Chapter 20

As she followed James into his house, subconsciously gripping his hand tighter, Rachel heard laughter coming from deeper in the kitchen. Over the summer, and while he had come to visit her in Ohio, James had told her a lot about his sister Charlie. Rachel knew that the two siblings had a close relationship with one another despite the fact that his sister was almost four years older than he was. From the sound of things, Charlie was very protective of her little brother and that was what worried Rachel about his sister; would the older girl like her? Or would she disprove of her and make their relationship hard? Even though she had already won over James' mom. Andrea loved her and treated her warmly, for some reason meeting his sister and making a good impression seemed a more frightening thing to Rachel than meeting his mom had been.

Her senses returned to her surroundings as James led her into the kitchen of his house. A smile crossed her face as she saw three people sitting down at the kitchen table, each with a coffee cup in front of them. Rachel's eyes lingered on Andrea for a moment before they moved onto the girl sat with her hands linked with her moms. Charlie was dressed in a very elegant peach coloured blouse under a black woollen jacket. Rachel instantly recognized the curly brown hair that matched Andrea's exactly; thinking to herself that it was his moms side of the family were James got his own curls, that flowed free. James' sister had deep brown eyes that seemed to sparkle and a very feminine face that Rachel thought made her look very beautiful. Sat next to her with an arm on the back of her chair was a young man who seemed to be around Charlie's age, who she assumed was her boyfriend that James had mentioned briefly; Hugh.

As Rachel observed Charlie's appearance, the three people sat at the table turned and took in the two new entrants into the room. James sister's eyes lingered on her for a second before they turned and looked brightly on her brother who released her hand and stepped forward to meet his sister who was rising from her seat.

"Charlie!" James voice cried out happily, Rachel grinning as she saw the wide smile and look of happiness on his face, as he moved forward quickly and pulled his sister into his arms as soon as they were within touching distance, burying his head in crook of her neck. Now that they were stood side by side, she could see that Charlie was about an inch or two shorter than her younger brother; but still she was the one who was cradling him to her body, rather than him supporting her. Rachel giggled as she saw his sister laughing as she hugged her little brother, before they separated after a few long moments.

"I'm happy to see you too little brother" Charlie laughed, her hands on James' neck as she seemed to take in his appearance. The girls voice was confident, not as soft her brothers as she spoke to him, her eyes glancing up and down his body as she took in his appearance. After a few seconds, one of her hands moved up and her fingers buried in his hair. "Your hairs getting long again, sweetie, you look like no one owns you"

"Charlie..." James moaned, shrugging free of her grip though he kept a smirk on his face that told Rachel he loved the attention. "What are you doing here? I thought you couldn't come home until your birthday"

"Like I would miss one of your competitions" Charlie said with a roll of her eyes as she teased her little brother. Rachel giggled as she watched the two siblings interact with one another, a warm feeling in her stomach at the affection on show between the two. As the sound left her throat, the two of them turned to look at her, a polite smile on Charlie's face.

"Oh!" James said, his smile widening as he looked at her; his arm snaking around his sisters waist as he started to lead Charlie over to her. "Charlie, this is Rachel; my girlfriend"

"Hi" Rachel said sheepishly, a shy smile on her lips as she extended her hand nervously to greet his sister. Charlie's eyes glanced at it as a giggle left her lips, releasing herself from James and pulling Rachel into a tender hug. Rachel laughed as she rested her head against the older girls shoulder as they shared the embrace for several seconds before they both pulled apart.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Rachel" Charlie replied finally, her hands holding Rachel's gently. After a couple of seconds, the girl turned to James and said softly; "James didn't do you enough justice when he described you on the phone. You are very beautiful Rachel"

Rachel blushed at the compliment, looking down at her feet for a split second before turning and glancing at James eyes which were welling up slightly. "James has told me a lot about you as well, it really is nice to meet you"

"I should hope so; I'd be upset if my little brother hadn't mentioned me" Charlie replied glancing at James who rolled his eyes. Rachel bit her lip as she saw the red blush on James' face as Charlie turned to her brother. "Why don't you go make Rachel and yourself a drink while we get to know each other, Jam sandwich"

Rachel eyes widened at the nickname Charlie had used when talking to her brother, biting her lip to stop the giggles she could feel trying to escape her throat; Rachel turned and saw the colour had drained from his face.

