Days of our Haiden (Read 6,336 times)

[heroicmuse]

Uh oh. Looks like Hope is headed for an affair instead of being honest about her feelings. It'll be interesting to see what happens next!

[ihearthaiden]

Days of our Haiden

                                                                                           Season One Episode 10:



“Aw come on!” Ciara cried out. She slammed her hands down onto her laptop.

“Don’t do that you’ll break it,” Chase warned, coming down the stairs.

Ciara rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

“What’s got you so mad anyway?” Chase asked, plopping himself down onto the couch beside her.

“Theo wants the new Evil Trolls from Outer Space video game so bad. I want to surprise him with it for Christmas, but it is sold out everywhere! I had a bid on eBay, but I got outbid at the last second.”

Chase laughed. “‘Evil Trolls from Outer Space’? What kind of lame video game is that?”

Ciara shot him a look. “I thought you were past the bullying Theo stage.”

Chase shrugged. “I’m not bullying him; I just think it sounds like a dumb game to want to play.”

“Yeah, well, obviously it’s not a dumb game since everyone and their cousin seems to want it.” Ciara clicked out of eBay and onto Craig’s List.

“Don’t go to Craig’s List. Haven’t you ever seen the movie The Craig’s List Killer? That place is filled with weirdos and psychos,” Chase warned.

Again, Ciara rolled her eyes. “Okay, Dad. Stop being so paranoid. People use this site every day. If it was all that dangerous, it would be shut down.” She stopped scrolling and clicked on a name. “Oo! This dude has one he’s selling for double the price. It’s a rip off, but it’s the only one I see, and it will make Theo happy, so it will be worth it.” She quickly messaged the guy to inquire about it.

“Ciara, I’m warning you, don’t. I don’t feel good about that site. It’s not safe,” Chase said; worried.

Ciara looked at him. “Relax! I know how to take care of myself.”

“At least go with somebody,” Chase said. “I’d go with you, but Claire and I have a date.”

Ciara cried out in annoyance. “For the love of God, Chase, let it go! I’ll be fine, really.”

“I’m going to tell Mom. She won’t let you go alone,” Chase warned.

Ciara rolled her eyes. “What are you, eleven again? You’re going to run and tell Mommy? Please!”

Chase scowled at her mockery and crossed his arms over his chest. “I have to go finish getting ready. I’ll only be a few minutes. Promise not to go anywhere while I’m upstairs?”

Ciara sighed. “Fine. Whatever. I have to text Abe anyway to make sure he didn’t already get it for Theo.”

Chase headed up the stairs.

Ciara then took off her shoes, and set her laptop down on the coffee table. Next, she stretched out on the couch, and turned the television on.

When Chase came back downstairs a few minutes later and saw Ciara relaxing on the couch, he relaxed. “I take it Abe already got it for him?”

Ciara nodded. “The day it came out, he was able to get one. I guess it pays to be part of the police force.”

“Well, good! Now I don’t have to worry about you going out and getting yourself killed while I’m away,” Chase said.

Ciara smirked. “Nope!”

“Maybe tomorrow we can go shopping together,” Chase suggested. “I need to get my Dad a birthday present.” He put his coat and shoes on.

Ciara’s face fell a bit. “Yeah, sure,” she said not so enthusiastically.

Chase sighed. “Ciara, he’s my dad. I’m not going to turn my back on him.”

“He tried to kill my mom, Chase. Our mom. How can you be okay with that?” Ciara asked.

“He did it because he thought it was the only way to protect my life. I can’t begrudge him for that,” Chase defended.

“Yeah, well, what about my mom’s life? He had just vowed to love her and to cherish her, and then he tried to kill her. He should have found another way to protect you,” Ciara said angrily.

“Well, he didn’t think there was any other way! He didn’t want to kill her. He felt horrible, and still feels horrible about what he did!” Chase snapped back. “He loves her.”

Ciara laughed bitterly. “Your father doesn’t know the meaning of love—at least not when it comes to the romantic kind.”

Chase clenched his fists, but kept his cool. “We’ll just have to agree to disagree then,” he said quietly.

Ciara nodded. “That we will.”

Chase then left without another word to Ciara.

Ciara waited a moment, then once she was absolutely sure that Chase was gone, she got back on her laptop, and checked her Craig’s List messages.

“Yes!” She said when she saw that the guy had responded saying that he would sell the video game to her. His name was Matt. She quickly typed back with her own name, and asked when and where they should make the exchange, then waited for his response.

He messaged her back two minutes later, suggesting they meet at the park by the picnic area. Well, the place people would picnic when it wasn’t winter that is. He told her to pick a time.

She quickly wrote back, “Is fifteen minutes good?”

He sent a message back in less than a minute. “See you there.”

She emailed back a smiley face, then shut out the window, and closed her laptop. She then turned off the TV, put her shoes and coat on, grabbed her keys, shoved some money in her pocket, and then finally headed out the door.



*This love came back to me.*



Ciara arrived at the park. It was deserted, and she felt a little odd being there by herself. She was surprised it was so deserted. Of course it was never as packed in the winter as it was in the spring, summer, and even fall, but still… Usually there were lovers all bundled up and holding hands, going for a walk, or at least passing through from shopping.

She sat down on the bench and waited for Matt to arrive.

“Ciara?” asked a man’s voice from behind her a moment later.

Ciara looked around to see a tall man with glasses too big for his face. His hair was greasy and brown with a comb-over which Ciara guessed was to try to conceal his giant bald spot. He wore a plaid shirt, dark wash blue jeans, and ratty Nike sneakers, all of which looked dirty. “I’m Matt.” He said wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

Ciara got up off the bench and put on a fake smile, making a mental note to believe Chase next time when he told her about Craig’s List people being full of weirdos. “Hi.” Her smile faltered when she looked at his empty hands. “I don’t see the game.”

He sniffled. “I’m going to need the cash before I give you the game. It’s a hot commodity, you know.”

Ciara stepped back a bit. “Well, I’m not giving you anything until I see proof that you actually have the game.”

He nodded. “All right. Fair enough.” He nodded behind him toward the way he must have come. “Come with me. I have it in the back of my van.”

Ciara put her hands up. “Woah, Dude, I may look young, but I’m not stupid, all right? Look, I’ll just get it somewhere else. Thanks for nothing!” She turned to leave, but felt her arm being grabbed roughly from behind. She swung around to see that Matt suddenly had her arm. His expression was angry. “I’m afraid it’s not a choice, Missy.”

Ciara had fear in her eyes as she tried to pull away.



*This love came back to me.*



Aiden had just finished his community service for the day. He had been painting a room of a building downtown that the city council had wanted restored. After that, he had gotten off at the bus stop, gotten coffee in the square, and was now walking home. He decided to take a shortcut through the park.

As he walked, he heard a young girl crying out. “Help me! Somebody help me, please!”

He quickened his steps and headed toward the sound of the voice. Was it all in his head or did the voice sound exactly like Ciara’s?



*This love came back to me.*



Ciara couldn’t believe how strong Matt was. He didn’t look strong but he was strong all right—so strong!

He pulled her close to his body, and ground up against her from behind. “You know, I like ‘em feisty! He ran a freehand down her cheek. “I’m going to have some fun with a pretty little thing like you.”

“No, let go of me! Don’t you touch me!” Ciara cried.

He pulled her even tighter against his body. “I’m way stronger than you, and I always get what I want. No use in fighting it, Sweetheart!”

Ciara kicked him in the shin, but it was hard to do much damage with his arms pinning the back of her body so tightly against his own body.

He pulled her hair hard from behind. “Stop it, you little bitch!”

Ciara was crying now. She had no idea what she was going to do. She wasn’t strong enough to break free from him, and there was no one else around. They were far enough from the square that no one would hear her screams.

Suddenly, she heard Matt cry out in pain, and he released her.

She quickly stepped away from him and saw that Aiden had appeared behind Matt. Aiden had a huge stick in his hand and Matt was rubbing the back of his neck, which now had a bloody scrape on it. Ciara took it that Aiden had poked him hard in the back of the neck with the stick. The stick, she noticed, had a sharp and rugged edge at the end.

Matt turned toward Aiden. “Oh, you’re a dead man!”

Aiden smirked. “No; people just thought I was,” he joked, ducking as Matt tried to throw a punch. “You, on the other hand, are a burned man.”

This threw Matt for a moment. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Aiden then tossed his hot coffee at Matt’s face. It sloshed all over Matt’s face and Matt screamed in pain.

“That’s what you get for trying to attack a defenseless young girl!” Aiden snapped at him. He then motioned to Ciara. “Quick! Let’s go. To the square. Now.”

Ciara nodded, and quickly ran off with Aiden.

Matt was in too much pain to chase after them.

They didn’t stop running until they got to the square and back to civilization. Aiden called the police right away to report the incident.

“Yes, I’d like to report a crime. A man in the park just attacked Ciara Brady… He’s still in the park… I stopped him by stabbing him in the back of the neck with a stick, then splashing hot coffee in his face… Ciara and I are both safely in the square… Yes, we’ll wait here.” Aiden hung up after he was done talking to the officer who had answered the phone. He turned to Ciara. “They want us to wait here. The police are on their way.”

Ciara nodded her agreement. “Thank you. I’m still so mad at you for what you did to my mom, but thanks for saving me out there. I—I don’t know what I would have done if—” Ciara was shaky, and had tears in her eyes.

“Come here.” Aiden held out his arms, and was happy when Ciara surprisingly stepped into them. He gently rubbed her back as he comforted her.

“Why does crazy stuff like this always happen to me? I mean, my gosh, I’m not even seventeen yet and already I’ve been kidnapped twice, and now I was almost kidnaped for the third time, and almost raped on top of that!” Ciara whined.

“Just unlucky I guess?” Aiden joked. “Sorry,” he quickly apologized. “I have a tendency to joke at bad times. “I guess I was just trying to cheer you up.”

Ciara pulled away from him, but smiled. “No, it’s okay. You’re right. I am unlucky.”

“Or you could look at it as you’re gorgeous and in-demand. Everyone wants a piece of you,” Aiden continued to joke.

Ciara found herself grinning widely even though she didn’t want to. “Cute.”

Roman arrived then. “Ciara!” He pulled her close and hugged her tightly. “What the hell happened?”

Ciara told him the story, beginning at wanting to buy Theo the sold out video game so she went on Craig’s List, and ending with the details of the exchange going badly and Aiden saving her.

Roman turned to Aiden. “And what were you doing in the park?”

“I was back from my community service. The bus stop is right by the town square. I got some coffee, then took a shortcut through the park. Lucky for Ciara, I happened to be walking right near where she was, and heard her cries for help,” Aiden explained. “I found the stick—the only thing I could think of at the time to use as a weapon—and jammed it into his neck just hard enough to make him release his grip on Ciara. Then, he threatened me and tried to punch me, so I splashed my hot coffee in his face to allow Ciara and me to get away.”

Roman turned to Ciara. “Is all this true?”

Ciara nodded. “Yes. All of it. Like I told you, Aiden was just trying to protect me. That dude was strong. I was sure I was going to be kidnapped and raped. I would have been had Aiden not been there.”

Roman nodded. “All right. You’re both free to go.” His walkie-talkie buzzed and he answered it. “Whatcha got?”

“The suspect is in custody,” the officer on the other end of the walkie-talkie announced.

“All right, I’ll be right there,” Roman said. He then turned to Aiden. “Thank you for saving my niece.”

Aiden shrugged. “I did what any decent human being would do.”

“Yeah, well, after what you did to Hope, no matter what the reasoning, whether or not you’re a decent human being is yet to be decided.” Roman then turned his attention to Ciara. “And as for you, Young Lady, I don’t want to hear any more about you going off on your own to meet someone you met online, whether it be Craig’s List, Facebook, a chat room, whatever. You got me?”

Ciara nodded, and looked down at the ground in shame. “Yeah, I got you.”

Roman hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “Good! Now you get home. You hear me? Your mother’s going to want to hear about this. If you don’t tell her, I will.”

Ciara looked like she was going to complain, then thought better of it. She hung her head in defeat. “Fine.”

Roman then left for the park.

“Would you like me to walk you home?” Aiden asked Ciara.

Ciara shook her head. “Thanks, but I’ve got it. One bad lapse in judgment doesn’t make me an invalid.”

Aiden nodded. “All right then.”

“I still haven’t forgiven you for what you did to my mother, but I hate you a little less after today. Thanks again for saving my butt,” Ciara said before leaving.

Aiden nodded. “Anytime.”

