The sun would rise

As much as he hoped it wouldnt the morning sun began to light up the bedroom where he still lay in bed with her

She would sleep

She would sleep soundly and peacefully knowing he was by her side

Ned would take those few minutes before he woke her to memorize her lips and her shoulders her breasts the curves of her hip everything about her that had changed and that was exactly the same

Ned gave her hair the slightest touch as he wiped it away from her face

Her eyes began to flutter and she quickly smiled at the first sight of him

"Good morning" he said as the dimples appeared on his cheeks

She reached up to touch his stubbled face to her soft hands

"Good morning"

She lay there for a moment seemingly in a daze and then leaned over Ned looking at the clock

Her smile quickly faded from her face

"A few more hours" Ned said catching her eyes as he watched her

He knew the time, he knew exactly how long he had left with her

She placed her finger across his lips

Both were soft to the touch

Tears welled in her eyes

And he knew exactly the way it felt

He slid his hand down her back letting the sheet fall from around her

He adored the sight of her skin

Ned then sat up behind her, he rested his chin at her shoulder

A room full of silence but there were a million words between them

"I didnt know it would hurt this much," she said letting her cheek press against him as if she were trying to console

Her deep breath accepted reality

"Shower?"

Her question was sweet and still seductive

He followed her out of bed

His hands would touch every place water would fall down her body

And there was no space between

Neither wanted to let go

Neither wanted to feel the way it felt without the other

They made love again for the last time

He held her bags

He held her hand standing there in the airport

4 days 3 nights

It had been easy o fall back in love

Tension had mounted

She had a first class ticket

She would try to board last

She wondered was this kind of pain evident to the naked eye

"Final boarding call for flight 537 from Port Charles to New Your City"

"Well I guess this is it"

Game plan

She would say a quick goodbye

She would kiss him instantly

She would walk away

"Bye Ned Ashton"

He tried to swallow the lump in his throat

"Goodbye Alexis Davis"

She turned around

Tears falling down her face

And she walked away from him

Handing the attendant her ticket and not looking back

"Just say you love me!"

His voice seemed to echo

Everyone stared

She turned to see his lips still parted from what he had just said

She didnt look at him horrified, she looked at him heartbroken

"You know I love you"

"Then why are we doing this to ourselves?"

"Because sometimes we cant have everything because we cant live in both worlds"

"What if I dont want to live in both worlds? What if I want to live in just one what if all I want is for your world to be mine?"

"Ned we have lives"

She would now be the queen of rationality

"Its not a life without you Ill move to the city"

"Im sorry to interrupt but were closing the gate"

Ned and Alexis both acknowledged the attendant

"Its your choice"

"I have my daughter"

"Alexis shes our daughter"

"Ned youre asking me to"

"Alexis Im only asking you to choose to have it all"

The world suddenly revolved in slow motion

"Youd give up everything for me?"

"Yes"

"I dont deserve you, please"

"Maam?"

Alexis turned to the attendant

"Were closing the gate"

"Im so sorry I cant, I cant go"

The attendant seemed to let out a shy smile satisfied by her answer, after witnessing the conversation

"Call Kristina and tell her youll be home in time to tuck her in tonight"

"Just like that youre going to drop everything and go back to the city with me?"

"Thats the new plan"

"Are you sure? Ned you know me and you know"

"Alexis I love you"

His words stunned her

But then she smiled

"I love you too"