Chapter 18: The fragments of reason are repeatedly eaten away
A/N: Nearing the final chapter, true story. But there will be a squeal...sort of. You'll have to wait till the end of the final chapter to see what I mean. And I need to apologize for it taking so long. I'm having trouble with this story for some odd reason. Annnd schools been brutal, so I enjoyed this chapter and I hope you do too :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
"Who is she?" The whispers carried on.
"She has to be a pureblood, the Malfoy's would allow nothing less."
Both Crystal and Draco tried blocking out the harsh whispers as they danced in each other's arms. But it was hard to ignore. Gossip was common among pureblood families and there was nothing they could do about it.
"Draco" Crystal cried as she buried herself in his shoulder. "I'm ruining your birthday." She carried on with a heavy heart. She felt she was. All the stares, all the whispers how was she not?
"You'd ruin it if you weren't here." Draco kissed her forehead and a tiny aw burst from the onlookers at the ball. "The best birthday gift anyone could give me is right here in my arms." Draco smiled as Crystal looked up with large eyes, curious as to his kind words. "I want no one else but you."
"I hope that never changes." Crystal whispered as Draco twirled her away and back into his warm welcoming arms.
"Never" Draco breathed as the song finished. The crowd broke into a soft sophisticated clap. All eyes were happily on the young couple. But not all the eyes held a happy gaze. One gaze was harsh and cold. Draco felt this gaze right away as he and Crystal were giving their bow to signal the end of the evening. The cold gaze finally met Draco's as he pulled up from his bow.
Mr. Nott, Crystal's father.
Draco grabbed onto Crystal's hand even tighter as they smiled into the crowd. It was a perfect evening till now. Draco knew that gaze. He also knew Crystal had done nothing wrong. She had been perfect. It was just that she existed. Why couldn't her father accept that the Malfoy's were pleased to have her? But that wouldn't work, nothing did. Her father saw her as filth tainting a perfect pureblooded family. Crystal would be punished for a crime she had no control over.
"I'll be fine" Crystal gave Draco's hand a squeeze in return. She could feel him tensing up next to her. He was worried for her and she knew it. But the truth was she was terrified of what was in store for her as they exited the ball room.
Draco tried to smile at the guest as they made the traditional exit, but he found that hard to do. Her words did not reassure him. With each step they took to his bedroom he felt his stomach knot tighter and tighter. He didn't want to let her go. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to be there for her, always. Who was her father anyways to leave those scars that both physically and mentally damaged her?
He had gotten so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't even noticed they were in his room until Crystal was holding the jar of floo powder and tugging on his arm.
"I better go" She said in a shaky and weak voice.
Draco felt his heart drop father. He didn't want to let her go, but it would cause more damage if she didn't. HE nodded solemnly wishing only to be able to protect her. "I'll be over tomorrow." Draco said while brushing a stray hair away from her eyes.
"Sure" Crystal said even weaker as she threw her arms around him and gave him one last hug for the evening. "Bye" Crystal smirked feeling more courageous then she had earlier and turned to the fireplace. "Nott Manor" She cried before the flames licked her away and pulled her home.
She gracefully landed in the drawing room and took her spot kneeling on the floor waiting for her 'family' to come home. She sat tall and brave but with a solemn face. She didn't move in inch as she let her thoughts replay the perfect evening. Every moment was spent in Draco's arms or holding on to his hand tightly. Even when the press was there questioning and taking pictures, Draco held onto her as if she would escape…no as if someone would take her away from him.
She let her thoughts carry her until the fire roared to life and her family finally stepped through.
"You may go." She heard her father command to her mother and brother. They did was they were told and without even a glance at Crystal they left, the door slamming harshly behind them. Still Crystal did not move. She continued to stare at the deep green carpet that laced the floor as her father circled around her eying her up. Readying to dive in and hurt his only 'daughter'.
It happened all at once. One minute her eyes were still tracing the elegant carpet the next there was a sharp pull of her hair and a shoe in her back. Almost instantly her face crashed down on the carpet. She still didn't cry out as a small bit of blood formed in her mouth. Her father had her pinned down, she couldn't escape the terror now.
"You honestly think you are worthy?" He screamed as he ripped the back of her dress open with his knife. The beautiful fabric fell to her sides, she wanted to cry but she willed herself to be strong. "To me you are no better than a fucking muggle." Her father's voice boomed throughout the drawing room.
