Post by Jade Night on Dec 14, 2022 2:59:21 GMT
Aiden had planned this date for quite some time. As the weeks and months have gone by, his feelings for Jess have grown more and more. Her sense of humor, that smile of hers and that accent, LORD that accent. Everything about her, Aiden had fallen for. And it’s not out of reach to say that he hasn’t felt this way about someone in some time. Jess was the girl he was looking for. Someone not afraid of the fact that he has two young boys. She was fun and strong willed and not much seemed to bother her.
Tar & Roses. It’s where Aiden asked her to meet him. They had a five in the evening reservation, and with it being daylight savings already, it was already night time. Even though it was Santa Monica, the weather there was chilly, especially with the winds from the beach. But that weather is something that Jess was more familiar with than Aiden, as she was a Brit, through and through.
Aiden had arrived first to the well known spot. The ambience there was definitely romantic, as it was moodily lit. The walls showed off the ample choices of wine and the beer list was probably the best one in the entire town. The food though? It was American but it was made in a wood fired oven, clearly to bring out the best flavors in the dishes. It was obvious that Aiden wanted to impress Jess with his choice.
As for his attire? It was typical Aiden Morrow. He wore a gray hoodie and over it, a leather jacket. He also had on a pair of skinny jeans with a few tears in them, which was all the style nowadays, along with a pair of Kobe 6 Protro ‘Mambacita Sweet Sixteen’ shoes; a very hard pair of shoes to come by. Morrow looked around, waiting for Jess to show up. For some reason, he was nervous and it felt like a first date to him. There was something about this night that he just wanted to get perfect.
Fifteen minutes late Jessi had been her nickname growing up and it was one that stuck for obvious reasons. In truth it was mostly because she adored making an entrance whenever she arrived and the best way to accomplish this goal was to keep them waiting. Build up that feeling of anticipation. Even when it was someone like Aiden who put a lot of butterflies in her stomach.
Something she hadn’t experienced for a long time. Mostly due to the fact she often kept most of her relationship with men at the bare minimum. She didn’t want to get too close, she didn’t want to risk getting hurt, and she knew it would take someone extremely special to win over her heart for good. The word forever was not one she easily used, but somehow it felt right when she was thinking about Aiden, especially tonight as she patted down the curls of her blonde hair before pulling open the door to step inside of the restaurant. One final touch up for good luck.
She had spent far more money than she was willing to admit on her dress for tonight, but the moment she had spotted the gorgeous red lace dress in the window of her favourite store, she knew this was the one. The kind of dress that turned heads with one single glance and slight swaying motion of her hips. It was already drawing in much attention from the other patrons inside of the restaurant as she looked around for Aiden. Aiden immediately noticed her and he stood up and waved before calling her over.
Aiden Morrow: “Hey! Jessi! I’m over here!!!”
He practically yelled it, though it wasn’t on purpose, he was just overly excited as he waved her toward him and their table. A few patrons rolled their eyes at Aiden being so loud but he didn’t notice. His focus was on the girl in the dress.
Her attention immediately turns over towards the sound of his voice as she breaks out into a big smile, waving back at him, before she carefully makes her way over towards the table where he was sitting.
Jessi Idol: “You weren’t kidding about this place! It’s amazing.”
Her big blue eyes open wide as she takes in all of the decor inside of the restaurant, her words tumbling out in a rushed excitement, her accent growing a bit thicker as it usually did whenever she was feeling extra giddy.
When she finally made it over to him, Aiden leaned in and kissed her softly before he pulled out her chair for her to sit down, which she did. He then sat down in his chair that was right next to hers. Aiden grabbed her hand as they sat there and he could barely contain his smile.
Aiden Morrow: “I told you, I had to make sure you got nothing short of the best. Besides, there’s a lot going on and we haven’t had a moment like this together. With the boys and Halloween and then you helping out your brother whenever you can, along with me being champ in Midwest, moments like this are few and far between. So, I wanted to make sure that this was the best night possible. Because you deserve it.”
Aiden couldn’t help himself and he leaned in to steal another kiss before breaking it with a big smile.
Aiden Morrow: “Luckily my sister, Dani, was able to take the boys tonight. So, you’ve got me all to yourself with no distractions. Lucky you, huh!”
He quipped playfully. Jessi laughs, her mood matching his own, as she playfully nudges his foot under the table with her own.
Jessi Idol: “I feel pretty lucky…ever since I met you.”
Aiden Morrow: “You really know how to make a guy feel special, don’t you?”
He smiled widely as he glanced down at the menu.
Aiden Morrow: “So, lots of choices! Don’t worry about drinks though, I ordered a bottle of wine for us. The best stuff they got! As for the food though, I honestly don’t know what to pick.”
Before Jessi could reply, her phone started to buzz. She glanced at it and shook her head before she hit the ignore button. She went to look at the menu but once again, her phone started to buzz. Aiden’s brow furrowed as he looked at Jessi.
Aiden Morrow: “It must be important. You sure you don’t need to pick that up?”
Jessi Idol: "No, it's Jenson, he'll be fine."
She gives a quick shake of her head as she picks up the menu in her best effort to concentrate on what to pick to eat.
Jessi Idol: "This all looks amazing! Maybe we can share something to start?"
Jessi looks up from her menu, with her big blue eyes shining brightly, before her phone starts to buzz once more, making her slam down the menu on the table.
Jessi Idol: "Honestly! I am so sorry about this."
Aiden looks a bit concerned as he placed his hand on top of hers.
Aiden Morrow: “Hey, maybe you should just take it and then we can keep on going with our night, yeah? It seems like–”
The phone started to buzz again but when Jessi looked at it, there was nothing. Aiden then realized it was his and he took it out of his jacket pocket. He looked at a number that he didn’t recognize before he held it toward Jessi.
