To Roxie's surprise, the entire concert looked even more breathtaking from where she was standing. Right before he very eyes; Roxie saw the concert in a whole new perspective. Obviously in the front was the stage with Gavin and his band mates, but what amazed Roxie even more was the audience. From left to right; Roxie saw all different types of people, ranging from age, gender, race and sexual orientation singing and dancing along to each song lyric Gavin was performing. Roxie was so in depth with everything that was happening around her. Every song Gavin performed moved Roxie deep down in her soul that she couldn't help but enjoy herself even more and more. Roxie was so into the concert that she even somehow convinced Nathan to join in on all the fun she was having at that moment during the concert.
After a while had passed, it was around the time Gavin was about to start performing the last song for the night. Nathan had a few more tricks up his sleeve for his and Roxie's midnight adventure. The only problem was that he needed some way to convince Roxie to get the two of them to leave the concert venue early.
"Hey; I think I just realized something." Nathan mentioned to Roxie.
"Really; and what might that be I wonder." Roxie laughed.
"Well; we both got a long ride back to the house and knowing how you always like to be punctual on some certain things, like me and the lands AND Cassie getting some rest before going to the recording studio; I think that it'd be a great idea to leave the concert early. What do you think about that?" Nathan explained. Roxie then thought carefully about Nathan's suggestion. Nathan was correct on some things like the long ride back to the house and how Roxie liked to be on time for certain tasks. But Roxie couldn't understand why Nathan was just mentioning this to her right now. If Nathan was so concerned about the trip back home, he could have mentioned his idea earlier to Roxie. Instead; Nathan wasn't that type of person and Roxie had to keep reminding herself that this whole "midnight adventure" to North London was Nathan's idea in the first place. So Roxie eventually agreed and the couple left the sound booth and started to walk back to the concert venue parking lot. As soon as they got to the parking lot; Roxie and Nathan headed straight to the motorbike and drove away, leaving the concert venue in the back of their minds.
As they were riding back to the band's house, Nathan decided to take the long "scenic" route back home. Nathan felt that if he wanted the night to end on a good note; he had to pull off all the stops in order to impress Roxie.
"I don't know about you, but all of that dancing we did earlier made me hungry. There's a 24 hour fish and chips shack in the city. Do you mind if we stop by for a little snack?" Nathan asked Roxie.
"Fine by me and I was just thinking the same thing." Roxie replied. So Nathan and Roxie continued on riding through London until they arrived at the little fish and chip shack.
As they were riding through the city; Nathan and Roxie would make short pit stops and explore down different alleyways and streets. Roxie really enjoyed the fact of exploring London with Nathan. Each pit stop was so unique and authentic that Roxie felt this genuine connection with each different location. What surprised Roxie even more was how the same genuine connection Roxie felt at each location was even more authentic to Nathan. Roxie could tell that each place that Nathan showed her had a very special place in his heart and it made Roxie have a lot more respect and admiration for not only just Nathan but for the kind of man Nathan was becoming. Before her very eyes; Roxie noticed that Nathan was becoming more than what she had imagined and surprisingly; Roxie was ok with this change in Nathan. It was as if Roxie was being the guiding light for not only the good of Fifth Avenue Square, but personally for Nathan.
After a while had passed; the couple had finally made it to the little 24 hour fish and chip shack. To Roxie's surprise, the shack had a little bit of a modern city look with a homestyle, comfort countryside vibe.
"Well, this is different." Roxie admitted.
"Different?" Nathan asked.
"I mean; sure it looks like a normal fish and chip shack, but from what I'm seeing you've got a combination of the modern city dining like Mavericks and the comfortable homemade style like The Smouldering Hog. It's basically the best of both world's!"
"You and the point of view on some of the food places that we've been at today; honestly, it's hilarious." Nathan chuckled.
"I'm a writer and people like me pay attention to all these little details. I can't help it!" Roxie replied. Nathan just shook his head and continued laughing while the couple kept walking over to the little shack.
As soon as the couple got to the little shack, Roxie couldn't help but recognize something that looked oddly familiar about the place where the fish and chip shack was located. To most people, the location of a certain restaurant, store or any business company wouldn't cause so much concern. With Roxie, however; any place that she visited, ate at, or just spent some time in was special and had some special memory that she kept in her heart forever. So when Roxie finally noticed where the little fish and chip shack was located; Roxie knew deep down that she had been near that area before.
"You feel ok?" Nathan asked her as he brought the food over to her.
