you sat on the office couch, eyes directed at your too focused boyfriend rather than the book in your hands. you loved aaron, you really did, but he’s been awfully busy for the last few days, too busy to give you any attention. only short good mornings, or good nights. he’d be gone when you woke up, and absent when you went to bed. you were sure he’s absolutely exhausted. the bags under his eyes becoming more prominent day by day. only did he look up from his laptop screen, or his papers say “oh, hello love,” or something like that.

you understood him. you knew he wanted to rave about how much he loved you, you knew how he wanted to lay in your lap and watched as you went on about your day. yet, he couldn’t. he has a full time job as the supreme commander. oh how you missed your aaron.

every time you’ve called him over to take a break, he’d simply say “5 more minutes love, i promise.” but did he fulfill those promises? no. just sweet nothings. 

“love?” he called.

“yes aaron?” you smiled down at him, staring at you from your lap.

“how was your day?” he inquired, causing you to put your book down.

“so-.....”

“aaron?” you tried, looking up from your book, some form of despair in your eyes, and your tone. “yes, love?” he looked up from his screen. you’re sure that was the first time he made full eye contact with you in the last 7 hours. you've been on this couch for 3. it’s 10.36 pm. “c’mere?” you patted your lap. his eyes looked dead, his eye bags only slightly covered by the frame of his working glasses. he unexpectedly got up and walked closer towards you. soon enough, he found peace on your lap, laying down sideways, staring at god knows what. you gently ran your hands into his hair, playing with a few strands. “oh my sweet boy.” you hummed.

By the time I’d gotten out of the shower, Aaron still wasn’t out of his office. He’d been there for hours, hunched over the same piece of paper. A little worried, I go to check on him, walking in to find him sitting there, so upright it look like a type of victorian punishment, pen down, staring out into the distance. My footsteps echo down the walkway but he doesn’t move an inch.

“Aaron, love,” I murmur gently, my voice a tender, steady hum over the soft silence.

He doesn’t respond and just stares forwards, lost in a hypnosis of his own thoughts. I’ve seen him like this before and I know it’s not a good thing.

“Aaron,” I say again, a little louder and slightly more urgent.

“Hmmm,” he hums in response not even meeting my eye.

The worry in the pit of my stomach only blossoms like a cherry tree in the springtime, with coiling, twisting branches of anxiety, flowering the most delicate petals of panic.

I chew the inside on my cheek, “what’s wrong?” I dare to ask.

“Nothing,” he replies, his voice distant like he wasn’t quite in the room with me.

“Aaron,” I whisper, sliding my hands up his back slowly with the gentlest fingers, only to stop at his shoulders to massage the tension knots out.

“Yes love,” he says to me, avoiding my gaze even though I know he can feel it burning a hole in the back of his skull.

“Talk to me,” I urge him in barely a whisper.

He shakes away my touch and my hands fall slack to my sides, weighted with rejection.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” he sighs, standing up, his back to me.

I inhale deeply. I don’t want to get emotional because usually I’m not, but something about this cold, distant manor struck something in my chest.

“Aaron please,” I say, stepping in front of him, placing one hand on his chest. There’s a rawness to my voice that makes my throat ache, “you have to stop shutting me out, I thought we got past this.”

“You should go and rest,” he murmurs finally meeting my eyes, as he puts his hands on my rounded belly.

I understand now why he refused to look at me for so long. His eyes speak words he has no control over. Deep in the green lies all his pain. Whatever is going through his mind isn’t pleasant.

Still, my specification to address the matter is still being turned down. He’s completely avoiding the subject matter, as if the words never left my lips. He used to be like this all the time, closing me off, locking himself away, drowning in his own issues, refusing to even touch the lifeline bobbing on the surface for him to hold onto.

Aaron had always been stubborn, he didn’t want help. He’d rather stay silent and carry his own burden, rather torment himself into an unhealthy state than ask. Good damage, he used to call it. But once, it got too much and he finally let me in and he made a promise. He promised he wouldn’t go back to way he was. Not with me.

I fold my arms and pin my eyes to his, “I won’t rest until you tell me what’s wrong.”

An ultimatum. I need his attention.

“I promise, love, I’m perfectly happy,” he lies, with a forged smile, “I have you and our beautiful, beautiful child that you’re carrying, what more could I want?”

It’s not the lie that hurts, it’s not even how easily he managed it. It’s the fact he feels he has to lie to me, to hide from me.

“I can feel it when you’re not right you know,” I whisper, touching my heart, “in here.”

He looks at me, his emerald eyes burn. For a moment his expression softens, he breathes a little. He’s less chief commander and more the Aaron I know. The kind man, with soft eyes, gentle hands and sweet lips. The man who would burn the world for me or stand by my side as I burnt it. My Aaron. Then something shifts, a bitter frost comes in and sends an icy sheet all over.

“I need to shower,” he says quickly, “get some sleep, love, you look tired.”

I could’ve stayed there and argued. I wanted to, but he turned away too fast predicting my next move. I run my fingertips over my bump and sigh. He’s right, I am tired. I just hate it when he wasn’t okay, in fact I can’t bear it. It’s as if someone iswas torturing me, burning me alive, scraping my skin off a centimetre at a time, plucking my eyeballs out.

I walk to our bedroom slowly, pushing down my annoyance in the helplessness I feel. If he doesn’t talk, I can’t read his mind, I can’t know his problem, I can’t help. I get into bed, slipping under the covers but not laying down quite yet.

I listen for the shower running but don’t hear a sound, only the soft sloshing of bath water. Aaron bathes when he is stressed, so this only confirmed further that something was playing on his mind.

I try to wrack my fogged mind for what it could be. His work in rebuilding our government had been extensive and stressful but he had never caved under that sort of pressure before. He usually thrived under it. This was something else, I am almost sure of it. But what else? Is it something I’ve done? As far as couples go, I’d always thought we’d handled problems well but maybe he did have a problem with me, maybe I’d done something wrong…

I’m suddenly aware of the bathroom door opening, interrupting my train of thought, as its light shines into the bedroom. Aaron walks in and I can tell he’s caught off guard with the fact that I’m awake. Something between alarm and shock splashes through his eyes for a fraction of a second as he approaches. His eyebrows slowly draw inwards, pinching together in concern.

