Aiden and I divorced a week later. We both moved out of the penthouse; it held too much hurt for us. It was hard for both of us. Aiden wasn't just my soul mate; he breathed new life into my soul. Walking away from him was one of the hardest things I'd ever done but it was necessary. We'd gone to therapy…not as a couple, but as friends. Things couldn't heal overnight. We made great progress. He said he would wait for me. I smiled whenever he did and kissed his cheek. My heart still skipped a beat when we touched and my body called for him constantly. Instead, I put the energy in our renewed friendship.

I took a sabbatical from AMF. Travelling was something I always wanted to do but never found the time. Dad threw himself into his work and spending time with Cadence so it didn't bother him. He understood more than anyone that I needed time. A part of me was still angry with him. I got his sacrifice, but it didn't mean I wasn't angry about it. I never wanted to admit it before, but as much as I adored my father, a wedge had formed between us since the night of Allison's accident. The heartbroken little girl in me, cried nightly for the father she'd lost. It was another three months before I worked up the nerve to face him again.

At the kitchen table in my childhood home, I sat eating a bowl of cereal waiting for him to come down. When he finally did, the shock registered on his face. He grabbed his bowl of cereal and milk and sat across from me silently. Our eyes locked for the briefest of moments before we smiled at each other. He squeezed my hand and as it always was with us, no apologies were ever spoken, it was just known. Cadence bounced into the kitchen and noticed the shift in atmosphere and carried on in her usual bubbly fashion.

Aiden trudged into the house with Scott in tow talking animatedly about the new pearl that Aiden had the privy of presenting the jewelry world. His recovery was tentative in the beginning but he was a fighter. He was a Wainwright…they didn't do defeat or failure very often. We all still kept a very close eye on him but he was at his best when he was doing what he loved most. We all sat at the breakfast table laughing and talking. Aiden picked out of my cereal bowl and I drank his coffee, we held hands and got funny looks from the adults but said nothing. If only Letta Leigh could see us now. She retired and eloped with Andre and moved into the city to be closer to Vincent. She still came out on weekends and was sorely missed at the family reunion two months back.

After a year away from AMF, I started consulting on contracts again. I felt like I was in a proper place in my life to be thrown back in the thick of things. Remy and Dad helped me with my transition. I should have known it wouldn't be difficult because Michelle ran a tight ship in my absence. Things in life were finally looking up. Aiden and I were in a safe place. Liz and Cadence kept me busy on the weekends and I had my friends during the week.

Then it happened. I was ready for the plunge. Kenneth and I started dating. He was sweet and attentive and a total riot to be around. He made me laugh and took me to underground art exhibits and jazz concerts. He was perfect—exactly what I needed. The only problem was…he wasn't what I wanted. Aiden didn't even get angry when I told him about Kenneth and me. He said he was happy that I was trying again. They even got along well…not as well as he and Remy did these days but well enough. Aiden and Remy had developed and uncanny bromance. I told Kenneth about it and he laughed and said that Aiden was completely likeable once you waded through his bullshit. Then he laughed again and said that is why we would never work out. Kenneth broke things off with me seven months into the relationship. We remained friends though. He said that as much as he was falling for me, I'd fallen long ago and was just waiting to finally accept it. I felt bad for Kenneth. He was a great guy and fine as hell.

Another year went by and I didn't date anyone. Any time there was a social on the calendar Aiden was my escort. He hadn't dated in at all in the two and a half years since our divorce. Whenever I asked him about he just smiled and said that he was waiting for Lady Luck to be on his side again and changed the subject. I didn't push him. I knew far too well the consequences of not leaving well enough alone.

During Thanksgiving, Cadence and dad decided that they were going to go spend time with Summer in Georgia. I hadn't seen or heard from her since she stormed out of my hospital room two and a half years ago. She bounced around from school to school, never really deciding what it was that she wanted. She'd figure it out eventually. I joined the Wainwrights after much prodding from Aiden. Remy had gone to Louisiana to be with his family and Letta Leigh had taken Andre and Vincent there too. The Wainwrights would always be my family, so I agreed. I wasn't too keen on spending the day alone anyways.

