Ash's Bucket List- Make someone's wish come true

Make someone cry with happiness

Say 'I love you'...and really mean it

Serena POV

After my confrontation with Ash, the last thing I expected was for him to call me up and ask if I wanted to go out to dinner with him a few days later which haven't been the best at all for me.

Still, despite a niggling feeling that maybe Ash had some kind of 'intervention' planned, I was just glad to get out of the apartment for a while. The tension was tangible. Alain was in foul mood after foul mood which meant that I had taken to hiding out in my room to stay out of his way. And I don't know if my mind was playing tricks on me, but I was almost positive that my mom was acting weird around me. It wasn't anything that I could actually put into words, but sometimes I caught her shoot me little side glances when she thought I wasn't looking and occasionally she would open her mouth like she wanted to tell me something then abruptly close it again. And she didn't even trip when I told her I was going on a date with Ash. Just said 'have fun'.

Maybe she spotted the bruise and wants to ask you about it but doesn't know how? I honestly doubted that and shot the thought down as soon as it surfaced in my mind. There was no way my mom could have seen the bruise on my neck, not when I wore my scarf around the house 24/7, only taking it off when I was showering or sleeping. Because it was so cold in the apartment, My mom didn't comment on me wearing the scarf.

I met Ash outside the shop once I'd finally decided on an appropriate outfit. Since Ash hadn't gone into details about our 'date', I didn't know what to wear. Finally, I settled on a casual pink plain dress with a skirt swaying in cold breeze, a black tight top underneath it and a blue long coat that was made out of cotton. Long black socks that reached up to my thighs, brown laced boots which were the right size for me and last a pink hat with a black tied around it, all fitted perfectly in place. It would have helped if I knew where he was taking me, but that was part of the surprise. I guess.

Ash was sitting on a sidewalk bench outside the shop as I approached, staring at his hands intently. He didn't spot me and I slowed down, trying to gather my thoughts. Although we hadn't exactly left each other on bad terms that fateful day, I wasn't proud of the way I had reacted to him when he told me to tell my mom what was going on with Alain. He doesn't understand. Okay, that was true, but it still didn't give me the right to bite his head off like that when he was just trying to help. I acted like a jerk that day, and I was going to suck up my pride and apologise.

He looked up as my shadow fell over him, his eyes brightening to see me. "Hey," he said cheerfully, getting up to his feet and wrapped his arms around me close with our bodies moulded together. His hand trailing on my back with comfort.

I hugged him back. My head placed on his chest, inhaling the clean, fresh scent that rose from his body. "Hi." I whispered near his ear.

"How are you feeling?" he asked in tranquil, taking a small step back and brushing the hair gently out of my eyes. The compassion in his voice almost brought tears to my eyes. He really cared. Of course he does, Serena, don't you know this by now? "Are you okay?" He asked in a care free tone.

I nodded, touched by his concern. Although, He looked pale and tired, like he wasn't sleeping well. I knew the headaches were screwing up his life, but he still was looking out for me.

"I'm fine." I continued, my voice constantly changed into worried. "Are you okay, though? You look exhausted."

He ran a hand through his messy spiked hair, choosing that moment to yawn widely. "Oh yeah, I'm good. I was up late, getting stuff done." Shrugging, he shot me a wide grin showing me a little of his white teeth. "You know, figuring things out."

Well, that makes perfect sense. Not!

"Okay, then," I muttered dryly, suddenly glad that the shop was closed as Ash lowered his head till his lips were on mine and kissed me softly. I closed my eyes, savoring the way he tasted as Ash's hands tangled in my short hair as he bit softly on my bottom lip, making me shiver.

With one final peck on my lip, he moves back a little. "You ready to go?" he whispered, his lips grazing mine as he spoke.

I nodded silently; trying to act like the feeling of Ash's lips on mine didn't turn my legs to jelly.

"I'm ready. Not like I know what I'm ready for," I replied slightly breathless, as Ash hailed down a cab.

He gave the cab driver the name and address of the place we were going and grinned cheekily at me. "All in good time, beautiful," he said. "Oh, and you look really nice today, by the way."

I glowed with pleasure. All these compliments got a girl nervous! "Thanks." I pointed nervously to my outfit with a red hot blush formed around my soft cheeks from his compliment. "I'm not overdressed am I?"

Ash didn't seem to get the hint. "Not even," he replied sunnily.

We both sat in awkward silence for a few seconds. "So, what's the occasion for this 'date'?" I finally asked, feeling curious.

"I don't know," Ash replied evasively, not looking me in the eyes. I could tell there was something big going to happen. "I just felt like making your day. You know, bringing a smile to that pretty face."

He caressed my cheek gently, feeling the roughness of his hand, leaning forward as our faces were inches apart from touching. Don't make me jump you.

"Oh..." was all I could muster. Gazing at his shining oval-shaped eyes that were slowly zooming at me in sight.

"Is it working?" he whispered. His warm tingling breath hitting on my lips, giving me enough time to lick them in one fellow swoop which made them wet and more soft to touch in delicacy, but more ecstatic that I was feeling right now. Leaning in closer to me, inches by inches in just a millisecond.

"Yes," I murmured back, just before he plants his lips on mine softly for a few more seconds, enough to graze my own lips onto his and sliding them in synch against the soft skin until he leaned back in his seat, departed away from my face and looking self-satisfied.

"You ain't seen nothing yet." And we're back to Ash talking in riddles!

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, puzzled.

"It means you ain't seen nothing yet," Ash replied, grinning inscrutably. Ooh, boy you make me so mad.

