Hey! I kept thinking about Rowater and the potential they had but we never got to see, so I decided to try and write a one-shot about them. Wasn't sure how it was going to turn out at first, but the more I wrote the more I was enjoying the story. This is set on the same universe of my other fics if you'd like to check them out. Huge thanks as always to my sweet friend one-cpd for kindly reviewing it and encourage me to post it, to Haley for being so supportive and to OneChicago_Rhi for suggesting once that I should write Rowater's fancy date. Hope you guys like this one! :)
The sound of the alarm persistently beeping started to slowly wake Kevin up. With half opened eyes, he stretched his arm to grab his phone from the bedside table.
Sweeping his thumb on the screen he turned off the alarm and groaned softly when he looked at the time. 7 AM. He dropped the phone again on the table and turned back around to the warm body beside him that had her arms wrapped around his torso.
He lifted a hand to move the messy dark curls of Vanessa's hair from her face and gently nudged her shoulder. She hummed and tightened her hold on him, obviously not wanting to be woken up so early.
At the time, soft morning light filtered through the curtains of her bedroom, making the naturally tan skin of her shoulders and face glow. She always seemed to be glowing to him.
It was more than just her skin, her bright smile, or her overall energy. She made him feel lighter and at ease when he looked at her.
It was like walking outside after the rain stopped and feeling the first rays of sun that filtered through the clouds warming your skin.
Kevin moved the hand that wasn't trapped under her over Vanessa's back. After a moment, she finally opened her eyes and looked up sleepily at him.
"Hey there" he said softly and she smiled lazily.
"Hey, good morning babe" He gave her lips a quick peck and moved back a bit to see her face better.
"Morning sunshine. Sleep ok?" Vanessa felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise a bit at the feeling of his warm hand touching her skin under her shirt, and his deep voice so close.
It didn't matter if they had been doing that for a while, waking up together, it still felt new and exciting every time.
"After last night, how could I not?" She smiled teasingly while lifting an eyebrow. He just bit his lip and she angled her head to the side to place a kiss on his jaw.
Moving his head to find her lips he started kissing her while she moved her hand from his bare torso, to his chest, and his neck, to finally thread her fingers through his short hair while she deepened the kiss.
Carefully, he rolled them over so he was on top of her, holding his weight with his arms on both sides of her head. He lifted himself a bit and breaking apart the kiss, he grinned while looking down at her.
"Mhmm, glad to be helpful" Vanessa placed both of her hands on his face and moved her thumbs over his beard.
"Ugh, I want to pretend the alarm didn't sound" she said and he stopped for a moment to really look at her. Her small, easy smile, her big brown eyes and her slightly flushed cheeks.
The feeling of her thumbs on his face, and their bodies pressed together under the covers. He absolutely wanted to pretend the alarm didn't sound.
"That makes two of us, but duty calls. Give me another kiss before I go make coffee" he closed his eyes and tried to get his face closer, but she held his face and squished it lightly.
She let out a short laugh at how he looked and closed the distance to give him a kiss. She let his face go and he moved from over her to the edge of the bed while lifting the covers.
Before he could completely get up, he felt Vanessa's hand grab his and tug on it once.
"Tired of me already?" she asked and he looked at her over his shoulder.
"Of you? No way. Because of you? Maybe" he shrugged.
"Dude, don't tell me I tire you out?" he turned and placed his free hand over his bare chest.
"You have your ways woman. And this brother is only human." She got up on her knees and moved on the bed until she was a hand away from him.
"Maybe ya need to do more cardio" she used her free hand to grab at his biceps and shoulder and feel them up "I mean, these muscles of yours are very fine to look at but you gotta keep up with me" she finished teasingly and looked up at him.
He chuckled and grabbed her by the waist, pulling their bodies closer.
"So, what I hear is you want us to do cardio together. We can do that. Starting, right, now." Touching their foreheads together, he started to lift her shirt. She laughed and shook her head.
"Hey big man, weren't you tired?" she asked while she circled her arms around his neck.
"I said that? Must be gettin' crazy. All your fault though" he moved his head and started placing kisses under her ear. She hummed softly at the feeling of his warm lips on her skin.
