"So?" I asked Bryce, as he answered my phone call on my way to work.

"What time is it?" he asked in a groggy voice.

"7:30," I dismissed. "We have more important matters to discuss."

"In the morning?" he groaned.

"So?" I repeated.

"So?" he asked me in return.

"What's the plan for tomorrow night?" I squealed, unable to contain my excitement.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," he informed me, amusement lacing his groggy voice.

"Surprises are overrated."

He laughed, his voice picking up now. "Is that so?"

"Yes! Now just tell me."

"My lips are sealed. The zipper and everything."

"You're such a goof," I said, with a sigh.

"I believe that's why you love me."

"Well you believe incorrectly."

He paused for a moment, and I couldn't help but wonder if he thought I was serious. "Pretty sure that's incorrect grammar."

Only Bryce.

"Pretty sure I don't care."

He laughed, and then I heard the ding of an incoming email.

I checked my phone, but it wasn't mine.

"Hold on," Bryce said. "I'm placing you on speaker for a sec."

"What are you doing?"

"You'll find out tomorrow," he said, his voice a little distant.

I let out a groan.

"You love me."

"Hate you," I sang, in the spirit of the Grinch.

He let out a long, deep-bellied laugh, his voice back again. "We need to watch that movie."

"We need to do a lot of things, starting with you telling me the plan for tomorrow night."

"You're so persistent."

"That's why you love me," I teased.

"I do."

"Oh don't you get serious with me."

"But I do love you Sophie Allen."

I shook my head, letting out a sigh. "I hate it when you do this to me."

"Do what?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice.

That jerk knew exactly what he was doing. He was romancing me into dropping the subject.

"Stop it," I muttered.

But it was no use, because my heart had practically melted.

Almost three years together and he could still melt my heart.

I pulled into work, and let out a low sigh. "And there's nothing I can do to convince you?"

"I'll see you tomorrow my love."

I grumbled a goodbye before hanging up, stomping into work like a spoiled, overdramatic two-year old.

"What's the matter with you?" Steven asked me.

"He still hasn't told you about tomorrow?" Kylie questioned.

"What did he tell you?" I demanded.

"Only everything," Kylie informed me, with a sigh. "I'm your best friend."

"He told you about tomorrow night, but he won't even tell me?"

"What's going on tomorrow night?" Steven asked.

"My lips are sealed," Kylie informed me, dragging an imaginary zipper across them.

"Well mine aren't," Steven huffed. "So somebody better start talking."

~*~

"Ms. Sophie, Rebecca stepped off the line!" Kaden accused, pointing his finger in her direction.

We were playing Line Tag, and so far it had just caused more of a headache than anything.

"Let's play something else," I suggested, standing up.

All the kids groaned.

"What about TV Tag?" I offered, and a majority of the kids seemed pleased with that.

I picked a new set of kids to be It, and then I retook my seat on the gymnasium stairs, watching as they chased each other around.

Free time was my favorite.

And then my phone buzzed on the stair next to me.

I glanced over to see that it was a text from Bryce.

Maybe he finally decided to break about tomorrow night.

In the ER blowing chunks. Don't stress, just dehydrated. Mom's here with me.

I immediately jumped to my feet, Bryce's text in no way comforting to me.

Kylie was setting up snack for the kids, but Steven was on break.

Not anymore.

I immediately called him, my heart pounding in my chest.

"You're calling me on my break," Steven deadpanned.

"Meet me in the gym."

"But I was sleeping in the Art Room."

"Gym Steven," I snapped. "Meet me."

"Alright Yoda, keep your shit together. I'll be there in a sec."

I rolled my eyes, pacing the floor as I watched the kids chase each other.

Steven strode in the double doors, waving to the kids as he came to meet me.

"What was so important that you had to call me in off my break?" he questioned.

"I have to go."

He stared at me for a few moments, before knitting his eyebrows together in confusion. "You what?"

"I'm leaving," I informed him. "I need you to watch the kids."

"You can't leave," he informed me. "You're head counselor. You can't just walk out-"

"Bryce is in the ER."

His mouth snapped shut, his eyes widening. "Is he okay?"

"I'm going to find out. You're staying here. Capisce?"

He nodded.

I jogged out of the gym, informing Kylie of my situation before leaving the camp.

I texted Bryce when I got to the Emergency Room, letting him know that I'd come anyways.

He wasn't in the waiting room when I got there, but I saw his mom stepping of the back ward.

I waved at her, and she waved me down, gesturing for me to follow her.

Bryce was in one of the beds in the back, hooked up to IV fluids with a facemask on.

"I told you I was okay," Bryce said, his voice hoarse and muffled through the mask. "Just a bit dehydrated."

"Yeah, a bit," I scoffed. "What happened?"

"Too much puking, not enough fluids."

"No fluids at all," Regina corrected.

I raised my eyebrows at Bryce.

"My fault," he admitted. "I just felt too shitty to want to drink or eat anything."

"And with the more aggressive chemo, he's got to keep on top of that," Regina said, her hand stroking his forearm.