"Huh-oh, yeah; I'm fine. It's just I finally realized that I actually have been here before." Roxie said.
"Really; you've been to this shack before?"
"Not exactly the restaurant, but the location. I think I might have walked by here when I first arrived here in the London," Roxie recalled. "Does that make sense?" she asked.
"Yeah it does. I mean you're just recalling an old memory. Anyone can do that; it's a common habit," Nathan told her. "Was there something that you wanted to do since we're over here?" he asked.
"Not something, more of seeing someone." Roxie admitted. Nathan raised his eyebrows and then Roxie got out of her chair and gestured to Nathan to follow her.
"Where are we going?" Nathan asked Roxie when he finally caught up to her.
"You'll see," Roxie giggled. The couple kept walking down the road and had made it to the main street intersection of the city. "I knew this street looked familiar to me and it's all thanks to that historic icon." Roxie added as she turned to face Nathan.
"Wait a minute; we ditched an amazing meal of fish and chips just to see Buckingham Palace?"
"No; it's not just for Buckingham Palace, which don't get me wrong, is very beautiful. I was hoping to run into this old man that assisted me on my first day here in London," Roxie stated. "I just hope he's still working so I could thank him for helping me that day." she added.
"Well, we won't know unless we find out right?" Nathan said as he offered Roxie his hand. Roxie smiled and took Nathan's hand and the couple walked towards Buckingham Palace. When Roxie and Nathan had made it to the gates of Buckingham Palace, Roxie went into the direction of where the shack was located. In less than 5 minutes, the couple found the shack and, to their surprise; it was still open.
"Wait a second; I know that shack!" Nathan stated.
"You do?"
"Yeah, my godfather works at that shack. I'm surprised that its still open though. He usually closes around 8." Nathan said. Nathan then started to walk over to his godfather's shack with Roxie following right behind him.
"Nathan; I changed my mind about all this. What if someone is trying to rob your godfather's shack? We both can't risk getting injured, or worse; getting killed." Roxie stated.
"Hey, look at me; everything is going to be just fine. I won't let anything happen to us; I promise." Nathan reassured her. Roxie silently nodded her head and the couple continued on carefully walking towards the shack. Once the couple had gotten closer to the shack, Nathan cautiously walked towards the back of the shack with Roxie right behind him. Nathan then quickly peaked to see what was behind the shack and, to his surprise; it was Nathan's godfather.
"Excuse me sir; do you need a hand with loading up all those magazines?" Nathan jokingly asked his godfather. The old man turned around and; the minute he saw Nathan, started laughing and gave Nathan a big hug.
"In all my years, I never thought I'd live to see the day my own godson decides to visit me old shack! This is a wonderful surprise, Nathan." the old man chuckled.
"It's nice to see you too Uncle Bertie. My problem is why are you out this late at night? Usually you'd be at home asleep already." Nathan said.
"Well; I was about to head home. I was just about ready to close up the ol' shack for the night. Now my question is why are you here? Last I heard you, young man; had another little run in with the coppers which lead you to be on house arrest."
"Well, I was on house arrest for about a month. And the main reason was because I believe you helped out a certain friend of mine around the same time I was on house arrest." Nathan explained. When Nathan stepped aside, Roxie then stepped forward and introduced herself.
"Hi; I don't know if you remember me, but my name is Roxie Rodriguez." Roxie said.
"Of course I remember you, Roxie! Let me tell you something; I may be an old British bloke, but when it comes to names and faces; I'm pretty good at remembering those two qualities." Bertie pointed out.
"Oh, good! I was worried you wouldn't recognize me. Anyway, I just wanted to come by and thank you for assisting me in trying to find The Smouldering Hog. If it wasn't for you; I would have never been able to meet this amazing young man and have possibly one of the best trips I've had in a long time." Roxie sighed with relief.
"Well; there's no need to thank me, my dear girl. I was just doing me job. Besides, I see my charming godson has been treating you very well." Bertie teased.
"He has; along with his family and band mates. Overall everyone that I have met on this trip has been treating me respectfully," Roxie admitted. "Anyway; I guess we should get going. We've got a long ride back to the house. It was nice to see you again Bertie." she added. Roxie and Nathan then said their farewells to Nathan's godfather and headed on back to the fish and chip shack.
