Chance Encounter

by Jerry Cole

“I think she listens well for a kid her age. She’ll leave it alone once you tell her to a million times. I might avoid glass ornaments, though, if I were you.” We both laughed. I turned to check the meat on the indoor grill, seeing that they were perfect. I plated them and checked the large baked potatoes in the oven, finding them done. “We are just about ready. Want some help with the salad?”

  “I’m done. Good timing,” Mari said as she began to toss the lettuce and veggies together. I grabbed the bottle of wine, carrying it to the table before I pulled the potatoes from the oven. We plated the meat and potatoes, telling Amy it was time to eat as she picked up Ava.

  She was secured in her highchair, and we prepared our plates. Mari kept aside some of hers, giving the baby small bits of meat and potato. She also gave her some soft bites of carrot and a bottle, and dinner was on.

  I felt bad hiding the truth from Mari about Ryan. She didn’t indicate that she knew who he was, only that she got a substantial amount of money from Ava’s dad. The truth was too much for her to take, and I listened as she talked with Amy about something light.

  “Gray?” I blinked as the girls stared at me. “Is the pie in the oven?”

  “Sh-no. I forgot. Let me get that in there.” I moved to turn on the oven, taking the time to regain my composure.

  “Where were you? I asked a few times,” Mari called out as I walked back to the table.

  “No clue. I have a lot of clients right now. My mind is always going.” I grinned, and she sipped her wine.

  “Who knew that life would get so crazy?” Mari asked as she watched Ava eat a chunk of carrot. “Good girl. Finish what’s on your tray, and I’ll give you some apples.”

  “Here she goes, bribing her baby.” I shook my head as we all laughed. “It’s the beginning of the end.”

  “I don’t need to bribe that one to eat.” Mari laughed. We finished eating, cleaning up in the kitchen before sitting in the living room with the baby. She sat on my lap, finishing her bottle as the girls planned her birthday. It was going to be held at Gram’s with just family, but Mari wanted to decorate it up in pink and purple. Ava smiled at me, turning around to meet my eyes as I bopped her nose with my finger.

  I imagined sitting with Hayden in our apartment, holding our baby. We both loved Ava. But having a baby with Hayden was on my mind more and more.

  I headed home just before he arrived home, carrying two plates of food. I entered the apartment to place everything in the fridge, getting a beer as I looked around. It was clean enough after I worked most of the day, but Hayden didn’t care too much about that. If he did, he didn’t say so. I heard the door open, smiling as he walked in. Becca called out a hello before she went upstairs, and I told her to have a good night. “How was work?”

  “Busy. They’ve added another senior night. If I weren’t in the play, I’d be an usher.” He groaned and walked back to change his clothes.

  “Mari cooked dinner. Well, we both did. Are you hungry?” The late-night diner trips slowed down after the girls adopted Ava, though I went with them sometimes if Ava was already sleeping.

  “So hungry. What did you make?” Hayden appeared dressed in sweats and a loose t-shirt, making me take him in for a long moment.

  “Steak, baked potatoes, salad, and apple pie.” His face broke into a smile. “I’ll heat up the hot stuff.”

  I handed him a beer with the food, sitting with him to enjoy my own. “Mari said she got some kind of check from Ava’s dad. I didn’t see it, but she indicated that it might be some kind of life insurance.”

  “Shit. Did it say his name?” Hayden asked, and I shook my head.

  “She just assumed that Dad is dead. That makes her sad enough, so imagine the two of them knowing the truth.” He took a bite of meat, chewing slowly.

  “That’s fucking good. You made it upstairs?”

  “Thanks, and yes. Gram is with a friend tonight.” I smiled as relief crossed his face.

  “Ryan's involvement is bad enough. The way that accident went down is disgusting.” He sipped his beer and looked me in the eyes. “They can’t ever know.”

