Vicki was finding that being in love was a double edge sword. She was never happier than knowing that Aaron loved her too. Every time they were together it made her fall deeper in love. Because of this their time was precious. They made every moment count, as hours seemed like minutes. When he was unable to get free, every minute was like an hour as she longed for his return. Knowing that he might never return was something she tried to keep from her thoughts.
She also discovered that it was easier to give her heart to Aaron than it was to give her body. It wasn't that she was embarrassed of it. No, that wasn't the problem. Of course she knew it wasn't perfect. She wouldn't have minded if her breasts were a little bigger but overall she knew men found her attractive. No that wasn't the problem. No she was afraid that she would disappoint Aaron.
When she married Robin she was a virgin, completely unsure of the act of lovemaking. She was open and willingly to learn and expected him to teach her. Most of all to be patient with her. In the beginning of the marriage, Robin was but as the months went on he seemed to change. Perhaps he grew tired of being patient and expected more of her. She tried but the harder she tried, the more times ended in disappointment. She blamed herself and Robin did nothing to ease her guilt. They continued to make love but the occasions grew less and less.
Now when she was with Aaron, her body responded in ways she never experienced. When he left, it took a while for her to calm down. The last time she ran her hands over her body, touching herself, imagining that his hands, his mouth, were there.
She was sure that Aaron would be different but still there was that doubt. What if it was her and it drove him away? Either way the time was fast approaching.
Aaron told her that he was due a three-day pass soon and he wanted to go to London. He asked her to go with him. Her first reaction was to say no but she quickly changed her mind. Yes, she said, not concerned about what others would say.
Aaron tried to make it clear that he didn't expect anything but she knew that he wanted to take their love to that next level. He wasn't going to pressure her into any thing she didn't want to do.
He knocked on her door early that morning.
"Ready to go?" he asked as she came to door.
How could she tell him she had been ready for two days? She gave him a quick kiss. "Ready."
She kissed her mother on the cheek and headed for train station.
They had their own compartment on the train and as soon as they were out of sight, Aaron kissed her. A hard, deep, passionate kiss that Vicki's mouth yielded to. It was one she longed for.
"Aaron," she said, "Slow down. We have three days."
"And three nights. It doesn't seem long enough."
"There is one question I have been itching to ask you," he said.
Vicki tensed, hoping it wasn't that question. "Go ahead."
"Why does everyone in town treat you and mother with such politeness? Almost like you were titled?
Vicki laughed, "It's a long story but we have time. Besides I know so much about you and you never pried about me."
"I figured you would tell in time."
"My father was in a family owned business that did quite well before, during, and after the Great War. He met mother just before he went to France and they married in 1916. They had a son, Harold, my brother, soon after that. He died from the flu in 1919."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Aaron said.
"I was born in 1920, perhaps as a replacement. Whatever, I guess you could say my parents spoiled me. Maybe they were over protective. We traveled in all the right circles, met all the right people. Then in 1930, the business went under. Father sold it and our house for what he could get. We returned to Duckworth to live in my mother's family home, the one we live in now."
"Go on." Aaron wanted to hear more.
"It didn't take Father long to use what connections he had left. He ran for Parliament and won. He was more than a backbencher. Soon he was in the know with Baldwin and Chamberlain. Through it all, I still got to go to the right parties. That is where I met Robin, my husband."
"That explains some things but..."Aaron urged her to continue.
"My father was very well liked by the people he represented. He did all he could to help, rich or poor, old or young. When he died in '39, it was the biggest funeral ever in Duckworth. The people still respect him and so treat us that way."
"Well, I guess I'm with someone who is pretty special. I better be carefully."
Vicki looped her arm through his and pulled herself close. "Yes, you should but not too careful." She kissed him and then rested her head on his shoulder.
