You stand up from the living room couch as you hear the front door open, and then shut; Michael's home from the studio.

"Hey, babe." You say to him as you walk over. He turns to you and smiles.

"Hey." He says cheerily. He lifts your chin with a single finger and plants a soft kiss on your lips. Then he turns to the coat rack, and instead of taking his coat off and hanging it up, he grabs yours and hands it to you. "Put this on." He says.

You tilt your head at him. "Why?"

"Because we're going out." He says, as if you should have known. You pull out your phone and quickly glance at the time: ten thirty-six.

"It's past ten thirty. Where are we going?" You question him, confused as to what he could possibly want you to do right now.

"It's a surprise." He says, grinning. "Now come on!" He motions with his hand. You just stand there with your coat in your hand. He starts to open the door.

"Wait, tell me where we're going!" You say. "Do I need to dress up? I didn't put on any makeup this morning, I'm practically wearing pajamas-"

He cuts you off. "You look great, now come on!"

You sigh as you slip on your coat and follow him out the door and into the car.

- twenty minutes later -

You stare out the car window, arms crossed, into the somewhat eerie darkness of the night. Michael has been driving for around twenty minutes. A few miles back he made a turn onto a road you didn't recognize, so now you have no hope of guessing where he's taking you. The car ride so far has been silent.

"Michael, would you please tell me where we're going?" You ask, growing impatient.

"I told you, it's a surprise!" He says, giggling.

You sigh, not bothering to hide your frustration, and continue to stare out the window at seemingly never ending trees along the road.

"Hang in there, babe." Michael says, sensing your irritation. He reaches over to pat your thigh lightly. "Not much longer."

You sigh again, allowing Michael's reassuring voice to help you relax. The two of you sit in silence for a few more minutes. You notice that the streetlights are getting farther apart and that you haven't seen a house in a while. The expanding darkness ahead of you, the heat coming from the vents in the car, and the smooth, silent ride all make you very sleepy all of a sudden.

You yawn, close your eyes, and rest your head against the window for a moment. But you're jolted awake when Michael makes a sharp turn onto an uphill dirt side road. You sit up and stare out the windshield, only being able to see the few feet in front of the car illuminated by the headlights.

"Close your eyes. We're almost there." Michael commands you. You see no point in arguing or asking questions anymore, so you do as you were told.

You feel the car level out as it moved from the dirt road onto what could be a grassy field. You wonder what could be out here, in the middle of nowhere, late at night, that Michael wants you to see so badly.

You feel the car stop, and you hear Michael turn the engine off and take the key out.

"Now, I'm gonna climb on the roof of the car, and then I'm gonna help you up, too. But keep your eyes closed." He says to you.

"Keep my eyes closed?" You ask, becoming more confused. Why does he want me on the roof of the car?

"Yes, just do it. I'll help you." Michael says as you hear him open the door and get out. After a moment, you hear him as he sits down on the roof.

"Now, get out and then give me your hand." He orders, his voice coming from above you. You feel your way out of the car, and then carefully turn around and reach your hand up, not sure exactly where to put it, but you feel Michael grab it firmly.

"Step on the seat." He says. You brace yourself against the frame of the door with your free hand, and feel around with your foot for the seat. You step on it cautiously, hoisting yourself up with the help of Michael. Next thing you know, you're sitting on top of the car.

"Okay. Now open." He says. You open your eyes, look up, and see the most beautiful display of stars in the sky you've ever known. Millions of tiny white lights floating in the vast, inky sea above you, stretching as far as you can see in all directions. They twinkle brightly, and seem so close that you feel you could reach up and grab a handful. You sit, speechless for a moment as you take in the wonderful night sky.

"What do you think?" Michael asks, excitedly. You look at him for a moment, and then back to the stars.

"It's gorgeous." You say, your voice barely a whisper as you remain in awe of the beauty. You feel Michael timidly reach for your hand. You take it and gently curl your fingers around his. You both sit for who knows how long, on top of the car, staring off into the universe.