To have and to Hold

Expect the unexpected

In an attempt to make up for the disastrous Christmas, Adam kept his word. and after the new year, he took Rachel on the promised trip to New York.

They were in a fairly buoyant mood.

Darren's behaviour had backfired on him, Adam's father was not very happy with him, or Sandra, and there was nothing Lynn could say or do that would excuse their behaviour in Robert Maxwell's eyes, making him treat them a little more coolly.

And now they knew they had to be careful the way they behaved around Adam and Rachel..

Rachel did not like to take pleasure in anyone else's misery, but she couldn't help feeling they deserved it a little.

Now as she and Adam sat in the plane, waiting for it to take off, Adam took her hand in his, remembering her nervousness on her first flight to Rome.

He was a little concerned, reminding her this was a much longer journey, and he hoped she would be ok

She was touched by his concern, but assured him she would fine, and she wouldn't be breaking his fingers on this trip. He chuckled in relief, but decided to still kept hold of her hand anyway

Because the journey was longer, they were showing a film on the plane, just to pass the time in

"All we need is some popcorn, and we could pretend we are at the cinema" Rachel remarked in amusement

"Would peanuts do?" Adam wondered good humouredly "I think they serve those as snacks"

"To be honest, I don't feel like eating anything. I think my stomach is a bit queasy with all the excitement and nerves" Rachel admitted

"Well you should just relax and take it easy then, we have got plenty of time " Adam told her

"Yes, I guess we have," Rachel smiled and slouched a little in her seat, happily holding on to Adam's hand as she turned to the screen in front of her.

It was some romantic thriller from what she could gather so far, she then turned to glance at Adam

"You know, I have never had that kind of date before, you know where the guy takes the girl to the cinema sort of date"

"That makes two of us," Adam replied

"Really?" Rachel's eyes widened in surprise, "So you never took any of your girlfriend to see a movie in a cinema theatre?"

"No, I took them out to dinner and clubs, though I have to say, my girlfriends were few and far between. Then I started dating Sandra, but I don't think we ever went on a movie date either.. I guess I wasn't really into sitting watching movies, I preferred museums and art galleries," he then realised with a wry smile, "God, I was really stuffy, even when I was young!"

Rachel grinned, "Poor Adam, y'know, I think I really have to learn you to loosen up a little" she teased

"Now, that would be something," Adam mused as he turned his brown eyes on her.

"Well," Rachel eyed him back with a mischievous twinkle, "You always said I liked a good challenge,"

"So I did," he recalled with a small chuckle, then squeezed her hand "But I don't know if that is a good thing, or a bad thing"

"Oh it's a good thing," Rachel said him smiling, "I am sure of that...."

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Rachel soon realised, New York was very different from Rome,. Even though it was getting dark outside as they left the airport, she already got the sense that it was busier. bigger, more crowded and noisier, as well as far more overwhelming.