Jane

My Beloved Jane,

It's Friday morning as I sit writing this. You've just left for work, and Angela is sitting across from me, rocking Tony and singing him a lullaby. I've had three weeks to taste what my life could be like. After months, I've finally screwed my courage to the sticking place. I know what I want, and for the first time in my life, I'm going to ask for it.

If you've read this journal, you know what I want. I love you with all that I am, and in every way I know how. We're friends, and then we took a step and became best friends. I want to take another step. I want to be your partner, your girlfriend, your lover, the person you raise your child with and hopefully, someday, your wife.

If you can not return my feelings, I will not blame you. I'm not going to ask the impossible.

But if you do feel what I feel, if you can find it in yourself to love me as more than your best friend, I ask you, I beg you, to take this step with me.

I ask you to love me.

With all my love,

Maura

I closed the journal and carefully wrapped the elastic band around it, then sat it on the bedside table with all the reverence I would have handled a holy relic. Then I picked up my cell, and pulled up Maura's name from the contact list.

I was just about to call her when I realized that was the wrong way to do this. She'd asked me in writing, and I should answer the same way. I hit the text message button, smiling as I heard Korsak scoffing in my head. I ignored him. No way was I waiting until I could get a physical letter to Maura.

My Beloved Maura,

Yes, forever and always.

With all my love,

Jane

I smiled as I hit the send button, then climbed out of bed and headed for the shower. Today was going to be busy.