Alexander had got used to pulling almost 24-hour shifts at the NYPD. God, sometimes he even crashed there overnight, just like any workaholic. But when he scored that promotion to lieutenant, he inherited a whole mess of new issues. All he could think about was how much he missed his woman⎯the one he barely caught a glimpse of before he passed out on his pillow every damned time.

He knew he had to fix everything immediately, without any hesitation, before it was too late. Even though his sweetheart didn't show that anything was wrong, he understood it all too well⎯she was feeling down.

Well, Richardson felt hella guilty. Alex loved her like crazy; she was his princess, his delicate flower, blooming in the concrete jungle of New York. So, he didn't vibe with this change in their relationship.

Maybe take a vacation to England?

His veiny hands rubbed his tired eyes, and he slammed the MacBook shut, putting it aside. Alex's bright blue eyes gazed out of the window, and they widened. Suddenly, he was distracted by the smell of amazing banana pancakes.

“What am I seein'?” Alexander snuck up on his lover, wrapping his arms around her in a bear hug.

As usual, she jumped at his light steps, so the kitchen filled with quiet, startled, girly yelps, followed by soft laughter. He nestled his nose into the crook of her neck, his fingers sliding over her ribs and her shivering tummy.

And Alex began muttering muffledly into her skin, his accent clearer than ever: “I didn't have the heart for the gym today. I think maybe ya could treat me tae somethin' nice instead?” She was probably the only one who noticed these British-Scottish notes, considering he had lived in America for over ten years.

She just smiled warmly, feeling his hot breath on her neck.

He took a deep whiff of her perfume⎯she always smelled amazing. It was impossible to focus with her around. Richardson, with extreme tenderness, turned her towards him, and a sneaky grin spread across his pale face. “Babe, how 'bout a trip to London for a week, eh?”