A/N: Btw, if you have a book club/ reading assignment with me, it's not this book, it's the one that says Book 1.

"Mariana!"

Mariana's petite eyelids slowly cracked open as Micah pulled her up, so they faced each other. She slightly shivered from the coldness as her body temperature slowly returned to normal. She looked up into his eyes and had a weak smile.

"Hey," she whispered softly.

He smiled down at her sleeping face and gently caressed it with one finger. A tear slipped down his eye as his heart rejoiced that she was alive.

"Oh Mariana, I'm so happy you're alive." He murmured close to her ear. He thought that he had lost her forever, and now he didn't want to let her go.

"I'm very happy too," she said with relief and laid against his warm chest, feeling and hearing his soft heartbeat.

He kissed the top of her forehead and cuddled her close. "I thought I lost you..." He rested his chin upon her curls, tickling his jaw.

Mariana's eyes traveled up to his face focused ahead, deep in thought. She felt his palm slowly rubbing her back protectively from what lurked in the darkness.

He sighed and gently pulled her away so their eyes met.

Around hers were sore and baggy. Her lips slightly parted as some loose strands of hair drooped down like wet leaves.

Micah bit the bottom of his lip, unsure of what to say. "Mariana I-" He paused for a minute to gather his thoughts. "I just want to say that... I'm happy you are awake and I care about you Mariana, I really do."

Her face lit up hearing those sweet words. She blushed a little and looked down for a minute before returning eye contact.

"And also, I want to learn more about you and grow with you." He took her hands into his and drew her attention to his face.

"Mariana, would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Mariana's face became stunned and frozen on the spot. The request made her speechless.

However, seeing the hope of acceptance in his promising eyes made her gaze soften into a smile as she slowly nodded.

"Yes Micah, I would love to," she smiled.

His lips curved into a smile that lit up his whole face. She giggled at his cute response and pulled into a tight embrace and a kiss.

"Oh thank you, Mariana! I promise you won't regret it." He smiled and kissed her again.