Chapter 62
**ARIA**
The last time I had to be this excited was my 6th birthday when I asked for the Barbie convertible from Santa. I wanted it so badly and my parents had said no several times, so my last hope was Santa. I wanted to pull an all-nighter to make sure I didn't miss it, but I ended up falling asleep anyway. The next day, after tumbling down the stairs, I opened my presents, but there was no car. Mom had come in last and told me to look behind the tree because sometimes Santa liked to joke around and hide presents. And there it was, wrapped in pink wrapping paper. For the next week, I slept with it.
That morning, I woke up after only a few hours of sleep, so excited to see Adam again. I've missed him so much and can't wait to spend time with him again.
I pulled Austin out of bed and kept urging him to hurry up. I was so anxious to get on the road.
"When we get there I'll debrief with Alex and Fares while you and Adam spend some time alone," Austin said to me after a moment.
"Maybe Adam will want to participate in the..." Austin cuts me off, looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "Okay, he'd rather be with me."
"He needs it. It goes beyond desire it's a real need to reconnect with you."
"I know. I feel it too, but I think it must be less intense on my end because the bond between the two of us is so strong."
"Exactly." He sighs. "Can't wait for the three of us to be in the same place."
I turn my attention to the scenery streaming by the window. The urban landscape is gradually giving way to the rural environment and vehicles are becoming rarer and rarer. It's a long way from Boston and where I grew up. To think that just a few months ago I was already in New York, working for a major publishing house. Things have changed so much... I've changed so much. Sometimes I feel like the girl I used to be no longer exists, and yet I know she's still there, hidden deep down.
With everything that's happened in the last few weeks, I haven't taken the time to think about it.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"I... I was just thinking about everything that had changed in my life in the last few months." I tell him honestly.
He shakes his head without taking his eyes off the road. "Wow, that's quite a lot. No regrets I hope?"
"I wouldn't say regrets, but there are certain things I'd do differently if given the chance."
"I know what you mean."
Noah stops the car in front of a roadside diner. We both get out of the car and sit inside a booth. When the waitress comes to take our order, she doesn't take her eyes off Austin or pay me any attention. I clear my throat to tell her I'll have what he's having.
When she returns to serve us two cups of coffee, I notice that she has unbuttoned two buttons on her filthy uniform.
Once she's turned around, Austin stifles a laugh.
"What?!" I ask him annoyed.
"You're fucking sexy when you're jealous." He says to me with a wink.
"Seriously? Jealous of what? Her?" I ask, holding out my thumb in her direction.
"We agree on that. She's no match for you and anyway, I only see you so..."
She returns with our order and reserves what I imagine to be her best smile for Austin, who doesn't take her eyes off me. She puts her hand on his to get his attention, but he pulls away as if she's burned him. She clears her throat, visibly unsettled.
"I don't appreciate being touched by anyone other than my wife." He tells her, looking at me.
"Wife? I don't see..."
"We don't need wedding rings to know that I'm hers and she's mine." He looks at her, one eyebrow raised. "We'll call you if we need anything else."
She turns away sheepishly as she realizes his total lack of interest.
"You're fucking sexy when you call me your wife," I say, winking at him.
"You are. Even if it's not official, in my eyes you're even more than that."
And I'm supposed to eat a burger like nothing happened after that declaration of love. Well, he doesn't seem to mind, because he's biting into it like he hasn't eaten in a week and in three bites there's nothing left.
Once we've finished lunch, we get back in the car and head off to our destination. I must have fallen asleep at some point because I'm woken by Austin's voice telling me we're on our way. We're passing through the gates when I open my eyes. Nothing has changed since the last time I was here, and seeing this place again, I can't help but think back to the fact that this is where I learned I was pregnant, and as I look at the trees surrounding the palace, an idea comes to mind.
When Mum died, Cassius, Dad and I planted a tree in our garden, a cherry tree. So that we'd always remember her and feel close to her even at home. I'd like to do the same for our baby so that we never forget it.
When we're close enough to see the entrance to the palace, I can make out the silhouettes of Adam, Cassius and Leila waiting for us out front. They've been warned by the guards at the gate.
Once the car has stopped, I get out and rush into Adam's arms. No one else exists at this moment; it's just the two of us.
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