Dinner was a beautiful private event that I helped Liz cook and organize. After dinner Aiden and I strolled through the gardens while Liz and Joshua helped Scott to bed. He was looking more and more tired these days, but he rarely let it show. The full moon was out shining brightly in the reflection of the fountain's pool. I brushed my hand through the cool water disturbing the image of the bright white orb. I shivered against the cold wind that blew straight through my wool jacket. Aiden sat across from me and smiled. He was handsome in his dark jacket and black turtleneck. Pulling my hands into his gloved ones her rubbed the warmth back into my fingers and kissed the tips. He pulled me close to him and held me in his arms. My heart tripped and fumbled before regaining steady rhythm.

Lately, we'd been spending an insane amount of time together. When I wasn't at my apartment then I was at his. We slept in bed together, and even though I wanted to do more than just sleep, he just held me.

"Lucky," I didn't mind so much when he called me that now. I sort of liked it. It reminded me why he called me that in the first place and I couldn't help the heat that crept up my neck and over my cheeks.

I looked up at him and what I saw was beyond anything I could ever imagine…beyond anything I could hope for. I was home and my soul was alive again as long as he looked at me the way he did. I kissed his lips softly, reveling in the feel. He smiled at me and pulled me up from the bench. We walked back to the house hand in hand.

Six Months Later, May 16th

I stood out on the tiled terrace looking down at the gathering of family and friends that came to celebrate my birthday and wedding. I smiled as I watched Caleb scowl at Remy as he twirled around the dance floor with his sister Natalie. That was pair that was just asking for trouble. Rakes do make the worst brothers. I laughed at his attempt to pull them apart only to be hauled off by his grandfather.

Remy and Raymond had a bad break up over Christmas and had sworn off men. Raymond refused to introduce Remy to his family. He claimed that when he told them about his sexuality, they demanded that he seek help and was considering it. It tore Remy to bits and he spent many nights on mine and Aiden's couches moping about it. Once Natalie flew in, it was like Raymond never existed. She laughed at his overt flirting.

"I thought it was customary for the bride to dance with the groom at these things?" He stepped up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck. I leaned into his kiss and laughed.

"What's so funny?" He bit down on my shoulder before kissing the sting.

"Remy asked me the same thing ten years ago." I could hardly believe that it had been ten years since that time. So much healing had been done since then.

"Things are different now."

"Yes they are," I agreed. "Ten years ago, I married my guilt and you married a half-assed attempt at an apology. Today I married a promise of a happy forever." I turned in his arms and returned his kiss whole heartedly. He had insisted on getting married on my birthday. Aiden explained that too many tragedies occurred on this day and it should be celebrated for the miracle day that it really was.

The MC's voice flowed the speakers requesting our presence, "Paging Dr. and Mrs. Aiden Foster Moon- Wainwright." I couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out of me. It still tickled me to hear it.

"I still can't believe that you hyphenated your name." I kissed his lips and took threaded my fingers through his. He toyed with the wedding ring he'd slipped in my finger. It was the ring he gave me that night of the accident… his mother's ring. I was surprised when he first put it on my finger. I thought he'd lost it.

"It was only fitting, considering you were the one who proposed to me," he replied with a cheeky grin. His hair fell in curls over his eyes. He was still such a manga boy and I was irrevocably in love with him.

"Well stick with me and you'll go places, Manga Boy." I tugged him behind me towards our awaiting guests.

He squeezed my fingers and my heart soared. "Anything my Lady Luck wishes."

FIN

Thank you for all of your continued support. This was a tough write for me and I enjoyed every review/alert/add/fave….You guys and gals are simply the best and I love you all!

Hugs, kiss, and Artamiss!