After an hour or so spent talking to and around my Mom's grave, Aidan and I decide to make tracks and leave once I've uttered out my final goodbyes. Heading a few blocks away, we make our way towards where I used to live in a rather run down area and clock sight of my not so proud looking apartment block sitting ever so elegantly in the middle of the neighbourhood, emulating the very essence of dingy.

"Welcome to my not so humble abode." I sarcastically state, gesturing towards the off-White, slightly yellowing building with crumbling walls and boarded up windows.

"You used to live here?" asks Aidan, desperately trying not to sound so shocked.

I laugh at his failed attempts but appreciate his efforts nevertheless. "Yes, but don't worry. It's actually a lot nicer inside and the people were lovely. I think it's the true inspiration behind 'don't judge a book by its cover'." I admit, pulling ever so slightly on his hand in a 'follow me' gesture.

He does so reluctantly and although with a definite resilience to his step, he matches my enthusiasm and happily scans the entire area, smiling once he's given his surroundings a good looking at.

"I like it, it's got character." he expresses, making me smile.

That's certainly one way to describe it.

We both share a brief smile and slowly make our way towards my old home, noticing once close enough its ever worsening condition. All the windows are smashed out and while I failed to see it at first, the entire building is surrounded by rather large metal fences, preventing the general public from entering.

"They're pulling it down." informs Aidan on a shocked gasp, pointing his free hand towards a planning permission notice pinned up on the far right hand side, covered in grubby looking laminate.

I briefly read over it to discover the building was deemed unfit for purpose seven months ago and is due for bulldozing in only two weeks time. The news comes as no surprise but I feel the ever tightening of my chest take over as my reluctant head shake comes into play. I don't want this building to be destroyed. It holds so many special memories for me, memories I'm not quite ready to let go of yet.

"Are you OK, darling?" whispers Aidan, gently tugging on my arm and forcing my body into a half hug.

He softly caresses my hair with his left hand and litters my forehead with sweet, gentle kisses, each one reassuring in their own special way.

"Fine. It's just a bit sad that's all. I would've liked to have seen it before it got destroyed." I admit, allowing the feeling of sadness to wash over me as Aidan's comforting touch dulls the pain some.

"Who's to say we can't." comes his overly confident reply in the form of a mischievous suggestion. "I don't see any security cameras and those padlocks look about as flimsy as a hair tie." he adds, pointing towards the, surely enough, pathetic looking chains.

"Are you serious? We can't just break in, surely that's illegal?" I whisper-yell, suddenly aware of my heart beating ten to the dozen.

My mind instantly begins to race and with images of I've spending the night in a cell prominently taking over, I shake my head in a 'hell no' manner, reluctant to do this.

"We'll only be ten minutes max, it's just for you to have one last look at the place before they bring it down. I promise nothing bad will happen, I'll make sure of it." he insists, already leaving my side to try his luck at breaking through the chains.

Much to my delight or distress, I'm really not sure, he manages to loosen the chains enough for us both to squeeze past and before I can rationalise my actions, I find myself ducking under the gates, entering the 'No Trespassing' zone. My breathing becomes shallow and my palms begin to sweat, rather profusely, to which I attempt to keep at bay by wiping them on my jean-clad thighs.

"Come on you criminal, let's get going!" teases Aidan, before pulling at my waist and guiding me towards the buildings entrance.

Again, the doors are locked but as the downstairs window has been smashed out with no real attempt at it being boarded back up again, we manage to sneak our way in that way, guaranteeing us a swift entrance. Taking off his hoodie, Aidan quickly and efficiently lays down the thick material over the window pane, gesturing for me to climb in first by offering out his hand.

"Be careful darling, don't hurt yourself." he warns, sounding far too concerned for someone who's idea this was in the first place.

I accept his help and hoist myself up using his offered support, thankful for my choice in sensible footwear this morning. I then allow myself a quick glance around and notice the rather large, empty room covered in all sorts of dirt and dust, saddened, once again, by its current state. Aidan, ever the expert, requires no help getting himself over the threshold and whist making sure to shake all remaining glass from his hoodie, he takes hold of my hand and speaks a quick, "lead the way" before putting it back on.

I take us up two flights of stairs and past three set of doors before we stop in front of a red door claiming to be number 9.

"This is it." I state, providing my voice with a slight wobble.

My hand soon falls victim to a gentle squeeze and with Aidan's reassuring smile encouraging me to twist the handle and enter the space, I come face to face with my old living room, reluctantly so. The thick dust instantly collates at the back of my throat and although the sun is pouring in from the curtain-less window, a dark shadow casts over the entire space, creating a rather obvious sense of gloom and doom.

"How you doing over there? Still okay to carry on?" enquires Aidan, quick to ensure I'm doing fine as I stand, motionless, in the doorway.

I quietly nod my head and further enter my home, unsure whether it's the emotions bringing out the threat of tears, or the seven month old dust.

"This is odd. I feel very strange." I admit on a hushed whisper, too scared to raise my voice any higher in fear of breaking down. "This was our living room and over there was my bedroom." I point, noticing, again, the slight wobble that accompanies my voice. "Anna and I both shared a room back then." I explain, walking Aidan over to the closed door of said room.

