Strangers All At Once

Haven't you ever been in love before

Sophie stood there completely in shock, the words reverberated through her heart and the air.

Her mouth was open as Benedict seemed to find some courage as he began his full declaration.

"I know you've overheard me saying stupid things, and you saw Tilley kissing me but I swear, if you'd have lingered just another 5 seconds you'd have seen me shoving her off and telling her that I am in love with someone else. With you. My heart has always been with you Sophie. From the moment I bought you the drink and we sat abusing Oasis together, I knew in my heart that you were the one for me" he explained.

"From the moment I met you, something inside me changed. Your presence brought light into my life in a way that I never knew was possible. Your smile, your laugh, and even the way you said my name were the highlights of my day... Even after you left, which I finally understand why, I found myself thinking of you in the quiet moments, daydreaming about holding your hand, kissing you, being with you, and I realise now that I hadn't just lost you by not speaking my true feelings, but a part of my soul." Benedict said, not giving her a chance to react or to talk.

"Your kindness, intelligence, and beauty always left me in awe, and every day I was with you, and being back in your company only seeks to deepen my feelings." he paused to compose himself, swallowing and taking a breath before continuing, "Being around you again feels like i've come home, like i've found that piece of myself that has been missing since the day you left, I cherish our time together more than I can say, and I find myself wishing for more. I want to be there for you, to support you, to make you laugh when you're down, and to celebrate your victories, big or small. I want to create memories with you, to be a part of your journey and to have you be a part of mine"

He paused once more, taking a deep breath, his heart hammering loudly in his chest now, knowing this was the last little bit he had to get out "so, I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I want to face it with you by my side. I don't know how you feel about me now, but I had to tell you that I love you Sophie. I know i've made a mess of things but if you'll give me a chance, I promise to make it up to you" he finished.

Sophie just stared at him, unable to comprehend what she just heard, the declaration, everything " I saw you snogging your ex which fair enough you may have pushed her off but Ben... you said we meant nothing, that you had no choice but to be nice to me because I'm Kate's friend and it's not like I am going to ask her to marry me, and..."

"Tomorrow..." he said quickly

"What about it?"

"No I said it's not like I am going to ask her to marry me tomorrow! I'd been looking at our family jewellery, getting my grandmother's ring... Anthony was telling me to slow down! You missed the tomorrow part because of Hyacinth..." he said

"How do you know what I missed or didn't miss?"

"Because my mother and michael gave me what for the other day..."

"Michael?" Sophie squeaked, confusedly.

"Yes he apparently overheard you making plans to leave for France and never come back and had come to beat the shit out of me but found my mother giving me what for because of what you both overheard and told me I had no right to be moping the way i was, Kate had told her about Araminta's threat and she..."

"You know?" Sophie squeaked.

"I do now. I didn't at the time but Kate told me, and I guess after that more made sense to me, I know what she put you through, or at least some of it. I understood why you put your cover up even though I know it's not good for you, that you are way too hard on yourself, but i just wished you'd told me, opened up so I could help..."