Chapter Seventeen
(Skipping right ahead to Valentine's Day.)
Mimi stood in front of her bathroom mirror and frowned at her reflection. She looked pale and tired, her eyes puffy and her nose a lovely shade of red. She filled a cup with water and quickly took another dose of her cold medicine. Her first Valentine's Day with Jason and she was in her blue striped flannel pajamas, with a terrible cold. How romantic.
She shut the bathroom light off with one hand and padded her way back into her empty room. At least she thought it was empty. Jason was sitting on the edge of her bed smiling and holding a bouquet of multi-colored tulips.
Mimi walked forward and smiled as she took them in her hands. "Ohhhh... Jason... They're beautiful. I -- I wish I could smell them."
Jason put his hands on her hips and nodded. "Yeah, Mimi... You look..."
"Awful? Disgusting? Terrible? Like Death on a bad day?"
"If I prefaced it with 'I love you', does that make it better when I say... awful?"
Mimi nodded and sniffled before replying. "It makes it understandable. This really sucks... We should be out together, doing something that couples are supposed to do... But, I'm all blehhhhh."
Jason stood up and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't worry about it. I've got something else planned. We can still have a very nice Valentine's Day together, and we don't even have to leave the building."
"You mean you're not afraid of my germs?"
"Not at all. Now, come with me."
Mimi turned her head away and sneezed quietly into her hand. "Come with you where?"
Jason laughed softly, almost ashamed that he could melt inside over something as simple as how cute his girlfriend was when she sneezed. "Mimi, you sneeze like a cat."
Her voice was stuffy when she spoke, and it was absolutely adorable. "Like a cat? Is that good thing?"
"Yes, it's very quiet and cute. Now come with me..."
Jason grabbed her hand and led her out the door, as she grabbed a box of tissues off the desk on their way out. Her feet were bare and she was glad that the hallways were carpeted, rather than face the cold hard floor in a Salem winter. He led her to his room where Rory and Nick were sprawled on Nick's bed, lying on their stomachs and looking at a newspaper together, their legs tangled up in each other as they laughed over something they were looking at.
Jason walked her in and made her sit down on his bed, as she stared at them curiously. "Hey guys... What's up?"
Rory rolled on to her side and grinned at a roommate. "We're just looking to see what time the movie starts."
"What movie are you going to see?"
"Something with lots of blood and gore, and annoyingly perky, unrealistically beautiful teenagers who can't act getting sliced into tiny pieces."
Nick lifted his head from the newspaper and grinned at Mimi. "I believe they call it Friday the 13th part... whatever part they're on now."
Jason looked at them strangely and shook his head. "That's your idea of a romantic Valentine's Day?"
"I don't celebrate Valentine's Day... Not officially."
"What? You don't make New Year's resolutions, you don't celebrate Valentine's Day... What's up with you?"
Rory smiled widely and kissed Nick on the cheek. "I think it makes perfect sense, really. Nick says that Valentine's Day is just another holiday that the card companies, the florists and the candy makers use to make money. And, when you care about someone you tell them all the time, not just one day a year. It's similar to his resolution theory... but way more bitter and cynical."
Nick nodded proudly and folded up the newspaper in front of him. "Plus, Rory usually celebrates an Anti-Valentine's Day by dressing in black and watching the complete opposite of romantic movies... So, we're combining our viewpoints and going to see a slasher movie and have un-romantic cheeseburgers together."
Mimi was smiling and nodding in understanding. It wasn't a storybook, but it worked for them. Only a little over six weeks into an official relationship, Rory and Nick were two unique souls who seemed to fit together even when they didn't fit anywhere else.
Jason pointed at the door behind him. "So, now that you have your plans set... Scram. Get out. Go..."
Rory pulled herself up off the bed, and Nick followed her. She rolled her eyes in Jason's direction and frowned. "Geez... You are so pushy. You don't have to beg us, you know. It's not like we really want to be spending time with you and the monkey from Outbreak over there."