Much to my surprise, I notice the intentional marks on the doors' frame from where my Mom, Anna and I would measure our height every year on our birthday. I gently stroke my Mom's last known measurements and allow a few tears to fall down my cheeks, wishing more than ever that I could see her again.

"Come here, darling." breathes Aidan, pulling my body flush against his and holding me there, as if to protect me. "You're such a short ass, aren't you? You've not grown an inch since you were seventeen." he remarks, chuckling at my last recorded height, which appears to be the exact same as now.

I giggle at his comment and smile up at him, appreciating his methods at cheering me up some. His smile never fails to put me at ease and with his lips mouthing a quick, "I love you", I suddenly get the courage to carry on, wanting him to see the rest of my childhood home.

"Want me to show you around?" I ask, sounding hopeful in my suggestion.

It may not feel like it right now, but I know this visit will do me some good and help settle a few unnerving feelings.

"Definitely." he expresses, nudging me with his right elbow. "Show me where you used to sleep." he then requests, making me smile with his suggestive tone. "and shower." he adds, earning himself an almighty punch to the arm.

"Perv!" I accuse, although do so on a slight giggle, sealed afterwards with a loving kiss.

He responds by grabbing at my waist and although inflicting enough force to make me gasp out loud, I feel strangely comforted by his hands digging firmly into my flesh, arousing me even.

"I may be a perv, but I'm your perv." he smirks, whispering his delicious words straight into my ear, spurring me on. "I brought you here so you could visit your Mom and get a clearer prospective on your past, so I'm going to wait outside and give you five minutes to yourself. Then, afterwards, you can give me the grand tour before I take you out to a romantic meal and spoil you silly for the rest of the weekend." he says, or rather demands, as if there really is no room for negotiation. "What do you say, darling? Shall we make these remaining two days in New York the best two days of our life?" he asks, seeming suddenly excited by the very idea of doing so.

"Yes, please." I reply, without so much as waiting for a beat. "I love this Aidan, I love you." I clarify, needing him to know just how appreciative I really am.

He smiles that reassuring smile at me again and with a brief, albeit slightly passionate, kiss I'm left alone in my childhood living room, finally ready to say my goodbyes. Finally ready, all thanks to him.

Aidan.

~~~~

"Table for two, please." speaks the rather excited man in front of us, who although under dim lighting, has the bluest eyes I've ever seen.

He holds onto his dining partner, a very petite looking woman with amber hair, and squeezes her closer in a seemingly smitten embrace, the pair apparently unable to get enough of each other.

"I'm sorry sir, we're fully booked tonight. Have you made a reservation?" comes the reply of Julia, our waitress for this evening, or so her name tag would suggest.

The young couple soon lose all previous joy as Julia's words register and the reality of the situation dawns on them, hitting the pair full force in the form of disappointing rejection.

"No, I didn't. I wanted to make sure she said yes before I booked us a table." laughs Mr blue eye, draping a lazy arm around his fiancé. "Not to worry though, we guessed as much but wanted to try as this is where I took her for our first date." he then claims, kindly thanking Julia before turning around and preparing to leave.

"No, wait!" I find myself saying, stopping them both in their tracks, "Have you made a reservation?" I ask, turning my attention to an already smirking Aidan, sporting a rather amused eyebrow raise.

"Yes, why?" he questions, only too aware of my intended desires.

I innocently stare at him for a moment, biting down on my bottom lip as a way of manipulation and contemplate how best to approach this situation without directly hurting him. Having taken time out of his day to make a table reservation for us and doing so well in advance by the looks of it, I'm in no position to push this, yet feel I can't let this newly engaged couple pass by without at least suggesting what I have in mind. That being said, I'm well aware Aidan is determined to make this trip as perfect as possible for us and by putting my plan in place I am most definitely compromising that.

"Table for two, Aidan Richards." he recites to Julia without so much as taking his beautiful eyes off of me, which stems the waitress to look through her book and smile once locating his name. "Enjoy your meal you two and congratulations." he then smiles, aiming his statement at the somewhat stunned couple, both of which sporting rather shocked expressions.

"What? Are you sure? We don't want to impose on your night." expresses Mr blue eyes, seemingly looking to his fiancé for approval.

"Of course, it's a special night for you both. You deserve that table." ensures Aidan, sickening them both with a smile bright enough to light up an entire city.

I couldn't be more proud of him in this moment and although I'm essentially the one who asked him to do this, his willingness to comply to such a demand is really rather inspiring to watch. He really is the only man for me, I think and with that thought plaguing my mind, I shrug off any unwanted feelings of dread at the prospect of him leaving soon, desperate to enjoy my final few days with him, tear-free.

"Isn't tonight special for you too?" asks the red head, gesturing a finger between Aidan and I, more than a little curious to know our circumstance.

"Every night is special with her." replies Aidan, metaphorically taking my breath away with his powerful statement. "Honestly, this restaurant has sentimental value for you both and I could never forgive myself if I ate here, knowing you couldn't." he adds, taking hold of my hand and preparing us both to exit.

"Thank you, thank you both so much." cries the red head, the underlying amount of gratitude thick in her voice.

Aidan and I both shoot them a reassuring smile and with a slight skip to our step, exit the restaurant, hand in hand.

"You're not mad, are you?" I question, ever so hesitantly once outside.

"Of course not, darling. It's only right that they got that table." he ensures, as we both aimlessly walk down the busy streets of the city that never sleeps. "Now, where's best to eat in this place with such short notice?" he asks, offering my cheek a quick kiss.

I contemplate my reply for a few short seconds before responding with an intended suggestion of, "we could head back to the hotel and order room service."

My idea appears to sit rather well with Aidan who, although trying to play things cool, looks about as excited as a young child on Christmas morning. He nods his head rather rapidly and offers me a smug smirk, gracing the world with his beautiful smile whilst doing so. Lovingly, I then reach up on my tip toes and whisper in his ear, desperate to receive the desired affect, "we could ask for no plates and just eat off each other."

Aidan, again, looks just about ready to spontaneously combust and although in very public surroundings, throws backs his head to rather erotically groan aloud, sending my body into a mass of tantalising nerves and beads of anticipation.

"Amelia, you've got yourself a date darling."

