It's Forbidden... So Why Do I Like Him? 30

Belle

Declan blinked, clearly thrown off by my insult, and looked hurt. "Okay -"

"No, you listen for a minute. You think after all the crap I've been through, all you've helped me through, I don't still like you? What kind of idiot even thinks that? Sometimes, I wish I'd fallen for the overconfident, cocky jerk instead of the self-conscious, humble, half-honest guy." I sighed, the exhale like a growl. "But I didn't. Nope, I fell for you. Just my damn wonderful luck."

"You can be insulting when you want to be."

"I came inside and saw a woman - wearing only a robe! - with a baby on her hip. That's a hell of a lot worse than walking in on some shirtless guy trying to flirt me into my own bed. It made you seem like you were married, with a kid. That's terrible. Do you know how angry I was? Am?"

Declan sighed. "Okay, I get it. I'm a stupid, self-mutilating asshole. I get it. I have baggage. I'm low on the self-confidence. But when i saw the girl I loved with another guy..."

I blinked and looked at him again. Did he realize what he just said? "Ass, you should have known I wouldn't be sleeping with another guy. I love you too much. And yet you're being such an idiot -"

"Belle, are you going to kiss me or do I have to shut you up?" he interrupted.

"We could accomplish both," I said with a smart-cunning smile.

Declan chuckled and put a hand under my chin, tipping my face up. I smiled slightly and leaned in, touching my lips to his. I felt that pain that'd been in my heart for the past five years vanish suddenly. This was where I needed to be. Where I belonged.

The kiss was slow and sweet, and I never wanted it to end.

When we finally backed up to breathe, I found out my hands were wrapped around his neck and I was sitting on his lap. His arms were around my waist, gently but hard, like he thought I was fragile but he never wanted to let go.

He noticed something. "Mind telling me why it's the middle of December and you're not wearing any shoes?"

I blinked and noticed my bare, scraped feet. "Well, when you ran off I forgot about proper clothes and ran after you. Therefore, it's your fault."

Declan sighed. "Okay, I suck. Your wisdom is noted. Now get inside; PJ pants and a tank top is not proper winter wear."

"Actually, it's a camisole, smart one."

"There's a difference?"

"Yeah. Camisoles are sexier, and they're easier for undershirts," I explained.

He nodded, not bothering to cover his confusion. "All the same, get inside. If you catch a cold it'll be my fault. I'm already blamed for too many other things."

I nodded and slid off his lap, then took his hand and led him inside.
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Desirae was shocked when she finally noticed, after hugs and some tears, that I was wearing such thin clothing. She ushered - actually, she literally threw me over her shoulder while I kicked and screamed - and said that if I didn't take a hot shower and let her bandage my feet afterwards that she would make Michael do it.

Desirae let me borrow a pair of comfy jeans and a sweatshirt. I was amazed we were almost the same size; she wore clothes a bit too big for the comfort, which made so much more sense since she was so thin and petite. I brushed my hair while she checked my feet for splinters and anything that would be permanent. When I was brushed with a clean bill of health, I pet her head twice and walked out, bumping into someone.

Michael. I knew it had been five years, but the change from the little cuddly eight year old to a geeky but cute teenager threw me way off. I almost fainted.

His hair was styled into a tiny Mohawk, brown eyes not as large since he'd been growing, and he reached my chin. Michael's smile made me want to pinch his cheeks; he'd gotten a pair of dimples. "Hi, Belle."

I hugged him. He hugged back, laughing, and commented on how me would date me if I wasn't going out with his brother. I knew he was joking, but I kissed his forehead anyway. "Missed you, too, tiny."

He looked at me and backed up, playing that he was offended. "Please; I'll be taller than you in a year."

"So? I'm abnormally short," I commented back.

He made a face and stuck his tongue out at me before walking back into his room. Desirae shook her head. "Try sharing a room with him; he snores loud enough to wake the dead."

I laughed and walked downstairs. Heidi was sitting downstairs, drawing with her son. I sat on the couch, smiling politely. Heidi, who looked about twenty-seven, smiled back while brushing some dark curls over her shoulder. Her light green eyes were cautious, probably remembering my earlier behavior.

I blushed, embarrassed. "Sorry about how I acted earlier. I thought you were married to Declan... And I was a bit angry."

She suddenly laughed. Scott looked up for a moment before continuing his drawing. "I understand completely. I was actually about to explain that I'm their cousin when you walked out."

I itched my head awkwardly. "Yeah, sorry about the snide comment also. It was a rough morning."

