Ch. 1 Arrivals.
That morning, I woke to remember the phone call the night before. It hadn't been a dream, despite the surreal quality to it. Shit. I had to shower and head for the airport, he'd said he was in Jersey, so the flight here would take about an hour. It would take me an hour to get to the airport from here. The boys wouldn't be up for another hour or so, so I had time to shower. Just as I jumped up, however my phone rang.
"Hello." I answered it as I headed to the bathroom stripping as I went.
"Morning darling. Sleep ok?" there was a hint of humor in his voice.
"Fine. Actually I don't even remember going to sleep." which was true.
"Ah, lucky. Well I'll be heading out in a few, I should be on the ground again by one." he said.
"I know, which means I have to leave soon too. Cause the hour your in the air, I'll be driving. So I'm going to shower now and take the boys to my Dad's. Text me when you land so I know what gate to go to."
"Alright. I didn't know it would take an hours' drive for you to come get me. I could rent a car if the drive is too much." his tone was concerned.
"It's not that much trouble, I like to drive, and you don't need to rent a car." why I told him that now I haven't a clue.
"Why not?" he asked. I felt like smacking myself.
"Cause I have a spare you can use if its' needed." I spoke, thinking of my Impala. I'd take the Durango to the airport, I hadn't so much as started it since I'd been back.
"I told you that last night remember."
"Ok. Yeah I do now. Well I'll let you get to your shower, text me when you leave."
"Ok. I'll see you soon." and with that the phone disconnected. I went through my shower with my head off in space somewhere. How I managed to shave without cutting myself I'll never know, but I did. No sooner did I shut the water off and step out, then Zac walked in.
"Morning mommy." he spoke and went potty at the same time.
"Morning honey, is Caylen awake?" I talked and dressed while planning breakfast. I was planning McDonalds, as a treat.
"Yes. He watching toons." Zac spoke carefully, as he sometimes had difficulty wording things. He'd been a late talker.
"Ok. Go get dressed please, and tell your brother to as well." I dialed my Dad's number.
"Hello." he answered on the second ring.
"Hey Dad, can you still take the boys for a bit. I have some errands to run." it was only a slight lie. I did have an errand to run, I just wasn't ready to say yet what it was.
"Sure, when you dropping them off?" he asked sounding excited. He had yet to spend a lot of time with them since we've been home. So of course he'd jump at this chance to see them now. They are all the grandkids he has, so far.
"Bout twenty minutes. I'll get them some breakfast on the way."
"Ok. I'll see you guys soon." and with that he hung up. Probably to dress or something before the kids got there. I'd received a text while on the phone.
'I'm in the air.'
'K. Leaving now. Txt when your on the ground.' I texted him back as I brushed my hair. Multitasking without concentrating, ain't I talented. I'd dressed in a black and red Aerosmith tank top, with a black button down over it. Faded blue jeans and my wedge sandals completed the outfit.
"Lets go kids." and within minutes they appeared dressed and ready to go. They even matched in blue jeans and Cars shirts. Both had socks on and carried their shoes, which I helped them put on. Outside they headed for the Impala."Durango today boys." that was met with smiles, as they liked the big black SUV. That and it rarely went anywhere with gas prices as high as they were. Once they were in and secure in their seats, we headed out. The stop at McDonald's was met with cheers. Eating out was a treat, since I tend to be a bit of a tight wad. The SUV would need gas, I noticed but decided to fill it after dropping off the boys.
"Knock knock." I said as I opened the front door to my Dad's house.
"Dad." I called.
"Papa." the boys chimed in, just as he came in from the backyard. They went running and squealing as soon as they saw him. Each boy was given hugs and kisses, while they talked a mile a minute.
"Ok, boys sit and eat your breakfast." I reminded them after they'd had their reunion. They settled and did as they were told.
"I'll be back in a few hours. Here's the bag with changes of clothes and underwear, just in case."
"Where you going?"
"To the airport. To pick up a surprise for the boys. Someone we met in Florida wants to visit, so I'm going to go get him."
"Oh." he was confused. I hadn't really explained all that much to him about meeting Mark. Even though he'd stood right there while I was on the phone with him last night.
"Don't worry, the boys can tell you all about him. Just ask them who they met. Don't mention that he's coming here. I want it to be a surprise. And don't worry you'll get to meet him when I pick the kids up." I spoke quietly, so the boys wouldn't hear.
"Papa, can we wrestle?" Zac asked around his full mouth.
"Don't talk with your mouth full Zachary. Your not a pig." a glance at the clock had me heading for the door.
"Bye boys behave. I'll see you later Dad." and with that I was out the door and on the road. My only company after the gas station was the CD I'd put in. My phone rang about a half hour into the drive.
"Hello." I answered my mothers' call.
"Your weird you know." she said sounding tired, but she always did these days. She worked too much.
"I know that, but why now?" I was confused.
"That message you left about Thursday." she informed me, and it clicked. Thursday was her day off, and I planned to take her out for her birthday. I'd left her a message while I was on autopilot last night apparently, cause I didn't recall what I'd said. Oh fuck a duck.
"Still not following." I said, which I wasn't. I was grasping at straws trying to think of what that message might have said.
"About your having company." she prompted.
"Oh. Oh. Ok I get you now. Yeah, that guy I told you I met, wants to see me, so I am on my way to the airport to get him. That's what the message was for." I blew out a relieved breath. I hadn't given anything away.
"You think he'll want to come with us?" a good question. I had no idea.
"I don't know Mom. I have to talk to him about it. Let me call you back, I am driving right now. I'll let you know when I know what he wants to do."
"Ok. I gotta go back to work." she sounded resigned.
"Alright then. I'll talk to you soon. Love you."
"Love you too. Bye Anna." and with that she was gone. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Mark picked that moment to text me.
'I'm on the ground again. Where are you?' I hit the button to call him, as I refuse to text and drive.
"I'm about ten minutes away. Head for the main entrance, I should be there by the time you get there." I spoke as soon as he answered the phone. I don't like to talk and drive either, even though I do.
"Ok." was all he said before the line clicked. It took about fifteen minutes for me to get to the main doors, where I could spot him waiting. Parking in the pick up zone, I got out and went to him.
"There you are." he caught me heading his way, and crushed me in a massive hug.
"K, can't breathe babe." I gasped. He released me and stepped back.
"This way." I spoke as I turned and let him follow me back to the car.
A.N. Here we go again folks.. R&R. Plz and Thanks..