A/N: So I really cant apologize enough for how long it has taken to get an update done. I've been busy with my first semester of college, an increase of hours at work, family drama and loosing three of my dogs within four months. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and hopefully updates will be a little more frequent from now on.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the familiar characters, just Avalon, Maggie and Emily.
Neatly wrapped fists swung at the suspended punching bag, falling into a rhythm that matched the return of the heavily stuffed leather. Toned muscles rippled beneath tanned skin, glistening with sweat in fluorescent lighting as Kelly swung once more, the sound of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" thumping through a set of headphones. His mind was in a whirl, his thoughts a jumbled mess as he thought back to the afternoon before and back to how Ava's lips had felt on his. He groaned, panting slightly as he swung once more, completely oblivious to the fact that there was someone standing behind him.
Grey eyes danced in amusement, set deep in a slightly wrinkled face. Stepping towards his grandson-in-law Austin Carson couldn't help but chuckle as he steadied the heavy bag, an eyebrow raised as he watched Kelly perform one more combination before stopping and looping his headphones around his neck. Reaching over and handing the younger man a water bottle he waited until his breathing evened out.
"What has my granddaughter done now?" Austin smirked, taking back the water bottle in exchange for the towel Kelly had brought out with him.
"Why would you think Ava's done something?" Kelly panted, taking a seat on a low, hand hewn wooden bench and glancing up through slightly clumped lashes.
Austin released a deep belly laugh, shoulders shaking beneath well worn red checked flannel. "Son, I've known you for over sixteen years and in that time I've learned to tell when my granddaughter has you all up in knots. I swear the first time that I met you your face was redder than those fire trucks you work with and you walked around as if you had a serious case of blue balls."
"Pops!" Kelly exclaimed, flushing. Very rarely was he surprised by anything his ex grandfather-in-law said but for the majority the retired Marine turned semi-professional boxer turned police officer had some sense of boundaries. "Nothing like that. I…we…she…we kissed a few days ago and it's….really screwing with my head," Kelly grumbled in confession.
"So kiss her again, get over the awkwardness and live happily ever after. The doll Emily tells me every time I see her that you have been spending more time around their place- if you're there that often just make it official and move in with them."
"I am not there that often," Kelly protested. "And I love hanging out with Em but there's just too much of a past to…"
Austin cut him off. "The only time there's "too much" is when you are dead and even then it is too much that you did not do and too many things that you regret- don't let not acting on your feelings for my granddaughter be one of your regrets."
"I don't regret how I felt for Ava, or even what I feel now. I regret that we didn't work on our problems the first time around."
Austin snorted. "You two were young, headstrong fools who thought you could get married straight out of high school with no real foundation and make it last while one supported the other by giving up their dream- because that would have totally worked."
"Were you always this sarcastic?" Kelly asked rhetorically, gathering his belongings and rolling his neck once more as he zipped up his duffle bag and looped the strap across his chest.
"Yes I have, but it is just a part of my charming personality that has had me married for nearly sixty five years," the eighty three year old grinned with his arms crossed over his barrel of a chest. "Wanna know what else has kept us together for so long?" heavy eye brows danced on his face.
Kelly's nose wrinkled. "You gave me this speech the night before we got married and I do not have the sanity to sit through it again," he winced. "I swear I don't know what was worse- your lecture on how to keep the wife a happy camper or when you sat Ava and I down to give us an abridge version of the sex talk. You should record that and sell it as birth control."
The last thing Kelly heard as he left the gym and waved over his shoulder was the deep chortle of his ex-grandfather in law. Glancing at his watch he figured he had just enough time to run home, shower and then change before he met everyone at Molly's.
"Why are we here again?" Avalon questioned as she absently rubbed a hand over her denim clad thighs, palms slightly damp as she stared at what should have been a harmless glowing sign over the entrance to a harmless bar. She had never even heard of "Molly's" until Maggie had thrown a flyer she had found onto Ava's desk, claiming that not only did they need a night out but a change of scenery. Still semi-pouting over the fact that her sister-in-law had agreed to take Emily for the night, she plucked at the navy blue dotted, tulip sleeved blouse that she wore beneath a fitted black leather jacket and paired with dark washed skinny jeans and a pair of black peep toed sling-back platform wedges that she had found at Charlotte Russe.
