3 Years Later

Rosalie ogled me up and down as she sat at the vanity table in her closet. I walked to her and kissed her neck, as she put in one of her earrings before walking over to the mirror, with a smile on my face.

I had fallen into the bad habit of craving Rosalie's presence and I found myself always wandering into her side of the closet as we got ready in the morning.

"You look especially nice today," she commented, looking at me through the mirror.

I smirked at her, fixing my cuffs. "Seems like a good day today," I said, feeling lighter than air that morning.

Rosalie put in her earring and stood up. She walked over to me and picked the tie that I had thrown on to the stand beside the mirror.

"What's special about it?" she asked as I lowered myself for her to put the tie on me.

Our morning routine of Rosalie tying my tie seemed to be one that I just would never tire of.

I shrugged. "Every day with you is special," I said, and she gave me a look. "I don't know. It just seems wonderful."

I waited as she finished knotting my tie and then, smoothened down my suit. "You are so very pretty," I told her and even three years into it, she still blushes at my compliments.

"Stop trying to butter me up," she said, pushing my chest lightly, "You already got me to move in with you, fall in love with you; haven't you done enough?"

I put my arms around her waist and picked her up, making her squeal. "Not nearly enough and not for nearly long enough," I told her.

"Aiden Carlisle, you get your way far too much," she shook her head at me, but kissed me all the same.

"Will you make me breakfast today?" I asked, still holding her up.

Rosalie smoothed my hair back with her fingers, not even paying attention to me. "You're so good looking that it's not even fair," she said and then looked at me, "What did you say?"

"Three years and you're still getting lost in my eyes," I told her and she, very maturely, stuck her tongue out at me.

"Three years later and you still can't bear to be alone in the mornings," she countered, walking back to the vanity.

I looked at this amazing woman who had happened into my life. She slipped on her dark blue heels. "Did you say something about breakfast?" she asked.

"Will you make me breakfast today?" I asked, repeating my question.

Rosalie scoffed. "You want me to burn down the kitchen you so lovingly built?" she asked, "I'll fix you a bowl of cereal."

"I'll make breakfast," I said, just staring at her, a strange feeling brewing in my heart.

"Great," she said, not really turning to me.

"I'll make you breakfast for the rest of my life."

That made Rosalie turn. She walked over to me, with the slightest smile. I lowered my head instinctively and she kissed me, softly.

"Darn right you will," she said, raising an eyebrow.

With the lightest of chuckles, she turned and began to move to the door to our bedroom. "Oh, and I took your Mom to the doctor's office yesterday – she wanted to go alone, can you imagine? She would never tell us anything the doctor says – so, I went with her. Doctor Jones was so great, she explained everything she was doing to your Mom before she did it. Anyway, your Mom's cholesterol isn't high anymore, but she told us to watch it. So, I made her a pomegranate juice thing mixed with green tea and lime, which is supposed to be really good. Will you take it to her today? I know you're going to meet your Dad."

I stared at her, as she stopped at the door, waiting for me to answer.

"You took my Mom to the doctor's?" I asked.

Rosalie nodded. "I forgot to tell you I did," she replied, "But you were in meetings all day yesterday, so I knew you wouldn't be able to do and your Dad was with you, so I took her. Your Mom and my Mom are so alike. Remember when you had to go and meet her doctor that one time to figure out that she had an ear infection?"

"You made a drink for my Mom?" I asked.

"Gosh, Aiden, you're slow this morning," Rosalie laughed, "Yeah, it's in the refrigerator. Take it to her, okay? It's in the big bottle. I made you some as well. It's in your thermos mug."

"You don't cook?" I asked more than said.

Rosalie rolled her eyes and sighed. "Yeah, but drinks are easy," she shrugged, "Come on, let's get some breakfast."

She left, leaving the door ajar, humming a vaguely familiar tune and it was in that instant that the feeling in my chest really too effect.

The idea that hatched in my mind came in full form.

*

I stood outside the store before walking in, just looking up at it.

It had been almost four years since I had been there, but it felt like a lifetime ago. The last time I was here, I didn't want to be; I was unhappy and all I could think about was how uncomfortable I was.

Today, however, the shiny store was inviting and I was excited at the prospect of what I could do once I was done in there.

I smiled, thinking of how my life had changed for the better and I walked in.

No one rushed to my side instantly, like the last time I had been here, but then, slowly, the familiar, round faced man walked up to me.

"Mr. Carlisle," he said, pushing his glasses on to his nose, "What a lovely surprise! May I help you?"

I nodded at him, smiling. "Winston, you're going to be of great help today. I did promise you that I'll come back. How fast can you get me an engraving done?"

Eleven Hours Later

I looked around the deserted office, wondering why in the world I was feeling so annoyed by the absolutely purpleness of the wedding I was looking into.

Then, I realized that I was just hungry, but God forbid I actually get up and get something to eat.

But, no.

I just sat there, stewing in my annoyance, making notes about adjustments that needed to be made.

The feeling of someone there made me look up, and sure enough, there he stood, smiling softly at me from my door. Aiden held a bunch of sunflowers in one hand and a box of pizza from Antonio's, my favourite place.

"Could you hear my stomach growling from the other side of town?" I asked, getting up and skipping across the room, incredibly happy to see him.

Aiden chuckled. "Something like that," he handed me the flowers, "For you, sunshine."

I took it. "You're a sight for sore eyes, baby," I told him.

Aiden smiled. "Come on, you look like you could use some food," he said, leading me over to the sitting area, "And I brought you garlic knots."

"Antonio's garlic knots are amazing!" I raved.

Aiden set everything down on the coffee table and opened the box. "I promise I won't eat your slice of pizza," he joked.

I sat down. "Did you take that to your parents?" I asked.

Aiden sat down next to me and kissed my forehead. "They were very happy and grateful," he said, "They couldn't have asked for anyone better and neither could I."

"You're being extra cheesy," I said.

He shook his head. "That's not me, that's the pizza," he said, pointing to the pie.

I laughed and took a slice, eating three bites, hungrily, as Aiden watched me. "Eat," I told him, in between chewing.

"For someone so poised in social settings, you sure are a mess right now," he laughed, wiping the corner of my mouth with a tissue.

I popped a garlic knot into my mouth with a shrug. "How was work?"

Aiden also ate a garlic knot and pulled me closer to him. "The usual," he said, "Buying this, selling that."

"Well, it pays more than being an elevator operator," I shrugged, with a laugh.

Aiden scoffed. "Did Gammy tell you that?" he asked, "What hasn't she told you?"

"A few more dinners with her and I'll have enough dirt to end your reputation, Aiden," I said, raising an eyebrow.

"You have enough embarrassing pictures of mine for that anyway," he said, airily, "How was work for you?"

"Some days I love my job," I sighed, "And some days I think 'If I ever have to plan another wedding ever again'."

"I actually think there's a wedding you'd enjoy planning," Aiden said to me, moving close and taking my hand.

"Really?" I sighed, relaxing my shoulder.

"Mhmm," he nodded, "And don't worry."

Aiden reached into his pocket and pulled out a plush, red box with the name of a brand on it that could only mean one thing and it made my heart skip a beat. A gasp escaped me, involuntarily.

This man of mine, then opened the box.

"You can fall for this groom."