“You’re still awake, love?” he asks me.

I hum in reply.

“Why do you feel guilty?” Aaron says suddenly, going very still.

I sometimes forget he can feel what I feel, “have I done something?” I reply, “is that why you’re acting off?”

His face breaks into a sad sort of smile, “no, not you, never you.”

I rest my head back on the headboard, fighting with droopy eyelids to keep myself awake. I don’t push him any further, as long as it wasn’t my doing, I would wait for him to be ready to tell me.

He slips into the bed beside me and holds my cheek in one hand, his thumb gently brushing just under my eyes. I melt into his touch, the exhaustion getting stronger and stronger by the second.

“Oh love,” he murmurs, his voice so tender it makes my hearts ache.

I smile tiredly letting the weight of my head fall into his palm.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers, his eyes pinned to me roaming over my every feature as if it were the most mesmerising sight he’d ever seen, “so so beautiful.”

“Hold me,” I mumble into his warm skin, craving his touch, to be in his arms.

“Of course,” he says, enveloping his arms around me and tucking me into his chest, hiding me away from the rest of the world.

I breathe him in, the warmth of his skin on mine, our hearts thumping to the same beat. I nuzzle into the crook of his neck, my face buried in his skin. I feel myself grow heavier, less alert as I match my breathing to his.

“Do you want to lay down?” he whispers, probably noticing how my limbs growing heavy.

I hesitate for a moment.

“I won’t let go,” he says, reading my mind, “I promise, I only suggested it because it might make it easier for you to sleep that way.”

I don’t want to sleep, not really. There’s still a part of me that wants to know what’s wrong but my body can only fight the exhaustion for so long. Still, I am committed to stay awake just a little longer.

We lay down together, his arms still around me. I’m cocooned in his body. His hand meet at the bottom of my swollen belly, holding my bump with the utmost care, as if it were the most delicate thing on this universe. His chest is pressed firmly against my back, warm and protective as his legs intertwine themselves with mine. I can feel his slow and steady breathing on the back of my neck, tickling me slightly. The silence between us is heavy and makes my ears ache for sound but I couldn’t think of the right thing to say.

“I’m sorry,” he says, a little strained, in a low voice as if the noise was coming from the back of his throat.

Confusions washes a tidal wave over me, “what are you apologising for?”

I don’t get a response for a long while. I almost think he’s fallen asleep, after his breathing slows. His heart beat a little faster than usual against my back, my only indication that he’s working himself up to admit something. Something that makes him nervous to say out loud. I wait, giving him the time to form the words and the courage to say them.

“I find it hard to talk,” he begins slowly. I can hear each syllable is a struggle for him to say.

“I know,” I murmur, bringing his hands to my lips. I kiss them both gently to silently tell him that I am here to listen when he is ready. He doesn’t have to tell me tonight, or tomorrow night, or even the night after. However long he needed, I would wait for. He understands what I’m saying without me having to even say the words. And still he chooses to whisper seven words into my ear.

“I don’t want to let you down.”

It takes me by surprise. Aaron Warner is not a man to doubt himself, least of all doubt himself and blatantly admit it.

“Aaron what are you talking about?” I ask, rolling over so our noses touch, “you could never let me down.”

“No,” he murmurs shakily, something between pain and fear clouding over his emerald eyes, “listen love, I don’t want to mess things up.”

“Mess what up?” I say softly, my brows pinched with a gentle confusion, “tell me, explain to me.”

“I…” he falters, “…can’t.”

I take my palms to his face and hold him.

“I have seen every part of you,” I tell him, “your worst and your very best, I’m no stranger to the bad parts, so let me help you, let me in, please Aaron.”

Silence hangs in the empty space, never tiring of the wait, never growing impatient.

“I’m scared, love,” he responds finally, his voice so small I barely register it when he speaks, “I’m so so scared.”

“Scared?”

The question slips my lips before my brain has a chance to suppress it. I hadn’t meant to be so blunt. Aaron had never once, in our whole relationship, before and after marriage admitted that sentence aloud. Even when he’d looked the most petrified, physically shaking, a deathly pale, he didn’t say it.

So why now?

“I’m not going to do this right,” he continues, his words sharp and frantic, “I’m not going to be a good enough father, I’m going to ruin this child like my father ruined me, I wasn’t taught how to be a good father, I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m going to mess everything up.”

My heart shatters on the spot. It splits into a million tiny shards that hit the inner walls of my chest like shrapnel.

“Oh Aaron,” I melt, “you don’t need to be taught anything, you’re already the best man I’ve ever met, you’re not ruined at all. And you will be a good father no matter who your father was.”

“What if I become him?” he asks me, his eyes wild with panic, “worse than him?”

I wish in that moment that I’d been the one to kill his father. I would’ve made it the most excruciating experience on this planet. He would’ve been sorry before he went six feet under because no man deserves this torture, especially not Aaron. How dare the monster that called himself a father haunt his soul from the grave. It’s not right. It’s not fair.

“You won’t,” I tell him, “I know it.”

“You can’t be sure of something like that,” he replies, shaking his head, doubting all he is, all he’s accomplished, all his goodness.

I only wish he could see himself the way I see him. Maybe then he might understand.

“But I am,” I say, my voice more raw, more passionate. I know he can feel my emotions, I know he can feel the strong belief I have in him, the love that overpowers my senses. “Look at me Aaron, I know you and you are the furthest thing from the person that man was. You are going to be amazing at this and this baby is going to be so lucky and so so loved.”

He stares at me.

“I’ve never been more in love with you than I am right now,” he murmurs into my lips, kissing me slowly, passionately, longingly.

“And I don’t think I’ve ever been more in love with you than I am right now,” I reply as he draws soft circles with him thumb on my stomach.

“Thank you,” he whispers, “thank you. I don’t deserve you.”

“Don’t thank me for telling you the truth,” I reply, “and for the record you deserve every inch of me.”

