Heavenly Virtues

Part 35*

The three woke up early, Connor started breakfast as Ashley showered and Murphy stayed laying in bed, smoking a cigarette. When Ashley got out she wrapped her towel around her and walked over to Connor who was standing by the stove. She pressed up against his naked torso and kissed his shoulder "you excited for our date today?" He turned his head and kissed her forehead "of course sweetheart."

She made her way to the bed and starting pulling clothes for the day, a pair of jeans, a simple white shirt and one of Murphy's plain black sweaters. She crawled back onto the bed and layed beside Murphy with her head proped up on her hand. "So what are you gonna do while we're gone?" Murphy shrugged, snuffing out his cigarette "probably clean up if we got people comin over tomorrow." He said as he looked around the apartment.

"If you wait til we get back we can help." Murphy shook his head and kissed her quickly on the lips "it's okay love, I got this." He smiled as he jumped off the bed, just as Connor was done with breakfast.

After they ate Connor showered and got dressed "what time are ye two meetin 'em?" Ashley glanced at the clock. "In like two hours, Mary's got to work today, but they still wanted to see the exhibit."

Once Connor was dressed the two made their way to the museum, having to catch two busses without having a car. They got there a little early and decided to enjoy a hot chocolate from the coffee truck across the street. Ashley stood in the park across the street from the museum while Connor got the drinks. It was pretty mild today, snow would be coming soon.

As she looked out into the park, she smiled. Christmas lights would no doubt fill every inch if this space come next week. She remembered when her and Rachel were kids, they'd go with their parents to a park down by the lake and walk the park, looking at all the lights. Afterwards they'd grab pizza at this little hole in the wall and argue about which display had been the best.

"I got ye marshmallows in yours lass." Connor said with a big smile on his face as he approached her, arm outstretched, handing Ashley her drink. "Thank you. I love marshmallows." He leaned in kissing her ever so lightly "and I love ye." He said. She bit her lip trying the reign in the too big smile that was plastering her face. "So what were ye thinkin about?" He asked as he followed her gaze into the park.

"Just when I was a kid, me and Rachel used to walk the park at night and look at lights. It was my favorite part of the holidays, better then Christmas morning. It was this whole tradition we had, right up until we went to college. Life got crazy after that and we never did it again. I miss it." She said with a sad smile.

Connor wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing the side of her head. "I'm sorry sweetheart." Ashley shrugged. "I wish she could've met you two." Ashley smiled and rolled her eyes. "If it was up to her she would've made me make a move way before I did." Connor chuckled looking down at Ashley as she stared off into the park, watching the people there. "Sounds like I woulda liked 'er." Ashley turned her head up to Connor and kissed him deep. "Yeah I think you would've."

"Hey! Where's Murph?" The two heard Rocco from behind them, coming out of the park. Rocco hugged Connor, then Ashley. Mary hugging Ashley and waving to Connor. "He decided to stay home, wants to plan a different date just the two of us for next week." Ashley said, waving it off. It was funny how it happened, the walk across the street. Rocco and Connor walked together towards the museum while Mary and Ashley hung back a little.

"So how's the date so far?" Mary blushed. "He picked me up early this morning and we went to breakfast, a small little diner I've never heard of, then we got coffee to go and we walked the park. It's been nice." Mary said, biting her lip. "Look at you two love birds." Ashley elbowed Mary. "Stop." Mary whined with a smile.