Another Chance - Chapter 4

Gail woke up with an energy she has not felt in a long time. Even though she was at the Penny last night, she did not feel tired at all when she woke up this morning. She was excited and looking forward to dinner tonight and spending time with Holly and Maya. Even though Chloe and Traci would also be there, it was enough just to be with Holly outside of work.

She looked at the time and figured she had time to go for a run. She laughed as she thought about what Holly would say if Holly found out that she now runs in the morning/ Running was Holly's thing and she remembered teasing Holly about it. After running for an hour, she stopped by to eat breakfast at her favorite café. When she got home, she took a shower and went to the store.

She got to Holly's place 5 minutes before 6 o'clock. She knew she was a little early and she could have waited in the car but she figured she should just knock just in case Holly needed help. She knocked and after a minute, when nobody answered the door, she rang the doorbell again. Finally she heard footsteps behind the door. When Holly opened the door, Holly had Maya on her hip and Holly was still wearing a bathrobe.

When Maya saw her, the little girl squealed "Auntie Gail. You came."

"Oh thank God you are here early Gail. Do you mind watching Maya while I get dressed?"

Gail took Maya from Holly.

She then handed Holly the wine she bought. Holly looked at the wine and smiled.

"My favorite, you remembered?"

"The lady at the store highly recommended it."

"She's right, it's a 2008 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell€™Annunziata, great choice indeed."

"Go ahead and get changed. Maya and I will be fine. Do you need me to set up or anything?"

"No. The table is set up and the food is done. Maya was so excited when we were making the cake. She tired herself out and took a long nap. By the time she woke up, I had the give her a bath and change her."

"We'll be fine, go and do whatever you need to do."

"Thanks Gail."

Holly was still upstairs changing when Traci and Chloe came.

When Maya heard the door bell, she jumped up and ran to the door.

Gail then picked up Maya and said "Let's look through the peep hole and see who is at the door."

"And what do we ask Maya?"

"Who is it?"

"Maya, it's Aunt Traci and Aunt Chloe."

"Can we open the door now Aunt Gail?"

"Yes we can."

When the door opened Traci and Chloe were surprised to see Gail carrying Maya. Maya reached out to Traci to give her a hug. And then Chloe hugged her after.

Then Maya called Holly.

"Mama hurry up. Aunt Traci and Aunt Chloe are here. And I'm hungry. You always look beautiful Mama. What's taking you so long."

Traci, Chloe and Gail all laughed at the little girl. They could not believe that Maya is only two.

They all looked up when they heard Holly's voice.

"Alright baby, I'm done." Holly was wearing a simple black dress and left her hair down. Gail's breath hitched when she saw Holly. Holly has always been the only one that has managed to take her breath away.

Holly walked over to Traci to give her a hug and did the same to Chloe.

"Are you behaving for your Aunties, baby?" Holly asked as she picked up Maya who was sitting on the couch next to Gail.

"Of course Mama. You are so pretty Mama."

"Well thank you, baby. Now how about we all head over to the dining room and eat?"

Holly served salad first and then gave mac and cheese to Maya.

And for the main dish, Holly served lasagna.

They talked and laughed during dinner. By the time they were done with dinner, they had finished the wine Gail brought. Gail wasn't participating as much in the conversation, she was busy talking to Maya who was sitting in her high chair that was placed between her and Holly. It was obvious that Maya was taken by Gail and vice versa. After they were done with dinner, Holly got up to take the plates. She then asked Traci if she could get the small plates from the cabinet for dessert.

As soon as Maya heard the word dessert, she started clapping and said "Mama and I baked the cake. Mama makes the best cake ever. Holly took out the cake and cut a slice for eat of them.

And Maya wasn't wrong when she said that Holly makes the best cake because Gail could swear it was the best chocolate cake she has ever had in her whole life.

"Oh my God Holly, this is so good." Gail said.

"Thank Gail, Do you want another piece?"

"Can I?"

"You know Gail I don't know where you put all that food because I am so stuffed and I feel like I am about to explode." Traci said.

"What can I say Trace, I am just blessed. Oh, by the way Chloe, the dessert wine is really good."

"Oh I agree. This dessert wine really goes well with the chocolate cake, Chloe. Thank you."

"You're welcome Holly. I asked the guy what dessert wine would go well with chocolate cake and he recommended that one."

"I can't believe we have gone through two bottles of wine already. How about we move this to the living room? Let's open the one Traci brought." Holly suggested.

Gail remembered how much she loved Lego growing up. So when she saw Maya playing with Lego, she sat down on the floor with her and started building with her.

Traci noticed Holly was watching Gail and Maya.

"Gail is really good with kids." Traci said.

"Yeah I noticed it when Maya and I ran into her. Maya warmed up to her right away. I'm surprised she doesn't have one of her own yet. I would have thought by now she would be married with a kid or two."

"That is a conversation you two should have. You'll have to talk to her." Traci said.

Holly didn't say anything and changed the topic.

Holly noticed that it was bed time for Maya.

""Hey if you ladies don't mind waiting, I will just put Maya to bed and we can continue once she's sleeping." Holly said.

"Oh no it's okay Holly. We'll go. We'll take of putting the dishes in the dishwasher while you put Maya to bed." Gail said.

"Okay. Let me just take her to my room."

It took longer for Maya to go to sleep than Holly expected. By the time she came downstairs, Gail was the only one left.

"Hey, where did Traci and Chloe go?"

"Trace had to pick Steve at the Penny, he was drunk and Chloe had to pick up Dov because he was also drunk. They told me to tell you thank you and that next time, we will have dinner at Traci and Steve's place."

"Thanks for coming to dinner and cleaning up." Holly said.

"Thank you for inviting me. And really the food was delicious Holly."

"You're welcome."

"I better go. Holly, um, I was wondering if we could talk, one of these days, just the two of us. I just really need to explain things to you, I want to tell you some things. I need to tell you some things"

"I know Gail that we need to talk. Maybe in a couple of weeks, I am still settling in at work and stuff, but I promised you that we will talk."

"Okay. Goodnight Holly."

"Goodnight Gail and drive home safely."

Gail drove home with a smile on her face. She hasn't felt this happy in a long time. The only time she ever felt this happy was when she was with Holly. That seemed so long ago. It was five years ago and now that Holly is back, she can smile again. And that dream can finally become a reality.