“Sleep, love,” Aaron tells me gently, holding me tenderly in his arms, with a small smile on his lips, “and I’ll be here when you wake up, always.”

So I stop fighting my tired eyes and finally gave in, letting the night take me as her child, as I fall asleep in Aaron’s arms.

sorry for the lack of fics 😭😭 school has literally taken it out of me this week anywayysss thanks for reading!!

The faded light from the stars and moon cascaded into the living room when the doorbell rang out. Warner took one glance at the clock and shut his book, making his way toward the manor's front door. He stayed up waiting for you to come home and it was already one in the morning. Never would he expect you to stay out that late.

Running his fingers through his hair, he slowly pulled the door open only to be surprised by Sonya and Sara carrying you with their shoulders, nodding to whatever you were babbling about. Warner opened his mouth to talk before you finally realized where you were, your eyes lighting up to the sight of your loving boyfriend.

"Aaron!" You meet his ocean-blue eyes and stumble into his arms, erupting in giggles when he caught you. Tilting your head to the side, you sighed softly and scanned his facial features, mentally noting any change you haven't noticed before. "You look so gorgeous!"

"Hi, love." Warner furrowed his brows and kept a steady hand on your back, shifting his attention to the twins standing in front of him with a flustered expression. "How drunk did she get?"

"It's not our fault, Warner." Sara wringed her hands together and pursed her lips, trying to figure out how to explain how drunk you got. "She — er — kept buying shots because Nazeera made a bet she could drink more." She confessed and handed the blonde your leather clutch, biting back a laugh when you kept poking his cheek like a child. "She didn't win."

"Clearly." Sonya hid her own laughter when Warner gently pushed your hand away, making you pout and cross your arms. "Anyway, we're just here to drop her off since she can't walk straight without rolling her ankle."

Your eyes instantly found Warner's jade ring and — once again — you were entranced with something new. The girls raised their brows at how fast you could fixate on something, but they weren't surprised whatsoever.

Sonya shook her head, "She almost twisted her ankle making it up the pathway—"

"Girls, isn't he so gorgeous!" You cut her off and squish Warner's cheeks in your hands, eyes glazed with adoration and alcohol.

The twins shook their head, knowing it was time to leave. They nodded to Warner before turning to leave, linking their arms together as they walked the pathway down to the limo.

You giggled at Warner's face before finding both girls gone, making you pout and call out to them. "Wait, where are you two going?"

"We're leaving you with your boyfriend." Sonya started to walk backwards and waved to the two of you — blowing you an air kiss —which seemed to cheer you up straightaway. "Bye!"

"Bye!" You shout and use all your energy to wave with your entire arm, hiccupping as your cheeks flushed red from all the cold air. The door slowly shut and you looked up at Warner only to find him smiling oddly at you. Amusement or not, it confused you. "What?"

"Nothing." He kissed your temple and guided you through the house.

Although you made loads of progress entering the hallways, you were still walking like a baby deer — and your heels were not helping you situation. Warner waited a few beats before stopping all movements, bending down to take your heels off.

You yelp in surprise and hold onto the wall beside you, your feet warm again the cold, marble flooring. Huffing, you looked over at Warner only to see his blonde hair for a split second before he carried you bridal style. Your eyes instantly widened as he did so, manicured nails digging into his shoulder at the motion.

"Hold onto me tightly." Warner instructed and adjusted his hold on you, the black heels and leather clutch still in his hands.

Say what you want about Aaron Warner, but he was the truly a gentleman when he came to taking care of the ones he loved. It didn't matter what the situation was — he made sure you were tended to first.

Warner ascended the stairway leading up to your shared bedroom as your head began to droop and stifle yawns. You were beginning to fall into your sleepy state after being drunk for too long and Warner needed you awake a little longer. He knew you would beat yourself up if you went to bed with a full face of makeup.

"How was the night out?" He asked softly and gently tapped your hip, watching your eyes flutter open at the unexpected question.

"Super fun." You yawn and bury your head in his cashmere sweater, the familiar scent of gardenias filling your senses. "I think Juliette threw up in the bathroom, I'm not sure."

Warner furrowed his brows at your words as he pushed the door to the bedroom open. Sure, he wasn't entirely sure what your definition of fun was, but he doubted seeing one of your friends throw up in the bathroom was fun. Especially since Juliette was the other lightweight of the friend group.

"That's... fun?"

"Yes." You drawl and tilt your head backwards, giggling as you saw an upside down version of your shared space.

The golden chandelier appeared to be bolted in the ground and the bed seemed to be stuck to the ceiling — you were somehow amazed by it. But when you passed the mirror, the illusion broke, making you sigh and tilt your head back upright.

Carefully, Warner set you down onto the king-sized bed and assured your safety before heading into the walk-in closet to the right of the room. He knew where all you beloved items belonged in your half. Your heels by the drawers and your clutch on a shelf beside your extensive collection of Hermès bags.

While he left you alone for only a few seconds, you managed to: braid stray pieces of your hair together, hum a random melody that popped into your brain, and dramatically toss yourself back onto the bed in hopes of getting your boyfriend back quicker.

Which proved to work since he appeared a split-second later.

"I'm just going to agree with whatever that sigh was for." Warner entered from the left side of the room — holding a glass of water and aspirin.

Your face twisted in confusion when you realized he emerged from the master bathroom. You didn't even know he crossed over until now. Shaking your head, you pushed yourself up and sat on the edge of the bed, smiling softly at the man you loved oh-so much.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to your forehead, his hand running up and down your arm in comfort. "Did the girls give you water to drink before coming here?"

You nodded but took a sip from the glass anyway, lips smacking to enunciate the action. Warner rolled his eyes in amusement before thumbing the strap to your dress, cocking his head to the side when you merely blinked up at him.

"You have to change into pajamas, love." He clarified and hid a smile when you fell back on the bed like you were told your best friend just caught a deadly disease. He laced a hand with yours as you whined like a child.

"Aaronnn, it took sooo long to get ready." You complain and grab the silk pillow behind you, burying your face into the front. "I don't wannnaaa."

