"So, earlier, I said I wanted to talk to you. I still do. But uhm, now I've pretty much forgotten what I was going to say. I mean I remember the general idea but how to phrase it well is scrambled right now. Please feel free to stop me from rambling at any point, soon hopefully."
Kurt chuckles and leans his hip on the desk in the office. He watches me closely and I can't help but wonder how he can be so calm right now. I could tell that he was nervous when we stepped into the office, maybe my rambling calmed him down. No, that's strange.
"Juliana," Kurt begins then he looks down at his hands. "These three weeks without you..."
Kurt trails off still looking at his hands. I shift a little, from leg to leg. Jitters running through my body. I don't want to interrupt him but I'm also so nervous, he needs to hurry up before I start talking and more than likely continue my ramblings.
"Yes?" I ask, clearing my throat. Kurt looks up at me, his eyes holding mine as he takes a step forward. Towards me.
"These last three weeks," he starts again, "without you, just haven't felt right." He finishes his sentence and maintains eye contact. "I know it's crazy.."
When he gets quiet again I step in to speak.
"I don't think it's crazy," I speak softly and give him a small smile. "I understand."
"When you walked away from me that night, I wanted you to stay. And I know you had just broken up with Callum, officially, so I understand why you needed time to yourself. But, Juliana, throughout everything we've been through, everything we've done together during our "fake engagement", somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you." Kurt watches me as he speaks but I hold my tongue because he doesn't look quite finished. "I know that may sound crazy but hey, you understood what I meant earlier when I said these past few weeks haven't felt right, so I'm hoping you understand this too. And I get it if you don't feel the same way. I know it can take longer than three weeks to heal or find yourself or whatever it is you need to do. I don't care. I'll be here if it takes another three weeks. Or three months. Hell, I'd stick around for three years, if it meant ending up with you. Because I am in love with you, Juliana. I love you." He repeats and my heart flutters, excited but I tamper it down, wanting to remain calm and collected for this moment.
Kurt lets out a breath and rubs his hands against his sides. The room falls silent except for the sound of our breathing. I replay his words over and over again. My heart fills with joy and happiness. I've always wanted a man to make a romantic gesture with the whole "I love you" speech, but this is by far better than anything I could have ever imagined. And I think that's because it came from the man I truly adore . I love you, Kurt. I think to myself but can't seem to open my mouth yet.
"Say something," Kurt pleads after the silence becomes too much for him to bear. "Please."
"Kurt," I start, still not looking away from him. I can't help it. My face breaks out into a huge smile. Kurt starts to smile too but he's cautious, waiting for my response. "I just want to point out that you actually walked away from me that night."
"Juliana!" Kurt gives me an incredulous look.
"Right, not the time." I laugh and Kurt rolls his eyes but lets out a chuckle. We're both nervous. I haven't responded yet. I need to respond. "I don't know what to say," I admit and Kurt looks confused and a bit hurt.
"I'm sorry if I sprung this on you. I don't want to freak you out. I guess what I said was a little strong but I meant every word." Kurt tried to explain but I lift my hand to stop him.
"No, it's not that. I've just never felt this way before." My hand balls into a fist at my stomach and Kurt shuts his mouth, watching me. "You know, I thought that I'd been in love before but it is nowhere near how strongly I feel for you. I didn't want to admit it for a long time, even Tatyana called me out on it, but I'm in love with you. I realized that a while ago. And I'm sorry I never told you or said anything at all. And I am so sorry that I walked away from you. Part of me is glad I did, it gave me time to see what you truly mean to me. The other part of me is upset that I walked away because I wasted three weeks where I could have been insanely happy. I don't want to waste any more time."
"I don't want to waste any more time either," Kurt agrees, grinning at me. Grinning from the moment I admitted I was in love with him. He takes a step towards me. "I love you," he says as he takes another step.
"I love you," I grin up at him and close the remaining distance between us. He takes me in his arms and holds me against him. He doesn't kiss me yet, just holds me. He looks down at me and I look up at him.
"Please come back to my apartment." Kurt watches my face light up. "Our apartment," he corrects and I nod.
"Yes, please," I say softly, seeing him leaning his head down toward me. I barely get the words out before I feel his lips on mine. He is soft and gentle but firm enough to claim me as his. I slip one arm up around the back of his neck and kiss him deeper. Claiming him as mine.
We kiss for only a few minutes before there is a knock on the door. We break apart, grinning. Giggles escape my mouth. Kurt pulls me to him once more and gives me another kiss before we go to the door.
"There you guys are!" Tatyana stands at the door then takes a step back and eyes us. She stares for a second before her eyes go wide and she squeals with excitement. She grabs both of us in a hug. "I knew it! I always liked him!" She adds as a whisper in my ear.
Kurt and I look at each other over Tatyana's shoulders and we smile. When she releases us, she grabs my hand.
"Okay you can have her back in a minute but I need to steal her really quickly!" Tatyana at least gives me a second to receive another kiss from Kurt before she whisks me away. I can't help but look back at Kurt and see him smiling after me.
Tatyana drags me through the crowd in the restaurant, only stopping briefly to thank people for coming and for the congratulations.
"So," Tatyana nudges me as we make our way to the gift table. "Are you guys back together or what?"
"Well, we didn't exactly get a chance to discuss that." I give her a pointed look.
"Ugh, sorry. We were running out of food and gift bags and you were the person I figured could solve this." Tatyana gives an apologetic look. "Please?"
"There are more gift bags in my car. I made extras because I know how friendly you are, I figured you'd invite more guests than originally planned." Tatyana laughs and holds her hand out. I pop open my clutch and hand her the keys to my car. "I'll go talk to Don about whipping up some more food for us."
"Ooh! When they're done please make sure to invite the kitchen staff and Don to join us at the party." Tatyana gives me a tight hug. "Thank you!" She releases me and skips off to go get the gift bags from my car.