They then both went their separate ways, Aiden wishing he still had his coffee, but not being able to afford a second one. He guessed he’d have to settle for the mud the Salem Inn lobby tried to pass off as coffee. At least it was free.



*This love came back to me*



Ciara got back home, still shaken from what had just happened. She was glad it was her mother’s day off. Hope would have freaked out if she had been on duty and heard what had happened to her.

Ciara’s eyes fell upon her purse that was on the coffee table. She supposed she had Chase to thank for that. Chase’s warning had spooked her just enough to leave her wallet and everything at home. She had only brought the cash for the video game with her, which was thankfully, still in her pocket.

Hope came into the room from the kitchen then, and smiled at her daughter. “Ciara, Sweetie, hey! Where were you? You left your purse here.”

Ciara nodded. “I know. Mom, I need to tell you something.”

Hope instantly looked worried. “Uh oh. I know that look and tone. What’s wrong?”

Ciara nodded toward the couch. “Not to sound clichéd, but you might want to sit down.”

Hope did as told, and Ciara sat down beside her on the couch.

“I didn’t want to worry you, but Uncle Roman’s making me tell you,” Ciara began.

Hope looked frightened. “Tell me what, Ciara?”

Ciara sighed. “I went to the park to meet up with a guy I met on Craig’s List. He was selling a sold out video game that I wanted to get for Theo.”

Hope’s eyes widened with fear. “Let me get this straight. You met a guy Online, then went to the park, which, by the way, is mostly deserted this time of year, to meet said guy all by yourself?”

Ciara nodded, and looked down at the couch. “Pretty much.”

“Ciara Alice Brady, you know better than that! I raised you better than that!” Hope snapped.

Again, Ciara sighed. “That’s not the worst of it.”

Hope put her face in her hands. “I’m afraid to ask.”

“The guy turned out to be a real creeper. He grabbed me and tried to take me back to his van to rape me,” Ciara confessed.

All the color from Hope’s face drained. “Oh my gosh, Ciara!” She hit the back of the couch.

Ciara winced, and continued. “I thought I was done for. The dude was so strong! But then Aiden happened to be cutting through the park on the way back from his community service and heard my cries. He picked up a sharp stick and jammed it into the back of the guy’s neck. The guy instinctively let go of me. When he turned around and saw that it was Aiden that jabbed him with the stick, he was going to attack him. Aiden thought fast and splashed his hot coffee in the guy’s face. He then made sure we both ran to the safety of the Town Square. He called the cops. Roman questioned us both already and they got the guy who tried to do that to me.” Ciara felt better now that she had confessed everything, but she noticed her mother looked like she was about to pass out. “Mom, are you okay?”

Hope nodded. “I’m fine.” She took Ciara’s hands in hers, and looked her in the eyes. “Ciara, I want you to promise me never to do something so foolish ever again. Do you hear me?”

Ciara nodded. “I learned my lesson; believe me.”

“Promise me!” Hope snapped.

“All right! I promise to never meet some strange person off the internet again,” Ciara promised.

Hope relaxed. “Good!”

“Can I got now?” Ciara asked. “I want to go to my room and call Theo.”

Hope nodded. “Go ahead.”

Ciara then headed up the stairs.

Hope sighed. So Aiden had saved her daughter. She wasn’t sure how that made her feel. Of course, she was very grateful to Aiden, but the thought of him strangling her still haunted her sometimes even a year later. Still… If Aiden hadn’t come along….

Hope shook her head. Tears were threatening to gather in her eyes at the thought of what could have happened to Ciara had Aiden not come along.

She pulled out her cell phone and selected the name she wanted to call from her contacts, then she pressed the call button.

After a few rings, the person she was calling picked up.

“Hello, Victor?” Hope asked. “It’s me. Can I come over? I have a huge favor to ask you.”

[heroicmuse]

I am so glad Aiden was there to help Ciara! She should have known better than to go to the evil park, though. Lol.

I wonder what Hope wants from Victor.

Great chapter ihearthaiden

[ihearthaiden]

Days of our Haiden

Season 1 Episode 11:



It was Aiden’s birthday, and Chase was eager to celebrate it with him. They were going out to dinner together that night, and then they would hang out the rest of the night.

Ciara had actually agreed to go shopping with him since Aiden had saved her from being attacked.

“Thank you for not saying I told you so,” Ciara said to Chase as they walked around the mall, looking for the perfect gift.

“I figured you’ve been through enough already. I’m sure you learned your lesson without me having to say it,” Chase said. He eyed a nice winter coat in the store window and walked in to look at the price tag.

Ciara followed him in.

“This is kind of pricey, but I’ve been saving up my allowance. You know, we really need jobs,” Chase said with a sigh. If I had a job, I wouldn’t have to be such a cheapskate.”

“Doesn’t he already have a winter coat?” Ciara asked.

Chase nodded. “Yes but it’s so old. I’d like to get him a nicer one. I’m just glad Mom let me keep all his clothes in storage until I was ready to part with them. Now he still has them.”

“And it’s a good thing you were never able to part with them!” Ciara smirked at him.

Chase hung the coat back on the rack. “I don’t know. It might be lame to give him a coat for his birthday.”

“Why would it be? He needs to say warm and stylish, right?” Ciara asked.

Chase shrugged. “I guess.” He looked through the other coats. “I kind of like this one.” He picked it up and examined it. “It looks like something he’d wear.” He looked at the price tag. “But it’s twenty bucks more. Maybe I better stick with the first one.”

Ciara took the coat from him. “What size does he wear?” she asked.

Chase shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“We’ll go with medium. You can keep the receipt in case he needs to go up a size,” Ciara said.

“But I told you, I can’t afford to go that high,” Chase reminded her.

Ciara shrugged. “I’ll chip in the extra twenty. After all, the guy did save me from being raped. I’m still not thrilled with him, but the least I can do to thank him is get him a birthday present, right?”

Chase nodded. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” He followed Ciara to the checkout counter. He knew Ciara hadn’t fully forgiven Aiden, but she was at least starting to soften toward him a bit. Chase could work with that.



*This love came back to me.*



“Are you sure you wanna eat here?” Aiden asked reluctantly as he and Chase headed into the Brady Pub later that evening.

Chase nodded. “I have a craving for one of their burgers. I know this place is known for the chowder, but I personally think they have the best burgers in town.”

Aiden sighed as they got in and he saw Caroline greeting the guests who were already seated. “Great! Caroline’s here.”

Chase looked at him in surprise. “Don’t you like Caroline?”

Aiden nodded. “I like her just fine, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t like me any longer. Not after what I did to her ex-daughter-in-law.”

Chase suddenly felt embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t think about it. She is always nice to me, so I just figured—”

Chase was cut off as Caroline spotted them and headed over to them.

“Hello, Caroline,” Aiden said kindly, though he knew his kindness wouldn’t be reciprocated.

Caroline’s eyes flashed with anger. “How dare you come into my pub after what you tried to do to my daughter-in-law?”

“We don’t want to cause any trouble! It’s his birthday and we just wanted to have dinner together. I was in the mood for a Brady Pub Burger. You guys make the best ones,” Chase said. He felt bad that his father was being treated this way. He also felt slightly embarrassed, for people were starting to stare.

Caroline turned her attention to Chase. “You’re always welcome here.” She looked at Aiden. “You, however, are not.”

Aiden nodded. “I understand. I’m so sorry to have intruded.” He turned to Chase. “If you want a burger, go ahead. I can wait for you at the hotel. I’ll just get room service or something.”

Chase shook his head. “No. I wanted to take my dad out to dinner for his birthday, and that is exactly what I’m going to do.” He turned to Caroline. “My dad only did what he did because he was blackmailed into it. The Dimeras would have killed me if he hadn’t. I know you have lots of kids that I’m sure you would do anything to protect. Also, doesn’t saving Ciara your granddaughter from being kidnapped and raped count for anything?”

Caroline put a hand to her heart. “What about Ciara?” her eyes got big.

Chase winced, realizing she didn’t know yet. He guessed maybe no one had wanted to worry her, and that is why they hadn’t told her about the incident. “She met some guy online who was going to sell her this sold out video game she wanted for Theo. She met him alone in the park, he turned out to be a creep who was only there to kidnap and rape her. My dad happened to be walking in the park on the way home from his community service. He heard her screams then attacked the guy. He stabbed him with a stick and tossed hot coffee in the guy’s face before getting Ciara to safety and calling the cops. If it weren’t for my dad, Ciara would have more than likely been kidnapped and raped.”

Caroline looked shaken. She then cleared her throat. She looked at Aiden. “I suppose you can stay for one meal since you saved my granddaughter. But after that, I’d rather you get your meals elsewhere.”

Chase shook his head. “Forget it. It will be too awkward now.” He nodded at Aiden. “Come on, Dad. We’ll just find somewhere else to eat.”

Aiden nodded at Caroline. “Have a good night. Again, I’m sorry to have intruded.”

As they left the pub, the door shutting behind them,” Chase apologized. “I’m sorry, Dad. I guess I should have known better.”

Aiden placed an arm over Chase’s shoulders. “Don’t even worry about it. Thanks for sticking up for me.”

Chase smiled up at him. “You’re my dad. I’ll always stick up for you.”

Aiden hugged his son tightly. “So, what do you say we go a little out of town to eat? There’s a place about twenty minutes away called The Cornucopia. Hope and I used to go there when we wanted to get away from it all. It may not have burgers as good as The Brady Pub’s, but they do give them a good run for their money.”

Chase grinned. “Sounds good, Dad.”

They then headed to the bus stop together to catch a bus downtown. Lucky for them, the buses ran every fifteen minutes, and they had just enough time to get there before the next bus came.



*This love came back to me.*



Hope had texted Chase asking where he and his father were. She didn’t want to intrude on their celebration, but she had just gotten the call from Victor that everything was set, and she felt it would be a nice birthday surprise for Aiden. She knew Rafe most certainly wouldn’t approve of what she had done, but she didn’t need his permission. She never needed anyone’s permission to do anything. Anyway, he was at work, so he didn’t have to know about this.

As she drove, she thought about her conversation with Victor the evening before.

“Hello, Victor! How’s my handsome ex-father-in-law?” Hope had asked upon her arrival at the mansion the day before. She kissed his cheek.

“I’m a very busy man and I have a lot of things to attend to today, so why don’t we skip the flattery, true as it might be, and get right to the matter at hand? What exactly is this favor you want from me, Hope?” Victor asked.

Hope blushed, and pushed some hair behind her ear. “Well, I’m not sure if you’re aware of this or not, but Aiden isn’t really dead,” she began.

Victor nodded. “I heard about that. The Dimeras saved his life and then held him captive. Chad then took a turn saving Aiden’s ass the second time and set him free. Then Aiden got away with no jail time for trying to kill you.” He shook his head. “The so called justice system these days… Go figure!” he walked over to the alcohol and poured himself a drink. He offered one to Hope. “You want one?”

Hope shook her head. “No thanks, I’m good.”

“So, what is it you wanted to ask me?” Victor asked before taking a sip of his drink, then facing her.

Hope sighed. “I actually wanted to know if you could sign out a check to Aiden to pay off his dept. He owes the Dimeras a lot of money. They paid off a gambling debt for him, and have threatened Chase’s life if he didn’t pay it back. That is why he tried to kill me—it was the only way he could get the money to save his son’s life.”

“I think I need to go to the doctor and get my ears checked.” Victor stuck his finger in his right ear and moved it around as if he were trying to clean it out. “I could have sworn you just asked me to pay off the debt of the scum who tried to kill you—money that will go to the Dimeras nonetheless!”

“We can do the best we can to protect Chase, but it still worries me. You know that even though they don’t need it, the Dimeras will stop at nothing until they get their money. We both know the Dimeras don’t abide with the law when it comes to getting what they want.” Hope sat down on the couch. “Heck, let’s face it, they never abide with the law, period!”

“I’m still not getting why I should help that scum,” Victor grumbled before taking another sip of his drink.

“You like Chase, don’t you?” Hope asked.

Victor nodded. “He’s a nice…for a teenager anyway.”

“Well, don’t you want to help me protect him?” Hope asked. “Aiden promises he’s changed. You yourself should know better than anyone that a person can change. After all, you changed for Maggie.”

“I never tried to strangle the life out of her!” Victor snapped.

“Well, I know you’d do anything to protect your sons. And don’t even try to tell me you never had a hit put out on anyone before.” Hope crossed her arms over her chest.

Victor shrugged. “Some scum of the earth just have bad karma is all. It’s not my fault if some unfortunate karma comes their way.” He took another drink.

