I prayed silently… selfishly.

“Should I… bring this out here?” I sat immediately, Bella was frozen in the doorway holding our truth. I held my hand out to her, urging.

“Come sit down. How long do we wait?”

“A few minutes,” she mumbled, as I pulled her into my lap. She rested her head against mine, damp eyelashes brushing. We breathed, lost in our own thoughts and wonder, but still and always rooted in each other. I rubbed over her back, caressing, supporting tenderly. The moments would forever impact our lives, our parents… defining us. My scholarship… my pitching, Bella… I squeezed, lacing fingers.

“Hey,” I nuzzled. “We’re going to figure this out together. I love you, Bella and this doesn’t change anything.”
“I don’t deserve you, Edward.” I kissed her gently, once and again then glanced at the clock.