Unexpected Love

Moonstones and Cookies

As Can slowly lifted his head, he met her gaze once again.

Sanem, he whispered, his voice overflowing with love. He kept finding himself in moments so rich with emotion that all he could manage was her name.

He waited to see if she would pull away but instead, she placed both hands on either side of his face and pulled him down gently.

Their lips met again in a beautiful aching kiss filled with passion and emotion. Can thought he might lift off the ground any minute. Did her kiss mean something?

Did it mean surrender?

Sanem pulled away flushed and breathless. 

He saw the moment doubt started to creep in to her eyes and he knew he had to share his heart with her. It was now or never.  But she spoke first.

Can, I, I have to...I think I need to go. I think there's something wrong with my heart. It's beating so fast. I feel dizzy. I don't know what I'm doing and I'm scared, she said.

Stay with me, Sanem. Stay with me and I'll take care of your heart, Can said holding her back to his chest and whispering into her ear.

Can, I'm so confused. I don't know if this right, Sanem said.

Sanem, I'm asking you in this moment to listen to your heart. I listened to mine and it's why I'm here tonight with you, Can said, pulling away again to look in her eyes.

I'm falling in love with you, Sanem.

When I look at the ocean, I only see you. If I look in the night sky, I only see you. If I'm on the boat, it's only you I see. You...only you, Sanem, Can confessed with his eyes searching hers for a response.

It was as if time stood still. The music was still playing inside. The candles were still blinking on the path. The cool breeze from the ocean was still lightly blowing through her hair. But she couldn't move. Couldn't think. Couldn't speak.

All that she could manage to say was..

Can...

Sanem, I know this is a lot for you. I do. But I can't miss my chance to tell you how I feel. I know that it will take time for you and I'm willing to wait for you, for however long it takes.

She stood on her tiptoes and reached around his neck to hold him. He could feel her warm tears as they fell on his back and his hands wrapped around her tiny waist.

Don't cry, cara mia. Please don't cry. You're breaking my heart. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere, he said as he rubbed her back.

When she released him, he pulled her chin towards him for a gentle kiss on the lips. And then another one, both ending with a loud smack.

Come on, let's go inside before you get cold, Can said taking her by the hand.

Sanem excused herself to the bathroom to see what damage she had done to her makeup. Looking in the mirror, she smiled when she saw her reflection. Underneath the tears was joy. It was undeniable. She giggled like a schoolgirl thinking about that kiss. 

Touching her lips, she remembered how his sweet lips felt on hers, how his mustache tickled her nose and she blushed. 

He loves me!

She knew that she needed time to process this. She was grateful that he was willing to give that to her and she knew she had a lot to think about. But for now, for tonight, this was where she wanted to be. Walking back into the living room, Can smiled and brought her in for another warm hug.