She nodded silently, seeing the scrolling letters of a Star Wars film moving across the screen. He held up the phone and took a photo of them, showing her the picture.
“Jeez, you two are something else,” John winced and stood up abruptly. “Give me your phone, Wilkes.”
“There is no stopping the man,” Lily chimed in laughing. “When he’s got something on his mind, he goes after it until he gets his way.”
“He’s always been like that- even overseas.”
“Wilkes, get closer to Ava,” John ordered, holding up the phone in his hand. “Relax Ava, he isn’t going to bite unless you are into that thing and that is a discussion for another time.”
Ava’s mouth dropped open in shock and Daisy began to scold John’s runaway mouth. She felt Colin scoot closer to her on the couch. Her heart began to hammer and she realized it wasn’t nervousness so much as it was him. She could smell his cologne and feel the warmth of his body against hers where they were sitting beside each other. Rags was in his lap and he was trying to hold the dog still to prevent it from accidently scratching Aurora.
“Smile and he’ll sit down,” Colin whispered, leaning towards her. She felt his breath against her cheeks and ear. Ava looked up and found herself lost in his eyes. She knew in that moment he wanted to kiss her and was holding back.
“Ava?”
“Colin, I don’t think…” she began, whispering nervously.
“Quiet over there. The movie’s started and your photo shoot ended about three minutes ago, lovebirds.”
Colin immediately scooted back over away from Ava. She felt a void as he moved away. Even Aurora let out a small noise like she was trying to talk to her. Ava surprised herself and patted the seat beside her again. Without a word, he moved back over and sat beside her. She rested her head on his shoulder and tensed as she realized what she’d done instinctively.
“John!” Lily snarled, elbowing him. “You behave!”
“Workers comp,” he wheezed out in an exaggerated manner, joking, as she elbowed him again. He immediately pulled her into his lap, nuzzling her neck. “I love you, wife.”
“Shhh. The movie is on, remember?” Lily teased, leaning against his shoulder affectionately.
“You’re fine where you are,” Colin whispered against Ava’s hair. They settled in on the couch and watched the movie, just like a real couple, she mused. At some point, her eyes had drifted shut and she fell asleep. She jerked herself awake to see that Colin had picked up Aurora from her and she rested against his chest. Rags sat on the couch beside Colin, just content to be there beside them.
“Shhh, rest if you’re tired,” he murmured. “You’re both safe with me- always.”
Ava allowed her eyes to drift shut again as she slept lightly against his shoulder not far from where Aurora slept against his chest. She wistfully thought that her daughter might have the better spot to rest, but that was only until she felt Colin kiss the top of her head lightly. Letting out a soft sigh, she allowed herself to drift off.
“I’ll be darned, Wilkes. I was wrong about you,” Ethan whispered. “You might actually be a family kinda guy after all.”
Colin couldn’t help the smile on his face as he held both of them against him. He knew she was working around the clock, full time at her desk job and then at home taking care of the baby. Ava was softly sleeping against his arm and Aurora was propped against his chest. He could hear the faint sounds of their breathing that sounded like angel wings to him. He didn’t want to talk because he might disturb them but mouthed the word to his friend.
“Picture?”
He wanted something to remember this perfect, peaceful moment by as he realized that this would all be gone the moment he headed back to Afghanistan. It wasn’t fair to meet the most wonderful woman in the world just days before he had to leave again. As Ethan got up to take the photo, Colin leaned down and gently kissed Ava’s forehead as she slept. This was the reason he was over there, to protect moments like these.
“John? Lily? Can you get the burgers started while we leave these two alone for a few? Daisy lets put the dogs up while we eat so we don’t have to worry about Baxter getting my plate again like last time,” Ethan said ruefully.
Colin leaned down and gently kissed Ava tenderly again while she couldn’t protest. He wanted to kiss her lips or cheeks but settled for what he could reach without disturbing her or scaring her off. He’d heard her sigh of contentment earlier and almost danced with joy; instead, he’d sat still so she could get the rest she desperately needed.
“Ava? Ava, the burgers are ready,” he whispered sometime later, trying to wake her gently. He wondered idly what it would be like to let her rest while he took care of things for her around the house. Did that make him a homebody or just overly protective of the woman he cared for? She had the sleepiest expression on her face as she looked at him, confused for a moment.
“Sweetheart, it’s time to wake up and Aurora is watching you. I think she’s pooped again and…”
“Oh! Look at her, Colin,” Ava breathed proudly, staring at her daughter. Unknowingly, she laid her hand on his chest and his heart nearly stopped at the simple touch. “She’s holding her head up so well. She’s getting so strong.”
“So’s the smell,” he admitted, with a rueful smile. He hated to ruin the moment but it was the truth. Amazed, he saw Ava laugh at his words before she sat up to take the baby from him. He listened to her coo at the baby and then backed away as he realized she was getting ready to change Aurora’s diaper right there on the couch next to him.
“Whoa! You gotta warn me,” he retreated, picking up Rags with one hand as he covered his eyes with the other. He stepped quickly out of the room and walked outside to see the other adults look at him quizzically.
“She’s changing Aurora’s diaper,” he explained, clearing his throat.
