"Money talks young lady." I stroked her cheek.
"Oh. but I don't want you to have to do that, I'm on scholarship...."
"If you're mine Jade there's nothing I won't do for you, remember that.
She rested her head on my chest as I drew her closer.
"We'll figure it out, now let's eat."
After a lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup I bundled her up and took her outside.
"Can you really live here Jade and be happy with this life will this be enough for you, or will you some day want more? Look, you see that hill over there, that's where we'd build our house, far enough away to be private but close enough to be with family, there're no bright lights and shopping centers here, never going to be. You have to be sure that this is the life you really want, because it's the life I want to share with you."
"I'll never want anything more than I want you."
"Then that's all I need to hear, I'll take care of everything else."
"Braxton...do you...love me?" She ducked her head and blushed.
Lifting her chin with my finger I looked into her eyes.
"With everything in me."
The radiant smile that crossed her face was answer enough for me, but the words were nice to hear.
"I love you too, forever."
"Forever."
THE END