Prologue – 3 years ago

"Gordon! Scott! – don't go into the water – oh never mind!" Jeff sighed. Kyrano pulled the two play-fighting boys out of the sea and dragged them back to their father. "Thanks Kyrano."
"Dad," Virgil said, "I don't understand why we have to dress up. I mean, it is only Lady Penelope."
"Because this time is different. I've never told you boys this before but Lady Penelope had an older sister who married and now Lady Penelope has a niece who is between John and Virgil according to age. But the reason she is coming with her aunt today is because her parents recently died in a car crash." Jeff said, "So you have to be on your best behaviour."
"Sure Dad." Scott said. He turned and saw the pink car. "They're here, they're here!" He cried before running off down the beach.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that he had a crush on Penelope." Gordon said to John as they followed their eager elder brother to greet their British counterparts.
"Penelope." Jeff said, holding out his hand for her and helping her out of the car. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. We're not completely over it but we're getting there. Darling, come and meet the Tracy family." Penelope said and turned to the girl sitting in the car who stood and took Jeff's hand out of the car. She stood next to Penelope and was nearly as tall as her and Penelope was wearing heels. The girl had long honey brown hair that extended halfway down her back and sea green eyes. "Boys, may I introduce -,"
"Hello!" The girl said brightly. "I'm Marlie, Lady Penelope's niece. It's very nice to meet you." She said, scanning the boys with a smile that changed to a stare of wonder that was mirrored by John as they locked eyes. Virgil waved a hand in front of John's face and he didn't blink.
"Hello, my name is John Tracy." He said, extending his hand.
"Sorry, but I don't shake hands with friends." Marlie said, "I only give them hugs."
"Oh, alright, it's just –,"
"You've never hugged a girl before." Marlie said. "Shall I be your first?" She asked with a smile.
"Always." John whispered and Marlie picked up on the sincerity in his voice. She stepped forwards and gently wrapped her arms around John's neck and they hugged.

It was like Christmas, birthdays and the first day of summer all at once. Every good feeling John and Marlie had ever experienced came back and filled them up until their entire bodies felt warm.

They pulled back and stared at each other.
"That was the best hug I've ever had." John murmured so low that only Marlie, Virgil and Scott heard him. Marlie smiled and leant her forehead on his.
"Best hug I've ever had too." She whispered. "I like you a lot John."
"Whoa, wait a second! I've only just met you and you introduce yourself like you're a princess from fricking Buckingham Palace, you practically demand that I hug you and now you are basically telling me you love me!"
"And what's wrong with that?" Marlie shouted back. "I'm a very open person, apparently, and I'm only telling you the truth!"
"I'm going home Dad. I'll see you all up there." John said before turning and beginning to walk away.
"You know, the only reason you're running away is because you're scared because you like me too John Christopher Tracy!" Marlie shouted after him. He froze.
"How do you know my middle name? We only just met." John asked, pivoting.
"Aunt Penelope's a secret agent, she knows everything." Marlie shrugged.
"Anyway, what did you say?" John asked.
"I said you're running away because you're scared you like me too." Marlie said in a low voice.
"You know, Marlie, you are the most extraordinary young woman I have ever met. You have this knack for getting right under my skin and it's almost as if we've known each other forever and yet we've only just met and you just lost your parents and I lost my mother and we really shouldn't be feeling like this but we do and I have absolutely no comprehension of what the hell it is and yet strangely enough, I quite like it and I can tell – I know that you feel exactly the same way too because I can just look at you and I know!" John stood there breathing heavily.
Marlie walked over to him. "Do you feel better for that?" She asked and John nodded. "Good." She whispered and leant in.
"We're going to kiss aren't we?" John asked and Marlie smiled before making the gentle contact. When the others asked them what it felt like afterwards – there was really only one word to explain it, which John and Marlie said with a smile.

Fireworks.