“I know you aren’t afraid of a little poop,” John teased.
“That baby doesn’t make little poops – it’s like a massive cesspool of stuff contained in her diaper. The smell alone will take paint off a wall.”
“Maybe I should go practice,” Lily said slyly, looking at John’s smiling face. His expression got even brighter as he heard his wife’s words.
“Don’t tease me like that.”
“I’m just saying that things could happen like that.”
“I’d love a baby with your beautiful eyes, Lily.”
Colin felt envious as he watched the two of them kiss for a moment, their words striking a chord in him. He wanted that type of relationship with Ava more than anything and was willing to wait as long as it took for her. Jumping nervously, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Ava standing there holding the baby.
“Have you made your plate yet? I need to go wash my hands,” Ava interrupted.
“I can hold Aurora while you do that and Colin can make your burger,” Lily announced, beaming at her husband. She saw Daisy’s enthusiastic nod towards her, a silent encouragement for her to trust the other woman. Ethan laid slices of cheese on the burger patties. Ava carefully handed over Aurora to Lily, pleased to see her being so careful to support the little girl’s neck.
“I’ll be right back,” Ava confirmed. Lily nodded, just staring at the baby tenderly with a look of longing in her eyes.
“Take your time.”
Running inside, Ava felt herself relaxing and enjoying just being a part of the group. They all seemed to welcome her and accept them both. There was no pressure, no conditions, just friendship and camaraderie – both of which she needed in her life.
Washing her hands quickly with soap, she walked back outside to see them all sitting at a large picnic table waiting for her. Someone had brought out Aurora’s carrier and Colin’s hand rested on it, holding it still and secure on the table in front of him. He’d pulled the shade forward thoughtfully to prevent the afternoon sun from getting on her. A plate sat beside him waiting for her. Taking her seat, John led them in saying gr
ace before eating.
This was one of the best days she’d had in a long time, almost rivaling the tranquility of yesterday spending the afternoon with Colin alone. It would have been perfect, if she hadn’t been so nervous. Time flew by and Lily jumped at the chance to feed Aurora her bottle when it was time. Ava was surrounded by laughter and found herself giggling like a fool at some of the wild tales they shared of their time in Afghanistan.
“Cooper sounds like a real goofball,” Ava admitted to Colin. He got a possessive look in his eyes and smiled.
“He is, but he’s not nearly as handsome as me nor as good with children.”
“I wasn’t talking about any of that.”
“I just want to make sure you know what I am bringing to the table,” he teased her, whispering in her ear. His breath gave her goosebumps, causing her to shiver in anticipation of more. Would he kiss her?
“I love your perfume,” he said softly before backing away, leaving her longing for a simple touch or gesture of affection from the man she was so frightened of not days ago. Colin had wormed his way into her life and seemed to be doing everything he could to fit in.
“It’s just soap,” she teased shyly. “Irish spring, I think.”
“Then they should bottle the stuff because it’s incredible,” he countered, winking at her. Ava flushed at the attention and went back to paying attention to what the others were saying, trying not to notice the man next to her who’d captured her attention and quite possibly her heart.
The next several days were a flurry of activity that left her head spinning. They spent every moment they could together, most times as a group she knew simply to make her relaxed in his presence. He was trying to spend time with her and his friends both while he was here. The group went to dinner together several times or popped popcorn for a movie night at John & Lily’s home. Being a part of something made her feel tremendous – and realized her mother was right. She needed friends in her life – and possibly someone special, like Colin.
Ava had been at work when one of her coworkers walked inside with a funny expression on their face. She’d been on the phone with an insurance company filing a claim, so they had to wait there for her to finish it before she hung up.
“What’s wrong Cora?” she asked.
The woman worked in the back of her office and she’d seen her a few times but also attended group on Fridays. She was very quiet, shy, and never really spoke at therapy so she wasn’t sure why she was there yet. Cora was a very pretty young woman with large dark soulful eyes that seemed to swallow her face.
“You drive a red Honda, right?”
“Yes – why? Did someone hit it?”
“No, but all your wheels are on the ground.”
“They’re supposed to be,” Ava teased and noticed the woman wasn’t amused. If anything, she looked nervous and afraid to tell her something. Ava’s expression got serious and her face fell. “Wait, what do you mean?”
“Your wheels are laying on the ground…” Ava jumped to her feet in alarm as Cora continued speaking. “There’s some guy out there under your car.”
“I’ll be right back!” Ava raced out of the office, getting several curious stares. As she saw her car, she saw feet sticking out between her vehicle and the one she was parked next to. Sure enough, her car was jacked up and someone had taken the wheel off of it. Were they trying to steal them?
“Hey!” Ava barked out angrily. She didn’t have the money to replace her wheels and tires. The thought of someone helping themselves to her things was infuriating. She didn’t want to be the victim anymore. She wanted to be strong like Lily or Daisy.
“Hey buddy! Get away from my car!” she yelled again, getting closer, and stopped as she saw a man get to his feet. Colin was standing there, grinning at her with sweat pouring down his forehead.
“Colin? What are you doing?” she whispered in utter shock.
“I’m trying to surprise you.”