Hope rolled her eyes. “Well, Chase loves his dad, and Aiden loves him. Chase doesn’t deserve to lose his dad for the second time. Anyway, Aiden saved Ciara’s life.”

Victor was intrigued now. He raised an eyebrow. “Oh? How so?”

Hope explained the whole story to him.

Victor listened, not speaking until Hope was finished. Finally, he spoke. “How do you know Aiden didn’t purposely have that guy attack Ciara so that he could play the hero?”

Hope raised an eyebrow at him. “How would he know Ciara wanted the video game, or that she would look on Craig’s List for it? Why would the guy agree to being stabbed and having hot coffee splashed in his face? Aiden couldn’t afford to pay him, nor world Aiden want to risk being put in jail again. Also, he would never put Ciara in danger like that. I know he tried to kill me, but he was just desperate to save his son. It doesn’t mean that he would—”

Victor cut Hope off. “All right, all right, I get it! How much does he owe?”

Hope shrugged. “I’m not sure exactly. I was kind of hoping you’d sign a blank check out to the Dimeras. I’ll make sure that Aiden tells me how much he owes before he knows why I need to know. Also, I’ll be the one to fill out the check and give it to the Dimeras.”

Victor was silent for a moment as he thought about it. Finally, he spoke. “I’ll let you know by tomorrow.”

Victor had called today just after noon and told her he would give her the money. Now, here Hope was, blank check in purse, ready to give Aiden his birthday surprise.

She pulled into the parking lot of The Cornucopia, remembering the times she and Aiden would go there to unwind. They’d have dinner, do a little dancing, then head back to the Salem Inn or, home if the kids weren’t home, and then they’d…

Hope shook the thought from her mind and parked the car. She then headed into the restaurant and scanned it for Aiden and Chase. She saw them sitting at a corner table in the back.

She headed over to their table.

“Hey,” she said, putting on a smile when they looked up at her. She then looked at Aiden. “Happy birthday.”

Aiden looked surprised to say the least. “Thanks. I didn’t expect to see you here.” He looked past her. “Are you here with Rafe?” He looked a little pained.

Hope shook her head. “No, actually, I came alone. I texted Chase to see where you guys were.”

Aiden looked at Chase, an eyebrow raised. “Oh?” he didn’t mention it to me.

Chase shrugged.

Hope glanced from Aiden to Chase to back to Aiden. “I told him not to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Well, it’s a very nice surprise!” Aiden stood up and held out the empty chair between him and Chase. “Please, have a seat.”

Hope hesitated for a moment before nodding her head in agreement. “All right. Thank you.” She sat down, and Aiden pushed her chair in for her before sitting back down.

“I just dropped by to give you a birthday present,” Hope explained.

“Hope, really, you didn’t have to give me a darn thing. Not after…” Aiden trailed off, his eyes dropping to his menu. “You just really didn’t have to.”

Hope nodded. “I know. It’s not really from me per se anyway. It’s from Victor.”

Aiden looked at her in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Hope opened her purse then ran her thumb over the envelope that Victor had given her. “I’ll tell you, but first, I want you to be honest with me. Don’t lie to me like you did last time. If you really want to prove to me you’ve changed, you need to tell me the truth.”

“What is it you want to know? I’ll tell you anything,” Aiden asked, staring into her eyes.

Hope looked away, for looking into his eyes was bringing up old feelings she did not want to be feeling. However, she quickly changed her mind and looked into his eyes again so that she could tell better if he was being honest with her or not. “How much money do you really owe the Dimeras?”

Aiden sucked in a breath and slowly let it out. “Why?”

Hope sighed. “Just tell me, Aiden. I trusted you and you tried to kill me. There’s nothing you can say that will make things any worse.”

Aiden sighed as well. “I owe six hundred thousand dollars,” he said, looking her in the eyes.

“Even?” Hope asked.

Aiden nodded. “The hundred thousand you gave me before covered the interest.”

Hope nodded. She could tell he was telling the truth this time. She then took out the envelope and a pen from her purse. She then took the check out of the envelope and filled it out.

Aiden and Chase both watched her in curiosity.

“Baby, I mean Hope, what are you doing?” Aiden asked.

“Mom, you don’t have that kind of money, do you? If you do, what do you say I get a raise on my allowance?” Chase joked.

Hope smirked at him. “Nice try. It’s from Victor.” She turned her attention to Aiden. “For your birthday present, and to thank you for saving Ciara, I talked Victor into paying off your debt. Granted he’s still not your biggest fan, but he is grateful that you saved his granddaughter. This isn’t a loan; it’s a gift from him. My gift to you is talking him into this.”

Aiden was silent for a moment. “I don’t know what to say. Are you sure? Is Victor sure?”

Hope nodded. “Yes and yes. It’s a gift. You don’t owe either of us anything.”

Aiden jumped out of his chair and hugged a surprised Hope, who still sat in her chair. “I promise you won’t regret this! Thank you so much!”

Hope smiled weakly, and placed her hands over his arms. “Yeah, well thank you for saving my daughter. Anyway, at least now we can be rest assured that Chase will be safe.”

Aiden smiled, and gave her one last squeeze before sitting back in his chair.

“Stay and join us?” Chase asked.

Hope hesitated. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Chase shrugged. “Why not? You’re already here, and I know Ciara is out with Theo tonight. Rafe is working. You have to eat.”

“Plus, you came all the way out here. Why not stay?” Aiden asked.

Hope sighed. “I’m going to bring something to the station for Rafe and eat with him. You two enjoy your meal though.” She quickly stood up, then turned her attention to Aiden. “I’ll deliver this check to the Dimeras tomorrow. Victor doesn’t quite trust you yet, and wants to make sure it goes to them. He also wants to make sure that you don’t try to tack on anything extra.”

“I would never do that,” Aiden said.

Hope nodded. “I know, but this will just make Victor feel better.”

“Thanks again,” Aiden said, looking a little sad. “And please, thank Victor for me.”

Hope nodded. “You’re welcome, and I will. Thank you for saving my daughter.”

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Aiden said.

Hope smiled weakly, trying to ignore the pounding in her heart. “Again, Happy birthday.”

“Thanks,” Aiden said.

Hope turned her attention to Chase. “I’ll see you at home later, ok?”

Chase nodded. “Thanks for helping my dad out.”

Hope nodded at him and smiled weakly, then left, feeling good about helping Aiden, but bad about the way her heart still raced whenever she looked into his gorgeous blue eyes.



*This love came back to me*



“Thanks again for the coat. “I love it!” Aiden said as he and Chase entered Aiden’s hotel room.

“I hope it’s the right size,” Chase said.

“It is. It fits perfectly! Thank you,” Aiden said as he shut the door behind them. “So, what should we do now?” he asked.

Chase shrugged. “I don’t know. Wanna watch a DVD?”

Aiden nodded. “We can do that. What should we watch?”

“You pick! I picked last time. There’s a Red Box down at the Lucky Aid across the street. Wanna go pick something out while I raid the vending machines?” Chase asked.

Aiden laughed. “Sounds like a plan. Do you have a genera preference?”

Chase shook his head. “We have the same taste in movies. It’s your birthday! Get what you want.”

“All right. I’ll be right back. Don’t get any spicy chips this time. They did not digest well last time if you know what I mean,” Aiden said, patting his gut.

Chase made a face. “Gross, Dad.” He grinned nonetheless.

Aiden grinned too. “I’ll be right back.” He then left the Inn, and headed across the street to the Lucky Aid.

Chase then left the room, and prepared to do a floor-to-floor raid of the snack and soda vending machines.



*This love came back to me.*



Aiden rented a DVD he thought sounded good. He was feeling in a really good mood. Yes, he was thrilled that he would finally be out of debt with the Dimeras. However, that wasn’t what had put him in such a good mood. What was giving him the walking on air feeling was the fact that Hope had gone out of her way to do this for him. Sure she said it was to thank him for saving her daughter, but he knew it was more than that. He could see it in her eyes. She still loved him. She was starting to forgive and trust him again. And now that he knew he had a chance with her, he was even more determined than ever to win her heart away from Rafe. This time, he was going to do right by her like she deserved.

He headed out of the Lucky Aid, and was about to head across the street when a lottery ticket caught his eye. It was just lying on the ground. He had seen stories of people who had won on scratchers and dropped the ticket. Someone else would come along and find the ticket and it would be a five dollar winner.

Aiden bent down and picked the ticket up. Chances were, this was just a junk ticket that some jerk was too lazy to toss into a trash bin, but five bucks was five bucks. Heck, even if it was just a chance of winning a buck, a dollar was a dollar. He stood back up and looked over the ticket. To his surprise, only two of the numbers were scratched off. There was still fifteen spots left to scratch.

“A twenty dollar ticket!” Aiden said, noticing the price. “That’s insane to spend that much money on a ticket, especially if you’re not going to make sure you scratch off everything.” He sat down on a bench outside of the Lucky Aid and began to finish scratching it off. Of course he kept getting mismatched numbers. Nothing matched any of his lucky numbers. He scratched the final spot on his ticket, revealing a 5X symbol, meaning he won five times the prize shown.

“Yeah, I’ll probably win twenty dollars,” he said. “If even that.” He scratched off the amount, and his heart nearly stopped when he saw the $200,000. “Yeah, right! I must be reading that wrong,” he mumbled. He reread the instructions and the number three times before jumping off the bench. He did the math in his head. “A million dollars. I won a million dollars! Oh my gosh I just won a million dollars! I gotta tell Chase!”

Aiden ran across the street, almost forgetting to make sure no cars were coming. He ran through the lobby, ignoring the stares from the front desk clerks and fellow hotel guests.

He took the elevator up to his floor, ran down the hallway, and then pounded on the door frantically.

Chase opened the door. “Dad, what the heck?”

Aiden quickly pushed his way through the room and shut the door. “I just won a million dollars!” he said.

Chase laughed. “Yeah right!”

“No really, look!” Aiden shoved the ticket in his face.

“You must have read it wrong.” Chase took the ticket from him and looked it over. Suddenly, his eyes got wide, and his mouth dropped open. He looked up at Aiden. “Oh. My. Gosh. You just won a million dollars!” he exclaimed.

“I told you!” Aiden said.

“You just won a million dollars!” Chase screamed. He slammed the ticket down on the TV stand, then got up on the bed and began jumping up and down with excitement.

Aiden didn’t care that he was a forty-six-year-old man who should no longer be jumping on beds. He got on the bed with Chase, and together they held both hands and jumped up and down.

“A million dollars, baby!” Aiden said to no one in particular.

“Woooh!” Chase yelled.

They continued literally jumping for joy, not even caring if they were disturbing the peace.

[heroicmuse]

Uh oh. Aiden seems to have forgotten the no gambling provision of his probation. This could be very very bad. And just when Hope was warming to him. He'd better go talk to his friend Nicole about self-sabotage.

[gapeach]

Did he really gamble if he found the ticket???

[heroicmuse]

Jan 17, 2016 8:34:04 GMT -5 gapeach said:

Did he really gamble if he found the ticket???

Technically, no, but I don't know that a court will see it that way. His name might be red-flagged so if he cashes in a ticket his probation officer is notified or something. The bigger issue, though, is that it could inspire him to try to get even more money by "re-investing" some of his winnings in tickets he does buy.

[ihearthaiden]

That would be a great storyline(and probably more realistic), but it's not the way I am headed. I have to be a (slight) bit lazy/convenient in my writing in order to more quickly get to where I plan on taking this.

[ihearthaiden]

Days of our Haiden

S1E12



It was now Christmas Eve, and aside from having Hope in his arms, Aiden couldn’t have been happier.

The morning after having won the lottery, he had gone to his gambling addiction councilor whom he now went to on a regular basis due to court orders. His councilor was helping him with his gambling addiction and making sure he stayed away from gambling. Aiden had wanted to assure him that he did not gamble. At least he didn’t see it as gambling since he did not pay for the ticket; he had just found it. Lucky for him, his councilor agreed it wasn’t necessarily gambling. However, the councilor wanted him to talk to his financial advisor about what to do with the money. His councilor also had a long session with him to make sure that he wasn’t in the mindset to go out and actually gamble this time, hoping to win more now that he had gotten a taste of winning big. Aiden had assured him, he had no desire to gamble this away. He had learned his lesson. Besides, gambling would not be helpful in his plan to win Hope back.

After his counseling session, Aiden had done his community service for the day, then went and informed Justin himself of his lottery winnings. He explained to Justin that he had simply found the ticket and he had not bought it; that he wasn’t going back to gambling. He also explained that he wouldn’t have the chance to gamble the money away even if he wanted to, which he didn’t.