Once Roxie and Nathan had returned to the fish and chip shack; the couple's order of fish and chips were ready for them to eat. To Roxie's surprise; her order of fish and chips were incredible. Roxie knew that fish and chips was another comfort food delicacy here in the UK so she wasn't expecting the meal to be similar to a meal from a five star restaurant. However, Roxie's mind was blown away yet again when the food was brought out to both Nathan and Roxie. First of all; the fish fillets were HUGE. Not to mention each fillet was heavily covered in batter and the chips has some parsley flakes sprinkled all around the plate. And as for the taste and quality of the meal; it was by far the best midnight snack Roxie had ever eaten in years.
"Gosh; that just hit the spot! Honestly, I think British quality comfort food is starting to become my all time favorite type of food to eat." Roxie stated.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Nathan replied as he gave Roxie her bike helmet. "Let's see; we should get back to the house in about 30-45 minutes. We still though have to go back to my aunt and uncle's pub to get the van, but I'm pretty sure either my aunt or uncle told Annie and Tom to drop it off at the house. Either way; it looks like its just us trying to get back to the house." he added.
"Sounds good to me. Lead the way maestro." Roxie giggled. Nathan just chuckled, turned on the motorbike and pretty soon the couple were driving away from the little fish and chip shack and on the road to their next destination.
The long drive back to Fifth Avenue Square's house was very peaceful. Throughout most of the ride, Roxie looked around at the beautiful countryside scenery that took her breath away. The stars in the sky and the bright full moon were the only light the couple had to guide them on the road and the only sound was the chirping of the nearby crickets and frogs along the riverbed.
After a while had passed, Nathan and Roxie had made it to The Smouldering Hog, and unexpectedly Nathan was feeling a bit tired. So the couple decided to stay over at the pub and inn for the night.
"I know you were probably hoping for the house, but all of this riding has been making me exhausted. I'm not even sure if I'll even make it all the way to the house after this one stop." Nathan stated.
"Its fine, besides I've been feeling a bit sleepy as well. All of this beautiful scenery just feels so peaceful." Roxie yawned. Nathan chuckled lightly and the couple started to walk towards the pub. While they were walking, Nathan couldn't stop looking at how the moon reflected on the nearby lake next to the pub that he and his cousins would swim in during the summertime when they were kids.
"Everything ok?" Roxie asked.
"Yeah, I just want to try something very quick." Nathan said. Nathan then lead Roxie over to the lake. Roxie had no idea why Nathan was acting this way. Usually Nathan wouldn't do or even go for these kind of ideas, but seeing how all of the night's events were going Roxie ignored her doubts and just followed Nathan.
When the couple got to the lake, Nathan started looking across the lake for something that Roxie couldn't point out in the dark.
"What is it that you're looking for?" Roxie asked Nathan.
"Growing up Uncle Hank found this small abandoned cottage that was across the way from here. That same little cottage is actually the house me and my mum lived in until she died. Now according to Annie and Auntie Lizzie the cottage is used as a little honeymoon getaway for the pub and inn, but seeing that there haven't been any newlywed couples checking into the inn recently; I figured that it will be the place we could spend the night. That way we won't have to cause such a big scene in the morning." Nathan stated.
"Huh, how lovely. I always wanted to stay in a small English cottage," Roxie giggled. "How do we get to the cottage?" she asked.
"Well, if I remember correctly; there is a small rowboat in the shed. We get the boat, row across the lake and there should be a small path that should lead over to the cottage. Other than that; once we get to the cottage, the rest of the evening will just be us." Nathan explained.
"Well, I'm pretty sure the two of us could find something to do. Though I should warn you if I do happen to fall asleep on you; there may be a slight chance that I may snore. It's kind of one of my worst habits I have with guys trying to stay over at my place for the night." Roxie admitted. Nathan just silently chuckled at Roxie's response, which in turn made Roxie giggle in return. A silent moment passed by the two of them, making the night's ambiance a little majestic. Pretty soon a small quiet breeze blew through the countryside making Roxie shiver.
"Cold?" Nathan asked as Roxie tried to warm herself up on her own.
"Just a little bit. Dummy me; I forgot to bring my jacket today."
"Oh, well you can wear mine; if you want. I'm probably not going to use it anymore." Nathan offered. Roxie gladly accepted the jacket and Nathan carefully draped the jacket over Roxie's shoulders.
"Anyway; should we get going to the cottage?" Roxie asked.
"Indeed we shall; right this way Ms. Rodriguez." Nathan charmingly smiled. Roxie laughed, took Nathan's arm and the couple started to walk towards the shed.