I stayed by my mother's bedside softly crying while holding her hand. She was still warm, but I knew that warmth would slowly fade away. One of the nurse's came to my side and told me that I had to leave, so that they could prepare to move her body to a morgue. I reluctantly got up and nodded. I walked out to the hall to see Aiden on the phone. Once he saw me he ended his call and walked towards me.

"Christina what happened," Aiden asked with a worried expression. I tried to fight back the tears forming in my eyes but I couldn't.

"She's gone," I said between sobs.

Aiden's face sunk as he brought me in for a comforting hug. "I'm so sorry Christina."

Aiden's warm embrace made me unleash all my tears at once. I must have cried for twenty minutes straight but yet he never moved. He had let me get out every emotion I felt right there and then. After I had calmed down a bit, I pulled away from Aiden a little embarrassed that I had completely ruined his shirt.

"I'm sorry about your shirt." 

"It's okay trust me. I'm more concerned about you."

I gave Aiden a smile before turning around, "thank you but you don't have to worry about me. I don't expect you to."

"I know that, but I can't help but worry about you especially at a time like this. I don't think you should go back to the Anderson's today. There are too many people in that house, and right now I think it's best if you have time to gather your thoughts and find the best way to tell everyone."

I turned back to face him with a pained smile. Aiden was right if I were to go back home right now everyone would just ask me how my date with Aiden went, and I would without a doubt break down in tears.

"I guess you're right, but where am I supposed to go tonight?"

"I have a condo nearby which I use whenever I have business in Jersey. We could crash there for the night that is if you want to?"

"Sure I'll take you up on that offer."

Before I leave the hospice, I have to sign a certificate of death for my mother. Putting my signature on the paper made me realize completely that she is gone, and this is my new found reality. After I signed the certificate I sobbed some more as Aiden put his arm around me and led me out the door.

He opened the car door for me and I got in. He was so understanding and the perfect gentleman tonight. When he got in the car I couldn't help but feel horrible about how the night ended, especially because he isn't really close to me.

"Look Aiden, I'm sorry about ton...."

"Christina you have nothing to be sorry for. The only thing I wish is that you stay strong. What you are feeling right now I never experienced, so I don't know what to say or what to do to make you feel better."

"I think you're doing just enough." He gave me a small smile as we rode in silence for the remainder of the trip back to his condo.

His condo had a modern look and sophisticated feel to it.

"Nice place," I say withdrawn. I wasn't used to going home with men and after tonight's events I was extremely cautious.

"Thanks, there's a room down that hall with a shower feel free to use anything you like."

I nod my head and smile in appreciation. "Thank you Aiden for everything."

"No problem, I'll see you in the morning okay."

I nod my head once more before walking down the opposite hallway. The room was white and extremely neat. I put my bag on the bed and went into the bathroom to run a bath. When I walked back out I saw Aiden placing a change of clothes on the bed.

"I brought you some of my clothes in case you want to change."

"Thanks." He nods his head and leaves.

I change and get into my hot bath to relax my nerves. I try to focus on how I'm going to break the news to Mrs. Anderson, but her last words, "Te amo," keep playing in my head. I begin crying softly to myself. After soaking for thirty minutes, the water has gotten cold so I get out and dry myself off. I walk back into the bedroom and put on the clothes Aiden has left me. His scent encompasses me and I feel a sense of warmth and comfort. I get into the bed and pull out my phone to see that I have missed calls from April and a text message from Jason.

"Christina we all are worried about you where are you? Call me back as soon as you can."

Sorry Jason I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone or see anyone for that matter. I go through my photos looking at all the pictures I took with my mother. I will never forget how hard she worked for me to succeed, or that beautiful radiant smile. One last tear escapes my eye and I fall asleep.

In the morning I am woken up by the smell of eggs and bacon. I crawl out of bed and find Aiden in the kitchen.

"Good morning how are you feeling," he asks with a genuine look of concern.

"Like crap," I say as I take a seat at the breakfast nook.

"Look if you don't want to go back this morning or afternoon, we could hang out here."

"No Aiden, I appreciate all you have done for me, but I can't let you miss out on work because of me. You don't have to look after me. You don't have to feel like you're responsible for me."

"I know that but in your current state of mind I can't help but feel like I have to make sure you are alright."

"Fine, and yeah I would rather wait until dinner to go home."

He puts eggs and bacon with a slice of toast on a plate and hands it to me with a cup of coffee.

"Thanks," I say smiling.

After breakfast, I curl up on the sofa and watch a movie while Aiden takes out his laptop and does some work from home. I can't help but feel like I'm a distraction for him, so I end up heading back to my room. I check my phone and see that I have three new missed calls and a text message from April.

"Christina Mrs. Anderson is really worried please give me a call as soon as possible."

I let out a sigh and change back into my clothes. I head back out to the living room and Aiden looks up at me surprised.

"What's wrong Christina?"

"I have to get going. Everyone back at the house is beginning to worry about me.

"Okay let me change first."

I sit waiting patiently for Aiden to get ready. He grabs his keys and jacket and we head out. As we drive back to the Anderson residence, he asks me how I'm going to break the news.

"So what do you plan on doing?"

"I have no idea Aiden. I'm so afraid of how Mrs. Anderson will take the news, she and my mother were really good friends." Aiden parks the car in the driveway, and I take a deep breath before opening the door. I get my house keys and unlock the doors only to be met with a screaming April.

"Christina!!! Thank god you're alright I was worried sick."

"April I'm fine, where is Mrs. Anderson?"

"She's in her study." April looks over my shoulder to see Aiden standing behind me. She gets a huge smile on her face, and I see Jason emerge from the kitchen. His eyes pass me and go straight for Aiden. I ignore Jason's pettiness and come further into the house so that Aiden can come all the way in.

I begin to shake and Aiden takes my hand trying to reassure me. We walk down to Mrs. Anderson's office, and knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Oh Christina thank goodness, when everyone told me that you didn't return last night I was worried sick."

"I'm sorry," I say beginning to cry. "I didn't mean for you to worry."

Aiden walks in behind me and Mrs. Anderson's face turns to a look of surprise. "Aiden what are you doing here?"

"Sorry Mrs. Anderson I'm the reason Christina did not return last night."

"Really?"

"Yes, and I think you might want to have a seat for what she is about to tell you."

"Christina now I'm really worried, what's going on?"

I begin to break down again, and Aiden rubs my back for support.

"Mrs. Anderson my mother is gone..."