Martha sat at her kitchen table, flicking through the day's mail. Since she had moved into her new house, she was amazed at how quickly word had gotten around. She had been receiving letters of support since the day she had moved in, from friends she had not seen since high school -- even letters from the public. Of course, all of them had been opened and checked by her detail, and she was sure the less-friendly ones had been weeded out and thrown away. Since her refusal to comply with the White House's version of events, she had not heard from Hal Gardner, and the press were still having a grand old time coming up with different stories to explain why she was no longer at her husband's side. She smiled to herself as she pulled out another letter as she thought how Beth Gardner must be feeling. Even though she was no longer First Lady, she was gathering more press interest now than when she had held the title. Glancing at yet another letter of support from a name she didn't recognize, she threw the unread letters to one side and sat back in her chair. Glancing out of the window at Agent Harris, she sighed as she thought back to the days when her movements had not been monitored at every turn. Screwing up her eyes, she remembered yesterday. She and Aaron had watched the remainder of the movie in silence, aside from the occasional squeal from Martha when Jaws attacked -- which was always followed by a low chuckle from Aaron. After the film, she had suggested they go out for dinner, a suggestion which Aaron quickly brushed aside, saying he wasn't in the mood, and maybe they could get take-out.

Martha opened her eyes and sighed. It wasn't that she didn't understand Aaron's reluctance to take their relationship to the next step; she did. And if she was totally honest with herself, she agreed with him. However, that did not stop the feelings in her when he was around, the urge to drag him upstairs and rip off his clothes was growing stronger every day. Standing up, she made her way over to the large fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, taking a gulp. How naive had she been, she thought to herself. When they had agreed Aaron would move with her to L.A., she had visions of them being together, and not just in the that sense. She had thoughts of them going to dinner, maybe even take in a movie, something she had not been able to do in years. She sighed again and inwardly chastised herself. Life was never going to be like her fairytale, and at this very moment she wasn't even sure she would get her prince.

Aaron stopped at the gate house positioned at the end of Martha's drive and nodded at the agent inside. "Afternoon." He murmured. "Everything alright?"

The agent looked up at his boss and nodded in the affirmative. "All quiet, Sir. There were a few letters again this morning, but we took care of them."

Aaron winced as he thought of the letters that had first arrived in the hundreds, but had now petered out to a few a day. Mainly from people so far to the right, they still believed crucifixion a suitable form of punishment, and all saying the same thing. How could she leave her husband in his time of need? How could she break the vows she had made to the former President and not stand by him in sickness and in health? Aaron was sure his new Martha would be unaffected by them, but he had chosen to keep the letters from her. He didn't want her unnecessarily upset. "Good work." He smiled at the agent. "I'll be heading on to the house to relieve Agent Harris."

"Yes sir."

Aaron began the short walk up the driveway and thought back to yesterday. Martha had been unusually quiet for the remainder of the day. He knew he had upset her with his lack of affection toward her, and had been up half the night thinking of ways he could make things right. At about two thirty in the morning, he had it. Without thinking of the time, he had reached over for the phone and began his mission to show her how much she did mean to him.

"Hey."

Martha flinched, but didn't move from the sofa and continued reading her book. Aaron moved closer. He thought to himself how adorable she looked dressed in a pale blue jogging suit, her hair piled on top of her head. But she didn't move from her position on the couch. Without thinking, Aaron reached out and stroked the bare skin revealed at the bottom of her neck. He felt her tense slightly at his touch and quickly drew his hand away. "Are you okay?" he asked tentatively.

"I'm fine," she responded curtly, still not turning to look at him.

Aaron stared at the back of her head for a few seconds then began to walk round the couch to face her. Looking down at her, he responded, "You don't sound fine."

"I'm reading, Aaron." Martha finally glanced over the top of her glasses and looked at him. His face was a picture of confusion. She felt her heartstrings tug as she watched his folorn face, but she wasn't ready to let him off the hook just yet. Without smiling at him, she found her place in her book again and continued reading. Aaron watched her for a few seconds then sat on the far side of the couch. He knew she was upset after yesterday, and he wasn't sure how to make things right between them. All he knew was that if he had blown his one chance of being happy in this life, he would never forgive himself. Trying again, he edged closer to her. "Good book?"