Warner slowly pulled the pillow away from your face and sent you an unimpressed look, arms crossing when you met his eyes. You smiled cheekily — as if you forgot what you were complaining about mere seconds ago — before sitting up again. He narrowed his eyes at your sudden change in behavior, raising a brow when your smile widened.

"Can I change into your sweater? It looks really comfortable." You ask and clasp your hands together, almost begging him to allow you to wear what he was wearing.

"This?" He pinched the sweater in between his pointer and thumb, watching you nod fervently.

He wasn't sure if rewarding you for complaining was the best option, but he could use it as an incentive to get you to do other things before heading to bed. After all, you would also rope him onto the blame train about how he let you sleep with makeup on.

Warner tugged you up onto your feet again and sighed, giving into your demands. Although he made sure you couldn't get away with everything you wanted with a simple pout and big eyes.

"I'll let you wear my sweater if you go take the makeup off, brush your teeth, and use the bathroom for me."

"What — That's not fair!" You protested and stomped your foot to the ground like a brat.

Warner raised his eyebrows at you and gave you a pointed look. In your intoxicated state, he knew not to take it to heart. Yet, you were testing your limits with how bratty and child-like you were acting. He watched your front falter and instantly, he knew you folded under his fixed look.

"Fine."

Patting your hip as you walked off to the bathroom in a sluggish manner, he bit back an amused smile. Your drunken-self had a special place in his heart and if he could, he would've taken pictures of your pouting face as you went to do what he asked.

He pulled his sweater off and ran his fingers through your hair, chuckling when he heard your muffled humming. He couldn't help but peak inside the bathroom, lips turned down in a smile when he saw you leaning against the sink, using the toothbrush as a prop microphone.

"You done?" Warner interrupted your performance with small smirk, hand finding its home on the curve of your waist.

You patted your face in a towel and nodded, letting exhaustion finally take over. He led you back into the main room and ran his fingers through your hair a couple times before helping you pull yours black dress off.

"Good girl." He murmured when you easily followed his steps, letting you sit on the bed in compensation for the lack of energy.

Yawning, you rubbed your eyes before finally focusing them to the man in front of you. Maybe you truly were losing your mind to fatigue, but you didn't realize Warner was shirtless. His grey sweats were hanging low on his hips, revealing your favorite tattoo of his. Your eyes followed every muscle up until you met his eyes, your own blown wide at the lack of coverage.

"Arms up, love." He held back a smirk at your distracted state, pressing a kiss to the top of your head before pulling the sweater over your head. Warner gently moved your hair out from under the fabric, tucking it to the side before smiling at you. "There."

You hum appreciatively and crawl over to your side of the bed, eyes shining brightly once more when he turned around to put away your dress. His back tattoo now faced you as he walked the space of the room. You mentally traced each letter on his back, letting them engrave themselves into your mind.

I G N I T E

Warner turned back around only to see your hazed look, pursing his lips together in amusement when you instantly clambered over to him as he finally joined you in bed.

Your eyes trail up his body to meet his gorgeous blue eyes, biting your bottom lip to contain your enjoyment. Even in your drunken state, you enjoyed staring at Warner no matter what. You ruffled his hair and kissed his jaw, Warner's arms encircling you.

"So so so gorgeous." You whisper and flashed your charming smile — sighing softly when he gave you a quick yet warming kiss.

"Not as stunning as you." He tangled your legs together and allowed you to trace your name into his arms, watching your eyes slowly accept their tiredness.

You yawn and nuzzle your head closer to him, tucking it under his chin. "Even when I'm drunk?"

The crackling of the fireplace took over the few seconds of silence as Warner adjusted his hold on you, kissing your forehead when he finally settled. He contemplated your words for a second. He knew he loved your either way, but watching you blink up at him expectantly made his hear swell in so much love and emotion.

"Of course." He finally answered and gave you a reassuring grin, lifting one hand to brush stray pieces of your hair away from your eyes. "I love you however you are."

"You love me?" You ask softly — as if you both haven’t said that to each other before. Your smile widens and a bright blush rises to your cheeks, not at all embarrassed at how you were acting.

Well, not until the next morning. Warner wouldn't let you forget this if you tried to block it out.

"I love you too." You whisper and make a quick glance to his lips before meeting his eyes again.

"Yeah?" He chuckled and thumbed your cheek, feeling you melt from his touch.

Warner couldn't remember what it felt like when you weren't in his life. You were the light in his dark story. Every single interaction with you made him fall harder. It didn't matter if you were sober, drunk, sleeping, reading, or even just existing. He loved you for who you were and he would do every thing keep you happy.

"Yes." You murmur and kiss his palm. "You being gorgeous was just a bonus."

"Mhm." He tugged you closer and pressed one last kiss to the top of your head, breathing you in. "Let's go to bed before hungover you gets made for staying up to late."

"You make me too happy for me to get mad." You argue but melt like putty in his arms, focusing on the steady beat of his heart. You shut your eyes and sleepily confess your love again, smiling when he held you tighter. "Love you."

"Goodnight, love."

You saw his eyes suddenly dimmed when you mentioned it. He just gave you a soft hum and leaned down to kiss you again. You knew that he hated thinking about his birthday. He hated celebrating it because of the violent abuse he had faced from his father during his birthdays. This was his first birthday since his father died, and you wanted him to have a different memory. You wanted to replace the terrible memories from his past birthdays into good, happy ones. 

So, when he had prisoned himself in his office for the rest of the day, you knew that he had occupied himself with work. You took that opportunity and decided to prepare something special in the dining room. You decorated it with different colored balloons, cooked his favorite food and even ordered him a birthday cake. It was his first birthday cake in his life, and you wanted it to be special. 

You wanted everything to be special.

“I have been better.” 

You looked over your shoulder as you set the food that you just finished cooking on the dining table. Aaron’s voice echoed quietly through his office door. You furrowed your brows and wondered if he was on the phone. As you continued to finish setting the table, you realized that it was already late afternoon. Aaron was still in his office, and he hadn't come out once. In fact, he didn’t even bother coming out to have lunch. You have occupied yourself too much the whole day that you were just now realizing that you haven’t seen him since this morning. 

