Page 9 of Surviving in Everton

We pull up to the carnival outside of town and she freaks out. “OH MY GOD! The carnival?!? I’ve been wanting to come here, but haven’t had the time. This is the last weekend isn’t it?” She’s so excited, she’s literally bouncing in her seat.

I chuckle at her enthusiasm. ”I know you have, why do you think we’re here, and yes it’s the last weekend. That’s why I’m so glad you had the weekend off. What do you wanna do first? Games or rides?” I ask her with a huge smile on my face.

“GAMES!” she squeals. We get out of the car, walk up to the ticket booth, and make our way into the crowd.

As we weave our way through the rows of games, we stop every time she sees one she wants to play, or whenever she finds a prize she wants me to win for her. Of course, I have to stop at the strong man game. Jane rolls her eyes at me when I drag her over to it, but she stands back and eyes me appreciatively as I take the mallet, lift it over my head, and swing it down to hit the pad. Standing up straight I watch as the puck goes flying until it hits the bell at the top.

Jane starts clapping and cheering. “Oh my god! You really did it!” She giggles, and if she weren’t so damn cute I would be a lot more upset at her lack of faith in me.

Actually, no, I am upset. “What do you mean I really did it? You doubted me?” I ask her accusingly.

She rolls her eyes at me, walking up to me and throwing her arms around my neck. “Not for a second. I know how strong you are.” She smiles at me and bats her eyes, before kissing me.

I wrap the hand that’s not still holding the mallet around her waist and pull her closer as I claim her for the world to see. This funny, smart, amazing woman is mine, and I want everyone to know it. Jane picks a big pink and purple stuffed bear for her prize and we move on to the next game, hand in hand.

We spend the night playing carnival games and riding rides. It’s one of the best days of my life. It’s dark now and I’ve finally let Jane talk me into riding the Ferris wheel. We’re sitting high in the sky, and she’s gazing out at the world below us, with this look of wonder on her face. I’m staring at her, just watching her expressions at seeing the world from an all-new vantage point. As I continue to stare at her, it just hits me,damn I love this woman.

When she looks at me again, I’m hit by this feeling of utter rightness. This is where I’m meant to be. With this woman by my side. Jane looks at me with the brightest smile and I just kiss her. I can’t stop myself, Ineedto feel her. To have her body join mine, even if it is just for a kiss. Our tongues tangle, and I pour everything I’m feeling into this kiss.

The crazy thing is, she does the same. I canfeelher sending her love for me through the kiss. It’s the most amazing feeling I have ever felt. I know in this moment, I’ll spend the rest of my life with this woman who has completely stolen my heart.

When we finally pull back, I look at her with wide eyes. “What was that?!”

She tilts her head as she studies me. “You mean you really don’t know?”

“No... What don’t I know?” I ask her worriedly.

She smiles and shakes her head at me, then sighs. “I love you, Declan,” she declares like I should have known that.

I cup her face and kiss her again, hard this time. Like it’s the only thing that matters. After I devour her and physically claim her for an audience of stars, I pull back and smirk at her stunned face. “I love you too, Jane.”

Her whole face lights up at my declaration and I feel like I hung the moon and all of the stars. Then I come back down to Earth just a little and ask her again. “Now, are you going to tell me what this feelin’ I’m feelin’ is? Because it’s way stronger than just love, Jane,” I argue.

“Well, when two people love each other very much…” she starts but I cut her off.

“Jane, I’m not playin’. I wanna know what’s goin’ on,'' I growl at her.

“Okay, okay. But I really wasn’t playing. That feeling you’re feeling right now? That’s what I’m feeling,” she tells me matter of factly.

“What do you mean? I’m feelin’ what you are?” I ask her with a furrowed brow.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but every now and then, when two magic users connect on such a deep level and love each other with everything they are, they can feel each other’s feelings,” she attempts to explain to me.

I’m just staring at her with wide eyes. “How have I not heard of this before?” I ask her.

“Like I said, it doesn’t happen often. First, one of the people has to have some kind of mental abilities already…” she trails off.

My eyes widen when she says that. I’ve been very careful about listening when I’m around her. My mind reading is a pretty well-kept secret. How could she know? She sighs deeply for some reason.

“I know because I can read your mind too, Declan,” she drops that bomb on me right as it’s our turn to get off of the Ferris wheel.

We disembark the ride and I drag her off to the side, away from everyone. “What do you mean you can read my mindtoo?” I question her.

Oh please. Don’t even try that shit with me, Declan McCalmont. She crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow.Youjustsaid you love me and you’re still gonna try to hide this from me?

Fuck.Okay, fine, I can read minds. I’ve been working on shutting it off though. I finally admit to her in our odd, silent conversation.

She looks up at me with pleading eyes.You’re not mad are you? I figured you had your reasons for not wanting me to know, and there wasn’t really a good way to tell you I can do it too.She tells me worriedly, or thinks to me rather?

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