How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 47

The words "I love you" had been at the tip of my tongue for weeks. The feeling of love had been in my heart for months, really, but I hadn't personally acknowledged it. The first time the words materialized in my head was at an unexpected time. It had been early in the morning and I was running late. As I hobbled around my room in one high heel and was searching for the other, I caught sight of the framed photograph of Harry and me on my bedside table. In that moment, I paused and thought, I love him.

Just when I thought my lungs would burst from lack of oxygen, Harry pulled away from our kiss. Keeping me in his arms, he gave me a small smile. He looked happier than I had seen him ever. Even on stage, his happiness had never been this pure, this genuine. A small part of me was elated to be even slightly responsible for Harry's happiness. When I think of the rest of my life with Harry, I hope this is how it's going to be.

"You're tense, Kate." Harry's hands ran up and down my back feeling my muscles.

"I was just really nervous," I said quietly.

"About what, love?"

"Talking to you about the note." My voice was barely above a whisper.

"Why?"

"Because I was worried you didn't really mean it. Or worse: you did mean it at one time, but it was no longer true."

"How could I not love you? Can't you see that I'm wildly in love with you?"

"It's just...I'm different now...after my amnesia and everything."

"I loved you then. I love you now. I love you unconditionally." Harry's voice was so quiet, but not because his love was weak. His voice was quiet as he spoke because like his love, it was only for me.

"Harry," I sighed in relief. I leaned against his chest and closed my eyes. We were in beautiful Stockholm, but I couldn't have cared less. In that moment, my only interest was my love, my Harry.

"You know," he said as he stroked my hair, "those words have been burning a hole in my heart for some time now. Feels good to say them."

"Why didn't you say them sooner?"

"How do you tell a girl who hardly knows you that you love her?" he asked mildly. "Besides, I could not say it until I knew you were ready to hear it."

"Say it now," I whispered.

"I love you."

"Again," I urged.

"I love you." 

They were words I had both heard and said countless times in my life. My parents tell me they love me and I say it back. My friends tell me they love me and I say it back. I love those shoes. I love that house. I love the color of that dress. I love my new laptop. I love the ocean. I love spaghetti. I love autumn. But hearing Harry say that he loved me made the words more meaningful than they ever had been to me before.  

Harry pressed soft kisses from my lips, across my cheek, and to my ear. "I have something for you."

"Oh?"

Harry untangled his arms from around me and I felt the coolness of the breeze coming off the water. He reached in his pocket and withdrew a small blue velvet box. "This is for you," he extended the box to me. 

I took the small box and lifted the lid. Nestled in the satin interior of the velvet box was a gold star charm. I lifted the charm from the box and examined it in the light. The gold glinted in the sun and I couldn't contain the smile that commanded my face.