"Very good." She tucked her legs underneath her and turned her body away from his. She could smell the faint scent of his cologne as he moved toward her, and she was finding it increasingly difficult to keep her eyes on the page.

"You want a drink?" Aaron sighed as he stood up and moved toward the kitchen. She was obviously not going to make this easy for him, and he had no idea what his next move would be. It was becoming apparent to him that the time he had spent planning in the early hours of this morning would have been wasted if she wouldn't even talk to him.

"Peppermint tea would be nice, thank you," Martha shouted after him. He winced at the air of formality her voice had taken. Slamming the switch of the kettle to "on," he slumped against the kitchen counter. What had he done?

Martha looked at the book she was holding and realized she had read the same line now at least four times. It was no use, she could say to her mind that she didn't want the man standing in her kitchen, but her heart was screaming at her to stop behaving like a petulant child and go make things right. Throwing the book to the floor, she stood up and walked toward the kitchen. Standing in the doorway, she watched his back slumped over the kitchen surface and slowly and silently moved toward him. When she was standing behind him, she reached out and placed her small hand on the back of his jacket. He moved slightly at her touch, but did not turn to face her. Slowly and deliberately, she began to move her hand up and down his back, tracing circles with her palm. Noticing him relaxing into her touch, she smiled slightly and slid her body between him and the kitchen counter. She reached out and took his bowed head in her hands and pulled him toward her. Softly stroking his soft hair, she moved her hand to under his chin and gently pulled his face up to look at her. Seeing the total look of devastation in his eyes, she was lost. But she smiled as he stood to his full height and gazed into her eyes.

"Martha...I..." he began.

"Ssh." She moved her hand from under his chin and placed her fingers across his mouth. Reaching out with her free hand, she softly caressed the side of his face, until he began to nuzzle into it like a contented cat. Her hand moved slowly across his mouth to trace the outline of his lips. "Don't say anything," she whispered as she moved closer and replaced her hand with her lips. It wasn't a heated kiss like many of their previous, but a gentle, tender kiss. As she moved her mouth over his, she felt his hands slide up her side to frame her face. After stroking her soft skin for a few seconds, he moved his hands to her hair, reaching for the barrette that held it in place, and with one swift move, unclipped it so her hair fell about her shoulders in soft waves. Pulling back from her slightly, he reached up and gently took off the glasses that had been perched precariously on the end of her nose. Folding them, he reached behind her and placed them on the counter. Still without saying a word, he slid his hands through her sweet-smelling hair, and pulled her closer to deepen her kiss. Letting him take control now, Martha felt her body mold against his -- they were such a perfect fit, she wondered how she could have ever imagined living without him. Again, she felt the shockwaves of desire run through her body, and thought to herself that the reasons Aaron had been keeping his distance, her marriage still to Charles and his respect for the oath he took in his job, still were there. She finally began to understand why he had kept his distance. She made the decision to pull away before she got carried away and would yet again be disappointed. Aaron looked at her, confused, but kept his tight hold of her.

"I'm just playing by your rules, Aaron," Martha whispered in his ear, allowing her tongue to sneak out and brush his lobe gently.

"I'm beginning to think my aren't all they're cracked up to be." He smiled down at her. "See, now you're seeing things my way." She grinned at him and before she knew it, he had grabbed hold of her waist and lifted her onto the surface behind her. She shrieked in shock and giggled as Aaron quickly looked at the door expecting the cavalry to come charging in. Waiting a few seconds to be sure noone outside the house had heard her scream he turned his attention back to Martha who was still giggling her hand across her mouth.

