A/N: Ok guys so this is the last chapter of this story. Only two chapters longer than intended so not bad. I might do an epilogue like I did for From the Start but it depends how people feel. Instead of reccomendations I'm going to try and actually update my PTX reading list more often so if you're looking for stories to read then some of my favourites will be there. Thanks for the support on this story, I'm working on getting a new chapter of the road to verona up soon I just want to make sure that it's perfect first!
When we've finished eating and paid the bill (Esther and I won that argument since Darien and Kirstie are the guests) Darien grabs my arm and pulls me outside while Kirstie and my sister are getting their bags. "Ok. This is pretty much your last chance to speak to Kirstie about this properly so Esther and I are going to make our excuses and then you two are going to go for a walk."
"Maybe it's best left alone." He snorts. "You don't really believe that, you're just scared. Go for it. What's the worst that could happen?" I'm about to tell him that there are a lot of terrible things that could happen if I admit my feelings to her but before I get the chance Kirstie and Esther leave the restaurant and come and stand beside us.
"That was so good. Genuinely that might have been the best food I have ever eaten." Her eyes are wide and her mouth is stretched into a sincerely delighted grin. "Isn't it awesome? I make Esther take me every time we're here." Esther rolls her eyes but still wraps her arm around his waist and leans her head against his shoulder. "Anyway, we're going to go and see one of Esther's old high school friends so you two should just walk home." Esther looks momentarily confused but thankfully Kirstie misses it and just nods "Ok, see you later."
"I'm glad you had a good time, since it's your last night here." She nods and turns her head to look at me. "It was great. Thank you so much for taking me."
"It's fine. I had a really nice evening. Before we go back do you think we could talk?" Her expression instantly becomes more serious and she slows down to a stop. "Yeah, I think we probably should." I gesture towards a nearby bench and we walk over and sit down. "These past few days have been kind of crazy but they've also given me a lot to think about. When I asked you to come here I was convinced you'd say no and when you said yes I was so happy and excited and honestly I still am. I know that things have been weird and difficult but getting to spend all this time with you has given me a chance to really think about how I feel about you, how I feel about us." She's staring into my eyes and when I pause she takes my hand in hers and squeezes it gently, encouraging me to continue. I look at the way her long lashes frame her eyes and the way the corners of her mouth are curved upwards ever so slightly and I know that I'm doing the right thing.
"I can't keep telling myself that all I want is to be your friend because that's just not true. At first I thought this was just a crush or a phase that I'd get over but it isn't. I really like you. Every moment that we've spent together has just made me certain that I want a hundred thousand more moments with you. I want to be with you Kirstie and I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way and this makes things awkward but I had to tell you." She doesn't let go of my hand, she doesn't move, she doesn't speak, instead her mouth slowly curves into a smile. "Kirstie?" As soon as she starts leaning in I know what's about to happen. I could lean in and speed up the whole process but something about this instant in time feels precious and I don't want to rush it. She slowly brings her other hand up to my hair and then runs her fingers through it until her palm is against my neck. "Avi." Her mouth is close enough to mine that I can feel her warm breath against my lips. "Yes."
"I really like you too."
I'm still smiling when she kisses me and it takes a moment to adjust to it. When I do though I'm overhwelmed by the warmth of her mouth on mine. Her hand plays with the hair on my neck and I lift mine to rest on her waist, pulling her closer. When she pulls away she wraps both of her arms around my neck and presses her body against mine. "I'm so glad my flight was cancelled." I laugh into her hair and she sighs against my chest. "Me too." The sun is starting to set and I can see the sky turning pink and orange over Kirstie's head. "We should probably start walking back." She pouts as I stand up. "Do we have to?"
"It's going to be dark soon. Plus we need to be up fairly early tomorrow." She keeps pouting but lets me pull her up. When we're both standing I take the opportunity to kiss her again, enjoying the way my thoughts dissolve into nothingness at the touch of her mouth. "Ok, let's go."
When we get back my parents greet us with questions about the food and tell us how sad they are that we're leaving tomorrow. I watch the way that Kirstie tells my mom about her meal and then how much she wishes we could stay longer but that we have to go and work on the album. She's so happy and comfortable and I can't take my eyes off her. "Well I think you two had better get some sleep since you're driving back tomorrow."
"Yeah, you're probably right. Night mom, night dad." Kirstie waves goodnight and then follows me up the stairs. "I'm really going to miss them." "Yeah?"
"Even if I didn't get to see my family I got to see yours which is almost as good." We stop in front of my bedroom door and I lean in to kiss her forehead. "I'm glad you like them because they adore you nearly as much as I do." She grins. "You adore me?" I'm worried that it was maybe a little too much but her smile is reassuring. "Completely."
"Help me out of my dress?" She's stood with her back to me, holding her hair to the side so that the top of her back is exposed. I feel her shiver when my fingers brush her skin and I laugh. "Shut up, your hands are cold."
"Sure, that's why." I take hold of the zipper and slowly pull it down until she's able to wriggle out of the dress. She shuffles until the fabric pools at her feet and then steps forward and turns around so that she's stood facing me in her underwear. "You ok there Avi?" "Uh. Yeah I'm. Yeah." She smirks at me and tosses her hair back over her shoulder. When I pick her up and push her back against the wall she gasps loudly and when I attach my lips to her neck her gasp turns into a moan. "Avi." "You ok there Kirstie?" She rolls her eyes and pushes me away. "I thought you said we needed some sleep?" She's looking around for something to wear and I decide on impulse to offer her one of my t-shirts. She blushes as she pulls it over her head. "I need to go and take off my make up."
"Hurry back." She stops by the door. "Why, you worried you'll miss me?" "Yes."
When she walks back into the room her hair is tied up and she's wearing her glasses. She's so beautiful that it almost hurts to look at her. "Hey."
"Hey." She climbs onto the bed and sits in front of me with her legs crossed. Her eyes are tired but happy and so I reach out to grab her hands and gently tug her towards me. "Bedtime." She nods and I step off the bed for a moment to switch off the light. When I get back on she's lying down facing me and her glasses are on the table. I slide under the cover beside her and place one arm around her waist. She snuggles into my chest and her breath is warm against my skin. "Goodnight Avi."
"Goodnight Kirstie. I love you." I don't think about it before I say it and as soon as I realise what I've said my whole body tenses. Instead of freaking out like I would have expected she just tilts her head and kisses my lips gently. "I love you too." I bring my hand up to sit on her cheek. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure you idiot, now go to sleep." I smile at the exasperation in her tone and then close my eyes and breathe in the smell of her hair as I fall asleep.
