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“Why?”
Judy’s eyes popped open. She had nearly drifted asleep in V’s arms as they watched the latest Bushido flick. It had started out decent, but by the second act it had gotten pretty tedious.
Judy’s couch was just large enough to accommodate both of them with the empty bowl of popcorn resting between them.
“What?” Judy asked, unsure if she had actually heard V’s voice or if she had already started to dream.
When no answer came, Judy turned her head and looked up to V. She was staring back at her with a strange look in her eyes.
“Why Judy? I mean...why me?”
Judy blinked before shuffling so she could look straight up at V. Was she starting to have doubts? If so, it was the worst possible timing. They were supposed to be getting married tomorrow.
Fortunately, it had turned out that V had been joking all along about the need to plan for an elaborate event. Instead, rather than waiting a year for what they both felt was inevitable, she had suggested a few days earlier that they simply elope. There would always be time to celebrate with their friends and family. But why waste another day not being together?
But as Judy looked at V, she could see worry on her face.
You fuckin’ gonk.
Judy reached up and cupped V’s cheek with her palm.
“Really V? You can stare down a bunch of Maelstrom gangers but not the big ring?”
V said nothing as the stoic look remained on her face.
With a sigh of frustration, Judy reached around the back of V’s neck and pulled her close to her own face.
“’Cause of the way you never give up V. I know things were...hard for you. Had plenty of chances to take an easier way out of things and you didn’t. You fought. Not just for your life, but for us.”
Though the expression on her face didn’t change, Judy could see V’s eyes soften slightly.
“’Cause of everything you do to show how much you love me. Not just the big things either. I saw you put milk in both of our coffees this mornin’ and know how much you hate it. Even though I’m sure you know that you don’t need to be doing it, I also know you’re tryin’ to get used to it so we can enjoy the same thing, the same way. It’s a beautiful thing V.”
The corners of V’s lips began to pull into a smile as she allowed herself to be pulled closer. Their lips were now only inches apart as Judy lowered her voice to just above a hushed whisper.
“’Cause every day I wake up with you, it’s the best day of my life. I can’t imagine ever goin’ back. I love you so much V...how could I not?”
Judy pulled her the rest of the way forward, allowing their lips to press together. Of all the kisses they had shared, this one felt different from the rest. There was a subtle ‘release’ in it. Though it was strange, it felt oddly comforting as Judy lost herself in the moment.
Finally, V came up for air. The distant look on her face had been replaced with a wide grin.
“Thanks Jude. Just needed to hear that I think.”
Judy smiled back at her. “No problem-o. Course, you know you’re gonna be hearin’ it tomorrow all over again right? Could’ve just waited a day.”
“I know. I like hearin’ it though.”
Judy planted another kiss on V’s lips before she allowed her eyes to drift back to the movie. It was nearly over, though she had no idea what was happening on the screen any longer.
Suddenly, it hit her. This was going to be the last night of her life that she was ever truly ‘single’. Alone. Had that been what V had been contemplating? That their lives were about to change in a way they couldn’t foresee?
Judy tried to lose herself in the mindless action, but it was proving to be impossible as a question began to burn at the forefront of her mind.
Why?
“Ennie for your thoughts,” V said as her fingers scraped through the broken kernels of popcorn, trying to find one which was large enough to warrant eating.
Judy turned back to V and swallowed. “Why?”
V took her attention away from the popcorn and looked down at Judy. There were so many reasons which came to mind. Her strength, her passion, her drive to help others and to try to make the world a better place. And that was just for starters. The way she smiled at her each morning when they woke up together, or how she would play with her hair when she was deep in concentration on a particular editing project. So many things to choose from, and yet, none of them seemed to do her feelings the proper justice.
Finally, V settled on the only words she could think of, hoping they wouldn’t come across as clunky or clichéd.
“Because you’re the one Judy. You were there for me when I needed you the most, and you’re the one who will always matter the most to me. I love you, now and always.”
For a moment, the two of them stared back at each other before they leaned into another kiss. Judy could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She had never been good with the mushy stuff. And yet, somehow V had opened up that part of her. And it had felt good to express things she would have otherwise scoffed at.
After parting, V ran her fingers through Judy’s hair before they settled back onto the couch. V draped her arm over Judy and pulled her close. The movie was nearly over, but neither of them could budge.
As Judy felt her eyes beginning to grow heavy once more, she caught sight of the ring on V’s hand. She reached up and wove her fingers between V’s, briefly grazing across its cool, metal surface.
“Tomorrow,” she heard V whisper above her.
Judy closed her eyes and smiled.
“Tomorrow.”