The words ran in her ears and pierced her heart. She was breaking but she didn't cry until the blade touch her skin. It dragged across her bare skin on her back. Each letter began to form as her father carved into her skin, deeper and deeper. Slowly the blood began to flow through the letters and her eyes began to spill with warm tears as if to mimicking the pain.
W-o-r-t-h-l-e-s-s…the words etched into her back and radiated with heat. The blood tricked down staining the dress that covered the carpet. Her sobs deepened.
He was satisfied. She was crying, sobbing even. She got was she deserved. "Calin, take her to the dungeons" He snarled to his personal house elf who appeared at once.
"Yes master" Calin bowed so low her nose touched the floor. But Mr. Nott paid no attention. He was already stalking out the door.
"Calin is sorry misses." Mumbles Calin as she grabs a frail weeping Crystal and takes her to her usual cell in the dungeons.
Crystal grabbed tightly to her dress and held it to her heart. Through blurred eyes she smiled weakly to the elf. "Thank you, Calin." And she meant it. Calin was always so gentle with the way she handled Crystal. She knew that Calin would punish herself later because her father wouldn't want that. For that she was ever grateful to the elf.
"Misses is too kind." Calin cried before she disappeared to punish herself no doubt.
She was gone. Crystal was alone. She felt her body curl in a ball feeling hopeless, but she didn't feel like she was there. She was in so much pain but all she could remember was Draco. Draco had proved to her in this one night alone that she wasn't worthless. She was someone. She had to be for Draco to treat her as if she was loved. But the pain kept searing through. All she could feel was the words worthless in deep red blood dripping down her back.
Her blood curdling screams filled the air as Hermione pulled her tighter in her arms and stroked her hair in a motherly manner. Crystal had been crying for at least an hour before anyone noticed. And not to long ago she began screaming, waking the dorm at once. They tried numerous times to wake her up, but they couldn't. She was trapped in whatever sick dream she was having. It began to be so bad she was clawing her skin away. Parvati had grabbed her hands at once before she could bleed herself anymore. Hermione on the other hand grabbed her tightly and noticed how feverous she felt. Lavender jumped into action though. Upon Hermione's words that she was feverous, Lavender ran out of the dorm heading for Madam Pomfrey.
But finally her eyes fluttered open. Hermione gave a sigh of relief as Crystal's eyes focused on the scene before her. She felt so disoriented and dizzy. She felt almost sick. "Sorry" Crystal said in a raspy whisper.
Hermione smiled sweetly "No don't be, you're really sick Crystal." Hermione put a gentle hand on her shoulder as she began to sit up. "You have a fever. Lavender is already getting Madam Pomfrey."
"Okay" was Crystal's weak response. That explained why she was so dizzy. How did she even get sick was the question?
Sure enough though, in no time Madam Pomfrey was bustling through with a pepper up potion. Crystal didn't object at all to the potion but was a little annoyed she couldn't go to Hogsmeade. Instead Crystal ended up in the hospital wing for observations.
Hermione was kind enough to offer to stay with her, but Crystal objected. So instead she ended up spending the day with Madam Pomfrey who had a million questions to ask. Apparently Lavender was nearly in tears by the time she reached the hospital wing. This had worried Madam Pomfrey a lot. So the questioned were pulled and eventually Dumbledore was called and the secrets were out. Years of torture had been laid out, but Dumbledore was patient. Madam Pomfrey on the other hand was on the verge of collapsing, so finally Dumbledore guided Crystal to his office were they carried on the conversation in great detail.
"I never once doubted the abuse that can be hidden in pureblood households" Dumbledore sighed but his eyes were twinkling lightly at Crystal. "But to imagine it would happen to someone like you is astounding." Crystal blushed but she continued to peer into Dumbledore's eyes wondering where he was going. "We could of course put charges on your family and put you into a foster home, but I believe that's not an option?" Crystal shook her head no. "That's what I thought, you want to help bring down Voldemort and save anyone you can."
"I do" Crystal smiled weakly. "I can handle it, really. I just have to…"
"Show a lot of bravery" Dumbledore finished with a smile. "And I believe you can."
"I know it won't be easy." Crystal looked down at her clawed arms. She began to rub them nervously.
