It was all I could do not to cry. He looked like he was in pain.
"I'm so sorry, Josh, It's all my fault."
"What? It's not your fault. Why would you think that?"
"Because you tried to save me. you weren't supposed to be shot. I was. I should be the one lying in that bed in pain."
Josh's brow wrinkled. "I wasn't thrown in front of you, Danielle. I chose to protect you."
"But, why?"
"I don't know. It was just a reaction. My instincts told me to protect you."
Tears began filling my eyes. He was so unbelievably sweet and caring, and. . . "Josh, I don't know what I would've done without you."
He listed his hand up and caressed my cheek, softly. "You'll never get rid of me. No matter how hard you try. Even after I've gone on, I'll still be with you. Watching you. Thinking about you." he gently pushed away a tear that had escaped my eyes with his thumb. "When the last tear drop falls, I'll always be there to wipe it away."
"You aren't leaving me any time soon."
"I hope not."
"You're not."
"What time is it?" he asked, trying to change the subject.
I looked at my watch. "10:30."
"Come lay with me."
"Am I aloud to?"
"Yeah, of course."
"I won't hurt y ou, will I?"
"No. I want you to be next to me."
I sniffled, and cautiously climbed into bed next to him.
"I feel safe now." he murmured.
"Good. I always feel safe with you."
Josh wrapped the arm without any needles in it around my shoulders.
I rolled over on my side so I was facing him.
"Danielle, JC is in love with you."
Should I say something? Should I tell him I know?
"So much for movie night." Josh tired to lighten the mood.
"Yeah. . . "
There was silence.
"What's wrong?" Josh asked.
"WHat?"
"Something's bothering you. I can tell."
I sighed, and rested my head on his shoulder. "You know me to well."
"So. . . what's wrong?"
"Joey told me."
"Told you what?"
"How you feel about me."
Josh didn't say anything for a moment, then spoke. "How do I feel about you?"
"He said you love me. He said you've loved me for as long as he's known you."
"Oh." he shifted uncomfortably.
"Do you?"
"Love you?"
"Yeah."
"Well. . . I mean. . . "
"I love you, too." I cut him off.
"You what?" I couldn't tell if Josh was happy or shocked I said that. Maybe both.
"I love you. I love you so much."
"You do?"
I let out a small laugh. "Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"
"Good. Oh, gosh, so good. I've love you my whole life, Danielle." he kissed my forehead.
"I think I have, too. I just didn't realize it. You're my best friend, and now . . . "
"And now, what?"
I looked up into his eyes. I'd never seen so much love from any one person in my life. I'd also never seen so much physical pain. He starred into me, searching for an answer.
"And now. . . " I slowly moved my face to his, and let my hand fall to his cheek. Slowly, and softly, our lips met. After all these years, we were finally kissing. And it wasn't for practice.
The kiss deepened. Our lips fit perfectly together, and everything just felt so right in my heart. He was so sweet, and gentle. I honestly loved this man with all my heart and soul.
Slowly, I puled away, and rested my head back on his shoulder.
A smiled had spread across his face, and his happiness was evident in his crystal eyes.
"That was better then when we were thirteen." he murmured.
"Much better." I whispered, closing my eyes contently.
That night, I fell asleep in his arms, dreaming of the rest of our life together.