Is this destiny?

~ Fairfield ~

Sarah woke up and was startled that she is in unfamiliar place.

'Wait a minute… I know this place… this is Aiden's apartment!' Sarah was shocked that she is in Fairfield. Is this a dream? How else can she explain her sudden appearance in Aiden's apartment? And why would she be by herself in this bed, in this apartment, if it's not a dream?

Her mind was clouded and that only confirmed: it's a dream.

Sarah scooted out of the bed and headed outside. She heard sounds from the kitchen and went there.

"You are up just in time for food!", Aiden smiled as he pulled a covered clay pot from the oven. "But it needs to sit a bit… so you can freshen up and by then it will be just right."

"What time it is?", Sarah asked while looking around, unable to find a device which will tell her current time. Based on the light coming from the windows on this cloudy day, Sarah can tell that it's daytime, but not more than that.

"It's almost time to eat." Aiden responded cheerfully.

Sarah stared at him, observing him carefully while he removed kitchen mittens. Except for his hair being short, this is how she remembers him in this kitchen… Cooking for her while they worked on projects together after classes. Even the apron is the same. 'Yup. It's definitely a dream.'

She never used a shower or a bath in this apartment for real, she might as well use it in her dream, right?

"How are you feeling?" He was standing in front of Sarah and observing her expression.

She smiled. "Happy."

There are so many memories of two of them in this apartment and she can only describe them as 'happy'. Even if she only dreams about them, they are still making her happy because this is the place where they spent countless hours working on different projects and chatting while getting to know each other.

Her penthouse is much bigger than this apartment, but this place has a certain warmth and coziness. It's not luxurious or over the top, but it's the place where two of them moved on from friends to a couple and that makes it special. She glanced on the side in the living area, toward the sofa. Yes, that is the place where they hugged for the first time, just below that sofa, and since then two of them are a couple.

Sarah could see a hint of anxiousness mixed with sadness in Aiden's eyes for a second before he hugged her tightly. His hug was so tight that it ached a bit.

'Wait a minute… why do I feel pain in my sleep?' Sarah groaned letting him know that she is not comfortable.

"Sorry…" He loosened his hold. "Are you still tired? You look sleepy. Let me take you back to bed.", Aiden scooped her with his arms and carried her back to bed.

She pinched herself and winced.

"What are you doing?" Aiden asked while settling next to her in the bed and wrapping his arms around her.

"I'm not sure if I'm dreaming."

"Would you like this to be a dream?" He watched her intently like there is some hidden message on her face.

"I don't know… How did we get here?"

"We didn't. It's a dream." Aiden tightened his hug and nuzzled her neck gently with his nose while taking deep breaths. He loves her scent and having her in his embrace in this apartment brings back many sweet memories.

He hopes that she remembers those times as well, how it all began between them.

Sarah laughed seeing his silly behavior. He wrapped his arms and legs around her, not letting her move an inch. "Seriously, why are we here?"

He moved to see her face. "What do you remember?"

She paused for some time before speaking: "Cabin in the snow, six of us…" Sarah frowned.

Aiden patted her head gently. "Don't force it. It will come back eventually."

He pressed his index finger between her eyebrows. "You will get wrinkles if you continue that..."

Sarah laughed… this wrinkle smoothening gesture is a thing between them, and they lost count how many times they used it on each other to improve the mood. And it works.

"Why can't I remember?" She has no idea how she reached from the cabin in Canada to the apartment in the Fairfield. Is it possible that she slept through it?

Aiden smiled, avoiding to answer her question. In exchange, he offered the truth about the thing that is weighing on his heart, while omitting few facts: "I'm afraid I messed up. Somewhere down the road, I took a wrong turn… and I hurt you, unintentionally. We are here because I want us to start over. Are you willing?"

Sarah was surprised by his behavior and words. "Start over? I don't understand. From where do you want us to start? Should we introduce ourselves first? Or should we start from hugging? Kissing? Do I need to tie you up to the bed and go down on you again?" She smiled playfully.

"We can start from wherever you want. And if you want to tie me up… I'm all yours. I promise not to resist." Aiden cheekily said and extended his arms, wrists up, offering himself.

Sarah laughed so hard that she held her stomach and her eyes got teary.

Aiden was happy to see her laugh like that. It feels like forever since she was so carefree and happy.

He laughed with her and when they calmed down, he spoke while his hand nervously ran through her hair: "Sarah, my love, I hope you know that I love you with all my heart. And there is no one else in my heart other than you. Please, count on me whenever you need support because I will always be by your side."

Sarah was surprised by sudden array of declarations.

"I love you too." She wanted to kiss him, but hesitated.

"What?" He was not sure what to think. Why did her smile fade away? Did she start remembering that night? That nightmare? Will she push him away?

"I was about to kiss you… but then I remembered that we never kissed in this apartment. It would be like a first kiss…", Sarah voiced her thoughts almost shyly.

Smile bloomed on Aiden's face and he was relieved to hear her words.

"Then…", he inched closer to her. "…we should make it count."

Aiden held back of Sarah's head and his lips touched hers. Gentle at first, a small peck. Gradually increasing in duration and intensity until their lips parted, allowing for a deep kiss which showed how important they are to each other. They kissed for a long time, holding each other tightly while enjoying the intimacy of a kiss which was so much more than their lips and tongues caressing each other.. At that moment, that felt like the first and like the last kiss… and that kiss was everything.