The entire table burst into laughter and conversation resumed. The clatter of plates and forks rang out in the room as we continued eating the delicious food.
I looked around the table at Mom's happy expression as Edna whispered something in her ear. They laughed and looked at each other tenderly before rejoining the conversation Austin's Mom was having with Gemma about the college she got accepted to.
The entire room was filled with a warm atmosphere. I was surrounded by the people I loved, and the person who had my heart by my side.
Austin found my hand under the table and turned to beam a smile at me that was filled with happiness and contentedness. He was enjoying the family time as much as I was.
He quickly glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention to us before leaning in closer to me. “I love you,” he whispered.
“Even if I look like an old man?” I teased with a grin.
Austin rolled his eyes but the smile never left his face. “I think you look quite dreamy in your old age,” he said in a serious tone which had me laughing toward the ceiling.
Once I calmed out, I brought our foreheads together. The laughter and chatter from our family surrounded us, but the sounds seemed far away. The only thing that existed in this moment was Austin and all the big feelings that filled my heart for him.
“I love you too. Now and forever.” I squeezed his hand, knowing that there would be so many more moments like this in the future, filled with teasing, laughter, and, most importantly, love.
Our story was just beginning, and I was so excited to write what came next, page by page. With Austin by my side, life was a fun adventure that was only waiting to be enjoyed.
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