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I huff staring out the window as the Atlanta skyline approaches. No one expects me to be here. Ethan has someone impersonating me booked on another flight and to a much likelier place for me to be. I am hoping that the prying eyes will be too busy searching for me far away to ever consider searching for me here. They have been following me even closer since that kid released the pictures from the restaurant. You could not see Ava at all but that is just making them all the crazier.

As soon as I get off the plane, I jump into the waiting car. My heart beats faster with every house that passes. “So are you going to tell her?” Randy asked.

“Tell her what?”

“Tell her that you love her.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“You don’t? I knew it, you’re looking for a reason to change your mind about her? Keep running Sean and you will lose her for good.”

“That is not at all what I’m doing and I think it is a little early to be talking about love.”

“No, it’s not.” He says assuredly.

“Well I thought I loved Rebecca and I told her in the first few months and what a mistake that was. I’m not doing that again.”

“Rebecca was a psycho and low class, Ava is certainly not Rebecca. Thank God. I hope I never have to see that crazy witch again.”

I give him a harsh look, “I thought you liked her?” He shakes his head shivering ridiculously. “Well no matter, I’m taking it slowly with Ava. Especially with her past, I don’t want to introduce her to my media obsessed life until I know for sure she’s the one for me.” Randy rolls his eyes while munching on some chips. “Shut up, and stop rolling your eyes at me. You know I hate that. Besides, that crazy fuck that hurt her is still trying to get out and pleading to be able to see her to make an amends. My people intercepted countless letters from his mother that were supposed to go to her by way of her grandparents’ house. Supposed apologies, but they are nothing but a lunatics attempt to keep hold of her.”

Our driver slows, pulling in next to a quaint cottage home. With a smile I cannot hide, I get out and tip the driver before sending him on his way.

“I don’t think you should have sent the driver away Sean, I don’t think anyone is home.” Randy said looking over the surroundings.

“I know. She’s at a meeting all-day today.”

“Then why did you send the driver away?” He said waving his hands in the direction the car left.

“Calm down we are going to wait for her.”

“Outside?”

“No, of course not, in the house.”

“And how are we going to do that?”

“I know where she keeps a key in case she locks herself out.” I feel behind one of her rain gutters and pull out a metal box with a key inside.

“Okay Romeo, now let’s get inside. It’s cold out here.”

Making our way to the door I can feel Randy hovering over me the whole way. “Do you mind backing up a bit? We’re not on a date here.”

“Then hurry up and open the damn door. It’s cold out here.” I put the key in hearing it click along with some other strange noises. “What was that, I thought you said she wasn’t supposed to be home?”

“She’s not supposed to be. No one is.” I said turning the knob when I hear … sniffing? “It’s just her puppies,” I smile relieved.

“Puppies? I don’t like dogs Sean,” Randy said backing up.

“Relax, they’re probably no bigger than the palm of your hand, nothing to worry about.” I open the door slowly and big snarling noses start trying to force their way through. The enormous faces begin barking and growling in an amazing display of fearlessness. I shut the door back quickly, backing up a couple of steps before searching for Randy, who is now standing on the other side of the street. “What the hell are you doing?”

“No way Sean, no way!”

“No way what? I’m sure they are friendly once you get in.”

“Hell no!” Randy yelled folding his arms and shaking his head.

“I tell you what, I will stay here in the front and you sneak in the back and maybe we can trap them in some room. We’ll confuse them.” I say with confidence.

“What kind of crazy are you trying to sell me? No way in hell am I going in that house!”

“Well what are we going to do, sit out here until she gets home?”

“I don’t know but I do know I’m not going in there.” Randy insists.

“Maybe they are not as big as they look?” I said as one of them jumps in a nearby window, snarling and barking.

“I have seen horses smaller than that Sean.”

“Stop shaking your head, it’s annoying.” I sit down on the steps listening to the two snarling dogs protesting our presence while Randy carefully sits down next to me.

“Great plan Sean, let’s get here early and hang out on her porch and wait for her for … how long?” He asked in a sarcastic voice.

I cringed at his question, “I’m not sure, an hour or two.”

“It’s December Sean.”

“I know!”

