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"Ava, honey, let's go in" Ava turned around watching Paxton's retreating figure for a few seconds before turning to follows Alex to their home. Alex felt her body shaking, trembling, she was holding in her tears for Ava's sake. She put in the key and opened the door, inputing the security code.

"Oh he liked it so he put a ring on it, he liked it so he put a ring on it oh oh oh" sang Shelia in the tune of Single ladies, emerging from the kitchen with two glasses of white wine. Alex couldn't hold it in any longer and bursts into tears.

"Oh, honey" Shelia said getting the gist from the situation in front of her.

"Ava darling, go get ready for bed, your mum and I will be up soon" Ava stops and opens her mouth like she's about to say something but changes her mind and runs upstairs to her room.

"I think we're still going to need this" Shelia says going back for the wine then joining Alex on the floor "Do you want to talk about it"

"That's fine babe." She says taking a sip of her wine, while Alex sobbed beside her.

Alex stirred in her bed coming to contact with a body waking her up completely.

"Ah!!" she groaned holding her head in her arms, her eyes squeezed shut.

"What's wrong?" Shelia asked groggily, stirring herself

"I just sat up too fast, What are you doing here?"

"I just fell asleep after dragging you upstairs and checking in on Ava. She was sobbing in her sleep. I hugged her till she quieted down"

"Shit! I was too busy thinking about myself I didn't realize how hard this must be on Ava. I'm a terrible mother!" she groaned into a pillow

"You are not a bad mother. You were overwhelmed. Just make sure you talk to her. Also we need to get you on a damn diet... you weigh a million pounds"

"Don't say that word near me. It literally has the word 'die' in it." The events of last night came back to her suddenly, hitting her with a fresh wave of emotions. "Why did he have to propose? Everything was perfect the way it was" she voiced not really wanting an answer. "In my experience, everything being perfect is why people normally propose"

"But we weren't ready yet, we've not even been dating that long"

"You weren't ready, obviously he was. And time isn't really a factor when it comes to love"

"Ugh, what time is it?" Alex asked rolling off the bed

"Not a very subtle subject change Miss Donovan. It's a few minutes past eight"

"Fridge! 15 missed calls from my assistant " she gasped as she looked at the phone "BLOODY HELL! Is that the date?? We have a flight to catch" she exclaimed jumping out of bed

"Hello,... yes... yes... no, I just woke up, when's the next flight?... No, you're right, that wont work. I'll make this one. Have Jeffery bring the Car around, we'll be ready in 20" she disconnected the call.

"Shelia, please help me wake Ava and get her ready"

"Sure, where are you going?"

"I have a series of meetings, spanning two months, I told you about this two weeks ago"

"Yeah yeah, I totally do not remember that conversation"

She face palms "I wonder why I tell you things to begin with"

"Its because you love me, so you are always looking for excuses to talk to me"

"Just get Ava ready. If we miss this one, I'll be late for the first meeting"

"Aye aye Captain" she said with a mock salute before getting off the bed, she watched Alex's back as she entered the bathroom, her face showing concern for her friend.

12 minutes later. Shelia was throwing clothes into a suitcase while Ava picked an outfit for herself

"What's gonna happen with mommy and Paxton?" Ava asked getting her stuffed animals from her bed

"I don't know, you can ask your mum later"

"Why did mommy say no when Paxton asked her to marry him... I thought they were in love... I thought we were going to be a family"

"I don't know that either Ava, but I think your mum isn't ready to get married yet or maybe Paxton isn't her Prince Charming"

"Are we still going to be a family?"

"Of course sweetheart, Family is forever and nothing is ever going to change that... no matter how annoying your uncle Tristan might be, trust me, I've tried to send him away a bunch of times" she answered making Ava giggle

"Are you guys ready?" Alex asked pulling on a jacket as she rushed inside the room.

"Yup yup" Shelia said zipping up the suitcase. "I called Jeffery to pick up breakfast since you forgot that"

"This is why I love you" she said blowing her a kiss "Come on Baby, we have a flight to catch"

"Oh, Alex. I'm gonna stay at your place while you're gone. This rich people lighting is perfect for parties"

"Knock yourself out... You know the security codes yeah?"

"Yeah 2-1..."

Ava enters the car as Alex puts both their suitcases in the trunk and Joins her

"Miss Donovan, good morning"

"Morning Jeffrey, We're already quite late so lets burn some rubber" He smiles at her through the hangy mirror and leaves the driveway. Her eyes catch the Paxton's house and doesn't leave it till it is completely out of sight.

"Mommy, you're not eating" Ava said, her mouth half full with sandwich filling bringing her back from her wondering

"Thanks baby, what would I do without you?" she said with a peck before picking a sandwich of her own.

"Final Call for flight xxxx" the speaker announced as they entered the airport

"Ugh Ava new plan, take your zebra, we'll go shopping when we land" She carried Ava in one hand and her hand bag in the other and sprinted to the boarding gate.

***

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