"Where are we going? You're making me nervous!" 2 weeks after the operation Mason said he wanted to take me somewhere. Even with constant questions and tickle torture he still wouldn't give away any part of his 'surprise'.

"Not telling... but let's just say 'Hashtag: excitement!" He pulled my arm as I giggled uncontrollably at his attempt to be a basic white girl.

We stopped outside an old house in my home town. It was an old weatherboard house with it's paint chipping off and parts of the roof had caved in. I tried to hide my confusion as he kissed my hand and led me through a trail to the backyard. You could tell no one had lived in it for at least a year because the hedges were unruly and white rose bushes were wrapped around the clothes line. I didn't notice Mason had stopped walking until I collided with his back and fell on my butt in the knee length grass.

"Woah, I know you think I'm hot but I'm pretty sure foreplay doesn't start with bashing up your boyfriend." He laughed pulling me up until our were pressed tightly together. I looked up at him feeling my body temperature rise. I tried to remain coherent.

"Boyfriend?" I swallowed, hoping he wouldn't take it back. His eyes softened and he ran his fingers through my hair.

"Well yeah. I sure as hell am not sharing you with anyone else." His sexy grin made my legs squeeze tight.

"Mine..." He whispered gently pressing his lips to mine in a possessive yet soft kiss. It left me breathless. When he pulled away I kept my eyes closed for a few extra seconds to recover. I'd never felt my emotions or my body respond to anyone this way before.

"Before you make me want to race back home and lock us in the bedroom, lets keep going. I want to show you my secret place." He continued through the trail of long grass behind the house.

"Your secret place?"

"Yeah, this used to be my house when I was first put into foster care." He gave me a quick smile before continuing, our legs being brushed with the dry grass.

"There's some things I want to tell you Quinn, but it just wasn't the right time. I think I'm ready now." His voice was strong and sure. Once we came to a clearing through the rickety picket fence I saw a lake lined with white roses and lilies. It was the lake I used to frequent in my spare time.

His lake was my lake?

"You came here as a kid?" I asked, genuinely stunned. He leaned down, picked a single lily and handed it to me.

"Yes. I used to run down here when my foster parents weren't home. It wasn't often but it was my escape from a family I didn't belong in." I took the rose and sniffed the sweet scent, humming at its fragrance.

"I loved this place too. Especially when a storm was coming in." I smiled fondly at the thought.

"I loved this place, especially when I saw you." Mason tilted my chin up. His eyes were blazing.

"Whenever I saw you, you looked so happy. So free. I knew you were a beautiful person back then even if I didn't know you yet because despite your life at home, you kept a smile on your face." The intensity in his eyes grew.

"Sometimes I'd hear your parents yelling at you when I was out here, so I'd make bouquet of lily's and roses from the bank and throw them across to your side, hoping it was make you smile at least once more."

I thought back to the time when my dad slapped me across the hands for not memorising my bible verses. A few days later when I was permitted outside I ran straight down to the lake, my special place. There was a bunch of slightly wilted roses and lilies. I thought it was a sign from God for enduring my punishment but it was really from Mason. Tears pricked at my eyes and a lump formed in my throat.

"Thank you. I always looked forward to them when I was allowed to come outside." For a moment, it felt like I was that same little girl standing on the bank of the lake, but this time, I was on the other side.

"I kept them in my room in a vase until they eventually died, but every time I came back out, there was a new bunch. I... don't know what I would have done if I didn't have that fresh bunch of hope to look forward to. Thank you." I stood on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. He turned his face and my lips contacted his full force. His arms wrapped around my body as he kissed me fervently, pressing his lips and tongue against mine in such a passionate way I forgot all about where we were.

"C'mon, I've still got more to show you."

We made our way to the main street and stopped in front my parents church. My chest began to feel tight remembering what it was like every Sunday. I felt so alone even surrounded by many people. I didn't realise I was squeezing Mason's hand until he whispered in my ear.

"I'm not going to run away you know?" He looked down at our hands entwined. I gasped and loosened my grip. I gave him an apologetic smile feeling my cheeks flush.

I'm a grown woman but I still act scared in front of a church.

Mason sat on the front step where I had spent many afternoons by myself and pulled me close next to him. It's the same sky I used to look at, the same building I used to come to, the same step I used to sit on but with Mason here I felt different. I felt stronger with him by my side. Even though I knew it was dangerous to allow your strength to come from someone else because people are imperfect and disappoint often, it felt nice to finally be able to trust someone that way.

"Remember that day your parents held a sausage sizzle outside here? The BBQ was there and the line of people came all the way out to here..." Mason pointed to the exact places. My curiosity peaked. He continued, knowing full well he had my undivided attention.

"You were so hungry that day. Your parents told you off for every little thing that just comes natural to a normal kid." His elbows rested on his knees as he spoke.

"How did you know I was hungry, you stalker?" I laughed jokingly, nudging him. He gave me a sideways smile and looked at the ground.

"You really wanted food that day but they made you wait. I knew how it felt to go hungry often..." My heart broke for him picturing a little Mason holding is stomach.

"I couldn't bear to see you feel that way..." He peeked at me through his dark hair which fell in front of his eyes.

"You're the sausage boy!!" I squealed and threw my arms around his neck giving him the tightest hug I could. I felt a deep vibration coming from his chest which registered with me as laughter once I'd stopped squealing.

"Well, I mean, if you like sausages that much..." His laugh contagiously spread to me, it made my eyes water.

On that day back on these very steps I prayed for a friend like him. What I didn't expect is I'd end up totally head over heels for him, my best friend.

"I'm in love with the sausage boy!" I yelled in the midst of laughter. Then I froze and my eyes shot wide in realisation. I just told Mason I loved him in a town where my parents still live. What if my parents were in the church right now?

He brought his finger to my lips knowing exactly what I was thinking. A smile was still plastered to his face as he bent down to look me square in the eyes.

"I have just one more thing to show you and then you can say what you want to say."

The whole care ride we sat in silence and curiosity was eating away at me. The sound of soft beeps filled the air as I sat wringing my fingers anxiously.