Heidi shrugged. "We all have those days." She looked down at her son. "This is Scott." The little boy, sitting with an image of his mother but with dark brown eyes, looked up and waved, smiling a bit. He went back to drawing... a dog? "His Dad is in Afghanistan right now. We're only hearing from him in letters and the occasional webchat."

I blinked, suddenly sympathetic. "I'm sorry."

She smiled softly. "It's nothing to be sorry about. He's due home in three months for a visit. In a couple of years Griffin will be back home for good. I know it."

"I'm happy for you, then," I said with a smile.

Heidi grinned. "Thank you." She got up, brushing dust off her pencil skirt. "I need to make some lunch. Are hamburgers and macaroni and cheese good for you?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'll watch the tiny one."

"Thanks," she said before walking into the kitchen.

Scott held up his picture, smiling. "Can you guess what this is?"

It was black and white with a crudely drawn yellow triangle. I saw two little black dots and some little orange webbed feet. The body was in the shape of an elbow. I knew what it was when it was right side up. "A penguin?"

Scott gave me a huge grin, missing three teeth. "Yes! Wanna help me draw something?"

I fidgeted. "I'm not good at drawing, really."

"Everybody can draw. Draw a person on this." He handed me a blank sheet is paper.

I got on my knees in front of the coffee table. "Want to be specific?"

"Draw my family."

I blinked. "Who all is that?"

"Me, Mom, Dad, Dessie, Mikey, and Declan. Well, you too because you're Declan's friend." His face turned into a grimace as he inched away. "You don't have cooties, do you?"

I shook my head, smiling. "I don't have cooties."

He nodded. "Good. Daddy has my eyes, Mommy says that, and dark yellow hair. He's really big, and Mommy says he has a six-pack and lifts weights. What does that mean?"

"He's hot."

"When did he catch on fire?" Scott asked, eyes wide.

"I mean that he's handsome."

"Oh." Scott looked relieved. "Okay. Start drawing."

I got to work.
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Desirae was watching in amusement as Scott tried to find me. I was hiding behind the fish tank, which Scott just couldn't comprehend as he ran past me ten times. Heidi was cleaning up things, Declan and Desirae were watching Scott as he ran around, and Michael was yelling at a video-game as he died again - on the game, of course.

Scott suddenly appeared out of nowhere and hugged his little arms around my waist. "Gotcha!" he yelled happily.

I lifted him up and let him wrap his arms around my waist. He was a cuddlier, like Michael used to be. "Yep. You sure did." I sat down on the couch, in between Desirae and Declan. "So which game are we going to do next?"

Scott looked outside, then let out a squeal. "It's snowing! Let's play in the snow!"

He jumped off my lap and started trying to get some warmer clothes on, but was struggling since there was a peg for coats just out of his reach. Heidi chuckled and helped him out.

Desirae grabbed me some clothes of hers as well; a tan, knit turtleneck with a blue peacoat, some dark blue jeans and a belt, some black boots, and a beanie that matched the coat. She was having a thing for dressing me up as her personal doll. I was still her sister, the years apart were nothing on the bond.

I walked outside and watched as the giant white fluffs fell from the sky. Declan came up from behind and put a hand around my waist. I kissed his cheek.

"So where does this leave us?" he wondered aloud.

I sighed and set my head against his chest. "I have no clue. All this time I've been telling guys I've got a boyfriend. Is that an okay place to start?"

He shrugged. "Sadly, I was thinking of something more."

"Love of my life?" I asked, one eyebrow raised.

Declan laughed. I smiled, committing it to memory. Everything was newly refreshed by seeing him again. My memory didn't do his qualities a justice. So much better now. "More or less."

"Figures I'd be stuck with the only man who cares about labels," I muttered.

Declan kissed my temple. "Yeah. I'm weird, Belle. You should know this by now."

I smiled. "Yes, but weird is good. I like weird."

"Awesome. We have a chance, then."

"So we date and see where this goes?" I offered.

"That sounds about right," he agreed.

I watched as Desirae and Michael started a snow ball fight. I would have to call my family, and probably Fiona, as soon as possible.

I hugged Declan closer and smiled into his chest. Declan set his shin on my head.

If there was such a thing a soul-mate, I think I've found mine.
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~*Like? Hate? I don't feel satisfied with it, oddly. I think I'm going to write an epilogue, but kind of continue the story through Alumit's eyes. Maybe he'll find a nice girl. ;) Lol. Still not sure yet.*~