In the morning, Sid woke up first as he loved seeing Cassie coming to life from sleep. He got out of bed carefully so as not to wake her, showered, located both his and Cassie's clothes and got dressed. He made two cups of coffee, brought them into the bedroom and kissed Cassie's forehead.
Cassie stirred slightly and opened her eyes. She saw Sid sitting by the bed, smiling. "You seem to like seeing me waking up, Sid." said Cassie.
"Yes, I love it." said Sid. "It's so wonderful to see you stirring into life. You're so beautiful. Would you like some coffee?" Sid offered Cassie one of the cups.
"Oh, thank you so much." said Cassie. "I suppose I'd better get dressed as I'm on a full day today."
When she had finished her coffee, Cassie got out of bed and, while still naked, embraced and kissed Sid. He reacted by caressing the whole length of her back from her shoulders to her thighs. "I do so love you. Your body is so beautiful to touch." he said.
Cassie showered and dressed.
After they each had a bowl of cereal for breakfast, Sid walked with Cassie to Adam's apartment so that she could change into her working clothes, then to the Alias Restaurant as she was working a full day. She asked to see the manager and told him that she wanted to leave. She came back out to let Sid know that her last shift would be the lunch on Saturday, so he could book the flight back anytime after that.
"The restaurant is closed on Mondays," said Cassie. "so I've got the whole day off. Also, I'm on dinners on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I've got most of those days off as well. What would you like to do?"
"We could have a meal in Chinatown, then explore the Southern tip of Manhattan." said Sid. "I'll call for you at about 10 o'clock."
"I'd really love it if you spent the night with me." said Cassie. "If you meet me after my shift tonight, we can stay here overnight and start as soon as we're ready."
"That's an offer I can't refuse." said Sid. "I'll come in for a coffee at about a quarter to eleven this evening, then we can decide where to sleep."
"Right, then I'll see you here this evening, but I finish at ten thirty on a Sunday." said Cassie. "Come at quarter past ten. I'd better start my work. Love you! Bye."
Cassie embraced Sid and they exchanged kisses. Sid returned to Grand street to book the flight home at the internet café in the block next to his apartment.
He managed to find a flight to Bristol connecting at Amsterdam, which arrived in Bristol at ten to two on Monday afternoon.
After Sid had booked the flight, he investigated what was available to tourists in New York and found out about the New York pass. He ascertained that his plans for the next day would only cost $12 each in admission fees, so he only needed to get two day passes for Cassie and himself for Tuesday and Wednesday. He ordered these on line and arranged to collect them on Tuesday morning.
He called Tony.
"Hello Tony." said Sid. "How are things over there?"
"OK!" said Tony. "You enjoying the 'Big Apple'?"
"It's great, especially now I've found Cassie." said Sid. "We're having a marvellous time. Cassie's working today, so I'm doing some research on what to do while Cassie works out her notice at the diner. It's closed tomorrow and she's on evenings the next two days, so we're going to really enjoy what there is to see here."
"When are you coming home?" asked Tony.
"Cassie finishes at 4 pm on Saturday," said Sid. "so I've booked a flight to Bristol via Amsterdam leaving here on Sunday evening. We land at Bristol at ten to two next Monday afternoon."
Sid gave Tony full details of the flight number and airline (KLM), so he could look for it on the arrivals screens. He also said he would text the details to Tony.
"The duty free in Schipol Airport is supposed to be good." said Sid. "What would you like me to get you?"
"Since leaving college," said Tony. "I've developed a taste for single malt whisky, so something from the Western Isles would be welcome."
"I'll see what I can find." said Sid. "Anyway, I've got to plan our next three days and tell Grant that I will be leaving New York next Sunday. We're going to a symphony concert on Thursday evening and I expect Cassie will want to do some shopping while we're here."
"Sounds as if you're having an amazing time over there." said Tony. "Anyway, see you next Monday afternoon and don't forget my whisky. Bye!"
"Bye Tony!" said Sid. "See you next Monday."