Pulling it away, she looked over his shoulder. "I don't think anyone heard us, I mean there's..." Before she could finish the sentence, Aaron had locked his lips on hers again, this time attacking them hungrily. Martha, shocked at the intensity of his kiss, responded readily and pulled him closer to her, locking her legs around his waist. All at once his hands were everywhere. Gently tugging on her hair, moving down her back to the bottom of her top, he slid his hands underneath. Martha gasped as his cold hands met her hot skin. Pulling herself back from his embrace, she reached for his face and grasped it in her hands. "You know.." she said, gasping for breath. "Your rules do have a certain old-fashioned charm to them." She leaned forward again and nipped at his lower lip. "In fact, I'm starting to feel that maybe you're right." Sliding forward, she gracefully slipped off the counter. "I certainly wouldn't want to compromise your integrity and all." Grinning at his flustered face, she pecked a kiss on the tip of his nose. "But that was a very nice way to say hello." Moving from his grasp, she sauntered back into the living room, allowing her hips to sway gently. Turning back she stifled a laugh at his shocked face. "Oh and honey? The kettle's boiled."

Aaron poured the steaming water from the kettle and thought back to what had just happened. He was slightly puzzled. He had been seconds away from doing what he thought Martha had wanted. Hell, from doing what he, too, wanted to do, when she had pulled away. Glancing over his shoulder into the living room, he could see her resuming her place on the couch, her hair was a mess and her cheeks were flushed. But to him, she had never looked more beautiful. Picking up the mugs, he wandered back to the living room to join her. "So, you want to tell me what just happened there?" He placed the cups on the table and joined her on the couch.

Martha pushed her hair back from her still burning cheeks and smiled at him. Reaching across the distance between them, she took his hand and gently began to stroke the rough skin. "Aaron, I was unfair to you when you arrived. I was behaving like a spoiled child who hadn't gotten what she wanted on her birthday. One of the reasons I fell in love with you was your integrity and your beliefs, and it was unfair of me to try to compromise them. I know how you feel about me. You might not say it as often as I would like." She chuckled slightly. "But when I look into your eyes, all I need to know is right there. And I understand why you want to wait before we...uh...well, you know." Her cheeks flushed again at her words. "Anyway what I wanted, what I am trying to say is that I understand and I am prepared to wait. Until my divorce is finalized, and until you are no longer in charge of my security. I just hope that I haven't spoiled what we already have." She sighed and stared into his eyes, waiting for a response.

"You know, Martha," Aaron picked up her hand that was still clutching his and held it to his chest. "I never thought it was possible, but every day I spend with you, I fall in love with you a little bit more. Believe me when I say that it is not easy to be here and to hold back the way I have been doing. Not easy at all. But when we make that final commitment to each other, I don't want there to be any obstacles in our way. I don't want it to be furtive and scandalous. I want it to be..." He paused for a moment searching for the right word. "I want it to be perfect. Can you understand that?"

Martha pressed her hand against his heart and replied honestly. "Perfectly."

"And for the record. I do love you."

"I love you, too. So much." She cast a quick glance out of the window to make sure her agent was not lurking, and seeing no one there she closed the gap between them and kissed him tenderly on the mouth. It held none of their earlier urgency but it was just as sweet and fulfilling for her.

Aaron smiled at her and jumped to his feet. In all the earlier distractions, he had nearly forgotten his late night planning and reaching down to her pulled her up to her feet. "Okay, ma'am. I am going to ask you to grab your coat, put on your shoes, and follow me." Martha looked at him, and a flicker of confusion passed her face. Aside from a visit to her mother and two covert trips to the local store, she had not left her house in nearly a month. "Why? Where are we going?"

"I would appreciate it if you would not ask questions, ma'am, and just follow me." He pasted on a face of stoic sincerity and moved toward the door. Glancing back at her, he noticed her face break into a grin, and found it contagious as his facade dropped and he smiled along with her. "Just humor me, Martha. Please."

"Well, where are we going? Can I at least get changed first?" She gestured down to her baby blue jogging suit. "This is hardly an outfit to be taken out in."

"Actually, it is the perfect attire for where we are going. But if you hurry, you will have time to wipe off that smudged lipstick and comb your hair." He grinned at her as she dashed off to the bathroom.

"Oh, come on, Aaron -- you know I hate secrets; where are we going?"

