Nick and Avery met at a local diner the next day and after just an hour’s conversation, she found herself completely taken by him. He was charming and sweet, a boy any mother would be proud to call her son. They had similar interests in music and movies, literature, and hobbies. He is someone that, in her past, she had never expected to find. But in that moment, sitting across from him and feeling this mutual attraction, Avery felt that the possibilities were endless.
She never expected to fall so hard or so fast. Avery could tell that Mila was worried. She was afraid that Avery was completely wrapped up in her first real relationship and unable to understand her feelings. But Avery knew. She knew after two months of dating Nick that she was in love with him. He was exactly what she had expected for herself, nothing more, and nothing less.
A year after Nick and Avery began dating, Mila became very ill. Avery often found herself waking in the morning to her incessant coughing fits. Avery begged Mila to see a doctor for three weeks straight before Nick finally carried and strapped her into the barely running car so they could take her themselves.
Aria was in school when they finally got Mila to a physician and learned the terrible truth. Mila had stage four lung cancer and severe heart disease, due to years of smoking and undiagnosed high cholesterol. It was a hard fate to swallow. To add fuel to the roaring fire of pain, the doctor announced that he doesn't even know how she has made it this long. With a sorrowful glance, he informed them that he didn't think she had much time left, then discharged her back to their home.
Mila passed away two weeks later in her sleep, which was a great relief to the family. Nick and Aria didn't witness her suffering. Avery, on the other hand, had decided to stay up with Mila the previous night because she somehow knew this would be her last night. Avery’s gut had churned all day, like rocks rolling around in her stomach, and she knew that something terrible was bound to happen. That night, under Avery’s watchful eyes and the small room blanketed in darkness, Mila recounted to Avery all the memories she had of her growing up, and Avery shared with her the ones she remembered so fondly. Both of their favorite memories were those when she would sneak Avery into the nursery to play with Aria in the early morning. The women wept as Mila struggled to take her last breath. In that final breath, she whispered the words that would run through Avery’s mind for the rest of her life. The words were so powerful, yet they came from a woman writhing to gain oxygen in her lungs.
As if she was transfixed in another world, staring ahead into the blank space, Mila whispered, "Love hard, Avery. When you feel you have nothing, open up your heart, it's what we all want from you. Don't turn a blind eye to love. You'll be scared and try to fight against it, but you need to love. You need to embrace it. I love you so much, Avery. You were the best daughter I could have ever asked for. It won't be for long but love Aria and Nick fiercely, you'll need it."
With tears in her eyes, Avery whispered to Mila her words of love. She watched as Mila closed her eyes and took her last gulp of air, the pressure in the room squeezing Avery’s lungs in response.
Sitting in the church after Mila's burial, Avery decided to withdraw from her classes for the time being and take care of Aria. Luckily, any savings Mila had were left in Avery’s name so she had enough to live on for a while when supplemented with her small part-time job as a housekeeper.
Spending time with Nick and Aria helped to heal her broken heart. It was like losing more than her mother, she was her everything. All she ever knew. The only person to ever show Avery affection and love until meeting Nick.
Nick and Avery grew closer after Mila's death and after a full year of dating and living together, he proposed with a beautiful solitaire diamond ring. Nothing large or extravagant, but enough to show how much he loved her. Avery’s world finally seemed brighter after accepting his proposal and she spent her downtime dreaming of being his wife.
A few mornings after the surprise proposal, Avery was sitting at the kitchen table, planning their small affair. Nick suggested that Avery enroll herself back in school since he would be graduating in a few weeks. Excitement radiated through her, and the two contacted the school advisor straight away to reinstate her scholarship and enroll in classes for the summer. After tallying up her credits, Avery would have a little less than a year remaining.
Poring over wedding magazines, glancing at bridesmaids dresses with Aria, Avery’s phone rang from across the room, startling them both. She answered the phone to an automated message reminding her of Aria’s dental appointment in the morning.
“Crap,” Avery said out loud to no one in particular as she stomps her foot in frustration.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Nick called from the bedroom.
“Aria has a dental appointment at nine tomorrow morning, but I scheduled that meeting with my financial advisor so that I can sign some papers to reinstate my scholarship. I hate to ask you to take her, you have class.”
“It’s fine, Avery. We’re just meeting in study groups for the final. I’ll let my group know I can’t make it and email them my notes.”
Walking to the back room, Avery wrapped her arms around her amazing fiancé and breathes in his masculine scent.
“Thank you.” She released him with a sigh. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“No sweat. I’m happy to take her. Maybe we can all meet up for lunch after.”
“That sounds great. Want to help us look at dresses?”
Laughing, he turned Avery around in his arms and gently pushed her out of the room.
“That’s ok, babe. I’ll let you girls stick to the wedding dresses.”
Returning his laughter, Avery rejoined Aria at the table and they continued their perusal of over-the-top wedding dresses.
The incessant pressing of kisses against Avery’s neck and shoulders awakened her from a deep sleep. Moaning into his mouth as he turned her over, Nick wasted no time in removing her small panties and seeking entrance for his hardened member. Sex with Nick was always pleasurable, but this morning it felt different, more explosive, more fevered - like he couldn’t get enough. Avery came quickly, in powerful waves, at his violent thrusts, and he quickly followed as her body milked him dry.
“That was incredible.”
“It sure was. Very unexpected. Any particular reason?”
“Nope. I just woke up, looked over at your beautiful face, and knew I needed to have you.”
Giggling, Avery shoved him lightly on the shoulder and moved out of bed, heading for the shower.
After getting herself ready for her meeting, Avery woke up Aria and helped her make some breakfast before she needed to leave for her dental appointment.
Minutes later, Nick asked Aria to get in the car while he says goodbye to Avery.