Come Around

Cassie woke up to Alex's lips pressed against hers. Even after he pulled away, she kept her eyes closed, not ready to get up.

"Wake up, beautiful," he said quietly, kissing her forehead.

"What time is it?" she groaned.

"Seven thirty," he said.

She opened her eyes a little and looked at him, then closed them again, "I'm still tired from last night," she whined and Alex couldn't help but grin, "And why would I want to get up so early on a Sunday anyway?" she asked.

"Because," he said, "I'm taking you away from everyone and everything today, like you wanted me to."

"Why so early?" she whined.

"We have a two hour drive ahead of us and you still have to shower and get dressed. Come on, lazy bones."

She opened her eyes, "You're taking me to San Diego?" she asked.

Alex stared at her like she just grew another head, "How did you know?" he asked.

"Well, there's not much else two hours away."

"Fine," he pouted, "But you still don't know where in San Diego I'm taking you."

Cassie smiled and sat up, placing a kiss on his lips, "You're adorable," she said and leaned over the side of the bed, grabbing the first shirt she found and slipping it on before disappearing into the bathroom. After a minute, she poked her head out the door, "Since I don't know what we're doing, will you pick out something for me to wear, please?" she asked.

Alex nodded and walked over to her closet. He stared at the contents for a few minutes before picking out a pair of light blue and white plaid bermuda shorts, black bikini bottoms, a light blue bikini top and a white tank top. After laying them out on the bed, he quickly got dressed in a pair of shorts and a white v neck.

When Cassie came out of the bathroom, Alex was sitting on her bed, scribbling in a notebook. She looked at what he had picked out for her and shook her head.

"Oh, no. You're on a good one if you think I'm wearing this," she said, picking up the bikini top, "You apparently have no idea the marks you left on me."

Alex raised an eyebrow, "Let me see," he said and Cassie unwrapped her towel. Dark purple spots were scattered across her stomach and chest. "I don't mind if you show off my work," he said with a shrug.

"I mind," she said, walking over to her closet and pulling out a light pink tankini top, "That's why I told you not to leave them where anyone can see them."

As she was pulling the swimsuit top over her head, Alex wrapped his arms around her from behind, "And what would you do if I left a big, fat, dark hickey right here?" he asked, attaching his lips to her neck and sucking at her skin.

"Swear to God, Alex," she said and bit her lip, pushing him off her, before turning around and pressing her lips to his.

He grinned against her lips and pulled back, "Stop getting distracted and put your clothes on. We have places to go," he said.

"Wow," Cassie said, "I bet no one ever thought they'd hear those words from Alex Gaskarth's mouth."

Alex's jaw dropped and he stared at her for a minute, "That was low," he said.

She shrugged and got dressed quickly, grabbing a pair of white sunglasses as the finishing touch to her outfit.

"Let's get this show on the road," she said, exiting her room and heading downstairs.

"Keys?" Alex said when she grabbed her purse.

"You're not driving my car," she said.

"Why not?"

"Because I drive my car."

He raised an eyebrow, "But if you drive then I have to tell you where we're going and it'll ruin the surprise," he said, holding his hand out.

"Why does it have to be a surprise? she asked.

"Because you've been upset and stressed lately and I'm trying to do something nice for you. Now give me the keys," he said and she finally gave in, dropping the keys into his open palm. "Thank you," he said, opening the door and following Cassie outside.

The drive, though somewhat long, was pleasant. Cassie told stories about her and Rian as children, which mostly had Alex laughing. She talked about being young in college, far away from her family and about Rian visiting her for her eighteenth birthday.

She was just beginning to tell Alex about when she first started as an intern at the magazine when he exited the freeway. Her eyes widened, realizing where they were going.

"Sea World!" she said excitedly, leaning over and throwing her arms around Alex.

He laughed and kissed her cheek, "We're going to get in an accident," he said calmly.

"Whoops," she said, kissing his cheek lightly and sitting straight in her seat, "I'm sorry. I just got excited."

"I noticed."

Cassie smiled, "I haven't been to Sea World since I first moved out here."

"Well I'm glad it's making you happy," he said as he parked the car.

Cassie jumped around when they got inside, "I want to pet the dolphins!" she said.

Alex laughed, "Alright, let's find out when you can do that," he said, looking at the guide he had picked up on the way in.

"And I want to see Shamu. And the sharks. And penguins!" she said excitedly.

"Calm down," Alex said, laughing again, this time at her childlike behavior.

"And I want to go on rides too. That one," she said, pointing at the glossy paper in his hands.

"Cassandra," he said, looking at her, "Give me a minute to figure out when you can pet the dolphins and when the Shamu shows are. Then we can wander around and see the sharks and penguins and go on rides and whatever else you want to do."

Cassie bounced around impatiently as Alex figured out when the shows were and set alerts in his phone. Every so often, he would glance up at her and smile, but she didn't notice. She was too busy being excited and impatient.

"You're cute when you're giddy," he said, sliding his phone into his pocket and placing a soft kiss on Cassie's lips. "Okay, my phone will go off an hour before the shows so we have time to get over to them and get good seats."

She smiled at him, her impatience getting the better of her, "Can we go now?" she asked.

"Lead the way."

The two made their way over to Shipwreck Rapids, the ride Cassie had pointed to only minutes before. It was still early and they didn't have to wait long in line. As they took their seats on the ride, Alex groaned quietly.

"It figures I would sit in a puddle of water," he said.

Cassie laughed and a young boy piped up, "It doesn't matter. You're going to get soaked," he said.

"Oh yeah?" Alex asked and the boy nodded vigorously.

As promised, when they got off the ride, Alex and Cassie were both drenched. They walked around and saw the penguins, then made their way through the freshwater aquarium before finding the tide pools.

"Touch the sea urchin," Cassie said, reaching in and picking up a starfish.

"It looks sharp," Alex said.

"So? Touch it." she replied.

"I feel like you're setting me up for failure."

Cassie laughed, "I would never," she said, setting the starfish down and bravely poking a crab.

Just then, Alex's phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out. "Oh, time for the dolphins," he said, showing his phone to Cassie.

"We'll come back so you can play with the sea urchin," she said.

They got to the show and found seats in the third row. When it started, Cassie's gaze was focused excitedly on the dolphins at all time. Alex watched her and smiled at the happiness he could see in her eyes. She was relaxed and not thinking about work or anything else stressful, only the creatures in front of her.

When it came time to pet the dolphins, Alex pulled his camera from his pocket to pressed record on the video function.

Cassie's face lit up as she reached out and touched the gray creature. After a minute, she looked up at Alex and smiled, not moving her hand.

"It feels so weird. Touch it," she said and Alex shook his head, "Aww, come on. Look, it wants you to."

He shook his head again and Cassie sighed, reaching out and grabbing one of his hands, guiding it to the dolphin.

"See, it's not bad," she said, grinning at him, "Now put your hand right there," she said, pointing at the dolphin's open mouth.

Alex couldn't help but laugh, "You're crazy," he said, pulling his hand away.

"Only when it comes to you."