  “Not if I can help it. No.” I shook my head, and he finished the dinner before we tossed the plate into the sink to watch TV in bed. We made love slowly before falling asleep together.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Hayden

  Spring turned into Summer, offering us all some nice weather. We took advantage of the moment, while the girls planned a birthday for a special little girl.

  To me, it seemed like Ava had always been a part of their lives. She loved them, and they loved her unconditionally. They had the patience needed with a busy toddler and the teamwork to let one take a break when needed. We were always willing to help if the need arose, and often spent a lot of time with Gram and Ava together. She loved having a grandbaby around to play with and spoil.

  We had a great lineup of plays at the theater for the summer. I picked one to try out for, surprised when I got the lead role. I knew it would mean a lot of time away from home, but Gray told me to go for it.

  So, I did.

  He brought Gram to see me on stage one night, which was something they did ever since that first night. The others came to see me on another night, cheering hard when the entire cast stood onstage at the end.

  They offered me the position of manager at the theater, overseeing everything that happened within those walls. If I took it, it would mean less time on stage as I’d be too busy. It also meant more money, which might be good for us.

  Gray seemed to be irritated a lot more as of late. When I asked, he explained that he had a picky client that was driving him crazy right now. It just so happened to be the one that he made the most income from at the moment, so he went to listen to the live podcasts and do the client’s bidding. Most of them were at night when I worked, but a few bled into the days we normally spent together.

  I rested against the pillows, watching him change to go to yet another session. “Does he release these every two days or what?” I asked as Gray rolled his eyes.

  “He’s new and being too much of a perfectionist. I’ve gone over the key points with him, but it never seems to stick.”

  “We were supposed to go for a hike today. I have the entire day off.” I pouted, and he shot me a sad look.

  “I know, Hay. I’m going to talk to him and lay down some boundaries.” He kissed me and left, leaving the apartment. I felt better when Becca asked if we wanted to do lunch and the park with her and Ava. I told her that we was just me, and sure.

  We went to the diner, and she surveyed me in between feeding Ava small bites of food. “What’s up with you?”

  I considered my answer. We were still holding onto the secret about Ryan, and since nothing about Ava’s father came up again, we thought we were in the clear. I couldn’t talk about that, so I shrugged while grabbing a fry. “He’s just working a lot for this one client.”

  “I’ve noticed that he hasn’t been around as much.” Ava giggled and threw a piece of pickle onto the floor. She sighed, picking it up. “Are you worried about something happening?”

  “No. That isn’t who Gray is. I’m just annoyed since we planned a hike today, and I’m off all day. Who knows how long he’ll be gone?” I gazed at her and sighed. “I was also offered the manager position at work. Ginny is retiring, and they think I’d be perfect. I wanted you to hear it from me before the mouths started going.”

  “Wow! That’s huge.” She hugged me over the booth as best as she could, grinning. “Are you going to take it?”

  “I think so. The money is good, though my shifts might change and we won’t work together as much. I can’t be in plays like I am now. It’s a big role in the theater.” I sipped my soda and looked at her. “What do you think?”

  “I think that you should go for it. Ginny was always happy at work, and you’ll do even better. Maybe it will make more time for you and Gray. Take it!”

  I’d been working with Becca for the la
st seven years at the theater at night. I knew that this new position would change all of that. Hadn’t everything already changed? I was with Gray, navigating a relationship. She was with Mari and had a daughter. Our lives were evolving, and we were drifting away in some forms.

  “I think I will. I just feel like we’re changing.” She smiled and reached for my hands across the table.

  “I know. I think about that a lot, but we’re not drifting apart. We’re evolving into a family.” She stared at me as I nodded. “We’ve had a real Thanksgiving, and Christmas with real trees. We ate the best food.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “We also spent it together in the same apartment building with the same family.”

  “We did.” I agreed as our eyes locked. “I love you, Becca. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “I love you, too. You’re not going to lose me. You’re stuck with me, my wife, and our daughter.”

  I looked at Ava, who was drinking from a sippy cup and smiling at me. “She’ll do.”

