Scrooge hadn't ever been good at expressing his emotions, any member of his family would tell you that. Sometimes Della got a hug, the boys got pats on the head, and Donald got a smile and clap on the back, but rarely did Scrooge ever verbally express affection. It was just too difficult, and something he'd long since taught himself to repress and hide. So when he finally had the guts to confess his feelings to Magica, it went about as smoothly as a drive over a pothole laden road. Luckily for him she found his stuttering and blushing to be adorable.

Out of his family, she was the one he said the words to the most often, though it was still a rarity. Even she was able to express them more, and that frustrated him. How could he be a decent partner if he couldn't even tell his lover that he loved her?

So he went searching for a way to help him get over his apprehension over saying that phrase, and shockingly, he found something that both helped and didn't force him out of his comfort zone. Three hand squeezes, or taps on the shoulder, or anything like that, which each tap representing a word. 'I love you'.

The first time he tried it Magica looked at him like he'd grown another head. They were sitting together on the couch, an old movie turned down low in the background as each read a book, and she just looked so beautiful in the flickering light from the tv he couldn't help himself. He reached over and snagged her hand, giving it three quick but gentle squeezes, smiling softly. She turned to look at him, eyebrows crinkled in confusion.

"Scroogie, are you alright? What was that?"

He blushed, realizing he hadn't yet explained to her what the gesture meant.

"It...it means I love ye. Each squeeze for a word. I cannae...I donnae...say it enough, but this way..." he trailed off, embarrassed now that he'd said it aloud.

His eyes shot back up to meet hers in surprise when she suddenly took his hand and gave three firm squeezes. She was smiling so softly, so much love in her gaze. His heart thumped against his rib cage, trying to explode with the affection he felt for her. He leaned forward and kissed her softly, grinning the whole time.

...

After that night Magica found him expressing his love nearly constantly. Soft taps on the shoulder, a few quick squeezes on her hand. Sometimes if she did it to him in sleep he'd return it in kind, lightly thumping the rhythm against her hip. She taught the code to the rest of the family, and soon enough they began to realize how much Scrooge cared for them as well. Granted Magica still received the most taps of anyone, but that was expected of a married couple.

She still verbally expressed her love quite often, and usually it would be returned with a shy kiss and those expected taps. She grew to love the light touches, and beamed every time she felt them.

Both could honestly say they had never been happier.