He knew exactly what he was going to do with the money. First, he was going to pay Hope back for the hundred grand she had lent him before he had “died”. Next, he was going to pay Victor back the money he lent him. He knew it was a gift, but still… Now that he had money, he wouldn’t feel right keeping it. Of course that would leave him with no money left, seeing as federal and state taxes took away a lot of the million, but at least he would no longer be in debt to anyone. Well, other than his sister who was still supporting him, but he was doing better in his job. Sure a lot of people didn’t want him as a lawyer after what he had done, but on the flip side, he also had people who sympathized with him and people who wanted to have their lawyer be the lawyer that was on the news and in all the papers. He had a good amount of cases so far with things looking promising for 2016.

Justin had looked at him almost as if he didn’t trust him, and warned him that he would find out if he didn’t do with the money as he had said he would.

Another thing Aiden had in mind was getting into an apartment come January. He had enough money saved up from his cases he took on, plus, his sister was paying for his hotel stays.

He would receive his one-time check of $721,875—what he was left with after taxes—toward the middle of January, he was told.

Now, on Christmas Eve, Aiden headed over early to see Victor. He knew Victor more than likely had plans for later that night.

Henderson answered the door, then went let him in and summoned Victor per Aiden’s request.

Aiden sat down on the couch, and a moment later, Victor came in.

“It’s about time you came over to thank me for giving you the money,” Victor grumbled.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. I should have come over right away. It’s just that, I won a million dollars on a lottery ticket, and I was busy trying to get the details of that in order,” Aiden explained. “But thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me that money even though I’m pretty sure I’m one of the very last people you wanted to give money to.”

“I’d do anything for Hope. Also, Chase is a nice young man. I’d hate to see anything happen to him. Also, you saved my granddaughter. It’s the least I could do. As for the lottery win, are you even allowed to gamble?” Victor asked.

Aiden shook his head. “It’s definitely not advised, but I was lucky enough to find a ticket on the ground; only partially scratched off. Imagine my surprise when I scratched it off and found out it was a million-dollar winner.”

“Well, good for you! Just don’t go blowing it now.” Victor headed over to the bar to get a drink. He didn’t offer Aiden one.

“I won’t be receiving my money until the middle of January, but when I do, I’m going to be paying you back the money you gave me. I know Hope said you gave it to me as a gift, but I think it’s only right that I pay my own debt now that I can afford to,” Aiden told him.

Victor turned around to face him, an eyebrow raised. “That wouldn’t leave you with much after the state takes out the taxes and you pay me back.”

Aiden nodded. “I know, but at least I’ll have the peace of mind that I didn’t take advantage of your kindness.”

“You saved my granddaughter; consider it a gift. You can use that money to get your life back on track.” Victor took a sip of his drink.

“Really, I wouldn’t feel right about it,” Aiden said.

“Well, I’m not taking the money back. A gift is a gift. I’m no Indian giver,” Victor grumbled, sounding a little grouchy.

Aiden stood up from the couch. “That’s being more generous than I deserve.”

Victor shrugged. “Yeah, well, tis the season. Merry Christmas early.”

“Merry Christmas early. Thank you so much, Victor. Really, you can’t imagine what this means to me.” Aiden extended his hand out to Victor.

Victor looked at his hand but didn’t shake it. “Just don’t make me regret it. Don’t blow that money.”

Aiden shook his head. “I won’t. I promise.”

“You can see yourself out,” Victor said, then heading out of the room and up the stairs to do whatever it was he had to do.

Aiden sighed with relief, then headed out. He was relieved Victor was letting him keep the money. It left him the ability to spend the money on what he really wanted to spend it on.



*This love came back to me.*



Hope sat at her desk, thinking back to when she had given Andre the money that Aiden owed him.

“What brings you here, Detective Brady? I really don’t like you being in my house. You know that, don’t you?” Andre had asked.

“Trust me, I don’t like being here any more than you want me to be here. I only came to bring you this.” She handed over the check to Andre.

Andre took the check and looked at it. “What’s this?”

“That’s for the money Aiden owes you, compliments of Victor,” Hope said nodding toward the check.

Andre smirked at her. “Funny, I didn’t think Victor Kiriakis would be so willing to help out the man who tried to kill his former daughter-in-law. Nor would I think you would want to help him.”

Hope glared at him. “Victor and I both know that Aiden only did what he did because you threatened to kill his son if he didn’t.”

Andre grinned. “Oh, please! You have no proof of that.”

Hope shook her head. “We don’t need proof. We know what kind of people the Dimeras are. Well, aside from Chad and the children of course.”

Andre folded the check and shoved it in his pocket. “You’ve done what you came here to do, now please see yourself out before I have you escorted out.”

Hope shook her head. “Not so fast! Now that you have your money, you are not to step foot anywhere near Chase, or even Aiden for that matter. Do I make myself clear?”

Aiden made a clicking sound with his tongue. “It sounds to me like someone is falling for her Mr. Jennings again. Whatever would Detective Hernandez think of that now? Hm?”

Hope narrowed her eyes at him. He was goading her, just as his father always tried to do. Well, it wasn’t going to work. “Not that I have to explain myself to you, but I am doing this to protect my son. Also, I don’t think Aiden should have to deal with you anymore. He’s the reason I even have Chase, and he made some bad choices to say the least, but in the end, it is because you messed with his mind. I know firsthand what that can do to a person. Now I mean it. You stay away from Chase and Aiden or I’ll—“

Andre interrupted her. “Oh come off your silly threats! Don’t worry. I have bigger fish to fry than Aiden Jennings and his annoying son. I’m bored with them both now. I have my money, so as far as I’m concerned, they can go on living their boring little lives. I have no more use for either of them, or you for that matter, so I’ll tell you one last time to get the hell out of my house!”

Hope shot him a dirty look. “With pleasure.”

She turned around and left the mansion, never wanting to step place in that hell hole ever again if she could help it.

“A penny for your thoughts?” Rafe asked as he came into her office.

Hope sighed. She hadn’t told Rafe about giving the Dimeras the money. She knew Rafe wouldn’t like it. However, she had been hiding so much from him lately, it seemed. She didn’t want to hide this. “I have to tell you something, and you may not like it,” she began.

“Uh oh. That doesn’t sound good.” Rafe pulled up a chair and sat down. “What is it?”

Hope sighed. “Well, after Aiden saved Ciara, I wanted to do something for him. So, I went to Victor and convinced him to write out a check to pay off Aiden’s debt. I gave the money to Andre so that Aiden’s debt to him would be paid off and Andre will leave him and Chase alone.”

Rafe looked surprised, but not angry. “When was this?”

“Last week,” Hope confessed.

“And you didn’t tell me this until now? Hope! You should have let me come with you to give the check to Andre! You know how he seems to have a vendetta against you!” Rafe gently slammed his hand on her desk.

“I was afraid you would be angry because I was helping Aiden out,” Hope said.

Rafe sighed. “I’m not thrilled with it like at all, but I know you mainly did it to protect Chase. Also, I can understand wanting to do something nice for him since he did save Ciara from her attacker.”

Hope smiled. “Really?”

Rafe smiled back. “Really!”

Hope got up from behind her desk and held out her arms.

Rafe stood up and they hugged.

“Thank you for understanding,” Hope said, holding him at arms’ length.

“If it makes you happy to do that, then it makes me happy. Just next time let me know, all right? I don’t like the idea of you dealing with Andre on your own.”

Hope nodded. “All right, I promise.”

They kissed.

“Well, our shifts are officially over. I promised my sister and father I’d help them at the soup kitchen again. Care to join us?” he asked.

“I’d love to except I need to get some last minute Christmas shopping done before going to Jen’s. I still have to get your gift!” Hope smiled and winked at him, her hands on his chest.

“I already have yours,” he said.

Hope raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What is it?”

Rafe shrugged. “You’ll just have to wait until Christmas.”

Hope rolled her eyes but kissed him nonetheless. “I’ll see you later at Jen’s then?”

Rafe nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it!”

They kissed once more.

Hope then grabbed her coat and slid it on. “I’ll see you tonight,” she said heading for the door.

“See you tonight,” Rafe agreed.

Hope then left for the Square, wondering what she was going to get him, because really, she had no idea what to get him.



*This love came back to me.*



Aiden was walking through the square, looking on his phone to see how much money four years of college would be. He wanted to put the money he would have paid Victor back with to good use, and he couldn’t think of anything better than assuring that Chase wouldn’t ever have to worry about not being able to afford college. He saw that, as long as Chase didn’t go to a super pretentious school like Harvard or Yale, it should run a total of around sixty-four thousand dollars, give or take. Chase wasn’t the type to want to go to Harvard or Yale, Aiden knew. Chase’s grades were good, but not Harvard or Yale worthy anyway.

Suddenly, Aiden felt himself crashing into someone. He quickly looked up while saying, “I am so sorry!” He then noticed it was Hope. “Hope! I’m sorry. I should have been paying attention to where I was going.”

Hope shrugged. “It’s all right. I kind of had my head in the clouds as well.” She nodded at his phone. “You looked like you were engrossed in something.”

Aiden nodded. “I’m sure you’ve heard that I won the lottery.”

Hope smirked. “Chase has mentioned it a couple times or twenty.”

Aiden laughed. “I think he was even more excited than I was. Don’t worry. I didn’t buy the ticket. I only found it, and it gave me no desire to gamble anymore. I’m not gambling this money away.”

Hope nodded. “Good to know. So, what are you going to do with all that money?”

“Well, I was going to pay back Victor the money he gave to the Dimeras for me, but he insisted it was a gift, and won’t let me pay him back,” Aiden confessed.

“That was very generous of him,” Hope said.

Aiden nodded. “He’s grateful that I saved his granddaughter and said that he isn’t an Indian giver.”

Hope laughed. “That sounds like him.”

“Anyway, I want to put that money to good use, so I’m going to set it aside for Chase to use to pay off four years of college. That is what I was so engrossed in on my phone.” Aiden showed Hope to prove he wasn’t lying. “I wanted to see how much it will cost me.”

Hope put her hand on his shoulder. “I’m proud of you. You really do seem to be trying to turn your life around. That is an excellent way to spend the money.”

Aiden smiled. “Thanks.” He nodded at the bags resting on her arms. He had a couple bags on his arms as well. “I see you’ve been last-minute Christmas shopping as well!”

Hope nodded. “It’s so hard to shop for everyone and know what they’d want. I just ended up getting gift cards for the most part. I got Ciara some clothes so she’d have something to open, but I mainly just got her gift cards to her favorite clothing stores and Sephora. As for Chase, I got him a karaoke machine. He doesn’t want anyone to know, but he likes to sing, and he’s good at it! He only sings in the shower, and in his room when he thinks no one else is upstairs to hear him though. I know he’ll like the karaoke machine even if he doesn’t admit it!”

Aiden laughed. “He was always singing as a kid and if I were to catch him, he would stop singing right away and blush a deep crimson. I wasn’t allowed to mention him singing—ever.”

“Aw! Well, hopefully this machine will help him come out of his shell a little,” Hope said. “I got him a gift certificate to the store I got the machine from so that he can pick out the karaoke CDs he likes. Ciara told me he likes country, so I got him a Keith Urban one for now.”

Aiden smiled. “I’m sure he’ll love it. I just got him a bunch of movies he wanted, and a Tommy Boy movie poster I got off ebay signed by Chris Farley and David Spade. It was slightly pricy since Chris is dead now, but it wasn’t that bad. It came with a certificate of authenticity.”

“That’s his favorite movie of all time. He’ll love that!” Hope said.

“I hope so.” Aiden then remembered that he wanted to pay back Hope. “Look, getting off topic for a moment, I want to give you the hundred thousand you gave me to pay off Andre last year. I never should have taken your money to begin with.”

Hope’s expression softened. “Aiden, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. Hope, I’ve treated you so horribly. I can’t even believe you’re still talking to me after I not only tried to kill you, but took your money before that.” Aiden’s voice cracked a bit. “I don’t even deserve your forgiveness.”

Hope hugged him. “Don’t say that. Everyone who is willing to change deserves forgiveness and a second chance. Lord knows I’ve had my share of screwing up in the past. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t gotten a second chance or forgiveness from people.”

Aiden hugged her in return. “I still want to pay you back.”

Hope released him. “I’ve already forgotten about the money. It’s gone and forgotten about, so there’s no use in giving it back to me. Use it to help put your life back together.”