  We all laughed and finished eating before going to the park. Ava was taking small steps now, but still needed a lot of help with everything. Becca and I were happy to guide her all over the play area, sliding and swinging. She fell asleep in the stroller on the way home, and we maneuvered her upstairs to bed for her nap. I sent Gray a text, finding out that he was still working. We took our seats and closed our eyes, chatting as I held onto the magic of the day.

  I woke up later, finding Becca lying flat on the couch. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, reaching for it as I yawned. It was Gray.

  I’m off. Where are you?

  Nap time at Becca’s. Want me to meet you at our place?

  I’m going to grab a bite to eat, and I’ll be home in half an hour. I love you.

  I love you.

  I remained on the soft chair for a few minutes, enjoying the quiet of the apartment. I glanced around to see the toys scattered around the living room, with things in the kitchen that represented Ava. Things had changed, but for the better.

  I checked on Ava before leaving, seeing that she was peacefully sleeping in her crib. I locked the apartment door behind me, heading down to see Gray walking into the foyer. “Hey.”

  “Hi. They are still sleeping?” He asked, nodding toward the stairs.

  “Yes. I’m well-rested if you’d like to get tired enough for a nap,” I suggested, raising my brow.

  “Come here.” He kissed me hard before unlocking our door. We walked inside, and he dropped his keys on the counter along with mine.

  “So, we should talk.” His eyes darkened as we took seats on the couch.

  “Is everything okay?” Gray asked, reaching for my hand.

  “Yes. Of course.” I smiled. “I’ve been offered a manager’s position at the theater. Like the guy under the owner kind of manager.”

  “That’s great, Hay. Are you going to take it?” He asked, and I smiled.

  “I’m thinking about it. It’s a considerable pay raise, but I won’t be able to be on stage, at least not in prominent roles. My shifts might change to oversee the day-to-day stuff.” He sipped his soda, waiting for more.

  “I think you should take it. We can work around the changes, and if you want to be in a play, there are other theaters. We’ll figure that out.” I didn’t want to bring up his hours, letting him kiss me.

  “I told Bryce that we needed to make good use of our working hours.” I pulled away, looking at him. “It’s great getting paid for my work, but useless when we’re sitting in the studio drinking as he comes up with ideas. I could be home at those times. I told him I had too many clients to waste those hours with him, and he decided to hire someone to help with that. He’d probably spend the same amount of money.”

  “I’m impressed,” I told him, kissing him. “I’m going to accept the offer tomorrow.”

  “Let’s celebrate,” he suggested, giving me a smoldering look that got me every time. He only used it here at home for that reason.

  “Great idea.” I pushed myself up, running to the bedroom as he followed me. The day came full circle with him inside of me, telling me that he loved me. I knew that I loved everyone in this new family in some way, as well as the fact that we weren’t going anywhere.

  We stayed there for a couple of hours, holding each other and talking about the future. We had a birthday party in a month and a wedding at the beginning of the Fall, giving everyone something to help plan. I had my own things to plan once that was all over, and my hopes for the future.

  The day of the birthday party came, and balloons and streamers covered every surface of Gram’s apartment. By then, Ava was walking and toddled all over to play with this or try to pull that down. Amy picked up the cake at the bakery, and we all took in the pink frosting and flowers on both the guest cake and her cake.

  The few friends the girls were close to arrived, and we started eating the easy lunch we all cooked together. Ava had time to do that as well as mingle with the guests. Becca and Mari helped her with opening the gifts of toys and clothing that would fill their apartment, as Ava laughed and threw the paper around.

  We strapped her back into her highchair for cake, singing to her as she eyed the treat before her. Once we finished, it was as if something clicked, and she dug into the pink frosting to the chocolate cake underneath it. She ate a few big bites, making a complete mess of herself as we all clapped and cheered.

  The girls wiped her down so she could enjoy some more time with everyone. They brought her upstairs for a bath and fresh pajamas before letting her play with some new toys until bed. We left to go downstairs to our place since friends stayed behind to help clean up Gram’s apartment.

