James searched Cadence's face for any sign of hesitancy or uncertainty. He found none. He gulped when he realized how sure she was. She wanted it all and he felt breathless at the realization that this "all" included him. He'd wished for this outcome more than anything, but couldn't quite bring himself to believe it was a possibility. At least not any time soon. Cadence wanted a real marriage with James. Not just to date each other while the contract ran it's course. She didn't need time to get to know him more. She didn't need time to think it over. She had already decided that he was someone she wanted to keep in her life, for better or for worse. She wanted it to be real.
"It is. It's real. We're real, Cadence" James declared, lifting his free hand to her face. He pulled her close, kissing her earnestly in an attempt to express everything words seemed inadequate for.
