We wish Eleanor a nice trip after a long moment of chatting while waiting for her departure time. At last the second announcement of her flight is heard, and it feels like our moment has been extremely short-lived. I really love having her around as she's the best mother figure I've ever met.

For the umpteenth time she insists that we should stop thinking of the accident and focus on happy things. Well, she's right. There's no point spending the whole day reminiscing about an aching memory. What's done is done, and the future can be bright if we let it. Even if it's hard, I'm sure we can work it out.

"Call me when you arrive at home," Liam tells her.

"I will." She smiles, giving him a soft pat on the cheek. "Take care, honey." She throws a mirthful glance my way, and I just nod in similar fashion.

She finally walks away.

"I'll miss her." I sigh exhaustedly, but my smile returns right away when my boyfriend gives me a side hug.

"Tired?" he murmurs, eyes on me.

"A little," I reply, wrapping my arm around his tight waist. "Shall we go now?" I gaze up at him.

He grins boyishly. "Unless you want to sleep here, then yes. You need a rest, let's go."

Too tired from the long, emotional day, I decide to spend the night at the hotel. After a simple dinner right inside our room, we take a quick shower and stay on the couch, hibernating. My head is resting against Liam's chest, his arms wrapped around my belly, both of us facing the chirping TV.

There's a movie on the screen, but I don't think I'm paying attention to it as my mind's strangely divided between the past and the present. None of us say it, but it's evident that the topic is still fresh in our heads, like something malignant. I can't seem to just forget it, and I know that's exactly the case for Liam.

"I'd like to remember everything," he utters gently, playing with my curls in a soothing manner, his fingers caressing my scalps. I draw back a bit to look him in the eyes. "It's more tormenting not knowing the whole thing, Kira."

"I know," I answer with a grave sigh, "but you don't need to push yourself, Liam. In due time you'll remember everything, even though I wish you'd stay oblivious forever."

"Is it that scary?"

"It's horrible. That's the only word I could use," I reply. "And I'm sure you can tell from the little piece you can remember. If it were possible to erase a memory, then I'd have erased mine." I'd love to be free of the past but it's never possible.

But in the end, we are what we remember in our lifetime. Memories are what make us the people we deem to be.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, his voice calm and comforting.

"Don't be, just hold me." I press myself too close to him, in need to be spoiled and pampered by him.

"Or let's just go to bed?" he suggests.

"Right now?"

"Yes."

"Why? Do you want to read me a story?"

"Huh?" His body shakes as he laughs soundlessly. "Okay, I'll read you a story. Now let's turn this thing off and go to bed." He gets the remote from the coffee table as I force my body to get up.

Reading a story turns into making love. I fall asleep in his arms, hearing the sound of his breath that goes in synch with his beating heart, feeling the warmth of his body that makes it all okay.

***

The next day becomes a beautiful rainbow after a stormy night. We spend the morning at my place.. Liam is busy with his laptop and the never-ending calls regarding his work matters, and I'm in the kitchen, singing and swaying my hips at the tune of 'I ain't your mama.'

"I ain't gon' be cooking all day, I ain't your mama! I ain't gon' do your laundry . . . " My voice flies in the air, my mood at its peak.

Liam throws me an inquiring glare from time to time, but he keeps his comments to himself. Chuckling, I proceed making breakfast until the song ends and I demand his missed attention.

"Would you like some fun later?" I ask him loudly.

"I think so." He smiles, his sea-like eyes so bright like a spring afternoon.

"You're not going to ask what kind of fun?" I question, just in an attempt to tease him and his smart imagination.

"Even sitting here, watching you dancing over there, is an ideal kind of fun for me, Ms. Jones," Liam answers obscenely, making my insides twitch in a sultry manner.

Jeez! How could words be arousing, huh?

"Okay, I like the sound of that. But I have another plan in mind."

"Which is?" He sounds hooked, his one eyebrow coaxed up mischievously.

"Surprise, baby. Surprise." I wink at him.

Around twelve in the afternoon, I get myself fully dressed in denim hot pants and a loose white top. I tie my hair into a messy bun, keeping my looks simple, and step out radiantly. Someone looks excited when he sets eyes on me, and he can't wait to know what's planned for the day.

Patience, baby.

Liam doesn't quit making fun of my Old-Benny as we leave. He keeps saying that it might explode on the way with the rumbling noise it makes. I shut him up with a loud laugh while holding the steering tightly. This car is my most loyal property, apparently, and I love it, regardless of its age.

It's certainly not my dream car, but reminds me of my Dad's back in the days.

"I'm very serious, Kira," he insists exuberantly, a smile on his face as he inspects the dashboard. "You need a new car."

"Yeah, I've been planning to get a new car," I state truthfully.

But I need more savings for that. Just a few more.

"That can be fixed," Liam mutters under his breath and I purposefully choose to ignore.

I know what he's up to.

But I love to see him this exuberant. It's exactly what I need to rebuild my emotional health as well. How I wish these moments would never end, that he stays with me forever, so as I always witness his sweet laughter which results into mine.

"You're not going to tell me where we're going?" His voice sneaks me away from these wishful thoughts.

