I walked out of the bathroom, finding Shawn laying on the hammock outside on the porch, guitar in hand, strumming a tune that I couldn't clearly hear from inside. I opened the glass sliding door, walking towards Shawn, and laying down across from him on the hammock. The moment I stepped out onto the porch, he stopped playing. I rubbed the side of his jean-covered leg. "Why'd you stop playing?"

"Oh" He brushed his right hand through his hair. "I didn't even notice. You look terrific in that dress"

I grinned, leaning forwards to squish his cheeks. "I love you"

"I love you more" He smiled, placing his fingers on the strings and started to strum again. "Can you guess which song this is?"

"Youth" I stated without thinking.

"How'd you get it so fast?"

I looked at him, unsure. "I don't know. I guess I've listened to your music so much that it's become imbedded in my brain"

He put the acoustic guitar down, reaching forwards to get a grasp on both of my hands. "Are you ready?"

"For?"

"I have a list of activities for us to do today, mainly because of your birthday. Also because we're only in Hawaii once in a while and I believe that we should make the most of it"

"Sounds great" I gave him a soft smile, leaning in to give him a peck on the lips.

We called a car to take us to our first destination. Shawn brought a large picnic basket with him so I assume that we're going to have a picnic somewhere. After thirty minutes of sitting in the car, curiosity filling my head, we got to our destination. I read the sign at the front of the building.

"We're going to have a picnic on a hot air balloon?!" I looked at Shawn with amazement.

He gave me a heartwarming smile. "Kinda. We're taking a hot air balloon to another island and then having the picnic there"

Shawn and I went into the building, dealing with the paperwork for the hot air balloon. We finally got on the large balloon and watched as we were lifted up and far away from the ground. I looked at the land around me; the green hills, light sand, and bright blue water. I turned around to look at Shawn. "Isn't it so beautiful here?"

I looked at him and his phone camera was pointed right at me. I smiled and asked, "Are you filming me?"

He grinned. "Mmm. Maybe" He put his phone away into his back pocket and motioned his hands for me to go to him. I walked over, holding onto the sides of the basket for stability. "Are you sure it's okay for us to be on the same side?"

"Yeah? Why not?"

"Don't you think our weight combined will tip this thing over?"

He contemplated for a moment. "Yeah. That sounds logical. It would probably be best for you to stay on that side" I walked back, looking out at the view again.

We got to our landing point and Shawn brought the balloon down, the way the instructor taught us. We landed in this secluded area on the beach. I opened the little door of the balloon and allowed my feet to be engulfed by the warm sand, my sandals in my hand. Shawn grabbed the basket, following me onto the sandy beach. We situated ourselves near the water next to a tall palm tree that allowed for shade.

Shawn pulled out a red and white checkered picnic blanket from the basket and laid it on the floor. We sat down and Shawn started pulling out the food from the picnic basket.

"Okay. I brought Hawaiian chocolates," He stated the name of each food item as he pulled it out and showed it to me. "Cute little sandwiches, your favorite diced pineapple, barbecue skewers, and apple cider"

I grabbed one of the wrapped sandwiches, pulled off the paper wrapping, and took a bite. I looked at Shawn, my eyebrows raised. "Chicken with pesto? These are my favorite. How did you know?"

"Well, I have my sources" I looked at him sitting next to me. He was wearing a red shirt with a Hawaiian style print, unbuttoned to reveal his white tank top underneath. I scooted towards him so I was directly next to him. I brought my right hand to his cheek then planted a soft kiss on to his lips. He smiled into the kiss, "What was that for?"

I stared into his eyes. They usually changed throughout the days, from brown to green to sometimes yellow. They were currently brown with a tint of green. My lips began to curl as he looked at me in confusion. "What is it? Tell me what's on your mind, honey"

"Oh. It's nothing" I replied. "I just feel like we're in paradise right now"

He smiled back at me, brushing a hand through my hair. "I feel the sane way" We stared at each other in silence, relishing each others presence. All of a sudden, Shawn pulled me by my waist so that I was sitting on his lap. I giggled softly, putting my hands behind his neck and leaning in to kiss him. The kiss went from soft to passionate in seconds as he spun us around so I was lying down and he was on top of me.

His lips left mine as he left a trail of kisses going from my cheeks to my neck. I felt the pressure in that area increasing. My heart racing, I panted, "Shawn. Don't leave anything there. We're going to dinner tonight, remember?"

He groaned against my neck, lifting his head to look at me. He brought his lips back to mine, slowly moving his hands from my shoulders to my legs. His hands started to creep up and under my dress. I didn't want to ruin the moment but I did anyways, pulling away. "Is everything alright? Did I do something wrong?" Shawn asked, regaining his breath, a soft expression on his face.