Mimi gasped in surprise. "Hey... I'm not THAT sick."
"You sure look pretty damn sick."
Nick nodded in agreement and started walking towards the door, dragging Rory along with him. "She's right... And, I'm kind of germ phobic, so I think we should go."
Jason nodded enthusiastically and waved them off. "Yes, please go... Thank you. Goodbye. Enjoy your movie."
Nick and Rory left and shut the door behind them, leaving Jason and Mimi alone together. Jason turned and grinned at Mimi mischievously. "Are you all ready for your Valentine's Day surprise?"
"I'm ready... Hit me with it."
Jason clapped his hands together and went to preparing things for her. He laid out a blanket on the floor between the two beds, and grabbed Mimi's hands to gently guide her to the floor. Mimi leaned her back against the bed and looked up at him curiously.
"Indoor picnic?"
"It's too cold for an outdoors one, AND you're sick."
Jason winked at her and went back to work, pulling a tray covered in a white cloth off the desk and bringing it to lie on the floor. He sat across from her and uncovered the tray, which had a couple of bowls, a large thermos and an assortment of breads, cheeses and fruits.
"Wow... Jason... This is so cool. What's in the thermos?" She smiled happily at him as he uncapped the thermos. Nobody had ever done something like this for her before, not even close, and the night was only just beginning.
Jason poured the contents of the thermos into the bowls and smiled at her. "Clam Chowder, direct from the Brady Pub to you. Shawn's grandparents send along their 'get well' wishes, by the way."
Mimi held up the bowl and wished her nostrils were clear enough to smell it's delectable scent. "Mmmmm... My favorite. Thank you."
Both of them dug into their meals hungrily, quickly finishing up and leaving empty bowls scattered on the tray. Mimi nibbled on a couple of grapes and gazed happily at her boyfriend. "This is... the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."
Jason took a sip from his soda and set the can down on the floor, looking at her sadly. "You know, Mimi... There's something extremely wrong about that. You deserve the best, and it's a damn shame that nobody has given it to you before. I mean... I'm not exactly romantic or prone to big dramatic gestures to express my love... I just... I want to make you smile."
Mimi smiled in reply and nodded. "Well, you're good at it. You may not think you're being romantic, but you are, in your own special way. You don't go over the top or anything, you do exactly what's just right."
"Just right? Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears?"
"Mmmmm... Something like that. And, that's perfect for me. I don't care about overly extravagant gestures at all. I just want to be loved... and that's what you do for me. I don't need two dozen red roses, I'm perfectly content with a bouquet of tulips. I don't need dinners at Tuscany... The Brady's clam chowder on the floor of your dorm room is perfect."
Jason grinned proudly and leaned forward to give her a kiss on the forehead. "I'm glad you feel that way... I love you, Meems. But, I'm not exactly the kind of guy to like spell your name out in flowers or carve our initials into a tree..."
Mimi laughed with a snort, his words immediately bringing to mind another tree with initials carved on it. "Oh, please don't ever do that. It's bad for the tree... and it's just... silly. Not my or your style at all."
"No, it's more like... something Phillip would do. He really tries too hard, doesn't he?"
"You have NO idea how true that is. But, seriously, Jase... I love the fact that you remember like the slightest little details about me. That's far more romantic than any grand gesture can be. You remembered that tulips are my favorite flower even though nobody remembers that. And, when you pick up the slack for me when I'm being absentminded and forgetful... Like when you remembered to bring my gloves because you knew I would forget. That's romance to me. It's the little things that count the most."
Jason smiled as he listened to her and nodded. He couldn't believe all the time that he had wasted not getting to know this beautiful girl in front of him. And, even more unbelievable than that was how some other guy hadn't fallen madly in love with her before he did. She had changed his whole world in just a short period of time, turning him inside out, and exposing his heart for the first time in his eighteen years.
