The relief she felt was incredible. A huge sword that was lodge in her heart for what felt like forever was FINALLY removed making her breathe again. Sharing a kiss as lips seal a promise, two broken hearts finding each other to make a whole and mend each broken pieces for two shattered hearts to love again. It was the happiest day of her life, and part of her still couldn’t fathom this reality and how far she - they’ve come so far. They were afraid to fall in love and were afraid to love themselves but not anymore. They found EACH OTHER. They’re not scared anymore. They’re IN-LOVE.
A hand holds her cheeks, tender and gentle she leans in to the touch taking in the beautiful woman who’s eyes makes her feels like she’s the most beautiful woman in the world. Emerald hues open after pulling away from the kiss, a smile filled with bliss as her heart leaps. “I’m your girlfriend.” As soon as they leave her lips, it seems a bit clearer now. This was real, and not another dream she has. Kissing her abruptly, assuring she won’t fade away, that this world where they were in love and happy wouldn’t fade away, her smile brighten ten folds amidst the gloss her eyes contained, Alexis is very very happy.
Longer as this kiss lasted, full of sentiment, affection and intent, she releases but kept the girl she loves - her girlfriend, close. “I…I love you.” Choked up, but also thankful its out spans between breaths she admits her own feeling. Nothing grand, but three honest words, the most honest words she had ever said in a while. “I’m in love with you. God..I can’t..Are we…Is this..This is” Gaze dutifully steered in another direction unable to ignore the flickering lights outside the bubble they created, she chuckles gleefully. “Did you really do THAT? I’ve never had someone propose to me in a Christmas theme setting before. You’re something else, Brooke James.” Seconds on the clock taunt as they tick down but both didn’t seem have the essence of time rather lost in their own world. She breathes and looks up, holding Brooke in her arms her head leans, eyes close and she stays still, relishing this moment and wanting to last it forever.
Her self-worth is still being restored, pieced back together by the girl holding her to her body. Chest to chest, hand to hand, lips to lips. She’s spent years disregarding notions of how unloveable she thinks she is. And there are still lingering concerns in her subconscious, prodding at her anxiety to provoke it. But she TRUSTS Alexis. And it’s almost more significant than loving her - because she knows she can love. She loved a lot before Sarah. She still loves people. But trusting people always took longer. She used to love people before she trusted them in fact. And with Alexis - she feels everything.
Her heart floods with love and affection when the other girl clarifies their status, hands on her cheeks, lips on her lips. When she’s pulled into another abrupt kiss, she hopes that her breathy gasp against her girlfriend’s lips and her hands wandering to pull her closer is a suitable answer. A suitable confirmation.
When the kiss ends, and she feels her lips part to chase Alexis’ lips once more because why would they ever want to be apart now - her ears ring with the sound of her voice. And her eyes open. Alexis LOVES. Alexis LOVES her. Her throat closes for a few seconds, and she forces air into it where it hitches. Alexis LOVES her. “I love you too. Love you too.” She traces the line of Alexis’ jaw with her thumb, and her kiss red. As she takes her in - the words circulate the air. Bearing their sincerity and honesty. She LOVES. She and Alexis LOVE. A chuckle is drawn from her throat, and it opens again. “I had to get you into the festive mood.” Alexis is just so BEAUTIFUL. Beautiful in her mannerisms, and her arms, and her kisses, and the way she holds her. Beautiful in how she loves.
They’ve been falling all this time.