They Say

"You have no idea how happy this makes me." Oli said, holding on to Emerson's hand as they followed behind Matty and Heather. The bussle of the city still roared, even though it was after work hours. He couldn't help but notice how many people seemed to be doing the same thing he was. Maybe you realize things like that when you're in love...

"How happy what makes you?"

"Being able to do this. I know us getting along is important to you."

Emerson glanced up at him with a grin, "Yeah, it is."

He kissed the top of her hand before holding open the door for her, following the others into the crowded restaurant.

The group was seated at a table near the window which Matty had requested and Oli slid into the seat beside Emerson.

Emerson was a bit nervous though. She couldn't help but wait for Heather to snap at Oli. It just happened so much. She was certain she wouldn't be at ease until the date was in full swing.

"What's wrong?" Oli whispered, elbowing the girl as the two in front of them ordered.

"Nothing." She mumbled, sipping on the wine Matty had ordered for everyone. He was really trying to make this work.

Oli leaned in, kissing her cheek as he rested his hand on the back of her chair. He knew something was up with her, it was just so damn hard to figure it out sometimes.

"So Em, when do you start work?" Matty asked happily and with that the girl perked up, "Oh! On Monday. I'm really excited even though it isn't that big of a deal."

Oli rolled his eyes, "It sort of is. You did it all by yourself. I'm proud of you."

"Me too, Em. You deserve it."

"Yeah, but are you going to go back to school is the real question." Heather asked seriously and Emerson shrugged fiddling with the napkin on the table.

"Not in Arizona if that's what you're asking..."

"Mom called me and said registration is in a month if you were planning on it."

Emerson shook her head, "I don't think so."

Emerson hadn't really put much thought into that whole issue. Then again, maybe she was avoiding it in a way. She just didn't want to deal with the stress of it all.

"So, mom and dad are willing to pay for school and yet you're just going to stay here and work at an art gallery..."

Emerson glanced over at her sister, "Yes, Heather. That's what I'm going to do because if I go back that means medical school which is not what I want. Maybe mom and dad can force you into being what they want, but not me. I refuse to be miserable my whole life. Everyone knows you hate your job. So yeah, you may have a degree and yeah, you may make a lot more money then I ever will, but at least I'll be happy."

Heather glared at her as the table went silent until Matty cleared his throat to try and ease the tension.

"Yeah, it's either that or you don't want to leave Oli."

Oli groaned, "Why must you bring me into this, Heatha? She can do whateva she wants. Include go back to Arizona. I am not stopping her."

"I'm sure you're not." Heather said calmly and Oli's jaw clinched, "What is that suppose to mean?"

"I'm just saying, if she went home it would save you from having to end it with her. Whether I'm ok with you or not, Oli. I know how you treated those girls you dated and my sister is not one of those girls."

"I know she isn't..."

"Right. It always starts out that way, huh? So positive, but then look at how that tends to end."

"What is this really about Heatha? Would you be thinking this if I would have dated you? By all means, hold that all against me if needed, but don't tell me how I feel or how I am. Emason is well aware and that's all that matters to me. Nothing you feel effects me in any way, the only reason I hate that you are so bitter is because it effects her and you don't give a damn when all she does is worry about you. But fuck it Heatha, I don't give a damn if you're in my life and I honestly wish if you were going to be so negative you would stay out of hers as well." Oli spat out before pushing back his chair and flying from the restaurant.

Emerson couldn't even breathe as she watched him leave and even Matty was having trouble processing it all.

"You liked him?" Matty finally asked glancing at Heather who rolled her eyes, "It isn't like that."

Emerson didn't bother to speak just moved from her seat to go in search of her boyfriend. It didn't take her long to find him, leaned against a building a few down from where they were. She stepped to him carefully and his eyes met hers.

"I'm sorry, Em. I really am." He spoke with sorrow filled eyes.

"No, don't apologize. Thank you." She whispered and he pushed from the wall before grabbing her waist.

"I know she is family. I get that and sometimes it's hard to go against what they are telling you. I truly understand. If I was in your situation and Tom was warning me about you, a part of me would care whether I showed it or not."

"Oli, you know how I feel about you..."

"I know, I'm just saying that I know you want her to be on your side and I'm so sorry she isn't."

"It isn't your fault."

"Well apparently it is."

Emerson shook her head, placing her arms around his torso and staring up at him.

"I'm sorry I got so defensive, I just, I can't let her walk all over you like you allow. Don't say you don't because I know you do whether you say so or not."

Emerson sighed, "But it isn't your place."

