�Erica, wake up,� Nick gently shook Erica until she opened her eyes.
�It�s like midnight Nick, what are you doing?�
Nick pulled her up out of bed and held her upright on the floor. He helped her put on some sandals and led her outside. Her eyes almost closed from being half asleep she stumbled along beside him until she felt sand beneath her feet.
She opened her eyes and looked out across the moonlit ocean before her. Nick led her to the edge and lifted her up every time the foam threatened to engulf her feet; after awhile Nick sat down and with Erica on his lap finally allowed the ocean to surround them. �Isn�t this one of the most beautiful things you�ve ever seen?� Nick asked resting his chin on her shoulder.
The warm surf surrounded them as Nick began to speak again. �You know Erica, this may be beautiful but you are gorgeous,� he set his fingers lightly below her chin and gently turned her face to his and kissed her.
Erica leaned back onto him and stared up at the moon. �Erica, I, I love you with all my heart. And I mean it. It�s not like the love I thought I felt for all those other girls. This is real, like the ocean and the moon. Except it�s never leaving, never moving away; It�s never gone during the day only to return at night or washing up on your beautiful shores just to be swept away again. Our love is as timeless as the sunrise; more beautiful than the sea. I just hope you feel the same way for me. I want to ask you this while I�m here at one of my favorite spots, sitting with you by the moonlit sea. I want you to be my wife and live your life with me,� Nick pulled a ring box out of his pocket and slowly slipped the ring inside on her finger. �Erica, will you marry me?�
Erica wrapped her hand up around his neck and pulled his lips to hers, �Yes, I will marry you Nick.�
As they kissed a huge wave rose up and crashed around them as though the ocean were celebrating along with them.
�Who will we tell first Nick?� Erica asked a few hours later as they slowly walked off the beach.
�Well, your parents already know because I asked your father for permission so let�s tell my family before we tell the guys.�
�Sounds good to me.�
When they got back to the hotel it was almost light so they stayed outside on the balcony to watch the sunrise. �We�ve seen some of the most beautiful things in the world today. The sun rising into the clear blue sky, and the moon�s silver beams streak across the tranquil night sea� it�s almost as though they are celebrating the most beautiful thing of all; the love between you and me,� Nick slowly kissed Erica. �I love you baby.�
�I love you too.�
�Hey you two, what are you doing up so early?� A.J. stepped out onto the balcony.
�Watching the sun rise,� Erica smiled and kissed Nick.
�Yeah, it�s beautiful,� A.J. smiled sadly.
�Are you okay?� Nick asked.
�Yeah I�m fine� I guess I�m just worried about �Lise and the baby. I woke up with a weird feeling.�
�Then why don�t you call?� Erica suggested. �You know she never minds you calling no matter what time it is.�
A.J. smiled and pulled the phone from the hotel room onto the balcony. �Come on baby wake up,� he whispered anxiously.