I knew that the weekend was going to be a really nice one when we pulled up in front of the Four Seasons Sydney. I mean, I knew it was going to be nice anyways since I was going to be with Ashton, but this was going to be like fancy nice.

Raising an impressed eyebrow at him he just gave me a smile.

Ashton paid the cab driver and then we got out, him getting our suitcases.

He took my hand as we walked inside the hotel lobby, my eyes widening at the immaculate decor and architecture of the room. We made our way to the front desk and a pretty brunette receptionist looked up with a polite, helpful smile.

"Hi, how may I help you?"

"Uh yes, I have a reservation for Irwin." Ashton said and she typed it into the computer then reached into a drawer and pulled out two square pieces of plastic.

"Alright Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, here are your room keys, and I hope you both enjoy your stay." She handed our keys and Ashton took my hand again as we left the counter.

I wanted to make a comment on what she had called us but decided not to and just let it go.

We headed towards the elevator and Ashton pressed the button for the 29th floor when the top floor was the 30th.

I didn't say anything until we got to our floor and the doors opened to another spectacularly lit and decorated hallway. We found our room, opening the door to a space that made my jaw drop.

"Wow." I said and Ashton chuckled behind me.

A little entry way with a chandelier above it opened up into a massive living room with a cream sofa, coffee table, television, and two cream arm chairs.

From there two French doors led to an even bigger bedroom where there was a king sized bed with a nightstand on each side. There was another table with a television on it along with another matching sofa and chair.

A large bathroom connected to the room complete with a shower and a bathtub. There was also a closet that was bigger than the one I had at home.

"This is amazing." I said as I stood in the middle of the two main rooms. Ashton came up behind me and wound his arms around my waist. "I've never stayed in a hotel before."

"You like it?" He asked, his lips pressing to my neck.

"I love it." I smiled and reached back to place my hand on the side of his face.

"So what's the plan for the rest of this evening?" I asked, hoping he'd give me an answer.

"We have dinner reservations at seven so we have like an hour and thirty minutes to kill."

"Okay, well then I'm going to get ready." I said and he let me go so I could get my toiletries from the suitcase.

Slipping into the marvellous bathroom, I got into the shower and washed my hair and shaved again even though I'd already shaved the night before (just in case).

When I got out I wrapped a towel around me and went back out into the bedroom to find my clothes.

Ashton was reclining on the bed and did a double take at me when I walked out.

"Hmm...maybe we should just skip dinner." He smirked at me and I rolled my eyes, heading over to the suitcase.

"In your dreams Irwin." I said as I grabbed my bra and underwear from the bag and made my way back to the bathroom.

I changed into the white set and used the hairdryer on my hair until it was ready for me to curl it.

I found my makeup bag and did my typical concealer and mascara and then headed back out to put on my dress.

I was standing by the bag to find the black spandex shorts I wore under the dress when a pair of arms wrapped around me again.

"I don't want to go to dinner anymore." Ashton murmured into my ear. "We can just stay here all night, order room service."

His lips slowly dragged up my neck until they reached my jaw.

I was still in my bra and underwear and his fingers were massaging the skin above my
hip bone.

"You're distracting me from getting ready." I giggled.

"I don't care." He said and pressed his lips to the corner of my mouth.

I turned around in his embrace and I fitted my lips against his. Leaning back slightly I moved my arms to his hair and his hands began to run down the sides of my body.

I allowed him to deepen the kiss as he ran his tongue along my lip.

I let one of my hands travel down the side of his face and then carefully reached to my side and grabbed my dress in my hands. Pausing, I pecked his lips one last time before slinking out of his hands.

"You are such a tease." He whined and I laughed, jogging past him to the bathroom as he hit my bum lightly.

I dressed quickly and then joined him again.

Ten minutes before we left he changed into a grey tee with a black blazer on top and his wide brimmed black fedora.

I laced up my boots and he grabbed his wallet; we were ready to go.

Taking my hand he led me to the elevator, then out of the lobby and onto the Sydney sidewalk. Catching another taxi, we ended up at a restaurant called Rockpool Bar and Grill, and it was even more incredible than our hotel.

I felt almost under dressed as Ashton gave the host the reservation name and he led us back to a table that was in a back corner, far way from where most people were dining.

Like a gentleman, Ashton pulled out my chair for me and I blushed heavily, not used to being treated so well. Well that wasn't true per say, Ashton always treated me above and beyond like any girl should be treated, but today was almost over the top.

