This summer i read a wonderful book that now is one of my favorites.. It is called 'One day' and i found out that it is going to be out in theatres here in Greece this week.. I am sure it is out in Europe and the States.. I suggest to read the book or watch the movie.. Or even better do both.. You won't get dissapointed..

Chapter 17

Ashley's POV

When you sleep you dream.. When you dream you wake up.. When you wake up, then what..

I dreamed of being with her every day for the last year, I was waking up knowing that this would never happen, and every day that was making it more and more difficult for me.. I felt like I was separated in half.. My one half wanted nothing more but to go and find her, be with her, take her hand and watch the dawn.. But my other half wouldn't let me do that.. I gave a promise to Aiden and I couldn't break that promise.. Maybe I was wrong, maybe I was right..

When we found out that the war was about to end I was happy but at the same time sad.. Because although I wasn't with her, we were writing to each other.. I knew she was close.. But now that everything would end I couldn't help if that would be the end of us as well..

Under my pillow I had all her letters from day one.. Since the day I left the hospital and came back here.. Each letter with the right date.. And when I would be alone I would read them again and again.. Sometimes I was crying, sometimes I was smiling.. But most of the times my heart was with her..

The day before we leave I wrote to her one last letter and send it to the address I had.. I didn't know if she would get it or not.. With everything that was happening I was just hoping that she would..

'My love,

This is the first time I call you like that.. Strange, isn't it? All this time I had the chance but yet I didn't.. Now that I know that I won't see you again I choose the wrong time..

I don't know what kind of letter is this.. I know though what I want this letter to be.. A letter of see you soon.. I didn't have the chance to my last letter to tell you some of the things I want you to know.. Spencer, I never ever fell for someone the same I feel for you.. You changed me in a good way.. You made me realize things I couldn't understand by myself.. Would I ask too much if we kept sending letters to each other? I don't know how it is going to be without having a letter from you every month.. I am leaving tomorrow and going back to New York.. I am sending you my address.. Hopefully I'll have a letter from you..

I love you.. I will always do.. Please take care..

A'

When everything was finally over the rest of the pilots that survived flew back to the states.. I should be happy that I was going back to New York but my feelings were mixed.. Aiden knew I was coming back and I could hear his excitement in his voice.. We haven't seen each other for years and I have to say that it would feel weird seeing him now.. Married for three years and being with him only for two weeks..

The moment I stepped my feet on the ground, to my country, I cried.. I didn't know how much I missed it till I realized I was here now.. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring..

"Ladies, I want to say I am proud of you.. You did the best you could and I am glad we have you here today.. Thank you for serving the United States Air Force"

We saluted and we all started to walk away from what we knew for the last couple of years..

"Davies.. Davies"

"What do you want Mendez?" instead of telling me what she wanted she hugged me.. It was a surprise "What was that?"

"I didn't like you at the beginning but now I am going to miss you.. Keep in touch.." she said and gave a paper with her phone and home address..

"I'll think about it.."

"I realized that when you over think things you fail.. My advise to you is to just be yourself.. I expect a phone call from you.."

"Be nice"

"When I was nice?"

"That's true.. See you soon then"

"Yeap, if you call.."

While I was walking to the gate I saw Aiden waiting for me on his car.. Three years did good to him.. He seemed older but he was still the handsome man I remembered..

"Ashley.." he opened his arms for me to fall in and I did.. It felt weird at the beginning but then I came face to face with the familiarity.. He didn't smell like Spencer, his chest was hard and big, his arms strong.. Nothing like her.. Especially his lips when he kissed me.. They weren't that soft.. "You are here.."

"I am.. Yes I am.."

"Let's go home.."

The ride back I wasn't talking.. I was just looking outside the window thinking what I left behind.. What I saw, what I felt.. The pain, the death.. The love.. I felt Aiden touching my hand and I looked at him..

"Are you alright? But I guess that is a stupid question.. I am sorry.."

"Don't be.. I don't know what to tell you Aiden.. All I can say is that I am here and that I am not.."

"Of course.. It must have been hard"

"Harder than you think.. I just.. I just want to sleep.."

"You will honey.. Rwanda is waiting for you.. And her little boy but don't tell him he is little.. He wants us to call him John.."