Oli rolled his eyes and he brought his hand to her cheek, "I have no problem doing that though, you know? You're my girlfriend. I sure as hell don't treat you like that and I'll be damned if someone else does."

She breathed in as he stared down at her, his thumb brushing over her cheek repeatedly. The wind was causing her to shiver and yet she really couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

Oli's stomach was in knots as he stared into her blue eyes. The more he was with her the more he fell for her and it scared him and amazed him all at the same time.

Before Oli could even stop himself, or process what was happening the words fumbled from his mouth.

"I love you."

"...what?" She whispered and he cupped her face, "I love you." He breathed out nervously. The cold had seeped into his bones forever ago and yet he hadn't felt so alive before.

"I do. So much. God. I love you." He stated confidently as she stared at him in shock. Imagining him saying it and him actually saying it were definitely two different things.

"You make me feel things I've never felt and you're so lovely and I just, I've wanted to say it for so long, but I wanted it to be right and fuck, this isn't right either..." He rambled and she cut him off with her lips.

Oli didn't dare speak again, just placed his hand on the back of her head, taking in the gentleness of her lips and the way he felt. It was better than he had imagined.

"I love you too." She whispered once they pulled apart.

He grinned, wrapping her in his arms and spinning her around happily causing her to giggle.

"Oli!"

His smile widened as he placed her on her feet, his lips hitting her forehead, "I'm sorry I waited so long."

She shook her head no and grabbed up his hand, "It's ok."

"Let's get out of here yeah? You and me. We can just walk around, or get dinner, or hell I don't care I just want to be with you."

She chuckled at how he was acting and she wrapped her arms around his as they began walking down the sidewalk away from the restaurant and away from the drama she knew she'd eventually have to face.

"Is Tom at work?" She asked as they stumbled upon Drop Dead and Oli chuckled, "I tell you I love you and you want to see my brother."

She slapped his arm jokingly and he laughed as he pulled her inside.

"And what do I owe this visit to?" Tom asked, leaning against the counter with a smirk.

"My bird wanted to see you, me on the other hand..."

Tom laughed as Emerson rolled her eyes.

"Well, I'm flattered love." He responded as she now stood in front of him.

"Actually Oli was dragging me all around town and I was cold so I used you as an excuse."

"Ouchhh." Tom joked, placing his hand over his heart.

"Get use to it, Arizona." Oli stated, pulling himself up on the counter to sit down.

She looked over at him and he grinned causing Tom to speak, "What did you do to him?"

"What do you mean?"

"Meaning, why is he smiling at you like that?! Did you sleep with him? If so, I'm very disappointed, Emason."

Emerson glared at Tom, placing her hands on her hips and Oli laughed grabbing for her and pulling her in.

"No, she did not. I'm a bit offended that it would be a death sentence for her though."

Tom rolled his eyes, "Whateva. Just saying. She isn't like that."

"I'm aware."

"Awe, Tom, you're defending me now. I love you too." Emerson said pulling from Oli and throwing her arms around the small boy.

Tom groaned as Oli rolled his eyes, "And I'll say it again, I tell you I love you and you tell me brotha. Makes sense."

"Wait, what?" Tom spoke a bit stunned, looking at his brother over the girl.

"You told her you love her?" Tom asked and Oli hopped from the counter.

"Is it that surprisin'?"

"Although I knew you did, yes. I didn't think you'd actually say it is all."

"Me neither." Emerson joked and Oli rolled his eyes, "The amount of faith you people have in me is unbelievable."

Emerson and Tom laughed and Emerson grabbed Oli's arm, "Yeah. Tons of faith. Now take me to dinner since I'm starving and you ruined our meal."

Oli shot her a look and Tom raised an eyebrow, "What happened?"

"Heather and Oli happened."

Tom groaned, "Go figure. She's such a bitch. No offense. I mean, I really don't know how you two are related. She's like, the spawn of satan! Like, she's hell and you're heaven. It's so weird."

"Well, in her defense I don't think she's evil, but I get it."

"You're too sweet for your own good." Tom stated and Emerson laughed, "Well thank you."

"Yes, thank you, but now we are leaving." Oli said, grabbing up the girl's hand and Tom smirked, "Right, well carry on. See you later."

Emerson waved at the boy as they walked back out into the cold. She clung to Oli's arm for warmth as they walked slowly back to his car.

Oli glanced down at her, a grin on his lips simply from how happy he was.

"Stay with me tonight?" He asked and she nodded, "Ok."

He kissed her head and held her close. Now this feeling he could get use to.