Ashton sat down in his seat and our waiter came to our table, his hair short and black and his appearance very young.

"Hello, my name is Andrew and I'll be your server for this evening." He flashed a bright smile. "What could I get you to drink?"

"I'll take a beer; whatever's on draft." Ashton answered and the looked to me.

"I'll just have a water." I smiled politely.

Andrew nodded and then left, Ashton reaching across the table to hold my hand.

"You know, this is our first date in Sydney." He brushed his thumb across the back of my hand.

"It is, unless you count our little grocery store expedition yesterday."

"Ah, I wouldn't consider that a date, that was more like me distracting you so my mom had time to make the cake and get the boys over there." He smirked.

"I guess you're right." I shrugged lightly and gave him a pretty smile.

"Okay, what's been your favourite date so far, not including this one because tonight's not over." He winked at the end.

"Hmm, probably our first one." I answered.

"How so?"

"Because, it was my first date ever. You were really sweet and I was so scared, but you calmed me down without even knowing it. Your face was so cute when you found out i'd never had a boyfriend before, oh and it was also my first almost kiss."

"Almost kiss?" He asked. "Oh, because I kissed you on the cheek."

"Mhmm." I nodded.

"I'll admit to you, I was so nervous. I was scared I was going to screw up in front of you and make a total fool out of myself." He said, biting his lip.

"I don't believe that's possible." I giggled and he joined in.

Andrew brought us our drinks and then took our order, both of us ordering the steak (which was a rare treat for me).

"Okay so I told you my favourite date, now you tell me yours." I said after the waiter left.

"The one where we went Christmas shopping for Ender and I asked you to be my girlfriend." He said with a proud little smile.

"Ah yes, I think I remember that day." I joked and he rolled his eyes playfully.

"That one is my favourite because I could tell you wanted to know about my feelings for you and you looked absolutely adorable when you asked me what my kiss the day before had meant, and then I kissed you again, and I knew that I wanted to be with you, so I didn't give my self the chance to panic; I just asked."

"I was so nervous." I laughed.

"Well you put on a good front."

We chatted like this the remainder of the time until our food arrived.

The meal was absolutely spectacular and Ashton even ordered us dessert as well.

After he had paid the bill and tipped our waiter, we stood up from our table and I held onto his arm as we left the restaurant.

"Wanna just walk around?" He asked and I nodded.

I loved walking through the city. There was something about all of the lights and the tall buildings that made me feel like I was so small and the world was such a big place.

There were lots of people out since it was a Saturday night and Ashton held onto me as we walked through crowds to make sure I didn't get left behind.

Glancing at him out of the corner of my eye I studied his face. His jaw line was so carved and perfect, and his eyelashes cast pretty shadows under his eyes.

Feeling particularly happy I reached up and took his hat from his head, placing it on mine.

"Just what do you think you are doing?" He asked me with a grin and I shrugged innocently.

At a street corner he pulled out his phone and took a few pictures of us and then hailed a cab to take us back to the hotel.

Instead of going to our room when we got to our floor, he took my hand and led me down the hallway to a door that said 'stairs'.

I gave him a questioning look but he just dragged me inside and up two flights of steps before opening another door that opened up on the rooftop.

I watched quietly as he placed his hat in the door so we wouldn't get locked out, and then walked over to the balcony so we could look off the side.

"It's so pretty up here." I said in awe as I looked around at the different view.

"I thought you might like this." He said and I turned back to give him a dazzling smile.

He came up next to me and leaned forward against the wall too, looking at the buildings and people below us.

"So I got you a birthday gift," He spoke softly, "but it comes with a little speech first is that okay?"

"Yes." I said and turned my head so I could look at him.

He took a deep breath and then started talking.

"When I first came to Haven Harbour for vacation I wasn't looking to meet anyone, but thankfully I met you. After our tour on the boat I couldn't get you out of my head, and would literally make up any excuse just to come back and see you. It helped that Ender was so funny and cool to hang with and when I took him to the skate park I would ask him questions about you so I could find out more. And that's when he told me about your parents and how you were his legal guardian and suddenly I fell for you even more because of how strong you were."

He paused.

