You smile as you come up on a picture of you and Penelope on a mini-golf course. It was a little post-case ritual of yours. You took a trip down memory lane after every case, by going through your old photo albums. Which you had a lot of because Penelope loved taking pictures and she loved scrapbooking even more.
This particular picture was the first time you ever told her you love her, and much to your surprise she said it back. You remembered that night just like it was yesterday even though it had been years. She was wearing a black dressed that were covered in floral print, and a periwinkle blazer. You remember that specifically because she had scolded you for calling it purple. You scoffed at her and told her she looked beautiful no matter what color she wore, and pulled her into your embrace. Placing your warm lips on top of hers and kissing her feverishly. She stroked your cheek before pulling away and whispering in your ear. "Keep that up and we might not even make it out." Her voice was low and seductive, but somehow you managed to snap out of the haze she always put you in and dragged her to the car.
The car ride was quiet, but not awkward. You two had been together for only three months, but somehow you felt like you had known her for eternity, as cliché as it may sound. You sneaked your hand over to hers and grabbed it, intertwining your fingers `together. You gave it a light squeeze before placing butterfly kisses on her hand and down her wrist without taking your eyes off the road.
Not long after you arrived at the mini-golf course Penelope starts bragging about how great of a putt she has. You could tell she was teasing so you decided to play along. You rolled your eyes, before setting up the ball. "Loser's go first." You say extending your hand. She rolls her eyes right back and mutter something under her breath before stepping up and taking her first swing. You chuckle shaking your head.
You're on your last hole and you two are tied. It's your move, and you put all your concentration into your swing, but you strike out. Your ear is filled with Penelope's screams of glee, and something in you clicks as you see her smile. Before you even know what, you're doing you look her straight into the eyes and whisper three little words. "I love you." The shock is evident on her face as she says nothing, and you mentally face palm yourself. You go to turn away when she takes your face into her hands and starts kissing you. The smile on your face is evident during the kiss, but it gets even bigger when she pulls away and whispers those same three words. "I love you."
The ride home was silent, but unlike the first one this one was awkward. Your both wondering if the other regrets saying the L word. But neither one of you are brave enough to break the silence so instead Penelope reaches over and grabs your hand. She squeezes it before intertwining your fingers together. Mimicking your exact actions, she places butterfly kisses on your hand and down your wrist and all uneasiness seem to float away. Your hands stay like that for the rest of the drive.