“I don’t need your validation.” 

You heard Aaron’s voice again through his office door. This time, he sounded angry and frustrated. Then the moment you looked over your shoulder, you saw him stormed out of the office and into the bedroom. Finishing what you were doing, you quietly walked down the hall and into the bedroom. You wondered if he was talking to someone on the phone that made him stressed and angry. 

Pushing the door open, you saw Aaron had his back against the headboard and his knuckles digging into his eyes. He looked stressed, and you didn’t know what to do or say to be able to comfort him. 

“Aaron?” You whispered, slowly walking up to him. 

“What is it?” He asked, his voice cold.

“Are you okay?” 

He exhaled a sharp breath and sat up straight on the bed. His green eyes were dark, and you could see the frustration that was washing over his face. He ran his fingers through his blond hair and exhaled a deep sharp breath.

“I just need space.” He said. “Work is stressful right now.”

You pursed your lips, hesitating whether to move closer to him or not. You knew it wasn’t work that was stressing him out. It was this day, and you didn’t want to bother adding more stress for him. Although, you also wanted to be there for him. So, you were currently debating in your head what to do.

“Maybe you should try taking a break for today.” You suggested.

Aaron sighed and got up from the bed and fixed his suit. He stared into your eyes, and you could see the coldness that was washing over him. It was almost like you couldn’t find the Aaron that you knew. This was the Aaron that he would show to other people. Not to you. 

“I can’t.” He murmured, his breath hitching. “I have to finish this.”

“Aaron.” You gave him a worried look. “What can I do to help?”

“I… need to just be alone right now.” He said, stepping forward.

“Aaron, please. Talk to me.” You begged.

“Love,” you felt your back pressed against the door, his hand pressed against it next to your head as he looked deep into your eyes. “Please… just go.”

You held in your emotions and the knot that was slowly forming in your stomach as you stared into his eyes before walking out of the bedroom. You grabbed your keys and walked out the front door, feeling your heart break into pieces as you entered your car. You tried to understand him today because you knew that it was a hard day for him, but you wished you could just do something. You wished you could take all of his pain away. You just wanted to be there for him. 

You wanted to make him feel better. 

But instead, he was closing himself off.

You drove around the neighborhood for a little while, hoping to clear your mind until you had to go and pick up the cake for him from the store. It wasn’t the end of the day yet. You still had time to make things better. To make this birthday of his more special than the ones he had before. 

“How does this look, miss?” One of the workers from the bakery carried the cake and showed it to you.

You smiled slightly and stared at the cake. It had white frosting and a writing that said, “Happy Birthday, Aaron!” in red icing. You nodded your head at the lady as she gave you a smile back before packing the cake in a box. Walking out of the store, the sun was slowly setting in the horizon. It had been an hour since you left the house, and you could feel yourself starting to feel a little hungry. 

You just hoped Aaron was okay. 

Entering the house, it was quiet. The lights from the kitchen illuminated the hall, and you saw his office door was still closed. Setting the cake inside the fridge, you went into the bedroom and changed into the dress that you bought that you thought he would love seeing you wear. Then, a sudden crash coming from his office caught your attention. 

“Aaron?” You ran towards his office and knocked on the door. 

As soon as you opened the door, you were greeted by documents scattered all over the floor. The office was a mess, and you saw him lean his back against the wall in the corner and slid his body down on the floor. He was breathing heavily as he pulled his knees closed to his chest. You slowly walked towards him, sitting next to him on the floor with worried eyes.

“You… left.” Aaron breathed heavily.

“I just needed to pick up something.” You studied his facial features. “Aaron, talk to me, please.”

Aaron rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, exhaling a sharp breath. You waited until he was ready to talk. He carefully opened his eyes and hung his head low. 

“My father…” He murmured. “He always thought I was weak. He would do… things to make sure I become stronger.”

You felt your heart swell for him. It wasn’t things that Anderson did. It was whipping him to “punish” him for being so weak. As time went on, you kept thinking about it, and you wondered if Anderson did it to entertain himself too because that psychopathic man loved seeing his son suffer.

The thought of it made your body tremble in anger. 

“When he died, I felt so guilty and feeling that guilt made me feel disgusted of myself for feeling that way for a psychopath.” Aaron shook his head and stared at the empty nothingness in front of him. “It made me feel even more weak. Maybe he was right.”

You caressed his forearm softly as you shook your head. “You’re a human being. No matter how terrible he was, he was still your father. Just because you felt that way doesn’t mean that you’re weak. It just means you’re human and have emotions.”

“I didn’t want to feel anything for that vile and psychotic man. I don’t ever want to end up like him.”

“You’re not, and you won’t.” You reassured him. “You are more than him. You’re better than him and realizing that just proves even more that you’re so much better than your father.”

You moved closer to him, intertwining your fingers with his. “You’re so strong, so smart, and you carry me. You’re always there for me, and I know it’s difficult for you to open up to others, but I know that deep inside of you, you care for them. I know it.” 

“I kept… seeing him today. Every corner of this office.” He shook his head. “It was like he was hovering and whispering in my ear.”

Now, you understood who he was talking to today. It was almost like Anderson’s ghost was haunting him, but you knew it was just all the emotions and anxiety that was triggering inside him.

“I’ve been trying to prove him wrong and with his whispers echoing in my mind all day… I…” He hung his head low again and shook his head. “It made me push you away.”

You held in the tears that started welling up in your eyes. “All the things he told you were lies. You’re not weak. You’re the strongest man I know. You have been a better man than your father ever was.” 

Aaron gave you a faint smile as he caressed your cheek with his thumb. He leaned in close, his green eyes finding yours before pressing his soft lips onto yours. 

“I love you.” He whispered through the kiss.

Parting from the kiss, you gave him a smile. “I love you.”

Getting up from the floor, you gently tugged on his hand. “C’mon. I have something for you.”