  “Birthday checked off, and now a wedding,” Gray told me in bed as we dozed off.

  “We have a few months until that. I need to worry about the twenty-fifth anniversary of the theater being open,” I groaned, pressing myself into his chest. There was a big open house kind of event that had a caterer and bar, with former actors making an appearance for the party. Ginny made it look easy, but it was everything but easy for me.

  Becca helped plan it with me and some of the ladies, hiring decorators and a small instrumental band to play in a corner. The caterers specialized in appetizers and great desserts, which was perfect.

  “That’s going to be amazing. You and Becca have great plans for it.” Gray kissed my hair. “I’ll be there supporting you all the way.”

  “I know,” I replied, pulling him closer.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Gray

  The night of the party came fast between work and family. I was accompanying Gram to the theater that night, along with Jackson and Amy. The baby wasn’t feeling well, so Mari opted to stay home with her.

  We walked in to see people walking around to gaze at the wall of pictures from the opening through the present time. This was one of the few theaters that had been active in the US, always presenting plays and bringing guests in. I gazed around to see Hayden chatting with someone, dressed in the suit that we picked up together. “He’s so handsome,” I murmured as Gram followed my gaze.

  “Indeed, he is. Love looks good on you two,” she murmured as Amy exclaimed how great the silver decorations looked. It was classy and not at all overdone, with balloons and soft lighting throughout the room. The pictures were lit up by track lighting as well as the food and bar. Everything else was dim Tiffany-style lamps and clear twinkle lights and looked fantastic.

  “I came here opening night with your grandfather. I’ll never forget how magical that felt, and here you meet Hayden. It’s such a full circle.” She smiled, and I covered her hand with mine.

  “You’re here.” Hayden and Becca came over, dressed in their black-tie affair clothes. She wore a black cocktail dress that flowed to her knees in a style that took me back to another time, with her new pink hair in a loose chignon at the base of her neck.

  “You both look amazing,” I told them, kissing her cheek before pressing a firm peck to his
lips.

  “Thank you,” Becca blushed and looked around. “Did you see Mari or Ava before you left?”

  “Mari wants to be here more than anything, and Ava was sleeping. She sends her love,” Amy told her friend, hugging her. “I offered to stay with her so Mari could come, but you two are such mothers.”

  “We don’t want her away from us when she’s sick. Ava is a love bug, and she needs to know that we’re there for her. I hired an amazing photographer so she will see a lot of pictures, both in-person and every media source we can get it posted on.” Becca smiled and hugged Jackson. “There’s food over there, and it’s amazing. Drinks on the other side.”

  We all made a plate and wandered around to look at the front room of the theater. I watched as Hayden greeted guests, laughing and smiling as he looked around at his pride and joy. Taking the new job was the best thing he ever could’ve done, and Hayden was shaping it into something bigger than it ever was. He had a lot of help, but at the end of the day, this theater was his baby.

  We worked more days now, spending nights on dates or somewhere in the apartment building. Becca stayed on nights for the sake of Ava, but they spent a lot of family time together when they were both off.

  I handed Gram off to Jackson when Hayden finally had time to come to talk to us. We walked into the theater that was lit by electric candles throughout the room. They were considering having performances, but that took people that worked there out of the moment. There was a big show the following night that was set up as just a jam, where people performed various songs. It was just going to be fun and honor the numerous plays that were performed there over the years.

  I glanced around to see that we were alone, swallowing the lump in my throat. I led Hayden casually to the place we met, before turning and dropping to my knee.

  “I met you here for the first time, and you took my breath away. Being here now with you on your big night still makes me feel that way. Will you marry me and give me that magic every day of our lives?”

  “Oh, shit,” Hayden said, starting to cry. His eyes shimmered in the candlelight as I rose to grasp his left hand. “Yes. You know I will.” I kissed him as I slipped the platinum band on his finger, feeling him tremble before me. “I love you.”