They spent a good hour going one from group of butteries, reading the info plaques, and talking about everything and nothing in particular as Feo went over and over how she'd tell JP she loved him in her head.
You're the sweetest guy ever, and I think I'm head-over-heels in love with you.
I just vomit love when I'm around y--
Okay, that one was just gross.
"Hey...you here with me?" JP asked, glancing down at her as she realized she'd started to lag back.
Meeting his gaze, she nodded brightly and then thought better of it. Tightening her fingers around his, Feo pulled him to a stop and decided it was now or never. Put up or shut up. Sink or Swim. To be or--never mind.
"Actually, there is something..." She trailed off.
"It's something big. Something totally big. And--well, here's the thing."
"Baby, just tell me." JP pushed his sunglasses up and perched them on the top of his head as he stared down at her, his features fighting between a heavy frown and the beginnings of a small grin.
Taking a deep breath, she said in a rush, "Okay, it's not a big deal or anything but we've been together for months and I really like your face and you're sweet and all, and basically, okay--I love you!"
The only thing she could hear in the booming silence at her confession, was the fluttering of hundreds of tiny wings as she peered up at her boyfriend.
A million thoughts went through her mind as she immediately began to regret just throwing it out there. What if JP wasn't ready too say it--even though he had been saying it for a while now, but her panicking brain didn't think of that--back? What if she'd made an ass of herself? What if, what if, what if.
She felt JP's fingers grip her chin lightly, and tilt her face up to his, making her raise her downcast eyes to his as she took in the biggest smile she'd ever seen on her boyfriend's face. A small breath escaped her lips at the sight of it.
He leaned forward, putting his forward against hers as their noses brushed together, and asked, "Do you know how long I've been waiting to hear you say that?"
She blinked at him, tried to speak, and had to take a second try before she managed to whispered, "How long?"
"Since the first second I told you about me, my life--my dads, my dads' lives, and you didn't judge me less for it, or degrade me for it." He confessed. "You took everything in stride, my uncles, having three dads, my big family, and gave me a smile and kiss, Feo--you had me at my knees and you didn't even know it."
She couldn't help it, she let out a tiny sniffling laugh as she blinked away the beginnings of tears in her eyes. "Yeah, I suppose that took love. Hmm...when," She bit her bottom lip. "When did you know you loved me?"
He just smiled. "Since the first second you nailed me in the head, I've been reeling since the first second I met you and haven't stopped since." He punctuated that with a deep, tender kiss before breaking away, his golden eyes heavy-lidded as he said, "I love you."
Hearing those words--even though he said he loved her, loved the things she did, and loved, period--meant so much to her. Maybe it was the confession, the context, or the fact she'd finally admit how much she loved him, but she was so happy. Insanely, top-of-the-world happy.
