Disclaimer: I do not own Hellcats. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
*****
Marti Perkins could remember the first time she entered Cheer Town, the cutesy nickname for the on-campus residence for the cheerleaders. She had initially hated that cutesy nickname, but it had grown on her, along with pretty much everyone in Cheer Town. Of course there was one person in particular.
Someone she had mocked from afar the first time she saw her, and then right to her face the first time they met. Now Marti had no idea how she hadn't been left speechless by the incredible beauty of Savannah Monroe, or why she hadn't asked her out the second she was lucky enough to talk to her instead of cluelessly mocking what her now girlfriend loved. What Marti herself had grown to love.
Luckily Marti had been allowed to make up for her mistakes and had spent the last few years winning championships with the most amazing girl on the face of the Earth by her side in what was easily the best years of her life. Now College was over. They all had graduated and celebrated the end of an era, and then waited until the last possible minute to leave Cheer Town.
Not because they feared the future and wanted to live in the past forever, but because this place was really special to them. Especially their dorm room, which was where Marti found her girlfriend. In the middle of their now former room staring at the two twin beds they hadn't had the heart to separate as it presented an important milestone in their relationship.
In fact just about every important milestone in their relationship had taken place in this room, and Marti was determined that before they leave they had one last one. One big one. Something which would be the perfect end to their college experience. The perfect end to the perfect college experience.
And sure, Marti had considered doing this in the courtyard where she first saw Savannah, or even by the information desk where they had first met, or into the tiny apartment they were moving in together, but no, this was where it had to be. As far as Marti was concerned there was no other real option, or other real choice.
Wanting to surprise her lover Marti approached as slowly and silently as possible while Savannah seemed content to enjoy her last few minutes in this room, only for the beautiful brunette to look over her shoulder at the last second, give her a beaming smile and murmur, "Hey."
"Hey." Marti replied, quickly closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around the other girl.
Savannah sighed contentedly and relaxed into her arms and then murmured, "So, car's all packed, huh?"
"Uh-huh." Marti confirmed, pressing a quick kiss to Savannah's head, before asking softly, "Can we stay here for a second?"
"How about forever?" Savannah asked softly, and then when Marti chuckled softly into her ear Savannah added, "I'm serious Marti. I, I know we have to leave. Move on. Start our lives for real, or whatever. And I do want that. I want a life with you. But... I don't want to leave. Because in this room, in your arms, I've never felt more safe. Or more loved. This is where I learned to accept myself. Where you saved me from myself. Because of you I, I finally stopped being afraid to be who I truly am. And finally got to be happy. With you. Gosh Marti, this is where we first kissed. Confessed how we felt. Made love. How could we ever leave it?"
For a few long seconds Marti considered abandoning her original plan. To make a memory that she knew Savannah would treasure forever. That they would treasure forever, in a new place, to prove good things could happened between them outside of this room. They had their entire lives to make new and precious memories.
But she knew Savannah would never forgive her for not doing it in this place which would always be sacred for them, at a time she desperately wanted another reason to look forward to the future. So instead Marti gently turned Savannah around and cupped her cheek, taking a second to enjoy the way her girl closed her eyes and leaned into the touch before she finally spoke.
"Hey..." Marti murmured softly, waiting until she was sure she had Savannah's attention before continuing, "No matter where we are, I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to make you feel safe and loved. My arms will always be here to make you feel safe and loved. And as long as I breathe you will be safe and loved. I love you Savannah Monroe. I love you more than I ever knew it was possible to love someone. And I love this room, but it isn't the reason I came to terms with my sexuality and had the best years of my life. That was all you. You gave me the perfect first time. The perfect first kiss. The perfect college experience. The perfect life. And you saved me too Savannah. You saved me from a life of nothing but misery and sarcasm and replaced it with joy and happiness I could never imagine. I will love you for my entire life, and beyond. I promise you that as I ask... no, beg you to marry me."
Savannah bought her hands up to her face and whimpered as Marti let go of her, moved back slightly and then knelt down on one knee while presenting her with a little black box containing a beautiful engagement ring. Given they were both women, and how Marti used be so dismissive about marriage, Savannah had made peace with the fact this day would never come.
Now it had, and she was so dumbstruck that all she could do was weep and pray that Marti would understand that the tears sliding down her cheeks were from overwhelming happiness. Yet the seconds ticked by and Savannah couldn't blame Marti for being disheartened.
Thankfully Marti's pretty face falling was enough to finally jolt Savannah out of her dumbstruck state enough to weep, "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes."
Smiling widely Marti quickly stood up, grabbed Savannah's face with both hands and gave her a deep, passionate kiss. It wasn't very long, but it was easily one of the most intense of their lives, which was really saying something. It was like their souls were caressing each other. Making love to each other. Loving each other. Both of them would just love each other with every fibre of their being.
Then Marti broke the kiss and just hugged her tightly as Savannah wept. As they both wept, Savannah was relieved to realise she wasn't the only one overwhelmed by the moment. A moment which seemed to last a lifetime. Or at least Savannah wished it would. Eventually though, the spell had to be broken, and unsurprisingly it was Marti who broke it.
"You really had me worried there for a second." Marti said softly into her ear.
"Sorry." Savannah said softly, moving back and looking into Marti's beautiful eyes, "But you did blindside me."
Marti frowned, "I was going on and on about how much I love you."
"Yeah, well... you do that anyway." Savannah smiled.
"Fair point." Marti acknowledged.