Chapter Ten: Overwhelmed

Two large pieces of luggage sat atop Amy's bed. Each was filled with clothing and other travel necessities. Amy paced her bedroom anxiously while grabbing other items to pack. She disappeared into the master bedroom to double-check her Travel List.

Simon was lying across the bed. He didn't care that his perfectly fit black suit was beginning to wrinkle. The blonde looked into Amy's luggage and pulled out a black lacey thong. "So is this business or pleasure?"

Amy stuck her head out of the bathroom. She noticed Simon eyeing her underwear and grinned. "Business. But I'm preparing for both."

He gave her a wry stare and laughed. Simon groaned and asked, "This better take no more than two weeks."

"A month at the most," Amy called from the bathroom. "Your dad says I can go ahead and handle some work at Boston University. Hopefully I'll settle T&F. Two birds – one stone."

"But that one stone is a month," Simon whined.

"At the most."

Simon rolled in Amy's bed and got up. He tossed the black jacket onto the bed and walked over to the bathroom in time for Amy to exit. She bumped into him and stared into the disappoint face looking down at her.

"I'm ought to give my dad a hard time about this," Simon threatened.

"He wants me to be successful. He needs me to work. And that's what I'm doing," Amy explained. She tiptoed to kiss his jaw line.

Amy walked back over to her luggage to squeeze in a small green bag that possessed other toiletries. She re-packed the underwear Simon had been playing with.

Simon approached Amy front behind and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "I'm going to miss you."

He couldn't see her face but Amy's expression was emotionless. "I'll miss you too," she lied. "You've gone on similar trips. You've been gone a lot longer too."

His hands switched positions on her waist so Simon could get Amy to turn to face him.

"I know this is a big deal. And I'm excited for you… I'm just…"

Amy held onto Simon's shoulder and used her strength to lift herself up. She kissed the man deeply and felt her body rise from the floor. His arms wrapped around her tightly and he gripped the back of her head as he kissed her.

"Will you see me off tomorrow?" Amy asked as her feet were back on the floor. Simon nodded. She could tell he was hoping to spend the night again. "Listen… I have some stuff I need to get together before I leave. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Amy removed herself from Simon's arms. She walked to the bed and grabbed his jacket. As Amy straightened out the arms an object fell from the loose pocket.

Her eyes froze on the light blue Tiffany's box lying on the floor.

Simon's glance was not on the box. His eyes were glued to Amy… He waited for her to say or do something…

Amy bent down. She picked up the box delicately and rose slowly. Her eyes went to Simon questionably.

"Dad told me he was going to surprise you with the news of how well Arts for All was doing," Simon said in a monotone voice. His eyes gestured to the box. "I guess I wanted to surprise you too."

"Is this…" Amy couldn't finish her sentence.

"Open it," Simon asked gently.

The air was stiff. Amy was so stunned by the tiny blue box she wasn't sure if she should open it…

Her fingers removed the thin white ribbon that was tied around it. Inside the box was another box – a smooth, white ring box.

Amy gently took the blue box, its lid, and the ribbon and placed it on the nightstand.

She looked up at Simon before opening the ring box.

There it was…

The diamond was a perfect cut. The square frame around the diamond was also encrusted with diamonds. The white gold band shone perfectly against the lamplight.

Amy looked up. Her mouth was in a surprised O-shape.

Simon approached her slowly. Just centimeters away, Simon stared down at the box and then back at Amy. The ring still had not been removed from its box.

"Amy…" Simon whispered softly. "I've been carrying that ring with me for a few weeks now. And I'm still not sure if it's the right time-"

"It's not," Amy said quickly. She realized how hurtful her words were and Amy looked up in the pained face of the man before her. She looked down at the ring and then back at Simon. "The timing's just… I can't even… Simon… the only thing I've been thinking about is Arts for All and the merger and this job and I can't…" Still holding the box in her hand, Amy walked over to the bed and sat down.

