[ WP ] `` I could smell the garlic as I kissed her once again ''

I could smell the garlic as I kissed her once again. 
 “ Okay, new rule, let ’ s not eat pizza the next time we hang out, ” 
 Our lips unlocked, a wry smile stuck across our faces. 
 “ Well, you shouldn ’ t ’ ve put on so much garlic powder, ” she exclaimed, “ why do you like so much on here anyway? ” 
 I sat up, pulling us apart to grab another slice off the table in front of the couch. The romantic comedy droning on the TV in front of us, its plot predictable and boring, but what else were we to do on date night. 
 “ See, that ’ s the way you got ta make it. First it ’ s a helping of grated parmesan, followed by garlic powder, and lastly it ’ s a touch, just a touch, of oregano, ” her eyebrow raised as I took a bite from a new, fresh slice. 
 “ Fine, ” she said, “ have it your way; but just so you know, one of these days I ’ m going to make us a salad, and you are going to enjoy it. ” 
 “ Ugh, that ’ s disgusting, ” I said swallowing my first bite, washing it down with the last of my drink, “ why do you wish to torture me so? ” 
 “ Because I love you, ” she said it without pause or hesitation. She pulled herself toward me, kissing me. Again, ours lips parted turning into the biggest, dumbest smiles on our faces. 
 She stood up and started making her way into the kitchen. Our apartment was small, but perfect for just the two of us. I could imagine spending so much of our time together here. We moved in together not too long ago, but ever since then things couldn ’ t be better. We couldn ’ t be happier. 
 I stared at her as she sauntered toward the kitchen. Her hair in that stupid ponytail. She always looked better with her hair down, but we were too relaxed to care. She was wearing one of my old long sleeved t-shirts, it sat baggy on her frame with the refrigerator light pouring over her. 
 “ Hey, babe, what do you want? ” she bit her lip, looking at all our options. 
 “ Get me whatever, it doesn ’ t matter to me, ” I had more important things on my mind. 
 She started walking back to the couch, her hands clutching two glasses of orange juice. She put them on the table and cuddled up next to me. 
 “ Really, orange juice? Does that even go with pizza? ” 
 “ Oh my god, you said you didn ’ t care. ” 
 “ Yeah but, like, orange juice is a breakfast drink. I don ’ t… ” 
 Her fist was fast, colliding with my shoulder. I forgot how strong she is sometimes. And how after a while she got less patient with me. 
 “ OW! You can ’ t just go around… ” 
 She hit me again, this time a push to the other side of the couch. Her smile slung across her face, from ear to ear. 
 “ That ’ s it! ” 
 I flung myself at her, getting on top of her. My hands up her shirt by her sides. I got my fingers to start playing with her sides, tickling the hell out of her. Her smile exploded into laughter as we wrestle to gain control. Her hands entangle with mine, enough to stop the tickling, but not her laughter. With her hands held tight, I force them above her head, holding her there. We look into each other ’ s eyes and in that moment time stood still. I lower my head slowly, closing the space between our lips. They crash together and we kiss. 
 I pull back, looking back into her eyes. I ’ ve never seen them so clearly before. I lift myself up and, still entwined in her hands, bring her with me. 
 “ You know this means I have to hit you back, right? ” 
 Her eyes squint and the corner of her mouth curves upward. 
 “ You do know how bad that sounds right? ” 
 “ It ’ s okay, I think you ’ ll enjoy this one. Here stand up, ” I pull her up to her feet. We stand facing each other with my heart pounding with fear and excitement, “ Okay, now close your eyes. I don ’ t want you to see it coming. ” 
 “ What? ’ 
 “ Don ’ t you trust me? ” 
 With a few moments of hesitation, she closes her eyes. 
 “ Always, ” she mutters placing her hands in front of her face and bracing for the unknown. 
 My heart races and I can barely contain myself. I ’ ve been waiting a while for this and can ’ t wait. 
 “ Okay, open them. ” 
 She pulls her hands slowly away from her face and opens her eyes. She gasps, her breath gone and hands clutched in front of her. I ’ m on one knee, kneeling there in front of her. Before her eyes, clasped between my fingers rests a diamond ring. This single diamond adorning the band glints off the light of the TV screen. I gaze up to her, her eyes brimming with tears. For a few moments there ’ s nothing but silence. She says it under her breath, too low to hear. But she says it again, and again, and again, getting faster and louder with every fiber of her being. 
 “ yes…yes, Yes, YES! ” 
 We embrace tight, a hug that turns into a kiss. Laughing and shaking with unclear eyes, we struggle to get the ring on her finger. It sits perfectly, finding its rightful place in the world. We gradually lift our heads up staring once again into each other ’ s eyes, tear-stained and bloodshot. As if by some divine miracle or the uncanniness of fate, we say together – 
 “ I love you ” 

