The morning sun pours, selfishly through the parted curtains and penetrates straight through my closed eyelids, giving me no option but to cautiously peel them open, shocking myself in the process of doing so with how calmly I react to finding a strong, manly arm wrapped protectively around my waist; firmly indicating at, yet another drunken mistake.

I seriously need to stop drinking Vodka if this is what it leads to every time.

With the sudden realisation that I'm in my own bedroom, which, in turn, puts me at an immediate disadvantage; preventing myself the luxury of leaving while applying the possibility of an awkward exchange, I sigh, thinking about the very prospect of having to participate in forced pleasantries with a complete stranger, who I had drunken sex with.

Quick to disregard my ever impending thoughts, I take a deep, calming breath in and I encourage myself to act like the mature twenty one-year-old I claim to be, while slowly twisting my body around only to have said maturity fly straight out the window as soon as I lock eyes onto non other than Aidan fucking Richards.

His sleeping body is casually resting next to mine, propped up on top of the covers and although fully clothed, his navy blue shirt has risen up slightly, offering me a delightful view. With a thin strip of skin on show, along with a tiny trail of dark hair that I notice disappears below the waistband of his jeans, I feel like the universe is both taunting me and punishing me in equal measures.

"Oh, shit." I shout, leaping from my bed, unable to filter my thoughts and instead, opting out for expressing my utmost disapproval at the situation.

Aidan's eyes quickly snap open and although he's quite clearly disorientated at first, an unknown expression clouds his facial features as he desperately gives my entire body the once over, seeming to be in physical pain while doing so. With his gaze scanning my every last inch, I'm suddenly made aware of a chill that runs across my skin, hinting at my lack of clothing, and as I allow my hesitant eyes to inspect the issue, sure enough I'm clad out in only my bra and pants.

Mortifying horrified at my close to naked state, I instinctively cover myself up, which I understand is completely ridiculous when considering mine and Aidan's history.

He has seen me naked on countless occasions and probably knows my body better than I do, myself.

"Shit, Amelia I didn't mean to scare you." insists Aidan, pulling me from my thoughts and, once again, bringing my attention to his fully dressed attire. "Are you okay?"

"Aidan, what the hell? Why am I half naked and you're not?" I ask, my voice resembling that of a high pitched, pathetic squeak, as I oh-so-desperately try to wrap my head around last nights events.

"Should I be?" he teases, choosing to ignore my obvious distress and humouring me instead.

I quickly grab a T-shirt from the back of my chair and ungracefully shove it over my head, somewhat satisfied with my, now, semi acceptable state of dress.

"No you shouldn't be and neither should I. So what the hell?" I snap, pleading for my question to be answered, already annoyed at his cocky attitude.

He slowly rubs his hands over his exhausted looking face, before running them through his slightly tousled hair, inviting me to stare at his muscles as they flex and bulge under his shirt.

"You got drunk and passed out in my arms, so I brought you home. You threw up a little and I didn't want to leave you, just in case." he explains, both easing my mind and warming my heart at his kind intentions.

Aidan and I may have ended things in a less than happy way four years ago but it's obvious he still cares for me and that thought alone is enough to have me both jumping for joy and drowning in tears of pain.

Every single time he shows me any kind of affection, I'm overcome with happiness that I still hold a place in his heart but it soon disappears when I'm reminded of what I did.

I'll never have Aidan the way I want and the sooner I accept that, the better.

"Okay but why am I not wearing any clothes?" I ask, to which I receive a raised eyebrow from Aidan.

He suddenly looks uncomfortable, as if worried about my potential reaction to his next statement.

"I took them off." he replies, looking me dead in the eye while doing so. "You'd thrown up on them but I promise I turned the light off and didn't look. I couldn't find your pyjama's and to be honest, you'd passed out again at this point, so I just left you to sleep."

His words finally piece together in my mind, creating a clear image and I see no appropriate response other that to just smile and offer him my 'thanks.' Then, much to my annoyance, a sudden thought pops up in my mind, and although I feel pretty confident in knowing the answer, I find myself needing to ask,

"So we didn't sleep together?"

