“Mariangela?”

Mariangela was watching the butterflies flying about when Noelia spoke. It was almost evening, and the sun bathed the world in orange. The girls were lying in the grass, but Noelia sat up to look at her. “Yeah?” Mariangela asked.

“Do you love me?”

Mariangela looked at her lover with surprise. “Yes, you know that.”

“How much do you love me?”

Mariangela smiled at Noelia’s beauty – her words, her lips, her green eyes and short hair. She smelled of cherries. “I love you with the sun.” She paused. “I love you with all my heart. I love you with the stars above us, and the grass below us, and the butterflies around us. I love you with all the water in the ocean. I love you with summer, with winter, fall and spring. I love you now, I loved you yesterday, and I will love you tomorrow and forever.”

Noelia said nothing, but jumped on Mariangela and kissed her. Mariangela laughed. “Did I answer your question?”

“Yes,” she replied, “but I still love you more.”

Mariangela rolled her eyes. “Shut up and kiss me,” she said, pulling Noelia on top of her.