“That’s what Victor told me to do with the money he let me keep,” Aiden replied.

Hope smiled, and pat his shoulder. “Then I guess that’s what you should do, huh?” She winked and smiled at him.

“Well, at least let me buy you a hot chocolate,” Aiden said, nodding toward the vendor they were standing nearby.

Hope grinned. “You don’t have to do that either but, all right. It will help me warm up!”

Aiden grinned too. “Wait right here. I’ll go get us some.”

Hope did as told, and two minutes later, Aiden came back with their hot chocolates.

Hope smiled when he handed her hers. “You remembered that I like both whipped cream and the tiny marshmallows!”

He nodded. “Of course!” He then smiled at her. “I remember everything you love.”

Hope blushed. “Shall we go drink this on the bench over there?” She nodded toward the empty bench that set a few feet away from them.

Aiden nodded. “Lead the way.”

So, together they sat down on the bench, then blowed on and sipped their hot chocolates.

Aiden spoke first, breaking their semi-awkward silence. “I’m thinking about putting Chase’s college money in an account under his name. He’ll be able to access it only after he graduates, and only he will have access to it. However, I also thought that maybe I should put it in your name. That way he won’t be tempted to blow it on something other than college.”

Hope nodded. “Well, he might appreciate you entrusting the money to him. I think he’s responsible enough to use it on its intended purpose only. However, if you feel better letting me keep it until then, that could also be wise. Chase is a teenage boy. Sometimes that kind of money can be too big of a temptation for anyone, let alone a teenager.”

“I’d really feel better letting you take care of it,” Aiden confessed.

Hope nodded. “All right. I’ll see about setting the account up in my name then. I’ll keep it save until he’s ready for college.”

“Thank you. Just tell me when you plan on going to the bank and I will give you the money,” Aiden instructed.

“I will. I’ll go after Christmas,” she promised.

“Thanks,” Aiden replied.

Hope smiled. “Thank you! College is expensive as it is. It will be nice to only have to pay one tuition instead of two.”

“I could pay Ciara’s too if you want. It’s the least I can do to help make your life a little bit easier,” Aiden offered.

Hope placed her hand over his shoulder. “I appreciate that, so much, I really do. But I wouldn’t feel right about that. You need the money. Anyway, a mother wants to pay for her own daughter’s college. It’s just a mom thing. It makes me feel good knowing I can provide for my daughter.”

Aiden nodded. “I understand.”

Hope hugged him. “Thank you for the offer though.” She kissed his cheek. “It was very sweet of you to offer.”

Aiden looked at her in surprise. Sure it had only been a kiss on the cheek, but after all he had done to her… He had never expected that! He decided to be daring, and kissed her cheek in return. “Merry Christmas, Hope.”

She blushed, and pushed some hair behind her ear. “Merry Christmas, Aiden.” She stood up. “Thanks for the hot chocolate. I guess I better be going.” She held up her arm laden with the bags. “I have to hide these somewhere Ciara and Chase won’t peek, then go to Jen’s.”

Aiden smiled. “Have fun!” he said.

“I will.” She smiled weakly at him, then took off.

Aiden watched her until he couldn’t see her any longer, then looked up Heavenward. “Thanks for helping me out. Any continued help would be greatly appreciated,” he said to God. He then noticed the mistletoe that was hanging on a branch from the tree behind them. He didn’t know if an employee or some passerby had put it there.

He grinned. If he hadn’t noticed it before he doubted Hope had. Of course this meant she had kissed him because she wanted to—not because of the mistletoe; just as he had kissed her simply because he wanted to.

He downed the rest of his hot chocolate then ditched the cup in the trashcan before taking off, happily whistling, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” as he headed for home.

[heroicmuse]

Ooh things are looking up for Aiden... So what is Andre going to do to get in the way?

[ihearthaiden]

Days of our Haiden

Season 1 Episode 13:



    Christmas has been nice. Aiden had been touched when Chase bought him a new laptop. According to Chase, he and Hope had gone in on it together. Seeing as it was a Mac, and that Chase didn’t have a ton of money, Aiden knew that Hope had funded most of it.

Aiden wondered if Rafe knew about it. He was guessing not.

Chase had loved his movie poster from Aiden. He had even admitted that he loved his karaoke machine and Keith Urban karaoke CD from Hope and was excited to pick out other karaoke CDs to go with it.

Aiden had gotten Hope a gift card to her favorite shoe store which he had had Chase give to her for him on Christmas when Rafe wasn’t around to see. Chase said she seemed happy with it and had said to thank him for her. He had only spend $100 dollars on her. He hadn’t wanted to be overly extravagant with his purchase for fear of scaring her off. Though, he felt now that maybe he didn’t have to worry about it since she spent so much more on him, or as she would like him to believe, “Chase” had.

    Nearly a week had passed since Christmas, and now it was New Year’s Eve. The square was having a big party complete with a ball dropping. There was going to be a movie screen-sized screen set up at the park that would air the Times Square Ball drop. Everyone was invited who wanted to go, and Chase had talked Aiden into going.

    “I don’t know why I let you talk me into this,” Aiden said as he straightened up his tie. “Most of Salem hates me for what I did to Hope. Or why I’m even bothering to dress up. We’re only going to the park.”

    “Because Hope doesn’t hate you, and you’re going to get to see her and thank her for helping me with my gift to you,” Chase said, coming up behind Aiden and placing a hand over his shoulder. “And you want to look good for Hope, don’t you?”

Aiden smiled at his son in the mirror. “Of course I do.”

“Anyway, most of the party is held at The Edge anyway. And everyone dresses up for New Year’s Eve.” Chase went to sit down on the bed.

“True. I just wish Hope wouldn’t be there with Rafe like she no doubt will be.” Aiden turned around to face Chase. “How do I look?”

“Way better than Mr. Eyebrows; that’s for sure,” Chase said.

Aiden laughed. “Who?”

“Rafe!” Chase explained. “The dude’s got two caterpillars over his eyes! He needs to learn how to groom himself.”

Aiden burst out laughing. “You’re bad.”

“Well it’s true! Too bad he’s dumb as a bag of rocks. He’d probably shave both his eyebrows completely off if he tried to groom them,” Chase continued. "I'm just surprised they haven't turned into butterflies yet."

Aiden laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes. “Stop! I’m going to pee my pants.”

Chase laughed too. “If you’re to that point, I think you better go to the bathroom before we leave.”

Aiden nodded. “I think I had better.”

Chase shook his head. “I can’t believe I ever went along with Ciara’s plan to push Mom and Rafe together last year.”

“When?” Aiden asked.

“Shortly after you died.” Chase replied. “Ciara invited him to come to her family’s cabin with us and Mom. She wanted me to help her get them together. I knew it was messed up and weird, but I had a lame ass crush on her back then, so I agreed to it just to please her. She has a way of manipulating people to get what she wants. Not that she knew I was crushing on her at the time, but still…”

“Well, don’t ever try to push Rafe and Hope together again or I’ll have to disown you,” Aiden joked as he headed for the bathroom.

Chase rolled his eyes. “I’d disown myself if I ever tried to pair mom and Eyebrows together again.” He grinned when he heard Aiden’s loud laughter coming from the bathroom.



*This love came back to me.*



“Mom, you look smoking hot!” Ciara said as she came down the stairs.

Hope smiled, and looked down at her outfit. “You really think so? It’s not too much?” She was wearing a low-cut silver blouse with a silver necklace that had little diamond fleur-de-lises all around it. She wore tight black leather pants with black Christian Louboutin pumps.

Ciara shook her head. “Not at all! I’m sure Rafe will love it!” Her face darkened a bit. “I just wish Chase wasn’t bringing Aiden with him and Claire. I don’t want him perving all over you.”

Hope smirked. “Aiden isn’t a pervert.”

Ciara crossed her arms over her chest. “How do you know? You never thought he’d be an attempted murder either and he is.”

Hope sighed. “Ciara, I just want to put all that behind me okay? I want to enjoy this night tonight, so can we please just talk about something else?”

Ciara looked down to the floor. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Hope really looked at Ciara then. “So, you better get ready. Theo will be here soon.”

Ciara raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? You can see I’m wearing my dress already.”

Ciara was wearing a very low-cut black sequined dress that went to her mid-thigh.

“I see you’re wearing a dress that you are not allowed out in public in,” Hope stated.

Ciara rolled her eyes. “Mom, please! I’m going to be seventeen soon. I’m old enough to decide what to wear on my own.”

Hope shook her head. “When you turn eighteen you can wear whatever you please. No, correction, as long as you’re under my roof, you will not dress like…well…like that! I mean it Ciara. Go change into something more appropriate. End of discussion!”

“But Mom! I bought this specifically to wear tonight!” Ciara said stomping her foot as if she were ten years old again.

“It you wear a higher collared blouse underneath the dress, flats instead of heels, and black opaque tights instead of the nude ones, you may wear that dress,” Hope compromised.

“But that would look stupid!” Ciara argued.

“Well, then I guess you better go change quick, huh?” Hope asked.

“This is so not fair!” Ciara nodded at Hope. “You’re wearing a low-cut blouse. It’s about as low-cut as this dress!”

Hope held her head high. “That’s different. I’m much older than you.”

“Yeah, and your chest is much saggier than mine. You’re supposed to wear low-cut stuff when what you've got still stands up on its own like mine!” Ciara snapped, cupping her hands underneath her chest.

Hope gasped, then put her hand on her hip and gave Ciara a look that showed she meant business.

Ciara’s eyes widened. She knew she had gone too far. “I’ll go change into something much more age-appropriate.”

Hope’s eyes flashed. “You do that,” she said.

Ciara disappeared up the stairs and Hope shook her head. She then went over to the mirror to check out her chest. “They don’t sag that much,” she muttered to herself.



*This love came back to me.*





Aiden sat at a table with Chase and Claire at The Edge. They had just ordered dinner.

Chase and Claire were talking about their “annoying” calculous teacher. Aiden turned them out, never having cared much for math. He saw that everyone in Salem seemed to be there. He looked for Hope and saw her coming into the club with Rafe on her arm. She looked incredibly sexy. He wished so badly she was there on his arm instead of “Eyebrows’” as Chase had dubbed him, arm. Rafe was wearing jeans and a dress shirt. He looked like a dufus next to Hope. Though, no matter what he wore, in his opinion, Rafe always looked like a dufus.

Hope’s eyes met with his from across the room, and she gave him a slight smile. He smiled back at her.

Ciara came in behind her wearing a sparkly turtleneck and a black leather skirt that went just above her knees. She wore nude tights and heels with it. He thought Ciara looked cute in a little girl way. Though, he had to admit, it didn’t seem like something Ciara would wear seeing as Ciara had always been more of the acting older than she is type. This outfit was definitely not an older than her age outfit.

Theo appeared behind her, looking happy as a clam to be with her no matter what she wore. It made Aiden smile. He knew the feeling. It was exactly how he felt about Hope.

Hope and Rafe were seated not far from him and the kids. Ciara and Theo sat with them.

Abe was nowhere to be seen—one of the few people not there, Aiden noticed.

They had menus; apparently they had chosen to eat dinner there as well.

“Dad?”

Aiden looked over at the sound of Chase’s voice. “Hm?”

“I was just asking when you get your new place,” Chase repeated.

“Oh! I sign the lease tomorrow and I can move in in a couple days,” Aiden said. His drink came, and he took a sip.

“Claire, we can throw all the parties we want there!” Chase said to Claire, who smiled big and nodded vigorously.

Aiden smirked. “Nice try. You’re welcome to have a few friends over at a time, but definitely no parties. Most of Salem hates me. I’m not going to make most of my apartment building hate me as well.”

“People will come around. I think what you did for Chase was a little misguided, but in an odd way kind of sweet. I doubt my mom cares enough about me to kill my dad for me. Now my dad, I could possibly see killing my mom for me, but she’s a…” Claire trailed off not wanting to badmouth her mother. “Let’s just say she makes it easier for people to be able to live without her.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Chase said with a snort.

Claire elbowed him hard.

“Hey! You started this whole bashing your mom thing,” Chase reminded her.

Claire took a sip of her Shirley Temple. “That’s different. She’s my mom. I’m allowed to.”

Chase rolled his eyes.

Aiden turned his attention back to Hope and Rafe’s table. They had just ordered, and now Theo was dragging Ciara out onto the dancefloor.

Rafe was motioning something to Hope that looked like he was asking her to dance.

Hope nodded, and left her purse on the table. They then got up to dance.

