Victoria was the first to say 'I love you'
It took some convincing, but Chloe eventually caved in. She wanted to save that place, keep it special just for her and Max. But in the end it was Max who convinced her that it should be special for all of them. Also she promised to pay for gas and breakfast, so Chloe had no choice in the matter.
The next Saturday they had free, the four of them piled into Chloe's truck and started off on their trip. Well, after they 'fixed the seat belts in a way so that we would all be safe' as Kate put it. And after 'Chloe had better open the windows before all of us die of pot suffocation.'And then Max had to step in and prevented a bloodbath that neither Victoria nor Chloe would walk away from.
The whole time, Kate giggled, watching her girlfriends argue and wondered if Victoria and Chloe were about to hurt each other, make out or some combination of the two. Whatever that was, Kate finished it as she took her seat belt, wrapped it around her and Victoria, and clicked the two of them together. Victoria felt like an overstuffed burrito, but the smell of lilac in Kate's hair, the softness of the girl as she leaned into Victoria's shoulder, and the burning sensation in Tori's face was enough to keep her from saying anything. It only took one glance for Max to copy them, and Victoria swore it would get them killed.
Victoria was wrong, and they made it after a long drive that was mostly snack breaks and getting Max and Kate to stop singing Disney Karaoke while Chloe mumbled the lyrics. They drove past the stores in the bay, passing by Two Whales, the gas station and headed into the woods. Victoria leaned on Kate and watched as they passed by a sea of trees. Her hand idly drifted to Max who grasped it while talking to Chloe about something unimportant or another.
At the end, they arrived at the promised destination. Chloe jumped out the truck with a grand gesture that made Kate smile. Max chuckled and linked arms with the two tall ones while Kate snuggled up to Chloe. the four of them walked up the path leading up to the lighthouse. Trees were everywhere, and Victoria swore they would get lost up till they found the small bench, overlooking the entire bay.
Kate gasped and turned to Max and Chloe who smiled with as much excitement. Victoria watched as her three girlfriends ran off to the bench. She watched all of them while walking up the trail at her own, more leisurely pace. Her eyes glanced over each of the girls.
Chloe was standing on the bench, pretending to be a sea captain of some sort. Her blue hair blew in the breeze as she told Kate story after story about what she and Max did as brave pirate captains of the sea. At the end of each she would lean in and pull Max close and say 'and if you don't believe me, she all the evidence I need."
Max stood behind the bench, smiling as she watched Kate completely enraptured in the stories. Victoria could see the softness in her features as she studied the tiny blonde, and the joy lines that sprouted around her mouth as she laughed at Chloe. The brunette turned and Victoria felt her heart jump as Max smiled at her, making Victoria wish she had cameras for eyes, or something to capture this moment forever.
Kate, was sitting on the bench, starry eyed and completely wrapped around Chloe's finger. She had her hands folded across her lap. Victoria bet that she was squeezing them tight every time Chloe's stories took on a 'sudden twist'. At one point, Kate turned her head, looking for Victoria. She smiled that small, beautiful smile and Victoria could see the sun itself in Kate's face as the light hit her at the perfect angle. Victoria felt something in her chest pound, and she looked at each of her girlfriends.
"I love you." she said to none of them, but all of them. Everyone froze as the words echoed through the air. Victoria herself, stood and held her hand over her mouth. She bore a look of surprise greater than all of her girlfriends combined.
Face turning a bloody shade of crimson, she looked down at her shoes which became incredibly interesting. She mumbled, "All of you…" before hiding her face in her hands.
Said hands were removed by a pair of gentle ones that radiated kindness. Kate. Another hand stroked her cheek. It was soft, but had callouses on the tips from overuse. Max. Victoria looked up and the two of them were smiling at her. Chloe stood on the bench, still holding her captain's pose. As if a switch were flipped, she broke into a smile and tackled the three, dragging them all to the ground.
"I love you guys too!" Chloe yelled, face first in Victoria's chest.
Max cuddled up to Victoria, taking her right shoulder. "I love you three too." she said with a smile.
Kate took Victoria's left arm and nuzzled against her. "I also love you all. So much." she said, small tears in her eyes.
Victoria lay there, covered in her girlfriends before smiling to herself. It felt good to be loved.