Reagan Cooper

“That sounds like a plan to me.” He smiled and kissed her softly. “Let me just get changed and we can get out of here. Uh probably not til later, they’re both working but we may be able to catch them for dinner.” He rummaged through his bag to find a more comfortable t-shirt and a better sweater, pulling them both on before he turned to her. “Alright, let’s bundle up and get out of here, we can take my dad’s car cause he took a cab this morning.” He took her hand, smiling as he led her down to the car, excited to finally show her around again. He pulled out quickly, turning up the heat and holding his hand as he drove. “How are you feeling?”

Reagan looked at him and let out a soft giggle that escaped her pink lips. “You look cute all bundled up like that.” She told him her gloved hand finding his. “We should take some pictures everything looks so beautiful covered in snow and ice.” She told him as they walked to the car. The heat in the car was welcomed as Reagan rubbed her gloved hands together up against the heat. “I’m feeling great. I’m glad i’m here with you right now, thank you for inviting me.” She smiled up at him. For the first time in what felt like a really long time Reagan was genuinely happy.” 

He nodded as she pointed out the picture, smiling softly. Last time he had been here he had watched Lila looked at the photo several times and as much as he felt bad to admit it, he was happy he kept the photo. And happy that this time around he was with Reagan. He slid his arms around Reagan’s waist and kissed the back of her neck. “Yep, that’s you. It’s from the summer you came to Chicago. I put it up right after you flew home. Man I missed you so much. That summer was the best.” He kissed her cheek before shrugging off his jacket and putting their bags in his closet so they could unpack later. 

“What are in the mood for? Want to just chill here and sleep off the jet lag for a little bit? We can order food, watch a movie, avoid the cold as much as we can.” He sat on the edge of the bed, “We’re on break, we can do anything we want.”

Reagan leaned into his touch. She loved him more than words could express and she was beyond grateful that they were given another chance. Reagan wasn’t going to back down or be silly enough to let him go, this was it, she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. “Suppose we could.” She mused her mind still preoccupied with looking through his things and photos. “I’d love to see the city, we should go for hot chocolate somewhere, you can show me your favourite places....then we can come back and watch a movie and crash - what time are your parents supposed to be back?” 

“Yes, yes she will. She’s really excited to see you.” He smiled as adjusted the strap on his backpack before grabbing his bag and hers. “I’m glad you let me talk you into bringing that coat because it is going to be a cold Christmas.” He smiled at her as they got outside and spotted his sister waiting for them across the street. He led her over and was pulled into a hug that he was happy to be in. He smiled as Natalie hugged Reagan as well and helped them put their bags in the care before pushing them inside. Aaron let Reagan sit in the front while he got settled in the back.

He reached up and squeezed Reagan’s shoulder before sitting back and letting Natalie catch them up on her life. He was so happy to have them both in the same car. He was glad that for the time being his family wasn’t home and he’d be able to show Reagan around by himself. He was quick in taking their bags upstairs as Natalie dropped them off. He pulled her through the apartment, smiling over at her. “Welcome to my humble abode,” he said with a laugh. He pushed open the door to his old bedroom and pulled her in. “Here it is, in all it’s glory.”

Aaron wasn’t lying it was cold and snowy and definite contrast to Georgia. Reagan rubbed her shoulders and tightened the jacket she wore around her. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the cold, even when she was at Charlton it was difficult to be out longer than running from one class to the other. Reagan smiled when she saw Natalie, giving the older girl a hug. It felt nice, Aaron had family and family meant a lot to Reagan who barely had any. She chatted with Natalie the entire drive until it was just her and Aaron, Aaron giving her the grand tour of his family’s apartment. It was a nice place and Reagan tried to take it all in at once as he strolled through the house with her. She couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips when she entered his old bedroom. Everything about it screamed Aaron, right down to the bedspread. She turned towards him. “Nice.” She laughed lightly. “So....this is where little Aaron grew up.” She said her eyes still wandering around the room looking at the decor on the walls, his desk and all the pictures. “Hey....that’s me.” She said pointing to a picture of the two of them. She couldn’t help but wonder how Lila must have felt feeling her presence even here. 

Aaron hadn’t ever really been a fan of the holidays. It always meant being around his family more and that was something that made him nervous. But this time around, with Reagan right beside him on the plane, he couldn’t remember a time when he was more happy. The initial shock of the fact that they were back together again had finally started to wear off. He had become less nervous and more willing to get used to the fact that he was waking up to her every morning. Every night they slept together or walked around campus with each other, it finally settled in him that this was real, and they were happy. The night before had been spent double checking on packing, making plans for where they were gonna go in Chicago and listening to her tell him stories about home. 

He couldn’t contain his excitement once they were on the plane and he held onto her hand tightly as they took off. Throughout the flight he kept his head on her shoulder, leaning up now and then to kiss her cheek. After a nap, he woke up as they were about to land and he couldn’t contain his smile. As the plane pulled in he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “Welcome to Chicago, baby.”