Aidan looks taken back by my question but quickly shakes his head, nevertheless.

I allow myself to silently laugh at my earlier freak out and mentally kick myself for even thinking anything other than 'innocent actions' could pass between us.

"Sorry, I just assumed." I explain, slightly embarrassed by my previous presumption, "do you want some breakfast?" I offer, figuring the least I can do is feed the poor man.

He shakes his head again and checks the time on my clock, seemingly needing to be somewhere else.

"Can't I'm afraid, I need to get back. I'm dropping Sophie off at the airport." he states, momentarily shocking me before my surprise slowly but surely turns into anger.

"What?" I half ask, half snap, stopping Aidan in his tracks as my harsh tone splits through the air between us, "Sophie is leaving for London, today?" I ask, not even trying to hide my ever building rage.

"Yeah, her flight is this afternoon, why are you angry?" he asks, obviously sensing my extreme unhappiness.

Is he for real right now?

"Oh my God, you really don't see it do you?" I ask, almost at a loss for words at his sheer stupidity. "Tell me, Aidan, why the fuck did you spend your last night together, here with me?" I question, edging closer to him on the other side of my bed, purely to emphasise my disapproval at Aidan bailing on his finance's last night in the country.

He allows a small scoff to fall from his lips as his intense eyes bore into mine.

"Are you serious? Amelia, you are the one who got so drunk, that you needed carrying back to your apartment. You couldn't even keep your eyes open, let alone get yourself back here safely." he defends, his own voice raising in what I recognise as anger.

"Don't you dare! Don't blame this on me and insist that it's all my fault." I fire back, not caring if my neighbours can hear. "You shouldn't have come here, Aidan, you should have stayed at home with your patronising, judgemental wife-to-be." I screech, unable to help myself with the sly comment.

Aidan is, once again, taken back by my response and allows a sharp breath to escape his mouth as he takes a step forward.

"So that's what this is; your jealously, because I managed to move on with my life and you seem incapable of doing so?" he sneers, while shoving a metaphorical knife straight through my stomach.

"No, I'll tell you what 'this is'," I reply, ridiculing his pathetic excuse, "you're trying to have your cake and eat it too!" I yell, pushing him back, unhappy with our sudden closeness.

Aidan lets out a low laugh that seems to mock me and causes my anger to increase tenfold as well as overpowering me with the sudden urge to cry.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asks, humouring me while taking an amusing step forward, simply to piss me off no doubt.

His closeness, once again, unnerves me and I hate the emotions it brings out, so much so, that I push him back, only to have both wrists caught in his hands. Feeling well and truly defeated, not to mention completely exhausted, I decide to put an end to this ridiculous shouting match and stare up into his eyes.

"It means you can't have both of us, Aidan!" I whisper, finally silencing the air around us as soon as the words fall from my mouth.

Without even realising it, warm liquid begins to pour, unwillingly from my eyes, betraying my fake allusion that Aidan no longer means anything to me, which causes a pained expression to stretch across his face. His grip around my wrists loosen as he brings his hands up to wipe away my progressively falling tears.

"Jesus, Amelia, please don't cry." he begs, instantly pulling me in for a hug, which I don't object to. "I just wanted to look after you." he assures while softly stroking my hair, relaxing me.

Feeling myself falling deeper and deeper into dangerous territory, I pull myself away from his intoxicating embrace, convincing my mind it's what I want, even though what I really want is to be held by Aidan for the rest of my life.

"Yeah, well I've been looking after myself for four years without you, I'm fine." I insist, wiping my face and attempting to turn away from any further temptation.

"Really? That's not what I've been told." he simply responds, freezing me on the spot.

Kyle.

He's obviously told Aidan about my 'rough patch' and I'll be sure to have words with him about it as soon as the little blabber mouth returns home from his honeymoon.

