The Holiday That Changed My Life

Part Fifty Seven

I haven't told Aston yet but I've made my decision and informed my boss about what my final choice was. His reaction wasn't what I expected but I'm happy to finally be moving forward and put all of this behind me.

I'd called Aston about a half hour ago to ask him to come around for a little while and he eventually turned up, with a saddened look on his face as he walked into my bedroom.

"You okay?" I asked him as he came into the room after letting himself into our apartment.

"W-What's all this?" Aston asked as he took in the state of my bedroom.

"I'm packing." I replied offhandedly, I thought it was pretty obvious with suitcases on my bed and packed boxes dotted around the place.

"No..No, babe you can't leave." He pleaded, moving one of my suitcases out of the way.

"Ast I don't have a choice." I sighed, taking a few dresses off their hangers and folding them one by one.

"Damn right you don't, you're not leaving." He said adamantly, taking my dress out of my suitcase that I'd just put in.

"Please don't make this difficult."

"I'll keep doing it if it keeps you here." Aston said as he repeated his previous actions.

"I can't stay here anymore Aston, it's too hard." I sighed, giving up on packing my suitcase and carrying on putting things in boxes.

"What's too hard? Is it the whole 'I love you' thing?..It is isn't it? Forget it, I didn't mean it, I didn't even say it."

"We both know that's not true."

"Babe, please don't go." Aston sighed, taking my hands and pulling me away from the boxes.

"I have to," I admitted as he shook his head, willing the visible tears away. "It's not that far away."

"Not that far away? Luce you'll be in another country!"

"Another country?" I frowned, searching Astons eyes.

"Well yeah, that's where New York is."

"Who said anything about New York?"

"You did! You said you were leaving!" Aston frowned, squeezing my hands quickly.

"I didn't say I was leaving the country."

"Wh-"

"I'm moving house you idiot!" I smirked, as his face ran through a series of emotions.

"Wait, so you're not going to New York?" He asked as he let go of my hands as I attempted to go back to continue with my suitcase.

"Nope."

"You didn't take the job?"

"No, I like it here." I shrugged, placing a pair of jeans into my case.

"You bitch!" Aston shouted before I felt myself being tackled onto the bed, a suitcase falling onto the floor in the process.

"You're so gullible!" I laughed as Aston hovered above me, pinning my arms above my head.

"That really wasn't funny. I was so scared I was going to lose you."

"You can't get rid of me that easily." I smirked before he lowered his head and passionately pressed his lips against mine.

"Are you sure about this? Is this what you really want?" He asked as he pulled away, his lips just inches away from my own.

"Yeah, I didn't want to leave you." I smiled as I squeezed his hands.

"Please tell me that wasn't the reason why you didn't take the job?"

"It was part of the reason. But you were right, I can't prove my mum and dad wrong if I'm over there. So I'm gonna stay here, smash it, and maybe rub it in their faces." I shrugged as Aston smiled softly at me.

"I love you so much," He smiled before edging forwards and kissing me gently. "And I'd do absolutely anything for you you know that?"

"I do now." I giggled as he shook his head at me.

"So, where you moving to?" He asked, moving from over the top of me and lying down next to me.

"Jackson Street, the one you pass on the way to yours."

"When are you moving in?"

"Two weeks tomorrow."

"Where are you staying til then? Here?"

"What's this? Twenty questions?" I chuckled as Aston took my hand in his.

"Just making sure you're gonna be okay."

"Well the girls are all working late this week so I was kinda hoping I could stay with you?" I asked as I batted my eyelashes at him.

"Hmm, I don't know if I can put up with you for two weeks." Aston smirked before resting our interlocked hands on his chest.

"I'll be good I promise! So?" I asked, pouting my lips.

"You know I can't say no to you." He chuckled before I pressed my lips against his.

We just lay there in silence for a while. I could tell Aston had something on his mind but I didn't want to press him about it. I watched him for a few minutes as he stared at the ceiling, smiling then frowning but after each time that he frowned he kissed my hand, so I'm kind of guessing it's got something to do with me. After he did it for about the fifth time I decided to ask him about it, only for him to beat me to it.

"Luce I need you to be totally honest with me, how much did you want that job in America?" He asked, still looking up at the ceiling.

"Not as much as I thought I would. Sure working for Sears would've been amazing but I'd hate to be stuck to just one retailer you know? I want my stuff to be out everywhere, and the only way to do that is by staying here."

"But-"

"I'm staying here Ast, end of."