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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 27, 2019 7:50:37 GMT -8
"Simply, yes." Jeremy takes long, slow breath as he formulates the rest of his words. "I mean... You've put up with me not knowing what I want to do with my life. Yeah, we argued about me quitting my job, but we figured that one out pretty fast. You're already suggesting couples counseling, which, as daunting as it is, is honestly probably helpful for any couple anywhere in their relationship. We've talked about what the next few months will entail. And... You know how they say the right person often comes around after your biggest heartache? Well, my ex was definitely my biggest heartache and here's you so."
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Post by Joelle on Nov 27, 2019 12:53:42 GMT -8
"I...I think so too, I just...I didn't wanna say anything unless I was sure you were sure. So many things have gone wrong- for both of us- and the last thing I wanna do is mess this up. You know what I mean? Honestly...that first kiss was out of this world, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't... for lack of a better phrase, seeing things. It seems like what goes wrong in my life is always major- like my bio parents dying- and if I was seeing something, that would be bad, and if we messed things up in this relationship, it would be worse." She moves away briefly to put the pizza in the oven, but she fully intends on coming back to snuggle some more while it bakes. When she returns, her breathing is a little heavier, as if she's trying to make an effort to keep tears back.
"I won't intentionally hurt you, and you won't intentionally hurt me. Deal?"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 27, 2019 16:46:08 GMT -8
Wrapping her in his arms, Jeremy pulls her closer to him, pressing a kiss to her head. "That sounds like a perfect deal to me," he whispers. "As long as you add one more thing." He pauses long enough for her to wonder what he means. "I need you to promise me you won't cry. Not about this. Not anymore."
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Post by Joelle on Nov 28, 2019 9:15:25 GMT -8
She tries to breathe, managing a little chuckle. "If any slip out, they're happy tears, I promise. I love you...I finally feel free saying that now. I've wanted to tell you that for so long...the last month, at least." A full-on giggle escapes. "We're fast, aren't we? Emotionally if not physically. In my case, people say a lot of the time that first loves aren't real or don't last, but I hope that we are, and do. Eliza's gonna be thrilled. You remember what she said at the summer family gathering? 'Jeremy almost has a relationship.'" She tries not to think that is amusing, but can't quite manage it, her eyes dancing.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 28, 2019 10:00:35 GMT -8
"Well, let me tell you this: it may be your first love, but it isn't mine. That's how we'll cheat this 'first loves don't last' bit people are feeding you." He presses a gentle kiss to her lips before squeezing her tightly again. "And I love you too."
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Post by Joelle on Nov 28, 2019 14:19:37 GMT -8
Graciela grins until her face hurts. "That works." She sighs contentedly as he kisses her, then kisses him again after he has said I love you. It is every bit as earth-shattering as the first time they kissed, maybe more.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 28, 2019 14:25:23 GMT -8
Jeremy allows himself to revel in the moment, relishing each kiss, each embrace, and just as he moves to kiss her again...
The timer for the pizza interrupts.
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Post by Joelle on Nov 28, 2019 15:50:26 GMT -8
Graciela laughs, though she is a little disappointed as well. "Kissing and food. The two best things about making up. And here's the food." She goes to get the pizza, setting it on the counter to cool.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 28, 2019 19:54:21 GMT -8
"Mmm, I think we've done good with this," Jeremy says, sniffing the freshly made pizza. "It smells amazing."
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Post by Joelle on Nov 28, 2019 20:11:27 GMT -8
"It does! Where do you keep the plates and the pizza server?" she asks.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 28, 2019 21:10:22 GMT -8
"Plates are in the cupboard by the sink," Jeremy says, grabbing the pizza cutter himself from the drawer right in front of them. "How big do we want to cut the slices?" he asks, cutter poised above the pizza's surface.
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Post by Joelle on Nov 28, 2019 21:48:06 GMT -8
"Depends on how hungry we are," she answers with a laugh. "Now that we've kissed and made up- literally- I feel better- and hungrier. I hope that isn't bad. Waiting for so long trying to fight feelings you're not sure the other person reciprocates can drain a lot of energy." But she can't quite put into words just how happy she is to have it all out in the open.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 29, 2019 8:28:50 GMT -8
"So what you're saying is you want hig slices," Jeremy laughs. "I like that attitude. Big slices it is!"
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Post by Joelle on Nov 29, 2019 9:58:21 GMT -8
She laughs again. "Definitely!" After the pizza is cut, she takes a bite. "Not bad for our first try at cooking something together."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 29, 2019 10:49:21 GMT -8
Jeremy takes a bite before commenting, "Mmm, we did good! If we can do this, maybe we can move on to something more complicated than fondue."