Aiden instantly flashed back to memories of dancing with Hope in this very club. She had been wearing the sexiest leather top and skirt. He had wanted to take her home that night, but they both had a busy day the next day. Had he had that night to do all over again, he would have convinced her to spend the night with him. Being late the next day would have been worth it.

He clenched his glass hard as he saw Hope and Rafe swaying their bodies together a little more provocatively than Aiden would have preferred. He remembered when Hope used to dance with him that way.

“Dad!”

Aiden looked at Chase. “What?”

“Gosh, where is your head tonight? It’s the third time I called you. Claire and I are going to go dance. Would you like to dance with us?” Chase asked.

Aiden shook his head. “No, thanks. You two go have fun.”

Chase shrugged, and led Claire out onto the dancefloor.

As Aiden watched Hope and Rafe dance, he kept getting angrier. “On second thought, maybe I will go dance.” He stood up and headed over to Rafe and Hope. “May I cut in?” he asked Rafe.

Rafe shot him a look, and laughed in disbelief. “No. Get out of here!”

“Rafe!” Hope scolded.

Rafe nodded toward Aiden while looking at Hope. “He has some nerve asking you to dance after what he did to you.” He turned to Aiden. “Not to mention the fact that she isn’t your woman anymore. Now go before I make you go!”

Aiden turned to Hope. “I’m sorry, Hope. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I just wanted to dance with my friend.” He turned and left, a smirk on his face once his back was turned toward them. He knew Rafe would never allow him to dance with Hope. But he also knew that Rafe would end up looking like a jerk toward Hope while he himself looked like the poor innocent guy just trying to get people to like him again.

He sat back down at the table and glanced over at Hope who looked like she was shooting daggers out of her eyes at Rafe.

He smirked again. “Mission accomplished.”



*This love came back to me.*



It was an hour before midnight, and Hope was feeling a little annoyed. She didn’t like who Rafe was when he was around Aiden. He turned into a macho jerk, and it wasn’t appealing to her in the least.

“Hope, how many times do I have to apologize? I just don’t like that he suddenly thinks you two are friends. I was just trying to protect you,” Rafe said. They were listening to the karaoke going on, but Hope, her arms crossed over her chest, didn’t even crack a smile at the laughable horrible singing going on.

Hope glanced at him. “I don’t need protecting, Rafe. I can handle myself.”

“You couldn’t handle yourself that night,” Rafe reminded her.

Hope scowled at him and looked away.

“All right, that was out of line. I’m sorry.” Rafe sighed. “Hope, it’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s not go into this new year fighting, all right?”

Hope looked at him. “You really should apologize to Aiden.”

Rafe shook his head. “Not going to happen.”

Hope raised an eyebrow and shrugged, still looking miffed.

“But I promise not to go off on him next time. I will be civilized,” Rafe offered.

Hope’s expression softened a bit.

“All right?” Rafe asked reaching a hand over and gently rubbing her arm.

Hope smiled, and uncrossed her arms. “All right.”

Just then, Rafe’s phone rang. “It’s Lani,” he announced while looking at the caller ID. I’ll be right back.” He answered it. “Lani, what’s up?” He asked as he headed outside where it was quieter.

Hope winced as Theo sang Michael Jackson’s “Bad.” It was bad all right. She felt bad for thinking that way of Theo, but it was true. He was a total sweetheart, yes. But the boy couldn’t sing to save his life. Ciara, however, looked like she thought it was a beautiful Symphony. That made Hope smile. Her baby girl was growing up and falling in love. Apparently love not only made you blind, but deaf as well. She smirked at her own inward joke.

Just then, Rafe came back in, looking a little glum.

“What’s wrong? Is Lani all right?” Hope asked; worried.

Rafe shook his head. “They are short on officers tonight with everyone out doing extra runs to make sure no one is drunk driving. She needs me to back her up. She tried arresting a drunk along Highway 39, and he is being difficult.”

“So she needs you to go help her,” Hope stated.

Rafe nodded. “I won’t be long, I promise. I’ll be back by midnight.” He kissed Hope softly on the lips.

“You better be. I need these lips at midnight,” Hope said with a grin.

“And you’ll get them, I promise,” Rafe said. “Here’s one to hold you off until then.” He kissed her.

Hope pulled him back for one more after he broke the kiss.

They grinned at each other.

“I’ll be right back!” Rafe said before taking off.

Hope sighed, then looked around the club. Her eyes met with Aiden’s. He got up and headed over to her. He sat down in front of her. “So, where’s Rafe off to before midnight?”

“Lani needed him to help her with an arrest,” Hope stated.

“There were no other officers that could help her?” he asked.

Hope shrugged. “They’re short on staff.”

“Super Rafe to the rescue,” Aiden joked.

Hope narrowed her eyes at him. “I told Rafe off for being crass with you. I’d appreciate if you weren’t crass toward him either.”

Aiden held up his hands in defense. “All right, I’m sorry. So. Is he gone for the night?”

“He’ll be back by midnight,” Hope replied.

“Well, how about I keep you company until then?” Aiden asked.

Hope nodded. “I suppose I wouldn’t mind a little company. By the way, thank you for the gift card. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to. You’ve done so much for me that I am undeserving of,” Aiden replied.

“Stop being so down on yourself. What’s done is done and what’s over is over. There’s no need to keep bringing it back up,” Hope said, finishing her drink.

Aiden motioned the waiter over. “She’ll have another of whatever that was, and I’ll have the same please.”

The waiter nodded, and went off to get their drinks.

“Thank you for the laptop. I know it was from Chase, but he told me you chipped in. I know he couldn’t even afford half that laptop, so thank you for paying for most of it,” Aiden said.

Hope blushed. “He wanted to get you something nice. Besides, I know you need a good computer for your line of work.”

Aiden nodded. “That I do. It’s hard starting life over from scratch and losing everything you once had.” He looked sadly and longingly at Hope, a double meaning behind his words.

“I bet it is,” Hope said, looking a little sad herself. “Look, I’m sorry for the way Rafe treated you earlier. He’s just overprotective of me,” Hope apologized.

Aiden shrugged. “It’s all right. I get it. It’s understandable. He has no need to worry now though. I’d never hurt you.”

Hope nodded. “I know,” she said almost too quiet for him to hear.

“Who’s bad?!” Theo sang, ending the song.

“You’re bad!” Aiden muttered, only loud enough for Hope to hear him.

Hope covered her mouth and snickered into her hand.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be rude, but singing is not that boy’s forte,” Aiden said.

Hope sighed and shook her head. “Sadly, no. It isn’t.”

“You should get up there and sing,” Aiden said, nodding toward the karaoke stage.

“Oh, no! Trust me, you do not want to hear me sing!” Hope said.

“Ah, I’m sure you sound just fine,” Aiden said. Their drinks arrived and they both took a sip.

“I sound like… I don’t know. I sound like something no one wants to hear,” Hope said. She nodded at Aiden. “You go up and sing.”

“I can’t sing either,” he said.

Hope shrugged, and sipped her drink. “So? You still wanted me to sing even though I can’t sing.” She raised an eyebrow. “What are you—all talk and no action?”

Aiden nodded. “Fine. I’ll show you there’s nothing to it. But first, I’m gonna need this.” He took his drink and drank the rest all down in one gulp. He set the glass down with a satisfied “Ah!” then headed to the stage to look over the book.

Hope smirked, and covered her mouth in amusement.

Two minutes later, Aiden was up on stage. “I’d like to dedicate this song to my good friend Hope who didn’t think I would be brave enough to do this.” Suddenly, the opening tune to Frank Sinatra’s “You Make Me Feel So Young” began to play, and Aiden began to sing.

“Oh my gosh.” Hope buried her face in her hands, but she peeked through her fingers with a grin.

“You and I are just like a couple of tots running across a meadow.” He ran across the stage with the mic. “Pickin’ up lots of forget-me-nots.” He pretended to be picking up flowers.

Hope shook her head, but started laughing. She glanced over at Chase who was watching his father with a look of complete horror and embarrassment on his face. Hope laughed even harder.

She calmed herself down and smiled at Aiden as he continued to sing the song. He even made eye contact with her at most points.

“And even when I’m old and gray, I’m going to feel the way I feel today. Cause you make me feel so young!” He wasn’t the best singer, but he also wasn’t the worst Hope had ever heard. He even got lots of applause. Everyone looked like they had enjoyed it except for Chase who was now a bight shade of crimson and crouched down very low in his chair.

Hope applauded and cheered for him the loudest, smirking at their son’s embarrassment.

Aiden bowed. “Thank you, Goodnight!” he said. He then practically skipped over to Hope’s table and sat across from her again. “So, did you love it?” He teased with a wink.

Hope grinned. “Actually, I did.”

He grinned back.



*This love came back to me.*



“All right, everybody, it’s time to move on out to the park for the ball drop!” Jake, the bartender announced. “We have fifteen minutes until the ball drops!”

Hope checked her phone. There was no word from Rafe yet. She thought of calling him, but knew he would get there when he could. She didn’t want to call him when he was in the middle of working.

“I’ll walk out with you and wait with you. I’ll take off as soon as Rafe gets here, I promise,” Aiden said.

Hope scanned the room. Ciara and Theo were already on their way out the door with Claire and Chase. They clearly weren’t waiting for her. She turned to Aiden. “All right. Sure.”

Aiden helped her with her coat, and he put on his coat as well. They then headed out to the park after paying for their drinks. They had already paid for their dinners.



*This love came back to me.*



Soft instrumental music was playing as they waited for midnight to arrive.

“May I have this dance now while Rafe’s not around?” Aiden asked, holding out a hand to Hope.

Hope looked at his hand and hesitated for just a moment before nodding and smiling. “Sure.”

Together they danced, so closely that it reminded Aiden of their dance at the gala a couple years before.

He looked at Hope. He wanted to kiss her so badly. She looked like she wanted to kiss him as well. His eyes roamed over her body. She really did look so amazing. Her body was so perfect in in that low-cut blouse…

“Ciara was right.”

“Huh?” Aiden snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Hope’s voice.

“Ciara was right,” Hope repeated.

“About what?” Aiden asked; confused.

Hope smirked. “You are ‘perving’ over my outfit, as she put it.”

Aiden felt his cheeks flushing. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. You just look so smoking hot tonight.”

Hope smiled. “It’s all right. It’s kind of nice to know I’ve still got it at my age.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow. “At your age? Baby, you’re not old by any means. Anyway, I don’t care if you’re 90 years old. You’ll always have it! I mean Hope. Sorry. I didn’t mean to call you Baby. It just slipped out—out of habit.”

Hope smiled at him and gently stroked his cheek. “Thank you.” She then raised an eyebrow of her own. “We’ll see if you still feel that way when I’m actually 90 years old.” She smirked.

“I will. I have no doubt,” Aiden said.

Hope looked touched.

“All right, it’s time for the ball drop!” Jake the bartender loudly announced.

Hope looked around. Rafe was still nowhere to be found.

“I guess he’s not coming after all,” Aiden said.

Hope shook her head. “I guess not.”

The countdown began. Aiden counted down along with everyone. Hope, though she looked disappointed that Rafe wouldn’t be there, put on a brave face and counted down as well.

“Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One! Happy New Year!”

Aiden didn’t know what had come over him, whether it be the alcohol or what. Whatever it was, it gave him a sudden burst of courage. He pulled Hope in and kissed her softly on the lips. She cried out in surprise at first, but then, to his delight, she returned his kiss.



*This love came back to me.*



In her mind, Hope knew she shouldn’t be kissing Aiden, but at the same time, she couldn’t get herself to stop—not even when her phone started to ring. It felt like things had never changed between them; it felt like he had never tried to strangle her. At the memory of him trying to strangle her, her heart sank a little.

Aiden was the first to break the kiss. “I’d apologize for kissing you, but I’m not sorry,” he said.

Hope pushed some hair behind her ear and looked nervously around. Thankfully, no one seemed to be paying any attention to them. She looked at her phone. Rafe had been trying to call her. “I have a boyfriend,” she said lamely before looking up at Aiden. She didn’t know what else to say.

Aiden nodded. “I know you do. I’ll try to respect that for now, but I know you kissed me back. Now I can never give up on you. I love you, Hope. I never stopped.”

“Aiden…” Hope was tired—far too tired for this conversation.

Aiden took her hands in his. “I’m not giving up on our love, Hope. I know that sooner or later you’re going to realize that you love me too, and you won’t be able to deny it any longer.” He kissed her hands. “Until then, I’ll wait for you.” He kissed her cheek. “Happy New Year, Hope.”

Hope was jaded as she said, “Happy New Year, Aiden.”

