The Columbia Restaurant is located down in Ybor City, which is the part of Tampa where I was supposed to have gone dancing if I hadn't been with the date from hell. Ybor City itself is a historic part of Tampa that sprung up where old cigar factories used to be and had become a place with a lot of cool clubs and eateries over the years. The Columbia Restaurant that we were at had been around for over 120 years, expanding to be the size of an entire city block, and was always a favorite of the family when we were in the area. It would be the first time going there with Dani and Zee, but I had little doubt they would enjoy it as much as the rest of us.

I was right too, as we all gorged on a mix of Spanish and Cuban inspired foods that made all our taste buds happy. It was nice, having all the family together for a meal like this. The seven of us were doing well, and I was already looking forward to the same group sitting around the table at Christmas too, with the addition of Denique to make it even more festive.

"I'd just like to say, I love you all," I said to everyone while the food was being delivered, though looking at Zee as I finished with the word love. "Having you all around the table, seeing the smiles on your faces, and having everyone happy is like an early Christmas present. I'm so glad that I have you all in my family and my life. Now, let's enjoy the food!"

I couldn't help but notice Zee staring at me with a look of shock on her face, and I realized I'd effectively told her that I loved her, which I couldn't help, though not in the most romantic of ways. I'd said something similar at Thanksgiving, but this time she could tell that I meant it in the way she wanted. Had I meant to tell her that? Well, yes, but not in that way. I should have taken her aside like I'd done with Dani, and made it more special. But, just before I started speaking, I had realized that all the happiness that she'd added to my life was undeniable, and that I needed her to know that. I'd just have to remind her later. Many times.

Just to make sure she knew I wasn't just talking about loving them all like family, I leaned over, wrapped my arm around her and leaned close to her ear. "I should have said it earlier, but I meant what I said. I love you, my sweet girl. I'm keeping you around, Zee. Trust me, I'll keep reminding you too."

I heard a quick sob, and then her arms were around my neck as she clung tightly to me. "I love you so much, Demi. You have no idea how much I wanted to hear you say that. I'm going to be the best girlfriend ever, I promise."

"You just keep being you, and we'll be fine."

"I can do that," she whispered. "Forever."

"Hey, no making out at the table unless my girlfriend is here too," Hollie interrupted with a snicker. "Plus, you don't want the food to get cold!"

She had a point. The food was there on the table and smelled wonderful, and I couldn't wait to eat. I'd ordered a Cuban style roast pork loin with a garlic sauce that was amazing, while Zee had ordered a sampler with the pork, an empanada and some beef stuffed with chorizo. I was lucky, because she could see me eyeing her food, and she was kind enough to share as long as she got more bites of my pork. Everyone else at the table was stuffing themselves with paellas, breaded and fried chicken, grouper, and a big steak for Dani. It was the kind of group dinner that I would always remember, and I was thrilled to have it. Zee even got our waitress to take a picture on her phone so we could remember it.

It was perfect.

It only got better that night, as we all settled in to watch some movies together. A day of shopping, and then good food made for happy people, and a lot of laughs. We settled in, putting on Barbie since we all enjoyed it, then relaxed together to soak in the snuggles with ice cream and hot chocolate. Several movies later and I was carrying Dani to her bedroom, while Gracie did the same for Jashanna. Elizabeth had already left to take care of Muffin back home, and Hollie stumbled to her own room, leaving Zee and I alone after they were all settled.

"Come on, let's get to bed," I suggested, taking her hand in mine.

"Are you sleeping down with me again tonight?" she asked tentatively. We'd agreed not to sleep together every night, mostly because we didn't want it to all be about the sex, but after telling her I loved her earlier, I needed to hold her in my arms all night.

"How about you come to my room this time." I gave her hand a little tug, and she followed along happily. "Besides, the kitties will love it, and I could use their snuggles too." They were fickle little felines, and usually only went downstairs in the daytime when someone was in the pool or working out, so we rarely had them appear in our bed when we slept down there. That wasn't a bad thing, as what they saw might scar their little minds for all nine of their lives!

