"Wow! You really do have the best of everything, don't you?" Norah commented, as she is examined the interior of Aaron's private shuttle. She already had a glass of her favorite wine in her hand, while Aaron had a glass of port as the stewardess was very efficient and they hadn't even taken off yet.
Her taste in wine had improved a great deal thanks to her association with Aaron. On the other hand, she certainly couldn't afford the brands she had been drinking lately. It was out of one of Aaron's vine yards and of course, it was very expensive unless you were the owner. The wine was white and had a sparkling taste that she absolutely adored.
"Why travel in a regular passenger shuttle, even first class unless you absolutely have too," Aaron told her, as he sat back on one of the cushioned seats and relaxed, with his legs crossed in front of him sipping on his port. "If you've travelled, even just a few times you know that public shuttle, even first class, are often noisy and crowded and that the atmosphere isn't exactly very nice either. Of course, first class is better than last class, but still, there are a lot of people that travel that way on a regular basis, so while it might be less crowded it still often has to many people."
Norah just shook her head and took a sip of wine. She didn't believe she could ever get used to the way Aaron did things, though if they were to marry she supposed she eventually would. Norah had never seriously considered marrying Aaron before, even though he had made his intentions clear almost from the beginning. In the back of her mind Norah had always assumed that she was just a momentary distraction for Aaron not a serious girlfriend, no matter how many times Aaron had told her otherwise.
She had been making assumptions based off what she thought she knew about men like Aaron and it wasn't as if Aaron hadn't demonstrated again and again that he wasn't like most others of the wealthy.
"I travel quite a bit and I like to be comfortable," Aaron said. "I like to be able to stretch out my legs as much as I want, to be able to lean back and take a nap without someone wanting to get past so they can use the bathroom, I want to be able to lay down on one of the couches and take a nap if I care to and finally I want to be able to enjoy a decent meal or a decent glass of wine without the price gouging that the shuttle companies charge you. I also don't like to be surrounded by people, that often talk insistently, just because you're there, as I like to be able to relax. I don't want to be sitting next to the guy that talks just because he likes the sound of his own voice, or the mother who is trying to get her kid to behave."
"And how often do you see a mother and her kid in first class?" Norah asked with a raised eyebrow.
"More often than you think," Aaron told her seriously, finishing his port with obvious pleasure. "Especially if the kid is the son of someone who owns one of the car dealerships or is a famous musician's child who might be going out to visit their father. There are numerous more examples I could give you if I bothered to think about it."
That was a point, Norah admitted to herself. Some people with money booked their a kid and their mother or the nanny on a first class flight, instead of third because they were used to traveling that way. The lives of the rich and famous were so different from hers that it was nearly on another planet.
Norah sat back and got comfortable in one of the plush leather seats.
"I suppose I could get used to this… Eventually. It would definitely take me awhile to adjust to having such luxury on a regular basis."
"Does that mean you'll consider making it permanent," Aaron Hotchner asked.
"Let's just say it's a more serious possibility then before," Norah told him and Aaron beamed an enormous grin at her. "However, it depends on what you have to tell me."
That announcement still didn't get rid of Aaron's huge grin Norah noticed, so he must think that she'd accept whatever he had to tell her that was so secret, which was very possible actually, she couldn't see it being anything too bad because she knew what kind of guy Aaron was.
"So what was JJ's reaction when you told her that you were going to be gone for a few days?" Aaron asked changing the subject, but then Norah supposed they had said everything they needed to say about the former subject for right now, especially when they weren't really alone not with the pilots in the cockpit and the stewardess in the back somewhere. Norah doubted that Aaron wanted to discuss whatever his secret was with other people around, especially since she doubted they were in on it.
"She was very happy for me and told me to call her when I got there and that I had better bring her something. I think she was mostly joking about that second thing," Norah said.
"You'll of course, have to bring your best friend some kind of expensive souvenir," Aaron told her. "She has after all been your best friend for a number of years. Also, she's the one that kept you from breaking up with me, because you listened to her advice when you wouldn't listen to anyone else."
"That's true," Norah said. "We've had many conversations. She has a way of soothing my fears, for awhile at least. I suppose I'll have to get her something nice."
"On me," Aaron told her firmly. "Get her whatever you believe she'll like best. Cost is no object."
Norah didn't protest simply nodded. There was no point arguing with Aaron as he never changed his mind and he was also generous to a fault. He wanted to get her best friend something special for all her support of their relationship.
"Progress," Aaron said pleased when Norah didn't say a word in protest
"I figure why argue with you, as you'll do exactly what you want anyway," Norah said simply. "You'll simply get her something ultra expensive that she might not like, though I know that's unlikely. Still, I know her better, as you've never actually met her, just listened to the stories I've told you."
"We need to change that," Aaron said simply, signaling to the stewardess for a second glass of port when she came to check if they needed anything.
"Another white wine ma'am?" the stewardess inquired.