"Charlie I can't believe you just used that name, you haven't called me that since I was eleven" James moaned at her, his eyes pleading at Rachel not to use it on him

"And I have so many more to tell your girlfriend about unless you bring those drinks over" Charlie replied, and Rachel laughed as she saw him sulk off murmuring in Italian. Following her over to the table, Rachel sat down opposite James' sister and his mom.

"This is my boyfriend, Hugh" Charlie said, smiling as she gestured to the guy sat next to her. Rachel smiled at him, he was an attractive guy who had short brown hair and blue eyes with a neatly trimmed beard. Taking his hand in hers, she shook it gently before releasing it and looking at him nervously.

"Nice to meet you" Hugh said, smiling at her and Rachel nodded at him.

She started telling Charlie a little about herself, before James came over with a couple of glasses of water as well as some sandwiches for the two of them. Thanking him, she smiled widely as he placed a kissed against her cheek before settling down into the chair next to her; linking their hands as he entwined their fingers. Moving closer to him, she cuddled into his side and as she looked back towards his sister on the other side of the table, Rachel blushed as she saw the knowing smile on Charlie's face.

Feeling James squeeze her fingers, Rachel felt confidence flow through her and she tightened her hold on his hand before continuing talking to his sister. For a good forty minutes, the five of them sat around in James' kitchen talking and laughing with one another. Rachel spent a little while introducing herself to Charlie properly, telling her about her interests as well as school and her ambitions for college. After she finished, James started telling his sister about his relationship with Rachel and about his visit to Ohio. Rachel blushed as he talked about her in such an affectionate way in front of his sister; and she stared at him with love in eyes as he spoke so confidently and passionately as he referred to how amazing she was, as well as how much he loved her Dads; that he felt completely welcome in their little family unit.

As James started talking to Charlie about sectionals, Rachel smiled leaning into his side as she felt good about meeting his sister. Charlie was twenty one, and James had said that her birthday was in December, and was studying law at Harvard. Even though Rachel knew that the two of them got on well, she was surprised at the very striking differences in the siblings.

Compared to James, his sister had a very different personality than his and even ambitions. While James took after his mom with his calm introverted personality outside of performing ,Charlie seemed to have a more aggressive personality, her laugh loud and so was her voice; lacking the soft and gentleness that James' possessed that Rachel assumed Charlie took after his Dad. Though he spoke of his sister affectionately, Rachel had noted the slight amount of jealously in James' voice as he asked her about Harvard, and despite the fact he was immensely proud of his older daughter, and their fathers visits to see her on campus a couple of weeks earlier.

Charlie told them, as Andrea asked her daughter how college was going for her with Hugh interrupting with a few of his own comments, he was also a law student at Harvard and the two of them had been together for two years after meeting sophomore year as they were paired together for an assignment, Rachel listened as Charlie spoke confidently in her voice that seemed fitting to someone who would stand up in court rooms or in a business meeting. Rachel got the impression that Charlie was a more hot-headed person, and she could quite easily see the girl being angry as opposed to James who she had a hard time ever imagining angry at anyone.

As they spent more time talking, Rachel could see slight similarities between James and his sister. While their voices were different, they both seemed to be able project themselves confidently; though James' was a much gentler tone; as they spoke with passion about the interests in their lives. Though, they seemed to have completely different interests; with James it was his acting and Broadway ambitions, and with his sister Charlie; her love of law and reading classical literature. Rachel thought that the differences in the siblings personalities could be down to Charlie taking more after their father, and if that was true as she thought it was; then their father being prouder of Charlie than of James was the key reason why her boyfriend didn't have the best relationship with his dad.

Unable to resist the temptation any longer, after listening for the last hour, Rachel had to ask about the nickname Charlie had called James earlier on when they had been introduced. Biting her lip, she glanced at James who was talking to Hugh about football.

"I have to ask, why did you call him Jam Sandwich?" Rachel asked, noticing the way James instantly stopped talking and turned to look at her, horror on his face.

"Well, It's only right that I let you in on it; you see when James was…" Charlie began, a sly smirk on her face.

"You don't have to tell her, Charls. Please remember I'm your brother" He said quickly, a pleading look in his voice and he looked at them with wide eyes almost begging his sister not to tell Rachel about the nickname.

"It's not fair to leave Rachel out of the loop" Charlie replied, chuckling at her brothers expression.

"Mom please" James begged, and Rachel couldn't help but giggle at him. "Do something"

"Sweetie, I love you but there some things your girlfriend has to know" Andrea replied teasingly, a smile on her lips as James groaned and buried his head into Rachel's shoulder. Giggling, placed a hand on the back of his head and gently stroked his neck.