"Can't wait to see them"

"I missed you.. Very much"

"Me too" he kissed my hand and till we were outside our home in New York we didn't talk.. He respected me for not wanting to and I was thankful..

When I stepped inside our home I was greeted with a big hug from Rwanda.. She even cried seeing me back and she introduced me to her son John.. He was only 11 but he was already to his mom's height..

"Hello Mrs Dennison. It is nice to meet you" I haven't heard that last name for so long.. And reality was kicking in..

"You can call me Ashley.. Mrs makes me sound old.. And I am not old John"

"No, you are not.. You are a beautiful lady" I felt Aiden's hand on my back..

"Yes, she is" and he kissed my forehead.. "Now, I am sure Rwanda made for you all your favorite foods.. At least I think she did.. She was cooking from yesterday"

"Oh, sure I did Mr Aiden.. Everything for Mrs Ashley.. We really missed you.. I was praying to Lord every day for your safety and he heard my prayers.. I am so happy to have you here.."

"It's good to be here.. Now if you excuse me, I will go up to my room to change and take a shower.. See you in a few"

When I reached my room I put my luggage down and took some minutes to realize that I wouldn't sleep on a bunk.. I wouldn't hear the planes coming and going nor the serene when we would be under attack.. In this room I wouldn't be able to put Spencer's letters under my pillow.. Instead I had to find a place to put them in.. Somewhere only I would know..

I opened my things and found her letters.. I traced with my fingers her handwriting and brought them close to my face.. I might be crazy but instead of paper I could smell her.. Or maybe I was crazy.. Who knows.. I was surely crazy for her.. I was trying to find a place to put those letters.. Somewhere that Aiden wouldn't search and somewhere Rwanda wouldn't need to clean.. I couldn't think of a place right now.. Instead I put them inside my pillow case.. Tonight I could think of the right place..

After taking a long shower I put my clothes on and went downstairs were Aiden, Rwanda and John was waiting for me patiently.. The shower took me long enough but when they saw me they all smiled and Aiden helped me sit on my chair.. Always the gentleman..

"Rwanda.. You cooked for a month.. I don't know even if I can eat.."

"Mrs Ashley you need to eat.. You look pale and I am sure the food you were eating there wasn't healthy and sure not even close to mine"

"Of course it wasn't.. But you didn't have to.. What are we going to do with so much food?"

"Leave that to me Ash.." Aiden said and touched my hand.. "Now let's eat"

"You are going to excuse us.. We will go at the kitchen.."

"You are not going anywhere Rwanda.. Our family eats together.. And you Rwanda and you John are family" I said firmly..

"You already know that Rwanda" Aiden spoke after me keeping a calmer tone on his voice..

"I know but its that Mrs Ashley is here, you might need some time alone.."

"I need time with the people I care for.. So please sit here with us.."

We prayed and thanked God for what we had.. I was thankful I was back alive and here.. At that moment Spencer came on my mind.. Where she was now? Was she already back or still there?

The dinner ended with all of us sitting in the living room.. Me telling them of what happened.. Or at least trying to tell them some.. I couldn't say about the people I saw dying.. Nor about the young soldiers at the hospital.. I couldn't find the right way anyway.. After 10pm I was already physically and mentally exhausted.. So we said our goodnights and Aiden and I went back to our bedroom.. He changed infront of me but I couldn't do the same.. Instead I went to the bathroom and when I got back he was already laying there waiting for me.. Once I was at the bed I felt his strong arms around me and him kissing my neck..

"I missed you so much.. You can't imagine what was going on here.."

"I am sure you can not imagine what was going on there either.. It was the war Aiden.. Have you ever heard of a war being easy and people being all happy about that?"

"Of course not.." I could feel he wanted something more but what he wanted I couldn't give to him.. Even if that meant that he wanted to talk.. I just couldn't..

"I am tired Aiden.. We should go to sleep.."

"Yes.. Goodnight Ashley.. Again, I am so happy you are back.." he kissed my head and turned on his side.. I from the other hand put my hand under my pillow case.. I touched the letters and closed my eyes.. Once I did I saw her smiling at me, her trying to put her hair behind her ear and asking me to come closer.. I did in a way..

TBC

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