"Me? No sir, your craziness is all yours" somehow, she managed to throw a sassy remark back.
"See I was trying to be smooth back there and say you got me crazy for you, but now…" he lifted his head to look at her eyes again and put a little space between them. She groaned, missing the small contact and moving her hands to his shoulders.
Vanessa stuck out her bottom lip in a pout "You can still say it". Kevin just released her waist and started walking backwards, away from the bed.
"Sorry. You just missed the praise train" he lifted his hands and grinned.
She took a moment to appreciate the way the muscles of his half naked body moved as he navigated blindly towards the kitchen. He was a very fine man, that she knew for sure.
He caught her staring and his smile widened. Just to tease her, he did a full turn before disappearing from sight in the hallway which only made her cheeks feel warmer.
"I can't with you. Go bring me coffee" she heard him laugh and then yell a "Yes ma'am" in the distance.
After they had their coffee and breakfast, both got quickly ready and made their way outside the building to the parking lot.
Kevin walked with her to her car and sweetly kissed her cheek "Have a good day babe. Kick some ass" she grinned and opened the driver's door of her truck "You too sweetie"
Once inside the car she rolled down the window and got her head out, placing her arms over the door "Hey, you know, I got next weekend off…any chance we can do a night out?"
Since that day Vanessa got back and they finally reconnected, they had been seeing each other whenever their schedules allowed. Walks by the river, going bowling, a night dancing at a club, spending the night together at one of their places.
Being together after being apart for so long felt surprisingly very natural, they had already been good friends for a while and the chemistry and affection was there, so why not?
Kevin thought a bit about her proposition to go out and decided right there he'd try and make this date extra special. She had been a light in his life recently and she deserved to be shown just how much he appreciated her, and what they had too.
He leaned forward with his hands on his pockets "I think I can make it happen. Just need to talk to Platt. She secretly has a soft spot for me, you know?" Vanessa raises her eyebrows skeptically.
"Not sure about that but, all right. See you on Saturday" she gave him a big smile that pushed her cheeks up and made her eyes close. He gave her a half-smile back.
"Sweet" his phone started vibrating in his pocket and he took it out to see a couple texts from Jay with the location of a scene "Shit. That's Halstead, we got a case. Call you later" he said before turning around and running to his car.
Thankfully, the case they got wasn't a big one and they managed to close it by the end of the week. Platt did have a soft spot for Kevin, and after the good news he got about his job that same day, she decided to go easy on him and gift him kind of a free weekend. He'd still have to be with his phone on the occasion a case popped up, but he was really praying that wouldn't happen.
On Friday night he called Vanessa to let her know of his plans, he was taking her out for dinner someplace nice so they'd have to dress up more formal, but that was about all he said. Everything else was a surprise. Vanessa tried her best to get out more information but Kevin wasn't budging, so she gave up.
She was actually fine with getting surprised. She spent all her life not knowing what the next day could bring, so she just prepared for and adapted the best to what came her way. And besides this was Kevin, she trusted him with all she had, they were going to be fine and have fun as always.
Just as Vanessa was finishing her make up on Saturday night, there was a knock at her door. She was sure it was Kevin, so she gave herself one last look in the mirror to check everything was in place, and took a deep breath before opening the door.
There he stood with a hand inside the pocket of his black slacks and a small nervous smile. But as soon as he caught sight of her that smile turned to a gasp, and he whispered under his breath "Damn".
She could say the same. It's not that she hadn't seen him in a suit before, maybe once or twice for an undercover operation while they worked together, but those times he was pretending to be someone else and they were all focusing on the case.
But that man in front of her? That right there was the Kevin she knew, her boyfriend, looking like those famous R&B singers that featured on magazine covers.
He was coming to pick her up for a date, dressed all in black with a dark purple suit jacket that complimented the undertone of his skin nicely and fitted his muscles perfectly.
She could tell he was scanning her up and down too with his eyes, and it made her feel good and a bit self-conscious at the same time. Sure, he had seen her in her everyday jeans and work clothes, hair all messy and wearing old pajamas, naked. But never in a nice dress.
There was something about presenting yourself different than usual to other people, the nervousness of wanting to be appreciated, especially if you made an effort. It's nice to feel and be admired by someone important to you.