"We are here because we haven't had a drink together in over a month and sitting on your couch drinking wine and drooling over Theo Rossi in 'Sons of Anarchy' is getting a little old," Maggie responded easily as she reached for the heavy wooden that led into the bar. "Now come on, it's colder than the cleft of Satan's butt cheeks out here."
Avalon snorted. "You do realize the fact that Satan resides in Hell completely undermines what you just side, right?"
Mumbling a "shut up" as she shoved Ava into the bar ahead of her, Maggie led the way to a high top table in the corner, knowing Ava's slight obsession with being able to see every entrance and exit while in a bar. "First rounds on me- are you sticking to a glass of red, whatever is on tap, or a mixed drink tonight?"
"I drove so I'll just have a Sprite, please."
Maggie looked at her and shook her head. "A glass of red it is."
Before Avalon could voice a complaint Maggie had wondered off, her hips swaying in a vibrant red dress. fighting a yawn as she checked her cell phone for any messages regarding Emily, she switched to her Facebook and was thumbing through her feed when two hands covered the top portion of her face. Tensing up, she relaxed at the familiar scent of jasmine and pink lemonade body lotion. "Hey Shay."
Leslie removed her hands and took the seat opposite the red head with a smirk. "How did you know it was me?" the blond questioned, a thin brow raised.
"Because I know the scent of your body lotion," she chuckled. "How have you been?"
"Busy but that's okay. How's Em?"
Avalon beamed. "She is good- brought home a one hundred on both her math test and her vocabulary test the other day. Her teacher even recommended a more advanced course selection for sixth grade. She was so excited! And I even made a deal that if she finishes the next three tests across the subject board with higher than a ninety we would get her ears pierced."
"That sounds pretty awesome- tell her to let me know when you guys end up going." Shay's eyes shifted at the sound of a whistle. "I've got to go- I'm needed behind the bar. Tell Em I said 'hey' though."
Before Avalon could ask the question that burned the tip of her tongue Shay had disappeared into the Friday night regulars and Maggie appeared, carrying two glasses- a long stemmed flute of red wine and a big margarita that smelled of apples and cinnamon. Shaking her head in amusement, Avalon accepted her wine and swirled it in her cup, inhaling the fragrance of sweet berries before taking a sip.
"So what are your thoughts on the upcoming exhibits?" Maggie asked, idly fingering the salted rim of her margarita as she savored the taste of what reminded her of fall.
"Honestly? It is going to be a lot of work- between figuring out what we already have and requisitioning the rest, as well as clearing a space for it." The entire time she spoke her eyes swept the bar, taking in the atmosphere. "But the fact that…" her words trailed off as she took notice of Kelly standing in the corner of the bar beside a high top full of people, his arm around the shoulders of a petite woman with honey streaked brunette hair. At first she wondered briefly if the woman was his sister, the thought vanishing when the woman turned her head and kissed him square on the mouth, one of her hands threading in his hair.
Avalon hardly heard the expletive Maggie let loose, a pain pulling at her chest far worse than any bout of indigestion she'd ever had. Her mouth opening and closing like a fish, she averted her gaze and picked up her wine, staring into it for a moment before downing the nearly full glass in a single go.
"Ava," Maggie started, being cut off by a shake of the head.
"Nah, it's okay. I am gonna step out real quick. Text me when you need a ride?" Throwing a shaky smile in her friend's direction, she dug her keys from her small purse and moved towards the direction of the exit. Inhaling and exhaling slowly she ignored the sound of someone calling her name. Pushing open the heavy double door she used the remote on her keys to unlock the Maxima and slid behind the wheel, slapping her hand against the leather a few times as she swore.
