When the day met the night

24

Jared's POV -
I watched her when she didn't think I was looking, I could see the sadness written all over her beautiful face. I didn't want her to leave, it was breaking my heart. I wasn't sure I'd be able to let her go. But I knew that I had no fucking choice.

Dinner with the 3 of them was interesting, watching them interact, they all knew one another so well they would know from a look or a word what the other meant. I laughed as I tried to keep up. "So Jared tells me you're going home on the second, he'll be sad to see you go I think" said his mother. I nodded, "I'll be sad to leave, but I have work commitments and I can't stay and longer I'm afraid" I replied, trying not to sound like I felt, like I was about to burst into tears. "That's a shame, I hope you've had a nice time" she smiled, I nodded, "yes it's been great" I said sighing. The rest of the evening was light and funny, thankfully distracting me from the now constant ache in my chest. Soon enough we were standing outside near the cars. "Well I might not see you before you leave, so have a safe flight back, I hope we see each other again soon" she said, surprising me by giving me a warm hug. I hugged her back, "thank you, it was lovely meeting you" she stepped back and gave me a soft smile and with that her and Shannon left. "Did you have a nice day?" I asked Jared back at the house, we were lying on the sofa, he smiled widely, "yes it was the nicest birthday I've had in a while, thank you" his lips brushing mine softly. "Good, well it's not over yet" I smiled slyly, moving down his body. "I was hoping you'd say that" he said leaning his head back on the cushions with a groan.

Sadly the next few days rushed by, New Year's Eve came and went and in what felt like a blink of an eye. We spent every moment together, staying up late into the night talking, making love, just lying together in silence. I was desperately trying to make every minute count. It was early the morning of my departure. I woke up with kisses on my shoulder and neck, his hand at my breast and at my urging he slowly slid into me, I moaned softly, it was gentle and we were both silent, so unlike our usual, uncontrollable, intense and wild lovemaking. I uttered his name softly as I unraveled, feeling him follow soon after. We lay there, tears had started running down my cheeks, I wasn't sure I could bear leaving him. He brushed the tears away, not saying a word just holding me tighter. We lay there in silence, desperately hoping time would stand still.

Later that morning we stood outside the boarding gate. "Okay, well I guess that's me" I said, hearing my flight, I turned to to him, his brother had come with us to the airport. "See you soon Harper" said Shannon hugging me. "Sure, it was great meeting you" I said, he stepped back while Jared and I said our goodbyes. "Okay so call me as soon as you get home" he said, I nodded, I couldn't speak my heart was lodged in my throat, my arms wrapped around his neck and he held me close. "I love you Harper, I'm going to miss you" he whispered. "Me too" I said finally, softly against his chest. He leant down and kissed me softly, he murmured "don't cry, I'll come over as soon as I can okay?" I nodded, wiping away my tears. "Bye" I whispered and walked away before I did something stupid like refuse to get on the plane. I chanced a quick glance back to see them both waving, his face broke into that smile that melted my heart, I couldn't help but smile back before I disappeared from his sight.