Author's note: A short one shot about two characters who are near and dear to my heart.

Margaret opened her eyes in Derek’s apartment to find the place spotless, dark, but spotless. A small flickering light came from the kitchen, and Margaret strode cautiously into the small room, Derek following swiftly behind. In the kitchen she found that the table had been covered in a white cloth, and that there was a candle placed exactly in the center. Further, two place settings were set out at either end.

Though the light only illuminated a short distance, she saw that Derek had sprinkled rose petals lightly around the apartment. It smelled wonderful, it looked wonderful, and when Derek snuck up behind Margaret and gave her a gentle hug and kiss on the crown on her head, it felt wonderful.

“Happy anniversary.” Margaret giggled a little as Derek’s warm breath tickled her ear.

“You too. But don’t you think this is a little… extravagant for three months?”

“Only a little for the date, but not for you.” Derek turned his girlfriend around in his arms and kissed her tenderly, a gesture she returned whole-heartedly. “Hungry?” he whispered.

“Very. What do you have?”

“Sit down and you’ll see.”

Margaret sat down in the chair that her boyfriend pulled out for her, thinking he was so cute when he was chivalrous. He reminded her of the stories about King Arthur and his knights that her father used to tell herwhen she was little. How long ago that was… she pushed the thought from her mind as Derek placed her meal in front of her.

“Lobster is your favorite; right?”

Margaret picked up the nutcracker that he had provided for her. “You had better believe it. Pass the butter please.”

(Scene Change!)

The candle had gutted itself by the time Derek and Margaret stopped talking, the luminescent clock read midnight,and the table had been abandoned in favor of the living room sofa. but neither person seemed to notice anything other than each other. After a particularly witty remark about the state ofa lobster after hours at a bar, Margaret found herself staring directly into the eyes of her boyfriend, who’s charcoal orbs reflected a caring that warmed her to her core.

“I love you.” Margaret blinked in surprise, unsure that he had spoken, for his voice had been so soft it could have been imagined.

“Wha—“ he softly placed a finger to her lips, effectively silencing her. This time his voice was louder,more sure.

“I love you.”

“I love you too Derek, so much… three words just aren’t enough, are they?”

He shook his head and smiled, “No.” he closed the distance between them and kissed her again before whispering “Not enough at all.”