Paris took a deep breath as she stepped outside. The air in North >Carolina >> was so much sweeter and cleaner than the air in California. >Stepping off of >> the porch she headed down the driveway and onto the street. She got >halfway >> down the block before she heard someone calling her name. Turning >around >> she saw Jeff Hardy running after her. >> >>

"Hey Paris, wait up. Whatcha doing?" >> >>

"Just going for a walk," she said as he finally caught up. >> >>

"You always go walking at night?" >> >>

"I didn't in California, but since we moved here I have. I love the >smell >> of the air and the way the breeze touches my skin. This is like no >other >> place I have ever been. I would never spend this much time outside >back >> home, but then again it isn't this safe and quiet," she told him. >> >>

"Well, do you mind if I walk with you?" Jeff asked her. >> >>

"No, I don't. I would love it if you would join me on my walk." >> >>

Back at the house it was a whole other story. Matt had shown up at >the >> door, offering Danielle a cold smile and an even colder hello. >> >>

"Can I come in?" >> >>

"I guess, it is a free world after all," she said as she opened the >door >> wider and let him in. She closed the door after him and then walked >towards >> the kitchen. >> >>

"Can I talk to you in private Danielle?" >> >>

"No." >> >>

"Fine then I will say everything I have to in front of your >sisters." >> >>

"Fine go for it!" >> >>

"Fine I will," he yelled. >> >>

"Than do it you jerk," she yelled back. >> >>

"STOP IT!" Deanna yelled at both of them. "You two so like each >other. Why >> don't you just admit it?" >> >>

"Whatever, Deanna. I can't stand him. He is such a jackass and a >jerk and >> a bully," Danielle told her sister. >> >>

"Yeah right, me like her, she's a snake and a witch and she's >bossy." >> >>

Meanwhile on their walk, Paris and Jeff walked in silence. Looking >down at >> their entwined hands, Paris smiled. She hadn't even realized that >they were >> holding hands. Jeff looked down at her and smiled when he caught >the look >> in her eyes. >> >>

I could see myself marrying this girl, he thought to himself, but >what is >> she hiding? >> >>

"Penny for your thoughts," Paris said, breaking him from the >questions he >> was asking himself. >> >>

"What Paris, my love," he said back. >> >>

"What did you say?" >> >>

"Paris." >> >>

"No you said something else. You called me your love." >> >>

"So what if I did?" >> >>

"Jeff, we can't it's not right." >> >>

"Hell with right and wrong, Paris," Jeff yelled into the dark night >sky. >> "I'm falling in love with you." >> >>

"You can't be Jeff. You don't even know me. You don't know what >has >> happened to me or what I have done. You can't be falling in love >with me," >> she yelled back. >> >>

"But I do Paris." >> >>

"How can you say that?" >> >>

"When you and your sister first started working for my dad, Matt and >I were >> home for a break, but we were too busy to really pay much attention >to what >> was going on. One day I saw you outside form my dad's window and I >knew I >> had to have you," Jeff told her. "Beth hurt me so bad and after she >left I >> promised myself I would never fall in love again, but then you came >along >> and I couldn't help myself. Please don't say no." >> >>

Pulling her closer to him, he put her hand on his chest and stared >into her >> beautiful blue eyes. Slowly he lowered his face to hers and lightly >brushed >> his lips against hers. Without much warning, Paris found herself in >a >> passionate embrace with the man of her dreams. Everything around >them >> seemed to disappear as she was swept away by the kiss. Finally she >pulled >> away and looked up at him sheepishly. >> >>

"I knew you were watching me from your father's house that day. I >saw you >> in the window, briefly and thought you were very cute. I wanted to >meet you >> and get to know you better and then you showed up at my door with >your >> brother and I got scared. I wasn't sure how you would react to us, >I was >> sure you would hate me and my family." >> >>

"I could never hate you, Paris. I want you in my life and I will >never do >> anything to hurt you, I swear," Jeff said as he leaned down and >kissed her >> again. >> >> >>