"My dear, I never said it would be." Dumbledore responded and soon a silence filled the air. He was letting her think. She deserved that much at least. It was a long day, her dream of the past no doubt shook her greatly. He gave her a bit more time before he spoke. "Professor Snape tells me of the plans for the summer."
Crystal looked up from her arms "About the engagement?" Crystal asked gingerly.
"Yes, which I have wished to discuss with you." Dumbledore gave a slight nod. "This is a good step forward. Professor Snape and I both know that he is not given all the information and that certain Death Eaters have more knowledge."
"Like the Malfoy's" Crystal whispered.
"The Malfoy's yes." Dumbledore gave a grim smile. "Which is why you being so close is very crucial. You will have access to information no one else in the order will have."
Crystal knew the weight that now rested on her shoulder "So basically do not screw up."
"You could word it that way." Dumbledore said calmly.
"I will do my best." Crystal said while rising from her chair "May I go? It's almost dinner time." She questioned.
"Of course my dear" He answered with one more smile before his thoughts plunged into the eternal thinking they had formed into as of late.
Crystal gave one last smile before she let her feet carry her. She had no intention of going to the great hall. The pepper up potion had worked wonders. She was feeling better, but she couldn't help it. She was exhausted. She never felt fully awake after the nightmares and wanted nothing more than to crawl in bed and led sleep engulf her.
When she finally woke up the next day, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread that began taking over. The OWL's started next week. She didn't get the chance to study at all, but yet she still had to apologize to Draco. Draco had to come first. He was so upset that she didn't hang out with him on Friday, but now she completely blew him off. Her future was important, but her future also relied on Draco.
She wanted to confront Hermione and ask her what she thought she should do, but Hermione was nowhere in the dorm. Crystal knew she wouldn't be. It was well into the afternoon. No doubt she was either at lunch or already doing homework while tutting and Harry and Ron. She could settle for talking to Lavender or Parvati but neither of them was in the dorm either. So Crystal gave a soft sigh before making her way down to the common room.
To be honest, she just needed someone to talk to, to calm her down. She knew she had nothing to worry about. Draco would no doubt understand, but she felt odd. It was as if she felt bottled up. Talking to one of her friends would surely help. They would understand better. They were all good with relationships. Well, maybe not Ron. But everyone else was pretty decent or a decent listener and that's what she needed right now. But what she needed seem to have to wait. When she got in the common room the only person she recognized in the jumble of students was Harry sitting alone in a chair by the window. He seemed lost as he stared out the window seeming to only be watching the clouds go by.
Crystal couldn't help herself. His soft gentle green eyes seemed to be longing for something, pleading for freedom even. She swallowed all her worries and thoughts of Draco as her feet lead her over to the boy she barely knew, but seemed to know everything about him. She knew that longing look so much. It was the same one that plagued her eyes since the day she was born. The same longing that drew her too him on the train several months earlier. Had it really been that long? Her brain could recall the meeting as if yesterday, the moment their eyes first met. The light blue and the brilliant green, each so mysterious but yet so deep…it was like in that moment the world opened up and they realized they weren't alone. For Crystal, she knew at that moment someone had suffered just as much as her. And for Harry, someone had suffered as much as him. They wanted to be friends so badly, but each were afraid of their differences and their backgrounds that made them who they are.
Crystal took a seat across from him and watched him. He didn't move an inch, he knew she was there but it was the silence that was comforting to him. He wanted the comfort right now, he was dreading the coming days. He was anxious for his OWL's, but mostly he was dreading the moment they ended. He didn't want to go back to the Dursely's. Why would he? The years he suffered there seem to always linger in his mind. No, he wanted to go to Sirius' right away. He belonged there, not with people who winced at him and surely not people who hated him. And now after what happened during the summer they would hate them even more…
"Harry" Crystal's lips whispered softly as Harry's eyes shifted from longing to anger. "Is something wrong?" She asked just as soft as before.
Harry pulled his eyes away from the beautiful blue sky over to Crystal's eyes. He smiled instantly and dropped the angry and let happiness fill him. "No, don't worry about it. I'm sure my troubles are trivial compared to yours."
"I doubt that" Crystal bit her lip and tried to read Harry once more. "You don't want the school year to end do you?" She took a wild guess, but that's what she was feeling right now. She didn't want to leave. She was afraid too. What would this summer bring? Would she be able to last and even live up to what's expected of her? Probably not, but she would try.