He pushed their tray of food aside and leaned over to grab on to Mimi's hands. "You feel like dancing?"
Mimi looked at him with surprise, and then glanced down at her pajamas, and back at him in his jeans and t-shirt. "You want to dance with me when I look like this? I look like I'm going to a sixth grade slumber party."
Jason stood and slowly helped her up. "You look beautiful to me. Even with your stuffy nose."
She looked away form him bashfully and attempted to smooth her wrinkled pajamas. Mimi had never felt beautiful before, not until she fell in love with Jason. Slowly but surely they were learning to trust each other completely, and when Jason said she was beautiful, she no longer doubted him. That was how he saw her, and that was how he made her feel.
Jason walked over to the small stereo on his desk and pressed a few buttons before walking back over to her. Mimi pointed at her bare feet and his feet that were covered in a thick pair of sneakers, looking up at him with worry. "You're not going to stomp on my feet are you? I'm not wearing any shoes..."
Jason shook his head, and put his hands on her waist. "Here... Let's try this."
He lifted her up, forcing her to place her bare feet on top of his shoes. She giggled softly and looked up at him, his green eyes sparkling with love. He wrapped his arms around her as the song began playing softly.
She had never felt so whole, so complete and so safe until the day she found her way into his arms. And, she could tell he felt the same. Love had changed them both, bringing out the absolute best that each of them had to offer.
*** It's such a mystery,
How you found something in me
That I never knew was there
But you uncovered it so easily
You turn me like a season
And I begin to change
You wrapped your arms around me
Now I'll never be the same... ***
Mimi smiled at him, as their eyes stayed locked with each other, recognizing the song instantly. "The CDs... The ones I made you for Christmas. You actually listen to them?"
Jason nodded affirmatively, as if there should have been do doubt that he would have. "Of course I do. Especially this one... You said it was songs that are important to us... And, although it's not my usual style of music. You were right. This song... I like the words a lot. I think it describes a lot of things that I can't find the words to say to you."
*** That's how love works,
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you as high as heaven
It consumes you, that's a given
That's how love moves... ***
Mimi honestly couldn't think of a moment in her life that could ever compare to this. She was exactly where she wanted to be, and as simple as it was, she knew that no Valentine's Day in the future would ever compare to the first one she had spent with Jason.
*** I've seen walls that could never be broken come tumbling down
I've heard the voice of love calling without making a sound
See I was touched by an angel the day you took my hand
You know that you're the miracle that's make me everything I am...
That's how love works,
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you as high as heaven
It consumes you, that's a given
That's how love moves... ***
Jason tenderly brushed his fingers through her hair, sighing softly as they continued dancing together. He knew that he was her first love, and she was his. Their previous significant others had never really been true love. And, if Jason had his way, they would be each other's only loves. He honestly couldn't imagine another woman to take her place.
*** Sometimes it's just a whisper
Sometimes it's a storm
Sometimes it reaches forever with it's everlasting arms
That's how love works,
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you as high as heaven
It consumes you, that's a given
That's how love moves... ***
Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver chain, dangling it in front of her face as Mimi slowly stepped off of his feet. Hanging from the end of the chain was another small heart-shaped emerald just like the one on the ring he had given her. The light bounced off the emerald and reflected in her eyes as she stared at him with surprise.
"Jason... I -- I can't believe it. It's so beautiful."
"I thought you needed something to match your ring. So, happy Valentine's Day."
Mimi stared at him in awe as he fastened around it her neck. It was simple, just like the ring, but still stunningly beautiful. "I -- I love it... But you don't have to buy me expensive jewelry. You really don't..."
Jason nodded in understanding and led her to the bed where they sat down together. "I know I don't *have* to. But, I want to. Please let me do this for you, Mimi... Okay?"
"I appreciate it... I just feel bad that you're spending your parents money on *me*. Especially with the way they feel about our relationship..."
Jason grinned at her crookedly. "My parents money? You think I'm spending my parents money?"
