Walking inside Anthony's childhood home I was hit with an unexpected homie feeling. I had expected a few things coming into the house. First, that is was big and grand, befitting that of a family owning a generations old profitable business. The second, was that it was kept and proper, everything in an ordered place. And the third, for it to smell like they had a professional chef hidden in their state of the art kitchen – which I suspected they did.

In reality however, only one of these expectations were met. The house was big, not as big as the mansion I was expecting, but a spacious four-bedroom home that made for far too much room for a family of three. The house was most certainly not kept and proper. Things were everywhere. Every single wall was covered in bright and colourful artwork that didn't seem to blend together, while the small wall spaces between each painting was cluttered in family photos. The entire sitting room basically displayed every single day in Anthony's life, from a small photo on the wall where he appeared to be a little toddler, pouting with his arms crossed as a bowl of spaghetti was seated on his head. To a more recent photo of Anthony with his arm around his mother's shoulders in front of a birthday cake.

My third expectation was, well... I think it was safe to say whoever was cooking was far worse than me. The house smelled like they were only seconds away from bringing out the fire extinguisher.

I crinkled my nose up and turned to see Anthony closing the door behind us. "Oh god, Mum let Dad cook again." He pinched his nose and shook his head. "Don't worry, we'll get take-out on the way home."

"Why does your Dad cook if he can't?"

"I could ask the same thing about you." He playfully nudged me with his elbow. "He likes cooking, well, he likes trying. I think he likes to make things for Mum; he was always making little things for her when I was kid. Too bad the guy's terrible at it."

I watched Anthony chuckle a little and followed him into the sitting room.

"It looks your life just threw up all over the walls."

"How poetic of you Babe."

"Seriously though, I think every single day of your life is captured in this very room." I spread my arms out and gestured to all the photos.

"Only child, and Mum likes art and photography so it was kind of inevitable."

"Not many baby photos?" I asked observing most of the photos were from when Anthony was five or older. Strange since babies are far cuter." In my own experiences, there was a photo of when I was a cute baby with a pink bow hanging on the wall, and then one when I graduated - that was it.

"Mum's photography got worse when she was told she wouldn't have any more kids." He said it so casually.

"Oh, I'm sorry I shouldn't have..."

"It's okay," he cut me off. "Just don't bring up that kind of thing with Mum in the room. She's okay with it now, we spent years going to one of those support groups which is actually where I met Jordan and his brother. Been friends since we were five."

"Oh well, silver linings." I smiled trying to lift the mood. My heart ached for his mother. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to crave another child but be unable to have one. But, I suppose she was lucky to at least have one.

He chuckled. "It all works out in the end."

We walked through the rest of the house until we made it to the dining room where the food was being set on the table.

Food might be a bit of a stretch.

True.

More like rocks and coal, with a light sprinkle of dust.

"Looks great Dad," Anthony slapped his father's back and sat down at the table, not waiting for anyone else before he began plating up.

Anthony's father pouted a little sending a small glare towards his son. "It looks fine." He said responding to his son's sarcasm.

"Exactly what I said."

I rolled my eyes at Anthony and sat down opposite him. "It looks great, really."

Anthony's father beamed at me. "I hope you like it."

I looked back over the food taking in the round dark coloured object that looked like a burned meat ball. "Oh I'm sure I will, I love Meatballs."

His expression fell. "Their potatoes."

Oh snap!

I bit my lip and looked away a little ashamed of myself while Anthony flat out laughed.

Sandra quickly walked in as her husband retreated back into the kitchen.

"So what time is the pizza getting here then?" Anthony asked her.

She slapped her sons shoulder lightly. "Be nice to your father, he wanted to do something nice for you both."

"Mum, trying to give us food poisoning isn't what I call love."

"Anthony Levi Renner, be on your best behaviour or I will ground you."

"I don't even live here anymore!"

She narrowed her eyes at her son. "A mother can always ground her child." It was a threat like no other.

I tried my hardest to keep from laughing but failed miserably, erupting into small bursts of laughter, only interrupted by the occasional snort.

His parents joined us and we all sat down for a burned pot roast with potatoes - not meatballs - and beans. It was a pleasant meal if only for the company. The meal on the other hand was so bad that I considered just dumping it on the floor and kicking it under the table. I wonder if they had a dog anywhere?