Harry smiled and let out a sigh. "You know me so well." He pointed out. "But I guess that's because we are so a like."
"I know you will be safer than me though, that at least reassures me." Crystal grabbed her knees and pulled them to her chest. She turned her head out the window and looked at the clouds as they moved by blocking the blue sky away for moments at a time. "When I first got back to America after years of being gone I was afraid" She admitted.
Harry watched her closely. As anyone else in Hogwarts, he was curious about her, but he never wanted to pry. So with attentive eyes he studied her and listened as closely as he could. Nothing that was weighing on him mattered now. It was about her, he couldn't be selfish now.
"I didn't think I'd make any friends" Crystal carried on as her eyes brought for tears. "I know it's a silly thing to think, but at" she took a deep breath and turned back to Harry. "But at Rose Academy, I didn't really have friends. I did but it wasn't real. This here between us, between Fred and George, Hermione, Ron, Neville and everyone, that's real!" She cried as a single tear trickled down her cheek. "It's so real that when I go home I will miss you guys. And I will miss you guys even more knowing you are all free."
Harry swallowed hard. Her pain was hard to bare but he did his best as his lips twitched up in a small smile. "You could be free too."
She shook her head "I can't at least from this side I can protect you and everyone else in a different way."
"Promise?" Harry held out his pinky.
Crystal smiled sheepishly and grabbed his pinky within his. "Promise, that's what friends are for."
Harry narrowed his eyes and held onto her pinky even tighter "Are you sure you are a pureblood?" He asked in a light playful tone.
Crystal narrowed her eyes as well "Are you sure you are really Harry Potter?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Harry looked at her strangely as he pulled his hand away.
"Because Harry Potter doesn't care about blood status" Crystal shrugged and flipped her hair.
He laughed "Never mind."
"Harry" Crystal said quickly changing the mood almost at once. She didn't want to be selfish. She came here for Harry and she'd find out what was bothering him. "It's your turn now, what's bothering you?"
"Truth?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, tell me a lie." Crystal rolled her eyes.
"I love you." Harry said flatly as his eyes locked with her.
Crystal couldn't help but grin. "News to me" She acted shocked and put her hand over her forehead faking exhaustion. "I better run away and call of the engagement."
"Yes you better. I don't think I can live without you." Harry laughed "Otherwise I might have to kidnap you."
"I wouldn't recommend that." Crystal laughed "Unless you want the Dark Lord and all his Death Eaters hunting you."
"Oh yeah?" Harry laughed "Wouldn't want that, now would we?"
"I know you think you are a man, but you know…" Crystal teased, but her face fell once her eyes met with Harry's. There was that emotion again, that strong powerful emotion that pulled her in and brought her to her knees.
"He killed my parents" He said out of nowhere instantly shooting down the happy mood that lingered in the air. "And I can't live with my godfather. Voldemort ruined my life. It could have been normal." He growled.
Crystal remained calm though. His anger never seemed to scare her or make her shrink away. It only made her want to reach out for him and hold him close. But she never did reach out, she only reached out with her words. "Your godfather?" She asked
"Yeah, Sirius Black" He smiled proudly.
"Black…" Crystal closed her eyes trying to trace different family trees of purebloods she has seen. "Malfoy's mother she was a Black…" She said thinking to herself "So her cousin." She carried on trying to place the name. "The one convicted for Pettigrew's death?" She asked as it dawned on her instantly widening her eyes to the size of tennis balls.
"The very same" Harry's voice didn't lighten in the slightest. It seemed to grow stronger and growl from deeper within him.
"I've heard about him a bit" Crystal stayed calm as if she was talking about Quidditch. "In passing you know…it's he's not well liked in the pureblood families. The last Black alive now that I think about it" she sighed and pulled her legs away from her chest to stretch out. She was starting to feel less cramped and frantic the more and more she talked to Harry. It was as if her worries were slowly seeping out. She was glad she choice to talk to him.
"I think you and him would get along." Harry cracked a small smile thinking of his godfather. He realized how much Crystal and Sirius were a like. They were both from pureblood families and both hated them. The biggest difference was Crystal was fighting. She was willing to purge herself in the pureblood society to make a difference. Maybe she was braver, maybe she was stupid, but Harry he admired her just as he admired Sirius. "I've told him a bit about you, you know." He admitted.
