Motivation of Memories: The Second Book of the Labors of Love Series

Valentine's Day (Roles Reversed)

Genevieve's POV

After Dallas, there was a break. Partially to give the band a chance to breathe between the legs of the tour and partially so I could heal. I spent a lot of time with my father. Prince told him what happened and he spent every moment making sure I was taken care of. He made my favorite foods, kept me entertained and allowed me to stay out of the restaurant. While my family worked, I spent hours on the floor with my guitar and my notebook. He surprised me with an early Valentine's date. Our usually nice dinner and a Broadway show.

He made me feel better about Dallas but I've started to feel something else. Prince and I have been together for about 8 months and I'm happy but I'm not entirely sure how he feels. His actions say that he cares but I don't know if he loves me. I love him. I took me a while to be able to admit it to myself but I do. And I want to tell him but some part of me always thought he'd say it first. What if the whole reason he hasn't said it is because he doesn't love me? Is my mother right? Am I wasting my time following a man around the country who doesn't love me?

I hate to say I've been cold to him today. He tried to kiss me in the airport but I told him I wasn't in the mood. He offered to switch seats to be closer to me and I told him it was fine. I'm not mad at him. I just want to figure out how to approach this.

"What about you, G?" I resentfully respond telling them about spending time with my family. Soon enough they get the hint and they leave me to my headphones and my notebook.

Time goes on and I get off the plane. I grab my luggage and join everyone in the van to the hotel. Prince looks at me with soft eyes. I can tell he's worried but I don't have the right words yet. I still want to scream at him. I want to yell and ask him if he loves me but I also just want him to love me. I want him take me in his arms like always does and make every terrible thing disappear but is that not love? Is love not where we are? Is love not what we have?

I walk back and forth through the hotel room trying to put my things away but my thoughts are making it impossible. I keep forgetting things. I can't see. The tears are starting to form and my chest grows tight but then he says my name. I want to respond but the words get caught in my throat. I walk into the bathroom hoping to find my peace but he follows me. His arms wrap around my waist and I can't help but hang my head in shame.

"What's wrong, mama?" He says softly.

"Would you believe me if I told you my father is the only Valentine I've ever had?" I sigh, feeling pathetic as the words leave my mouth and tears begin to fall. "Every relationship I've been in usual ended before we even got this far but, my father always made sure I got to spend the holiday with someone who loved me. I'm grateful that he did but as I got older and my friends started meeting guys and going on dates I was still with Baba. It started to seem like being loved outside of my family was a fantasy. "

"Do you think I don't love you, Genevieve?" I lift my head feeling fuzzy.

Did he just? Huh?

Before I can even process, his eyes have already found mine in the mirror.

"Do you love me?"I ask him, turning around in his arms. I need to see his face. If this is real I want to see it with my own eyes. "Don't say yes if you don't mean it."

"I-I do. I-I... I love you a lot, Genevieve." The tears stop as a smile creeps on my face.

"I-I love you too."

"I'm crazy about you, mama. How could you ever think I didn't love you?"

"You've never said it before."

"I'll say it everyday if you want me to." His hand grazes my cheek.

"Will you?"

"I'll start today." His eyes glow green as he looks at me. "Genevieve, I love you."

"I love you too, Prince."

"I can't believe this! I've spent all this time trying to figure out if you love me! I've wanted to tell you for months but it always felt too soon. I was scared I'd say it and you wouldn't say it back."

"You? Scared?" I say with furrowed brows.

"You have a way of making me second guess everything I've ever known about myself."

"I-I'm sorry." I chuckle softly.

"Don't be. You're the most interesting part of everyday I spend with you."

"Stop being cute." I blush pulling him closer to me.

"You think I'm cute?" He smirks. "Baby, I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you how I feel about you. Will you ever forgive me?"

"Give me a kiss and I might."

"I'll give you more than a kiss." He smirks putting his lips on mine.

"Promise?" I smirk back.