"You see Rachel; when James was younger, about six I think, he went through this stage where all he wanted to eat was Jam sandwiches, and it got to the stage where he would flat out refuse to eat anything else for lunch or dinner" Charlie started explaining, and Rachel felt James tighten his arms around her and shake his head against her shoulder. "At one point he would throw tantrums if mom didn't let him, where he would strip off and throw his clothes around the room, stamping his little feet on the floor screaming "I want jam, I want Jam"

Rachel laughed loudly, along with the other three except James, as Charlie put on a teasing baby's voice as she mimicked her brothers behaviour from when he was younger. James finally lifted his head up as they were laughing, and she moved close to kiss him on the cheek, as she turned and smiled at him the embarrassment on his face as his cheeks turned a violent shade of red. He smiled slightly at her, his eyebrows meeting in a v as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

"I don't like you any more" James murmured softly, glaring at his sister who simply laughed at him.

"Poor baby" Rachel cooed, giggling as he shook his head at her. Moving a hand to his face she stroked his cheek tenderly, smiling as she felt him nuzzle her hand affectionately. "Don't worry, I'll still be your girlfriend; even if you were an embarrassing little boy"

James laughed at her teasing, his lips curving upwards in amusement as he moved forward and kiss her on the lips softly. Smiling against them, Rachel moved her hand down to his neck and caressed his skin softly before he pulled back and nuzzled her cheek with his nose. "Good"

The two of them shared a few more chaste kisses, Rachel smiling against his lips at how relaxed he seemed to be now after the teasing as if she had kissed away his embarrassment. Giggling as he whispered in her ear that he was going to get her back; he pulled away as she heard Andrea.

"Sweetheart, it's nearly five thirty; don't you have to be back at school before tonight?"

"Crap" He groaned, turning and looking apologetically at his mom; "Sorry Mom, but yeah I need to go get my costume from upstairs"

Rachel watched as he shot up from the chair and sprinted out the room and up the stairs, his feet pounding on the staircase and then on the ceiling above. Giggling, as she saw Charlie rolling her eyes at her brother Rachel wiped her lip with her thumb. There was a feeling of happiness within her, knowing that she had gotten on well with James sister. Charlie had spoken to her, and listened intently when Rachel had spoken about herself. The smile that had sat on her lips had told Rachel that the older girl did like her, she carried a truthfulness in her eyes that she shared with James.

She was snapped out of her daydream, as she heard James re-enter the room, turning her head as he spoke.

"Alright, sectionals starts at seven. Make sure that you get there at half past six okay mom? I've got you some real good seats, but you have to be there make sure you get them" James said, walking over and kissing his mom on the cheek.

"We'll be there on time buddy" Hugh said, offering his hand to James for a high five; who did so as he kissed his sister on the cheek and then turned to face her as Rachel stood to kiss her boyfriend.

"You okay going with my mom? I feel bad about leaving you" James started explaining before Rachel pressed a finger against his lips.

"Relax, it's okay baby" Rachel reassured him gently, and as he nodded softly she moved her finger and kissed him softly on the lips. Smiling against his lips, she heard him moan softly as his free hand made its way to rest on her neck as he pulled her closer to him. Refusing to deepen it when he ran his tongue across her bottom lip, she giggled as he pulled back looking frustrating. "Go or you'll be late"

"Okay" He said nodding, as he licked his lip tasting the strawberry lip gloss she knew he loved. After pressing a final chaste kiss against her lips, he turned and strode out of the room saying a goodbye loudly before the door slammed behind him.

After spending a few seconds watching the doorway where had just departed, Rachel sighed happily and turned back to see Charlie sitting alone at the table. Glancing to her right, she saw Hugh helping Andrea carry the cups and plates over to the sink. Smiling, she took a seat at the table and saw Charlie looking at her intently.

"You and my brother" Charlie said softly after a few moments of silence, causing Rachel to look up and look at his sister searchingly. "You love each other"

Rachel blushed at hearing the words, ducking her head as she felt the embarrassment rise up in her. While she knew that she loved James, the realisation having come to her after being reunited with him the night before; Rachel hadn't admitted or spoken it out loud yet. Hearing someone else, in fact hearing his sister say the words for her, only confirmed what she knew.

"I do love him" Rachel admitted after a few long minutes of silence, happy that his mom was on the far side of the room. At hearing the words come out of her own mouth, Rachel giggled at how good it felt to say. It was as if her whole body warmed immensely just at recognizing the fact.