"Aidan, please, I can't do this." I utter, again feeling completely deflated and unwilling to participate in a heart to heart with him.

I was depressed, I got over it; no need for discussion.

"Darling, I still care about you." he admits, his every facial feature softening. "Let me in, don't keep pushing me away." he adds, temping me beyond belief, while taring me apart with conflicting thoughts.

I want to open up to him; tell him about how crying myself to sleep every night for a solid two years, effected my ability to socialise, let alone meet anyone new to enable any kind of 'moving on' taking place. I want him to know that for the first three months after he left, I hardly got out of bed, instead, allowing the covers to swallow me whole and protect me from the harsh realities of the outside world, until Kyle all but forced me out. And most of all, I want him to know that for the first time since it happened, I justified my Mother actions in committing suicide because at my own lowest point, I really didn't see the need to move on, just like she didn't.

I want to be honest with him but I can't, I won't.

What good can it possibly do?

"Whatever, just go take your fiancé to the airport." I state, while turning on me heel, already wanting the day to end. "And Aidan, do me a favour," I add, before doing the one thing he just asked me not to do, "stay away from me, please."

I push him away.

----

Finally texting Jess back, I exit my car and proceed up the drive to Dad and Hannah's house; wine and cake, firmly in hand. Jess has been texting me every day for the last four days since her birthday, asking for 'details' on mine and Aidan's 'situation' and as much as I want to ignore the topic, I know I'll have to tell her about it sooner or later.

For now, I choose later.

"Hey, kiddo! Missed us?" asks Dad in a cheerful voice as soon as the door opens, revealing a very hectic Stark household.

My eyes wander and instantly land on Emily, who is currently in the process of jumping up and down on the sofa with an equally excited April copying her every move while they both belt out song lyrics to the new Justin Bieber, whoever that may be. Hannah is at the other end of the room, balancing the phone between her shoulder and neck, while holding baby Ethan in her arms; desperately trying to calm his loud cries and attempting to maintain a conversation.

"Welcome back to the mad house, huh?" I joke, pulling him in for a hug while offering over the alcohol and cake. "Of course I missed you."

His smile widens and as he leads me into the quietness of the kitchen, it begins drops and looses all sign of playfulness, indicating at a serous 'dad talk'.

"Everything alright?" he asks, the hidden meaning of his question not going unnoticed.

"If by 'everything' you mean Aidan and 'alright' you mean meh, then yeah, everything's alright." I say, making sure to add amusement to my voice while doing so. "I take it Anna called to tell you the news?" I ask, assuming my sister, who seems incapable of keeping any gossip to herself, has already informed Dad and Hannah of Aidan's current relationship status.

He nods his head and offers me an apologetic look.

"Yeah, she did. I haven't told Hannah yet, though. You okay, baby girl?" he asks, softening his tone and gently squeezing my shoulder.

I nod my head, while desperately trying to swallow past the large lump that has just formed in the back of my throat.

"Look dad, I don't want to lie to you but I really don't want to get into this right now. So can we just pause this conversation for another time." I plead, knowing that by lying, I'll be doing myself no favours. "I'll be fine eventually, it just sucks right now." I admit, hoping that the tiny piece of information I just shared is enough for now.

He seems to respect my wishes and turns his attention to the uncooked vegetables, begging to be chopped and prepped.

"Speaking of your sister, she can't make it tonight. Something came up at work." he explains, while peeling a carrot and adding it to the 'to be chopped' pile.

I nod my head and open my mouth to speak but get interrupted by Hannah before I can even think about responding.

"Amelia!" comes her overly happy greeting as she steps into the kitchen. "How are you, sweetie?" she asks, just as Ethan makes an adorable baby noise, melting my heart.

"Great, you? Enjoy your vacation?" I reply, walking closer to get a better view of my sleeping brother resting peacefully in her arms.

"We did, it's nice to get back home, though." she states, just as her cell begins to ring, once again, threatening to break Ethan's peaceful sleep.

"Here, I'll take him." I offer, already holding my arms out.

