I LOVE YOU

"….I mean who knew you could get a hot-pink wedding dress! Can you imagine what a mistake that would be? There you are 20 years later looking through your wedding album, all the while thinking, 'I look like something you take for stomach upset'. That would be a classic 'do-over' moment, wouldn't it?" Janet said with a chuckle, "Anyway, Hannah did find a gorgeous champagne colored dress. It's this beautiful, strapless A-line gown with the most amazing detailing on the bodice with this overlay of Venice lace. And the back…."

"I love you." Eddie said in a voice that was just above a whisper.

Janet stopped short, dropping the pot she was scrubbing from dinner back into the sudsy water with a splash.

"Huh?" she replied in disbelief as she turned toward him.

"Yeah, I love you." Eddie repeated with a nervous laugh.

Janet continued to stare open-mouthed and wide-eyed at Eddie. She was pretty sure she should say something right now, but there suddenly seemed to be a gigantic disconnect between her brain and her lips.

"I've been standing here for the last five minutes listening to you go on about wedding dresses, and veils, and flowers and I realized that I don't really care what you're saying."

Janet's expression changed from disbelief to confusion.

"Okay, that didn't come out exactly right. What I mean is, I'm listening to you talk about something that I couldn't be less interested in if I tried, and it occurred to me that I can't think of any place else I'd rather be right now."

Janet continued to stare at Eddie, still not able to articulate a coherent thought.

"I know you're surprised. To be honest, I'm a little surprised to. Believe me, when I came over here tonight this is the last conversation I thought I'd be having but, there it is." He put down the dish towel he was holding and stepped toward her. "I'm not sure when it happened exactly. All I know is that when we're together I have fun and that was something I was missing before. Yeah, I have the guys and that's all good but with you, I don't know, it's different. I always felt like I was less, you know, like maybe I wasn't living the life I should be. But then you came along and something shifted and now I can barely remember that other guy any more."

Janet turned to face Eddie straight on, unaware of the soapy water dripping from the sponge in her hands onto the floor near her feet.

"And I don't need or expect you to say anything right now if you're not ready, I just wanted you to know how I feel." Eddie said taking her shoulders in his hands. "I just need you to say something…." Eddie said, mild concern spreading across his face.

"Talk about needing a do-over" Janet said finally.

"What?" said Eddie, more than a little confused.

"I can't believe you just said 'I Love You' and all I could say was 'Huh?" Janet said rolling her eyes and smiling.

Eddie laughed and pulled Janet towards him for a kiss.

"I love you too Eddie. And I'm not just saying that because you said it. I've actually known for a while" Janet said shyly.

"Really" Eddie said grinning, "Why didn't you say something?"

"I didn't want to scare you off. I'm no expert at this relationship stuff, but I know enough to know that those three words can send a guy running for the nearest exit." Janet replied.

Eddie continued to smile at Janet. "Well, I don't plan on running anywhere." Eddie said as he bent to kiss her again.

"Janet?"

"Yes Eddie." Janet said in anticipation

"Can you put that sponge back in the sink? The water's starting to seep through my shoes."

END