Mimi looked at him in surprise. "You mean you're not?"
"No, I'm not. All of their money is because of the family business, owned by my grandfather. I got a trust fund when I turned 18, and I get a monthly allowance out of that. And, then I get full control of that money when I turn 25. Same for Josh. So, my parents have no control over my money or what I choose to spend it on. It all comes from my Grandpa, who you will have to meet someday. You'd really like him, and I know he'd love you."
"So... Your grandpa is cool?"
Jason nodded and smiled at her. "Oh yeah, he's retired and has a house in Hawaii. He's really laidback... I have no idea where my dad gets his snobbery from."
Mimi nodded in understanding and sighed softly. "Oh. Okay. Well, now I feel a little better... And, I'm sorry I brought it up. I love my necklace... It's perfect. Thank you so much. I'm just not used to getting these kinds of gifts yet."
"It's okay, Meems... I understand. I'm just glad you like it... I don't want you to feel uncomfortable accepting gifts from me. I just want to do something nice for you, that's all..."
"And you did. Thank you. I won't feel uncomfortable. I promise."
Jason grinned and pulled her into his arms, lying back on the bed with her. It was these moments that she loved the most. The moments when they were quiet, just holding on to each other in the silence. Mimi had found that her normal talkative ways were held at bay now that she had Jason. They didn't need words to show their love, just glances and gentle touches said so much more.
After a long time of silence, Jason leaned in and gently kissed her, warming her from head to toe. Mimi broke off and looked at him with concern.
"Jase... You know you're going to get my cold, don't you?"
"I don't care."
Mimi looked at him curiously. "You don't care? Really?"
Jason shook his head and continued smiling. "Nope. I don't mind at all."
There was a pause as Mimi bit her lower lip thoughtfully, and changed subjects completely. "Do you ever think that we are the only ones out of all of our friends who don't have our entire lives planned out?"
"Absolutely. But, I think that's okay. We're only eighteen... We're not supposed to have everything planned out yet. We can figure out all of that later... We can do anything we want to with our futures, Mimi."
"Do you really believe that?"
Jason nodded and tenderly brushed the tips of his fingers across her cheek. "I really do. And you should too. Whatever you want to do with your life is out there waiting for you; all you have to do is believe in yourself. I learned that from my brother."
Mimi smiled and sighed softly. "Your brother sure has a lot of smart things to say. I'm just glad that you are going through the same things I am. We're in this together..."
"We are... Together." Jason paused and suddenly moved in to kiss her on the forehead. "Forever."
Mimi's heart practically skipped a beat at his last word. Forever. It was the first time that one of them had used a term like that to describe their relationship. And, as scared as they both were of how strong their feelings for each other had become, the word 'forever' didn't sound too bad to either of their ears. In fact, Mimi could definitely get used to having Jason Masters by her side for an eternity. Especially, if eternity was always like this one moment.
She struggled to regain her composure and looked into his green eyes. Those two brilliant green eyes had become her safe place in the past months, the one thing that could always calm her when she needed it. "Jason... I love you more than I can even begin to tell you."
"I know... And, I know because I love you too."
Jason leaned in and kissed her lips again, as Mimi melted into his embrace. She knew she must have done something really amazing in a past life to be deserving of what she had right now. It had taken them thirteen years of being classmates before they found each other, and now neither of them ever wanted to let go.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Song: "That's How Love Moves" by Faith Hill
And for those that are curious, combine Rory & Nick's theory on Valentine's Day, and you have my theory. I do not celebrate it, and I usually gather my other cynical friends together to watch horror movies and pretend like it's not a day about 'romance'. I'm just cynical and quirky that way. I write a lot of romance in my stories, but I'm not really that romantic in real life. Weird, I know.
My apologizes to any Phloe fans who are reading. But anyone who knows me knows that I HATE that godawful tree and the necklace that goes with it. :) I had to throw in a jibe about it, I just couldn't resist.