Hannah quickly makes the transfer and just as she leaves the kitchen, the doorbell rings, adding more noise to the already hectic house.

"Oh, could you get that, please. It'll be Kyle for April." asks Dad, who is currently elbow deep in carrots and broccoli.

"Sure, I need to have a word with him anyway." I reply, heading for the front door, while still holding Ethan.

Upon entering the living room, I catch sight of Emily and April dancing around the coffee table together, laughing and joking and I can't help but smile at their youthful innocence, especially when April expresses her utmost desires to be a pop star when she grows up.

Confident that neither can hear me over the loud volume of the music, I open the door and begin to speak before even seeing Kyle.

"Oi, shit bag, next time you tell your brother about me, paint me in a better picture, huh?" I joke, before mentally face palming myself when I discover it's Aidan who has come to pick April up, not Kyle.

Oh nice one, Amelia.

He immediately looks uncomfortable and it seems to only worsen when his eyes focus in on a sleeping Ethan, wrapped up and soundly resting in my arms. Straight away, I recognise the dark expression that claims his eyes and I hate feeling so helpless against his pain.

"Aidan!" screams April, finally noticing her older brother and running into him faster than the speed of light.

"Hey sweetheart. You had a good time?" he asks, to which she responds with a vigorous head nod.

"Yep, we had ice cream and painted our nails." she announces, showing off her bright green fingernails in awe. "Oh, and we watched Hannah bath baby Ethan. I can't wait to have a baby of my own!" she announces, horrifying Aidan in the process, which, in turn, makes me laugh.

"You'll be waiting a while, you're not allowed to date boys until you're thirty." he states, offering me an awkward smile and a knowing look.

"What do boys have to do with having babies?" she asks, her eight year-old mind, thankfully, unable to make the connection.

I can't help the amused giggle that falls from my lips as I take in Aidan's "deer caught in headlights' expression and decide to humour him a little.

"Yeah, Aidan. What do boys have to do with it?" I repeat, earning myself a seriously threatening death glare just as April runs back into the living room, leaving us alone.

"I suppose I walked right into that one, didn't I?" he states, loosing his glare and smiling at me.

I begin to nod my head just as my Dads voice sounds from behind me.

"Aidan?" he speaks, instantly putting my entire body on high alert.

It's suddenly brought to my attention that the last time they were in the same room together, my Dad punched Aidan in the face and I physically tense at the potential awkwardness of the situation.

"Jack." Aidan acknowledges with a grin and before I know it, both men are doing that strange 'manly hug' thing and slapping each other's back.

"Gosh, it's been so long, how are you?" Aidan asks, engaging in polite chit chat.

"Great, I see you've already met our new addition?" he asks, gesturing towards Ethan still conked out in my arms.

Aidan nods delightfully and risks another look at the sight I know is extremely painful for him.

"Sure have, he's gonna be a looker when he's older, just like his old man." he comments, making Dad throw his head back in laughter as Aidan's compliment washes over him.

Out of nowhere, Hannah joins us on the front door step and I mentally roll my eyes at our apparent 'happy reunion', hoping for the love of God, Anna doesn't decide to show up.

"Aidan, sweetheart. How are you?" Hannah asks, wrapping him up into a motherly hug while Aidan oh-so-charmingly kisses her on the cheek.

"Hannah, still looking beautiful. I'm good thanks, you?" he replies, nervously glancing towards me.

"Great! Come on in." she offers, clearly still unaware of Aidan's engagement and therefore, unaware of how inappropriate and awkward her invitation is.

I can feel my Dad tense from behind me and Aidan, too, seems to stiffen as his gaze, once again lands on me, seeming to ask for my permission. I simply offer him a warm smile and nod my head, unable to do or say anything else.

"I'd love to." he replies, stepping over the threshold and lingering next to me ever so slightly while doing so. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd be here. I can leave?" he whispers, in a volume that ensures only I can hear.

"No, it's fine." I assure, my apparent inability to say 'no' to him reappearing.