I looked around briefly seeing no evidence of a pet. Looks like I was going to have to eat my own dinner. Anthony played with his food, pushing it around his plate, never once taking an actual bite. Sandra had eaten half her plate, grimacing after every bite she took before finally giving up.

"Okay," Anthony's father Elliot finally put down his cutlery after struggling to cut into his baked potato. "Order your pizza and be done with it."

Anthony sprung from his chair and raced for the house phone. "Usual everyone?" He called over his shoulder, his fingers already dialing.

Sandra smiled softly at her husband. "It was a lovely thought honey." She quickly cleared away the plates.

"I apologise." Elliot spoke only to me now. "I had wanted to show my support through this," he waved at the table of burned food in front of him."

I smiled. "No worries, I can't cook either. Last time I even attempted to make my own breakfast, I got my toast suck in the toaster and broke it. I had to go find a new toaster identical to that one or Anthony would know I broke it." I answered him honestly.

Elliot chuckled. He reminded me of Anthony when he chuckled like that. There was a youthful look in his eyes that sparked with his amusement.

"If you two are done competing for the worst cook ever award," Anthony leaned against the door between the dinning room and kitchen. "Want to take a walk?" He asked me.

I got up from my chair and slipped my arm through Anthony's, letting him lead me away from the dinning room and outside. They were on a nice big block of land with a large backyard. A fernery with a large kidney shaped pond built off the back of the decking. A row of fruit trees lined the back of the property and hedges and rose bushes ran along the edges of the yard leaving the middle with nothing but freshly mowed green grass - perfect for playing ball games.

Anthony led me to the back of the backyard and opened the gate revealing a large park. There was a large body of water with large, well-established trees and a large hut that reminded me of our room by the beach during our pre-honey moon. It was beautiful as the sunset and fairy lights in the trees began to turn on and dragonflies buzzed around the top of the pond.

"It's so pretty." I looked around watching as the white-blue lights changed to a purple colour, and then a pink.

"It's nice a place when you need a break. I used to come out here and sit under that tree," he pointed at the biggest tree in the park. It's roots misshapen and poking up from the ground in many places as if it wasn't planted deep enough into the ground.

As I looked at the tree positioned by the hut I pictured white lanterns hanging from the roof and a white carpet running all the way down the two steps into an isle way. Chairs seated on either side and red rose petals scattered across the white carpet. Purple and blue flowers scattered around in bouque and the men's ties to match.

"What do you think?" I asked him.

"Think about what?" He looked at me with clear confusion.

"Why don't we have the wedding here. It will be small, intimate and more personal than a church."

He smiled genuinely at me. "Sounds perfect to me."

I smiled content with the new arrangement. A part of me was looking forward to the wedding now. I imagined the ceremony. Dressed in a beautiful dress, simple and classic, walking down the aisle to Anthony who no doubt would be wearing a smug smile. I smiled at his expression - it was all too real.

But then there was a pang in my chest. Something that seemed to be weighing on my conscience more than I wanted it too.

"I met with Jarrad today." I confessed feeling the weight lift off my shoulders. I didn't know why I was keeping it a secret. I didn't know why I felt anxious about telling Anthony, about his reaction or what he thought. I cared about Anthony and even though I talked to Jarred for closure and nothing else, I still felt guilty.

Anthony didn't respond, only pushed his lips together and nodded his head a little, looking down at the grass.

"A coffee shop by work, he caught me on a break and sat down. He just wanted to explain why he broke up with me. Nothing else. I promise"

I saw the hint of a small smile, but Anthony's eyes were still glued to the blades of grass. "Guys don't care what their Ex's think unless they're hoping to rekindle that relationship."

"I made it clear I don't want that."

"Oh." He looked up at me now, his eyes studying me. "And what do you want Sky?"

I swallowed trying to keep my wits about me. Trying to keep my courage close and mental lapses far, far away. "You." I finally said.

Anthony took a step towards me. "What was that?"

I smirked knowing full well that he had heard me the first time. "I want you."

He took another step. "Sorry babe, still can't hear you." He smirked now, unable to hide his amusement. Or was that happiness?

I rolled my eyes and took a step to close the distance between us, wrapping my arms around his neck while he wrapped his arms around my waist. "I want you Anthony Renner."

"Well what a coincidence. I want you too."

I giggled before he silenced me with a kiss.

