The Comet Cafe

Epilogue

I love the feeling of her hand wrapped in mine. I love hearing her little giggles from behind me as I lead her to the elevator. I love everything about the girl who's been a huge part of my life for six months now.

"Alex, where are we even going?" She asks me, clinging to my arm to keep up with me.

"You'll see," I smile down at her. She sighs a little but smiles. I know she trusts me as much as I trust her.

We step into the elevator and I punch the largest number.

"Alex.." She says when she sees the button I push. "Are we even allowed on the roof?"

I shrug and then wrap my arms around her as the elevator begins to move up.

"Alex..." She repeats, moving her hands up and down my shoulders. "What if we get in trouble?"

"Julia," I grab the side of her face with my hand, forcing her to look up at me. "I just want to be alone with you. We've wasted so much time already."

She softens up when I say this. "You're such a sap."

"Only for you, Jules." I say and she smiles. She leans in a gives me a peck on the lips. Her lips are so delicate and soft, I just want to kiss her forever.

The elevator comes to a stop and I take her hand to pull her through the doors. A small corridor leads to a metal door that I hope leads to the roof. I yank it open to the brisk Chicago air and curse. Why didn't I bring a jacket? I'm such an idiot.

"Babe, it's fine. It's not that cold." Julia assures me.

"I love it when you call me babe." I smile and throw an arm around her shoulders. I hold her close to me to warm us up.

"I love you." She says, looking at me with bright eyes.

"And you call me the sap." I scoff and she laughs, warming my heart despite the cold wind. We walk towards the edge of the building and lean against the half wall. We stand in silence for a few moments, our breath showing in the air and our hands intertwined.

"Do you think they're looking for you?" Jules asks, coming closer to me and holding me by my waist. 

 "I don't care." I whisper and then press a kiss to her hairline. She stares at me, eyes flickering back and forth between my eyes. I lean down to kiss her and hold her tightly against my chest. She moves her lips slowly with mine, but it's a short kiss. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Her eyebrows cutely scrunch up and her brown eyes are full of confusion.

"For being a fucking dumbass." She smiles slightly and I go on. "I'm sorry for not saying it when you said it. I guess I was scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Love. I knew I loved you, Jules, but I was afraid I'd mess it up somehow. I'm still afraid I'm going to mess it up." I look out on the Chicago skyline when she doesn't reply. "You're so much more than I deserve. You're smart, you're understanding, you're fucking hilarious, Jules. You are so goddamn beautiful inside and out and I can't measure up." I put my gaze back on her and she's smiling. She attaches our lips again, forcefully opening mine. She takes the initiative in this kiss, and I can't say it doesn't turn me on. Fuck, why did I wait so long to have her lips on mine? She pulls away with her eyes closed. 

She opens them and takes my face in her hands. "Alex you so measure up. You're talented and caring and funny and just a great person all around. You won't mess up. I love you the way you are. I wouldn't change anything about you."

"Shit, I love you so much." I whisper and close the small amount of space between our mouths. I kiss her hard and passionately, keeping my hands low on her back to hold her to me. She loosely has her hands on my neck, playing with my hair. I fucking love it when she does that. She tugs on a strand and I swear into the kiss, moving my head more to the right. I can feel the smile on her lips as I continue to kiss her with all the love I can muster up. Our lips and tongues move together perfectly . I am so damn lucky. What the hell did I do to get Julia?