After a quick shower together, and yes, we behaved, we ended up back in bed wearing some skimpy shorts and nightshirts so that we could be somewhat presentable if anyone came to visit. I rolled onto my back, and pulled an exhausted Zee into the crook of my arm before I placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight, beautiful girl," I whispered. "I love you."

She turned to look at me and bit her lower lip. "Say it again."

"I love you," I whispered before I placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.

"Once more?"

"Zee, I love you. I love you and I won't stop."

She sighed happily as she sank back down to the mattress. "I'm never going to get tired of hearing that. I love you so much, Demi. This is exactly what I've always wanted, a loving wife and being surrounded by a happy family."

"It's what you deserve, sweet girl. And you're what I needed too. I needed someone who would love me like you do and make me enjoy life again. I love my girls, but I needed a partner to make me even happier. I can tell you're the partner I needed." I didn't comment on the 'wife' part, but I knew what she meant.

"I hope so. Honestly, it seems almost too easy. Like, you're so easy to love, so I keep feeling like there is going to be a gigantic bump in the road."

I shivered at the thought because I really didn't think we needed another one of those. "We dealt with Elliot and the whole dorm thing, so I think we've had enough bumps for now, right? How about we just concentrate on keeping what we have going, and then we keep learning more and more. I may love you, and you may love me, but that doesn't mean we're done learning and improving. Hell, I was nervous about your Christmas presents too, but I made some educated guesses, so we'll see how it goes."

"I actually feel a lot better about Christmas now," Zee admitted. "I only got one thing today, but I know where to get the others, and I can come in under budget."

"Perfect! I told you, it isn't about the money."

She was silent for a moment before rolling on top of me and looking down into my eyes. "Why did you say it today? I didn't think that you were sure about me, or us?"

"I wasn't. But today I became sure."

She huffed out a little and then narrowed her eyes. "You know what I mean! What made you sure? I thought it was a rough day for a while, and then suddenly the love of my life is telling me she loves me. So, what happened?"

"You did." I reached up, running my fingers along her cheek. "You were able to admit you needed help. You were able to tell me things weren't going well. And then, when I came to help, we were able to work things out together."

"That's it?" She looked confused, and I could understand that.

I nodded, then gave her a soft kiss. "It doesn't have to be the big things that cause a revelation, sweet girl. Besides, that may not seem like much to you, but it is to me. I've never been with anyone that I was able to do that with. Elliot was much too proud to admit he needed help, and advice was wasted on him. You were able to tell me things weren't going well without me having to drag it out of you, and then you were able to act on the advice once we talked. I've had Elizabeth for most of my life giving me advice, and now I have you too. I know I can go to you to talk things through. I think that is what we need to keep doing, and when it happened today, it showed me that we were going to be able to work together on things both big and small. That is the kind of person that I want to be with. That is the kind of person I want to finish raising my kids with. That is the person I want to love and cherish. That is you."

Her jaw dropped a little before she closed her mouth and smiled. "Fuck that sounds good."

"Which part?"

"All of it! I want all of that too! I want you for the long haul. You're it for me." She leaned down and gave me another kiss, and I knew that even as tired as we were, it might be a bit before we got to sleep.

"And you're it for me. I really do think we're going to make it, Zee. I don't want to go buy rings and all that tomorrow, but I want you to know that you're it for me too. You're the one I'm going to want to be with forever."

"Damn, I think I just came a little," she said with a little whimper. "I wanna fuck you so bad!"

"So, what's stopping you?"

"I can?"

"Of course. This relationship goes both ways. I'm yours, Zee. Take me." I'd always known she was going to have time on the top at some point, and I was there for her. If anyone could do that for me, it would be Zee.

"Wait, what?"

"Do I need to beg?" I tried to give her a little pout, and her eyes widened. "Zee, please get your hand between my legs and fuck me. I need you. Please? Or would you rather use the strap on me? I'm yours to do as you please tonight."