Thank you guys! Here is chapter two. :)

Chapter 2

She pressed her hands together in her lap and quietly listened to the woman across from her. As the woman spoke about her husband passing away nearly ten years ago, her lips twisted. Ten years. It had only been one year for her. Would she still be in this room nine years from now reminiscing on her love of Wyatt? She knew that healing knew no real timeline and everyone moved at a different pace, but she wanted to be on the other side already.

Not moving on. No. She had decided a little while ago that she wasn't ever going to marry or have kids. Those dreams and desires had died along with Wyatt a year ago. Her focus now would be on her career, not a family.

"Would you like to introduce yourself?" The group leader asked Anna. She rapidly blinked, not expecting to be called out in the middle of the group. Her eyes looked up and she could see everyone's eyes on her. The corners of her lips curled up slightly and her head shook.

"Hi, I…I'm Anna. I am just here to listen," she said lowly. Talking about Wyatt wasn't an option. It was something she didn't do. Only with her therapist twice a month. And even then she said the bare minimum.

"You are welcome to just listen, but we hope over time you'll feel comfortable enough to share with us," the leader nicely told her. Anna nodded and was glad as the attention was moved to someone else in the group.

Pulling her sleeve back slightly, Anna checked her watch. She had been here for fifteen minutes and there was still another forty-five to go. A small sigh left her lips.

"Hi everyone, I'm John."

Upon hearing the voice from the man she met earlier, Anna glanced over toward him. He was sitting forward with his elbows resting against his thighs. Then he sat back and ran his hands up his legs letting out a loud breath. Next to him sat a cane and Anna realized she hadn't noticed him using it earlier as the two of them had spoken. To be fair, she had been so rattled that someone had come up to speak to her. She hadn't been observant at the time. He seemed kind enough, but she wasn't here to make friends. She had only come because her therapist insisted she try it.

"It's been a tough week," he stated, clasping his hands in front of his chest. "My son, he's 7, has a birthday coming up. I have been trying to plan something. He'll be turning 8 and that feels like it should be celebrated. I don't even know how to begin. My wife, Rebecca, she knew how to make every holiday special. I feel like I am barely cutting it. Thankfully, Luke, my son, is easy going. He doesn't expect much. But I want him to have the best. He's a great kid."

Hearing the man speak about his son made Anna want to cry. She didn't know why this particular situation had that effect on her. Perhaps it was because of her own past and losing her own father at a young age. Once she had lost her father, her happy childhood had been gone. Happiness hadn't existed again. Well it hadn't until she met Wyatt. Her breath hitched within her throat and she could feel herself growing overcome with emotions.

With the tips of her fingers, she discreetly wiped under her eyes. The last thing she needed to do was bring to others attention that she could possibly be crying. She didn't want to be asked anything else.

Time ticked by slowly, but finally the meeting was over. Anna felt the intense need to rush out of the room and never come back. But she couldn't. She felt drawn back toward John. Him speaking about his son's party had hit her particularly hard and she wanted to help.

He was speaking with one of the other group members, so Anna stood back and waited for their conversation to end. She tried not to intrude on their conversation, but she couldn't help but watch as he spoke to the man in front of him. He reached his hand over and placed it on the man's shoulder, giving it a kind squeeze. He then bent over and whispered something into the man's ear. The man nodded and then hugged John's neck, before pulling back and thanking him.

As the man walked away, Anna took a few quick steps toward John and anxiously chewed on the corner of her lip.

"Hi," Anna quickly said, before she lost her nerve. She wasn't sure where these nerves were coming from. Daily she spoke to different people because of her job, but this entire situation was making her anxious.

John turned to her with a kind, bright smile. "Oh, Anna! How did you like your first meeting?"

"It…well, it was different," Anna honestly replied. "I'm not sure what I expected. Everyone seemed kind."

"They are," John agreed. "It's a great group."

"Yes. I do hope I am not overstepping, but after listening to you speak about your son's upcoming birthday, I'd like to offer my help." John opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Anna continued to explain. "You see, my friend and I have a company where we organize parties."

"Oh, I see. That is very kind of you, Anna, but I am not sure my son needs a whole party planning committee. Plus, if I did use one, I would likely have to use my friend, Robert's, daughter's company. If I didn't, he might never speak with me again," he said with a chuckle.

"Oh, alright," Anna said with a nod. She pulled one of her business cards out of her purse and handed it to him. "If you change your mind."

Glancing over the card, John laughed heartily, which made Anna's face pinch up angrily. Seeing Anna's face, he shook his head quickly.

"No, no. I'm not laughing at you. I just….your company is my friend's daughter's company. Mary Crawley is his daughter."

"Oh, small world," Anna commented. "Yes, Mary and I are friends. Well the offer stands. I just wanted to offer you some help if you needed it. It doesn't have to be anything overly complicated. Whatever you wanted."

