Chapter 2:

"Papa." Her son said enthusiastically as he pointed towards a picture of his father.

"Yes. That's Papa." She smiled weakly, trying to keep her emotions intact. Almost immediately after that he leapt out from her grasp and ran towards the kitchen.

"Adrian," She warned him. "Be careful, you might fall." She called after her son.

As a response he ran even faster and screamed twice as loud.

"Adrian!"

"What's with all the noise?" Her roommate complained as she was walking towards the kitchen.

"I thought you were used to it, by now." She shrugged. "Is Claudia awake?"

"No, not yet. How could she even sleep through all the noise?" Gwen vented, rubbing her fingers on her temples. "Did those stains get off your blazer?"

"No, I've tried everything." She exhaled. "I think it's meant to be dry cleaned."

"That jerk, did he know how much that blazer cost? Who does he think he is?" Gwen ranted. "It's all my fault, if I had known he was that much of a loser..." Gwen let out a frustrated breath." He seemed so nice, I can't believe he blew you off-"

"It doesn't matter." She cut Gwen off. I didn't even want a boyfriend to begin with." She assured her.

"That doesn't stop me from seeing myself as a jerk."

"Stop saying tha-" Suddenly a mop of curly light brown hair sped past them and plopped itself on to the chair right next to them.

"Mama, Mama, I'm hungry!" Claudia screamed while bouncing in her seat.

"I'll make breakfast, just wait." She said softly. "Now can you promise to talk less loudly for Mama?" Her head was pounding, she barely even slept last night because of Adrian's cold.

"You look like you have your hands full, why don't I take your blazer to the dry cleaners?" Gwen offered. "I have to go out to town anyways."

"Really you would do that?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Her friend looked at her incredulously. "We're friends remember?"

"You don't even know how much this means to me. Thank you."

"No problem, I'll be back in a couple of hours, okay?" Gwen turned back to say.

"The keys are on the counter, and the blazer is in the laundry room." She managed to call out, while her son fidgeted between her grasp.

"Okay, got it. See you in a while."

After hearing Gwen exiting through the door, she turned her attention to her kids who were now playing tag in the kitchen.

"Now what do you guys want for breakfast?"

"Cake!" Claudia screamed at the top of her lungs.

"No, I want cake!" Adrian complained.

"I said it first!" Claudia whined. "Mama, he always copies me. Make him stop!" Claudia cried, her big brown eyes brimming with tears.

"How about pancakes?" Reyna suggested. She was getting really desperate and was running out of options.

"No!" They both yelled simultaneously. "We want cake!"

"Pancakes it is then." She sighed. It was going to be a really long morning, she was sure of it.

GWEN

Southeast corner of Madison Square Park near Madison Ave and E.23rd St, the text message read. Guessing by the large crowds of people this was definitely the right place.

Lines of hungry people blocked her view of the eatery. All she could see were the grass and flowers purposely planted on the top of the shack along with a big sign that read 'Shake Shack.'

Lucky for her the tables to eat at were outside. While she was checking for empty tables she saw a familiar head of blonde hair. Unknowingly a huge smile spread across her face. So he had been waiting for her this whole time?

He must have noticed her too because before she approached the table he was already up, his arms wide open.

"Jason!" She cried over the crowd.

"Gwen." Jason said as he wrapped his arms around her. "It's been so long since we last seen each other." He then let go of her. "Here take a seat." Jason nodded towards the chair next to him. "Glad you could make it."

"Are you kidding." She laughed. "I'm glad you could take the time out of your busy schedule to see me."

"Since I've never seen you in years and this the only time I could come to New York, why wouldn't I?" He asked.

"It must be hard to be a successful business man." She said while she ran her fingers through her hair. "I mean your work schedule must be hectic."

"Not really, remember I was Praetor for a couple of years?" He chuckled. "Nothing was more hectic then that."

"Oh yeah, can't believe that I forgot that for a moment." She laughed. "So how's life going for you?"

"You mean between all the business trips and meetings with investors?" He sighed. "It's fine, I guess. But when you work in my field, your always on the move."

"I completely understand. Maybe you should take a break."

"I wish. But it's not that easy, you can't just take a break from the company you run." He said frustratedly.

Far behind them they heard the call of one of the chefs. "Order 21 is ready."

"That's us." Jason beamed, he face changed from completely anguish looking to that of a kid in a candy store. "I'll be right back." He said and moments later he returned with a tray of two cheeseburgers, probably for himself since he loved those things, one hotdog, large fries and two shakes.

"Is that all for you?" She said in a shocked voice.

"No, I remember you used to eat hotdogs and fries all the time back in Camp Jupiter, so I ordered it for you."

"You should know that I am on a diet. I'm trying to avoid foods with too much fat." She firmly stated.

"Well that's basically everything." He mumbled right before he took a big bite out of his burger.

"Well, I guess I could bend the rules today." She said slyly. Reaching out she slid the tray closer to her and took a handful of fries.

"The last time I messaged you, you were still living in Berkeley, what made you move?" He questioned.

"I don't know, I guess the city was too small for me." She answered honestly.

"Staying in one place gets boring, huh?"

"Exactly." She said while taking a huge sip of her milkshake.

For the rest of their "date", Jason had kept on telling stories of his trips around the world and strange things he encountered along the way, but it wasn't until his cellphone started vibrating when they were interrupted.

"I got a phone call, it will only take a second." Jason assured her before answering.

"Hello, Mr Grace speaking." The voice on the other line was in audible, she assumed it was his secretary. "The press conference already started? Okay I'll be there in a couple of minutes." Ending the phone call, he ran his fingers through his hair and heaved a sigh.

"Looks like I have a business meeting to attend." Jason grumbled. "Sorry we couldn't chat for a while longer."

"I understand." She said longingly. "Wait, if you have the extra time, why don't you come over to me and my friends flat to have dinner with us?" She suggested, the brilliant idea only dawned to her a few moments ago.

Jason appeared to be contemplating the idea. "I'll see if I have room on my schedule. What day do you want me to come over?"

"Saturday." Both her and Reyna were off from work on that day. "I'll message you the address, okay?"

"Okay, I'll see you then." Jason called back as he retreated to his car.

She watched his car pull out from the parking lot and completely disappear into the overcrowded New york rush hour, when a thought came to her. What was she thinking, were Reyna and Jason even on good terms? Surely Reyna would have gotten over what happened nine years ago, hopefully that was the case.

Hope you like Reyna's children. I picked the name Claudia and Adrian because their Latin names, that's it really. I don't even know what the names mean. Review and if you have questions feel free to ask. Review!