Aiden then left.

Hope sighed.

Suddenly, Rafe came over to her. “Hey! I am so sorry I broke my promise and didn’t show up! It turned out to be more than one drunk, and that is why Lani needed my help. Their blood-alcohol levels was sky high. I had to help her take them to the station and book them.”

Hope was a little out of it. She pushed some hair behind her ear. “It’s okay. Duty calls. Of course I understand. I have to. I’m a cop too.” She smiled and winked at him.

“I tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up,” Rafe said.

“Did you? Oh. Sorry. I didn’t hear it with all the noise from the crowd,” Hope lied. “I forgot to put it on vibrate.”

Rafe then kissed her passionately on the lips. “Sorry that was late.”

“But worth the wait,” Hope said with a smile.

Rafe smiled too, and they kissed again.

Hope imagined kissing Aiden again, and broke the kiss.

“What’s wrong?” Rafe asked.

Hope shook her head. “Nothing. It’s just been a long night. I’m getting old.” She grinned. “I want to get to bed and go to sleep already.”

Rafe laughed. “All right. Let’s go find Ciara so I can drop you guys back home. I’m sorry tonight was ruined.”

“It wasn’t. We had a good time before you left,” Hope assured him.

Ciara and Theo came over then, saving them the trouble of finding Ciara.

“We’re gonna go now, Ciara. I’m tired and want to get to bed,” Hope said to her.

Ciara rolled her eyes. “Old people.” She turned to Theo. “Sorry I had to wear this lame outfit tonight. I had a really killer dress, but mom thought it was too inappropriate for me to wear.” She rolled her eyes.

Theo kissed her cheek. “I like the outfit you’re wearing. I think you look beautiful, Ciara. You’re beautiful no matter what you wear.”

Ciara looked touched. “Aw!” She kissed him on the cheek and hugged him.

Hope smiled. “See? You didn’t need that inappropriate dress.”

“Whatever,” Ciara muttered. “He would have loved that dress even more than this lame outfit.”

Hope ignored her as she felt her thoughts drifting to Aiden enjoying her own outfit. Then her thoughts moved onto her kiss with Aiden. It was wrong. She knew it was.

Then why is your heart racing? The little voice inside her head asked.

She chose to ignore the question.



*This love came back to me.*



After his farewell with Hope, Aiden had gone to find Chase and tell him goodnight. Then, once he was back at the Inn ready for bed and lying on his bed, he thought about what had happened at the party. He had gotten what he wanted tonight. He knew that it was only a matter of time before Hope would be his again. It may take some time, he knew, but she was worth the wait.

[heroicmuse]

Aww first (since reunion) kiss! I think Rafe will have to seek comfort in Lani soon.

[ihearthaiden]

Days of our Haiden
Season 1 Episode 14:

It was the morning of the tenth of January. It happened to be Hope’s birthday. Aiden had bought her the perfect gift. It was a silver heart locket that had a fleur-de-lis engraved on the front. He knew how much she loved that symbol. Inside, he had put a picture of Ciara on one side, and a picture of Chase on the other. He had her initials engraved on the back. He wanted to give it to her, but he knew that no doubt Rafe would be stuck to her like a fly on flypaper most, if not all of the day.
He knew he would have to enlist Chase to help him again, so he quickly texted Chase.
Please text me after school when it’s a good time to get Hope alone away from Eyebrows.
He pressed send, and got a text back a brief moment later.
Haha! Now I got you calling him that! I will.
Aiden smiled, then texted back.
Thanks! 
He then left for his community service, making sure he had his phone with him. He just hoped Chase didn’t text him within the next four hours. After all, as much as he would like to, he couldn’t leave his community service just to go give Hope a gift.

*This love came back to me.*

Chase and Ciara surprised Hope with breakfast in bed before school.
Hope smiled when she awoke to her children yelling “Happy Birthday!” Normally being woken up by shouting would annoy her very much so, but in this case it warmed her heart.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Chase said with a smile. “We made you scrambled eggs, buttered toast, bacon, Eggo waffles, and a yogurt parfait with grape juice to drink.”
“We were going to make you pancakes, but Chase spilled the batter all over the floor, so frozen waffles it is,” Ciara said, rolling her eyes.
“Only because I tripped over you high-heels. Seriously, who leaves their high-heels I the kitchen?” Chase asked; annoyed.
Ciara rolled her eyes again. “Like you never leave your stuff lying around.”
“At least when I do, it’s at a place it makes sense for it to be!” Chase snapped.
Ciara made a face and a mocking noise at him.
Chase made the face and noise right back at her.
Hope cleared her throat. “Let’s not ruin my birthday breakfast by you arguing,” she said.
Chase and Ciara both blushed and apologized.
“That’s better,” Hope said. “Waffles are fine.” She poured the syrup on them, for they had put the bottle on the tray. She then took a bite of the waffles. “Mm. Delicious! Way better than pancakes.”
“Right,” Ciara said; not believing her.
Hope shook her head. “No, really, they’re good! Thank you. Aren’t you guys going to eat?”
“We ate before we brought your food up. We wanted to let you sleep in a bit,” Chase replied.
“You guys are sweet. Thank you.” Hope took a sip of her juice.
“Before we go to school, we went in on a gift for you,” Ciara said. I’ll be right back.” She headed out the door and grabbed the big present they had set right outside of Hope’s bedroom door. She came back in with it and handed it to Hope.
“Wow, this is a huge box!” Hope said with a grin. She set her tray of food down beside her for the moment, then took her gift from Ciara.
“It’s two things actually. We just wanted to put them into one big box because they go together,” Ciara explained.
“I wonder what it is!” Hope said with her eyebrows raised and a grin on her face.
“Open it up and find out!” Chase said; grinning back.
So Hope opened her gift. She smiled, when she saw what it was, and put her hand over her mouth. “Ice skates? And what’s this?” She took out a purple piece of cloth and held it out. She realized it was a purple ice skating outfit.
Chase nodded at it. “Ciara said you used to love to ice skate, so we figured that, since it’s winter, it would be a perfect time for you to get back into it. Plus, we couldn’t think of anything else to get you.”
Ciara gently elbowed Chase. “I never got to see you ice skate. I think it would be cool. Maybe you could even teach me and Chase how to skate.”
Chase held his hands up. “I’m good. I’d probably just fall flat on my face given my klutziness.”
Ciara smirked. “That I’d like to see.”
Chase made a face at her.
Hope smirked. “Be nice, you two. I love it! You even got the right size in both the skates and the outfit. It would be kind of fun to start up skating again as a little hobby. Come here.” She held out her arms.
Both kids walked over to her and hugged her tightly in return as she hugged them.
Hope released them. “Thank you both so much for the thoughtful gift. I’d love to teach you, Ciara. Chase, you’re right. You’d probably hurt yourself. You can just watch.”
Chase nodded his agreement.
“But right now, you both need to get to school! You’re going to be late if you don’t hurry,” Hope continued.
“All right, all right.” Ciara took the gifts and set them on the floor, then took the tray and set it back over her mother’s lap. “I’ll let you get back to your breakfast before it gets cold.” She then kissed Hope’s cheek. “I love you. Happy Birthday.”
“I love you too, Baby.” Hope said, stroking Ciara’s hair and kissing her cheek in return. “And thank you. For everything.” She looked at Chase. “You too, Mister!” She motioned with her finger for Chase to come back over to her.
He walked over to her and she kissed his cheek loudly.
He kissed her cheek in return. “I love you, Mom. Happy Birthday.”
Hope had tears of happiness in her eyes as she watched her children leave. She must have done something right in raising them, she knew. As did Aiden with Chase.
She sighed at that last thought, and went back to eating her breakfast.

*This love came back to me.*

Everyone at the precinct had thrown Hope a little surprise birthday party. Complete with a banner, sub sandwiches, chips, sodas, cake, and gifts. It had been a fun time and a fun little break from fighting crime even though it was just a brief lunchtime celebration.
“Thank you all for everything,” Hope said once her shift was almost over. I love all my gifts, and the food was delicious! I was definitely surprised!” Hope wrapped an arm around Rafe. “Rafe definitely kept the secret from me!”
“Well, good! I threatened to kick him off the force if he told,” Roman joked.
They all laughed.
“Anyway, I felt bad making you work on your birthday, so I figured, what better wat to make it up to you than by throwing you a surprise party?” Roman said.
Hope hugged him. “It was perfect. Thank you.”
“Feel free to cut out a little early. I know Rafe has something special planned for your birthday. Go ahead and get an early start at getting ready for it,” Roman said.
Hope grinned. “Really? I’d appreciate it. I can always use extra time to get ready.”
Roman nodded. “Go for it. But first I would like to announce that the day before Valentine’s Day we will be having a policeman’s/police woman’s gala. There will be dinner as well as dancing. Also, there will be our main event which will be an auction, auctioning off ourselves to the public. All proceeds will go to the St. Jude foundation. The higher ups have been on my case about our precinct never doing anything for charity, so here it is. The public will buy dates with us police men and woman, and then they will go on said dates with us the next night. Participation isn’t mandatory, but it will be much appreciated. Also, as my little bribe to you for participating, it will get you extra time off.”
“But won’t it be Valentine’s Day that we go on the dates?” Hope asked.
Roman nodded. “But I don’t think giving up one Valentine’s Day is too much to ask from children with cancer, do you?”
“Why Valentine’s Day of all days?” Rafe asked.
“It will make more people want to bid knowing that they can have a date on Valentine’s Day, with a policeman or woman nonetheless,” Roman replied. “Some of the officers from the Springfield department will be auctioned off as well.”
Hope nodded. “Count me in. I’m all for helping children with cancer.”
Rafe raised an eyebrow at her. “Really?”
Hope nodded. “We can celebrate later that night.” She pat his chest. “Come on. It’s for children with cancer.” She pouted her lips and bat her eyelashes. “Don’t you want to help them?”
He sighed. “Ah, why not? You know I can never say no to you.”
She grinned at him, and kissed his cheek.
“Excellent! I will be auctioning myself off as well,” Roman said. He turned to Hope. “You are dismissed for the day.”
“Thank you!” Hope said. She turned to Rafe. “So, I’ll see you tonight at six then?”
“On the dot,” Rafe said.
They kissed.
“See you then. I can’t wait,” she said with a smile as she pat his chest. She then grabbed her coat, and headed out the door. She looked at her watch. She had an hour and forty-five minutes to get ready. It would give her plenty of time.

*This love came back to me.*

When Hope arrived home, she realized she still had an hour and a half until Rafe was to be there. She had already taken her shower before work, and really didn’t need an hour and a half to get ready.
She looked over at her new ice skating outfit and ice skates and smiled. There was a frozen pond in the park that she could drive too. Hardly anyone ever skated on it anymore since the new ice skating rink opened up. She hadn’t skated in years, and if she ended up falling on her butt because of being so rusty, so one would see her fall, and she could spare herself the embarrassment.
With a grin, she grabbed her outfit and headed into the bathroom to change into it. When she was done, she came out of the bathroom and examined herself in the full-length mirror. She still looked hot if she did say so herself!
She grabbed her ice skates and headed down the stairs.
Chase and Ciara were about to leave for their Friday night pizza and a movie, where they would be meeting up with with Claire, Theo, Joey, and Joey’s new girlfriend Marsha, but they both stopped and stared when they saw Hope in her skating outfit.
“Wow, Mom, you look hot!” Ciara said.
“No, she looks cool; not hot. It’s winter; not summer!” Chase joked.
Ciara shot him an unamused look. “Lame.”
“You’re lame,” Chase muttered.
Ciara ignored him, and turned her attention back to her smiling mother. “Are you going skating?”
“No, she thought she’d go on her date with Rafe wearing an ice skating outfit and skates!” Chase said sarcastically.
Ciara punched his arm.
Chase winced and rubbed his arm, but didn’t say anything. Apparently, he didn’t want to give Ciara the satisfaction that she had hurt him.
“Ciara, don’t punch your brother.” Hope scolded. “Yes, I’m going to the pond in the park for a quick skate before dinner. Are you guys headed out to pizza?”
Ciara nodded. “Then we’re going to see the new Friday the 13th reboot.”
Hope shuttered. “I don’t know how you kids can stand watching those horror movies. They give me nightmares! Well, have a fun time. You’ll be back by eleven, right?”
Ciara rolled her eyes. “Ugh! Yes, Mom. Having a curfew at seventeen is so annoying.”
“Well, it’s what allows you to go out at all, so take it or leave it,” Hope said.
“See you at eleven,” Ciara grumbled, then leaving with Chase.
Hope smirked. “I thought so.”