She ignored the tears that built unconsciously, trickling over smooth skin as she keyed up the ignition and swiped at her cheeks. Putting the car in drive she pulled out of the lot and just drove, her jaw throbbing from how hard it was clenched. Cursing herself for a slew of things she ran through the list in her mind- she cursed herself for letting him back in, for letting him close and for letting him somehow get it into her mind that maybe, just maybe they were worth a second chance. Growling in frustration she finally focused on street signs rather than the road, finding herself nearly five city blocks from the bar and parallel parked outside of a small diner. Turning off the Maxima and fighting a yawn as she suddenly felt exhausted, she scooped up her little envelope clutch from the passenger's seat and tucked her keys inside as she stepped out and locked the door. Checking her appearance in the reflection of her windows she strolled towards the diners entrance and slipped inside, inhaling the scent of sizzling bacon grease and something doughy like fresh bread.
Noticing a sign that read 'please seat yourself' she found comfort in a small corner booth, its vivid vinyl seat beginning to chip in places and contrasting with the smooth, clean tables. Plucking at one of the laminated menus she hummed to herself as she looked it over, feeling her stomach clench as she read over the options. So engrossed in it she didn't notice that someone had stepped up to the table until the gently cleared there throat.
"How are you tonight? Can I get you something to…"they trailed off, "Avalon?"
Peering up over the top of the laminated menu she felt a small grin split her face and pull at the salted skin of her cheeks. "Hey Pete how are you?" she questioned, setting the menu down and angling her body towards the youngest member of squad.
"I'm well thanks, and you?"
Nibbling her bottom lips she nodded distractedly. "Good, I'm good."
He looked hesitant to accept that answer but seemed to do so as he moved on from the question, removing a pencil from where it was tucked behind his ear. "Can I get you anything to drink while you look over the menu?"
"Just a glass of water and the biggest, greasiest cheeseburger you have please."
Dark brows furrowing Pete nodded. "Fries okay?"
"Fries sound absolutely perfect." Flashing a strained smile she watched Mills walk off before pulling out her cell phone and rolling her eyes when she found eight missed calls that varied from Shay, Maggie and Kelly, as well as various text messages. Not bothering to read any of them or listen to any of the voicemails she marked them all as 'read' so that her phone would stop blinking. Pulling up 'Trivia Crack' while she waited Avalon couldn't help but glance towards the door every time the little bell chimed. Sipping at her water occasionally, she kept to herself for the most part, conversing with Mills whenever he poked his head around door jamb to ask her a question. Fighting the urge to coo over the elderly couple that walked through the door physically supporting each other, Ava haphazardly wondered if she was ever going to have anything similar- a love that transcended time and circumstance.
Uttering a thank you as her dinner was placed in front of her she set her cell phone down and was mid-bite when the diner's door was opened, setting the bell off. Not bothering to look up this time she tensed when someone stood over her and cleared their throat awkwardly.
"Can I sit?" came the familiar, deep voice and she glared at the beef and bun combination that she held.
"It's a free country Kelly. You can sit where ever you damn well please."
Wincing at the chilly reception he was receiving Kelly muttered a thanks as Mills appeared from the kitchen and set a basket of fries in front of him, dousing them in ketchup while watching Avalon from the corner of his eye. After downing the first few he sat back and crossed his arms, watching Avalon through squinted eyes.
"Are you up for that adult conversation now?" he questioned.
"I don't know; are you done shoving your tongue down some blonde's throat?"
"Who Erin?" Kelly started, eyebrows jumping. "I didn't kiss her, she kissed me! And how did you even know?"
"Maggie decided Molly's sounded like a nice place to drink and we didn't realize it was a fire fighter bar until we got there. Imagine our surprise when we look over and see you attached at the lips to 'Erin.'"
His internal warning system went off at the use of finger quotes and the sad, disappointed look in Avalon's puppy eyes. "I broke up with Erin tonight- that kiss was her saying goodbye. It has been over between us for a while but tonight just made it official."
Dark auburn brows furrowed. "Does that mean you two were together when we started spending time together and…and when you kissed me?"
