She wouldn't come. I was a fucking idiot and now I probably had to try and get out of my goddamn lease. I shouldn't stay in an apartment two feet away from her -

A tentative knock interrupted my train wreck of a mental spiral and I cleared my throat, nervously running a hand through my hair.

I mostly ignored the fantastic trio (Matt, Miranda, and Joey) who landed their asses in my apartment and ordered food so that I could shower and be a recluse, beating myself up over not grabbing Mabel when I had the chance and kissing the life out of her.

But I knew she didn't deserve to tossed to the side and then grabbed again without her choosing what she wanted first. I wanted to make sure she wanted me for me and not because she felt bad that I'd had second degree burns (which I wouldn't put past her).

So I sat down for the first time ever to actually write a letter. If I wasn't so in love with Mabel, I would have kicked myself over how pathetic that sounded. But it fit with Mabel. She gave her all to me and if I couldn't even attempt to reciprocate that, what kind of partner would that make me?

My hand trembled as I reached the front door and swung it open, my lungs taking a gulp of air as I saw Mabel's sweet face looking back at me tentatively. And my nickname for her flitted through my brain before I could consciously put it into words. Bambi.

She cleared her throat first, "Can I come in?"

I wobbled to the side robotically. "Oh, uh, of course." Get it together, Marcus. "Can I make you coffee?" I asked casually like there wasn't a giant elephant in the room.

Her plump lips twitched as though she was stopping herself from laughing and I felt my heart jump in return. I was reminded that Mabel really knew me and she knew my quirks like I knew hers.

"I'm okay," She finally replied, shutting the door and leaning her back against it. "So," She trailed nonchalantly, "you love me?" I loved everything about this girl but I really loved her bluntness.

I swallowed nervously before nodding, "I do."

She bit her lip and clutched the arms of her hoodie tightly but said nothing in return and that's when I knew I had really fucked up. Mabel never stopped talking. Especially not at a time like this.

"Maybie," I whispered as her gaze finally met mine with an intensity that only hers could carry. "I'm so sorry, baby. I want you to know that I have no expectations here. If you've moved on, I'll accept that. I just want you to know that if you'll let me, I'll be with you through life - as you date, as you meet someone else, as you get married, if that's how it is," I choked out the words that I knew I meant. "Because you've become the best part of my days and the only thing I don't want to have to let go." I knew I really meant them. I was ready to let her go if it meant she'd be happier without me and I think that's what I was missing my entire life. I didn't know how to love without putting myself first. Mabel forced me to see things differently, so she deserved that courtesy in return and ten times over.

I held onto my crutch so tightly that I thought it might break as I waited for Mabel's response.

She looked up at me before replying so simply, "I love you too, Marcus."

I couldn't believe my ears. I was sure this was a dream. There was no way I was this lucky. "Come here, please." I murmured as she grinned giddily at me.

She stepped forward finally, wrapping her arms around my neck as I used my free arm to cling tightly to her waist. "What did you just say?" I whispered as I kissed her forehead.

Mabel laughed lightly, "I love-"

My lips cut her off as I captured her lips snugly against mine. My lips moved slowly against hers, wanting to savour the moment more than anything else. I wanted to let her know that I would never put her through what I did again. That I would always regret it. That I needed her in my life. I slipped my tongue slowly against the seams of her lips, tasting her and relishing in it. "I love you so fucking much, baby. I'll never stop being sorry for what I did."

Mabel leaned back and rolled her eyes at me. "Can you sit please?"

This time I rolled my eyes at her. She was always thinking of other people. I humoured her, but not before reaching down with my one arm to pick her up from under her butt. Her squeal was enough to make me laugh. I loved the sound.

"Marcus! You're hurt. Put me down!" Mabel argued, a frown set on her face as she stared at my leg.

I took the few steps to the couch before placing her down gently, sitting on the couch, and dragging her onto my lap. "I feel perfectly fine, Maybie."

Her gaze was currently set on my leg. "Are you upset that you're going have to see my leg everyday?" I was mostly kidding but I did wait nervously to hear her response.

Her eyes shot up to mine. "Never say that to me again. I love everything about you. But nothing more than this permanent physical marking of how brave you are. Every time I look at it, that's all I see. That's all I'll ever see."

Is this what swooning feels like? I love this girl.

"Speaking of which, where's your other half?" Mabel asked. I raised my eyebrow at her. "Marco?"

I snorted, "He's with Matt and Miranda." I reached my hand up and tucked Mabel's fiery hair behind her ears. "You know how miserable I've been without you, right?"

Her eyes began to water slightly and it felt like a dagger to my heart at the unnecessary pain I had caused her. I ran the pad of my thumb under her eyes gently, whispering countless I'm sorries as I did so. I didn't think I could say it enough.

Because Mabel had given me a part of herself that she hadn't given to many other people - a true unadulterated version of her, flaws and quirks all tied together. And I had found a part of myself I hadn't known existed - a version where I could care for her needs over my own; a version that I never knew I possessed.

She laid her head against my chest. "I didn't think I'd ever feel this, Marcus. I can't imagine my life without you and that was the scariest part."

I ran my fingers through her hair as she spoke. "I couldn't live without you, Maybie. I tried, but every moment was more miserable than the last and though I would have waited for you or let you move on or whatever else you decided to do, I'm really glad you're with me now. Because my heart can't take being away from you."

"My heart won't take being away from you," She agreed, tracing my jawline with her fingers.

We sat just like that for who knows how long. Whispering our long-awaited sweet nothings like they were the most precious things in the world, and to us they were.

"Marcus?" Mabel asked suddenly, sitting up and looking at me with bright eyes.

"Mmhm?" I responded sleepily tugging her back to my chest snugly.

She leaned her head back against my chest, "Can I have your donut mug?"

I shook my head vehemently, "You can only use it when you're here."

I felt her pout against me and I smiled. "But I drink coffee in my apartment too."

"So drink all your coffees here."

"With you?"

"Always."

<<<>>>

This is the endddd. I get so emotional every time I end a book, it's the weirdest feeling!

A huge, ginormous thank you to people who have been reading since the beginning of this book. Your comments and messages have kept me focused on making sure I complete this book. And more than that, I'm touched and honoured that anyone is enjoying anything I write - it means so so much to me.

Thank you to everyone who's read any of this - I can't say it enough ❤️❤️❤️