"What did you say?" Crystal leaned forward honestly curious as to what Harry would talk about to his godfather. More so what Harry would say about her, what would he say? They don't really hang out a lot. They lived different lives. But they always found time once a day to let their eyes rest on one another's. That small action alone gave Crystal the courage to carry on one more day. That look of reassurance. Those eyes that told her someone else is fighting too.
"Oh you know" Harry shifted in his chair and pulled his eyes away from hers. He instead watched his hands as he fidgeted with a loose hem on his shirt. "Apparently he dated your mom." Harry added quickly attempt to divert the attention.
"What?" Crystal gasped now really inserted. She leaned forward on the table wanting to catch more words.
"I doubt it was really dating" Harry laughed "From what I understand Sirius was a bit of a ladies man."
"No way, you mean like…" Crystal tried finding the right word. She wanted to say man-whore, but she wasn't sure how well Harry would take that.
"I mean like Draco Malfoy status." Harry blurted out before he could stop himself. As much as he didn't like Malfoy, he didn't want to upset Crystal. He knew that even though she was betrothed to him, she still had feelings for him.
"What do you mean like Draco?" Crystal narrowed her eyes. She wasn't offended, she more curious if anything. But if Harry knew things Crystal didn't…well she wanted to hear it all. Obviously if Harry knew something she didn't Draco's been keeping secrets from her.
"Oh come on" Harry lightened up a bit once he realized she wasn't mad at him. "You know how many girls Malfoy's been with?" He had no problem with her being mad at Malfoy. Personally he didn't know what she saw in him, but it had to be something.
Crystal's eyes widened. "I thought it was just Parkinson."
"And half the Slyhterin female population and add a couple of Ravenclaw's." It wasn't Harry who answered it was Lavender who had just popped up with Parvati, apparently listening in. "Speaking of Malfoy, he's throwing another tantrum. I suggest you go find him, nearly gave Neville another bloody nose." Lavender put a gentle hand on Crystal shoulder.
"Another?" Crystal groaned and wondered what could have happened.
"Don't worry about it Crissy." Neville popped up now looking a bit worse for wear. His face had a small bruise on his jaw and there was crusted blood on his cheek. He looked weary and exhausted, but he was smiling. "I'm just glad you are feeling better."
"Oh Nev's" Crystal groaned as she got up out of her chair and pulled him into a hug.
"Just go to the Syltherin common room." Neville pushed her away "Prince Malfoy's having a fit." He rolled his eyes.
"I will" Crystal gave one last nod "Bye" she smiled but gave the longest smile to Harry. She was so glad she was able to get rid of some emotions with him, if only for a bit.
She felt comforted and courageous after her talk with Harry. It didn't take her long to head down the Slyhterin common room at all. She had taken the time to soak in what she learned about her mother. She dated Sirius Black, a rebel pureblood…her mother had to have been something. If her mom could be something maybe she could too. She wanted to believe that much. She wanted to be someone. And if everything felt natural with Draco, why she should she stop that? She can save Draco and maybe her brother too. They didn't need to be Death Eaters.
Her smile grew with each step that she took, until she made it to the Slytherin common room and realized she didn't know the password. She might just waste a day of not studying waiting, but to see Draco it would be worth it right?
She watched as several Slytherin's came and went, none of them she knew. She just let them come and go waiting for someone she did know. She wasn't even sure if Draco was in his dorm, but that was her best bet. She waited sitting as her eyes traced the grain in the stone supports holding the everlasting castle together. Quietly she hummed to herself and let her thoughts surround her. She could make it this summer. She could easily follow anything Mrs. Malfoy wanted. It would be like having a mother wouldn't it? And maybe now since Voldemort accepts her, her father would slowly warm up. Isn't that what she always wanted?
Almost an hour had gone by until her thoughts were disrupted as arms found their way tightly around her. "What are you doing? Pullmans said you were out here." Draco's soft silky voice broke through her thoughts as his icy eyes stared down into her clear blue ones.
"Oh, was she the one that just came by? I wish I knew you knew her…I wanted to see you." Crystal smiled warmly as she pulled Draco tighter into a hug, refusing to let go.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling better?" Draco furrowed his brow in concern as he lightly rubbed her back.