I kissed the top of his forehead, and he wrapped his hand around mine, running his thumb across my knuckles.

"I'm okay," he repeated.

This just fueled my greatest fears.

Bryce had never ended up in the hospital before, not since the diagnosis and the surgery. And it terrified me.

"As soon as that fluid finishes draining into me, they'll check my hydration levels, and as long as everything is okay I'll go home," Bryce said, continuing to rub his thumb across my knuckles. "I'll be more careful from now on."

"You absolutely will," Regina said.

"I'm going to wait here with you," I informed him, taking a seat next to his bed. "Until you're released."

"It's rather boring," he informed me. "We're just stuck sitting here, waiting for this saline solution to rehydrate me."

"I don't mind," I promised, squeezing his hand. "As long as I know that you're okay."

~*~

I woke up to the pinging of my phone, meaning that I had an unread text message.

I looked over at my digital clock. 1:13 AM. Who was texting me this early in the morning?

I reached over and picked up my phone, silently cursing as the light momentarily blinded me.

Text from Bryce.

Come over.

I lied in bed for a few more blissful moments before sliding out.

Okay.

I threw my hair up into a messy bun and found a pair of flip-flops, carrying them downstairs.

I crept out the back door before slipping on my flip-flops and heading over to Bryce's house.

I let myself in his back door using the key under the plastic turtle's shell.

Bryce was in his room, lying down with his eyes half-closed. His TV was on, blaring some old-time show that plays at 1:30 in the morning.

"Hey," I said, crawling into bed next to him. I sat criss-cross, running my hand over his back.

He shifted so his head was in my lap, and I ran my fingers through his hair, his eyes drooping.

We sat like that for a few minutes, silence passing between us.

"I'm sorry," Bryce quietly muttered, breaking the silence.

He didn't have to explain, I knew what he was referring to.

He was referring to the cancellation of our 3-year anniversary date that was supposed to be tonight.

And as disappointed as I was, I knew that it was for the best.

Bryce's health was much more important than an anniversary date.

~*~

"What are you doing home?" mom asked, as I came in from work.

"I live here?"

"Shouldn't you be on your date with Bryce?"

Right.

"He's ill," I said, offering her a small smile.

I knew it was selfish of me to feel this way, but I was disappointed that I didn't get to go on my mystery date with Bryce for our 3-year anniversary.

And I knew I shouldn't feel that way, the guilt was practically killing me, but I couldn't help it.

"Sit," mom ordered, pointing to a barstool.

This was never good.

I took a seat with a sigh, looking up at her.

"Sophie Allen, you are an amazing person. You understand that, you don't you?"

"Okay," I agreed.

"Your father and I, we are so proud of you and what you've done for Bryce."

I wasn't sure where this was going.

"But let me remind of you something," she said, her eyes twinkling. "Remember the summer between your Freshman and Sophomore year, when you had the stomach flu?"

"Of course," I agreed.

That was an awful stomach flu. I ended up having to be hospitalized for it.

"Do you remember that Bryce was away at a baseball tournament?"

I thought for a moment, the memory coming back to me.

"Oh yeah," I agreed.

"And he left the tournament to come stay by your side while you tossed your cookies?"

"Gross."

"But true," my mom said, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Yeah," I agreed.

We'd only been dating a couple of months at the time, and Bryce was out-of-state while I was puking my guts up.

When he heard that I might have to be hospitalized, it hadn't yet been confirmed, he left his tournament and came home to be with me.

He sat by my side for the next 10 days, holding my hair while I emptied my stomach and comforting me when I needed it, which was pretty much the entire time because I remember being really needy. And he never once complained, instead showering me with love and kindness.

"I know that Bryce must feel awful about having to cancel tonight," mom said, after I relived my flashback. "Because what he had planned for you was something special."

"You knew?"

"Of course I knew; I'm your mother."

I'm beginning to think that Bryce told everybody and their grandmother except me.

"But I don't know what I can do about it," I pointed out. "Bryce's mom said that he feels so lousy that he hasn't gotten out of bed all day."

"I believe that you can think of something," mom said, offering me a supportive smile.

I nodded in agreement, kissing her on the cheek before heading upstairs.

I have the best mom in the world.

I changed into a pair of dark wash jeans as I tried to come up with the perfect idea, something that wouldn't be too straining but that would give us a way to spend our 3-year anniversary together.

And then I had the perfect plan.

I pulled on a gray, v-neck sweater and a pair of moccasins, touching up my makeup and restraightening my hair before heading back downstairs.

"I need you to do me a favor," I said to my mom, locating her in her bedroom.

"What's that?" she asked, looking up from her laptop.

"Make a picnic basket?"

She nodded in agreement, shutting her laptop.

"Organic foods only," I reminded her, before heading off to locate my dad.

I found him in the kitchen.

"Hey daddy," I said, leaning across the counter

He turned around to face me with a sigh. "What is it and how much is it going to cost me?"

"The keys to your truck because you love me very, very much?"

"My truck?"

I nodded.

"What do you need my truck for?"

