She drew in a breath again, knowing that at any moment she might start to cry and she didn't want him to worry. It was crazy how emotional she could get after being so controlled for so many years.
"I know it now," she measured out her words. "I don't know if I'm giving you what you need to know," she swallowed, but the lump in her throat seemed to be stuck right where it was, "what you need to know that I... that I think I love you."
The edges of her vision darkened a little, and she felt a little off balance.
She didn't know if this was part of being in love or being a little sick.
She hoped it was the first and definitely not the second.
"Seaton," his voice was rougher than it had been a moment before, "I-"
"If there's something more that you need from me, just say it. I don't want to make a mistake. I don't have a lot of experience with... with any of this."
He looked a little confused and that was okay, so was she.
"Come here, Sea."
She got up on her knees, but before she could move any more than that, Sam turned her to the side and set her down on his lap.
The back of her head touched the side of the tent and she laughed.
She winced and lifted her hands to cover her mouth, murmuring behind her hand. "Sorry."
"I love that you can laugh, Seaton. I love that you feel comfortable enough with me to say what you're thinking. What you're feeling."
He lifted her arm that was closest to him and set it back around his neck.
She snuggled in against his front and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
Sam rocked her in his arms, placing kisses against the top of her head. "Seaton?"
Her eyes were nearly closed, enjoying the quiet time with him, even though they were in the middle of almost a dozen tents.
"Hmm?"
"I love you, Sea."
Her world tipped off of its axis, and she was thankful for his arms around her.
She struggled to find words to respond to him.
She'd already said that she loved him, but this was different.
This was monumental because it was easy to love Sam.
He made it easy to fall with the way he treated her.
He treated her like she mattered.
Like he was proud of her.
She'd been told for her whole life that loving her was a chore.
It was a drudge.
That people with half a brain would find her irritating instead of lovable.
Sam found value in her and his love, that she'd felt, but hadn't been willing to put a name to yet, made every day something to look forward to.