I was so lost in the kiss. Lost in the way his arms tightened around my middle and held me close to his body, so close that his warmth heated my body and I felt like he was simply an extension of my body. I was lost in the way his warm breath tickled my skin, sending a jolt of pleasure down my spine. And I was lost in the way he held me, the way I felt cuddled against him, the way he made me feel. Safe. Warm. And like time has stopped and the world had stopping spinning leaving us in this moment of pure bliss. Just us. Nothing else existed outside this kiss, not even the small raindrops beginning to fall around us.

Anthony broke the kiss, his forehead leaning against my own. "Should we go inside?"

I nodded my head more than necessary. He chuckled and threaded his fingers through mine before leading me back to the house.

Gently closing the back door behind us, Anthony grabbed my arm and pressed his finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. He smirked and gestured towards the staircase. I rolled my eyes and tried to repress my smile as we started to climb the stairs.

We turned into the first door on the right and Anthony's old bedroom loomed before me. A desk still cluttered with dusty university books, a cluttered book self filled with titles such as Lord of the Rings and other fantasy styles. I smiled seeing a new side to him, a man who enjoys a good fantasy novel. I moved and took a seat on the bed.

He closed the door smirking and walked eagerly towards me. His hand cupped my cheek and he tilted my face up and placed a kiss on my lips. A deep, hungry kiss that seem to surge through my body like a car being jump-started. He pushed me back onto the bed and followed me down, my body slightly crushed under the weight of him but he quickly positioned himself on the bed and lightened the weight. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him to me, while my fingers played with his hair - slightly damp from the raindrops outside.

His tongue traveled lightly over my bottom lip before he pulled the flesh between his teeth and sucked, rolling it between his teeth. I moaned, encouraging him. His body pressed harder against me as his hands held him up over me. I moved my hands down his back and played at his bare skin showing as his top moved with his movements. I slipped my hands inside his top and let my fingers explore the muscle. Flexing and tensing under my touch, I smiled against his lips.

My phone started to ring in my back pocket. I groaned and pulled open Anthony's shirt.

"Don't you dare get that." He whispered against my lips before he continued to kiss me, shifting his arms until his shirt was off revealing his naked chest.

Drawing my nails up and down his skin, stimulating his senses, my phone stopped ringing and I was glad of it. Nothing was interrupting me now.

Anthony pulled back, and lifted my own top off over my head until I laid before him in my purple spotted bra with lace trimmings. "Beautiful." He spoke before leaning back over me, his lips quickly finding my neck. Leaning on one elbow, his other hand traveled down my centre, tickling my skin and making everything that much more sensitive.

His lips began to travel south. Moving from my neck his lips kissing my pulse, and then down to my collar down. His mouth skillfully leaving a long line of kisses, down over my covered breasts and down over my stomach where they hovered for a moment.

Anthony's phone began to ring. "Don't you dare." I repeated his own words back to him, refusing to acknowledge anything but his lips on my skin.

His hand slowly started to peal off clothing. I felt vulnerable. I felt exposed. More so than I had ever before. But I trusted him. I wanted him. Wanted him to see me, I wanted him to touch me, to see everything part of me body and soul and still look at me the way he had looked at me tonight. To hold me the way he had moments before.

I arched my back as he pulled away, pulling off more of his clothes - kicking off his shoes and unbuttoning his pants.

My phone began again, vibrating in my pocket that was now on the floor. I frowned and faced it while Anthony was fiddling with his button. His own phone began calling again at the same time and he paused, frowning. They were both calling at the same time?

We both paused a moment before we heard another phone join the chorus. It was the house phone.

"What the..." He muttered to himself and reached for his phone. He paused to look at me and I nodded, allowing him to answer. "Who ever is on the other end of this is a dead man." He grumbled not too pleased with the interruption. "Hello?"

The space between us as Anthony listened to the caller allowed me to grab a blanket and pull it over myself, covering my too exposed body. Turning to face him, I smiled at Anthony but his expression fell. I frowned unsure. Did I do something wrong? Or was it the phone call. He swallowed hard and his body tensed. "Okay. We'll be there." He answered hanging up.

He hopped off the bed and pulled on his shirt before fixing the button on his pants. "What's wrong?" I asked him as I sat up, my feet dangling from the side of the bed. He threw me my clothes and ran a hand through his hair.

"Sky," he started but the stopped. "I - uh." He struggled to find the words. "Your dad had an accident. He's in the hospital."

My heart stopped.