Sid sent a text message to Tony giving the flight details. He found Grant to let him know that he had found Cassie working at the diner. He also told Grant that he would be leaving for home in just over a week.
Sid spent the rest of the day finding out what there was to see in New York. He had an early lunch at the Landmark Omelette and Pancake House. He went to Grand Central Station and obtained some more info about the sights and museums. He spent the rest of the day planning the next three days.
At about quarter to ten he set out for Alias Restaurant. He ordered a coffee and waited for Cassie to finish.
They met on the sidewalk outside the diner as before and went up to Adam's apartment.
"How was your day?" asked Sid.
"It was wonderful!" said Cassie. "Everyone was being so nice to me. A lot of the customers were even smiling. Perhaps it was because I was smiling. I'm so happy. The time flew past."
"You look really beautiful when you smile, Cass." said Sid. "When you look happy everybody else feels good."
Cassie asked what Sid had planned for Monday. Sid said that there was a diner that served very good breakfasts fairly near to his rooms on Grand St. It was also only a couple of blocks away from the entrance to Canal Street subway station. As they wanted to start early, they should spend the night at Sid's. Cassie agreed and collected what she would need for the next two days and they walked back to Sid's Grand St. apartment.
On the way there, Sid explained what he had planned for Monday.
"I think we should visit Liberty Island and Ellis Island as well as going across to Staten Island on the free ferry." said Sid. "We could also visit Ground Zero. Apparently, we can't visit Wall Street as the public gallery has been closed. We might spend some time in Battery Park. If it is another clear day, we should do the Staten Island ferry first."
"Why is that?" asked Cassie.
"It's because of another of Dad's old films, 'Working Girl'." said Sid. "The main character travels to work each morning using the ferry. The day she takes over from her boss is a really clear morning with a beautiful blue sky and the music is 'Let the River Run' by Carly Simon. It won't be quite the same without the twin towers of the World Trade Center, but the Manhattan skyline still looks quite good."
"You've turned into quite a film buff!" said Cassie. "I remember that scene as well from seeing it on television. I suppose it might have been one of the reasons I came over here. The film came out a year before I was born."
They spent another very pleasant night in each others' arms in Sid's apartment. Again Sid was the first to wake so that he could once again enjoy the sight of his lovely Cassie waking from sleep.
At about 8 o'clock, Sid and Cassie walked to the Landmark Omelette and Pancake House where they both enjoyed ham, eggs and fries with toast and tea. Sid had fried eggs, sunny side up while Cassie's were scrambled.
"How did you find this place?" asked Cassie.
"After I left you yesterday morning and booked the flight," said Sid. "I took a stroll along Grand Street beyond Nyonya. I came across this place and looked at the menu. I liked what I saw, so I had lunch here. The food is good and it's quite cheap."
Suitably fortified, Sid and Cassie used the subway to reach South Ferry and sailed across to Staten Island. It was another of those crystal clear days with the sun shining down from a clear blue sky. On the return trip, they both remembered the film and couldn't get 'Let the River Run' out of their heads for most of the rest of the day.
After they returned to the ferry terminal, they went to Battery Park and found a bench where they could see the somewhat battered globe sculpture that used to stand outside the World Trade Center.
"When the Ground Zero site was cleared," said Cassie. "They found this and set it up here as a 9/11 memorial. It's a little bit of the site that survived."
"It's surprising that it survived at all." said Sid. "Let's sit here for a few minutes."
"It's such a peaceful place on the edge of a frantic city." said Cassie. "I did actually come down here a couple of weeks ago, but the weather wasn't as good as today. Also it's so much nicer being here with you, Sid."
"Thank you Cass." said Sid.
They sat contemplating the globe for a while before locating the ferry to Ellis and Liberty Islands, going to Ellis Island first. Sid commented that the USA was a nation of immigrants with the original native population reduced to a tiny minority. They visited the old immigrant processing buildings before taking the boat to Liberty Island. Deciding that the queue to climb the statue was too long, Sid and Cassie returned to the South Ferry Terminal on Manhattan Island.
After touring the Islands, they walked to Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center.