(Skipping right ahead to Valentine's Day.)
Mimi stood in front of her bathroom mirror and frowned at her reflection. She looked pale and tired, her eyes puffy and her nose a lovely shade of red. She filled a cup with water and quickly took another dose of her cold medicine. Her first Valentine's Day with Jason and she was in her blue striped flannel pajamas, with a terrible cold. How romantic.
She shut the bathroom light off with one hand and padded her way back into her empty room. At least she thought it was empty. Jason was sitting on the edge of her bed smiling and holding a bouquet of multi-colored tulips.
Mimi walked forward and smiled as she took them in her hands. "Ohhhh... Jason... They're beautiful. I -- I wish I could smell them."
Jason put his hands on her hips and nodded. "Yeah, Mimi... You look..."
"Awful? Disgusting? Terrible? Like Death on a bad day?"
"If I prefaced it with 'I love you', does that make it better when I say... awful?"
Mimi nodded and sniffled before replying. "It makes it understandable. This really sucks... We should be out together, doing something that couples are supposed to do... But, I'm all blehhhhh."
Jason stood up and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't worry about it. I've got something else planned. We can still have a very nice Valentine's Day together, and we don't even have to leave the building."
"You mean you're not afraid of my germs?"
"Not at all. Now, come with me."
Mimi turned her head away and sneezed quietly into her hand. "Come with you where?"
Jason laughed softly, almost ashamed that he could melt inside over something as simple as how cute his girlfriend was when she sneezed. "Mimi, you sneeze like a cat."
Her voice was stuffy when she spoke, and it was absolutely adorable. "Like a cat? Is that good thing?"
"Yes, it's very quiet and cute. Now come with me..."
Jason grabbed her hand and led her out the door, as she grabbed a box of tissues off the desk on their way out. Her feet were bare and she was glad that the hallways were carpeted, rather than face the cold hard floor in a Salem winter. He led her to his room where Rory and Nick were sprawled on Nick's bed, lying on their stomachs and looking at a newspaper together, their legs tangled up in each other as they laughed over something they were looking at.
Jason walked her in and made her sit down on his bed, as she stared at them curiously. "Hey guys... What's up?"
Rory rolled on to her side and grinned at a roommate. "We're just looking to see what time the movie starts."
"What movie are you going to see?"
"Something with lots of blood and gore, and annoyingly perky, unrealistically beautiful teenagers who can't act getting sliced into tiny pieces."
Nick lifted his head from the newspaper and grinned at Mimi. "I believe they call it Friday the 13th part... whatever part they're on now."
Jason looked at them strangely and shook his head. "That's your idea of a romantic Valentine's Day?"
"I don't celebrate Valentine's Day... Not officially."
"What? You don't make New Year's resolutions, you don't celebrate Valentine's Day... What's up with you?"
Rory smiled widely and kissed Nick on the cheek. "I think it makes perfect sense, really. Nick says that Valentine's Day is just another holiday that the card companies, the florists and the candy makers use to make money. And, when you care about someone you tell them all the time, not just one day a year. It's similar to his resolution theory... but way more bitter and cynical."
Nick nodded proudly and folded up the newspaper in front of him. "Plus, Rory usually celebrates an Anti-Valentine's Day by dressing in black and watching the complete opposite of romantic movies... So, we're combining our viewpoints and going to see a slasher movie and have un-romantic cheeseburgers together."
Mimi was smiling and nodding in understanding. It wasn't a storybook, but it worked for them. Only a little over six weeks into an official relationship, Rory and Nick were two unique souls who seemed to fit together even when they didn't fit anywhere else.
Jason pointed at the door behind him. "So, now that you have your plans set... Scram. Get out. Go..."
Rory pulled herself up off the bed, and Nick followed her. She rolled her eyes in Jason's direction and frowned. "Geez... You are so pushy. You don't have to beg us, you know. It's not like we really want to be spending time with you and the monkey from Outbreak over there."