~~~~

With room service ordered over twenty minutes ago and loading up on extra desert, I find myself covered in chocolate sauce, deliciously enjoying Aidan's tongue as he attempts to remove all signs of it.

"Oh god." I moan, simultaneously arching my back off of the bed and further thrusting my hips to his. "Please!" I beg, although for what, I'm unsure.

"Please what, Amelia? What do you want?" questions Aidan, dragging his filthy tongue down the entire length of my stomach, thus, causing a very strangled cry to leave my lips.

As I continue to lay there, naked and helpless, I find my mind wandering to the current status of our neighbouring rooms and hope for the love of god that they're unoccupied. I can only imagine how we must sound through paper thin walls and the idea of anyone hearing me beg for it makes me cringe beyond belief. That being said, it still doesn't stop me.

"Please, I need you Aidan. Now!" I plead, kissing him feverishly on the lips and licking away the sweet remnants of chocolate sauce.

Accommodating as ever, he wastes no time in answering my spoken demands but rather than giving himself to me in the assumed way, I'm delighted to receive the use of his ever impressive tongue; hot, wet and pleasing. He inflicts his devilish licks onto me, one right after the other and whilst he resembles that of a starved beast, I'm soon lost in a jumble of bright lights and pleasure filled cries as I'm expertly brought to my release.

"Hmm you taste phenomenal this evening, Miss Stark. Yet, I'm still not full." grunts Aidan, slyly pealing himself away from my body and turning his back to me. "Shower. Now!" he then demands, exciting me beyond return.

I comply to his wishes and soon find myself subject to shower sex, quickly discovering that although the movies make it out to be some romantic gesture, it really is rather slippery and not sexy in the slightest.

"I'm going to fall!" I yell and although highly inappropriate, find myself giggling as we both tumble to the shower floor in an arguably unsexy heap.

Aidan is still inside me and rather than rethinking our failed position, carries on with his wicked ways.

"Are you okay?" he laughs, voice still strained as a direct consequence of thrusting in and out if me.

"Oh, god yes!" I breathe, desperate for him not to stop. "Possibly a cracked rib but nothing an orgasm can't fix." I add, laughing along when he pulls me up, situating me on top.

"I love you like this, Amelia. On top, cheeky and wet." he admits, running a hand through my soaking wet hair and littering my mouth with kisses. "I'm close, come with me, darling." he then pleads, knowing only to well I'll have no objections.

"Ok." I whisper, returning the favour by gliding my own fingers through his chocolate locks.

He suddenly and rather desperately inflicts two breathtaking thrusts, which essentially pushes us both over the edge on gargled moans and breathless shouts that I'm sure can be head from miles away. Thankfully, the shower washes away any evidence of our encounter, alongside all the stickiness from the chocolate sauce he so stubbornly insisted on smearing over me in the first place.

Afterwards, we dry off and curl up in bed together with nothing but a shit load of food and a romance movie to keep us company. It's nice feeling so close to him after experiencing what can only be described as quite an emotional day and having his body respond to mine in such an intimate way is really rather satisfying.

So satisfying, that I further wrap myself around him and land gentle kisses on his chest, deliriously happy as I make my trail.

"I love you, Aidan." I state, carefully manoeuvring myself further up the bed to straddle his waist. "I hope you know I'll forever think of you when eating chocolate sauce." I cheekily add, dragging my lips along his slightly rough jawline, relishing it its textured feel.

His face seems to light up to huge amounts before the full affect of my words register and his entire expression drops to a more serious one.

"And I hope you know I'll forever think of you, period." he states, returning the gesture by grazing his slightly swollen lips along my neck, comforting me in ways I never knew possible.

His words seem to offer me a sense of peace and while I desperately want to stay awake and enjoy talking to him some more, the battle between consciousness and sleep is seemingly lost as darkness clouds my vision and I drift off into an easy snooze, beautifully surrounded by my man.

The love of my life.

~~~~