Aria Weston's POV
( Five years later... )

Stepping out onto the balcony of the master bedroom, I feel the glorious sun caress my skin with its warmth. My cream-colored silk sheath of a nightgown flows down to my ankles and swirls with the fresh spring breeze coming in from off the lake. As I leaned forward on the marble railing, I gently pushed a spaghetti strap back into place on my shoulder. The scene that met my eyes down below was incredibly beautiful.

When Calhoun Mansion was fully restored, ( A thank you from the government. Re-named Weston Mansion. Tax-free for life. ) gardens with every kind of flower I could think of, were planted around the place. Their scents wafted up to me and I closed my eyes as I inhaled the sweet perfume of nature's glory.

The slight chill of the white marble beneath my bare feet sent goosebumps up my legs. My ability to sense things with this body has become so much stronger over time. I have not gone into my molecular form since I revealed myself nude to Richard in the past, here.

Though it is strange how comfortable this form has become.

There have been times that I have wondered, if the black hole that created me, gave me life, couldn't my black hole core do the same? And if so, what kind of life would it be? Maybe I'll find out someday, and maybe not.

Hearing the rustling of sheets, I turn and gaze at my husband with love. "Good morning, I was just going to let you sleep in. I approached the side of the four-poster bed and took in the incredible sight of his naked body.

Looking up at me with sleep in his soft brown eyes, smiling as he scratched at the stubble on his chin. "Come here, Mrs. Weston. I want to hold you as I wake up." Quickly, I moved in front of him and pushed him back on the bed straddling his hips as my nightgown strained to make room, sliding up my thighs.

Without warning, he encircled my body in his arms and pulled me down at his side. "Feeling playful this morning, Mr. Weston?"

Facing me, he buried his head in my shoulder and groaned. "No, woman. You done wore me out last night. I need food to power up again. Plus, I gotta get to work too." The government had been kind enough to relocate Richard's diner and employees too. Though it was Richard that demanded the deeds to both properties be put in his name and mine, and that we live tax-free for life. As Immortals, it helps.

"You've been thinking about 'life' again, haven't you, Aria... I can almost sense it..." He leaned back and cupped my cheek.

"Can you blame me? The possibilities are endless. But... it's mostly due to something else..." His concern for me was evident as he kissed my cheeks.

Stroking my hair he whispered, "Talk to me..."

Sighing heavily, I sat upright on the bed. "It started small at first. About a year ago my core would become slow, and then speed back up again. I haven't thought much about it, except on the times where it would stop spinning for days on end, and yet I felt fine. You may not have noticed, but my core went silent over a week ago. I whispered. There was anger in him, I could feel it, but his concern was much stronger.

"Aria, how could you not tell me about this?" He sat up and pulled me into his arms. I held onto him as I closed my eyes in contentment.

"Honestly Richard I don't think it means anything, because I have felt fine when it has happened. No shortness of breath, nothing. I-I have actually felt...better." I moved my hand to rest on his chest as I looked up into his eyes. "I know you. You would have been more worried about it than me." Smiling playfully, I punched him in the shoulder.

He remained serious this time, not giving in to my playfulness. "I'm staying home from work today. Just so I can be sure. I just don't want to lose you...so, I suggest we have a picnic on the lake today. Alright?" Nodding, I thought it was a wonderful idea.

Slowly, I got up from the bed with a smile on my face. Walking around the outside, my fingers trailing on the bedposts as he watched. PAIN ripped through me as I grabbed at my chest... I could not get oxygen, as I sank to my knees on the marble flooring.

"ARIA! NO!" I heard Richard scream as he hurried across the bed to where I lay. I felt as if an elephant was sitting on my chest, trying so hard to gasp for air as he picked me up and lay me back against his chest."Please, fight it, baby! Fight it, whatever it is! Don't you dare die!" I felt my eyes closing as I inwardly struggled. I couldn't even feel my core anymore. Everything went black.

One hour later...

Lub-dub...
Lub-dub...

My eyes opened slowly to find Richard crying quietly into my hair. Though my voice was raspy, I said his name quietly. "Richard..."

Lub-dub...
Lub-dub...

Raising his head, he kissed me softly, "Oh thank God, you're alright! We gotta get you into a hospital or something."

Lub-dub...
Lub-dub...

Shaking my head at him I smiled softly. "Life found a way after all." Taking his hand, I tiredly placed it over my chest.

Lub-dub, Lub-dub, Lub-dub, Lub-dub

His eyes widened in disbelief as he felt the beat of a heart beneath his fingertips and palm. "A heart? But Aria, won't this ground you? Just tell me this is what you really wanted." He laid me flat on the bed and never moved his hand away from my chest.

Smiling, tears ran from the corners of my eyes. "I love you so much, and have no wish to be anywhere but at your side. This binds me to Earth, but it is definitely what I wanted. The core is still there, it just has transformed into a different type. I guess it was just adapting to the body I have been in the longest." His lips found mine, and we kissed for the longest time.

One wonderful thing about the universe and all thing in it, it is ever-changing. Expanding and contracting constantly.

Just to live in this world, we must do the same. Never stop reaching for tomorrow. Because you never know what it may bring.

The End