The List

chapter 2.

Elle looked at him, a puzzled look on her face. “No. What, I can’t have goals and ambitions?”

Louis immediately wiped the smile from his face when he heard her tone of voice. He was usually carefree and didn’t care what others thought, but she was the only exception.

“I never said that! I just mean that it’s just kind of cute.” He was trying desperately to save himself.

She didn’t say anything. She just looked away from him and sighed.

“Hey, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s great that you have goals. It’s actually kind of cool that you know them well enough to write them all down.” When she still didn’t respond, he grabbed her hand. “I really didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, babe.”

“It just…It means a lot to me, honestly. I know it may be kind of silly and stupid, but it means a lot. You only get one life you know? And I want to make sure I live it to the fullest and live it exactly how I want.”

“I respect that. Babe, I don’t know if you know how much I respect everything you stand for. Everything you do makes me more in awe of you. Don’t ever change, okay?”

She looked up into his eyes and smiled. “As long as you promise to do the same.”

He smiled back and instantly they were connected again, a simple kiss reuniting them. Breaking apart, Louis looked into Elle’s eyes and thought about how lucky he was. He only had one question for Elle, something he was dying to know.

“Elle?” he asked cautiously.

“Yes, babe.” She replied, smiling up at him.

“When you first saw me that day and we started talking…well, I knew I wanted to be with you. Who wouldn’t? But…why me? I mean, you have all these interesting, unique qualities and, besides being, well, who I am, I couldn’t really compare to you. So, why did you pursue me?” he asked, not totally looking into her eyes, nervously running his fingers through his hair.

She smiled up at him and took his hands in hers. He stopped and looked down at her, a pleading look in his eyes.

“Why did I pursue a relationship with one of the most beautiful, genuine guys I had ever met?” she asked. He smiled and raised an eyebrow.

She shrugged. “Why not?”

He smiled and laughed. “I love you, Elle.”

“I love you, too, Louis.”

She kissed him then. It was passionate, with months of longing and love hidden behind it. In this moment everything was okay. It was perfect.

When they broke apart, Elle realized it was almost time to go to dinner. It was a Wednesday and at Highland United Methodist Church, that meant their weekly dinner. Elle had made sure to let everyone know Louis would be coming so that it wasn’t a shock when a member of the world’s biggest boy band walked through the door.

They shimmied down the ladder and, hand in hand, walked out of the garden and down the sidewalk to the fellowship hall. As soon as they walked through the door, a positive response hit them like a ton of bricks. Friends and family rushed over to the couple. But, to Louis surprise, they all went for Elle first. Not that he didn’t want this to be the case. He just wasn’t use to that. He smiled at the love he felt from this church family of Elle’s. She was so lucky.

One of the first to run over was Elle’s best friend Sydney.

“ELLE!” she yelled, running over.

“She’s the energetic one I was telling you about, babe.” Elle whispered to Louis loud enough for Sydney to hear.

“Oh, shut up and give me a hug.” She said and the two embraced.