“I can’t believe you didn’t know about those beasts in there.”

“We talked about her dogs but she always calls them her babies, or puppies and so I assumed they were small.”

“All this time and you have never talked about what kind of beasts they are?” I shook my head at his disgusted expression. “What did you talk about then?” A smile slowly grows across my face. Randy huffs, rolling his eyes. “So what were you planning anyway?”

“Well I thought we could get here early and I could order some food and light some candles, send you off to the bedroom out back.” He huffs immediately. “It has satellite TV and its own kitchen, you will be fine you big baby”

“And then what?”

“And then I would arrange all the …”

“All the what?” He asked as I look down the road and away from him. “What did you do?”

“Nothing.”

“Sean what did you do?”

“I might have ordered some flowers and other stuff for her.”

“How many flowers Sean?”

“Well I wasn’t sure how big her house was and I know how much she loves getting flowers. Do you know that I am the first guy to ever give her flowers?” I smile at his unamused expression.

“I am calling the driver back,” Randy said pulling his phone out.

“No, no we can’t because we have to be here to receive them or they won’t come back,” I said as vans begin to pull up.

“Oh you didn’t.” He said watching my innocent smile turn to pleading forgiveness. Randy tried to talk them into coming back but they have to deliver them all, plus some extras. By the time they finish, her entire porch, steps and our laps are filled with flowers, balloons and one extra large teddy bear. We look ridiculous. I am holding flowers and a stuffed bear that sits nearly as tall as I do. Randy holds all the balloons with his flowers and a scowl a mile long. “I hate you Sean.” He said as I laugh. “No, I really hate you.”

“Well at least the dogs seem to have calmed down. I don’t think they want to kill us now.”

“I think they’re trying to decide what seasoning they are going to use on us.” Randy looks behind us. “Hey big dogs, white meat tastes better!” He yelled nodding as if he has gotten me back. Laughing I settle against the bear making myself as comfortable as possible.

We wait as car after car slows down to look at the two fools on the porch. One nice old lady even makes time to walk by and tell us she doesn’t think Ava is home. Randy thanks her for pointing out the obvious and luckily she is hard-of-hearing and walks off smiling when we nod and wave at her. Finally, Ava’s car pulls up, slowing before turning into the drive. I sit up straight watching as the car doors open and a man gets out the passenger side, while she gets out the driver side smiling beautifully and looking incredible. My mouth waters watching her approach.

“Congratulations Sean, I think you surprised her. I bet she never thought she would come home to see this,” Randy said.

“Welcome home,” I said beaming.

“What are you doing here?” She laughs taking in the entire scene, searching for her way towards me.

“Waiting for you to get home,” I said helping her over some of the flowers.

“I can’t believe you’re here. I thought …”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“Surprise!’ Randy said sarcastically.

She laughs as she manages her way into my arms. “Best surprise ever,” she said, kissing me and allowing me to express a superior smile in Randy’s direction.

“Why are you out here, why didn’t you use the key?”

“We tried, but ....”

“Your so called puppies turned out to be man-eating bears,” Randy continued.

“Who Rondo and Prince? They’re sweethearts they wouldn’t hurt a fly. Simply play ball with them and they will love you to death.” She grimaced at the phrase. “Well you know what I mean.” Randy backs away from the door as she lets the two beasts out to sniff us.

“Let them get to know you, they really are sweet,” Kyle said. I stood up trying to be still, as he walks over to me. “Boys go play! Hi, I’m Kyle.” He holds out the one free hand he has, the other holding a bag of groceries. I greet him respectively and he shakes his head. “Wow! I mean I know all about you but it’s so unreal that you’re here. I mean wow.”

“Kyle will you help us get this all inside?” Ava asked while examining her porch before glancing up at me with a smirk. Shrugging I turn to see the other fool standing in the middle of the yard like a statue and still holding balloons while the two dogs stand at his feet, pawing him for attention.

“Ava, can you call your dogs?” I laugh.

“Boys come.” They follow in after her at once.

“The coast is clear you big baby, you can breathe now.” I yelled to him.

“I hate you Sean.” He said looking both ways before he enters the house.

