" 𝕴 would like to propose a toast".

Darlene looks up from her lasagna filled plate to find Anne smiling in her and Harry's direction.

Smiling with a warmth she never thought she'd receive from someone other than her close family and friends.

Gemma, with a grin on her face, raises her own wine glass.

"To my beautiful babies and Darlene, thank you for making my son the happiest he's ever been".

The sincerity in Anne's smile sends a warm rush through the blonde, her lips stretching into a shy smile as she nods following Harry and tipping up her  wine glass.

They sip the deep red liquid from their glasses, joy clearly visible on all their faces.

Harry's hand brushes against Darlene's while hers rest in her lap.

She feels a flurry of butterflies reacting in her stomach despite having memorised each and every curve of his soft palm.

The feeling of his fingers slipping between hers makes her heart swell, their fingers fitting right together as if they were made just to be hold by the other.

A perfect puzzle finally complete.

And when half an hour later, Darlene finds herself walking hand in hand with him through the somber yet artistically beautiful gallery of Anne's house, her lips remain tipped into a little smile.

"Are you having a good time?", he asks, gaze softening when she looks up at him with that adorable little grin of hers.

"The best", she breathes out, content.

He smiles down at her, dimples full in show and halts stopping them both in the middle of the marbled floor.

Darlene turns to him, their hands still interlocked with each other's.

"What?", she laughs when he keeps staring at her with an incredulous smile.

He quietly shakes his head stepping closer and dipping his head down.

Her heartbeat quickens as his face gets closer, his lips softly touching hers.

A bubbling warmth spreads through her body, months of being accustomed to his kiss doing nothing to stop her from feeling butterflies every time those lips fall on hers.

She kisses him back, both of them smiling through the kiss.

When Harry eventually pulls back, only slightly, he brushes his nose against hers.

"You're so perfect. I think I'm in love with you".

His voice comes out in a whisper and if she weren't standing so close feeling his breath on her skin, she'd swear she'd misheard him.

Her breath hitches in her throat, eyes staying firmly connected with his.

His gaze roams all around her face, disbelief clear in his expression at his luck, his fortune for finding someone like her.

She bites her lip slowly shaking her head and throwing her arms around his neck.

"I think I'm in love with you too", she whispers back, just as quiet.

The answer earns her a lopsided grin and a satisfying kiss pulling her right into him with his arms tightening around her waist and dipping her down.

She laughs, her lips still on his, and kisses him back just as lovingly.

***
i hate love👍