Mimi gasped in surprise. "Hey... I'm not THAT sick."
"You sure look pretty damn sick."
Nick nodded in agreement and started walking towards the door, dragging Rory along with him. "She's right... And, I'm kind of germ phobic, so I think we should go."
Jason nodded enthusiastically and waved them off. "Yes, please go... Thank you. Goodbye. Enjoy your movie."
Nick and Rory left and shut the door behind them, leaving Jason and Mimi alone together. Jason turned and grinned at Mimi mischievously. "Are you all ready for your Valentine's Day surprise?"
"I'm ready... Hit me with it."
Jason clapped his hands together and went to preparing things for her. He laid out a blanket on the floor between the two beds, and grabbed Mimi's hands to gently guide her to the floor. Mimi leaned her back against the bed and looked up at him curiously.
"Indoor picnic?"
"It's too cold for an outdoors one, AND you're sick."
Jason winked at her and went back to work, pulling a tray covered in a white cloth off the desk and bringing it to lie on the floor. He sat across from her and uncovered the tray, which had a couple of bowls, a large thermos and an assortment of breads, cheeses and fruits.
"Wow... Jason... This is so cool. What's in the thermos?" She smiled happily at him as he uncapped the thermos. Nobody had ever done something like this for her before, not even close, and the night was only just beginning.
Jason poured the contents of the thermos into the bowls and smiled at her. "Clam Chowder, direct from the Brady Pub to you. Shawn's grandparents send along their 'get well' wishes, by the way."
Mimi held up the bowl and wished her nostrils were clear enough to smell it's delectable scent. "Mmmmm... My favorite. Thank you."
Both of them dug into their meals hungrily, quickly finishing up and leaving empty bowls scattered on the tray. Mimi nibbled on a couple of grapes and gazed happily at her boyfriend. "This is... the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."
Jason took a sip from his soda and set the can down on the floor, looking at her sadly. "You know, Mimi... There's something extremely wrong about that. You deserve the best, and it's a damn shame that nobody has given it to you before. I mean... I'm not exactly romantic or prone to big dramatic gestures to express my love... I just... I want to make you smile."
Mimi smiled in reply and nodded. "Well, you're good at it. You may not think you're being romantic, but you are, in your own special way. You don't go over the top or anything, you do exactly what's just right."
"Just right? Like Goldilocks and the Three Bears?"
"Mmmmm... Something like that. And, that's perfect for me. I don't care about overly extravagant gestures at all. I just want to be loved... and that's what you do for me. I don't need two dozen red roses, I'm perfectly content with a bouquet of tulips. I don't need dinners at Tuscany... The Brady's clam chowder on the floor of your dorm room is perfect."
Jason grinned proudly and leaned forward to give her a kiss on the forehead. "I'm glad you feel that way... I love you, Meems. But, I'm not exactly the kind of guy to like spell your name out in flowers or carve our initials into a tree..."
Mimi laughed with a snort, his words immediately bringing to mind another tree with initials carved on it. "Oh, please don't ever do that. It's bad for the tree... and it's just... silly. Not my or your style at all."
"No, it's more like... something Phillip would do. He really tries too hard, doesn't he?"
"You have NO idea how true that is. But, seriously, Jase... I love the fact that you remember like the slightest little details about me. That's far more romantic than any grand gesture can be. You remembered that tulips are my favorite flower even though nobody remembers that. And, when you pick up the slack for me when I'm being absentminded and forgetful... Like when you remembered to bring my gloves because you knew I would forget. That's romance to me. It's the little things that count the most."
Jason smiled as he listened to her and nodded. He couldn't believe all the time that he had wasted not getting to know this beautiful girl in front of him. And, even more unbelievable than that was how some other guy hadn't fallen madly in love with her before he did. She had changed his whole world in just a short period of time, turning him inside out, and exposing his heart for the first time in his eighteen years.
