Ashley looked up in wonder as the room went dark and a hush fell over the crowd as the show started. He leaned into Ethan's shoulder, and Ethan smiled down at him, watching his face as his golden brown eyes widened in wonder just as the room erupted into seemingly millions of individual bright lights.

Ashley was practically on the edge of his seat, reaching out to touch the illusion created by the 3D glasses perched on the bridge of his nose.

🍴🍰🍫☕🍹🍴

Ashley and Ethan stepped out of the Planetarium, hand in hand, with Ashley practically bouncing on his feet, charged up from the exhilarating show he just watched. Ethan grinned fondly down at him as he chatted excitedly.

"That was amazing!" Ashley gushed as they entered the Limo again.

Ethan leaned in to press his lips to Ashley's softly. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Today's already been so amazing Ethan," Ashley sighed and sank into his seat as Ethan opened the mini fridge by their feet, pulling out a large bottle of orange soda and two wine glasses.

"They don't have normal glasses for some reason, and I know you don't drink, so we're going to have to use these," Ethan explained with a grin as he noticed Ashley's puzzled look then handed him one of the wine glasses.

"I'm not going to complain." Ashley smiled and held out his glass for Ethan to pour out him a drink. "Makes me feel fancy."

"Yep, nothing fancier than drinking Fanta out of a wine glass."

Soon, the car stopped in front of one of the many entrances to Central Park, and Ethan and Ashley stepped out of the slick black limo.

🍴🍰🍫☕🍹🍴

Ashley sat on top of a hill in the middle central park, on a picnic blanket next to Ethan as they watched the sun begin to set in the distance, painting the sky in shades of red, orange and gold.

"New York's so beautiful when you actually take the time to appreciate it." Ashley mused after taking a nibble out of his strawberry cupcake. "I'm glad I get to see that this weekend."

"I just wanted to give you the perfect birthday," Ethan spoke, hand running up his arm to cup Ashley's cheek, smiling as the shorter man leaned into his touch.

"Well you've already succeeded and the day isn't over yet." They were still going skating at Rockefeller. Normally, at this point, Ashley would be exhausted, but right now he's too pumped with energy.

"Then all that planning was worth it." Ethan leaned in for a kiss and Ashley happily complied, almost smiling into the kiss. As he leaned back and stared up at Ethan and into his emerald green eyes, Ashley felt the single, almost overwhelming sudden urge to say:

"I love you."

Ashley isn't quite sure when exactly he fell in love with Ethan or even if there was a when. He just knew it wasn't the day they met or even the day after that. It was like something slow that built up in the background until it burst out onto the surface like a broken dam.

Ethan seemed taken aback for a moment before breaking out into a wide grin and leaned in, forehead pressed against Ashley's as he whispered. "I love you too."

Ashley leaned in to kiss him again, pulling Ethan down to his level by his suit collar. Ashley felt light as a feather like he could leap into the air and join the birds that had started their migration southward.

But I think I'd rather stay here.

🍴🍰🍫☕🍹🍴

As Ashley turned towards the rink, ice skates in hand, he took in the scene around him. It was a beautiful night, and even though there were no stars dotting the night sky the City's lights made up for it.

"Ashley!" He glanced up and waved at Bella as made her way towards them, hand in hand with a tall, willowy blonde girl with round glasses perched on her nose. She was wearing a graphic T-shirt with a picture of the death star mid-explosion.

He waved then walked over to the edge of the rink as she skated towards him with the blond. "Thank you so much, Bella. Today's just been... amazing."

"I'm glad you're having fun." She grinned then turned to the blond girl next to her. "Ashley, Ethan, this is Matilda. Matilda; Ashley, Ethan." She gestured to each of them in turn.

"Hello." Ashley sent her a small wave, and she gave him a shy, reserved grin in return.

"Well, we'll leave the two of you to your night." She twirled away with a wink, skating with Matilda towards the other end of the rink.

Ashley perched on a free spot on the bench next to Ethan, sliding out of his pumps and into a pair of sparkly red ice-skates.

"Have you ever skated before?" Ethan asked him as he waited for Ashley to tie the bow for his skates.

"Yeah. Bella and I used to come here anytime I was off work," Ashley said, as he tied up his bow and got to his feet. "Have you?"

"Yeah, but not in a while. I'm sure I can pick it up again."

How difficult could it possibly be?