"We've only been together a short amount of time, but everyday you amaze me with your strength. When Gracie came, most people would have collapsed under the pressure, but you took it head on and made that little girl feel like she had a family again. And when you were in the hospital you tried not to show that you were scared so you wouldn't worry Ender or anyone else. And every time I had to leave, you stuck through the long distance and the phone calls from far away and didn't give up on us when most people would have."

His eyes were shining with a new kind of light. It was soft, brilliant, and delicate; it was love.

"These past few months have been so full of surprises. I didn't expect you to agree to be my girlfriend. I didn't expect you to let me into your home and your life, opening up to me about your parents. I didn't expect to quickly love Ender like he was my son, nor did I expect to love Gracie like she was my daughter. I may not be related to them, but I love them like they were my own."

He took another deep breath and I did too.

"Ultimately, I didn't come to Haven Harbour expecting to fall in love with you."

The moment the words left his mouth a tiny gasp escaped my lips.

"But now I don't want to imagine my life any other way. I want to be the person who you come to for anything and everything. I want to be the one who makes you smile, wipes away your tears when your sad, the one who makes you laugh because I love the sound of your voice. I want to be that father figure for Ender and Gracie and be that dad who takes them to football practice and dance recitals. You are so beautiful and brave and every single day I fall even harder for you than the day before."

I felt the little pricks of tears brimming behind my eyes, but I held them at bay.

"I'm so in love with you Halle Carter Chase, I have been for a really long time."

I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to respond to that because I felt like anything I said couldn't measure up to the beautiful words he had just bestowed upon me.

But I knew I had to tell him how I felt.

I opened my mouth to speak but he stopped me.

"Before you say anything," He said and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box," Now don't freak out, but I want to give you this." He opened the box to reveal a silver ring band.

I glanced up at him with wide eyes but he gave me an assuring smile.

"This is a promise ring. I want you to have this to show you my commitment to us. I want that every time you look at this ring, you know how much I love you."

My heart was beating erratically in my chest and I felt so incredibly loved.

"Can I put it on you?" He asked and I nodded. He gently picked up my hand, my fingers slightly trembling, and slowly slid it on my left ring finger.

My eyes lingered on the silver circle that now rested on my hand and couldn't help but feel almost overwhelmed by the feeling of absolute pure bliss settling over me.

Then my head raised and I looked him straight in the eyes and spoke.

"I love you too."

The anxious look on his face disappeared into one of happiness and his hands came down to rest on either side of my face. His lips followed suit to touch mine and almost shocked me at how gentle, soft, and simply loving they were.

This moment was one I never wanted to forget.

Everything he had said had been so beautifully honest and heart warming. And he was right.

When he first visited the shop to go on the tour with his friends, I didn't expect that one day, I would fall in love with him too.

"Look at the inside of the ring." He said and I gently pulled it off to look at the inner band. Engraved into the silver were the letters and symbols  'C & A'.

"Those are our initials." I said my voice slightly breaking, his thoughtfulness cracking through the mental dam I had built up in my mind so that I wouldn't cry.

"Yeah, do you like it? Because if you don't I can take it back and get a different one-" He said but I stood up on my tippy toes and pressed my lips to his.

"Shut up, I love it." I said and he let out a very breathy laugh, like he was releasing all of his nervousness and anxiety.

Using his thumbs he wiped away the few stray tears that had managed to escape.

"Are those happy tears?" He asked.

"Very happy tears." I smiled as I tried to stop crying and he put his arms around me, bringing me into his embrace.

My head went to rest between his chest and shoulder while he laid his lips on my forehead, pressing small kisses there.

I wasn't sure how long we stayed like that, it could've been eternity and I wouldn't have cared, but eventually the wind became harsher and a little more cold, so Ashton took my hand in his and led me back inside the hotel.

There was a different feel to the air as we stepped inside our hotel room. It was exciting and different, and I felt like the night was only going to continue to get better and better.

Once inside, he slipped off his jacket and laid it over the back of one of the arm chairs in the living room.

"Are you tired?" He asked me and I shook my head no, a soft smile coming across his face.

Looking for a moment to really quickly calm my heart rate, I made my way to the bathroom, and on one of the hooks on the back of the door was a cream coloured silk robe.

I quickly slid out of my dress and put on the little robe that went just a few inches after the bottom of my bum.

Dress and shoes in hand, I went out into the bedroom to hang my dress back up and put my shoes away.

The entire time my eyes couldn't help
but keep glancing down at the promise ring that now graced my finger.

Ashton entered the bed room from the living room as I was putting my hair in a pony tail.