"Yes, that would be lovely, thank you," Norah replied, as she handed over the empty wine glass, made of delicate crystal. "Now, that the stewardess's is gone, what did you mean we need to change that?"
"Just that I would like to meet JJ that's all," Aaron said. "She is your best friend and I want to get to know her. I want her to know that she's welcome in our home anytime she pleases. You ladies can have sleepovers if you like, drink wine, watch a vid, have your hair and nails done in your own home, instead of having to go into a saloon."
"That actually sounds really terrific," Norah said, "though we should include Penny in that."
"Of course, you should, as she's becoming a friend of yours as well," Aaron said. "I certainly don't mind, because we are already friends, even though she also works for me, though so do you and JJ."
"Well, you're certainly making it very tempting to marry you," Norah told him teasingly.
"That's the whole point," Aaron told her with a smirk. "You'd have access to everything I do, the pool, the game room, the library."
"I have access to those things now," Norah reminded him.
Aaron had extended an invitation for her to take a book from his library or use the pool of the game anytime she wanted after she had slept in the guestroom all night right after her lunch with him in his very expansive kitchen, though she didn't often take advantage.
She had had a few dips in the pool though and it had been heavenly. She'd never had own private pool, though she had been to the public one, which wasn't the same thing at all, as everyone had access to that one so long as they had a membership, which meant the water was hardly clean with all those bodies in it. Aaron's pool through, was a totally different matter, as she knew Aaron had the water cleaned regularly and it had a custom made lid on it when it wasn't in use too keep out debris. It was also heated to a very pleasant 70 degrees so it could be used anytime of the year.
"Yes, that's true, but think about it like this. You can't take a midnight swim now because you're usually in your own home. Yes, I know you're normally in bed fast asleep by then considering how early you come into work so many days. It was more of an example," Aaron told her when he saw that Norah was about to object to his example.
Norah snapped her mouth shut and nodded, as she could actually see herself enjoying a late night swim before she went to bed.
"Or you could simply want a midnight snack and the quality of the food is certainly better her and you wouldn't have to go very far to get to the nearest Autochef, as there is one in every room," Aaron said. "You wouldn't even have to leave your bedroom have yourself a little snack."
Norah listened as Aaron continued to list things that she could have in her life, have those things become normal, if only she married him.
"You would also be able to give orders to the gardening staff as you can continue to be head gardener if you like."
"But I wouldn't draw a paycheck as that wouldn't be fair," Norah said.
"No, though I would set up a bank account for you, which you can use as much or as little as you like. If you don't want to spend a penny of it that's fine. Of course, you can hire another head gardener and just give him orders to give to the others. We could even set aside a portion of the garden to be yours, one that you can work in yourself and deny access to anybody you don't want in there."
"Now that right there is very tempting," Norah interrupted Aaron. "Somewhere I can work by myself and design it however I like. It's certainly doesn't need to be as big as the garden that surrounds your home, but a little patch to call my own sounds heavenly."
"I've even been thinking about building a greenhouse on the property, just never got around to it," Aaron said. "You could grow your own fruits and vegetables if you liked."
"I have no idea how to grow fruits, but I do know how to grow a variety of vegetables," Norah said.
"I'm sure you could learn if you wanted to," Aaron told her. "I could hire someone to teach you how to take care of fruit trees and those fruits that grow on vines."
"While that's tempting we can discuss it later," Norah said. "I think we need to concentrate on you telling me whatever you have to tell me before we start making any plans for the future."
"Probably wise," Aaron agreed. "I just have so many plans for us and yes, I know I'm getting ahead of myself."
"It's okay to dream Aaron, so long as you remember that I might not go along with your plans once I hear what you have to say," Norah reminded him and then felt sorry for her words at Aaron's devastated expression.
"Don't worry so much Aaron, let's just have fun in San Francisco and worry about the rest later," Norah suggested.
"An excellent idea," Aaron said his devastation fading from his face. "There's a place I want to take you while we're here, that I just know you'll love."
"What kind of place?" Norah questioned.
"It's a place that I'm part owner of, that sells all different kinds of handmade soaps, creams, lotions, even body wash."
"Sounds heavenly," Norah said appreciatively. "Just my kind of place."
"Good, we'll have to go after I finish up the business I have here. It's one of the reasons I wanted you to come, other than the fact that I enjoy your company."
"I'm assuming there's not a similar place in New York," Norah asked.
"No, otherwise, I would've taken you months ago. It's not a chain, like so many places," Aaron said. "I've been thinking about setting up something similar, as a place like the one in San Francisco would do very well in New York."
"I can hardly wait," Norah said. "It sounds like a great place, a place that I would probably haunt frequently."
Aaron said nothing simply gave Norah a satisfied smile.
Norah couldn't really blame him either, because it just proved that Aaron knew her better than she had believed. Then again it wouldn't be hard to figure out, because what woman didn't like to try out different soaps, ones handmade with fresh ingredients? That probably had things like gardenia and roses or ivy, things that smelled wonderful and felt great against your skin. Such soaps were bound to be much better than those mass produced, though not cheap.