Words were hard to get out, but she tried to cover it by smiling.
"What do you think?" she asked while straightening a non-existent wrinkle on her dress.
He seemed to have been in a bit of daze himself because he had to clear his throat and focus his gaze on her face again before answering "You look…gorgeous Vanessa"
She was that and so much more, but his brain was processing a lot at the moment. Her hair fell down in defined curls over her exposed shoulders, her eyes glowed under thick eyelashes, and the short black dress she wore showed off her curves and toned legs.
Vanessa blushed at his words and how he was looking at her, and placed her hair behind an ear. She bit her lip and looked up at him.
"Thanks, Kev. You're looking really good too."
"No more than you girl" he scratched nervously his beard and grinned "And, almost forgot, these are for you"
Suddenly, Kevin was holding a bouquet of small sunflowers in front of her.
She was so distracted by how good he looked, that she hadn't noticed he held the flowers in one hand all this time.
"These are so beautiful, thank you" she grabbed them and gave him a peck on his cheek. Even with heels, she had to tilt her head upwards to reach him.
He thought that was adorable.
Now closer, with the smell of his strong cologne and presence surrounding her, she almost felt tempted to cancel all plans. Have him just for herself and live in their own world for the night.
"Why don't ya come in for a bit while I put them in water?" she said lifting the bouquet for emphasis.
Kevin just gave her a knowing grin and placed his hands on his pockets. Entering the apartment with her looking like that seemed dangerous, for his plans, and for him.
"We gotta make it to the restaurant in time, so I'll stay here at the door until you're done Miss Rojas" he said leaning on the door frame.
"Fair enough, Mr. Atwater" she knew what he meant so she let out a laugh and turned around to place the flowers in a vase and get going.
Once inside the restaurant, Vanessa took the time to really look at the place. It was very spacious and elegant, with pretty modern décor and different ambiances. The side they were seated at had small lamps hanging low from the ceiling as the only source of light, giving it all an intimate and warm vibe.
A waiter went by their table handing them the menus and talking about the specialty of the day, which Vanessa was sure she would never be able to pronounce the name of no matter how much she tried. So she just smiled and nodded as if she knew what the guy was talking about.
When the waiter left to let them decide, Kevin noticed Vanessa frowning while looking at the menu and that she was gently biting her thumb nail, a habit of hers when she was deep in thinking or nervous.
"Is hard to choose, right?" he tried.
"Yeah, sort of? Just never been somewhere this fancy. Or with a menu that describes the dishes like the Chef was in love with them" she said half-smiling.
"I hear you." he chuckled, understanding more why she hesitated with the whole fancy date situation "I…was nervous about coming here too but I just wanted to take you somewhere special, because it's been a long time since I've felt this happy and calm. And it's thanks to you" he simply confessed.
"Kevin…" once again she was speechless. Here she was worrying about where they were, when he had gone out of his way to do something meaningful and sweet for her.
The way he was looking at her, openly vulnerable and with so much affection, warmed her heart and made her feel so lucky.
"But, hey, Vanessa. If you're not feeling comfortable, we can leave" he said while grabbing one of her hands placed over the table.
"No, no. I'm not uncomfortable, just nervous, that's all." She paused and smiled at him "This is…maybe the nicest thing someone's ever done for me." She gave his hand a short squeeze and got a bit lost in his dark eyes "Thank you, Kev. I've been very happy lately with you too"
"This is what you deserve, and more. And it might not be our usual style but I can vibe with it. It's like, we are still us, but in a new place."
"Like if we were undercover?" she said as she placed her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her knuckles while absentmindedly moving her thumb over the back of his hand.
"Much better, because we can be ourselves and still look damn good"
"Cheers to that"
They hadn't ordered yet so they toasted with water, but the intention is what counted.
Vanessa suddenly felt so silly for worrying. She wasn't out of place, because her place was beside Kevin. Anywhere they went together was going to be great.
After that, they ordered and ate, comfortably sharing some stories from the week both had.
"Everything was delicious" said Vanessa leaning back on her chair.
"So good. You want something else? Dessert?"