"I'm a woman with a plan."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Does this have anything to do with Bryce's plan?"

"You know?"

"Of course I know; I'm your father."

I was going to kill Bryce, I swear.

"Bryce had to cancel," I explained to my dad. "So I'm going to surprise him."

"With my truck?"

"That's part of the plan."

My dad picked up his keys in his hand, sighing. "Not a scratch, you hear?"

"Not a scratch," I agreed, running around the counter and throwing my arms around him. "Thank you daddy."

He kissed the top of my head. "Anything for my princess."

I went into the downstairs closet and pulled out multiple blankets and pillows, throwing them into the bed of the truck.

My mom met me outside, handing me the now full picnic basket.

I saw my goodbyes before heading over to Bryce's house, calling his mom on the way.

"Hello dear," she said, answering her phone.

"Hi Regina. I have a question to ask."

"Ask away."

I explained my idea to her, to which she full-heartedly agreed.

"So what do you need from me?" she asked.

"When I get there, make sure Bryce doesn't know."

"He's sleeping dear."

"Okay, good. And then I need the gates to the backyard opened."

"Will do."

We said our goodbyes and then I hung up, excitement growing in the pit of my stomach.

Now I understand Bryce and his obsession with surprises. They're so exciting.

I pulled into Bryce's house, and the gates to the backyard were opened. I parked my dad's truck in the backyard before hopping out and setting up the surprise.

I really hope that Bryce likes it.

After I finished I went inside, my heart nervously pounding in my chest.

"Now that you're here, I'll be leaving," Regina said, as I met her in the kitchen.

"You don't have to leave."

"You two deserve your night," she said, waving her hand around in the air. "Besides, I have some work I should get done at the office anyhow."

Regina, always the workaholic.

"If you insist."

"I do," she agreed. "Bryce's in his bedroom. Call me if you need me for anything, please."

I nodded in agreement.

"Good luck!" she called out, as she left.

I went back to Bryce's room, where he was asleep, his TV still on and Hairspray still playing. Dawson was curled up on the end of the bed, and he picked his head up when I walked in.

I scratched Dawson behind the ears, kissing him on the top of the head.

Dawson hopped down off the bed and trotted out of the room once I finished giving him some love.

I straddled Bryce, bending down and kissing him.

His eyes fluttered open, confusion written across his face.

"Surprise!"

A smile spread across his face. "I was definitely confused." He let out a bit of a laugh. "I thought you were Dawson."

I bent down and kissed him again before unstraddling him, sitting next to him on the bed.

"Well that was a tease," he complained.

I could tell that his joking was forced.

"How're you feeling?" I asked.

"Shitty."

"Well I have a surprise for you."

"What kind of surprise?" he asked, carefully.

"Well I can't tell you silly. That's why they call it a surprise."

"Alright," he agreed, sitting up. "Where is the surprise?"

"Outside."

He was silent for a few moments, and I could tell that he was trying to say something he didn't want to say.

"Trust me," I said, locking eyes with him.

He stared into my eyes, nodding before standing up.

I intertwined my fingers with his, leading him out into the living room.

"You look all pretty and I look like I just rolled out of bed," Bryce complained.

"That would be because you did."

"Well give me five minutes to freshen up at least."

"Okay," I agreed, kissing his cheek.

He went back into the back, and I took a seat on the couch. Dawson came over to me.

I reached over and scratched behind his ears.

He rested his head on my knee, happily accepting my love and attention.

Bryce came back a few minutes later in a pair of jeans and a hoodie, his hair tamed and I'm sure teeth brushed.

"Good to go?" I asked.

"Good to go," he agreed, flashing me a smile.

The smile was forced.

I gave Dawson one last scratch before standing up, taking Bryce's hand in mine again and kissing his cheek.

"Where to?" he asked.

I led him out into his backyard.

"Your dad's truck?" he asked.

"Hush," I ordered, leading him around.

The truck bed was open and tucked tight with pillows and blankets, along with the picnic basket my mom had packed.

"What's this?" he asked, looking over at me.

"Star gazing," I said, locking eyes with him. "A way for us to spend our anniversary together."

Bryce was in no way an emotional-type of guy, but he looked away from me in that moment, and I knew that he was holding back tears.

"Come on," I said, tugging him towards the truck bed.

He looked back over at me with a sigh. "Sophie Allen, I don't deserve you."

I rose up on my tiptoes, throwing my arms around his neck. "Bryce Harrison, I love you to the moon and back. Happy 3-year anniversary."

He bent down and kissed me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

The kiss didn't last long, most likely because Bryce was still feeling pretty lousy.

"Happy 3-year anniversary," he agreed, with atrue smile.

So what did you guys think about Bryce's surprise? What do you think it was going to be? What about Bryce getting stuck in the ER, did that freak you out at all? And then the cancellation of their 3-year anniversary? Did you expect Sophie to pull through with something else?

I'm currently writing this in my Minnie Mouse footed pajamas because I'm clearly an adult.

Teaser: Bryce has a bit of a surprise for Sophie.