Lost

Eleven.

Two Years Ago

I grinned and looked up from my laptop when I heard the door open. In walked my extremely handsome fiancé and he returned my smile with an equally massive one of his own.

"I love when you look at me like that."

"Who said I was looking at you and not the Chinese food in your hand?" I teased.

He rolled his eyes and made his way to the kitchen. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. I figured I should dress as nice as possible today."

"Meetings?"

"Yeah. In person and virtual. I've been crazy busy." I stood and walked over to the kitchen counter, watching as he got everything we would need. "I like having you home for dinner."

He turned, a smaller smile on his face. "Me too."

I couldn't help but grin and felt like maybe I was blushing a little bit too. "I was thinking..."

His brow raised slightly as he handed me a plate and a fork and my food. "What about?"

"Our honeymoon destination. We've planned the wedding to perfection, but we haven't talked about where we want to go."

"You have a place in mind."

I bit my lip and nodded.

"Where?"

"Okay, here me out..." He went still. "What if we went to your country?"

"Aston–"

"I know, I know. You don't want to see your family and I hear you. I'm really trying to be better at respecting that, but... it bugs me that I don't know anything about you. You've never even mentioned where you grew up and I can't figure it out because you don't speak with an accent of any kind, so I think this could be a really good opportunity to show me. I want to know. And I promise this has nothing to do with you're family. I'm not asking for an introduction or a reconciliation, just that you show me a part of you."

"I don't think so."

"Just a quick in and out. They won't even know we're there!"

His hands touched mine, stopping me from dumping anymore rice on my plate and even taking it to put some back. I accidentally emptied 3/4 of it onto my plate. "Just ask me what you want to know."

I frowned. "I have, Max. You've dismissed me and even sometimes ignored me completely. You won't discuss it."

"Where I'm from isn't nearly as important as who I am. It has nothing to do with the man standing before you."

"I think you're lying."

"We both left home at eighteen, does growing up in Michigan really have a big influence on you? Has it made you who you are?"

"Yes. Growing up where I did is what made me want to leave, but I don't hate it. I go home every chance I get, because there are a lot of good parts. I have so many amazing memories and I'm sure you have some too. I want you to share them with me."

He pulled me around the counter and against his chest. "Ask me."

"Fine. Where are you from?"

"Nova Scotia."

"It took you this long to tell me you're from Canada? Are you kidding?"