"You should tell him" Charlie advised, her voice soft and tender unlike it had been earlier.

"I don't know if he feels the same way" Rachel replied softly, though her words had expressed some doubt about James' feeling, deep down she knew that he loved her as well; the affectionate and loving way he acted towards her was beyond just normal smitten boyfriend territory.

"He does" Charlie reassured her nodding, leaning forward to grip Rachel's hands gently in hers. "You and my brother are so perfect together; I'm really glad that you two met"

"Thank you" Rachel replied, feeling a tear run down her cheek. She had wanted to impress his sister so much, to actually here a blessing from her was better than anything she had thought. "I really wanted you to like me"

Charlie laughed, and stroked Rachel's palms with her thumbs. "You seem an amazing girl Rachel, and I'm glad you and James have each other. You complete each other"

Giggling again, Rachel nodded as Charlie leaned back in her chair, a proud look on her face. Wringing her hands in her lap, Rachel couldn't help the large smile that had appeared on her face. She had suspected that James was in love with her, and hearing it from someone like Charlie, who was so close to her boyfriend was almost as reassuring as hearing it from James himself. Her hand subconsciously rested against her neck, as she thought about how she would tell James how she felt.

…..

In order to pass the time until they were leaving to head to sectionals at Stanley High, Rachel had wandered around James house. The downstairs was impressive in its own right if you ignored the six bedrooms upstairs. As well as the lounge where she and James had watched the film the night before, there was a family room that was joined onto an office as well as another door that led to a small library with two walls covered in large bookshelves that contained what looked like hundreds of books. Next to a wall with a window against, a black grand piano was situated with a leather cushioned bench seat.

Rachel had been drawn over to it, and as she ran her fingers over the ivory keys; she couldn't help but smile as she thought of James sitting there and playing Broadway classics, singing along in his beautiful voice. Her attention was caught by a picture frame sitting on the top of the piano, and Rachel felt herself getting a little emotional as she saw what looked like a ten year old James sat with his mom as they played together. Even though she had her Dads, she had missed a relationship with Shelby; something she shared with James, both of them having difficult relationships with one side of their parents.

After a little while, Rachel had headed upstairs and investigated James room a little bit more; a sly smirk on her face as she attempted to see if there was anything in there he wouldn't want her to see. In the draws of his desk, were stacks of sheet music and song books filled with Broadway musicals. His wardrobe was filled with shirts, t-shirts and jeans all hung up and organized neatly, that she had to giggle aloud at seeing his personality displayed by everything in his room. Stepping back, she chewed her bottom lip as she saw a box on the shelf above his clothes; reaching up Rachel collected it and placed it on the floor as she kneeled down next to it.

Hesitating slightly, Rachel wondered if he would mind her looking through his room before smiling as she knew he would be okay with what she was doing, he had told her several times that he had nothing to hide from her. Lifting the lid off, Rachel saw a collection of what looked like his childhood toys and books. Giggling, Rachel looked through them, seeing the teeth marked rattle. After a couple of minutes, she saw the cuddly toy rabbit that his mom had told her about at dinner the previous night. Holding it close to her, Rachel kissed the top of its head.

"That's Fluffy" Andrea's voice came, and Rachel looked around quickly a blush coming to her cheeks at his mom finding her searching through his room.

"Yeah, I recognized it from the story you told me about" She said weakly, standing as she still clutched the rabbit in her hands. "I was just looking-"

"Don't worry about it, James wouldn't mind" Andrea replied, and Rachel nodded smiling. "We're going to leave in twenty minutes, if you want to get changed.

Rachel decided to change into a blue summer dress that the skirt finished just above her knee, along with black heels and white knee high socks. She was stood in front of the mirror in the guest room of James' house, after she applied some red lipstick, rubbing her lips together as she fiddled with her bangs and the beret on the top of her head. Smiling, knowing that James would approve of her outfit and she imagined him telling her she looked beautiful, Rachel turned and practically skipped down the corridor as Andrea, Charlie and Hugh stood by the door.

"You look gorgeous, ready to go sweetie?" Andrea said, and Rachel nodded. The four of them settled into Charlie's range rover, as Rachel shared the back with Andrea as Hugh took the passenger seat next to his girlfriend. Along the way to the school, Rachel listened as Charlie talked to her mom about the last time she saw James perform. She was surprised that Hugh had never heard his girlfriend's brother sing before.

"How is that even possible?" Rachel asked wide eyed as Charlie laughed in the front.