His eyes danced when he saw the garment I was wearing, but made no move yet.

He took off his shoes and socks, setting them next to mine and then came up to me. Out of nervousness I shifted my weight onto one leg and bit my lip as he brought his mouth down on mine, releasing my lip from the prison my teeth had made.

His hands went to my face and mine to his chest as he kissed me, making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

My hands slid to the hem of his shirt and swiftly yanked it away, my fingers displaying themselves over the skin of his abdomen.

His lips, still moving in sync with mine, began to pick up pace as he lowered his hands to the back of my thighs, my arms winding around his neck as he lifted me up. My legs wrapped around his waist and he started to walk forwards until he reached the bed and gently laid me down, using his knees to hover over me, never detaching our lips.

My fingers began to run themselves through the hair behind his ears as his began to make their way down to the knot in the robe I had tied.

Carefully they pulled at the silk ends until it unravelled, the smooth fabric falling on the sides of my body, exposing the white bra and underwear I had on underneath.

He pushed the fabric aside even more and began to trail his fingers down my body; starting from the nape of my neck until he reached right above the hem of my panties.

My breath hitched in my throat as I realised what we were most likely going to do and he took notice.

"Do you want to stop?" He asked as he pulled away so he could look at me.

The fear and nervousness in my mind was holding me back; my mind controlling my body, and  I decided not to let my head have the power anymore.

I wanted this. I wanted him.

"No." I whispered and he hesitated before bending down to kiss me again.

Boldly, my hands found themselves at the zipper of his jeans and I popped the button, sliding the zipper down.

Catching my hint me released my lips and moved back so he could stand up.

He kicked off his jeans and then went over to the suitcase, this time coming back with a foil packet in his hand that he tossed onto the nightstand.

His feet carried him back over to me and he scooted me up towards the pillows where I rested my back and neck on them.

Kneeling in front of me, he leaned forward to kiss at my lips again, his hands gradually making their way to my shoulders where he brushed the robe off of them. Lifting my arms, I let the fabric slide right off and brought my hands to his neck and face.

Next he made his way to my bra, his fingers playing with the white fabric until I arched my back and he undid the clasp, sliding that off as well.

His lips made their way down to my neck where he began to slowly drag them down my body. It was tantalising and my body shivered with every inch of skin he covered until he arrived at the fabric of my underwear and pressed a kiss to that spot that drove me crazy with pleasure.

I felt his fingers dip under the band of the final item of clothing I wore and then my legs were lifted, the fabric sliding off of them and joining the rest on the floor.

Ashton's hot breath fanned against my core and I almost stopped breathing as he dipped in, his tongue making a line up my centre.

He did that a few more times and then focused on the sensitive bud at the top, using the tip of his tongue to circle it.

"Oh my God." I breathed, my hand instinctively coming down to tangle in his hair.

He continued that, alternating between the kissing, licking, and tongue tracing of the folds until I was a shivering and panting mess.

I felt the burning sensation I had felt once before make a reappearance and I let out a cry as it burst through me.

Ashton kept his mouth moving until I was sensitive to the touch, then sat up, looking in my eyes to see how I was.

He moved his body so that he was able to get his own underwear off then hovered above me.

"It's going to be uncomfortable at first, but I promise we'll take it slow." He said and I nodded, part of me not even caring, and I pressed my lips to his once.

He reached over to the bedside table and grabbed the packet, tearing it open and pulling out our protection.

Using his hand, he pumped himself a few times before rolling the condom on.

Then he proceeded to move forward, bending my knees and spreading my legs apart, positioning himself in front of me. He took his member in his hand and began to drag it along my entrance like he had done with his tongue earlier and my back arched back as I let out a soft moan.

My mind was too slow to catch up with what he did because before I knew it; he had moved the head of his erection into me, a gasp leaving my lips as I realised.

He waited until I was comfortable with that and proceeded on, very slowly entering me fully.

I let out a whimper at the uncomfortable stretch I was feeling and turned my head to the side, biting harshly on my lip.

"I've got you, it's okay." He said above me and waited a little longer before continuing.

Slowly but surely this went on until he was finally all the way in me.

My body was learning how to accommodate the strange feeling, and it had a lot to get used to because he wasn't small at all.

"Is it okay to move?" He asked, his voice sounding strained.

I nodded and he began to pull out until he had just the head in me, and then began to push back in.