"No, you're perfect. It's just" I paused. "We're on a beach. Anyone can pop up at anytime"

He thought about it, then nodded his head, groaning. "You're killing me, Alana" He laid on top of me, crushing me under all his weight. He placed head in the crook of my neck. I chuckled, cradling him in my arms.

"I know, love" I whispered into his hair. "I'll make it up to you later" He lifted his head, smiling at what I said. He placed a small kiss on my lips, smiling up at me.

"I love you, honey"

"I love you more, Shawn"

---------

Shawn and I got back from our hot air balloon picnic and were now back at the villa, getting ready for the dinner with my family. I went to the bathroom to freshen up, reapplying my mascara. I looked over at Shawn on the bed, talking on the phone. He saw me staring and shot me a wink. I blushed, going back to what I was doing.

I put the mascara away, walking out into the bedroom and looking at myself in the mirror next to the television which was to the opposite of the bed. I glanced at Shawn through the mirror and saw that he was looking back at me. I shyly smiled, looking down at the ring on my finger. I walked over to the bed, sitting at the edge, scooting Shawn's legs over so I could sit next to them. He was still on the phone so I reached over to the middle of the bed to grab my phone. I turned on the screen and saw that I had some messages from Elle.

Elle: Happy 20th birthday best friend! I hope you have an amazing day!

Girl. It's been five hours. Are you alright?!

ALANA WHY AREN'T YOU ANSWERING ME

Alana: Sorry Elle. I've been off of my phone all day. Thank you for the birthday wishes! I wish you could be here with my right now.

Elle: Phew. I thought you got eaten by a shark or something.

How's Hawaii?

Alana: Hawaii has been great. I'll tell you everything when I get home.

Elle: You're coming home?!

Alana: Yes! I miss you. And everyone. I'll be back after this trip, in about a week.

Elle: I can't wait!

I have to go. I have a date ;)

Alana: Oooo. WITH WHO?!

Elle: You're just going to have to wait and see.

I turned off my phone, stood up, and walked to the dresser next to the bed, placing my phone in my black purse.

"Yeah. Sounds good. Bye" Shawn spoke into his phone, setting it next to him.

"Who was that?" I asked out of curiosity.

"It was Andrew. He said that once we get back from Hawaii, there's an important meeting I have to go to with the record label"

I walked over, lying down next to him. "Does that mean you won't be able to go home with me"

"Looks like it. I'm sorry honey"

"It's alright. Your career is important. I understand"

"You're the best, do you know that?"

"Mmm. I don't know about the best"

He grinned at me, taking a hand to my face and squishing my cheeks. "You're the best"

------

The Uber we called brought us to the address my mom sent for my birthday dinner. It was a teppanyaki restaurant where the cook the food at the table in front of you. We went out of the car, walking into the restaurant and finding my parents, Elena and her husband, Josh, Layla, and Isabella and her fiancé, Elijah. We greeted them and then sat down, my mom to Shawn's left, me to his right, and Layla to my right.

"Auntie Alana!" She squealed. I picked her up from her seat, placing her on my lap while she gave me a squeeze. She looked over next to me and I watched asa her eyes widened. Shawn was currently talking to my mom so he was faced away from us. She looked up at me, pointing to Shawn. "Is that Uncle Shawn?" She whispered.

I smiled widely at the nickname she gave him. I nodded my head. "Mhm. Do you want to say hi?"

She nodded her head then tapped him on his arm. He looked over at her, his face lighting up at the sight of her. "Hi Layla!"

"Hi Uncle Shawn!" He smiled widely then looked at me. "Uncle Shawn, eh? Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

"Absolutely" I smiled, handing Layla to Shawn.

The rest of the night consisted of catching up with family and watching the chef make us food. I had my favorite garlic shrimp with a side of vegetables. Shawn had some fish and vegetables. Everyone was almost done with their food and I watched as my mom whispered something to Shawn. He nodded, then turned towards me. "Honey, I'm just going to use the bathroom real quick"

"Alright" I smiled at him. I looked over at my mom, wondering what she told him. Maybe it had something to do with why she needed to talk to him this morning?

I leaned over towards my mother, whispering to her. "Mom"

"Hmm?" She faced me. "What's wrong honey?"

"What did you say to Shawn earlier?"

"Oh I just asked him to" She looked up and I looked up to see what she was looking at.

"What?" I asked.

"Hold on, sweetie"

I sat back up in my chair, waiting a couple of seconds until she said, "That. That's what I asked" She pointed across the table and looked to see Shawn holding a cake, walking towards us.

"Happy birthday to you" He began to sing and the rest of the table followed. I smiled at him as he placed the cake down in front of me. I waited for them to finish singing and then blew out the candles. They all cheered and I thanked all of them. I cut the cake and handed everyone a piece then took a bite of the sweet red velvet cake.