secrets

twenty-two

-SIMON-
______

The scene in front of me reminds me of the dreams I had when I was younger. The ones where I was happy, content, and safe. The ones where I was so in love with my girlfriend/wife that she was the only person that mattered to me. The ones where I would hold her and we would fall asleep together, or we spent a whole day in together just making out and talking to each other.

Today, that dream came true. Ever since I met Adele, that dream has been coming true.

As we sit up in bed that night, I run my hand along her unbelievably soft skin, kissing her plump lips and reminding her many times that I love her. She runs her hands through my unruly hair and down my chest, telling me she loves me too.

After a while of just making out, we lay down and I pull her into me, wrapping my arm around her and holding her just the way she loves to be held. She rests her head against my chest, and I play with her silky hair until she falls asleep.

It's nothing short of a dream come true; holding the love of my life until she falls asleep in my arms.

"I love you." I whisper to her, then I close my eyes and fall into the most blissful sleep I've ever had.

_____

Adele sets the bags of groceries on the kitchen table, drops her keys on the counter and then lunges into my arms.

"You did it baby!" I congratulate her.

"I did it!" She says, a proud smile on her face.

She had done it. She overcame her abuse, her near-rape, her fears, her insecurities. She became the woman that was hidden inside of her for far too long, the one I fell in love with in the pub and stuck with until she found herself again.

The one who captured my heart more than any other person ever has.

"Adele, I'm so proud of you!" I hold her tighter against me.

She hugs me tighter and I notice that she is crying. Letting her go, I say, "Baby, what's wrong?"

"I just-" She starts crying more audibly, and my heart breaks at the sight.

"You can tell me anything, Adele." I brush my thumb over her tears.

"I just don't know how to thank you." She finally says, but it only makes me more confused.

"For what, love?" I say, guiding her to the couch.

"For everything. For believing in me when I gave up on myself, for loving me and staying with me even at my worst, for telling me I'm beautiful even when I was in the most unattractive state, for-" She takes a deep breath. "For congratulating me even when I did simple things, for helping me overcome something I never thought I could."

"You're capable of a lot more than you think you are, my love." I tuck a piece of her hair that has fallen to her face behind her ear.

She smiles at me, her eyes glistening from her tears. "But most importantly, thank you for teaching me how to be in love and not to be afraid of it."

Tears form in my eyes as I hear her say those words. I remember how different of a person she was just a few weeks ago, and yet, she's still the same beautiful, kind hearted person.

Just a few weeks ago, she flinched at my touch. She hid from mirrors. She hesitated when I kissed her. She didn't believe me when I told her I loved her. She was surprised that I held a door for her or asked if she was okay before doing anything. She thought love was a dangerous thing.

And now, she believes I love her. She isn't afraid to love me back. And she can finally do things, like grocery shop, all by herself again without being afraid of losing her life or dignity.

Nothing made me prouder than to hear her say, "I did it!"

I wipe my tears away and passionately kiss her. It's so passionate that I forget where I am. She wraps her arms around my neck and our lips repeatedly collide until we are out of breath.

"Thank you for teaching me what love really is, Adele." I finally say to her.

Our tearful eyes and nostalgic expressions become replaced with nothing but immeasurable happiness.

"I love you so much." She says.

"I love you too." I say to her, meaning it now more than ever.

Our eyes meet for a second, and I lose myself in the color of hers, then get taken to another world as her soft lips crash onto mine again.

"We need another secret." She breathily says.

"A dirty secret." I add.

"Take me upstairs, Simon." She whispers.

So I do. And together, we come up with the best secret we ever have.