Some people drift through their entire life.
They do it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time.
It happens so gradually they are unaware of how their lives are slipping away until it's too late.
- Mary Kay Ash
It came out as a "spur of the moment" thing. He didn't plan to say it, though he did mean it with the bottom of his heart. He just couldn't resist. He chuckled heartily at her silliness, even if her joke silently hit a nerve. If she knew how much he really wanted to "take advantage of her" he would never hear the end of it.
Her being shot had brought out all the feelings he had harbored for her all those years. Since the first time he called her "baby-girl", he was head over heels.
"Hey, silly girl." He said, using one of his endearing nicknames for her. Baby girl, silly girl, goddess, he constantly came up with new ones.
She turned around, smiling softly, wringing her hands nervously. She could sense that he was about to unveil something huge, he could feel his gaze becoming serious, well, serious for him.
"I love you, you know that right?" he said softly, letting his voice convey just that depth of emotion that he felt for her.
She gasped so softly at his words, that if you didn't listen so very carefully, you would miss it. Then her face broke into one of her most beautiful smiles. She was glowing, her eyes shone with unshead tears.
"I love you too." her voice was hoarse with emotion.
As she finally turned around to go to bed, he could see the depth of her happiness at that statement.
He sighed. She turned around to look at him yet again, her face in awe and a single tear of happiness falling down her cheek.
He knew there would be no more wasting time. As of now, Derek Morgan would live life to the fullest.