He glanced over at her and thought again how young and relaxed she looked; she had fixed her make up, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her face obscured by a Dallas Cowboys baseball cap she had stolen from him. Returning his eyes to the road, he replied. "You don't hate secrets, Martha. You have no patience. There is a big difference." Anyway, we are nearly there -- just up this hill.

Martha peered out of the windshield and looked at the road ahead. She wasn't sure, but it seemed familiar. Then as Aaron turned the car round the next corner, she gasped in surprise as she recognized the huge gates they approached. She laughed happily and turned to him. "Oh, Aaron. Universal Studios? I haven't been here in years."

"Now, I may have some connections in this town, but even I couldn't arrange for the lots to be cleared for your private viewing. So I got the next best thing. Now do me one security favor -- pull your cap down a little and put on your sunglasses. Just while we clear the gate." Martha did as he asked, and sat quietly as Aaron showed his credentials to the guard at the gates, and within seconds the car began to move again. "Okay, all clear."

Martha readjusted her cap and giggled. "I feel like I should have worn an old Groucho Marx moustache or something." Excitedly looking through all the car windows, she began to feel like a child. "Okay, so now I know where we are -- can you tell me what we are doing here?"

Aaron pulled the car to a halt and turned off the ignition. "Well, at the moment, darlin', we are parking." He cut her off before the innuendo could pass her lips. "And I don't mean in the teenage sense of the word!"

"I never said a word!"

"You were thinking it. Come on." He opened the door and stepped out into the now darkening sky. He moved to open Martha's door, but she had already jumped out, and was bouncing toward him a huge smile on her face. Taking her hand, his instinct took over and he scanned their surroundings. Seeing nothing of importance, he began to walk, pulling her alongside him.

"Aaron, look the CSI set. I love that show. Couldn't we just jump on the tour? I'm sure no one would recognize me." She circled him like a child, and he couldn't help but smile at her obvious excitement.

"Next time, I promise. But for now, I think you will like what I have planned." They kept walking past various hangers until they reached the busy run of restaurants on CityWalk. Pulling her closer toward him, he whispered in her ear, "Just stay close by for a few minutes, just while we get through this crowd. Then I promise you can let go of my hand and run around to your heart's content.

"Okay, but for the record, I like holding your hand," she whispered back in his ear. She watched the hustle of the crowds and couldn't help a small pang of jealousy. She knew that when Charles took office, her life would no longer be her own to do as she pleased, but she couldn't help wishing she could be as carefree as the people she now watched. But she did as she was told and kept a firm grip on Aaron's hand and bowed her head slightly. The likelihood of her being recognized was slim, but she understood Aaron's concern for her safety and the need for making themselves blend in with the crowd. She smiled to herself as she remembered what she was wearing and thought that even if someone thought they saw the former First Lady beneath the hat and glasses, they would surely dismiss the thought when they saw her in an every day jogging suit. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn't noticed that Aaron had stopped walking and was standing in front of a large restaurant. She stopped and glanced up at the flashing sign above her, breaking into a grin she laughed. The Saddle Ranch Chop House. She looked back at Aaron who had a nervous look on his face.

Looking into her eyes, he was pleased to see she was grinning at him. The night before when he had thought of what he could do to make her feel like any normal woman for a day, this restaurant was the first that came to mind. His friend from back home had opened the place years back, and it was one of the most popular places to be on CityWalk. Joe sure wasn't happy at being woken in the early hours of the morning, and when Aaron had asked his favor of him, was even less amused. He had finally relented when Aaron told him of the person he was planning on bringing and his feelings for her. He had been cautious of going into too much detail, but knew he could trust Joe. After an hour of pleading his case, Joe had relented and agreed to shut the place down for three hours this evening. He made it abundantly clear that even three hours was losing him a lot of business, but he had heard the desperation in Aarons voice and who was he to stand in the way of true love, as he had put it. Now he just prayed that his plan would work and she would enjoy all he had arranged. Glancing at her face again, his stomach flipped when he realized she was looking at him with worry in her eyes.

