Part 3. The part that'll yank on your heart strings, in a good way.

**Sorry its long, but it has to be this way.. I need this story to end after 1 more part.

After lunch, we went back to the truck for our final destination (not like the movie) before meeting up with my sister. He hid his GPS behind his hands so I couldn't see where he was taking me and I was totally okay with it. Normally I'd have a "What the hell?" moment, but with him I didn't. I felt safe and that day, like nothing in the world could get to me.


Now, there are about a million and one places that I really want to see in DC. I am hopelessly in love with that city and all it has to offer, so when he told me it was a place I'd talked about having a desire to see, I was no closer to figuring out where he was taking me. He, of course, thought he had given me some great and glorious hint and that I'd figure it out.. Honestly, I didn't figure it out until we all but walked into the building.. besides, I was too busy looking around taking in my surroundings. He called me back to reality to walk into the Crime & Punishment Museum.

For those of you who don't know, I'm a Criminal Justice Major (I'm also an ASL major) and this was definitely one of my dream destinations in DC. I love all things Crime. No, I wouldn't ever commit a crime, I just have this crazy dream to stop the bad guys and be one of those bad ass lady cops, but in reality I really just want to interpret law. Moving on...

I won't tell you about the museum, because I believe everyone needs to go out and experience these places on their own. However, I will tell you that I don't think I've ever smiled and laughed so much in my life, especially at a museum then I did with him. They offered this 'Solve the Mystery' booklet (for purchase, of course) and you go around the museum, reading every single detail in each exhibit, learning about all kinds of crimes and criminals and of course working with the best Partner I could have ever asked for. Our team work was impeccable and unstoppable. It flowed and was easy, no arguing outside of a joke here and there, we read to each other, pointed out little things that we found interesting, caused some mischief touching the things we shouldn't (shhh! don't rat me out now!) and like champions, we solved the mystery. After a series of high fives and wandering around the set of "America's Most Wanted" (which was LEGIT btw) we made a beeline through the rainy streets of DC, jumping in puddles and me praying I didn't fall flat on my ass.

I should mention that after lunch and through out the museum, we started some hard core flirting, you know, standing too close to one another, brushing arms ("accidentally" on purpose) and hands. There was this electricity in the air between us. We both knew it. We both felt it. I strategically placed my hand closer to his than what a normal person would, just to see if he would pick up on it. Being male, he didn't at first.. but well, we're getting to that part..

We met up with my sister and brother in law at a sports bar for some happy hour drinks. The boys ran off to play some games and my sister and I sat back and talked about our days, mostly mine, obviously. I couldn't help but watch the two boys. Mine kept glancing back at me and smiling. Then we decided it was probably time to put some food in us before the raging bitch in my sister and I decided to come out.

Did I mention that He always gave his arm for me to hold as we crossed the street, in this particular instance it was to cross the parking lot to the truck. If I did, I'm just reiterating, if not, he was seriously a perfect gentleman.

We got in the truck, buckled in and I, being the sneaky snake I am, strategically placed my hand back in the middle of the bench, hoping maybe this time he would get the hint. He did. Next thing I knew, his hand was on mine and it felt like I'd been holding his hand for years, they fit together without having to make it comfortable.. it just was. Not a word was said about it, we just let it happen, joking around about the day and talking about plans for the night. We held hands throughout dinner, yes just like that stupid high school couple you love to hate, catching each others eye every chance we could. The 4 of us shared a bottle of wine and enjoyed a wonderful Italian meal. Then it was time to head back home for some drinks and talking.

We got back and immediately started drinking, dancing, playing drinking games and just making fools of ourselves. It was a blast. My Sister and Brother-In-Law took turns dancing in the full Army gear that He had brought along with him. It was hilarious and the pictures/videos I have are priceless. My sister and I ended up having about 372 heart to hearts that night, while the boys stayed in drinking... heavily. My sister and I were a bit tipsy, but nothing like the guys. Now, my go to "am I sober?" test is how well I can sing. If I can still carry a tune on pitch, then I'm good, if not, well I am probaby a sloppy mess. At this point, I could still carry a tune. I'll never forget the way he looked at me as my sister and I sang Justin Bieber (don't judge me, you know the lyrics too) and I then continued to sing the next few songs on the play list.

"You told me you could sing Ella, but I didn't know you could sing like that"

I about died. I rarely sing in front of people that are outside my closest circles, especially not ones that I could potentially date.. and there I was doing just that. After about 30 seconds, it didn't matter that I had done that, nor that he had commented. At that point, I'd have only sang to him for the rest of the time we had together, just so he would continue to looking at me like I was the only girl in the world and nothing else mattered but me.

I only knew one thing that could and would make or break it. The kiss. I wasn't even sure it would happen and I nervously continued about my night waiting, wondering and wishing. As the other 2 went to bed, we were left alone and my heart was about to jump out of my chest. He grabbed my hand, twirled me around and began dancing with me. I'm talking hand in hand, his other hand on my waist, my hand around his neck romantic, fun dancing around the room. He stopped abruptly, and I had a good feeling as to what was about to happen, my breath caught in my throat as he leaned forward and kissed me.

You know every single movie you've ever seen where you are just waiting for that inevitable kiss to happen between the two leads and your heart jumps into your throat once it finally happens? That was exactly what happened, only better. The room was spinning all around us (not because we were intoxicted), yet it was like time had completely stopped and we were the only two people in the world. It was a moment I will never forget as long as I live.

We kept dancing until finally it was time for bed. We both got ready, brushing our teeth, putting on pj's not caring that he saw me without make up and my hair all crazy, we crawled into bed and promptly fell asleep.

The story doesn't end here, although we are getting mighty close to an ending I never, in a million years expected..