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Post by Joelle on Nov 29, 2019 19:05:14 GMT -8
"That's true. Maybe something cool- like a medium-to-advanced level cake like on one of those baking shows. The Great British Bake-Off is a good one for things like that, and I'm sure my dad could give us tips."
She thinks for a minute, unsure how to ask the question she wants to. "When should we- if ever- tell people we're in love? I'd kind of like to keep it our secret for awhile, but I don't think it will take my sisters or Eliza long to know- I've got all the airhead signs already- well, you know what I mean, right?"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 29, 2019 20:37:29 GMT -8
"I think... We should tell them when we're ready. We don't have to say anything until we feel like it. They don't need to know unless we want them to," Jeremy replies. "And That includes Eliza and your sisters. Let them guess all they want. We don't have to agree with them right off the bat."
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Post by Joelle on Nov 30, 2019 11:24:48 GMT -8
"Oh, somebody's gonna guess. I didn't become a blusher until I met you, for one. So they'll guess even if I don't say a word." She laughs. "I wonder why it is that we're different when we're in love?"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 30, 2019 12:50:42 GMT -8
"Because we know we're wanted by and loved by and important to somebody?" Jeremy guesses. "At least that's how I see it."
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Post by Joelle on Nov 30, 2019 17:51:26 GMT -8
"That's true, but that doesn't explain giggling, blushing, or clumsiness. What about you? Do you think about me too, and your head is in the clouds?"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Nov 30, 2019 18:10:55 GMT -8
"It's a little different for guys," Jeremy replies, "but, ummm, yeah, a little bit, I guess. Is there, like, a scientific explanation for that, you think?"
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Post by Joelle on Dec 2, 2019 20:57:12 GMT -8
"Not sure. But how exactly is it different for guys?"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Dec 3, 2019 0:25:50 GMT -8
"Well... We don't get giggly for one," Jeremy teases. "I think you're describing infatuation versus actual love though."
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Post by Joelle on Dec 3, 2019 8:38:29 GMT -8
"That's true. It's okay to have both at the same time, though." She grins.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Dec 3, 2019 8:47:23 GMT -8
"Yeah, just don't be surprised when the infatuation wears off and you're left feeling less than giggly and giddy," Jeremy chuckles. "Once we get out of this sort of honeymoon phase, where it still feels good all the time-- or at least most of the time if you count tonight-- you can tell me what bring in love really feels like to you."
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Post by Joelle on Dec 3, 2019 9:24:03 GMT -8
"That's true- but I don't like thinking about us getting past the honeymoon stage," she admits. "I guess because I know what can happen when you do- with my siblings. I'm so tired of feeling like everything in my life is for all the marbles- you know? Like if I make one little misstep I lose everything." She sighs. "I don't think I told you this, but when my sister Dawn died, I'd only been adopted three months- a little less, actually. And she was murdered- and it's still a cold case. So we were just getting used to a new normal in the first place- after our bio parents died- and then the adoption- and then the new normal was shattered so violently.God forbid they'd have come after my parents-" She gulps. "I suppose that's partly why I feel I can never relax, even when things are good. So if I ever get uptight for what seems like no reason-" She sighs clear from her toes. "I'm sorry."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Dec 3, 2019 10:01:32 GMT -8
Jeremy gently takes her face in his hands. "Hey, hey, shhh, babe, it's okay," he says softly. "No need to be sorry. Getting out of the honeymoon stage Will just mean we have to try a little harder to keep things working. It's easy when we're head over heels. It's when we start to really go through life together that things get real. And hard. But that's what we have resources for. To help make sure that we can do this. Honestly, it could be kind of fun to be out od the honeymoon stage. Gives room for more creativity."
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Post by Joelle on Dec 4, 2019 18:44:47 GMT -8
Graciela has no idea what he's talking about when he says 'room for more creativity.' "I don't know exactly what you mean there, but at least we'll know we don't have to...um...walk on eggshells...with each other by then. For that matter, I hope we know it after just now!"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Dec 4, 2019 19:01:12 GMT -8
"I mean, like, with our dates and how we spend our time," Jeremy laughs. "You know, plain old dinner dates won't necessarily be the first thing we want to do after tje honeymoon stage. Maybe we'll want to... I dunno, do something out of the ordinary. Like take a trip for the weekend. Or... something. I'm not thinking of any good examples roght now."
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Post by Joelle on Dec 4, 2019 19:32:54 GMT -8
"Or...go to a concert? Of course, then we'd have to know what each other's music likes and dislikes are, but you get the idea."
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