"Not sure, do you want some?" she asked while folding the corner of a napkin.
"I already got my dessert for later" this made her look up with her mouth open just to catch him giving her a wink and biting his bottom lip to suppress a grin.
"Watch yourself Officer Atwater" she said in a warning tone that wasn't actually serious. At the mention of his rank, she noticed he sat up straighter and gave her a half smile.
"Funny you say that cause…I will be an officer no more starting next week" she thought he was joking. There was no way he decided to stop being a cop. Of all the cops she knew, he was one of the most determined to help people and do his job the right way.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she lifted her eyebrows when he looked straight at her with a sober expression.
"Means, I got promoted." he simply said "Your man is Detective Atwater now" his eyes were wide right then, like every time he couldn't believe what he was saying.
"You kidding? Why didn't you say anything before?" he sheepishly grinned and gave a shrug.
"It's very new for me too. Boss called me yesterday to his office. Thought he was gonna say something about the case. Instead, it was to say I got promoted, superior's orders apparently."
"Kev, that's the best news!" she couldn't contain her own excitement and without thinking she got up from her seat to move around the table, jumping to hug him "Congratulations!"
He hugged her back just as tightly "Thanks babe" after a few seconds she loosened the hug to cup his cheek and look into his eyes. "Voight says it's official next week when they give me the other badge. I wanted to tell you in person, but also didn't want to make this night all about me"
Over the fabric of her dress, she could feel the warmth of his hands holding her close while she was half sitting on his lap. His dark eyes twinkled under the low lights and both shared content smiles over the great news.
"Hey, I'm so proud of you." she started in a soft voice "You worked really hard for this and you deserve it" pulling his face closer to hers she gave him a soft kiss "So yeah, I think tonight should be about celebrating you too" He smiled a bit shyly at that.
If he was being honest, it all felt a bit overwhelming, his promotion, telling her. But hearing her say she was proud just about eased the worry he had felt since he got the news.
Before they could get lost in each other's eyes, again, both of them turned their heads at the sound of someone clearing their throat close by. Two tables from theirs, a group of elderly ladies were not-so-subtly throwing them judgy stares.
"Seems like we got too much lovin' going on here for their taste" he said hiding his face in the space between her neck and her collarbone. His lips barely grazed her shoulder.
"They're just jealous because they aren't hugging Detective Atwater" both laughed at this as he released his hold on her and she returned to her seat.
"Oh, it sounds better when you say it"
"Detective Kevin Atwater" she recited slowly, paying attention to each syllable "It does have a nice ring to it" she said tilting her head to the side.
Kevin thought she looked cute like that, under soft lights, with the corner of her lips upwards and her eyes closed.
In all fairness, she looked cute to him whenever she smiled.
But also, when she was relaxed and happy, when she was teasing him, when she stole food from his plate whenever they had meals together, when she borrowed any of his shirts to sleep and she looked way tinier than she actually was.
"What do you say we go get dessert somewhere less fancy V?" he asked.
"Where? You got a place in mind?"
"I do, but it's a surprise."
Driving across town, Kevin parked his car in front of a family diner that had a bright red neon sign that read Jettie's.
He rubbed his thumb over her hand that he had been holding on the ride from the restaurant "Ready?" he asked.
"We're getting pancakes after the steak?" she asked in an easy manner, looking out the window. It's not like she was against it, she just didn't imagine a diner is where they were headed.
"Well, if you want some. But that ain't why I brought us here"
Walking towards the door, Vanessa was so distracted by the lights of the diner that she forgot to take her jacket with her, only noticing the chilly air when the wind hit her bare arms. She tried to discreetly put her arms around herself to fend from the cold, too lazy to go back to the car or bother Kevin.
She was so inside her thoughts, she didn't notice that he wasn't walking beside her anymore. It was only when she felt something warm wrap around her, she actually stopped in her tracks.
Looking down she saw the soft fabric of a suit jacket on her shoulders. Kevin's dark purple suit jacket to be more precise.
He stepped in front of her and, gently grabbing the lapels of the jacket, adjusted it around her. Of course, it was way too big for her, she almost looked like those kids playing dress-up with their parent's clothes.
But somehow it worked for her, he thought.
