~*~ Chapter 26~*~
NEW YORK CITY, NY – Kirstin’s Loft – Monday
Kirstin was amazed by the image. Ashley was in front of her, holding a single white rose and the apartment was amazingly set. Ashley took her hand in his, gave her the flower without even saying a word and embraced her, so they could dance to the sound of Glenn Medeiros´ Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for you'.
If I had to live my life without you near me
The days would all be empty
The nights would seem so long
With you I see forever oh so clearly
I might have been in love before
But it never felt this strong
Our dreams are young and we both know
They'll take us where we want to go
Hold me now
Touch me now
I don't want to live without you
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
You only change my whole life through
But nothing’s gonna change my love for you
Kirstin took a better look at the apartment, while dancing with Ashley. There were candles all over the place. They were all over the kitchen counter, there was a candle for each step of the stairs. The candlelight was the only thing lighting the place, so it was pretty romantic.
If the road ahead is not so easy
Our love will lead the way for us
Like a guiding star
I'll be there for you if you should need me
You don't have to change a thing
I love you just the way you are
So come with me and share the view
I'll help you see forever too
Hold me now
Touch me now
I don't want to live without you
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
You’ll only change my whole life through
But nothing’s gonna change my love for you
When the music stopped, they both stopped dancing, but Kirstin’s head was still on Ashley’s shoulder. She had tears all over her face. It was all too much for her. She felt she didn’t deserve it.
After a while, Ashley pulled back gently, kind of worried.
“K, are you ok, baby?”
“Yeah.” Kirstin answered with a weak smile on, whipping off her tears “I’m fine. I just… I don’t know what to say… it’s all so… just… wonderful and...”
“You don’t have to say a thing.” Ashley cut her off “I just wanted to know if you liked it or not.”
“Oh, I loved it, Ashley. I just think I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve you and...”
“Sh!” Ashley held her in his arms “Of course you deserve it. I love you. You deserve even more.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do! Now shut up and kiss me, because you haven’t kissed me yet.” Ashley pressured his lips on Kirstin. Kirstin enjoyed the kiss, but kept on thinking if she was making the right choice. When they pulled back from the kiss, Ashley grabbed her hand and said “Now we eat!”
“What? Where?” Kirstin stared at the kitchen counter and saw there was nothing on but the candles.
“Upstairs. I cooked.”
“No, you did not! You can’t cook!”
“Well, now you are just saying that to hurt me!" he smirked "Of course I can cook!”
“No, you can not! I remember when you tried to grill a steak at your house and you burned it! You can’t even grill a steak, let alone cook a real meal!”
“Now I’m hurt!” Ashley made a hurt face.
“Oh, sorry, baby. But you know that’s the truth!” Kirstin giggled.
“Yeah, ok, ok! But I’ve learned how to cook. Of course it’s not a great, fancy dinner. It’s bachelor’s food. Let’s go upstairs and you’ll see what I’m talking about.”
When they got upstairs, Kirstin got even more amazed. On the floor, in front of the foot of her bed, Ashley had set plates, forks, a bottle of wine and 2 glasses.
“Voilá! Mac and cheese!”
“Oh! Now I get it!” Kirstin laughed softly.
“It was either this or cereal, and I know you don’t like cereal, so… Mac and Cheese!”
“Thanks, Ashley” Kirstin was still giggling “It was really thoughtful of you!”
“I know. I know!” Ashley was also giggling “Let’s sit nd eat, then.”
They started eating and the food was actually good. Ashley was proud of himself. But something was bothering both of them. Kirstin had something she wanted to tell Ashley and Ashley had something he wanted to tell Kirstin. But neither had the guts to start talking, so they ate dinner in silence. When they finished it, Ashley got the courage to talk.
“K, there is something I have to tell you.”
“Yes...” Kirstin said, worried by Ashley’s serious tone of voice.
“Remember that, when I got here I told you I was gonna stay until tomorrow at midnight?”
“Yes.”
“Well, actually... something happened and we are leaving tomorrow, first thing in the morning.”
“Ow…” Ashley saw the disappointed look on Kirstin’s face. But somehow, Kirstin was already waiting for some disappointing news. Ashley was all about that, not having time for them. But she understood. Kind of.
“That’s it? You are not gonna yell or something?”
“I know it’s not your fault. I totally understand it.”
“Really?”
“Yes…”
“Well, I have to say I feel much better now. I thought you were gonna be all mad and would end things with me right away because of that.”
“Yeah…”
“Yeah? Yeah what?”
“Ash…
I have something to say to you, too.”
* Thanx Stacie from http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/otownified/ for correcting the grammar on this chapter
~*~ Epilogue ~*~
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