Preperation

Everything has been perfect, what could go wrong on the night of their daughters first birthday?

Aiden Hastings walks out of his shower, a blue towel draped around his waist, water dripping down from his well formed chest. Looking around the steam filled robin egg bathroom a tall mirror stands against the North wall, parallel to the glassed in shower. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices the white lab coat hanging in the corner by the door to his left. Approaching the mirror infront of him, Aiden runs his hands through his wet short brown hair, his light blue eyes stare at him from the refection before walking out the door and into the master suite. He goes to his closet and grabs his clothes to quickly changes, oblivious to the vibrant blue eyes watching him. 

“Good morning Love, did you sleep well?,”

Aiden gave a startled jump before turning around, trying to gain back his composure, while a small smile plays on his lips. He turns fast and leaps forward onto the bed, on top of the mystery speaker.

“Aiden! Stop it you're going to hurt me! That tickles!” the voice giggled and yelled, as it's body sprawls its arms and legs trying to get the 6'2 , 210 pound man pinned on top of her, off. 

“Say the magic word!” Aiden whispers with a smirk as he starts kissing his wife ,bringing his hands to her sides.. “You do know the magic word don't you Leila?” 

“You're going to be late grabbing the cake Dork!” she screamed, through her laughing fit, finally managing to get the upper hand and pushing her husband off of her.

Aiden looks at his wife and smiles. His eyes checking out every inch of her. Even though she just woke up, she was beautiful, not that she would ever believe him. Leila stood up, and walked towards the closet for clothing, while Aiden's eyes follow her. Leila's chocolate brown hair reached the middle of her back, and her pale ivory skin contrasted with her hair, making her much more beautiful to him. He watches her undress in front of the closet mirror from her light green nightgown, and into her black jeans and royal blue blouse. Although her body was slim, with curves in the right places, Aiden's eyes were focused elsewhere. The most attractive thing about his wife, in his eyes, was her face. Leila's bright blue eyes always put him in awe, her features were unimaginable, from her small nose, to the freckles on her face that she hated so much. And when she blushed... They'd been together for nine years, but that blush still got to him. 

It felt like seconds he was staring in awe, but it was more than that. It wasn't until Aiden looked at his watch that he noticed that twenty-three minutes had past since she had gotten up. Quickly and graciously Aiden kissed his wife goodbye before dashing out of the bedroom, down the hall, and into the nursery. Giggles filled the room, as his daughter caught site of him. Delilah's blue eyes staring him down as she reached for him. Aiden smiled at his daughter and picked her up. He held her close, rocking her and started planting kisses on her brown haired head.

 

One hour later

The steam rises to the ceiling as hot water is being drawn to the bath. The mirror is fogged up, and Leila lays her towels on the counter. Her brown hair up in a messy bun, she takes her robe off, and sits on the edge of the tub, pouring in her vanilla bubble bath. Bracing herself for the heat, she dips in her toe before fully plunging in, exhaling as she gets used to bath.

As she soaks, she puts in one earbud, turning on her iPod and putting on her favourite song. She closes her eyes and sings her heart out, thinking back to her wedding day. A smile playing on her lips as memories flood back. 

Clink

The sound of a wine glass hitting the porcelain tub made Leila jump. Leila turns pink with embarrassment as her husband chuckles and gives her a kiss. She had been off in her own world, and she hadn't even noticed he had returned home. 

Smiling to herself, Leila sits up in her bath, and grabs the wine glass curiously. White wine. It was only during nights of celebration did Aiden choose to drink white wine, it was always red with dinner. Trying to come up with any possible celebrations or events, Leila's mind came up blank. Curiously, and confusingly, Leila c***s an eyebrow at her too happy husband. 

“White wine? What do I owe such a pleasure?” she questions jokingly, still eyeing down the glass in her hand. 

Leila watches Aiden shake his head laughing, “There's no impressing you women, is there? I thought it would be nice to have a pre celebration drink!.”

Leaping out of the tub and into her husbands arms, Leila screams “You're serious? We have to get ready though!”

“We are the hosts, we can't be late for a party that's in our own house when we are currently at home.” 

Leila stared at her messy haired husband like he was insane, “That makes sense, but it makes complicated sense." she stuck out her tongue, and continued, "You must be losing it with old age"

"Old huh? We'll see about that," Aiden spoke softly in her ear as he started tickling her again. Not too long after he had started the tickle war though, did the Hastings maid buzz him from downstairs.

“Hello Mr Hastings! I'm sorry to bother you, but the guests are to be arriving soon!” came the quirky voice from the box by his door.

“Let them in as they arrive. I'll be right down.". 

A beep was heard and the call ended. Aiden sighed, and went to kiss his wife. She was pale, and a look of fear had been struck across her face. Aiden took her hands into his, and looked into her blue eyes with his own. She stared right through him, mouth ajar.  

Thats when Aiden felt the barrel against his skull.