You helped Aaron get up from the floor, his hand letting go of yours for a moment as he ran his fingers through his hair. He let out a deep sigh and turned to face you. Before you could walk away, he pulled you in his arms for a moment, one arm around your waist and one hand cupping your face. Suddenly, you saw that sparkle in his eyes come back alive again. You couldn’t help but smile that the Aaron that you always have known was back. The real Aaron that you knew. 

“Thank you.” He whispered, kissing your forehead. 

Wrapping your arms around his waist, you enjoyed this moment for a minute. You closed your eyes letting your nose grazed over his softly as you smiled. You could feel his breath tremble as he cupped your face with both of his hands. Aaron gently kissed you on the lips, showing you all his love for you. As you parted, you gave him a small grin and intertwined your fingers with his, walking out of the office. 

“Stay there.” You smiled, leaving him by the doorway of the dining room. 

“What’s going on, love—” Aaron’s eyes scanned the dining room. 

The table was filled with his favorite foods, and the room was decorated with balloons and a banner that said Happy Birthday was taped on the wall. He couldn’t help but smile as he waited for you. After a few minutes, the lights in the dining room went out as he looked around, searching for you. 

“Love?” He murmured. 

Then, you came out carrying the cake you bought with candles lit up on top of it. You smiled as you walked towards him, and Aaron’s face was washed over with different mixed emotions. You could see the unshed tears in his eyes as he stared at you lovingly.

“You didn’t have to do all of this, love.” He said. 

“I want this to be special.” You moved closer to him. “Make a wish and blow your candles.” 

Aaron closed his eyes, a smile tugging on his lips before he opened his eyes and blew the candles. You smiled brightly as he grabbed the cake from your hands and set it down on the table. Pulling you in his arms, he brushed your cheek softly with his thumb. 

“You’re amazing.” He murmured.

“Happy Birthday.” You whispered. “This is a promise to you that from now on, I want to make sure that you would forget all your horrible past birthdays. Today is the day we’re going to start making new, fresh, good memories of them.”

Pulling your body against his, Aaron smiled and kissed you deeply, running his fingers through your hair. You hoped that this birthday would be the first of many good birthdays to come because he deserved it. 

He deserved all of it. 

The End.

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“Good morning, Aaron.” You whispered into his chest. Suddenly you let out a groan and the beautiful moment was crushed.

Aaron sat up and brushed the hair from your face. “What’s wrong, love?” His brow furrowed in concern for you.

“I have that job interview this morning,” you groaned. “I feel totally unprepared and I’m really nervous.”

“Don’t worry, love. I’m sure you’ll be spectacular. Would you like my help getting ready?” When you turned away from him shyly, he cupped your chin and turned you back to face him.

“Look at me, love.” His eyes were pleading and full of love. “I adore you, dearest. I’m sure that they will see you exactly as I do and if they don’t they aren’t worth a second of your time. Understand?”

A blush rose to your cheeks as you nodded. “Now let’s get you ready,” he says. Aaron proceeds to go to the closet and pick out the perfect outfit for you, accessories and all. He’s practically an expert at this with his fashion sense so you trust him completely.

Once you’re dressed, he leads you to the bathroom and helps you with your makeup. He grips your chin gently and he carefully applies your lipstick and mascara. When he’s done, you turn to look at yourself in the mirror.

“Oh my goodness,” you exclaim.

His brow furrows. “What’s wrong? Do you not like it?”

You shake your head. “The opposite actually, I love it!” You’re practically beaming with pride. “Where did you learn to do makeup like this?”

His only reply is a wink before he leaves the room and heads for the kitchen. You follow him and sit at the counter as he makes you breakfast. You eat together, going over interview questions and responses to prepare you.

A few minutes later, you’re standing by the door together preparing to leave.

“Thank you so much, baby. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me today,” you say, certain you have hearts in your eyes as you look up at him.

“Of course, love. I couldn’t let my future wife forget how spectacular she is,” he responds, adoration reflected in his own eyes.

You blush furiously, turning around to open the door when you remember you forgot something. You turn back around and plant a firm kiss on his cheek, followed by a tender one on his lips.

“Thank you again,” you say. Tears of love and gratitude well up in your eyes before you blink them away, concerned for your makeup.

“Good luck, love.”

“it’s just rain!” you laughed, spinning in a circle as your boyfriend hunched his shoulders uncomfortably. “it won’t kill you.”

aaron scoffed. “i know it won’t kill me, love. i just don’t like it.”

“why not?” you asked, pouting. “scared your pretty clothes’ll get all messed up?” you were just teasing, but you could tell you were right from the embarrassed look on aaron’s face. “aaron.” you marched toward him. “just have fun with me. your clothes will be fine—it’s just water. i need this,” you added quietly.

aaron’s expression softened. “okay,” he relented, voice gentle and quiet.

“besides,”—you smirked—“our clothes’ll be all wet and we’ll have to take them off.” you eyed him innocently. “you’d like that, wouldn’t you, aaron?”

he flushed, just slightly, and you tried not to seem too pleased with yourself—not that it would make a difference with aaron’s energy. he was constantly making you flustered; it felt good to turn the tables. “yes,” he mumbled, and you grinned.

“c’mon.” you grabbed his hand and pulled him over to a puddle. “jump!”

he raised an eyebrow. “jump?”

“mhm!” you nodded earnestly. “it makes the water splash all around you! it’s super fun.”

“no offense, love, but that does not sound like very much fun to me. it sounds like voluntarily soiling your clothing.”

“aaron!” you whined, shaking his arms.

“all right, all right!” he sighed.

“okay. one… two… three!” you jumped, rising high up in the air and bringing a splash of muddy water flying up in your wake. aaron hopped weakly in place, barely rising five inches. “that was pathetic,” you deadpanned.

“you’ve gotten mud on my clothes!” he said in reply.

you rolled your eyes. “they’ll wash, princess.” he pouted, an endlessly amusing expression to see on his face. “okay, okay, no more jumping.” aaron looked incredibly relieved. “i wanna do something else.”