"Are you…" Crystal pushed away lightly to look at him. "I mean…" She stumbled around, not wanting to offend him. "Are you…did you date a lot of girls?" she finally asked in a timid voice.
"Is that what this is about?" Draco merely laughed as he picked up Crystal and carried her down the hall to a desert classroom. She didn't protest or squirm. She held on tight and waited patiently for him to put her down safely on a desk. She wanted to know what he had to say. He mattered to her and finding out he was with several girls took her a back a bit. How did she not realize this? Or even think of this…he is really handsome. "Crystal we've talked about this before. You are the one I love." Draco smiled as he planted a tiny kiss on the top of her head.
"I love you too, Draco." Crystal blushed as the words came out her mouth.
"Then will you understand that none of them meant anything. It's always been you in my heart." He reached out and grabbed her hand and held it tightly in his. He wanted her to know he meant it. He wanted her to feel his heart. He didn't want to let go till she felt that.
"Always?" She asked as she cupped her other hand over his.
"Always" He responded as he planted another tiny kiss on her head. "Who told you anyways?"
Crystal couldn't help it. Her lips were forming into a smirk. "Harry" she answered.
Draco scowled "What were you even doing talking to him?" Draco demanded.
"Believe it or not he was telling me about my mother." Crystal went with the best answer. She might not have been afraid of Harry's anger but she was a little bit afraid of Draco's. He could use it against her. He had the power to tell her father. And her father had the power to punish her.
"What would he know about your mother?" Draco crossed his arms over his chest as he growled down at her.
Crystal's upper lip twitched as she stared at him. She contemplated leaving, but she just got here. She wanted to make it right with him. She wanted to stay and finish what she started. She had to give him an answer…the answer that had been pushed far far from her mind. "He says she apparently dated Sirius Black."
"I see" Was all Draco managed to get out. He knew all about Sirius Black of course. But this wasn't what he wanted to talk about. He was worried about Crystal. She never showed up all day yesterday. No on in Slytherin had seen her. That left him with talking to one of her friends, and well…Longbottom was no help at all. He worried about her and to see her safe was a great relief. He just had a bad feeling. He really felt like something was wrong. And that scared look that was sitting in her eyes scared him the most.
"Draco?" Crystal got off the desk and grabbed him tightly. "You remember…when you first kissed me?" She asked shyly as she looked at their feet.
Draco reached out and cupped her warm face in his hands. He smiled genuinely "Of course."
"I know you're Draco Malfoy and you're pretty popular." Crystal said timidly, but still didn't bother to look up as blood found its way to her cheeks, tinting them a beautiful pink.
"Pretty popular? I'm a Malfoy give me some more credit." Draco teased.
"Oh sorry what am I thinking?" Crystal smirked and shook her head. "Let me say that again." She cleared her throat loudly and took a step away from Draco "I know you are the biggest man whore in all of Hogwa-"
Draco cut her off almost at once. "No I didn't say man whore. I just said I was popular."
"And I was filling in what you were too shy to admit." Crystal crossed her arms. "No need to get defensive. I'm sure mommy still loves you the same."
"Never mind here, what were you saying darling?" Draco asked as he pulled her closer to her. "Something about the first time we kissed."
The way he worded it was so careless, but yet it was filled with passion. He had no shame. He was proud of that moment. He remembered it an treasured it. The thought alone made Crystal even redder. "Yeah…" She seemed to melt as his eyes locked with hers. She felt like hiding, she settled instead for placing her head on his shoulder as he held her tightly. She swallowed hard and hid farther into his shirt, taking in every bit of him. "I want to be your girlfriend." She whispered, knowing he would still hear it.
"Crystal" Draco was shocked. He never really expected a respond from her anymore, not after they got betrothed. "You don't have to do this." He just wanted her happy. It's all he ever wanted was for her to be happy and safe. He had done everything to make sure of that. He wanted her to be his forever…but if she wasn't happy…well he would do anything to make her happy.
"I want too" Crystal pushed away onto her tippy toes to plant a soft kiss on his lips. "I love you Draco and I want to be with you. I know that now." She smiled as she pulled away from the kiss.
"I love you too." He smiled and pulled her into a tight hug wanting more than anything for this moment to last forever.