Number nineteen: Serious.

Pairing: Arra Sails/Larten Crepsley.

Start Lyrics: Amazed – Lonestar.

End Lyrics: Forever and For Always – Shania Twain.

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

...

'I wanna spend the rest of my life, with you by me side, forever and ever...'

"Can we talk?"

Worry washed over me, but I managed to hide it by smiling. My hands slipped from Arra's back to her hands, "Of course." She smiled and led me over to the bed and we sat on the edge, side-by-side, staring at the floor in silence.

"It's just," Arra began with a sigh, breaking the long and somewhat tense silence, "we've been together for a while now...and I really-"

"Wait." I broke in, feeling more worry wash over me, "Please, please, just, I know that we have been going for a while, but I have really enjoyed our time together, and I feel that it can only get better – I know it will – and I have been taking it slow because I thought you wanted to-"

There was something of an amused smile playing on Arra's lips, "Larten-" She started but I cut her off again.

"Please, you make me so happy, and...and I have never felt this way about anyone before. I was planning on asking you to be my mate, but I was just so nervous about it, and I didn't want to ruin anything between us..." I trailed off and looked down at the floor, and then back up at Arra, who looked sort of mystified, "Please don't leave me..." I finished lamely, turning away.

Arra smiled and laughed slightly, "Larten, I was just going to say that I really liked you, and that I really wanted this to go somewhere." I turned back to look at her and she took my hand, "I'm glad that you've said all that though." She grinned, "I thought I was the only one who had those worries."

I stared at her for a while, not quite comprehending what was going on. Arra watched me carefully, her thumb tapping against mine nervously, "Say something?" She asked quietly.

"I...you really like me?" I asked and she laughed.

"Of course I do!" My favourite lopsided grin appeared on her lips, "I..." Her grin softened and she shook her head, "I think I love you."

A very wide, stupid grin spread onto my face with hearing those words. In a flash, I had pushed her back onto the bed and was leaning over her, "I think I love you too." I smiled and she grinned, her fingers running along the collar of my shirt, "I never want to leave you." I continued, feeling everything secret feeling I had felt about her spill over into words, "You are the most important person in my life. I care about you more than anything else."

"I feel the same way." Arra smiled and I kissed her forehead.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you." That was it: I had just admitted the most important thing there was to admit. But I didn't feel nervous about saying it. I looked down at her with a smile, and she grinned back up at me.

"That sounds perfect."

'And there ain't no way, I'm lettin' you go now, and there ain't no way, and there ain't no how, I'll never see that day...'

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A/N: Did you like it? Oh, even if you didn't, please give the songs a listen. They're so good!