The night before they were set to return to school, they curled up together in Jessica's childhood bed, the familiar creak of the mattress beneath them and the soft hum of the ceiling fan above. The room smelled faintly of lavender and old books - Jessica's favourite scent, and one Molly had come to associate with home. Outside, the cicadas sang their summer lullaby, but inside, it was quiet. Intimate. The kind of stillness that wraps around you like a blanket.
They moved together slowly, without urgency, as if time had decided to pause just for them. Their bodies found each other with the ease of old lovers and the awe of something still new. Jessica's fingers mapped the curve of Molly's spine, the dip of her waist, the freckles scattered across her shoulder like constellations. It felt like memorizing a sacred language, one she never wanted to forget. Molly kissed the corner of Jessica's mouth, her jaw, her collarbone, anchoring them both in the moment.
Later, tangled in sheets and skin, hearts still racing, Jessica let out a shaky breath. Her eyes brimmed with tears - happy, overwhelming tears. She turned to Molly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I want to marry you one day."
Molly didn't say anything at first. She just held her, her fingers drawing slow circles against the bare skin of Jessica's back. The weight of the words settled deep in her chest, heavy in the best way. After a long moment, she leaned in close and pressed her lips to Jessica's temple.
"Me too," she murmured. "I want that more than anything."