The tingling sensation crawling up Alex's spine intensifies as she subtly scans the area in search of the eyes she knows are watching. She is suddenly distracted by squeals of laughter and awe.

The symphony of a thousand fluttering wings announces the release of the butterflies. Brilliantly colored and heartbreakingly graceful, each sets off to find its own flower or tree. In the midst of the winged creatures and outlined by a lush field of honeysuckle, Alex's eyes fall upon a figure slowly walking towards her.

A single sapphire glove clutched firmly in his hand.

The tingling sensations have returned a thousand fold. The air surrounding her feeling as thick as molasses, sticky to the touch as she struggles to put one foot ahead of the other.

The eyes of the man now standing before her are lingering on the glove now tightly clasped to her breast.

"I believe this belongs to you," presenting the glove in his warm hand to her.

Lips that have never smiled so luminously collect the tears cascading down her face.

"Oh, God, I was so desperate for it to be you."

"And I was desperately hoping you wouldn't turn me away," he says softly cradling her face, dropping his forehead to hers.

"I love you, Alex."

"I love you, too, Bobby."

The simple touch of his lips and my arms were around him, feeling his strong arms under my fingers and soaking in the warmth of his eyes with my own.

Our soft close-mouthed kisses seemed to last forever. Enjoying the feel of his lips against mine, equally gentle and desperate. Alex felt his staggered breath, as he would exhale through his nose to avoid separating their mouths.

As I wrap my arms around his neck he pulls back to wrap me in his strong embrace. We hold on to each tightly as the butterflies surround the nearby flowers. My lips kiss away the salty tears on his cheeks as he runs his fingers through my hair.

"I can't believe it was you all this time. Why didn't you say anything?"

Bobby pulls back and grasps my hands with his. "You are the first real thing I've ever known in my life and the thought of losing you…it was unbearable. I can't remember what it feels like not to love you and that terrifies me. I realized that I've been waiting for some kind of release and I think I've found it. In the past few weeks you have supported me when everything around me has been falling apart… and one day I just knew."

"Knew what?"

"I knew you loved me. I felt it every moment you looked at me and I realized that I had to let go of all the bullshit I've been carrying around if I wanted any kind of life. It wasn't my mother's fault or my father's that I've kept myself locked away. It's been my fear of losing another person I loved. You found a way to get past all that and as scared as I am even right now, I'm going to hold on tight and not let go."

"I promise, Bobby, I'm never letting go either."