She smiled warmly at him "What a gentleman".
"Always for you" he winked at her and grabbed her hand to keep walking.
Opening the door for her, Kevin let Vanessa enter first into the diner. Inside it was bigger than it looked on the outside, with rows of tables and booths with worn seats.
"When I was a teen, I used to be a part time waitress after school in a diner just like this one. Got really good tips too" said Vanessa looking around.
It was empty except for an elderly lady counting bills at the register while she swayed to a Jazz song that played softly in the background.
"I bet you just had to flash that sweet smile of yours and bam, they were buying another round of pancakes" Kevin said bumping into her side gently.
"Something like that. The owner was happy for sure" at that both started laughing.
They stopped when the lady that was at the register, stepped out of the bar and started walking towards them. At closer inspection, Vanessa noticed she was shorter than she looked behind the counter, her loose boho dress flowing with her movement.
Her short and curly white hair was pulled back by a thick headband with a big pink flower on a side of it, and she had the biggest smile directed at Kevin.
"My, my, look who decided to visit ole me. Kevin, good to see you baby" she said while going straight to give the big man a hug.
"Auntie! Looking as dazzling as ever" he said wrapping her smaller frame in his arms. They broke apart after a minute, the lady patting Kevin's chest a couple times.
"Always the charmer, ain't ya? And who's this pretty lady over here?" she asked and took out a pair of old-fashioned glasses from a pocket of her dress and put them on before turning to look at Vanessa.
"Auntie Jettie, this is my girlfriend, Vanessa. Vanessa, this is auntie Jettie. The owner of the diner" said Kevin gesturing between the two.
At the mention of the word girlfriend, Jettie clapped her hands together and gave Vanessa a proud smile.
"Girlfriend! My, come over here and give me a hug honey. Nice to meet you" Jettie opened her arms inviting her for a hug that Vanessa shily gave back.
"Nice to meet you too ma'am" said Vanessa quietly, feeling crushed under Jettie's hug. The woman had more strength than she thought for someone her age.
"Ah, stop that. You can call me auntie Jettie too. All the kids in the block do" Jettie said and let Vanessa go.
"All right auntie" Vanessa tried with a half smile.
"I know it's pretty late. But do you still have some of your fantastic chocolate cake?" Kevin asked Jettie sweetly.
"Lucky for you I do. Why don't you two lovebirds sit and I'll bring you some" said Jettie gesturing to one of the booths.
"Thanks Auntie" said Kevin before the woman disappeared in the kitchen.
"Jettie is an amazing cook. Best chocolate cake you'll ever have" Kevin told Vanessa when they were seated on one side of the table, letting her pick the spot by the windows.
"How do you know this place?" she asked crossing her arms over the table.
"Been coming here since I was a little kid." he said looking longingly at the distance "Whenever something good happened, I made some time to come here and celebrate with Auntie Jettie's food and cakes" he finished and looked at her again, placing one arm on the back of the seat and around her back.
Whenever something good happened. That meant they were probably there because of his promotion, but Vanessa secretly hoped that she too was part of the reason.
"Lots of good memories, I bet" she added.
Most of them were good, he thought. When he got accepted to the basketball team in high school, for example.
Or the time the girl he had the biggest crush on at school said yes to going out with him, and then she became his first girlfriend.
When he got accepted at the police academy, and then when he graduated.
Whenever his little bro and sis got good grades, he'd take them to the diner too. He hoped to be able to take Makayla with him one day as well.
That first time Voight told him he'd made it into the Intelligence team. And when, after being demoted, he got into the team again. That time for good.
He also went to Jettie's the day after Vanessa and him spent their first night together, when she came back into his life to hopefully stay for good.
He opened his mouth to say something but was cut short by Jettie approaching the booth.
"There were some embarrassing memories too!" she exclaimed, placing two plates with a big chocolate cake slice each.
"Please don't start spilling" warned Kevin while pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer finger.
Jettie sat down across from them "You're no fun honey"
"These look delicious " intervened Vanessa to try and save Kevin from embarrassment.
He sent a grateful smile her way "Wait until you try them"
Picking up a spoon each, they dug in. After the first bite Vanessa could see why he talked so highly of the cakes. She hummed appreciatively and closed her eyes to savor the amount of chocolate and sugar she tasted.