"Ava hear me out please." He hated the fact that though hushed, his voice still sounded like he was begging. "Erin and I, we were never really serious. Every time we were…intimate…it was fueled by desperation, high emotions and alcohol. Sure she's attractive," he winced at her glare, "but we were never going to be anything other than a booty call."
"Kelly…"
He interrupted, thinking about that morning. "You know, I was at the gym this morning and ended up sitting with Austin for awhile. He kept saying he knew that we were involved again to some extent because he could tell that lately I've been all up in knots, something that only you do to me. It has been over a decade since we have been over and every single relationship I have had since then has failed which both Austin and Shay theorize is because I have yet to let go of the minuscule inkling of hope that maybe, just maybe one day you would come back to Chicago."
"Kelly where are you going with this?" she sounded tired, her burger finished and her fries half demolished as she plowed through them as an excuse to not have to talk. "We are two consenting adults- if you want to sleep with another woman go right ahead, just don't come crawling back to me to try and get a second round."
"You're not a second round type of girl- unless you are the first round and every round after that. Erin was the only girl I've seen in the last six months and I just gave her up in hopes of trying again. Avalon can we please try again? Will you be my every round girl?"
Her mind reeling, Avalon opened her mouth to respond closing it after a moment as the words escaped her. It was like she had forgotten how to speak English never mind the other four languages she spoke. "Kelly, we…you…I…" she trailed off with a huff, pursing her lips as she attempted to get her thoughts back into order.
"You once told me that you did not want a love like Romeo and Juliet because it was toxic, hurting not only the couple but everyone that cared about them. So think of us like Pocahontas and John Smith, Belle and the Beast, any couple from a Nicholas Sparks novel, or one of your country songs."
She couldn't help but chuckle. "Your argument is seemingly a double negative and makes it invalid. Not all Nicholas Sparks novels ended with the couple getting together, Pocahontas married John Rolfe and historically there was no known relationship between her and Smith, and Beast tried to kill Belle."
A furrow formed in between dark brows, a frown tugging at the corner of Kelly's mouth. "Oh hmmm…"
"I get your point Kelly but how do you propose this would work? You have been a renowned Casanova and climbing the ranks for the last few years and I've been focused on making a career and a home for Emily after she had the rug pulled from beneath her feet. We aren't two love sick teenagers who are ready to take on the world- we've already made the mad dash to the front line and now we are in the fight for the long haul. We just aren't the same people who got married straight out of high school." It near physically pained her to say the words.
Kelly wiped his hands on a napkin as he finished off his fries and stole a sip of Avalon's water. "Than let's think of this as a new chance a complete factory reset rather than a second chance. So you say we are two new, separate people. Let's work with that, a clean slate…tabula rasa."
Grey eyes swept over his serious face. "I have a few stipulations," Avalon said bluntly. When Kelly nodded she continued. "Number one, we keep this to ourselves until we are sure that is something other than a do over. Number two, we keep Emily out of the middle of this. I don't want her involved in case this heads south, I don't want her to get anymore attached to you than she already is and I don't want her to suffer. Number three, absolutely no sneaking around; if you want out you tell me, don't go behind my back and assume I won't find out. And lastly, I need absolute honesty no lies, no matter how much you think it will hurt. If you don't want to do this anymore you need to tell me, if something happens similar to what happened to Katie or one of our friends get hurt, please tell me. If you go out don't cover it with the excuse of picking up a shift." Her tangent was met head on with full eye contact.
After a moment of absorbing the information Kelly beamed and held up his fisted hand, extending just the pinky. "Promise?"
Looping her pinky around his work roughened one Avalon nibbled on her lower lip. "Promise."
The smile that crossed his face was so large that it looked like it stretched from ear to ear. "Hi, I'm Kelly."
"It's nice to meet you Kelly, I'm Avalon."
Keeping a hold of Avalon's hand Kelly grinned, turning it to place a light kiss on the inside of her wrist. "Here's to starting over."
A/N: And there's chapter 20. Let me know what you guys think!