*This love came back to me.*

Since it was a Friday night, Aiden knew that Chase would be headed out to for the night with his sister and friends. However, before Chase had left, Chase had texted him that Hope was alone at the park’s pond. Her date with Rafe wasn’t until six.
So now, here Aiden was in the park, headed toward the pond. He hoped it was where he thought it was. It was too cold to wander around aimlessly looking for the pond.
Thankfully, he found it. When he arrived, he saw Hope skating. He walked over to the pond and stood there watching her.
She noticed him and instantly stopped skating. “Aiden, what are you doing here?” she asked in surprise. She pushed some hair behind her ear.
Aiden smiled. “Chase told me where you were. I wanted to drop by and give you a birthday gift.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Hope told him.
Aiden shrugged. “Why not? You gave me a gift on my birthday.”
Hope nodded. “Yes, but it was also to help Chase out.”
Aiden nodded. “Still… I want to. But first, show me a little bit more of your skating. You’re really good!”
Hope smiled. “You really think so? I’m a little rusty. I haven’t skated in years. Ciara and Chase gave me this outfit and new skates for my birthday today though, so I couldn’t resist trying them out.”
“You look breathtakingly beautiful as always,” Aiden told her.
She blushed. “Thank you. Here’s a little routine I made up years and years ago. I’m not sure if I even remember it all.”
“Let me see!” Aiden said with a smile.
“All right,” Hope said, smiling back. She then began to skate.
Aiden already found her beautiful obviously, but as he watched her skate like a graceful angel, she looked more beautiful to him than ever before.
Hope finished her routine, and did a graceful bow of thanks as Aiden clapped. “I remembered it all!” She said with a smile; proud of herself.
“You are amazing and beautiful. You’re amazingly beautiful, and full of even more talent than I knew,” Aiden said.
Hope blushed. “Thanks. It’s the only talent I have.”
“I wouldn’t say that now,” Aiden said suggestively with a raised eyebrow.
Hope blushed an even deeper crimson, and went to pick her coat up off the ground. She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of putting it on the bench behind her instead of dropping in in the cold snow. Thankfully, the inside was still dry. “So, what did you bring me?” she asked.
Aiden handed her a small, silver velvet box. “Sorry it’s not wrapped, but since it’s in a case, I didn’t think it needed to be.”
She stared at it for a moment.
Aiden nodded at it. “Go ahead; take it. I want to give you this.”
Hope smiled at him and took the gift. She flipped the lid open and gasped when she saw the locket. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“Open it,” Aiden ordered.
Hope ran her finger over the fleur-de-lis, then looked at Aiden and smiled. “You remembered I like fleur-de-lises.”
Aiden nodded. “How could I not? Most all your jewelry consists of them, as does some of your home decor.”
Still smiling, she opened the locket. “It’s the kids! Aw, Aiden! This is so sweet! You really shouldn’t have. It’s too much money. You spent too much on me for Christmas too.”
“Look on the back,” Aiden ordered. “I can’t return it. I guess you’ll just have to keep it.” He winked at her, a smile on his face.
She turned the locket over and saw her initials were engraved on the back.
She hugged Aiden. “Thank you. I love it!”
Aiden hugged her back. “Happy Birthday, Hope. I’m glad you like it.”
They pulled away from each other.
“Would you like me to put it on you?” Aiden asked.
Hope nodded. “Please.” She held her hair up, and Aiden put the necklace on her. She then dropped her hair, and looked down at her now locked-adorned neck. “It’ so beautiful.”
“Just like you are,” Aiden said to her.
Hope smiled at him. She looked to Aiden like she wanted to kiss him, but he knew that could very well all be in his head.
“Well, I better be going,” she said. “I don’t want to be late for my dinner date. Thanks again for the beautiful gift.”
“A beautiful gift for a beautiful woman. Do you have your boots?” Aiden asked, looking around for them.
Hope nodded. “They’re in the car. I would have left my coat in the car too, but it’s far too cold out here for that. Do you need a ride?”
“Thanks, but I’m good. The bus stop is not far from here, and it will be here shortly. Besides, you can’t be late for your date, right?” It pained Aiden to bring up her date with Rafe.
Hope nodded. “Right,” she said quietly.
He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
“She you later,” she said, still quietly.
Aiden then left.
Hope sighed as she watched him leave, then took off to get ready for her date with Rafe.

*This love came back to me.*

“You look beautiful!” Rafe said, kissing Hope as she opened the door.
She smiled at him. “Thanks! So do you.” She winked. He was wearing khakis and dress shoes with a green gingham dress shirt. She played with the collar. “It’s different from what you usually wear, but I like it!”
He grinned. “Good. I’m glad.” He looked her up and down and she smiled and twirled around to let him see her at all angles.
“That dress is smoking hot on you!” He said, placing his hands over her waist.
She grinned. “Thank you!”
He nodded at her necklace. “I’ve never seen that before. Is it new?”
Hope looked down at her necklace and blushed. “Yes, it was a birthday gift.”
“From who? I know no one at the station gave it to you, and you said the kids got you the ice skating stuff. Is it from your cousin Jen or from Kayla?” Rafe asked.
Hope ignored his question and opened the locket. “See? It has pictures of the kids in it.”
Rafe looked at the locket. “Yeah, it’s a real nice locket.” He gently pulled it away from her neck to inspect it. “Look at that. It even has your initials engraved on the back. Between the fleur-de-lis engraved on the front and your initials engraved on the back, it looks like it must have been pricey.”
Hope stepped back, clasping her necklace protectively. “I’m not sure how much it costs, but price means nothing to me when it comes to gifts. You know that.”
Rafe shrugged. “It might mean nothing to you, but I’m sure it must have meant something to the person who gave that to you, whom I’m guessing is Aiden seeing as you’re avoiding my question as to who gave it to you.”
Hope was suddenly angry. “So what if it was Aiden? What of it? Can’t a friend give another friend a gift? Can’t a friend accept said gift from said friend?”
Rafe crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at her. “Oh, so now you two are friends? I told him to stay away from you!”
Hope gasped. “You can’t tell me who I can and cannot hang out with, Rafe. You’re my boyfriend; not my boss.”
“I didn’t tell you not to hang out with him; I told him not to hang out with you,” Rafe argued.
“It’s the same difference and you know it!” Hope snapped.
“I want you to give that necklace back. Tell him you can’t accept it,” Rafe ordered.
Hope laughed bitterly. “Excuse me? I know you didn’t just order me to give this back.”
“Do you really want to lead on the man who tried to kill you?” Rafe asked.
“Oh, get off it, Rafe! If I can get over it then so can you!” Hope snapped. “And I’m not leading anyone on. He is the father of my son. It is in both mine and Chase’s best interest for Aiden and me to get along.”
Rafe narrowed his eyes at Hope. “Yeah, well when Aiden tries to kill you again, you’ll regret falling for his crap again like a gullible…”
Hope crossed her arms over her chest. “Go on, finish. I’m eager to hear what you were going to say. Like a gullible what? Hm?”
Rafe sighed. “All I’m saying is, you should learn from your past mistake of trusting him. And as for Chase, well, Chase isn’t even your son! He’s Aiden’s. Now that Aiden is back, he’s not your responsibility any longer.”
Hope’s eyes turned cold. “Get out.”
“Excuse me?” Rafe asked in surprise.
“You heard me. I said, get out! I want you out of my house now. I’m not hungry anymore, and even if I were, I wouldn’t want to eat with you.” Hope opened the door and motioned out it. “Out! Now!”
Rafe rolled his eyes. “Fine. With pleasure! At least it saves me money by not having to pay for your meal!”
Hope pushed him the rest of the way out the door then slammed and locked the door. She let out an angry cry of frustration, then stormed up the stairs to take a warm bath to calm herself down.

*This love came back to me.*

Aiden heard a knock on his door and looked out the peephole. He saw it was Rafe. He smirked. He bet Rafe had seen the necklace and didn’t like it.
He opened the door. “Why, Rafe, what a pleasant surprise! To what do I owe the pleasure?” he said, feigning friendliness.
Rafe narrowed his eyes at him. “Cut the bull crap, Aiden.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Aiden asked, still feigning friendliness.
Rafe narrowed his eyes at him and grabbed him by the shirt. “I told you before to stay away from Hope! You didn’t listen.”
“You’re not my boss when it comes to who I can and cannot hang out with,” Aiden said calmly.
“You sound just like Hope,” Rafe said coldly.
“She said that?” Aiden asked; unable to hide his smile.
“She may not be able to see through your little games, but I see through them. I’m warning you, Aiden. You stay the hell away from my girlfriend!” Rafe snapped pulling Aiden closer to him by the shirt.
“Or what, Detective Hernandez? Are you threatening me? Do I have to go to the station and file a report against you for police brutality?” Aiden was smug. He knew Rafe couldn’t do a darn thing to him without getting in trouble with both the law and Hope.
Rafe roughly released Aiden’s shirt, causing Aiden to stumble back just slightly.
“Trust me; you don’t want to have to find out what!” Rafe snapped. He then left without another word to Aiden, and without looking back.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought!” Aiden called after him. He then shut and locked his door; a smile on his face. He took it Hope didn’t take too kindly Rafe telling her who she could and couldn’t hang out with.
Aiden chuckled to himself. “Keep this up, Rafe, and you’ll be doing my work for me. You’ll be the key to your own undoing.” Whistling a happy tune, he went back to making the TV dinner he had been starting before his unwelcomed visitor had showed up.

*This love came back to me.*

Hope’s phone rang. She saw that it was Rafe calling. She picked up the phone. She had put a frozen pizza in the oven, and was waiting for it to finish cooking. She figured there was nothing wrong with hearing Rafe grovel while she waited for it. “What?”
“I’d say this in person but I wasn’t sure you wanted me over there,” Rafe began.
“Good choice to not come over,” Hope said coldly.
Rafe sighed. “Hope, I was a jackass, and I’m sorry.”
Hope wasn’t ready to forgive him just yet. “You promised you would be civil to Aiden and you weren’t.”
“What? The little whiner called you and tattled on me about going to see him?”
Hope’s mouth dropped open. “I was talking about not being civil about the necklace. You went to see him? Why?”
Rafe sighed. “It’s not important. What is important is that I called to apologize. I’m an idiot sometimes. What can I say?”
Hope smirked, an eyebrow raised. “Sometimes?”
“Hey. I’m trying to apologize here,” Rafe said playfully.
“Keep going,” Hope replied; intrigued.
“What I said about Chase was way out of line,” Rafe began.
“You’re right; it was. You know blood means nothing. Is Sonny not a father to Arianna?” Hope asked.
“Good point. Of course blood means nothing. I love Chase. He is a great kid. I guess I just got jealous of you and Aiden sharing a child,” Rafe admitted.
“You need to stop being jealous about all things Aiden. I am a grown woman and I can pick my own friends. I will not tolerate being told who I may and may not be friends with or what gifts I can and cannot accept. Aiden is my friend and the father of my son. That is all there is to it. I’m dating you—not Aiden—and we both know I don’t do things I don’t want to do, nor do I not do things I want to do. If I didn’t want to be with you, I wouldn’t be. If I’d rather be with Aiden, I would be. I’m not with Aiden; I’m with you,” Hope scolded.
“Duly noted,” Rafe said. “And I promise that from now on, I won’t say any more about Aiden. I will trust you to hang out with whomever you want to hang out with—Aiden included.”
“And you’ll be nice to him if we ever run into him?” Hope asked, an eyebrow raised again.
Rafe sighed. “For you, yes. I will be civil to him. I promise this time.”
“All right,” Hope agreed.”
“So, you forgive me?” Rafe asked.
Hope nodded even though she knew he couldn’t see her. “Yes. But it’s late and I’m tired, so let’s still forget the whole birthday dinner thing. I’ll just talk to you tomorrow. All right?”
Rafe sounded disappointed, but agreed. “Fair enough. I love you.”
“I love you too. See you tomorrow. Goodnight,” Hope said.
“Goodnight,” Rafe said before hanging up.
Hope sighed as she clicked off her phone. “Sorry, Rafe, but I still need the rest of tonight to finish cooling off,” she said before heading into the kitchen to collect her pizza.

[heroicmuse]

There is definitely trouble in paradise! I really like the way this triangle is being set up, and how Rafe's jealousy is his undoing rather than him catching Hope cheating on him or something.

The ice skating scene is so sweet and a nice tribute to Kristian Alfonso's history. Great job!

[ihearthaiden]

Thank you! I appreciate it.