Five Feet Closer- Sequel to Five Feet Apart-

WILL

I didn't recognize the painting, but by the look on her face, Stella did. I wasn't gonna ask. At least not yet. It looked like she was hit with an emotional brick, so I didn't want to push anything. She eventually gathered herself together.

"Thank you, Michael." Stella croaked, standing up to give him a hug. 

"No problem, Stella," Michael said. "Call me anytime."

I shook his hand and guided Stella to the cross-walk. Her one hand clenched the painting, while the other squeezed mine. 

"Lets go back to the hospital now, Stell." I whispered. 

"Yea." Was her only reply. 

*                                                                                *                                                                          *

Barb ran up to us the second we arrived on the CF floor. 

"William Mitchell Newman! Where on earth have you-" Barb stopped when she saw Stella. Whew. Leave it to Stella to get me out of trouble. 

"Stella?!" Barb pulled- better yet- yanked Stella into her arms. "How are you, Baby?"

Stella's hazel eyes met mine. "Life is pretty good, actually. How are you?"

"Just fine, Baby Girl," Barb looked between the two of us suspiciously. I smiled. "What were you two doing?"

"Nah, nothing much," I responded. "Just got done a painting class with Bob Ross."

"Sure," Barb gestured between the two of us. "Be careful with-this, until Will's new lungs come in. Got it?"

"Yes, Barb," Stella replied before turning to me. "Come on, Will."

We continued down the hallway until we came to my room. Stella looked at me before opening the door, letting both of us in. 

"Stella," I started. "I don't think this is the smartest-"

Stella cut me off by placing a finger to my lips. She grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me to the bed. She climbed up, then motioned for me to join her. 

I was still unsure, but I did it anyway. We both lay there, her head on my shoulder and my hand tangled in her hair. 

"I could get used to this." Stella said softly. 

"I love you, Stella Grant." I turned my head to face her. She looked up at me, flicking her eyes to my lips. The dizzying urge to kiss her flooded my body, but this time I let it. We paused, our lips a centimeter apart. I brought her chin up further with my finger, then I kissed her with everything in me. It was sweet, yet passionate. We had both been waiting too long for this. And now that this moment was here, I never wanted it to disappear. 

I always thought  romance was such bullshit. Never in my 18 years of living did I think I would be in one. 

But it was fucking awesome.