"I missed nationals last year due to a family trip to California" Hugh admitted, turned around to smirk at her. "Charlie told me he was brilliant"

"He was" Rachel nodded with Andrea's assertion.

"James was telling me he can't wait to impress you and Rachel" Charlie said and Rachel could see a smile on her face.

"It's the first time I can really enjoy his performance in a competition" Rachel said grinning.

Twenty minutes or so later, after laughing about how James used to perform in front of the mirror; they arrived at James' school and as they parked up, Rachel walked arm in arm with Andrea as they joined the mass of people heading towards the auditorium at Stanley High. Slightly behind them, Charlie and Hugh were walking hands linked.

As they headed into the auditorium foyer, Rachel looked around at the decorated room; with banners up around advertising the Oregon East Sectional competition. Around the outside of the room were dozens of official ushers wearing golden piping jackets. Rachel recognized several of the scale blazers stood around talking, waving at Lucy as she spotted the girl off in a corner talking to someone wearing a brown dress. Lucy looked very beautiful, in a purple dress similar in design to the ones Rachel herself had worn for competitions.

"Hello Lucy darling, you look beautiful" Andrea cooed, pulling the blonde into a hug. To the side, Matt was smirking as Lucy had pulled him over with her, He was wearing black dress pants and a purple shirt with black braces over his shoulders. Rachel thought that he looked handsome, and couldn't wait to see what James looked like in the same attire.

"You look very handsome, Matt" Rachel said as he released her from his embrace after hugging her.

"Not so bad yourself, Berry" He winked, and turned to greet James mom. As he separated from her, Rachel couldn't wait any longer to find out where her boyfriend was.

"Do you know where James is?" Rachel asked, chewing on her lip as a smirk covered Matt's face.

"Apart from freaking out like majorly?" Matt laughed, and Lucy hit his arm softly.

"My brother is freaking out?" Charlie asked frowning, "He never gets nervous"

"Nice to see you too, Charls" Matt said, leaning over and giving James sister a one armed hug.

"Is he okay?" Rachel asked softly, a worried look in his eye.

"He's okay, don't listen to this idiot" Lucy said frowning at her boyfriend as she took his hand in hers. "James is just a little nervous about performing in front of you for the first time"

Rachel giggled slightly, as Matt winked at her. James worrying about her being in the audience was cute, and she wanted to find him so that she could give him a long tight hug, as well as an extra-long kiss to reassure him and drive his nerves away. Biting her lip, she caught Charlie's eye who looked at her knowingly and Rachel felt her heart warm. After their conversation earlier, Rachel knew what she could say to help him relax completely.

"Where is he?" Rachel asked softly, turning to face Lucy who was talking to Andrea about something she didn't understand.

"Hmm, he was in here a few minutes ago" Lucy replied, craning her neck as she scanned the foyer for James. Rachel followed her gaze as she looked as well, and after a few seconds she heard his voice approaching from behind them.

"Mom, great you're here" James said, as Rachel turned around and caught a glimpse of him approaching them. He quickly pulled his mom into an embrace, before doing the same with Charlie. Rachel's breath caught in her throat, as she felt heat rising in her loins at the sight of him. James was wearing the same purple shirt that Matt was wearing, and the sleeves were tight enough that they showed of his well built form perfectly. A smile crossed her face as she that his hair had been slicked back with gel, the first time she had seen it done like this and his curls styled like that suited him; making him look even more handsome if that was possible.

As he turned to her, she stepped forward as he pulled her into a tight hug; Rachel's eyes closing as she smelled his musty aftershave that was beautiful to her nose. Feeling his warm breath near her ear, she turned and kissed his neck tasting the sweet flavour before she pulled away and looked up at his smiling face.

"You're beautiful" James said, before leaning down and kissing her as she resisted the urge to deepen it as he rested his hands in the small of her back. When they pulled back a couple of seconds later, Rachel giggled as she saw some of his lipstick had transferred onto his lips.

"What?" He asked, a confused look on his face as she reached up and wiped the red lipstick of his lips.

"You don't suit red lipstick baby" She laughed, as he rolled his eyes; leaning down and kissing her again.

"Alright" James said, licking his lips as he turned to his family, his arm snaking around her waist. "Mom, Charls, Hugh why don't you get a drink from the bar? I'm going to borrow Rachel for a little bit to show her around backstage"

"Okay sweetheart" Andrea smiled, before she disappeared of with Charlie and her boyfriend. Rachel watched them until she felt a hand on her cheek, turning into it as she saw James looking at her with mesmerised eyes.

