Just this once okay?

"I'm listening." Ethan moaned slightly as he dipped himself in the bathtub. His muscles had been aching from all the induced tension that came from driving. He had his phone with him. It rang.

It was Andrew.

"I hope you arrived safely Sir."

"I did. How is she?" Ethan's mind had been on Roxanne. The thoughts were probably part of the things that made him feel tense. Would she hate him for leaving her?

"She's doing fine. The checkup went well. The doctor said she's making progress. Her memories might return at any point now."

"That's good to hear." Ethan unconsciously smiled. He let out a breath. She was alright. Why did that bring calm to his turbulence?

"And Maria? Is she well Sir?"

"She is." Ethan paused, "Call me if anything happens." He ended the call.

He soaked even deeper into the tub. The warm water felt like paradise. Ethan enjoyed the silence. Just him and his intrusive thoughts.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

Ethan groaned, "Who is it?"

"It's me."

"Do you need something?"

She fidgeted, "No i just wanted to ask. If you're done maybe we could go for a walk?" Maria paused. She needed more information to convince him, "It's a beautiful night. And it's been a while..."

"N.-" Ethan reconsidered. It was the least he could do, "Fine. When I'm done."

"Thanks!" Maria squealed. She clapped in excitement. "Can't wait."

******

******

"This again?!" Ethan lamented, his face darkening once again he was waiting for Maria. He stood at the foot of the staircase, his gaze fixed on his watch.

Five more minutes had passed, no sign of her.

"I'm ready!" Maria yelled as she ran down the stairs. She increased her pace to match Ethan who already started walking without her.

Maria eventually caught up with Ethan, but that was after they were already outside.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" Maria asked, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. She and Ethan walked side by side in the garden. Though It was a chilly night, Maria had intentionally left her sweater inside the house.

"Yea it is." Ethan responded while pulling at his clothes.

Maria nodded. "It's a good night for lovers."

Ethan's face darkened even more.

Resisting the urge to reprimand her, he asked, "Why didn't you bring a sweater? You know it's cold outside." Though his face was straight, his voice was warm.

"Um..." Maria struggled to hide her smile. "I was rushing i forgot." She held unto herself, "It is cold though."

Ethan sighed.

"Here." He took off his sweater and draped it over her shoulders. "Why are you smiling like that?" Ethan asked, made curious by her behaviour. A second ago she was complaining of the cold, now she was smiling brightly as if in warm sunlight.

"It's been a while since we've walked together." She reminisced. The last time they had been together like this was a year ago, when Ethan had newly proposed to her.

"Yea. It has."

"Why don't we do something fun?"

"Like?"

"Um... Hold hands?"

"..."

How is holding hands fun? Ethan questioned himself. He relaxed his shoulders and with a firm tone he said. "No."

Maria's face dampened.

"Please? We have never.-"

"That's why we shouldn't start now. We're already married." Ethan reminded her. He only agreed to come out here in the middle of the night because he needed to clear his head. Holding hands wasn't part of the deal. Sure it wasn't a big deal, he just didn't want to.

"Technically we aren't married..." Maria muttered. Her mood getting worse.

"..." Ethan thought for a moment. Actually she was right, they weren't married. Maria had switched places with Roxanne. It was because of her that he was with Roxanne.

He felt guilty.

Maria wanted nothing more that to get married to him, and he couldn't give her that. He was the one who first approached her. If he hadn't gone back and asked for her hand in marriage, non of this would have happened. She would have long forgotten about their first encounter and eventually moved on.

He complicated her life the moment he met her again.

These facts pilled up in Ethan's mind. He was guilt tripped.

He sighed looking once more to Maria's disappointed face. His conscience whipped him hard.

"Just this once." He pulled on Maria's hand, taking her by surprise. He interlocked their fingers and proceeded to stroke Maria's hair.

"What?" Maria's eyes widened in an instant. She felt a lot of things. She was shocked, overwhelmed, pleased but still weary.

Ethan smiled slightly, "What?"

"Nothing." She blushed.

The pair continued their walk, talking and arguing over many issues. It was like they didn't agree on anything. Either way though, Maria couldn't be happier.

She rested her head on his arm as they walked further into the garden.