Chapter 10:
Allie picked up her light jacket for cooler weather- made of fake leather- and walked two offices down from her own to Mac's. She knocked on the door gently, but opened it before she got an answer from Mac. "Hey, I'm going to go home and get Cade."
"Okay." He didn't even bother to look up from his paperwork, "So, are you going to bring him back here or do you want me to meet him at a coffee-"
"No coffee!" Allie exasperated, "trust me, the last thing my kid needs is coffee, he's hyper enough as it is." She pulled her hair out of her face and tied it into a ponytail, "I was such an idiot for letting him take sips of mine when he was little."
"Lucy is the same way. I babysit her sometimes. I love the child, but after a couple of hours…." he shook his head and a trace of a grin played on his lips if only a second, " Ol' Uncle Mac is pretty much exhausted." Allie rolled her eyes and let out a little huff,
"Oh please," she joked, "You, tired? The Mac Taylor? Awesome cop, badass crime solving detective and former Marine?" She mimicked her son's voice, even if Mac didn't know who she was impersonating at that time, and then laughed as she added normally, "Tired by a little girl?" Mac turned his face away, embarrassed and humble.
"Your son?" He asked, and she knew he was referring to what she'd just said about his time in the Marines.
"Yeah, my son." She pulled at her ponytail out of habit. She turned to leave and Mac called to her, "How about I take the boy out for a sandwich or something at that little sub sandwich place on the corner down the street from here… Ah…" He twirled his index finger in the air, "The name is escaping me at the moment. You know what I'm talking about, right?"
"Yeah, sounds good. I'm sure Cade is going to love it. I'm sorry if he freaks out over you, you're apparently his role model and idol-like I said before."
Allie was greeted by the dogs jumping at her legs as soon as she turned the key into her apartment door. "Cayden," before she could say anything more, he had practically sprinted from his bedroom to the living room.
"Is it time to go, Mom?" He asked, voice quick, "Am I going to meet Detective Taylor now? Oh my God, Mom, I can't believe you actually set this up! Should I take some cash? Maybe I should buy him lunch and make a good impression… No, ask about his past… Well that seems kind of like a stalker… Mom, I don't know what to do! Should I wear something nice or is-"
"Cayden, Mac is a good guy. He's very shy and modest; he wouldn't like a fuss being made over him. Don't bring money, he wouldn't want that either." She attempted to calm down the boy,
"Mac? You're calling him Mac?" His voice rose in delight, and then he exclaimed to nobody in particular, "My mom is on a first name basis with Detective Mac Taylor. This is so cool!"
"What do you say we get going?" Allie asked, just shaking her head and played with the keys in her hands.
"YES!" Cayden rushed past his mother, and she called through stifled laughter,
"Where do you think you're going? I've got the keys?" She then proceeded to lock up the door and run after her son, down the single flight of stairs in the apartment building.
It was anything but silent in the car as Allie drove, between the music on the radio and Cayden's questioning. "Why won't you let me drive much, Mom? I'm almost 17. I have my license."
"You learned to drive in the country, this is the city. I don't want you driving in this mess until I know you can do it." No sooner did she say that then she slammed on her breaks, "See that dumbass just pulled out in front of me! New York City is a lot different than a little town in the sticks."
"Do you think Detective Taylor will like me?"
"Yes,"
"What if he doesn't?" Fear couldn't be hidden from the question, despite Cayden's attempt to put on a confident front.
"He will."
"How do you know, Mom?"
"Detective Taylor is a good guy, and very accepting. Besides, he knows a lot about you."
"How?" His jaw went agape. Allie made a disgusted face, then sarcastically asked her son,
"Well, Sherlock, take a guess."
"You talk about me with Detective Taylor?!" He practically jumped out of his seat,
"ding ding ding, and we have a winner." Cayden ignored his mother's comment,
"Oh, Mom, what does he say? How does he act?" He had his hands clasped and was jumping around the front seat as much as his seat belt would allow. It was quiet a moment then Cayden gripped on to his hair, "Oh my God, Mom! I know so much about him, yet I know so little! What should I talk about? How should I act? How-"
"Cade, for the last time, calm down!" One of her hands left the steering wheel in a fast motion in the air. "Listen to me, he is a good man, and he is looking forward to meeting you. Act like you, after all that is who he's supposed to be meeting. Now-" She stopped mid sentence to parallel park the car on the side of the street, "I hate this. We never had to worry about this back home."
"Oh Mom, chill out." He scoffed, used to this complaint, then changed the topic again, "Go on, what were you saying?" She concluded the parking maneuver and then answered,
"I was just saying to take it easy, and have fun!" She smiled, "Now I'm walking you in just to make sure he's-"
"Mom, I'm 16!" He exclaimed,
"Yeah, I'm aware, and you'll be 17 soon." She shot back, "I was there when you were born, trust me, I remember it. It's not like you came out of me or anything- 2 hours of labor. I don't care how old you are, I'm taking you in. It's a big city, we're not from here…I'm in law enforcement now, I've seen bad in this city, and I don't want you attacking poor Mr. Taylor!" Cayden growled something, but started laughing despite his attempts not to. "Now come on, let's go."
"Oh my God! Mom," Cayden grabbed her arm like a young child would, "You were serious! Detective Taylor is here!" He exclaimed in no more than a whisper as they walked through the door to the restaurant. "To see me!" At that moment, Mac glanced up from across the restaurant and waved at them. "MOM! He just waved at us."
"Cayden, it's alright!" She nudged, "Please don't hyperventilate in public, Kiddo. You don't want Mac to have to take you to the hospital." They approached Mac's table upon her conclusion of the sentence. Mac stood and extended his hand to shake Allie's, then pulled her in for a friendly hug, then turned to Cayden-beaming almost pathetically.
"Cayden, it's a pleasure to meet you." He stuck his hand out for a handshake, which he accepted almost too eagerly, "I'm Mac,"
"Detective Taylor, the pleasure is mine! The honor is mine! I can't believe my mom actually works with you! I can't believe this is happening you're like… The best! I am so grateful to have the chance to meet you and-" Allie kicked the boy's ankle, a silent way of telling him to control himself. Mac was smiling-not exactly blushing- but something of the sort.
"Believe me, Son, the honor is all mine. Your mother has told me a great deal about you." He looked up at least 3 inches-probably more- into the younger man's eyes. "How about we have a seat?" He gestured to the table, and the two seated themselves. Allie walked behind Cayden's chair and hugged him around the shoulder, kissing his left cheek, and whispering,
"Be good, don't scare the man… Have fun." Then she walked around the back of Mac's chair and whispered to him, "I'm sorry he's really excited. Thanks for doing this." As she started to walk away, both of the guys each yelled something, and she turned to acknowledge them.
"I love you, Mom!" Cayden repeated,
"Love you too, Cade." Then Mac spoke,
"Were you going to eat with us?" Allie smiled,
"Thanks for the offer." Her heart felt light and a moment of euphoria filled her being. "No thank you, though. I'm going to go shopping. This is a "guy luncheon" going on, I'm not going to impose on that." Each of the men smiled, Cayden being more of a 'thank you, Mom kind of look. Mac's was more of a 'see you around' kind of look.
A/N Oh boy! Cayden is meeting his role model! How will he act alone with Mac? Find put in the next chapter. As always. let em know what you think :)