I threw my hands up in the air in mock frustration. Well, there was some real frustration in there, but for the most part I was just playing. "Ash!"

He looked smugly at me, the cheeky grin on his face fading as his eyes locked on my neck. Although the bruise had faded dramatically, it still showed lightly against my cream skin. Uneasily, I shook my short hair over it, letting out a sigh. Ash didn't say a word but as I turned to stare out of the clear window, I could feel his eyes on me.

Damn you bruise, for turning the moment so awkward. It was the reason for all the drama we'd had a few days ago. I didn't want to fight with Ash or have him mad at me because I wasn't telling my mom about Alain.

The cab stopped at some traffic lights and I secretly snuck a peek at Ash, only to find that he was sneaking a peek at me. "Ash, I just- I wanted to- I'm sorry for being so difficult the other day." I swallowed hard down my dried up throat, looking right into his suddenly serious coffee orbs. "I know that you're looking out for me, and I'm happy you are. It's just that, if you were in my shoes, you would understand how scared I am to say anything to anyone."

I hung my head, embarrassed that I had to let him know that I was scared. I was so used to putting on a happy front that letting my guard down was frightening for me. Serena, its Ash. He's seen you at your lowest. Point noted.

Sighing, Ash leaned his head against the headrest, closing his eyelids shut. "I know," he replied, his hands clenching into fists. "I'm not happy about it but I know what you mean." Opening his eyes, he patted my hand. "I'm sorry about attacking you when I should have comforted you instead."

"That's okay," I whispered as my lip turned upwards from each corner.

"So what did you get up to today?" Ash asked me curiously, lightly grazing my palm with his fingertips, making me feel all tingly inside.

"I spent the afternoon reading to my neighbor's wife. She's bedridden."

Steven Stone was the nicest neighbor anyone could ever want to have. He checked up on us weekly, bringing us food parcels, soap, shampoo, etc. In fact, he was the person who bought me my winter jacket two years ago. His wife was one of the sweetest, kindest women I had ever met.

"Damn. That sucks," Ash muttered.

I nodded. Ruby Stone never complained about anything, though. That was the one thing I loved about her, there was no negative energy coming from her at all. "Yeah. She gets lonely, so I like to go chat with her whenever I can." Ash gazed at me, his expression one part wonderment, and two parts admiration. Giggling, I asked, "What's that look for?"

"I'm just thinking about how selfless you are," he shrugged.

"It's not a big deal," I said casually, secretly pleased. "She used to babysit me when I was younger and she likes my company."

"Huh." Ash tapped his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I actually don't think I even know any of my neighbors."

I couldn't stifle my giggle, even though I tried. "Really?"

Ash shot me an indulging look. "That's what I get for living such a sheltered life," he said wistfully. "I mean, I've lived in that building my whole life and I don't know anyone there! Course, the fact that our elevator is private doesn't help."

"Well, that's gotta change for sure."

"I know. That's why it's on my list. 'Get to know my neighbors'. I put it on there two years ago but I never got around to doing it coz I was 'busy'." Ash ran a hand through his hair again, tousling it up. "Now I got nothing but time." He gave me one of his token endearing looks. "Hey, you wanna help me make cookies to give to my neighbors?"

"Pretend you just moved in?" I joked, liking the idea already.

Ash grinned. "Yeah, something like that. We can play pretend."

I nodded, trying not to seem overeager. "Sure."

-----

We got in to a fancy restaurant just in time and I walked in behind Ash, trying hard to act as though I belonged there. Elegant couples were being seated around each table. However one caught my eyes out of the rest in the room. A young women was dressed beautifully in white fur coats dripping with shining diamonds and her long curled hair was coloured in light pink, tied into a tail. I looked down at my own outfit and sighed internally. Looking all a little frumpy. Well, Ash said that I looked nice, and that was the most important thing. My eyes darted this way and that, trying to drink everything in at once. The decor was minimalist but very expensive looking. A gleaming grand piano stood in the corner of the entrance room and I couldn't take my eyes off it.

"It's so nice in here," I breathed out to Ash, who was scrutinizing the restaurant goers like he was looking for someone.

He nodded absentmindedly, his eyes lighting up as he apparently spotted somebody across the room. Tightening his hold on my wrist, he said, "Come over here, Sere," excitedly. "I have someone I want you to meet."

I followed Ash obediently, throwing him a side eye nonetheless. Someone he wants me to meet? Who could that possibly be? I didn't run in this kind of social circle, and I'm pretty sure I didn't know anyone who did.

We walked past each table and stopped right in front of a tall man with short cropped hair who had his back to us. "Sir," he started, sounding nervous as he cleared his throat, "I'd like you to meet Serena Yvonne."

Okay, what's going on here?

Confused, but deciding to play along regardless, I put a smile on my face. Ash would no doubt explain this later on. All I really had to do was go along with it. It's probably something to do with his list.

Stretching out my hand, I started to say, "It's nice to meet you, sir," as politely as I could.

The mystery man slowly turned to face us and I froze completely, the word 'you' sticking in my throat as my voice trailed off. Wordlessly I looked up into the man's face, staring into a pair of eyes almost identical to the ones I looked at every day in my mirror at home. I wrapped my arms around my body, feeling faint as my brain tried to come up with an answer for what I was seeing in front of me. Is this man who I think, hope he is? And if so, how could this be?

"Oh, my god," he muttered, his eyes targeting on my face. An expression of shock flitted onto his face.

Placing his hand bracingly on my shoulder, like he knew my legs were about ready to give out, Ash said ,"Sere, this man's name is Mark." He paused for a brief moment and swallowed hard. "Your father."