Typical [L.P. + N.H. + A.I.]

10.4 - Happy - So Long

'Great! See ya!' He hangs up. 'You should go now so you won't accidentally run into her on the way.'

'Yeah, I'll take the long way around, just in case. Text me when she gets here so I know the coast is clear.'

I drive around for a while, then when I get the message from Louis, I got back home. First thing first, I start working in the kitchen. A nice dinner, she's always been cooking for me and her food is amazing, and I want to do something for her in return. Anything I cook isn't gonna be as tasty as hers but it's the gesture that counts. 

After I put the chicken in the oven, and finish the salad, I get started on the rest. I prepare the candles, some on the table where we're going to eat, in the sitting room downstairs from the kitchen, and on the table and bookshelves there. But, I don't light them just yet. 

Hmm... What else? Oh, the gift! I go to my bedroom where I put my suitcase when I got here. I pull out the small rectangular box and hide it behind the black sofa.

I finish everything, the food, the table in the kitchen. I get a text from Louis saying she's on her way. Good, everything is ready. I just need her to be here and tell her.

Jess' POV

I get home, I try turning on the light but it's not working. Good thing it's not completely dark out. I make my way to the kitchen, trying to understand why there's no light. When I get there, there are candles lit everywhere, and a table full of different delicious dishes.

Music started playing on the speakers and Niall comes from the sitting room.

'I was gonna get you flowers but I know you don't like that.'

'I thought you weren't coming before tomorrow!'

'Surprise! I couldn't stand staying there without you. I finished work and got an earlier flight.'

'And you did all this! The food... the stuff... everything?'

'Mostly, yeah! I got some appetizers from outside, but the rest is all me.'

'Niall! This is amazing! when did you have the time to do all this?'

'While you were at Louis. And yeah, I was there when I called you.'

'Wow! I don't know what to say! this is amazing! Thank you, Niall.'

'Darling, no need to thank me. I just wanted to show you how much I miss you and do some nice gesture. I hope you like it.'

He walks closer to me, his hand gently cupping my cheek. I wish he'd just kiss me. I love feeling his touch, the way he holds my hand, the way he hugs me. But I just need more. I just love him so much that it's frustrating I can't do anything about it.

'Of course, I love it! I missed you too. So glad you're home!'

'Let's eat before it gets cold.'

We sit on the table, facing each other, and we eat while we catch up on the latest stories we've missed.

When we're done with dinner, he leads me downstairs to the sitting room. Similarly lit with candles. Usually, turning on the telly is the first thing he does. But this time he waits for me to sit then sits next to me and turns towards me.

'Niall? What's going on? You're being weird.'

'Weird?' He questions my wording.

'Well, no, just this, the candles, the cooking. I mean I love it and I appreciate it, but it's not really something I thought you'd do. Not with me anyway, not now...'

 'What do you mean not you? Who else would I do this for? You're the only one that I love.'

'I guess...'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Nothing...'

'Jess. Be honest with me, please. If there's something bothering you.'

'I just don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you.'

'You're not. Please.'

'Niall...'

'Please...'

'I just sometimes, can't help but think that love, true love, transcends everything, including fear. On some bad days, when you're away, and I'm trapped by my poisonous thoughts, I can't help but think if you truly loved me, you'd be willing to take some risks, and just take the leap no matter how terrifying it is, because it's worth it. Because when you're in love, you'd be willing to do anything to be with the one you love.'

'Exactly! And I'm sorry that it took me so long to realise it. I'm sorry it took me a week-long stay in London without you to realise that I'm just being ridiculous. I want to be with you, of course, it's scary, but it shouldn't stop me from getting what I want. And what I want is you, Jess.'

He runs his hand through my hair, then settling at the back of my neck. He looks me in the eyes as I look back into his. He slowly starts leaning in and I follow his lead, closing my eyes shut, heightening my other senses. Between all the candles that are lit and our bodies being this close to each other, I can feel warmth more than anything I felt before. With heavy breathing and heart racing, my lips graze against his softly, gently, until they interlocked, moving together in sync, passionately, hungrily. A little while longer, losing myself into him. Until he pulls away.

'Right, before I forget.'

He stands up, reaches for something behind the sofa. A rectangular box.

'I got you a little gift from London.' He explains handing me it.

I open it to find a small paper airplane and a beautiful simple gold infinity necklace. I always wanted one of those. I take the piece of paper seeing some ink on it. I unfold it and read.

Will you be my girlfriend?

'Really? Are you sure you want this? You're not scared anymore?' I ask him.

'Terrified. But I know this is what I want. I want to give you all the things that you deserve and all the happiness in the world. You deserve a man who's not a coward and give in to his fears instead of taking chances. And I hope from now on, I can be that man for you.'

'You are! I love you, Niall! So much!'

'So is that a yes?'

'Of course, it's a yes!!'

He kisses me one more time, 'I love you too. Forever and Always. I'm sorry it took so long.'

'It's okay, I've always known from the start that it ends with you and me.'

The End