Invisible

Chapter 49 Three Little Words

"It took 3 years to tell Jacob I loved him. And no matter what I tell myself, I still blame my parents, they never were open or affectionate with each other... I mean I know mom loved dad... But dad always cared more about having money than having us." I can barely look at Maggie, I'm fixated on the cup of coffee in front of me. Its bitter and I add another spoonful of sugar.

For the past month I've been suspended in sweet bliss, warm dirt and grass keep my senses engaged, and when I clock out I'm swept away into a magical world where I'm around someone who does everything in his power to make sure I know I'm loved. Who is teaching me that the world is more than just my little corner and I've been loving every second of it.

But the nights where we never run out of things to say are the best. Learning about his world and showing him mine make my heart overflow with joy.

"Do you love Hunter?" Maggie slides her hand over mine and peers into my eyes, her brown eyes look calm and trusting.

"I-I... I..."

She tightens her grip on my hand before releasing it. "If you can't say it or hesitate to let it out you need to think about ending it."

I burst into tears.

"Shh, I'm sorry. Leah, please don't cry." Her hand flies over mine again. "Leah, what is love?" The tone in her voice is soft and caring but underneath she's trying to make a point.

I sniffle and search for the words, "love, uh... Caring about the other person more than yourself... Wanting the best for them even if it means making sacrifices," I take a deep breath, "feeling like there's never enough time and being scared to death that you are going to lose them."

"And how do you feel about Hunter?" She jumps right in when I finish speaking and I'm caught staring at her in disbelief.

"... How?" I gasp. How have i not figured this out for myself? How is it that he broke into my heart after I had tried for so long to keep it locked down?

"Don't ask me." Maggie smiles and her hand slides from mine to the purple coffee cup placed in front of herself. "You've been dancing around each other since Tiff and Sam's wedding. Honestly, I'm surprised it took as long as it did..." I give her a look of indignation. "Never mind, I almost forgot who I was talking to."

"Hey!" I dash the tears away and try my coffee again, making another face. I reach for the creamer.

"You're going to have more creamer in there than coffee!" She laughs at me and I shrug.

"Give me a break, I'm trying to process this and I need the caffeine."

"Are you going to tell him?"

"What?"

"Leah! You love him!"

I choke on my coffee. "I-" my throat forces me to stop and cough, "I don't know... Ahem, what you mean." I wheeze.

"When are you going to tell him?" She raises her voice at the end of the question and it makes me wince, the kids are down for a nap in the living room.

Finally I gain control of my breathing, setting the cursed coffee aside. "I don't know." Sighing, my head falls into my hands, blocking out the light from my eyes. "He's been so patient but now I'm worried he's getting tired of waiting. But if I say something he might think I'm just doing it to make him happy."

Maggie stands and I follow suit, I need to get back to work. This job though I can really get into, easy to impress, simple wishes, not to mention close to my heart. I walk outside and grab my shovel. Normally I don't work on individual projects by myself but while Al is away for family stuff Sam decided reworking the landscape around their house would be the perfect anniversary gift. And since their anniversary isn't for a while he will be completely surprised when he gets home.