The beach was just as Maddie remembered it - quiet, empty and relaxing. The waves were lapping quietly against the shore, which she found a soothing, familiar sound. The moon was bright and the sky clear, brightly illuminating the lake and soft tan sand. She kicked off her shoes, holding them in one hand, and grabbing Ryan's with the other. He smiled at her and kissed her knuckles. Tonight was one of those nights where everything just felt right. They walked down the beach a little, shoes in hand, leaving their bare footprints behind.

"You were right, it is a lot different here at night. It's amazing." Ryan stated.

"mhm," She agreed. "You know, I would come here a lot after you would leave for tour."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"Yeah, it was like a little escape from reality, y'know? It would help me clear my mind." She replied, sitting down in the sand, looking out at the calm lake. Ryan joined her and looked at her, with a smile on his face.

"I really love you, you know that?" He said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"I love you, too." She replied, returning his smile and resting her head on his shoulder, breathing in his familiar scent. They sat there for awhile, gazing at the water, lost in their own thoughts.

Maddie closed her eyes and relaxed, digging her toes in the soft sand, and cuddling up to his side. The light wind from the lake hit her face, and it was a nice sense of familiarity. She could have fallen asleep like that if Ryan didn't suddenly lift her into the air, carrying her into waist deep water.

"Hey!" She said laughing after he set her back on her feet.

"What? I wanted to go swimming," He said with an innocent smile.

"You could've just said so."

"Nah, that wouldn't have been as fun." He teased, wrapping his arms around her waist. She smiled and stood on her tiptoes, lightly pressing their lips together. Before Ryan had the chance to deepen the kiss, Maddie was pushing his head under the water.

"Unfair!" he called out once he came back above the surface.

"There, now we're even," She replied smirking. He pouted and she laughed, kissing his jutted out lip.

- - - - -

"You were right, the beach was a great idea." Ryan whispered quietly. They had gotten back to the bus when it was almost five, and were now lying in their bunk together.

"mhm," she agreed, resting her head on his chest. He wrapped his arm around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Maddie was so relaxed and at ease that she managed to forget about the fact that they were in Michigan, just a few miles away from her home. Or rather her old home. Her parents and friends completely turned their backs on her, so now she really only had Ryan and the guys. It takes more than having a house to have a home. A home consists of people you love, and who care about you. Which was why as long as she was with Ryan, she was home.

- - - - -

A/N Woo update! Sorry, I'm trying to get better at updating, so hopefully the next one won't take that long to be up. ^_^ Comment and vote please? Thanks! xx