"Say you're too busy falling in love with me that you don't have time for anything else," she said, a cheeky grin on her face. Dax rolled his eyes with a smile threatening to reveal itself. "Kidding. Just tell him you're a freelance photographer and that we met during the spring pop-up in Sterling Grounds."
"We have a story?"
"Of course, we do. A fake one to tell others so we can keep the real thing our little secret."
"What if he asks a question about my schooling and college?" Dax asked, suddenly nervous. He could make a long list of everything that could go wrong.
"Trust me, he doesn't care about things like that. He'll just want to know if you have a good heart and the capability to take care of me when I need it. He'll want to see if you really love me. All of which you do. There's no problem. Don't be nervous," she said. "Even if he doesn't approve, he won't interfere with my choice and I'll always choose you, Dax. Always."
"I do need a lot of assurances, don't I? What if you become exhausted one day?" he said, embarrassed.
"It's not a one-way transaction. You lend me so much strength. I know I can rely on you. If I need help, I know you'll come running for me. Maybe you don't say it often but I know it through your actions. So, don't ever worry about that, okay?" she said, placing a palm on his cheek. "Even if I do feel some kind of way, I'll always let you know."
"You promise?"
"I promise. I'll not keep anything from you again. Even if it will upset you. I get what you were trying to say," she said. "But I expect you to do the same."
"I will. I promise I will." And Dax meant it.
Dax pulled her in close and bundled her against her chest. "Then, I guess I should tell you that I have another new scar on the back of my shoulder."
"Dax! You liar!"
He only chuckled and held her tighter as she tried to wiggle away from his arms. "But I did come back in one piece. I didn't die. So, keep up your end of the deal."
"What do you mean?" she asked, feigning the innocence of an angel.
"Three words, red. You've deprived me of them for more than a month."
"I thought it was no big deal. I mean, I remember you calling me dramatic when I gave much too importance for those words," she said, smirking.
Dax groaned. "You're a pain in the ass, truly."
She chuckled and lifted her head to press a long kiss on his chest, right above his beating heart. "And I love you," she said, words taking shape on his skin. She held his gaze as she traced slow crescents under his eyes with her thumb. "I love you more than anything in this world. I love you, Dax. Every part of you --- let them be cracked, bent, crushed or temporarily glued and waiting to fall apart. I love them all. Never let me go?"
He pressed a kiss on her head. "Never."
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