"Liam, can't you understand the word surprise?" I ask. "Have you been scammed in the past or something?"

"Well . . . I'm a curious being."

"Oh God." I roll my eyes. "Okay, Mr. Darcy, I'm taking you to Disneyland."

"Excuse me?" He smothers a laugh. "Disneyland?"

"Yes, my love. Disneyland." I grin at him.

A gigantic sign of Disneyland Park. I glance at Liam and he rolls his eyes.

"Don't you dare criticize my choice of a date, Liam Darcy." I unbuckle the seatbelt, and he does the same while sighing.

"This is for kids, Kira," he says bluntly when we step off the car.

"Come on, don't be such a snob." I drag him around, and he just follows like Alice in a wonderland. "I know exactly what you are gonna like, and if you don't, we're leaving right away."

"Okay," he groans.

We take our time strolling around. My smile becomes constant as this place always travels me back to my childhood. It's the reason why I sometimes choose to be here when I'm down or too happy; to reconnect with the part of me that's literally lost.

At last Liam smiles, his eyes taking in the amazing details of children running around, parents shouting for them to stay still; while in reality they're too excited.

The sight of a gigantic rollercoaster, the Castle, the fake mountains, and other details, force my cowboy to laugh a bit. The scent of candy and ice cream entertains our noses, and the sound of children chuckles fills our hearts with joy that awakens my maternal instincts.

Changing diapers already, bitch? My subconscious frowns right away, giving me the are-you-going-nuts look.

"I love kids," says Liam as he nearly bumps into a pretty little blonde with pigtails. My heart flips at the subject. He smiles sweetly at her as she jogs away. "Look, aren't they adorable?" He faces me.

"Yes, they're lovely," I reply dreamily. "So carefree. No worries about tomorrow, no fear other than of heights, maybe, and that they won't get to ride everything in this place."

We both laugh.

"Well, it's nice being here at last. It was going to be a part of that vacation if things didn't turn that way." He sighs, a hint of sadness in his breath.

My heart aches. I know a part of him is still trapped in his childhood.

"You know what, let's get the fun started!" I exclaim, pulling him hastily.

Shock grows on his face. "What? Kira—"

"No contradiction." I kiss him stoutly, my ecstasy exceeding my manners at the moment. "Shall we?" I ask him briskly like an impatient, overly excited kid.

"Do I have a choice?" he breathes, resigned in manners.

Peter Pan's flight is our first ride. We get to fly and feel the adrenaline kicking as the wind roars around us, muffled cries of joy and terror filling our ears. Liam lights up like a little boy and he can't cease telling me how exciting it is.

Next we try the Indiana Jones adventure in which we're having a quest to find treasure in the The Temple of the Forbidden as if we're explorers. I know he's Liam's favorite childhood, and I love seeing that beautiful smile adorning his handsome face.

Everything is enjoyable. I feel like I'm giving him the best summer vacation for a twelve-year-old boy, and apparently I'm feeling seven again. I stare at Liam catching his breath, a bright laughter dancing in his eyes even though he's not really laughing.

"What?" I pant, my lips stretched into a smile.

"That . . . was incredible!" he admits.

Yes! My subconscious and I clink our champagne flutes.

"I wonder who said it was for kids again," I tease, and he jerks my neck playfully until he kisses my lips.

"I had no idea it would be this endearing," he says..

"Oh, really now?" I blush sheepishly, happy to hear that.

"I love you," he utters, staring down at me with placid eyes.

"And I you. Now let me buy you some ice-cream," I offer as we are very close the place for that matter.

I buy a large vanilla and chocolate sundae, topped with strawberries.

"Now what next?" Liam asks.

"Now I'm taking you to my favorite ride," I say mischievously, and he raises an inquiring eyebrow.

"It's not going to be in the middle of a volcano, is it?" he teases.

"What? No!" I laugh so loudly but no one seems to hear.

"Oh, better!" Liam takes a deep sigh of relief.

What a charmer!

As I promised, I force Liam into a coaster ride to Matterhorn, which is quite a nerve-wracking experience to some people. It's the adventure I love the most here. It makes me feel like I'm exploring the Swiss Alps, their craves and tunnels, in the funniest way possible.

Liam holds me tight as the canoe cracks around the artificial rocky passage filled with water, and I can't stop laughing. I think he has a little phobia for water, but I'm sure we are going to fix it as long as he's now involved with a water goddess here.

"No, Kira, this is amazing, but I definitely will never ride it again!" Liam stipulates once we're out.

"Oh come on, baby!" I laugh heartily.

"It is enough adrenaline for a lifetime. No more, for God's sake!"

"Okay, big baby, we are not riding it again," I tell him with a kiss, and I mean no word of it. I'm sure we'll be back here someday, and it'll be another funny day. "Shall we just leave for now?"

"Well, no. You said you wanted to find Nemo or something, in the submarine, right?" he asks, and I nod with a grin. "Okay, let's see if Nemo is as scary as the Swiss Alps."

Laughing louder, I mutter, "Don't worry, Mr. Darcy. This one will be a very smooth one, I promise."