73 Memories

The Twenty-Fifth Memory

We had migrated from my backyard to my bed once it got cold. We were watching a movie on my laptop when you reached over and paused it, turning to me.

"You never said it."

I was confused. "Said what?"

You sighed and then spoke in a 'duh' tone. "You never said, 'I love you' back."

I smiled at you and the way you had pulled your lips into a pout. "I thought that it was implied when I said that I'd marry you?"

"I want to hear it," you insisted, and I laughed at how you made the words sound like you were a puppy being neglected of its love.

"I love you," I said, laughing again when your face turned up into the widest grin I'd ever seen you wear.

"I love you, too."

I kissed your smile and then turned back to the movie, pressing the spacebar so it would start playing again.

Eventually, the movie ended, so we found another one to watch, and I let you choose this time.

I only got about fifteen minutes into it before I fell asleep.

I woke up to the familiar buzzing of a phone. I hesitantly allowed my eyes to open, searching for the phone. Without checking to see who it was, I answered the call and held it to my ear. "Hello?" I mumbled, my voice raspy.

"Who is this?" I heard Ruby say, and then my eyes went wide. My head shot over to the side. There you were, sleeping. You looked relaxed, peaceful. Beautiful. But I was brought back to reality when Ruby said, "Hello!"

"Oh! I'm sorry! It's me, um, we fell asleep in my room, watching a movie! Yeah, he'll be over soon!"
"Oh! No, don't wake him up! I'm sorry, I didn't recognize your voice there for a second."

"No, it's fine. Are you sure you don't want me to wake him up?" I glanced over at you and bit my lip, hoping she'd let you stay.

"Oh, of course. Are your parents okay with it?"

I bit my lip and decided not to tell her that it was just my father, ignoring the ache in my heart as I remembered what it was like to have a complete family. "Yeah."

"Then let the boy sleep. But I want you both over here when you wake up, you hear me?"

I smiled in relief and answered her. "Of course. Goodnight."

"Night, dear."

I heard the line go dead and shut the phone off, setting it on my nightstand before I placed my laptop on the floor and snuggled further into the covers.

You sighed next to me, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me towards you. "I'll bet that was awkward?"

I jumped at the sound of your voice. "You were awake?"

"Duh. If I would have answered, she'd have definitely made me come back. I wanted to stay with you, so I figured I'd let you do the talking."

I sighed, pressing my face into your chest. "You're evil."

"And you love me that way." I could practically hear the smile in your voice.

I nodded. "And I love you that way."