Simon followed her move and sat down beside her.

"Simon I'm just overwhelmed," Amy continued, "I'm excited about what your dad told me today… but more than that… I'm terrified of going back home." She bit her lip and stared at Simon. "There's so much going on in my head that I'm not sure how to process this."

Simon nodded. "I know. Amy…" His hand rested on her leg. "I love you. I've told you this before. And even though you've never introduced me to people as your boyfriend… despite the fact that we act like a real couple…" His eyes fell. "And even though you've never said you love me… I know that I love you. I've loved you for two years…" Simon's eyes went to the ring. "I know this is a difficult time for you. And honestly…when I thought about giving you this ring… I had no idea how you would react…" He laughed. "Actually I did envision this…" He stared seriously at Amy. "We're perfect together, Amy Jensen. Since the moment we met."

Amy: "I…"

Simon: "We're in the same line of work. We both enjoy our own space. I feel awful about the fact that you can't have kids… but I've never wanted kids anyway. You've never discussed any interest in the matter either. We're a perfect match. In every way." His hand went to the box. He lifted the ring in between his fingertips and motioned to put it on her hand.

Amy shook her head. "I don't know what to say, Simon."

Instead of putting the ring on the usual hand – the left – Simon placed the ring on Amy's ring finger on the right. "Take your time," Simon requested. "Just… go on this trip. Focus on your work. But promise me you'll be thinking about me…and this…" He lifted Amy's hand and kissed the ring on her finger.

Her eyes fell to the ring that seemed to fit almost-perfectly on her finger.

Simon: "Take your time. When you come back… have an answer for me. Just…wear this. For me. Please."

Amy nodded slowly. Her tongue was numb and her body was still. Simon lifted his hand to Amy's cheek and kissed her on the area beside her mouth. His lips then moved to her lips and he pressed their lips together with a great force. She kissed him back, hesitantly, but then did her best to kiss him back with just as much passion.

The two pulled away and Amy stared down at her hand. She looked at Simon and did her best to smile. "I'll think about it." She touched the ring. "It's beautiful."

Simon smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. "I'll give you everything you've ever wanted. I promise. Home is where the heart is… your home is here… with me."

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

The next evening Amy sat in First Class with her eyes gazing out the window. She stared in the dark blue sky and leaned her head against the comfy white pillow given to her by the extra-perky stewardess.

Lydia, sitting beside Amy, typed at her laptop and made adjustments in her hand-written notes in the leather organizer. She turned to Amy and then back to the laptop screen.

"So are you going to explain that new ring on your finger or what?" Lydia asked with a smile.

Amy turned hazily. "What?"

Lydia laughed. "I've known you eight months. I'm your secretary. I keep up with everything in regards to you. You don't wear a lot of jewelry. And that-" Her eyes were on the ring "is new."

"Just a ring," Amy explained. "Simon gave me a gift before I left."

Lydia: "Mhm."

Amy: "You know I'll kick your ass if you say anything to anyone."

Lydia: "Yes ma'am."

The secretary went back to her duties with a small smile on her face. Amy's gaze went back to the window.

Arts for All… Aurora-Ansell… the merger… Boston… South Boston… Simon … Stupid, fucking maybe-engagement ring… Amy's head began to hurt as she tried to mentally list everything that was going to make the trip back to Boston stressful. Home…

The last time Amy had talked to her uncle had been through a letter about a year ago. The only decent detail Amy had learned of her uncle's life was that he had moved out of the apartment above McGinty's and into an apartment complex for senior citizens.

She still kept in touch with old school friends. But that was it. Anyone she had known from the bar were gone…

Home… Home… McGinty's… Doc… Southie… McGinty's…Doc…Home…Home…

Amy adjusted the pillow beneath her head. She tried to relax.

"I'm so fucked," Amy said aloud, but not loud enough for Lydia to hear.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Author's Note: Just a quick update. Can't wait to update soon! Reviews appreciated!