to frame these," she said to him as she sat down next to him. "Yeah, you're a good photographer." he smiled at her, and gave her a kiss. "Thank you."Like they always did, they spent the day by the lake, and they were still there as the sun sank lower on the sky. "I've got something for you, Belle." Mark said. "Oh, really? What is it?" she asked, and smiled at him. He took her hand, and tied a string around her ring finger. "What are you doing?" she asked curiously. "Belle." he said, looking into her eyes. "I've never felt anything like what I feel for you, and I love you. We've been together for three years, and every day I spend with you is more amazing than the one before." he continued. "Isabelle. Will you marry me?" he asked, and a ring sailed from his hand over the string, onto her finger. She sat speechless for a few seconds, just looking at him. "Yes," she finally whispered. "Yes, I'll marry you Mark." she said, and smiled at him. He adjusted the ring on her finger, and kissed her. "I love you." she whispered as she hugged him. "I can't believe you did this. Wherever did you come up with this idea?" He smiled, and untied the string from her finger. "Well, you told me that 'Stepmom' was one of your favourite movies, and I rented it yesterday after I had walked you back to the hotel. And when I saw how he proposed, I thought I'd try to do the same." he said. She gave him a big hug, and kissed him. "You are the best, Mark! That was so sweet of you to do. I'm close to tears," she admitted, and her eyes watered up as she said it. "See what I mean?" she laughed, and dried her eyes. He laughed with her, and kissed her tears away. "I can't wait to be your wife, Mark." she said. "And I can't wait to be your husband." he said, and kissed her hand.

They held their wedding in Sligo, with both of their families and closest friends. It was the first week of December, and on their wedding day it snowed. The wedding was held in a castle, and the castle was filled with candles and roses. Their guests arrived on sleighs drawn by horses; it was like a wedding from a fairy tale. "Our very best wishes, and congratulations to you both! No one could be more right for each other. To Belle and Mark; Mr. and Mrs. Feehily!" Kian said, and raised his glass. "Belle and Mark!" the others repeated and followed his lead. "May you live forever!" Mark looked at his wife, and she looked at him. "I know, sixth sense." he said, and she laughed. "Right." He took her face in his hands, and looked deep into her eyes. "It's every little thing you do," he said, and kissed his wife.

The End