This is what utter, pure contentedness felt like, Andrew thought as Aurora's head lay on his lap, fast asleep, and London snuggled by his side, her face resting on his shoulder as her eyes watched the television intensely.

Andrew's coffee date with London went well. The air was charged with tension when they met up at the cafe but once they settled in, five minutes into their coffee date, the both of them were laughing. He had been so engaged that night that time slipped away from him. It was only when his phone rang that he realised almost three hours had passed since they came in.

It had been Aurora on the phone, asking how his date was going and when he'll be home. He hadn't wanted to leave the cafe but he had to. He had to tuck his daughter into bed and make her call Talia. After calling the babysitter and telling her he'd be home in half an hour, he turned back to London and insisted he drop her off.

He wanted to kiss her when they got to her doorstep and he could feel that she was expecting it. He held himself back, giving her a hug. He could tell she wanted more but there was no disappointment in her eyes.

He was dying to ask her out officially.

The second date was even better. Because he couldn't cook, he took London and Aurora out to a pizzeria. Nothing fancy. He wanted something homey and this restaurant was perfect. Aurora and London hit it off like the last ten months hadn't happened. They returned back to his place and started watching a movie. Aurora fell asleep halfway, her head resting on his lap, and London watched the movie like it was the most interesting one she'd ever watched.

"I find this movie boring but you seem hooked," Andrew teased, fully aware that London was only that attentive because she was aware that Aurora was asleep and that they were alone for the first time that night. The air around them was certainly charged.

She lifted her head and looked at him, her lips quirking into a smile. "You caught me," she said, "The movie is boring. Even Aurora fell asleep."

Andrew glanced down at his daughter and then back at London. "I'll go put in her bed. You can grab a bottle of red in the kitchen. It's still in the same place."

She held his eyes and then breathed, nodding. "Um, yeah, sure."

They both got up at the same time and walked out of the living room. They parted ways as London headed to the kitchen and Andrew down the corridor to Aurora's room. Once he was inside her room he rushed to tuck her into bed that he accidentally woke her up as he released her from his arms and onto the bed.

"Ba," Aurora said groggily.

Trying not to curse under his breath, he said, "Yeah?"

"You're not going to read me a goodnight story tonight, are you?" she asked through half-lidded eyes.

His heart softened and he smoothened a hand over her hair. "I can if you want me too."

"It's okay," she said, turning her head to fit comfortably against the pillow, her eyes closing shut. Andrew tucked the covers around her to make her feel warmer. "I'm already sleepy. Ba?"

"Yes, princess?"

"I'm happy London's back."

Andrew smiled. "I'm happy she's back, too," he whispered, leaning down to brush a goodnight kiss against his daughter's forehead.

When he returned back to the living room, London had poured him a glass and his sat on a coaster as she sipped at hers leisurely.

He settled into his seat, taking his glass and sipping at it. "Tonight was wonderful. I miss doing this. Dates, spending time with you. And Aurora," he added with a chuckle.

"I had a lovely evening as well," she agreed, inching closer to him. "It's different. It feels different but I like it. Better even."

"I could toast to that," he said, raising his glass.

She laughed, raising hers as well. "Here's to a new beginning, to our future. Wei jiankang ganbei," she said, a smile on her lips and his lips reflected with the thought that she remembered what he taught her on their first date. 

"Gainbei," he echoed, his heart warming. 

They clinked glasses and drank.

"Speaking of beginnings, how are things with Talia?" she asked.

His good mood was ruined at the mention of her name. Fighting off a frown, he said, "Talia loves working on my every last nerve but I am worried about her. Ever since she gave up on trying to win custody, making my win easier, she's been distant. I talked to Simon about it and he says she's just sad that Aurora is not with her. She's been going to therapy which I'm glad for."

His finger rimmed the glass, swirling the red rich liquid inside in slow motions. "Simon tells me that she's doing good. She's better than she's ever been here in Porte Orlands and starting a new life in Ipswich is working out for her. I know there's more he can tell me but I don't want to feel like invading in their business. He once had to choose between me and Talia and I guess he really loves Talia if he chose her, drama and all."

London chuckled. "Does that mean you forgive him?"

He nodded, smiling lightly down at her. "I forgive Simon. He was following his heart. But his heart cost our friendship. It still hurts that he wasn't man enough to tell me that he had feelings for Talia. Cheating is unacceptable."

London nodded, her hand sliding over his. "No mater how justified the feelings are, cheating should never be a way to get what you want. But I'm proud you were able to forgive him. You were always the bigger man."

His soft smile turned into a smirk, his eyes twinkling. "I'm bigger in other aspects too. You know it."

"Andrew!" she exclaimed, laughing as she hit his chest. Her cheeks looked pinker and he felt satisfied for being the one causing her to blush.

He caught her wrist, keeping her hand against his chest. His smile fell as her fingers splayed over his heart, the thud-thud of his rapidly beating heart felt beneath her fingertips.

"London," he whispered.

"There you go again," she said with a small smile. "Saying my name as if that's enough to say what's on your mind."

"Why London?" he quizzed, tilting his head to the side, the distance between them reducing. "Why the name London?"

"Didn't I tell you the story?" she asked, looking him in the eyes. She couldn't rip her eyes away even if she wanted to. When he shook his head, she smiled.