“Well you did,” she admitted. “Now, what are you doing to my car?”
“I remembered you told me that your brake light would come on at times. Dad and I used to work on them at home when I was a teenager growing up. I suspected it was because your brake pads were getting low – so, I’m changing your brakes.”
“Here?” Ava gaped.
“Yeah,” Colin grinned. “I’m almost done with the front ones. I’m going to go ahead and replace the back brakes too.”
“I’m at work, Colin,” she began and felt the sun beating down on her. This was the craziest and sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. “It’s nearly 95 degrees outside and you are laying on blacktop. Aren’t you hot?”
“Burning up,” he admitted, wiping his brow. “But it’s still cooler than Afghanistan and I’m not decked up in full combat gear. I’ll be okay.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I want to take care of my girls,” Colin said plainly, smiling shyly at her. Ava’s heart turned over in her chest as his words touched her deep in her soul. “I didn’t mean to bother you at work. I thought I’d text you a note that you’d need to seat them before leaving work but if you can get me your keys- I’ll do it for you.”
“Colin,” she protested.
“Get your keys, Ava. I don’t want you to get in trouble and truthfully, everyone is at work until later this afternoon. I want to spend my time here doing something for you. I borrowed Ethan’s truck for the day to run a few errands – this being one of them.”
“I’ll be right back,” Ava said after a few moments. She quickly ran inside and ignored the curious looks. Grabbing a dollar and her keys, she got a bottle of water from the vending machine. Heading back over to where Colin lay beside her car, she watched as she saw he was pushing some metal clamshell looking thing back onto the rotor. He glanced up at her and smiled gratefully. She knelt down beside the car in amazement at the man in front of her.
He had a smudge of dirt on his forehead and his t-shirt he wore was covered in sweat. Yet he was here, smiling and hard at work with no expectation from her whatsoever. Doing the brakes on her car saved her a ton of money that she’d put off spending and was truthfully a selfless act on his part. She wanted to thank him.
“Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight?” she asked, handing him the bottle of water and the keys to her car. She saw the wary but hopeful expression on his face.
“I can invite everyone else so you are comfortable,” he nodded, taking several gulps of the water. She was glad she’d thought to bring it to him, realizing he must be thirsty in the heat.
“Actually, I was thinking it could be just the three of us. Dinner won’t be anything fancy but we could spend some time together.”
“Sounds perfect,” he grinned happily, downing the rest of the water quickly. “Now, get yourself back inside before you get in trouble. I’ll bring you the keys when I am done.”
Ava walked back inside the office, her mind whirling. Colin Wilkes wasn’t anything like she’d ever expected when she first wrote him an email – he was so much more.
“Is everything okay?” Cora asked, walking back up to her desk area where Ava had been processing the claims.
“Yes.”
“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but who was at your car?”
“My boyfriend decided to change the brakes on my car and surprise me,” Ava admitted shyly. It felt weird to call him her boyfriend, but the way he was acting around her could be described in no other way. He was taking care of her and obviously interested in making an impression on her.
“Wow. That must be nice having someone take care of you like that,” Cora said enviously. “I’ve done everything on my own since I was fifteen. I can’t imagine how that must make you feel right now.”
“Indescribable,” Ava confessed, glancing out the window and marveling at the man who’d entered her life. She felt a sense of impending dread realizing that this vibrant man who’d made such an impact on her world in such a short
time, would be gone in two brief days.
Chapter 13
Ava quickly washed her face and brushed her hair, trying to make herself look presentable before Colin arrived at her apartment. She’d spoken with him on the phone and Ethan was loaning him the truck again. Apparently he needed to study for a class he was taking online.
Aurora was in the living room, cooing and babbling to herself, allowing Ava a moment’s respite to prepare dinner and pick up a few things before Colin arrived. The rich heady scent of meatloaf cooking in the oven was tantalizing. Hearing a knock at the door, she glanced at Aurora and walked over to open it.
Colin stood there holding a small bouquet of flowers. His face split into a wide smile, making his cheeks crease and a dimple appear as he looked at her. She saw that he’d showered after his hard work earlier in the day, making his golden-brown hair a little darker due to the dampness.
“You sure about this?” he asked tentatively. Ava knew that he was giving her a moment to back out on them being alone.
“C’mon inside,” she urged and then saw the large box on the ground beside him as well as a large gift bag. “What is that?” She accepted the flowers he handed her and watched him pick up the large box, carrying it inside.
“It’s just a few things,” he said evasively, winking at her. Ava stepped back to allow him in and pointed to the table nearby.
“You can put that down there if you want.”
“Perfect.”
She shut the door behind him, locking it and turned to see him unloading the box he’d brought in. He had several packages of diapers, a couple of cans of formula, and a bag of dog food.
“Colin, what is all that?” she protested, realizing that he must have spent well over a hundred dollars in that box alone. Diapers and formula were not cheap in the slightest. She was touched to see that he’d picked up the exact kind that Aurora drank, realizing that he’d paid attention to the infant’s needs as well as her own. The diapers were a little big, but that was okay because her daughter would certainly grow into them. He even removed a large plastic Ziploc container refill of baby wipes.
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