"Thank you, Anna, truly. I'll think on it. Doing this single parenting gig isn't easy," John said to her, his kind smile slipping off his lips slightly. "My wife….well, she would have handled it better than me. She was a natural at parenting. I have to figure out something new every day."

"That must be difficult; I can't imagine."

John's eyes fell to his watch and he grimaced. "I…I've got to go. My son is supposed to be picked up in 5 minutes and they live 15 minutes away. Again, it was nice to meet you, Anna."

"It was nice to meet you, too."

"See you next week?" John questioned, as he began walking toward the door.

"Perhaps."

"Do come back. It gets easier; I promise."

Anna watched as he exited the building and then she followed a few seconds later. She had nowhere to be. Part of her wondered if she should call Mary and see if she was still on for drinks. But the evening had taken a lot out of her. She worried that if she started drinking that she could start crying and be a blubbering mess. No, it was best if she just went home.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"You're late," Luke admonished. He climbed into the back seat of the car and buckled himself in. "You promised you would be there at 7."

John glanced at the clock. "It's 7:10. I wasn't that late."

"Late is late, Dad. That's what you always say when I'm up a few minutes past bedtime." John sighed, but smiled. Luke didn't miss a thing and he definitely called him out on everything. There was no way to get anything past him.

"Alright, how about you get to stay up fifteen minutes past bedtime tonight," John offered as a penance for being late. He heard as Luke hummed to himself to debate on whether or not this was acceptable.

"Okay. I'll accept this proposal," Luke told him seriously. "How was your meeting? Did you talk about Mum?"

"It went well. I did," John replied. "Did you have fun at Jackson's house?"

"Yes. We did our homework. Then his mum made homemade pizza for dinner."

"Was it good?"
"Yes, we got to put whatever toppings we wanted to on it. We should do it sometime, but you can't burn it."

"I don't burn food," John defended himself. Luke chuckled.

"Dad, I love you, but you burn any food you try to cook."

"I do not!"

"Then why do we always get take out?" Luke asked. John pursed his lips together. Luke had him there. They did eat take out for most meals. If not that, then something microwavable or cereal. Easy meals. Perhaps they weren't the best, but they kept them fed.

"Alright, alright," John stated. "But I don't burn all the foods. I make decent eggs."

"Yes," Luke said. "I do like your eggs."

When they got home, Luke rushed into the house, knocking his shoes off at the door and throwing his book bag on the floor. John followed behind him, putting his own shoes next to his sons and his briefcase up on the table.

"So I know what I want for my birthday," Luke told his father. "Chocolate cake and to invite everyone from my class."

"Everyone? You don't want just a small gathering with Robert, Cora, and the Carsons?" Luke's head shook.

"No, I want a big party this year with all my friends."

"Okay, if that's what you want, we can do that."

"Awesome! Can we have it somewhere outside so we can play with water ballons?"

"Um, sure," John said, already feeling dazed by these requests. Luke did an excited jig.

"Let's play some Mario Kart. I've been practicing," Luke quickly changed the subject.

"Oh, you think you're going to beat me?"

"Yes!" Luke joyously replied. John couldn't help but smile. His son brought him so much happiness.

Reaching into his pocket, John pulled out the business card from Anna. He ran his fingers around the corner and sighed. Maybe he did need the help. He had no idea where to even start with a big water balloon birthday party. After Luke was in bed, he would email her.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The clock ticked closer and closer to bedtime and Anna tipped her glass of wine back, taking a long sip. She wasn't sure that she would be able to sleep tonight knowing what tomorrow would bring. It was just a day, she reminded herself. There didn't need to be any expectations on herself.

But the truth of the matter was that tomorrow was the beginning of a week of nearly breaking down. Not only did tomorrow mark the anniversary of Wyatt's death, but it also marked the beginning of the week from hell. She had to call and inform so many people of her wedding no longer happening. There were caterers she needed to cancel, places to cancel, her future life to cancel. Mary and her sister, Sybil, had helped make the calls.

Maybe she should just drink herself into oblivion for a week to forget it all and then come out of the other side pretending as though none of it had happened.

Not the best coping technique, she could hear her therapist say in her head. She sighed, setting her wine glass down on her coffee table.

Her phone beeped, giving her a notification that she had received a work email. Picking up her phone, she clicked on the banner and the email opened up.

Good evening, Anna. This is John Bates from the support group this evening. I think you may be right; we may need a planner to help plan my son's birthday party. He has big plans of a water party with cake. I wouldn't even know how to begin. Ideally, we would have the party at the end of the month. I don't even know if it'll be warm enough by then for this type of party. Please let me know what I need to do. Thank you, John.

The smallest of smiles grew on Anna's lips. She didn't know why, but she felt this pull toward helping John. Quickly, she typed him back a response.

Hello John, We can definitely assist you. I am happy to help you find a location and plan the theme at no cost. Think of it as a thank you for the warm welcome to the group. Give me a few days to look at locations and then I will get back to you. Warmly, Anna.

To be continued...

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