"This is one of the saddest places in the City." observed Cassie. "Nearly 3,000 people died here that morning. It makes me want to cry just standing here and thinking about it."
"I know how you feel." said Sid. "There's an atmosphere about this place. It makes me feel very sad as well."
Sid was standing behind Cassie and put his arms round her waist and held her gently to reassure her as he didn't want her to actually start crying. She responded by turning round to face him, embracing him and resting her head on his shoulder. They stood like this for about five minutes thinking about the loss of life on 9/11 and in London four years later. Sid caressed Cassie's shoulders and back to reassure and comfort her. They walked slowly back towards Chinatown, feeling rather melancholy.
"I think we need cheering up." said Sid as they reached Canal Street. "This has been quite a serious day. I suggest a meal. Food often cheers me up. What would you like; Chinese or Italian?"
"Actually, I'd like a hamburger." said Cassie.
"You're in luck." said Sid. "The best McDonalds in New York is in Chinatown. I think it must be the one in Canal Street, only a couple of blocks away from here."
"How do you know that it's the best McDonalds?" said Cassie.
"It was mentioned in that film: 'Supersize Me'." said Sid. The one where Morgan Spurlock only ate McDonalds food for a month and had to eat a supersize meal every time he was offered one. Do you still want a burger?"
"Yes." Said Cassie. "The occasional one shouldn't do any harm."
At McDonalds, Sid had a large Quarter Pounder meal and Cassie had a Big Mac by itself. They shared the large fries and the Coke.
"I think we've had quite a sad day today as well." said Cassie. "I think you felt the same way as me at Ground Zero, but it was so lovely when you held me while I was there. You're so reassuring, Sid."
"I know how you felt." said Sid. "You felt you wanted to cry, so did I. I think we really need to do something to make us happier."
"How about a film?" asked Cassie. "There must be a cinema in this part of the city. Anyway, Times Square is only a subway ride away."
"What kind of film would you want to watch, Cass?" asked Sid. "I think 'The Dark Knight' is still showing in a few places, but I'll leave the choice to you."
"I know you like Batman movies, Sid," said Cassie. "but I found that one quite depressing. I suggest that we see something really cheerful like 'Wall-E' or 'High School Musical 3'."
After the meal, they located a cinema and watched 'High School Musical 3'.
After the film, they returned to Sid's apartment, feeling a lot more cheerful. Both Cassie and Sid kicked off their shoes.
"Are you feeling happier after that, Cass?" asked Sid.
"Yes, Sid." said Cassie. "That movie was just what I needed to banish the sadness of the afternoon. Thank you."
Sid made coffee and they settled down on the couch and started to think about the next day.
"There's a Place I'd like to take you tomorrow." said Cassie. "I went there last week and I think you might enjoy it."
"What is it?" asked Sid
"It's a ship." said Cassie. "It's one of the aircraft carriers America built during the Second World War. It's the USS Intrepid. After that, It's your choice."
"Well," said Sid. "after the carrier, we could go on a tour of the Lincoln Center, then find a take-away snack lunch and eat it in Central Park. After lunch, we could look at some pictures in the Metropolitan Art Gallery and the Guggenneim.
"OK!" said Cassie. "That's what we'll do."
"We'll have to start early" said Sid. "as I have to collect a couple of two day 'New York Passes' from near Times Square before we go to any of the attractions."
They finished their coffee.
"Cassie." said Sid. "How much do you love me?"
Cassie replied: "More than I could ever say, Sid. Now we're back together, I'm loving you more and more each day. It's so lovely being in your arms. I used to be shy about my body, but I now really love it when you undress me. It means we really want each other."
Sid embraced Cassie, kissed her and gently removed her t-shirt and bra so that he could caress the whole of her upper body. She did the same to Sid. They stood up, embraced and stripped each other completely before going into the bedroom and once again expressed their overwhelming love for each other in bed. Cassie enjoyed another orgasm after which she felt totally relaxed as she went to sleep in Sid's loving arms. As before, Sid had gently caressed his beautiful Cassie's slender body until she was asleep.