going insane. I want to see her – I need to see her. I haven't been able to get her off my mind, eve

it is a rather lavished looking place, it didn't seem like she is still living off her parent's wealth and is probably living off the funds of her cake store. She never st

'first' official date is still special to me, but things didn't go exactly as planned afterwards. When Ava had been struck

as guilty as that made me feel. But when I had learned that there was a chance Ava would never remember me, or the time we had spent togethe

as h

thing and everything I could to get close to her, I almost resorted to stalking her, but left most of that up to Lucas. He tracked her as far as San Francis

time she had been in the school walls. It was the perfect opportunity to get my second chance at a life with her. My det

g of everything slipping through my fingers. I had panicked, and did the only thing I thought I co

ed her to remem

oth a good, a

it for the next time we would be separated. I had snuck out and went to her house, the night right before I lost her. I had rushed everything, and slept with her. We had b

ives, from the mom

ars of her life, one of the most precious y

wasn't

y chest and I try to

o do it righ

be in Emily's life so bad, the want is just as great as my need for Ava. I never thought I would feel this way about anyone else, unt

ything with her is new and exciting, I love

itness, I will m

*

asked once more if I could go up and meet Emily, but I could tell Ava was even worried about leaving her with the babys

appened three years ago. Why did she just lea

when the doorman opens the door for Ava. When he clea

above her knees, paired with a dark blue shawl to keep away the nip in the wind, a

et ahead of myself now, there is no going back. I won't get the answe

e her running

the corner of her mouth. She bites her lip and nods her head in thanks, her cheeks turning a bright r

of my step as I did. I tore into the night, wanting to get to my set up as quick

the bottom of her dress. I reach my hand over to cover hers, giving her fi

" I say, and can't help the cheesy grin that stre

know, " she teases, but I can tell i

ad the chance, or the time, to say any of these things to you before. Now, I wa

he window. I crack a small smile, knowing I left her speechless, and c

has no idea what I have in store, and that makes me all the more excited for the surprise I fina

to the 'closed' sign, even though the sign under that rea

e door already unlocked for me like I had requested. There is a young man standing

picks up two place mats. "Follow me, through this way, " he says and leads us through

ders relax a little, glad that she seems pleased with the surprise so far. We are led to a two-seat, r

k around for the presence of other people. I le

o overwhelm you, " I say and feel sweat gather on the back of my neck. She looks a

t too much at all. B

out the place for a few hours, so we ca

Why would you do that? I can't

as I can get." I smile tenderly at her and watch her melt under my gaze. The waiter returns with two menus and

and vegetables a lot

r whole them

er menu curiously.

perfect example is a fruit bowl, you get to choose which fruits you want in the bowl from the garden,

s and gapes at me. I nod simply

the very specific reason, I br

nd raises and eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me

take a little more e

s to take our order. I'm thankful when Ava and I both order a meal with fruit, mine

on again with two small wicker baskets. He hands them to each of us and walks off without

to the thicker parts of the garden, where most of the fruit trees and bushes are. I keep walking

t me here, and did all of thi

I realized my feelings for you, and the tim

k. We silently bend down and start to pick our handful of strawberries, before I lead her towards the othe

to refill our wine glasses, and leave the bottle this time. Now is the perfect opportunity

shifts in her seat and bites her lip, but doesn't protest. So, I continue after a deep breath

sk it for as long as I have been wondering. She herself takes a deep breath and

ly two weeks and 2 days pregnant. I knew I couldn't hide it from my parents, so I told them, and my father lost control. He wanted to know how it had happened, but I couldn't give you up, so his p

ling slightly. I take my chair and move it closer

culinary and pastry art. When Emily turned two, I had saved up enough money to finally move away from my family and buy out what is now my small bakery shop. I

from me. Her father had taken her away from me. He is the reason I spent the last three years in agonizing heartbrea

st was soon replaced with a

nted right now; Ava and our beautiful daughter, and the memories of raising our family to

ty and wonder, and I hope she can't see the ange

ing about?" she ask

She smiles tenderly and looks down at our conjoined fingers, my thumb rubbing soothing ci

I would see you a

a promise I made to myself the day I discovered you were gone, like a puff of smoke in the wind. It wasn't enough

you don't plan to confront my father,

er she knew where he is or not, I have plenty of con

nd our daughter. I need to break through whatever fears sh

l, and that's all I want myself and Emily. She is still very young and impressionable; I don't want her to b

th of her skin, and I s

or Emily, and I will fight until my last breath to make sure that never happens." I look at he

I melt at the mere sight of it, and the cursed butterflies are

beautiful, I almo

didn't fight me for, she quickly pulls out her phone and scans the screen. A ping of

?" I ask, as we wa

bout a half-hour ago, she isn't sure when I wil

ngs to her in bed. It has been so long since that last night, she still looks just as gorgeous now as she did then,

night guiding our way, as a comfortable silence settles in the car. I reach over and gra

me, when we pull up in front of her apartment building. I see her

ut of my chest as I nod, not trusting my voice. She smiles and waits for me to run around and open the door

at me and leads us

nt to smothe

of wanting to push her up against the wall, and take her right here, was overpowering. I let out a sign of relief when the door fin

e over the exposed skin on her back and shoulders, watching he

as all but disappeared completely, my hold very slight on it. I don't respond, my eyes unab

l it takes. I cross the room in a flash and capture her lips in a hungry, heated kiss. I'm relieved w

taste. I want her closer, as close as humanly possible. The urge to pick her up and haul her off to the bedroom, to c

whisper against her lips

tone, her voice sounding l

ng. Make me the happiest man alive, Ava, and let me sleep wit

ng on my chest slightly. "I

se again, but her senses are rushing back to her, and she pushes me away fur

and turns back towards the door. "Maybe another nigh

ds her, a sly smile spr

time, and allows me to pull her into my chest. I rest my chin on top of her head, running my fingers through her

smirk on her face. I feel the conversation coming to

letting my lips linger on hers before pulling

e of the door, to try and regulate my breathing. I seem to forget about everything when I am with Ava, even basic needs lik

to Ava about confronting her father, but I also knew she would have never approved of me seeking him

d, I pull out my phone and quickly pull up a

u, something a little m

! Call you tomorrow, goi

in my pocket, already for

k time. Bra