The texture of the cake was soft and it melted in her mouth, it was sweet without overdoing it, and it made her feel like a kid again. She felt it was the definition of what comfort food should be.
"Oh yeah, you weren't kidding. This is really the best chocolate cake I've ever had Auntie Jettie" said Vanessa while finishing a bite.
"Told ya." Kevin said while nodding.
"This might be the start of a new food obsession" said Vanessa pointing to the cake with her spoon. Jettie gave her a big grin, happy that her food was being appreciated.
"So, Kevin. Where did you find this lovely lady?" said Jettie leaning a bit over the table. Her hoop earrings dangling every time she moved her head.
Kevin finished the last bit of his cake before answering "We met at work like, over a year ago." he said, giving Vanessa a side eye look.
"Well. Technically when we met, we didn't know both of us were working" corrected Vanessa while she lifted an eyebrow at him.
"How so?" asks Jettie, clearly interested in the details. Vanessa decided to continue the story herself, since Kevin seemed hesitant to share more.
"We were both undercover with different units. Kevin thought I was just a bartender and tried to get information by flirting with me" at this Kevin frowned and turned a bit in his seat with a semi offended look.
"The way I remember it, you were the one flirting with me first to get info" Vanessa gave him a challenging look, and he just gave her an intense stare back. Both starting to reminisce about their first interaction. Well, the first time they saw each other at the bar and actually flirted.
-Your goldfish died or something?
-I'm just deep in thought.
-About what?
-Business
-What kind of business? Wait- Don't tell me. I don't even wanna know. Buy you a drink?
-No, I...gotta go. Raincheck?
-I don't do rainchecks sweetie. Especially on a sunny day.
-But you know how that Chicago weather is…
That was the start of the sparks flying between them. Both probably thought they wouldn't see much of the other after that, but destiny had other plans, and what good plans they were.
"So, you kids have been together a long time" said Jettie interrupting the dream bubble the couple seemed to be in. Both broke eye contact smiling and turned to address Jettie again.
"Not really Auntie. After that undercover job I started working with him in the same unit, but then I transferred out again. We only got to reconnect a couple months back and we've been seeing each other since then" finished Vanessa adjusting Kevin's jacket around her shoulders.
"Oh, that's fantastic! Best things come when the time's right" Jettie winked at Vanessa and turned to smile sweetly at Kevin. All the wrinkles around her eyes pushing together.
He returned the smile and circled Vanessa's shoulders again, hugging her closer to him and placing his cheek on the top of her head "It sure was like that with this one over here" He almost whispered.
Vanessa felt her face grow hot, and her heart start to beat faster. The meaning of his words not getting lost on her, no matter how simple. He was calling her one of the best things that happened to him.
She was about to say something back to him, how he too was one of the best things that happened to her, when she felt him pull away from her with a jump.
"Sorry, my phone" he said fishing it out of one of his pockets. He prayed it wouldn't be work. As soon as he saw the caller ID he let out a relieved breath "It's Jordan. Give me a sec" Vanessa and Jettie nodded.
"Send that boy and your baby sis a kiss from me, will ya?" asked Jettie.
"Of course." Kevin smiled and got up to walk a bit away from the table "Hey bro, what's up?" was the last thing Vanessa heard him say before he went further away to keep his conversation private.
She kept staring at him for a few seconds. His broad back in that black button up shirt, how it stretched over his muscles every time he moved on the spot. She hoped the call wasn't about something bad.
"You got a good man over there Vanessa, take good care of him will ya?" Jetties voice brought her back to the present. She nodded at the woman.
"I will" and she would. As long as she could have him, she'd take care of him, be there whenever he needed for whatever he needed.
"Good." Jettie leaned over the table and frowned. Her voice low and serious "Otherwise, I'll hunt you down. Don't care if you can use a gun sweetie, that don't scare me"
"I believe you would Auntie. He's been for me when I needed him and I'm gonna be there for him too. No matter what" Vanessa tried to convey as much as she could how serious she was.
Jettie nodded and leaned back, now with a relaxed smile and seemingly convinced of Vanessa's seriousness with the man that was like a son to her.
