*~*Chapter Three*~*

Chris kissed Eve for a moment before pulling away, "You love me?"

"I know this might seem sudden," Eve spoke with a light smile, watching the flames from the fire dancing within his dark eyes, "But it's not sudden at all.  That's just it.  This hasn't been a whirlwind romance where a newfound passion confuses everything.  This has been the most intimate, delicate relationship built on trust and mutual admiration," She paused as she took his hand.  She laced her fingers with hers, "I always knew you were special in my life, but I never appreciated just how special you are to me, Chris."

"You......" He paused, "Eve, do you have any idea what this means to me?"

She smiled, "I'm beginning to understand.  When I discovered that you're Jenna's father," She paused as the emotion clenched her heart, "I felt like a miracle had come to me all over again.  To know that my baby girl is the true product of love, trust, and respect....it's all I could ever hope for, Chris."

Chris touched Eve's cheek gently, "I've waited so long to tell you how I feel about you."

"I know," She gazed into his eyes, "I know that I must have hurt you so much with the stupid things I've done in my life, but I don't want to do that any more.  I want to make a life for the two of us.  I want our marriage to be just that," She began, "I want us to have a real marriage......I want to be your wife in every way, Chris."

"Eve, are you sure about this?  Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I've never been more certain of anything in my life, Chris."

"Eve," He spoke softly as he caressed her cheek, "I don't want you to rush into anything with me just because..."

"Just because I'm in love with you?  Just because it took me so many years to see the perfect man was standing right in front of me the whole time I was out making a fool of myself with loser after loser?  Chris, I'm not rushing into anything......except maybe into the arms of the man I've always needed in my life."

"Eve, maybe you're just confused..."

"Chris, why is it so hard for you to believe that my heart and mind are finally in complete agreement?" She asked as she tilted her head slightly, "Why is it so hard for you to believe that I'm in love with you?"

"Because.." Chris paused, "It's hard to believe in a dream come true," He spoke softly as he met her eyes, "I've dreamt of this moment for so long.  There were so many nights that I spent just thinking what it would be like to hear you say you love me.  I dreamt of holding you, lying beside you, just knowing that you could love me...the same way I love you."

Eve eased her fingertips over Chris' lips before whispering, "I love you, Chris.  I love you more than I can even begin to put into words," She slipped her fingers over his cheek, "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, and I don't want you to think that I'm rushing us into anything.  We can take things one step at a time if that's the way you want it, but I do have a favor to ask."

"What's the favor?" He asked as he watched her with awe, his raw emotions keeping his voice low and soft.

"Will you hold me in your arms tonight?  I want to sleep with your body beside me and wake up in your arms in the morning.  I want to feel close to you," She spoke softly as she slipped her fingers into his hair.

Chris gazed into her eyes before kissing her tenderly, "Of course.  There's nothing I can think of that would be more perfect."

Eve smiled as she stood from the floor, making her way into the bedroom with her husband beside her, looking forward to their loving future together.