Once we put up the flowers, I explore her warm and cozy place, looking at pictures of her grandparents, friends, and her dogs – there are many of those. Then one framed, sitting right on her mantel where you can see it from anywhere in the room is the same one I put under her locket. I pick it up daydreaming back to our island. Suddenly the front door opens and I turn right before a short, brown haired woman runs right into me. She looks up smiling joyfully, “oh sorry,” she said as I take hold of her to steady her. “AHHHHH!” She screamed. “Oh my God!” She screamed again and vibrating. I take a few steps back from her, putting my hands up in defense.

“Anna!” Ava yelled running over to grab her.

“Sean, this is Anna.” I put my hand out cautiously to shake her trembling hand. Taking my hand she begins to giggle hysterically.

“Nice to meet you - Anna.”

“Yea … uh huh, I mean you too.”

“Are you alright?” I asked wondering if Ava invites mental people into her home often.

“She’s okay, she’s going to be okay,” Ava said escorting her away from me.

I sit down near Randy who is eyeing both dogs sitting patiently at his feet, one of them with his paw on his leg and staring at a ball resting in his lap. “I hear if you play dead they will get disinterested and leave you alone.”

“Shut up Sean,” he murmured motionless.

“You should feel honored. They don’t let just anyone play with that ball,” Ava said from behind us.

“Yea, they like you, their favorite ball and everything, how sweet.” He glares at me as he mumbles terrible things he is going to do to me. Once the smell of dinner gets to me, I get up to go see who is cooking. I pass Anna carefully since she is still giggling and approach Ava. She chops some vegetables before throwing them in a steaming pan. “Are you cooking?”

“I was planning to make dinner for Kyle and Anna anyway, so I added a little more for you guys. I hope you like it?”

Walking up behind her I wrap my arms around her and kiss her neck and her cheek before resting my head against hers, “I’m sure it will be wonderful.” Sighing happily, she leans into me holding my hands to her. “I think everyone should leave now.” I whispered as soft and as deep into her as possible. Suddenly, she stiffens pulling away from me and directing me to Kyle and Anna who are staring at us wide-eyed. “Okay, well do you need me to do anything?”

“No, I think Kyle and I have it,” she said as Kyle waves some kind of cooking utensil at me. “So sit and relax, watch some TV if you like,” Ava said, grasping my hand one more time before shoving me off.

I walk into the living room and sit down talking to the boys. “Randy watch, when you talk to them they look like they’re listening to you.” I turn to the dogs, “you guys want to go play?” I asked as they both cock their heads at the same time. “Did you see that? Cute as hell, huh?”

“Yea … real cute. They’re going to kill you in your sleep tonight, you know that, right?” Randy said, not at all impressed.

“Are you guys going to kill me? I know stupid question right, you guys love me already.” I throw the nearest toy I can find and watch them slip and slide all over the hardwoods to try to get to it first. I laugh until I hear someone laughing behind me, turning I see only Ava watching me. For whatever reason I earn a kiss bigger than the welcome home kiss. I need to figure out what I did so I can do it again.

When we sit to eat, it is clear the empty seat next to Ava is for me. The food is wonderful and luckily easy to eat with one hand since my other is holding Ava’s and even though it is obvious, no one is commenting on it. They do, however, tell me stories that are embarrassing her relentlessly.

“Oh and then there was the time she told us we were going to the spa.” Kyle exclaimed.

“No Kyle!” She tries to persuade him with her anxiously, shaking head.

“Oh I am telling this one because he should know this about you. She’s a liar, Sean. I’m telling you if she ever tries to tell you she is taking you somewhere like a spa for instance and she insists on driving, don’t believe a word she says.” Kyle animatedly tells his tale.

Ava stares down into her lap. “Why?” I asked lifting her chin with my finger and brushing the back of it across her velvet face.

“Well. One day Ava comes in and tells us she has an exciting surprise for us, you know for working so hard and …” He turns to look at Anna.

“And being such great friends,” Anna added.

“Yea that, so she told us she was going to take us to this spa … in Kentucky. Now I had never heard of such a spa but what do I know, I from Georgia. So we got all excited, packed and even got up early so we could get there by what we thought was check-in time.”