My dearest Melanie S.M.

Pages 72 - 84

Chapter 7

Her whole body goes numb when her pale boyfriend walks back sitting on the other side of the booth. He sinks down to nothing and simply stares at the table, he can't even look at Melanie. "What happened?" She grabs his hand. He barely holds hers back, he can't stomach this any longer the whole situation is killing him.

"Tell me you're not pregnant?" He stares at her, his eyes turn into big pools of sorrow, regret, and hurt. "Tell me you're not?" He begs and her eyes fall.

"I can't have babies, remember?" She mumbles sadly reaching for his hand. She wishes more than anything that she could have a baby, that's all she's ever wanted. "And I'm on my period." She explains quietly, she didn't owe him that explanation but she gave it to him anyways, he needs to feel heard. That's what all of the dating websites and therapy sessions tell her. You have to let him feel heard.

"I'm sorry babe, I forgot." He looks disappointed in himself his eyes not moving from the table. The man put it in his mind that she was pregnant, that she had gone pregnant because it was the only explanation for her symptoms as he put it. He's just not ready for a kid, though if she was pregnant he wouldn't say anything. He would face it like a man and help her through all of the struggles, hers would be infinitely worse than his.

"It's alright." She slides in next to him leaning on his chest. He kisses her temple and hugs her tight. Her eyes fall shut and she sits completely silent taking every cuddle she's offered. He squeezes her with everything he can and smiles.

"I'm gonna tell the world about you." He whispers to her, delicately. She's like his little glass doll and he won't let anyone else touch her. She needs to be shielded, she always has been and he's not gonna let her face the harsh reality of the world. He'll keep her protected.

"They'll hate me." She mumbles. She sounds nervous so he waves her towards him bringing her into his lap. He hugs her tight and kisses her cheek softly.

"They'll learn to love you." He explains calmly. He knows that if he loves her enough to show the world they'll be happy for them. They may not love her but they'll be happy for them. "I'll teach them." Her lips curve a small smile and then press against his. She can't help but smile all he does is teach people to love. He's been teaching her for three years. Only now is she starting to understand that love is more than a word and the butterflies in your stomach. She recognizes it as the fast paced beat of her heart, and the endless laughs that she can share with him, the hugs and kisses, the relationship that they have. She recognizes it not by her knowledge, but by the feeling. She loves the feeling.

"I," She stops herself and he gives her a smile, a bright smile that he can't help but flash. "I'm thankful that you've been teaching me how to love." He smiles at her deflection, he knew what was gonna be said. She was too scared to say it. It hasn't been that long only a couple of days and barely.

"I love you," he kisses her softly she looks down and into his eyes. He watches her pupils dilate, that's how he knows she loves him. Her pupils only do that when she looks at him, it's a sign of love. He was worried at first so he researched it. "And I know you love me too."

...

She spits her toothpaste into the sink and looks up at him giving him a questioning look while all he does is admire. He can't help but smile at her. She thinks she's being made fun of but he's just trying to watch her beauty. "Come cuddle me sweets!" He opens his arms, he lay on the bed waiting for her to fall against him. She stares at him and with a smile slowly nears, she pops her retainer into her mouth and then falls down against him. He holds her tight cuddling every inch of her perfect body. "You're the best cuddler in the business!" He smiles making her giggle while their train car bounces over the bumps in the tracks. He flips on top of her in fear that things might start falling off of the shelf bolted to the wall above them.