And I Love Her

Bonus Chapter - His "I Love You"

A Year And 6 Months After New York

James' POV

"Really?" Kat laughs as she begins to park the car.

"Yes!" I laugh with her.

Kat had just come to pick me up from training and we were arriving home. It's been four months since she's moved back to Madrid and we already have a routine going.

When she turns the ignition off, I get out quickly and retrieve my things from the backseat before making my way over to her. I pull her into me, regardless of the sweat on me and I know that I'll instantly get a joke about it. Like clockwork, she mocks me and in response I begin to kiss her up and down her cheek and neck.

"Happy anniversary," I finally say, it's been killing me all day.

"Aww, look who's counting," Kat pokes me as we enter the elevator.

"What did you do at the office today?" I ask as the doors shut.

"I had a photo shoot actually," she replies. "You know how I've missed those."

The doors slide open and I back up off of Kat and gesture for her to walk into the hall first; she pulls out her keys and opens the door.

I let go of my bag once I step foot into our home and let out a loud grunt, finally time to relax. I head over to the bathroom to get rid of the dirty clothes and take a quick shower.

Five minutes later, I come out of the bathroom to find Kat has just finished changing her clothes too.

"What do you want for dinner?" she speaks.

"Dinner? Let's just skip it and go straight to dessert," I smirk.

"What?" she lets out a chuckle.

I put up a finger to stop her from talking any further and I take her hand in mine and pull her out to the dark kitchen.

The only light comes from the fridge when I pull the door open. I put my hand in the back and find what I was searching for, the cupcake I had made for her this morning.

Kat is leaning against the counter as she begins to chuckle some more.

"Happy birthday to you," I sing and try my best not to deafen her.

I know it's a terribly made cupcake, but I place it into her hands anyway, it was made with love and that's all that matters.

"I tried," I almost sigh.

"I can see that," she jokes. "Thank you," she speaks before kissing me on the lips.

I reach over for the drawer and pull out a candle and matches, I place the candle in the center of the cupcake and light it.

"Make a wish," I smile at her.

Kat then blows out the candle and I feel my heart begin to beat a little faster, her happiness is all that matters to me.

I decide to pick her up quickly and I take her to the even darker living room and throw her on the couch.

"I almost dropped the cupcake," she exclaims. "I can't see anything."

I stand up to open up the curtains to let some light in.

"Thanks love," Kat says.

"What'd you wish for?" I ask as I go back over to the couch.

"Now if I told you that..." Kat smiles.

I smile back at her and pull her closer, I pull her legs onto my lap and I embrace her.

"Take a bite already," I say as she pulls out the candle.

She finally does and she begins to moan a little, even though it isn't the best looking cupcake, it still tastes great.

"Good?" I ask.

"Good," she nods.

She brings the cupcake to my face to let me try and as I open my mouth, Kat brings the frosting up to the tip of my nose and I decide to act a bit surprised even though I signed myself up for it; Kat begins to laugh at me.

"I know you too well," I almost laugh with her.

"Clearly not," she smirks. "You thought I was going to give you a bite?"

The only way to get back at her is to pinch at her waist, and it seems to work.

"Alright!" she finally lets out. "Take a bite."

I try out the cupcake and it was good. Kat takes the final bite and leaves the blown out candle inside the wrapper on the coffee table.

"Do I have something on my face?" I catch her staring.

"No," she smiles.

She puts her hands under my jaw and pulls me in for a kiss

"You're just beautiful," she says before placing her lips on mine, my favorite sensation.

And at that moment, I knew it was time. It was time to say those three words that I've known for so long cause I can't help myself and Katalina is the light of my life. I love this girl and I would do anything for her, I need to tell her how I feel.

"I love you."

Yes, it's the first time any of us has said 'I love you,' even though we both know we have for a long time. I begin to get a bit nervous when she doesn't respond. My biggest fear is her not answering in the same way right this very moment. I find myself holding my breath, but somehow I feel happy.

"I love you," she speaks back.

The feeling increases and I can't hold back my smile.

She pulls me closer and kisses me on the nose where the frosting is first, making me laugh. I look into her beautiful eyes when I pull away and then we kiss.

"You got frosting on my cheeks, I hope you know that," Kat says.

"Did I really? Sorry," I mock her.

"Oh," she leaves another kiss on my lips. "I'm sure you are."

"Let's get to bed," I say.

"Sweep me off my feet," she jokes, but I do so.

I quickly dispose of the wrapper and candle before heading to our room.

"I'm gonna buy you the nice big house you deserve soon enough," I mean it.

I throw the covers on Kat after placing her in bed then walk over to the other side.

"No need," she speaks and faces me.

I begin to count the months I've been with her and bite back the smile. Such little time, and so much more time I want and need with this girl.

"I love you," she says first this time around.

"Are you having fun saying that?" I decide to joke.

I get a kick from her under the covers then pull Kat closer to me.

"I love you," I repeat as I embrace her in my arms and leave a kiss on her forehead.

I look at her and give her the most genuine smile I have ever given in my life, and she gives me a more beautiful one back.