Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Thirty Six

Sal pushed passed Bryony's father, as he made his way into the bedroom, coming to find Dustin asleep in his crib, and Bryony packing up her belongings. The room was quiet, with only the rustling of clothes being packed and the small sniffles of Bryony being heard.

Stepping his way over to her, Bryony flinched, as she felt a hand gently brush against her arm. She turned to him, as Sal let a small smile play on his lips. He guided her away from the packing, as he brought his forehead to rest against hers. He placed a single kiss to her lips, as he sighed deeply. Sal clasped tightly at her arms, feeling Bryony's shoulders begin to shudder, as the tears started to roll down her cheeks.

"I love you," Sal whispered to her, feeling Bryony nod against him. He pulled away, only to bring her into a tight embrace, as she rested her head against his chest, hearing his heartbeat thump into her ear. "Look after our boy now, won't you."

Sal pressed a kiss to the top of her head, feeling himself lose control to his emotions, as a single tear fell from his eye. He remained strong, his grasp around her tightening.

"I don't want to go, Sal. I love you...I want to stay here." He heard Bryony cry into him, her words muffled. Sal pulled away, peering down to her, as his forefinger pushed softly at her chin, letting their eyes meet, grey melding with green.

"Then stay...stay with me, let us do what we had planned, and raise Dusty here." He frowned, as she shook her head, sniffing lightly.

"I-I can't."

"Why not?" He asked sincerely, seeing the hurt etched across her features.

"B-Because...because..." Bryony couldn't finish her sentence, as the melancholy swamped her entire body. She cried, her tears staining against his shirt, as Sal cradled her tightly, his heart aching.

"You can tell me, Love." He encouraged, his voice calm and soothing.

Their eyes met, the light bouncing off of their tear-filled orbs. Sal studied Bryony's eyes, the grey irises were like glass. His eyebrows softened, before he leant in, melding his lips with hers. He kissed the girl like he had never kissed her before, the passion seeping through him, as his lips caressed with Bryony's. Sal ran his hands down to her waist, pulling her body into his, feeling her hips press against his own, as Bryony curled her hands around his neck, tugging tightly at the collar of his shirt. Her fingers fiddled with the ends of his hair, the sensation tickling the boy slightly.

Breaking away from the kiss, Sal looked into her eyes, feeling the same way he had done the first time that he ever saw her from across the canteen at school. The memory from that day played in his head; her smile, her laugh, everything about the girl set his heart alight, he lived for her, and only her. He didn't need anyone else, he didn't want anyone else, more importantly.

"My father...he...he said that I'm not allowed to see you again." Bryony blurted out, witnessing the hurt sprawled across Sal's face. He stepped away, nodding his head in acceptance, as he peered down to the ground, speechless. "I'm so sorry, Firefly."

Sal looked up, as the nickname rang through his ears. He didn't need clarification, he knew that she still loved him. What once was broken between them both had been forgotten about. Bryony didn't want to leave without making it known that her heart only beat for Sal; he was the one for her, and she knew that if true love did exist, that she and Sal would meet again one day. "I love you."

Hearing the three words that he had been waiting for, Sal hastily leant in again, bringing his lips to brush against Bryony's. He kissed her, never wanting their lips to ever part again, but deep down, he knew that he had to. He had to let her go.