"Well, my parents named me London because that's where I was born. Very original, I know," she laughed, the tone in her voice nostalgic. "Gwen was born in Manchester, where my grandparents live. My mum was pregnant with me when they decided to move to London after my dad got this amazing job offer and a few months after the move, I was conceived in London."

"Wow," he said. He liked hearing this story, that there was a deep meaning behind her name.

"How about you?" she asked, curling her legs on the couch, her knees brushing his thighs. His hand still held onto her wrist, his heart rate slowed down but the proximity still made it beat differently. It always sang a different tune whenever London was in his presence.

"I don't know," he shrugged, looking down at her. "I never really asked. I'm not as close to my parents as I'd like to be. You know how overbearing they can be."

She laughed, surely thinking of what he was thinking — the family dinner they had with his parents. "They still love you and want what's best for you."

"They do," he agreed. "You know, when I told them that we broke up the first thing my mother said was what did you do, erzi? In the past if I ever broke up with my girlfriends she'd always say I deserve better or pin the fault on them but for the first time in for ever, she asked what I did wrong."

His grip on her wrist loosened but before her hand could fall away from his chest, he caught it, holding it between both his hands, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. He looked down at their hands, adjusting them so his fingers could slide against hers. The skin contact was making his heart go crazy and made his body feel hot. Hands entwined he felt complete, like his other half had finally been found.

Holding hands had never felt more intimate.

"Even Mama knew that I was the one that was at fault," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.

"No, Andrew," he heard her gentle voice before her other free hand touched the side of his face. He lifted his head as her left hand slid over his cheek, cupping one side of his face. His eyes met hers, a million different words exchanged in that one long glance. "You were not at fault. You needed more time than I did, but I wasn't going to wait for you."

"And I still admire that," he told her. "That you value yourself, that you prioritise yourself."

She averted her gaze down to their entwined hands. "Letting you go was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I couldn't imagine having another partner that would back me up through all the good times and the bad times as you would. I couldn't imagine having a partner that I could love as much as I loved you. As much as I think I still love you. It's been a while so I need a little more time to figure out if—"

He put a finger to her lips, letting go of her hand. The hand cupping his face fell away. "I know," he said with a smile. "Almost eleven months since our breakup and I know it's been a long time. We need more than just two dates to see how much we've changed, to see if we still fit for each other. I know."

His hands came up, cupping her face. "I'm glad you let me go. I didn't really appreciate it at the time but I do now. I've got most of my shit together, finally." They both laughed lightly and he rested his forehead against hers. Her eyes slid shut.

"If you love someone, you have to let them go," London whispered and he felt the words brush over his face, her breath tingling his lips.

"And trust that they come back to you," he finished for her. "I've come back, London, because I love you. And I never plan on letting go. I promise you this time."

Her eyes opened and she drew away. Wide eyes assessed him, like she couldn't believe her ears. He'd indirectly confessed his love earlier this week at the cemetery but this time he was straightforward.

"I love you, London Wan Liang."

A smile broke out on her lips and it was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen.

"I love you and I've come back," he effused, thumbs brushing both sides of her chin. "I want you back. If it's not too late, if you're still interested to see where this relationship could go, I'd love to for you to be my girlfriend."

Eyes glassy, she nodded. "Yes," she breathed, letting out a breathless laugh. "Yes, Andrew, yes!"

He smiled back at her, his arms instantly going around her to hug her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her body flush to him. He could feel her breathing tickle his neck, her lips a dangerous distance away from sensitive skin. She knew the spot below his ears was a weakness.

When her lips brushed his ears, he almost became putty. "Any plans of kissing me?" she asked, her breath hot against his ear.

She drew slightly away, their faces so close. He tilted his head, his hand cupping the base of her neck as he drew her even closer. Their lips a hair's breadth away, he whispered, "May I?"

"What are you waiting for, idiot?" she grinned and Andrew covered her smile with his lips. He felt her smile dissolving against his lips as her hands tugged at his hair, pulling his mouth closer to hers. His tongue swooped the bottom lip of hers but she simply smiled, denying him any entrance.

His hands reached for her waist, playing with the hem of her top before slipping underneath with ease. Hands on her skin, he teased, fingers gingerly brushing against her bare skin. The skin contact was driving him crazy as well. When his fingers reached upward, brushing against the upper side of her ribs, knowing well that was one of her weak spots, she let out a gasp. Victorious, he slid his tongue in, angling his head to kiss her deeper.

"Coy," she commented with an amused smile when they pulled apart, breathing heavily.

His eyes twinkled with mischief. Sliding a hand below her knees he swept her up in one smooth motion. She yelped, gripping his shoulder tight. Looking at him, she laughed.

"I could never get tired of this."

They managed to make it past Aurora's room quietly but once they got to his bedroom and the door shut, they simply couldn't keep their hands off each other. They unravelled each other as if it were the first time, as if they had the whole of eternity together. Later that night, when they'd gotten cleaned up and the passionate hot desire had dulled, they slept together, London cocooned against him.

He realised something then, right before sleep pulled him under, that even though love always hurt at some point in your life, it would always, no matter what, heal as well.

Love hurt, but it always healed.