Love 101

Chapter 4

Revealing True Feelings

Matthew watched as his sister and Daniel came back inside. He knew if their mother were alive, she would have told him "I told you so." Sarah Collins always believed that Daniel loved Faith more than brotherly love and one day they would have ended up together. Matthew thought that back then her mother was wrong but she saw something everyone else missed. There was a connection or bond that would bring them together. Jasmine kissed her husband on the cheek. "Are you still playing matchmaker?" she grinned. "No, honey just letting nature take its course," he laughed pulling her into his arms.

Daniel walked closely behind Faith feeling in his spirit that he had to act now before he chickened out. He was convinced that she needed to know that his feelings for her were different. Faith headed to one of the private areas to get something to eat. Having Daniel so close to her had her feeling all sorts of emotions she could not understand. "I am hungry," she said trying to lighten the mood as she headed for a strawberry cheesecake. She faced him and passed the plate to him taking a bite from the delicious dessert.

Daniel gasped when he saw the jelly graced her lips. "What?" she said seeing him look at her strangely. Daniel gently wiped off her lips with a napkin. "You are simply breathtaking," he said. "Faith, I............................" Daniel stuttered on his words. "I like you. I have liked you for a long time and want to be a part of your life if you would have me," he confessed.

Faith was taken aback upon hearing the words she did not expect. Daniel walked towards her confidently commanding her attention and catching her off guard. He gently kissed her on the lips and said, "Faith you are one the reasons why I came back to town. You have always been my childhood crush."

Faith felt her heartbeat speed up remarkably quickly at the sight of Daniel. She couldn't believe he kissed her leaving her shocked and amazed. She wondered if she was dreaming and would wake up at any moment. Daniel was her brother's best friend. She never imagined that he had such strong feelings for her. She stood frozen leaning against the counter for support contemplating how she should respond. Daniel came closer to her causing her to jump nervously.

"Faith......... I am sorry if I shocked you with all of this. But I have cared for you for a long time. I am sorry it took me this long to confess my feelings," he said staring at her intensely. Faith closed her eyes conflicted with this announcement of his true feelings. Daniel was a brother to her for years. Hearing him confess that he wanted something more had her head spinning. He was too handsome for his good in her opinion. Faith wondered why women would get flustered in his presence. However, at this moment her knees were weak, and her stomach was churning. She finally understood his effect on women. Daniel was sweet and soft at the same time making her feel warm on the inside. It did not help that his gorgeous green eyes held her captive and refused to let go.

"Daniel.......... I don't know what to say. I had no idea you felt this way," she admitted. Daniel gently held her hands and kissed them softly. "Faith, you have always been special to me and no one else compares. Think about this. Think about us. I would be honored to date you and show you how precious you are to me," he said, standing beside her. Faith felt breathless and captivated by him. She needed to process all of this.

"Daniel, I need time to think about this. I always pray before I make any major decisions. I have always loved you like a brother. We can't go back if this does not work out. With that being said, you have to be patient with me," Faith said looking at him directly for reassurance that he would respect her position. Daniel would wait an eternity for her. She was worth it and he wanted a life with Faith and was willing to fight for her love. Daniel knew God had shown him the woman of his dreams and he had no intention of letting her go.

The date- Two Weeks later

Faith sat across the dinner table enjoying her pasta fettuccini. Daniel had convinced her to go on a date and she respected him and his honesty about how he was feeling about her. He did not give her much of a choice because they had numerous conversations on the phone since the wedding. Also, he occasionally sent flowers and showed up unexpectedly at work carrying her out for lunch. Daniel was most certainly pulling out all the stops and showing her how much she meant to him.

"Be sure to save room for dessert," he teased. "You are feeding me way too much these days," she announced sipping her apple cider.

He stretched his hands across the table reaching for her hands. Faith slipped her hand in his with a smile as he caressed it gently. "Thank you," he said looking at her proudly.

"For what?" she asked.  "For everything. Being open. Going out with me. Allowing this to go somewhere," he said.

"I have not agreed to anything yet," she reminded him. "It won't be long before you fall hard for me and become my girlfriend," he smiled folding his arms.

"Cocky," she scolded him. "Just confident and know what I love and need in my life," he explained.

Faith swallowed the gulp in her throat as he freely declared his love. She played it off and tried not to dwell on it.

Daniel picked up on her mannerisms and was happy to share how he was feeling. He was convinced this was love swelling up on the inside of him.

"I want to show you something," he said escorting her to a private room. "Daniel Munnings what are you up to?" Faith asked bewildered as she followed him.

He never disappointed her in the area of romance. She was amazed at how romantic and considerate he was. Daniel took her breath away and he kept her guessing along the way. 

"Daniel," Faith gasped when she saw the room decorated with hearts and rose petals. Faith was taken aback when she saw a live singer serenading them. "Daniel, you did not have to do all of this," she smiled picking up a chocolate strawberry from of the table. "Well, you are well deserving of all the romance and more," he said drawing closer. "It's beautiful," she admitted inhaling the fragrance of fresh roses. "Would you be so kind to dance with me?" he said taking a bow. Faith nodded and in record time he pulled her gently in his arms and danced slowly reminiscing over every moment to be close to her. Daniel knew this was the beginning of an amazing relationship and a bright future together.

One Year Later

Faith strolled along the seashore kicking at the water playfully. Daniel grabbed her from behind and tickled her suddenly. "Okay, you win," she said out of breath. "We will make plans in the next two months," she confessed. He lifted his hands in the air feeling accomplished. He could not wait to marry her and start their lives together. Daniel wrapped the blanket around her pulling her closely . "I love you, Faith Collins," he said softly. "I love you too Daniel Munnings," she smiled. He kissed her hands admiring the lovely cut diamond ring on her finger. When he saw it his heart skipped a beat because he knew it would be perfect for Faith. She was rare, priceless, in his heart.

"What are you thinking?" she snuggled next to him. "I can't wait for you to become Mrs. Faith Munnings," he said. "I can't wait also," she announced. Daniel smiled and felt eternally grateful to God for this precious moment.

"Would you too come inside for dinner?" Matthew shouted from the distance snapping them out of their thoughts. "Okay, my fiancé and I will be inside soon," Daniel said holding Faith's hand. Faith giggled and shook her head stunned by his enthusiasm. "I always wanted to say that," Daniel laughed. He bowed his head and kissed her gently on the lips basking in the moment knowing that they would be fine with God on their side.