Suddenly the intercom sounded and announced, "Passengers we are about to land, please buckle your seatbelts."
The seatbelt sign then flashed on.
Boy had the time passed fast, Norah thought, even as she sat down beside Aaron and buckled her seatbelt.
"That was really a fast, smooth flight," Norah comment out loud instead of in her thoughts. "I've been on a shuttle a few times to visit mom and dad and Rose in Philadelphia and the flight was never this smooth. In fact, it often seemed like the shuttle was coming apart at the seams, with the way it rattled.
"That's what you get for flying so cheaply," Aaron smirked at her. "Seriously though, there's been some news coverage not too long ago about how shuttle companies don't update their shuttles like they should. They won't be in business for much longer if they don't update their shuttles, but that's not my problem, though I might just buy them out if they do go bankrupt or look like they're about to."
"I hadn't heard that," Norah said.
"And how often do you watch the news?" Aaron asked her.
"Hardly at all actually," Norah admitted. "I just don't seem to have time in the morning."
"So it's no wonder you missed it," Aaron said.
The two fell silent as the shuttle landed smoothly on a private airstrip.
"Passengers please disembark the shuttle..."
As the pilot rolled off an entire string of letters and numbers, Aaron got to his feet and then helped Norah to hers.
"What about our luggage?" Norah questioned.
"It will be in the trunk of the car I ordered by the time we get there," Aaron said simply.
Norah said nothing and felt not for the first time that the way the wealthy lived was in another universe from someone normal like her. She would even now be standing at where the luggage was delivered and waiting for her bag to appear in the luggage carousel, where all the bags came once they were unloaded from the shuttles.
By the time they got to the end of the private terminal a very nice car was waiting. It was a convertible from Rossi motors, except four seats instead of two and there also appeared to be plenty of leg room in the back.
"Wow! Really nice," Norah said appreciatively as she examined the slick lines of the convertible.
"A little bird told me that you appreciated a good car," Aaron told her with a wink.
"I've never mentioned to anyone, except JJ that I'm a bit of a motorhead, so the only way you could have known was by reviewing the security disc from the garage," Norah told Aaron. "I did stop for just a minute to admired all the lovely cars you had at least on the level I was parked. I appreciate a good vehicle, which I know is rather unusual for woman."
"Not really," Aaron said. "There are a lot of women in certain parts of the country that like a well-made car. It's mostly those in the cities that don't, though there are exceptions everywhere. This convertible is a beautiful piece of machinery and one of the newest on the market."
Norah climbed into the passenger seat while Aaron made sure that their luggage was in the trunk before climbing into the driver's side.
"Wow! Just look at the dashboard it looks like the interior of a cockpit!" Norah exclaimed.
There were a ton of buttons and lights on the dashboard as well as a screen that could show you a variety of information.
"So full flight capabilities? Autopilot? Autochef? and I'm sure that a lot of other feature I can't think of right now," Norah questioned Aaron.
"Yes, all of the above," Aaron said chuckling as Norah appeared fascinated with the dashboard.
"You know I had read about cars like this but I never imagined I'd ride in one. The dashboard on mine certainly doesn't look like it belongs in Cape Kennedy, but it still gets me where I need to go."
Aaron said nothing but planned on replacing Norah's car if she agreed to marry him, but that could wait awhile, as it wasn't exactly urgent.
"So what hotel are we staying in?" Norah asked as soon as she was done examining the dashboard, as Aaron zipped through air traffic.
Aaron told her and Norah nodded. It was bound to be one of the best in the city, if not the best, as Aaron would never stay anywhere else.
"I own it," Aaron told her. "I called ahead, so we have the best suite available on the top floor."
"I should've known," Norah rolled her eyes. "You do own at least half of New York. I suppose, I shouldn't be surprised that you own property in other cities as well or that we'll be staying in one of your own hotels."
"You had to know I owned property in other places other then in New York," Aaron told Norah with a smile.
"I did in the back of my mind," Norah admitted, "but it never occurred me that you might own hotels all over the world. It should have but it just didn't. I suppose I'm still getting used to the fact that at least one of the reasons you're so wealthy is because you own so much property, though I know you have other business ventures too."
"To numerous to list," Aaron said. "I could get you a computer generated list if you want, but it would take you hours perhaps days to go through it."
"No thanks," Norah said making a face. "I'll try not to be shocked every time you let me know when you own something."
"You won't be after a few years, Norah. Right now, this is all very new to you, so of course, you're shocked when you learn about something I own outright or partly own, but eventually it will become normal," Aaron explained.
"The wealthy are so different," Norah said shaking her head.
Aaron didn't comment and simply kept zipping along, through traffic. Finally, they arrived at their destination and Aaron landed, then drove to the parking spot that was reserved for the owner.
~~~Aaron and Norah~~~