“what, love?” he seemed nervous.

you twisted your lip, mildly embarrassed. “it’s a bit stupid…”

“come on, sweetheart, what is it that you want to do?” he asked softly. “you know i won’t judge you.”

a smile bloomed across your face. gosh, you loved him. you loved him even more when he called you sweetheart. “i wanna kiss in the rain,” you told him. “like in those old movies from before the reestablishment took over. it seems fun, or romantic, or something; i don’t know. i just wanna try it.”

aaron gave you a small smile. “okay. that’s not stupid, love. it sounds significantly more enjoyable than getting mud on my clothes.”

your already large smile exploded into a grin. “yay!!” you did a little jig to celebrate, and aaron laughed at you, but not unkindly. “okay, um, so—”

aaron cut you off, grabbing your face in his hands and pressing his lips to yours in a passionate kiss. rain dripped into your slightly open mouths as your bodies grew closer and closer to each other. he lifted you up with ease, not disconnecting his mouth from yours for a second as you wrapped your legs around his torso.

you were breathless when you broke apart, staring at aaron with wide eyes. “i—”

“was that sufficient?” he asked before you could finish, brow furrowed in genuine concern. “did it live up to your expectations?”

“yes,” you replied, hardly breathing. “that was—that was—um, yes, it was sufficient.”

aaron nodded. “good. i quite enjoyed it as well.”

a grin broke out on your face. “good.”

“do you want to do it again?” he asked.

you shook your head. “nah. i have something else in mind.” you tugged at his shirt and he picked up on the hint, eyes wide.

However, you were thoroughly surprised when you threw up this morning the second you woke up. Aaron was shocked to say the least. He immediately came to your side and held back your hair while rubbing your back as you emptied the contents of your stomach in the toilet.

“Love, what did you eat last night?” He pushed your hair out of your face. His eyebrows were pushed together and his eyes were darting across your face. “Do you remember?”

You shake slowly, feeling a headache approaching. You grab on of his hands and squeeze it, feeling for the pulse. “I ate the same things you and Lana did.”

Aaron sighed and kisses your temple delicately, “Maybe it’s just a stomach bug, love.” He thumbed your hand softly as you flush the toilet. “You’re okay, it’s okay…” He helped you stand, grasping at your hands when you stumbled. “Do you want medicine?”

“Yes, please.” You lean against the sink, needing to rinse your mouth of the horrid taste.

As he left the bathroom — albeit checking you once more before leaving — you let your thoughts consume your mind.

It felt so horrible to throw up in the morning, and you were so glad your daughter didn’t have that effect on you when you still carried her. And your headache that throbbed your frontal lobe just made you more nauseous, but there wasn’t anything you could if it truly was a stomach bug. You would just have to let it pass.

Over the next few days, your nausea wasn’t relenting. You threw up more and more each day. Your mind was reeling at the constant battle of getting up every morning just to throw up. Fortunately, Aaron had been gracious enough to take care of business whilst you stayed home from work, trying to get better from whatever was causing your morning sickness.

You would out that the sickness would only last for the mornings and you would be fine the rest of the day. That meant, you were still able to make sure Lana got to school and back. But the mornings would completely tarnish your mood for the day.

For instance, today you were helping Lana with her breakfast when you ran to the bathroom to throw up. Of course — like the sweet angel she was — she brought you a cup of water to help soothe your throat. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she knew if she saw you in a distressed state that she had to help.

“Mommy, what’s wrong?” She sat on the tiled floor beside you, rubbing your hand in confusion and slight distress. “You’re throwing up a lot now.”

You give her a weak smile and run your fingers through your hair, flushing the toilet. “I’m not sure, baby. I think I have to go to your Aunt’s workplace to check it out.”

“Are you sick?” Lana touched your cheek, something she gained from you and Warner when checking her temperature.

The look in your eyes softened at her action, “Maybe.” You squeeze her hand in reassurance. “But right now, you need to get to school, little miss.”

Like always, you drove Lana to school and pressed a delicate kiss to her cheek before waving her off, smiling as her blonde curls bounced with each step. You sighed softly and drove home. You called the girls on the way home and scheduled an appointment after you picked Lana up from school. They told you that your sickness was definitely not something to worry about.

When she hung up, you called Aaron and informed him of your appointment, allowing him to know that you were going to finally understand what was happening.

“Aaron?” You ask softly as the ringing stops, making you look down at your phone.

You heard shuffling coming from his side before he responded. “Yes, love?” He shifted around some more before speaking again. “Is something wrong?”

You put the car in park and sit idly in the leather seat, massaging your stomach carefully. “I made an appointment with one of the girls. I’m heading to their place after I pick Lana up from school today.” You rub your forehead again, “I’m tired of not knowing what’s happening to me.”

It gets quiet between you two before you pick up Aaron’s voice again, noticing the hesitation underlying the question. “You don’t think you’re pregnant, right? I mean, the girls said morning sickness is usually paired with pregnancy.”

The moment he mentions pregnancy, you think about your symptoms. Sure, you had similar symptoms when you were pregnant with Lana, but you didn’t think throwing up would ever be part of it because of your daughter. You spin your engagement and wedding rings, thinking about the possibility. You wouldn’t be mad at the idea. In fact, you would be elated yet heavily surprised.

“I… I don’t want to rule it out, I should say.” You murmur and move to get out of the car. You rub your stomach subconsciously at the thought. “I’ll let you know what happens.”

You and Lana patiently sat on the examination table, waiting for one of the girl’s to enter. She was telling you all about her day in preschool as you ran your fingers through Lana’s blond hair. She was in the middle of telling you what happened during recess when Sara walked in. Well, her godmother.

“Aunt Sara!” Lana giggled and hugged her aunt’s legs in excitement. She tugged on Sara’s white coat, bringing her closer to you. “Will you help mommy feel better?”

Sara looked down at her goddaughter and rubbed her cheek, “Of course. I’ll do anything to help your mommy.”

You mouthed sorry to her at Lana’s unexpected behavior before smiling. “Sorry for the rushed appointment. I just need to know what’s going on with me right now.”