After a few repetitions of this I began to feel not uncomfortableness but just full, and then a little after that a nice sensation.

"Oh!" I said as he hit a particularly sweet spot and then hit it again. "Yes."

His hips began to move against mine faster and he quickened his movements.

His body was balanced above mine and I craned my neck up, searching for his lips which he captured with his own.

His thrusts began to speed up, a small fire beginning to burn inside me.

"Oh my God, Ashton." I whined as he took my right nipple into his mouth, another wave of pleasure attacking me.

"So beautiful." He said against my skin.

"Ashton!" I cried out as his hips smacked against mine, every few thrusts grinding against me and sending my body into a frenzy.

The fire inside me was only getting stronger and his lips on mine were only getting hotter.

Suddenly his fingers were there at that sensitive spot, rubbing circles into it making me shudder and jerk my body.

"I'm almost there, baby." He panted into my ear.

"Ash." I moaned loudly and this seemed to push him over the edge as his lips slammed down onto mine and his thrusts becoming sloppy as he spilled himself into the condom.

His orgasm spawned mine and I released next, a flurry of cries, whimpers, and moans flooding from my mouth.

The euphoric feeling that I had felt twice before had never felt so strong.

Ashton hovered above me, catching his breath before he slowly pulled out of me, taking off the condom and tossing it into the trash bin.

My body couldn't move it was too blissed out.

Through hooded eyes I saw Ashton come back towards me and lift my side, dragging me over to him.

"How was it?" He asked me, his lips going back to my neck.

"Really good." I breathed and he let out a laugh.

His lips continued to kiss and nip at the skin of my neck until my heart calmed down.

"I love you." He murmured into my ear.

"I love you too." I said back to him and then my body, the adrenaline now released, fell to sleep.

I awoke the next morning with my bare back pressed against the front of Ashton's body.

The bed was warm and his arm was crossed over my chest, his breath hitting the back of my neck in soft puffs.

I turned in his arms so that I was facing him and accidentally bumped my nose into his chest, looking up make sure I didn't wake him.

He was so beautiful. Even is his sleep his face was so soft and godlike, but he wore a tiny little smile on his lips.

Pushing up with my bare feet I pressed my lips to his, the sudden urge taking over me.

Carefully after that I lifted his arm that was draped on my naked body and made to get out of bed.

I was sore between my legs but it wasn't nothing I couldn't manage and I went ahead and found my black bra and underwear set and put them on, along with the robe from last night.

My hair was a little messed up in its ponytail so I went to fix it and then wandered into the living room where there was a little kitchenette and started the coffee.

Leaning against the counter, my head dropped to look at the promise ring on my finger again. Last night had been so incredibly amazing for me, and honestly I didn't want it to end.

His speech when he gave me the ring was probably my favourite part next to him telling me he loves me. It was so genuine and beautiful and I replayed it over and over in my head.

My other favourite part was (of course during) and right after we had made love last night, and he had told me he loved me again.

I jumped when two hands covered mine, blocking my view of the ring and looked up to see Ashton in front of me, lacing his fingers through mine.

He was wearing boxers and nothing else.

"Hi." He murmured softly, his morning voice deep and husky.

"Good morning." I said just as quietly back and he leaned his head forward to rest it on my shoulder, his nose skimming the skin along my neck.

Letting go of my fingers he placed his hands on my hips, leaning his weight into me.

"How do you feel?" He asked.

"Happy." I answered and he exhaled a laugh against my skin. "And you?"

"I'm the happiest person in the world right now."

"I think you might have some competition." I smirked and he lifted his head, a smile on his face and he gave me a pretty kiss.

"So when did you get it?" I asked in reference to the promise ring.

"When I came to Sydney on Sunday. I went after my meeting to pick it up."

"How did you know what size?"

"Lucky guess." He chuckled.

"Well it's perfect, thank you." I said and wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him down to me so I could kiss him.

The kiss started off as innocent but quickly turned heated and lustful which had Ashton picking me up by the back of my thighs, and carrying me off to the bedroom for round two.

--

Ashton is so freaking adorable oh my god

btw I cried like twice while writing this, I don't know why but I got so emotional writing this chapter.

Anyways, only a couple more until you guys are going to absolutely hate me so enjoy it while it lasts (:

As always, vote and comment if you'd like, you're all so sweet and I love you guys lots!

See you in the next chapter xx -m