It was the first time she'd said it. The first time Fletcher had heard "I love you" from the woman he loved and it was a breathtaking thing. It was just three words but it totally changed his world in that brief moment. He wouldn't lose her. He couldn't. The very idea was something he didn't want to think about. He'd be devastated without her, he knew that. They'd come so far and overcome plenty in the time they'd been together. Even in the time before they'd made anything official. Well, official in their own special way. Now they'd just need to bring her father around to terms with what they were and what Fletcher hoped they'd become.

Smiling down at her, there was little he could say. He really didn't know what to say so he fell back on actions instead of words once again. He leaned down to kiss her again, one hand slipping down to her waist to pull her close against him. He carefully laid his other arm out under her head to bring her down to lie next to him all without breaking the kiss. Or at least, tried not to break the kiss. Their sat up and sort of leaning positions wouldn't work for long periods of time and he didn't want to aggravate her scar or anything. He simply wanted to enjoy the moment and time with her, even if they forgot about the food and champagne around them and simply spent the night kissing away.

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