the various chances

chapter forty eight

Jeremy

The date was a 90% success as I had yet one more envelope and a question residing in it. Lizzie climbed off my lap and was sitting beside me with her head on my shoulder. I watch her, just her. It was surreal and unbelievable yet she was here after so many years. My happiness was sky high and I was feeling it in my vessels, blood rushing to my skin making me all glittery and shit. I don't know but for a second I'd thought that I was seeing rainbow and shit.

She was here, so perfect, so beautiful, so gorgeous and so mine. I was hers and she was mine, and I was going to fight the fates if it dares to separate us again.

"Let's eat", I announce. She takes her head off my shoulder and with a hopeful expression on her face she says, "let me guess, you cooked the food as well, didn't you?" I shrug, "Well, I tried and had a little help." She gasps, "Oh my God, I am totally living the book life." I shake my head with a small smile on my face.

I was opening the containers and was about to pour them on 2 separate plates when Lizzie stops me. I blink once, halting midway when she says, "Why don't we eat from one plate" -I blink once again- "saves time, you know." A smile creeps up my lips, I nod and get the plate ready. Holding the plate like a waiter from a 7 star restaurant I bow a little, "my lady", Lizzie laughs and I put it down on the table. Pouring our glasses of lemonade I place them on the table as well and take the seat beside her.

Yeah, I know, wine or red wine could've been romantic but since Lizzie's surgery of ovary and her breakdown she has been told to avoid alcohol. I mean I've never seen her drink so I guess she doesn't even knows what it tastes like so there was no way I was going to make a fool of myself by getting wine or shit for drinks.

Lizzie brings the plate to her lap and we dig in. I had an arm around her waist while hers were busy with spoon and holding plate. Scooping up the pasta in my fork I bring it up to her mouth. She smiles, "I am not a kid, you know." "There is something so peaceful watching you eat, so let me feed you" -I say. Slightly shaking her head, she laughs, "weirdo" and takes the food into her mouth. I smile.

Taking all the time of earth, we finish with the food. I clear up the space on the table that was occupied by containers and utensils we'd use. Lizzie was standing near the railing of the terrace. Keeping my steps hushed I walk closer to her, wrap my hands around her waist from the back and whisper, "What are you thinking?"

She sighs, grabs my forearms and leans into my touch. I relish it. She says, "We've came so far. I mean never in my life I'd think once that I would be on a date with the guy whose ass got knocked by me on my very first day of school." I spin her so her she could face me. Raising an eyebrow I hmm, "so you think you knocked out my ass?"

She huffs, "is that the only thing you heard?" I smile and shake my head, "I heard the word date." "thought so", she says. I pull her closer, her hands climb up to my shoulder and were crossed at the back of my neck.

"I thought you hated me", she says looking at me. I shake my head, "I hated the fact that you were distant from me when I wanted to show you the world I would build for you. I hated the fact that you smiled for others but when it was me you'd put a scowl on your pretty face and I hated the fact that despite every argument, every single interaction and exchange of words I fell in love with you over and over again."

She parts her lips to say something but I put a finger on her lips, "tell me those words when you think you are ready, I am in no hurry. I have you now and I am going to show you how much I mean when I say I love you for the rest of our lives."

I watch the light in her eyes, the dilation of her pupils. Her eyes told me those words I wanted to her and that was it for me, a confirmation that I was going to cherish her for the rest of my life and sooner or later I'll be hearing those words from her. I had Lizzie with me now and I was not going to let her go, not now not ever.