He pushed their tray of food aside and leaned over to grab on to Mimi's hands. "You feel like dancing?"
Mimi looked at him with surprise, and then glanced down at her pajamas, and back at him in his jeans and t-shirt. "You want to dance with me when I look like this? I look like I'm going to a sixth grade slumber party."
Jason stood and slowly helped her up. "You look beautiful to me. Even with your stuffy nose."
She looked away form him bashfully and attempted to smooth her wrinkled pajamas. Mimi had never felt beautiful before, not until she fell in love with Jason. Slowly but surely they were learning to trust each other completely, and when Jason said she was beautiful, she no longer doubted him. That was how he saw her, and that was how he made her feel.
Jason walked over to the small stereo on his desk and pressed a few buttons before walking back over to her. Mimi pointed at her bare feet and his feet that were covered in a thick pair of sneakers, looking up at him with worry. "You're not going to stomp on my feet are you? I'm not wearing any shoes..."
Jason shook his head, and put his hands on her waist. "Here... Let's try this."
He lifted her up, forcing her to place her bare feet on top of his shoes. She giggled softly and looked up at him, his green eyes sparkling with love. He wrapped his arms around her as the song began playing softly.
She had never felt so whole, so complete and so safe until the day she found her way into his arms. And, she could tell he felt the same. Love had changed them both, bringing out the absolute best that each of them had to offer.
*** It's such a mystery,
How you found something in me
That I never knew was there
But you uncovered it so easily
You turn me like a season
And I begin to change
You wrapped your arms around me
Now I'll never be the same... ***
Mimi smiled at him, as their eyes stayed locked with each other, recognizing the song instantly. "The CDs... The ones I made you for Christmas. You actually listen to them?"
Jason nodded affirmatively, as if there should have been do doubt that he would have. "Of course I do. Especially this one... You said it was songs that are important to us... And, although it's not my usual style of music. You were right. This song... I like the words a lot. I think it describes a lot of things that I can't find the words to say to you."
*** That's how love works,
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you as high as heaven
It consumes you, that's a given
That's how love moves... ***
Mimi honestly couldn't think of a moment in her life that could ever compare to this. She was exactly where she wanted to be, and as simple as it was, she knew that no Valentine's Day in the future would ever compare to the first one she had spent with Jason.
*** I've seen walls that could never be broken come tumbling down
I've heard the voice of love calling without making a sound
See I was touched by an angel the day you took my hand
You know that you're the miracle that's make me everything I am...
That's how love works,
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you as high as heaven
It consumes you, that's a given
That's how love moves... ***
Jason tenderly brushed his fingers through her hair, sighing softly as they continued dancing together. He knew that he was her first love, and she was his. Their previous significant others had never really been true love. And, if Jason had his way, they would be each other's only loves. He honestly couldn't imagine another woman to take her place.
*** Sometimes it's just a whisper
Sometimes it's a storm
Sometimes it reaches forever with it's everlasting arms
That's how love works,
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometimes it lifts you as high as heaven
It consumes you, that's a given
That's how love moves... ***
Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver chain, dangling it in front of her face as Mimi slowly stepped off of his feet. Hanging from the end of the chain was another small heart-shaped emerald just like the one on the ring he had given her. The light bounced off the emerald and reflected in her eyes as she stared at him with surprise.
"Jason... I -- I can't believe it. It's so beautiful."
"I thought you needed something to match your ring. So, happy Valentine's Day."
Mimi stared at him in awe as he fastened around it her neck. It was simple, just like the ring, but still stunningly beautiful. "I -- I love it... But you don't have to buy me expensive jewelry. You really don't..."
Jason nodded in understanding and led her to the bed where they sat down together. "I know I don't *have* to. But, I want to. Please let me do this for you, Mimi... Okay?"
"I appreciate it... I just feel bad that you're spending your parents money on *me*. Especially with the way they feel about our relationship..."
Jason grinned at her crookedly. "My parents money? You think I'm spending my parents money?"