"Aaron. I'm a vegetarian," she said solemly, and watched as his face dropped. "I'm kidding! I'm kidding!" She laughed and smiled as he put on a stern look.

"Thats not funny," he said, not able to hold back the smile in his voice.

"Oh, come on," she nudged him in the side, "it is a little." Taking his hand she pulled him toward the door. "Come on, let's go in."

Pulling her back, he began to walk to the side of the building. "Not that way. Round the back." They walked down the littered alley beside the building and came to an iron gate. Before he opened it, he turned to her. "Now close your eyes."

"What? Why?"

"Humor me, Martha, please."

Sighing dramatically, she did as he asked and felt him move behind her, his arms resting on her waist. Resisting the urge to peek, she kept her eyes tightly closed as they walked slowly toward their final destination. Feeling him stop her, she stood still, her stomach fluttering in anticipation. She thought to herself that she honestly didn't care what he had planned, just this small part of their day had made her feel more like a human being again than a lifetime with Charles.

"Okay. Open them," he whispered in her ear, and she felt him chuckle as she jumped at his close proximity.

Opening her eyes slowly, she gasped at what she saw. An outside dance floor looked as if it was lit with a thousand stars. On closer inspection, she realized that the edge of the raised stage had been surrounded with hundreds of tea lights set in glass.

"Oh Aaron..." She found herself at a loss for words. "Its...its beautiful." She let go of his hand and began to walk toward the scene that someone had obviously spent a long time setting. She tried to take it all in at once. The dance floor, the candles. Looking to her right, she saw just off the dance floor a rug had been laid out beside a burning fire. A small picnic hamper sat on top of it and a small stereo. Moving past her still form, Aaron walked towards the stereo and flicked it on, the sound of Ella Fitzgerald filled the night sky. Martha hugged herself as she recognized the opening bars to one of her favourite songs, " Isn't it romantic?" Aaron turned from where he had been standing, finding just the track he wanted and slowly began to walk toward her. He stopped in front of her and carefully reached up and took off the cap and glasses she had been wearing. Throwing them to the ground he slid his hands up her arms which he noticed were covered in goosebumps. Concerned, he turned to her. "Cold?"

"Not one little bit." She smiled at him, a lone tear escaping her left eye.

"In that case," he bowed formally, "may I have this dance?"

"You may." She sniffed and wiped at her eyes before allowing herself to be taken in his arms and whisked onto the dance floor. Letting her head fall to his shoulder she moved her body with his to the music. They stayed in that position for what seemed like an eternity, their bodies moulding into the other, swaying in time to the soft strains of the song until Martha slowly lifted her head from her comfortable position. She stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, "And in answer to your choice of song. Yes. It is very romantic. In fact, I think this is the most romantic thing anyone has ever..." She stopped suddenly as she caught sight of something over his shoulder. "Um, Aaron...?" she whispered, "Is that a mechanical bull?"

"No way!" Martha exclaimed for the third time.

"Oh come on, it's easy. Don't make me show you again." Aaron slid from the plastic bull and bounced across the safety floor toward her. "You ride horses don'tcha?"

"Yes, I ride, as you well know, but the horses I ride don't have an urge to throw me to the ground!"

He reached her side and climbed over the small wall. "Come on, one time. For me."

Martha looked into his face. He had ridden the bull twice now, and the second time had managed to stay on for thirty seconds. She had never laughed so much in her life, she thought. But to actually get on the thing...she looked into his eager face and sighed. "Okay, one try, but you have to catch me if I...well, when I fall. Deal?"

"Deal!" He grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the rubber floor. She stumbled as her feet hit the unfamiliar surface, and he grabbed her arm to steady her. Together they bounced toward the bull and he turned to face her. She was looking at the creature with a mixture of fear and excitement in her eyes. "You ready?" he laughed.

"As I'll ever be! Now, how in the world does one get on this thing?"

Aaron held out his hand, "Here, I'll give you a leg up." She placed her sneaker-clad foot on his hand and rather ungracefully pulled herself on to a sitting position. "Now hold on tight."