“No need to apologize.” She helped Lana up onto the table and squeezed your arm in comfort. “Sonya said that if our powers don’t work, it might be something different. We have to run a few tests to be sure.”

Although you trusted Sara with all your heart, you were nervous. What if they were dealing with something new and couldn’t heal you? What if the tests say something horrid? What if—

“Have you tried testing to see if you’re pregnant yet?” Sara tapped her pen on the clipboard, reading your symptoms. “Morning sickness is common with pregnancy.”

You shake your head as you look over at Lana who was reading a book far advanced for someone her age. “Aaron thought the same thing… I thought that it couldn’t be because I didn’t throw up when I was with Lana.”

Sara felt your forehead slightly for any odd temperatures, “It’s always a possibility.” She glanced at your daughter before looking back at you with a newfound interest. “Why don’t you take a test here? We’ll run it for you before we try any other testing incase you may be pregnant.”

You flush red, “Uhm…” You watch as she moves to grab a cup and hands it to you. Looking around, you point down to the cup. “Do I just…?”

“Yup.” She gave you a humorous smile. “This could’ve been avoided if you took a test at home, love.”

Lana whipped her head up at the nickname as you moved to head to the bathroom. “Aunt Sara! You can’t call mommy love! Only daddy is allowed to call her that.” She glared at her godmother, making you stifle a laugh as Sara looked at her with wide eyes.

Sara raised her hands slowly and played into Lana’s thoughts, “Sorry, I won’t do it again!”

Your smile softens as you think about your life with Lana and Aaron. You thought it was impossible to love one person so much. But then Lana came into your life and you found it impossible to share your infinite love with the both of them. Truly, your heart was so full when it came to those two. From the second you met Aaron and the second you met your child, you were too far gone to see how madly in love you were with them and how you hold do anything to protect them.

When you returned with the cup, it seemed as if Lana made up with Sara as she spoke about her school day animatedly. You handed Sara the cup carefully and sat next to Lana, letting her climb into your lap.

Sara capped the cup before grabbing her clipboard and smiling at the both of you. “I’ll be back shortly.” She gave you one reassuring smile before leaving.

You ran your fingers through Lana’s blonde hair for a minute before she spoke up, curious to why you handed her godmother a cup of something.

“What is she gonna do with the cup, mommy?” Lana looked up at you with her bright green eyes, playing with your rings.

“She’s going to test if mommy has a baby growing in her tummy.” You respond softly and kiss her cheek. You watch as her mind processes the information.

“Really?” Her eyes shined brightly before confusion took over. “Wait, how would a baby get into your tummy?”

“Well we don’t know if—“

Sara rushed in the room with a smile on her face, handing you a paper. You took the paper gently and read its contents, eyes widening as Lana gave you another curious stare.

“You’re pregnant!”

You nod softly, hand going to your stomach in joy. “Oh my god…” You look up at Sara before looking back at your daughter. “Oh my god, I’m pregnant.”

Lana squirmed in your lap, not liking that she didn’t understand what was happening. “So… There’s a baby in your tummy?”

You nod again and kiss her cheek over and over again. “That’s exactly what being pregnant means, sweet angel.”

The second you parked the car and unlocked the manor’s doors, Lana came running into the halls, her voice echoing through the gigantic space. “Daddy, we’re home!” She giggled as she held a crème envelope in her arms, looking back to see you walking behind her. “Daddy?”

Aaron responds from his office down the hall, eyes darting across the many papers surrounding his desk. “I’m in here, angel!” His eyes snap up as he hears Lana burst through his office doors, practically bouncing off the walls with how much energy she had. “Did you have too much sugar?” He teased as she smiled up at him, leaning back in his chair. “Why are you so hyper?”

“Because mommy—“

You cover her mouth and shush her. You stifle another laugh at her muffled protests, rounding around the desk to press a loving kiss to Aaron’s lips. He smiled into the kiss and chased after your lips when you parted.

Snapping out of his daze, he raised a brow in your direction. “What was that for?”

“The kiss or this?” You gesture to your daughter licking your hand in silent protest for being shushed.

He shrugged as he took your other hand and guided you to sit on the desk in front of him. “Both.”

You blow him an air kiss and sit on the desk, releasing Lana from your hand and wiping it on your sweater. “I’ll let Lana tell you since she was about to spoil the surprise we had for you.”

The young girl immediately climbed into her father’s lap, holding a pretty envelope in front of his face. “This is from Aunt Sara!” Lana looked back at you and giggled, making you shush her again.

Aaron gives you a curious glance before opening the envelope. When he pulled a paper out, he was slightly confused before flipping it over. It was a sonogram. At first he thought it was an old one of Lana when she was still in you before he glanced at the date in the corner and the small dot in the middle of the picture.

Lana looks back at you again as she saw her father’s reaction change. You nod and Lana grins widely, “Surprise!”

You meet Aaron’s eyes as he looks up at you, tears in his own eyes as you say softly, “Surprise!”

Aaron smiles back at you and holds Lana steady in his arms. He moves to stand in between your legs and bends to meet you in a mind searing kiss, making you squeal in surprise. He separates and rests his forehead on yours, “You’re pregnant.”

“I’m pregnant.” You cup his cheek as he kisses you again and again. You hum and continue, “And I definitely think it’s a boy because of how many times I’ve thrown up.”

He chuckles and continues peppering your mouth in kisses, “Oh god, you’re pregnant.” He shuts his eyes softly before opening them again, giving you more kisses. “I couldn’t love you more

Lana pouts as she doesn’t receive attention from either parents. She taps her father’s cheek, snapping him out of his small spell. “Daddy.”

“Yes, baby?” He parts from your lips and adjusts his daughter in his arms, putting her in between the both of you.

She smiles again when she realizes she has both yours and Aaron’s attention. “Did you like the surprise we had for you?”

“My favorite surprise ever.” He kissed her cheeks as she laughs. “I’m so happy. I’m so happy for mommy. And I’m so happy for you, Lana. You’ll be a big sister.”

“I am happy. I am very happy.” She nods as she processes his words before touching your belly softly. “And I think the baby will be happy too.”

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