Falling Angels

Claire's POV
When we reached his bed, he gently set me down and lay down next to me. I loved how he treated me like I was the most precious, fragile porcelain doll in the world. "Wait," he said, standing up. "This is a mood killer, but I have to put my pajamas on." I got up and joined him. "So do I." I realized. I headed towards the door. "I'll be right back." I promised him. "Don't be gone long, Claire Bear." He pleaded. I smiled. "I love you." I said without thinking. For a split second I froze. I hadn't said that for a long time without previous consideration. I continued the journey to my room, hoping he wouldn't notice my hesitation. "Claire, why did you flinch?" Andy asked. Concern was dripping from his voice and streaming down his face in the form of saltwater misery when I turned around. "Baby, don't cry." I rushed over to him and wrapped my arms around him. "I flinched because I realized that I haven't said 'I love you.' for years without thinking and actually meant it." I explained to my crying angel. It was hurting me to see him like this. It was as if I felt his emotion, but ten times worse. I wondered if this was how he felt when I cried. I realized that my face was no longer pressed against his chest and my eyes frantically scanned the room, looking for Andy. I turned around, thinking the worst. What if I had hurt him? What if he thought I paused because I didn't love him? I'm so stupid, I can't even say 'I love you.' without messing up. My gaze met a familiar pair of blue eyes and I exhaled a little. I found him. I realized that his eyes were getting closer to mine and closing. I followed his lead and my lips met his halfway. He was leaning down and I was leaning up, standing on my tiptoes. He broke the kiss and said, "I'm sorry for my reaction. Juliet always hesitated when she said she loved me for the last few weeks of our relationship. Now I know it was because she was cheating on me." "I would never-" I was silenced by a finger pressed against my lips. "I know you would never. It was just a flashback." I stroked his cheek and promised, "I'll never hurt you. And I'll never let her hurt you again." "That's why I love you. Actually, it's one of the millions of reasons that I love you." Andy whispered. "I have billions." I whispered back. I turned around in a dreamlike trance and walked down the hall to my room.

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