Mimi looked at him in surprise. "You mean you're not?"
"No, I'm not. All of their money is because of the family business, owned by my grandfather. I got a trust fund when I turned 18, and I get a monthly allowance out of that. And, then I get full control of that money when I turn 25. Same for Josh. So, my parents have no control over my money or what I choose to spend it on. It all comes from my Grandpa, who you will have to meet someday. You'd really like him, and I know he'd love you."
"So... Your grandpa is cool?"
Jason nodded and smiled at her. "Oh yeah, he's retired and has a house in Hawaii. He's really laidback... I have no idea where my dad gets his snobbery from."
Mimi nodded in understanding and sighed softly. "Oh. Okay. Well, now I feel a little better... And, I'm sorry I brought it up. I love my necklace... It's perfect. Thank you so much. I'm just not used to getting these kinds of gifts yet."
"It's okay, Meems... I understand. I'm just glad you like it... I don't want you to feel uncomfortable accepting gifts from me. I just want to do something nice for you, that's all..."
"And you did. Thank you. I won't feel uncomfortable. I promise."
Jason grinned and pulled her into his arms, lying back on the bed with her. It was these moments that she loved the most. The moments when they were quiet, just holding on to each other in the silence. Mimi had found that her normal talkative ways were held at bay now that she had Jason. They didn't need words to show their love, just glances and gentle touches said so much more.
After a long time of silence, Jason leaned in and gently kissed her, warming her from head to toe. Mimi broke off and looked at him with concern.
"Jase... You know you're going to get my cold, don't you?"
"I don't care."
Mimi looked at him curiously. "You don't care? Really?"
Jason shook his head and continued smiling. "Nope. I don't mind at all."
There was a pause as Mimi bit her lower lip thoughtfully, and changed subjects completely. "Do you ever think that we are the only ones out of all of our friends who don't have our entire lives planned out?"
"Absolutely. But, I think that's okay. We're only eighteen... We're not supposed to have everything planned out yet. We can figure out all of that later... We can do anything we want to with our futures, Mimi."
"Do you really believe that?"
Jason nodded and tenderly brushed the tips of his fingers across her cheek. "I really do. And you should too. Whatever you want to do with your life is out there waiting for you; all you have to do is believe in yourself. I learned that from my brother."
Mimi smiled and sighed softly. "Your brother sure has a lot of smart things to say. I'm just glad that you are going through the same things I am. We're in this together..."
"We are... Together." Jason paused and suddenly moved in to kiss her on the forehead. "Forever."
Mimi's heart practically skipped a beat at his last word. Forever. It was the first time that one of them had used a term like that to describe their relationship. And, as scared as they both were of how strong their feelings for each other had become, the word 'forever' didn't sound too bad to either of their ears. In fact, Mimi could definitely get used to having Jason Masters by her side for an eternity. Especially, if eternity was always like this one moment.
She struggled to regain her composure and looked into his green eyes. Those two brilliant green eyes had become her safe place in the past months, the one thing that could always calm her when she needed it. "Jason... I love you more than I can even begin to tell you."
"I know... And, I know because I love you too."
Jason leaned in and kissed her lips again, as Mimi melted into his embrace. She knew she must have done something really amazing in a past life to be deserving of what she had right now. It had taken them thirteen years of being classmates before they found each other, and now neither of them ever wanted to let go.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Song: "That's How Love Moves" by Faith Hill
And for those that are curious, combine Rory & Nick's theory on Valentine's Day, and you have my theory. I do not celebrate it, and I usually gather my other cynical friends together to watch horror movies and pretend like it's not a day about 'romance'. I'm just cynical and quirky that way. I write a lot of romance in my stories, but I'm not really that romantic in real life. Weird, I know.
My apologizes to any Phloe fans who are reading. But anyone who knows me knows that I HATE that godawful tree and the necklace that goes with it. :) I had to throw in a jibe about it, I just couldn't resist.