Still a bit dazed at the fact that she sat for almost an hour with her mother as though it were old times, Ashley pushed open the entrance door of Dave’s little home.

The lowly lighted place was awkwardly quiet, and it was certain to get more awkward when she faces Dave. When her legs found their way to the centre of the mini-living room, she was stopped by a muscular arm which swiftly wrapped itself around her waist.

After letting go of a breath with unintended relief, Ashley could not help but smile. The issue that made her walk out on him was long forgotten and she just wanted to stay in his arms and talk to him about things.

“Ashley Steve,” Dave finally spoke after minutes, his murmured words sending a gentle ruffle into the back of her head, “ I am so sorry.” Her hand went on to rest on his. “You have to know that I have no intention whatsoever to hurt you, you have been through so much already. I just want you to know…”

“It is okay, Dave.” She interrupted him, a beam in her eyes as she stared into the room. “I believe you.”

Dave turned her gently to face him. It was amazing how easily he could move her with just one arm. “You do?” She nodded. “Thank you so much.”

Ashley chuckled with ease. “For what?”

“For not leaving me.” His eyes were doing those things where they go all sad but yet look so pretty. He was such a mesmerising sight. Dave cupped her cheek. “Ashley, you are the best thing that has happened to me after a long while. I would be entirely shattered if you left me.”

His words not only warmed her heart, but they also gave her assurance. Alongside the sincerity in his eyes, Ashley knew she just had to mean something to the man standing before her. And that was just enough to push away the thought in her head that kept suggesting that she should run away.

“Are you done thinking about me?” Dave asked teasingly after seconds.

Ashley scoffed, “Why would I be thinking about you?”

“Uh… duh, I am gorgeous and I am the man in your life.”

Ashley wanted to give a comeback, but instead, all she did was click her tongue and admit, “You are the man in my life. The only man.”

Dave smirked, causing her to roll her eyes before bumping her head into his chest to hide her smile.

“Good to know,” he replied, his fingers going to the roots of her hair to soothe her soul.

After some while, Ashley said, “I met my mother today.”

“You did?” He looked down at her with a face that screamed surprise.

“Yes, at the supermarket.”

“Did you…?”

“Yes, I talked to her. I surprisingly didn’t feel like bashing her head into a wall or screaming my guts at her.”

“And how do you feel now?”

Looking thoughtful for a second, she said, “I feel okay actually.”

“Are you sure?

“I know it is surprising, but I feel a lot better. Besides, what use is dwelling in the past when the present is amazing?”

“Are you calling me amazing?”

“Is your name present?” She detached herself from his hug and made for the couch.

“It might as well be considering that I am the only one in your present.”

Ashley groaned as she sat down. “You know, sometimes I wonder why the car accident didn’t kick off your stupid cockiness.”

He sat beside her, that goofy smile still on his face. “You know you love it.”

Giggling, Ashley slightly pushed his face away. But that was not Dave’s plan as he managed to draw her closer to the heat of his body in a way that startled her and in a way that got her so close to his face.

With that position maintained, Dave’s arm circled her waist and Ashley placed hers on his chest. And like that, they dived into the depth and beauty of each other’s eyes.

And just like every other moment with Dave Scott, that moment felt amazing to Ashley. Everything about that moment was not stressful, not forced, and just nice. And thanks to the bubbly feeling inside her, everything felt just right.

“What are we doing?” Ashley asked quietly after seconds passed.

“I have no idea,” he whispered back.

Grinning softly, Ashley adjusted and properly placed her body in his embrace. “I just want to stay like this.”

“I had other plans in mind… but, okay. Let’s stay like this.”

“Other plans uh? With that arm of yours?”

“You have no idea how good I can be with just a good arm.”

Ashley grinned even more and said, “Why do I feel like experiencing what you are talking about?”

He nuzzled her hair. “Because you can’t get enough of me.”

Rolling her eyes again, she hugged him tighter and stayed like that, her insides bubbling as her heart danced.

~

A few days later, Dave fulfilled his intention of visiting his father. And, Ashley went with him.

“Your father lives here?” Ashley looked around the huge mansion they had just walked into. “Alone?”

“He is not alone if you consider that he has numerous staff and a few children who keep him company.”

“Children?”

The reception hall was not void at all. With artefacts here and there, the room didn’t feel cold at all and that said something to Ashley.

“Yeah. After he had surgery, he became lonely because I refused to live with him and that prompted him to adopt children that fill this place with noise and happiness.”

Ashley smiled. “That’s nice. But I don’t hear any noise.”

“They are probably on vacation. Ashley...” Dave reached for her hand as she looked up at him. “Do you ever want to know who your real parents are?”

Even though she was not expecting the question at all, Ashley knew the answer already.

“Yes, I do. But at the same time, I don’t. There is this part of me that is scared of who my real parents might be. What if I am not with them because they rejected me or left me at a fire station? If that is the case, that might mean that they don’t want me at all now that I am all grown. I… I really don’t know.” She gave a loud sigh.

“I see,” came Dave’s gruff reply.

“Why do you ask though?”

“No reason. I am just curious.”

A middle-aged, partially silver-haired lady in a black gown uniform approached them with a smile. “Mr. Scott, you are welcome. Please, come this way.”

“Hello, Maria. My father doesn’t know I am here right?”

Ashley could tell Maria was trying to figure out the deal with his slung arm.

“I just told him he has a visitor.”

“Good,” Dave began to walk, Ashley trailing behind him as she enjoyed the bliss of her hand in his, “I want to surprise him.”