Chapter 25

Iris could feel her stomach tickling. “Hugh finds me beautiful. He is officially the most handsome man in the whole of England, and he thinks a mediocre girl like me is beautiful,” she thought.

Hugh squeezed her hand softly and said in a glum voice, "I don't ever want us to separate."

Iris shook her head. "No, we won't."

Hugh stood while still holding Iris's hand. She rose from her seat as well looking at Hugh's chocolate brown eyes. He smiled the smile that reached his beautiful eyes. Iris couldn't look away from his face.

He slowly brought his face closer to her and the pulses in Iris's vein started to rush. As his face got closer, Iris felt his warm breath fan her lips and chin. She stared at his lips as it came closer and was pressed against her lips before she could process. She closed her eyes and parted her lips.

Hugh slowly slid his tongue inside her mouth, and they tasted their love. Iris's hands were around his waist and his around her shoulders. Teardrops rolled down Hugh's face. Iris pulled away slowly and looked at him.

"Hugh..." She whispered.

They heard the loud firecrackers bursting outside. "Happy New Year," he said and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Iris blushed. "Happy New Year," she said and wiped off tears from his cheeks.

They kissed again by holding each other close, while the firecrackers continued bursting outside. The loud noise of the rockets bursting in the sky rose goosebumps in Iris's skin as she kissed Hugh deeper.

Iris's delicate body was crushing against Hugh's firm torso. But she didn't flinch. Her dream finally came true. She was kissed on New Year’s Eve. God wasn't unhappy with her after all. Her life was complete.

Hugh pulled away and touched his forehead to hers. "I love you so much, Iris Holmes," he said in a whisper.

Iris couldn't stop smiling. She bit her lower lip between her teeth and stayed in that position feeling Hugh's warm breath against her face.

Then she kissed his cheek and said, "I love you with all my heart, Hugh Wilson. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone else in this whole wide world."

Hugh exhaled and no matter how hard he fought, a teardrop rolled down his eye. He shook his head and looked down.

"Hey," Iris said and coaxed his face up by putting a finger under his chin. She then pressed her lips against his.

"This is for eternity, okay? No going back," Hugh said with his usual side smile.

Iris nodded abruptly and chuckled. "For eternity," she said, and they kissed again.