Gripping onto the handle in front, her knuckles turned white with the ferocity of her grip. "Believe me, I am holding on tight. I'll tell you now if I break any major bones -- I'll set my other agents on you."

Laughing again at her look of determination, he moved slightly away from her.

Glaring at him, she shouted, "Where do you think you're going?"

"Martha. I can't hold your hand; just hold on, and you'll be fine. Okay, I'm setting it on beginner for you, are you ready?" he asked again.

Laughing loudly, she threw her head back, her eyes glinting now with anticipation. "GO!" she shouted. Aaron flicked the switch and watched as the bull began to buck; he watched as after only five seconds, she fell to the floor. Waiting for her to get up, he panicked when she didn't. Running to her side, he crouched down to her.

"Martha, are you alright?" He pulled her hands from her face and found her laughing hysterically, tears streaming down her face. Relieved, he found her laugh contagious and joined in. "I take it you enjoyed that?" He smiled at her. "Okay, you had your turn, let's eat." He moved to stand up and found himself being dragged back down to the floor.

"Eat? Are you kidding? I'm getting back on this thing." She stood up wobbily, "Now give me another leg up."

"Martha. Darlin', please. I think you've proven your point." He looked down to where she lay on the floor after yet again being bucked off the bull.

"So you admit I stayed on longer than you?" She jumped up to a standing position and went to get back on the bull. Before she could swing her leg over, she found herself back on the floor. Aaron had grabbed her leg and pulled her to the ground. Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he moved toward her and brushed his lips against hers. He was pleased when she responded hungrily. If truth be known, kissing her was all he could think of to distract her from getting back in the saddle. Pulling away slightly, he kissed a trail down her neck to the collar of her thin jacket. "I never knew you could be so competitive." He laughed.

Nudging his head back up so she could reclaim his lips, she whispered into his mouth, "Honey, just never try me with Scrabble!" Letting herself be pulled back into his embrace, she found all thoughts of getting back on the bull gone as all she could concentrate on was the feeling of his warm, firm body against hers. She turned slightly so she was sitting astride him, never once losing contact with his mouth, until laughing, she pulled away. "You know its kinda like making out on a water bed." She grinned refering to the safety floor they were lying on.

Putting on a mock stern look, he pulled her back to him so her chest was pressed against his. "And how many times have you made out on a water bed?" he asked her playfully.

"Well...none, but I'll bet this is what it feels like." She looked into his eyes and thought to herself she had never had anyone do the things he had done for her today. The thought made her well up again. Noticing, Aaron pulled them to a sitting position.

"Hungry?"

"Famished!"

After Aaron pulled them both upright, they made their way to solid ground and toward the fire that had been burning away. Flopping to the ground, Martha stretched, cat-like on the gingham blanket. "You know, I think I have muscles aching I never knew I had."

Sitting beside her, Aaron pulled the wicker basket toward them. "Well, you know the best cure for that?"

"A massage from a handsome Secret Service Agent?" she purrred.

"Nope." He flicked open the lid of the basket. "S'mores!"

"You know," Martha began, licking the melted chocolate from her lips, "being the former First Lady and all, I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants in the world. But I can honestly say I have never eaten anything so delicious. Where have these been all my life?" She sat back and placed the metal skewer to one side. "You know, I am so full."

Laughing at her again, he pulled her between his legs and she allowed her head to fall back against his chest. "Well, I have been on many a camping trip with Nate, and we have put away a fair few in our time. But I have to say, I have never seen someone eat ten in a row." He wrapped his arms around her and smelled the sweet scent of her hair.

Yawning, Martha cuddled back into him. "Oh, what the hell, I'll ride the Life Cycle tomorrow. That should burn 'em off." She looked up at the night sky now lit with stars and sighed happily. Closing her eyes, she thought to herself she had never felt so at peace. "Camping, huh?" she murmured.

"Yup. Every year until he enlisted."

"Maybe we could go. You know when things calm down a little."

"I would be proud to take you. But you do know there is nowhere to plug in your hair dryer in the woods."

Turning in his arms, she elbowed him in the ribs. "Hey. I could camp."