Aiden Morrow: “Please don’t tell me that this is your brother’s number. Is it?”
The colour drains from Jessi’s face as she takes a look at the screen of Aiden’s phone he’s holding out towards her, instantly recognizing Jenson’s number.
Jessi Idol: “How did he even get your number? This is ridiculous!”
Aiden sighs before he rejects the call and turns his phone off. A look of frustration is now starting to form on his face before he finally speaks up.
Aiden Morrow: “Maybe you should call him? Seems like it’s an emergency. I know what it’s like dealing with people like him.”
He pauses and frowns before trying to choose his words wisely now.
Aiden Morrow: “I mean, an addict. When they’re going through it, they’re going through it. Maybe he just wants help. So, do whatever you have to do I guess.”
She can sense the disappointment in the tone of his voice as she is slowly reaching towards her own phone. Her fingertips have barely touched the screen as she frowns.
Jessi Idol: "My brother is important to me.."
Now she's the one having to carefully choose her words as she still makes no further movement to pick up her phone.
Jessi Idol: "...but so are you and I know that tonight was a big deal."
Aiden Morrow: “I get it but…”
Aiden pauses and shakes his head.
Aiden Morrow: “There’s only so much you can do before you have to let go. I mean, my ex almost killed AJ when he was a baby because she left him in the car for three hours on a hot day. Why did that happen? Because she was high out of her mind. I almost lost my kid because of that. Figuratively and literally.”
He leans forward, keeping his eyes on Jessi.
Aiden Morrow: “I’m sorry, but there comes a time when you need to choose your own happiness. And I’m sorry to say but, I can’t have someone like that around my kids one day.”
Jessi Idol: "I can't just cut my brother out of my life…"
Jessi bites down on her bottom lip slightly, almost as if she was trying to keep herself from breaking down into tears, feeling them stinging at the back of her eyelids.
Jessi Idol: "...what does that mean for us?"
Aiden looks away for a moment, grinding his teeth, which was something he did when he was nervous and deep in thought. After a few moments, he takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before inching his chair closer to Jessi’s. He takes her hands into his and peers into her eyes.
Aiden Morrow: “I could never ask you to cut off your brother. And I’m not going to give you an ultimatum. But if we want to move forward with our relationship? If you want to be the woman in, not just my life, but my children’s life as well? Then there will come a time where you will have to choose, unless Jenson gets his life together. Do you understand? No matter how much you love him? You can’t be his happiness above your own. And from what I can see? What makes you happy is me and the boys.”
Aiden leans forward and he gently kisses Jessi on the lips for a moment. After a few seconds, he leans back and brushes a strand of hair from Jessi’s face. A slightly smiles before letting her know how he truly feels.
Aiden Morrow: “I love you, Jessi.”
She places one hand over his as the expression on her face softens when the smile grows bigger, clearly touched by the way he’s opened up and shared his feelings with her.
Jessi Idol: “I love you too…”
She clears her throat, trying to gather up her own thoughts, knowing that what he’s said has made a lot of sense. However she’s torn between her heart and loyalty to her family.
Jessi Idol: “Of course you and the boys make me happy, the happiest I’ve been in a long time, but I would feel so guilty if I just left Jenson to deal with his problems on his own. I know he won't be able to handle it. No matter how strong he tries to act.”
Aiden nodded, he understood where Jessi was coming from.
Aiden Morrow: “I understand and I’m not trying to force the issue. All I’m saying is that eventually, there might come a time where you do have to choose. I truly hope he figures things out and I don’t want you to abandon him. But with what I’ve been through and what happened with AJ? I just have to be careful, Jessi.”
He sighed and shook his head.
Aiden Morrow: “I just can’t handle going through something like that ever again. And I don’t want you to have to deal with it either. Because taking care of someone when they’re being that reckless? The blame could eventually fall on you. I was arrested for AJ being left in the car before my dad told the police it was Veronica who did it and that she was on drugs. I took the blame at first to protect her because I loved her. But if my dad didn’t speak up, who knows what would’ve happened to AJ, you know? She was a reckless person, you understand? But I let love blind that.”
He squeezes her hand.
Aiden Morrow: “Don’t abandon your brother but please, don’t look at him with blinders on.”
Jessi nods slowly, feeling the lump forming in her throat, as she tries her best to blink back the tears she knows are threatening to come pouring out. The last thing she wants is to create an even bigger scene inside of the restaurant and she steadies herself with a deep breath.
Jessi Idol: “I’m so sorry you had to go through that… I can’t imagine how scary it was…”
Her voice is barely above a whisper as she reaches out slowly with both of her hands to place each one upon the sides of his face.
Jessi Idol: “...your boys are so lucky to have you, I’m lucky to have you…”
Aiden places his hands over Jessi’s as they rest on his face, his gaze not leaving hers as he smiles slightly.
Aiden Morrow: “Hey… They’re lucky to have you too and so am I. It goes both ways.”
He pauses and shakes his head.
Aiden Morrow: “I’m sorry if things came off the wrong way earlier. I love you, Jessi, and I don’t want to lose you. I just want to make you happy and I’ll do whatever it takes to do that, whatever it takes to see that gorgeous smile on your face every day.”
He reaches forward and places his hand on her cheek.
Aiden Morrow: “So hey, now that we’ve got the serious stuff out of the way, let’s enjoy this date like we intended to, yeah? We should probably start by looking at the menus again.”
He let out a laugh as he pointed at the menus on the table. She nods her head, sniffling a little bit, before she leans in to give him a quick kiss.
Jessi Idol: “I love you too…we’re going to be okay, I know it.”
Her voice is filled with optimistic confidence as she finally picks up her menu, urging him with her eyes to do the same, hoping that tonight was the beginning of their journey together as their bond strengthened as a couple.