"Can you tell me how was younger Kev like?" tried asking Vanessa, taking the opportunity now that Kevin was distracted on the phone.
"Oh! I'd love to. He was a very sweet little kid, always helping me and others. He got into a bit of trouble in high school too, but nothing big. After what happened with his father, he vowed to stay away from all that life." Vanessa knew little about Kevin's family.
She met his brother a couple times. He was a cool kid but he drove his older brother crazy with his decisions.
And she knew his dad was doing time, he mentioned it once when they were out drinking. But aside from that day, he never mentioned it again. She had no idea about his mother, or if he even ever had one.
"Big fan of the milkshakes here" continued Jettie "There was this time, when he was like sixteen, he just got dumped by his first girlfriend for one of his pals from the basketball team. Girl was cheating on him with the dude too. Hit him real hard. But instead of crying alone in his room or something, he came here and ordered a special milkshake. Before I could leave to check on the food at the back, he had already finished and asked for another. And then another, and another, and another… poor boy was really sick by the end of it" Vanessa grimaced imagining the stomachache drinking so much lactose could give you.
"That sounds awful. Much better option than alcohol or doing something stupid, though"
"Yeah, but that ain't the best part." Jettie said, lowering her voice as if she was relating a gossip. Probably fearing Kevin would overhear them. "Just as he was leaving clutching his stomach, his ex and her new man were walking by. And you know how the body works, all that comes in must go out some way" she shrugged before going on "So, these kids passed in front of Kevin just as he couldn't take it anymore and he puked. All over that girl and the other dude's shoes"
Vanessa had her mouth open in shock as she heard the end of the hilarious yet gross story. Meanwhile, Jettie was doubled over with how much she was laughing. Vanessa tried to fight it, she felt mean about poking fun at Kevin's misfortunes, but she couldn't help when she started laughing alongside Jettie too.
"Oh man, I'd pay to see that" said Vanessa calming down and drying tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes.
"You had to see the girl's face. So good! Best revenge is karma I guess"
"What am I hearing here about karma?" said Kevin sitting at the booth again, placing his phone turned down on the table.
Both women looked at each other funnily while trying to contain the urge to start laughing again.
"Oh honey, just telling your girl about that day you got a little too carried away with the milkshakes." Kevin groaned and threw his head back in exasperation.
"You didn't!"
"What? This is the first girlfriend of yours you bring here. I had to embarrass you properly like the good auntie I am" at this Vanessa sobered up and straightened in her seat.
She turned Jettie's words on her head for a second. She was the first girlfriend he introduced to Jettie, someone who clearly meant a lot to him. It warmed her heart in more ways than one.
She didn't know how to react to that, so she just silently grabbed his hand under the table. Kevin responded by turning her hand in his and intertwining their fingers. He gave her a soft smile and a short nod, a silent confirmation of her unspoken question about her being special to him.
Kevin turned to Jettie again "You're the best, auntie, but I wanted to disappear that day. Couldn't even stand the smell of milkshakes for months"
"I think it was hilarious, and I loved learning more about teen you" Vanessa said
"You and I are gonna get along so well dear, I've got so many stories about little Kevin" said Jettie while she smiled and gently patted the hand Vanessa had kept on the table. Kevin, just groaned again while Vanessa laughed.
"Is Jordan ok?" asked Vanessa after a minute.
"Yeah, he just wanted to fix something in the bathroom and couldn't find the tool he needed" he said while rolling his eyes.
"I'm glad" she said and squeezed briefly his hand that she was holding "Now, I'd very much like to hear more stories of yours. Even better if they're embarrassing auntie" said Vanessa, clearly teasing him.
"My specialty, after cooking, of course"
They spent a while after that just listening to Jettie narrate heartwarming and hilarious stories about Kevin through the years.
Vanessa enjoyed learning more about the man beside her, the man that made her feel special, wanted, loved, happy.
And as mortified Kevin was at reliving his embarrassing teen stories, he secretly liked being able to let Vanessa into his world more.
Maybe it seemed like they had missed their chance once, but as Auntie Jettie said, sometimes the best things arrive when the moment is right.