"Martha, my darlin', I think you could do anything you set your mind to. Of that I have no doubt." He pulled her toward him and she fell against his chest. He nibbled on her lower lip, tasting the remnants of chocolate and graham crackers. Holding her closer, he lazily ran his tongue along her lips until she could bear it no more and opened her mouth to him. The kiss wasn't frantic -- just the sweet and tender end to a perfect day. "As much as I hate to break the mood, Joe's gonna be here in ten minutes to clean this up. And I should get you home. You look tired."

"I'm not tired." Martha said trying to hide a big yawn. "Alright, maybe i'm a little tired. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"When things settle down, we'll come back here. You know, we'll make it 'our place.'"

"I promise."

"Good. And next time, maybe you'll beat me on the bull!" Laughing, she captured his lips with hers again and they lay back, allowing themselves to enjoy the last few minutes they had together.

"So, I suppose you have to go?" Martha said quietly as they stood in the low light of her front room.

"You know I do." He sighed and took her hands in his. "If it's any help, I don't want to go."

As she stroked the rough skin of his hands and looked into his eyes, she could see a reflection of her own longing in them. "If it's any help, I understand why you have to."

He squeezed her hands tenderly. "It helps."

Martha let go of his warm hands and slowly walked to the window. Reaching for the heavy curtains that had been left open, she tugged them until they met, blocking the faint glow of the street lights. Walking to her end table, she flicked a switch and a low lamp came on. Heading back to where he stood watching her, she hid a yawn behind her hand.

"It's late." Aaron glanced at the clock -- it was nearly midnight. They had been out for almost seven hours. He waited until she reached his side and grabbed hold of her, holding her close to him. "You should go to bed."

Allowing herself to fall against his strong chest, she lay her head on his shoulder. They stood in like this in silence for a few seconds, Aaron gently rocking her. "Aaron." She whispered the words muffled against his coat.

"Yes, Martha." he replied, his words tickling the top of her hair.

"When I was ten, my parents took me to this fair. I remember being so excited. It was in the neighboring town to us. My older sister Catherine let me wear her old party dress. It was red and white gingham and had a run of lace around the bottom." She looked up at him to see him looking back with curiosity. "Anyway, I got all dressed up, and Cathy even let me wear her favorite barrettes; they were pink with sparkling butterflies on them."

"I bet you were a cute child," Aaron smiled.

"I was adorable," Martha grinned. "No trouble at all." She laughed as Aaron raised an eyebrow. "So we went to the fair, the whole family, and I stuffed my face with cotton candy. My father even took me on the Ferris Wheel. And as we sat watching the tops of the trees and houses together, I remember feeling so safe so happy, and until today, I can honestly say that I never felt that peace again. Until today. You make me feel safe, Aaron, you make me feel happy, and I want you to know that I am happy with us just as we are." She looked up at him again and noticed his eyes had started to well up. She reached up and stroked his face. "Hey, that's a good story I told you."

Sniffing, he tightened his grip on her. "I know. I want you to know that I feel exactly the same way about you, and the day your divorce is finalized, and I can hand in my notice..."

Leaning in, she stopped him midsentence with a kiss. Breaking away, she muttered against his lips. "Honey, on that day, there will be no more goodnights like this -- no more goodbyes." Kissing him again, she smiled against his mouth. "You will be up those stairs so fast you won't know what hit you." She laughed at her own boldness and felt him slowly pull away from her.

"I look forward to that day, darlin'." Now I have to go." He pushed a loose strand of hair from her face and moved toward the door. Turning to face her, he gently pressed his lips against hers one last time. "Goodnight, Martha."

"Goodnight, Aaron." She watched as he opened the front door and disappeared into the night. Smiling to herself ,she realized how tired she was. Tossing her purse on the table, she noticed the pile of letters she had left from earlier. Sighing, she pushed them to one side; she would finish them tomorrow. Turning to walk upstairs, she missed the brown envelope that sat on the top of the pile. An envelope that held a headed letter embossed in gold bearing the name of her lawyers. The letter that, if she had read it, would have told her she no longer bore the name of Logan.