"You okay?" She asked softly, stepping closer as his hand dropped to her neck; his thumb caressing her jaw.

"I'm a little nervous" He spoke quietly, and she saw the vulnerability in his eyes. Glancing around she noticed that Matt and Lucy had disappeared, and so she leaned up and kissed his lips softly, smiling against them as she felt him grip her waist tighter. Hearing the weakness in his voice, she wanted to tell him there that she loved him; to let him know that she would always be there for him in whatever happened in life.

"Is there somewhere quieter?" Rachel asked, licking her lips. James nodded at her and dropped his hand to grasp hers as he led her deeper into the auditorium and into a room that was sealed off from the main foyer to prevent people from going in. As they walked in, Rachel looked around and she smiled as she saw that it was empty.

"Sit" She gestured, and he nodded the same vulnerable look in his eyes as he sat on top of the table, his legs dangling over the edge. Letting out a deep breath Rachel walked over and stood in between his legs, placing her hands on his thighs gently rubbing her fingers against them. She smiled again as she felt him place a hand on her waist, edging her close to him so that their groins were only inches away. Looking into his eyes, she felt his hand reach up and push some hair behind her ear before it lingered there.

"Why are you nervous?"

"I want to make you proud" He admitted softly, his voice quiet with the worry. Rachel ran her hands up and down his thigh as his hand returned to her waist. "You mean so much to me, and the thought of letting you down is really, really scary"

"You could never let me down" Rachel said gently, smiling as she looked at him. In his eyes, was a look of complete affection and love; and she could see how much she meant to him. Wanting to be closer to him, she giggled softly as she opened her mouth to speak again. "I have something I want to tell you"

James looked at her strangely, a frown on his brow as his head titled to the side observing her. Taking a few breaths, there was silence for a few moments as they just stared at each other; the only movement in the room the tender caresses between them. After a short time, he spoke again; "The silence is making me more nervous. I didn't think that was possible."

Letting out a giggle, Rachel looked at him as he smiled at her; "What is it Rachel? You can tell me anything"

Slowly, Rachel moved her hands up his body; pausing momentarily at his chest before continuing up and resting on either side of his face as they cupped his jaw. James eyes looked down before closing at the sensation of her skin touching his. Gulping, she spoke again the words tumbling out quicker than she had intended; "I love you"

At the words, his eyes snapped open and widened as they searched hers for confirmation of what she had said. Smiling, Rachel nodded at him as her eyebrows rose slightly, attempting to convey the truthfulness that he managed effortlessly every time he looked at her.

"You love me?" He asked, his voice raw and weak. A tear ran down her cheek as she nodded at him, and he laughed before leaning forward and pressing his lips against hers, and Rachel opened her mouth for him as her hands moved to the back of his neck and pulled him close as his hands on her waist did the same thing until they were flush up against one another. Enjoying the feeling of his tongue against hers as they shared the kiss with each other, they stayed that for several minutes before Rachel smiled against his lips and pulled back slightly staring into his tear filled eyes just as her own were.

"I love you James" She said softly, pressing her lips against his once more giggling as she felt him smile against hers.

"I love you too Rachel" He replied, nuzzling her nose with his. This time it was her time to laugh, as she giggled hearing the words. It felt as though her heart was free and it had found its partner as they shared the words with each other that meant so much. Just as she had felt when they had been reunited, knowing that he reciprocated her feelings made her feel complete with his love protecting her.

"You do?" She asked, just wanting to hear him say those three words again.

"Of course I do" He said, laughing weakly; pressing a kiss against her lips. "I love you. I knew I did since I left you at the airport a month ago"

"Really?" She asked, surprised that he had known for so long. The realisation had only come to her recently, thought she understood that her heart had been his for much longer than that.

"Yeah, it hurt too much when I left; on the plane home I realised" He said, smiling at her; the tears running down his cheek as he took her hand and moved it to cover his chest. "You have my heart"

Pressing her lips against his, she held him close to her again as they shared short chaste kisses. The next time they separated, he reached up and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "Thank you for telling me. I am going to make you proud of me tonight"

"I already am; you are my everything" She said, stroking his neck with her thumbs as she leaned in to kiss him again, murmuring against his lips; "I love you"

….

A/N :

James and Rachel have admitted their love!

Next Chapter is Sectionals performances. Afterwards Rachel and James go to a party Heather hosts at her house! It was going to be one chapter but it turned out too long and so I decided to break it up into 2. After that there is 1 more chapter before Rachel heads back to Lima.