A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Is he still sleeping good at night?", my dad asks while he sits and holds Oliver who came with me to visit my dad.
"For the most part. Last night was one of those nights he didn't want to go to sleep. Just when it seemed like he was about to fall asleep, he became wide awake. He ended up waking up around two, and Christian got him back to sleep."
"You weren't sleepy yet?", he coos to Oliver. "I've had nights like that. I actually had one the other day. I made the mistake of taking a nap that afternoon, and when it came time for bed, I couldn't fall asleep. I thought watching some tv might help so I came in here and sat on the sofa where I eventually fell asleep in a sitting position. Unfortunately, I woke up the next morning with a sore neck."
"Those aren't fun. I had one a few weeks ago after falling asleep in my chair. Christian luckily offered a massage. So, Mom told me you've made some friends."
"Clark and Jerry. Clark lives at the end of the street with his wife Pam, and Jerry lives on the opposite end of the house. He was widowed last year. It was after his wife's death that he moved on to the street. From how he's described it, he was a lot like me. He didn't have many friends and sort of felt like a fish out of water. After Clark introduced himself, the two became friends."
"I knew you would make friends.", I say as the doorbell rings. My dad gets up and places Oliver in my arms before opening the door.
"Hey Ray.", a tall gray haired man in his mid-fifties says. "Clark and I are going to Peterson's Pub later to watch the game. We'd like for you to join us." My dad moves slightly, allowing the man to see me. "Ah, you've got company."
"Jerry, come in and meet my daughter Ana and grandson Oliver." Jerry gradually walks inside the house and smiles.
"I suppose you're the Ana and the Oliver I've heard all about.", Jerry says. "I'm Jerry Cole."
"It's nice to meet you. My dad was just telling me you've been welcoming since he moved on to the street."
"My lovely wife Suzanne passed away from cancer last year, and I couldn't bear to live in the same house. It was too big and made me feel even worse so I found a small house on this street. I was nervouse about meeting the neighbors. One of them Clarke Sanderson was the first to introduce himself. He asked me to go fishing which is one of my favorite things to do. Since then, we've been best friends."
"They're both really great guys.", my dad says. "To answer your question, I'd like to go to Peterson's."
"Outstanding. We're going to leave around five, but I'll call you about four thirty. I'm going to go back home, but Ana, it was nice meeting you."
"It was nice meeting you as well.", I tell Jerry. He waves at us and leaves. "He seems nice."
"I think Taylor and I have the schedule all ready for Sawyer's return.", Christian says, looking at the computer screen. I walk around the desk and focus in on the screen. "We're going to have him come back Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. All three days will be nine to five."
"It's only going to be those three days?"
"For now. Sawyer only wants to return part time which is exactly what the schedule shows." He swivels the chair around and pulls me into his lap. "With Sawyer returning to work and you not going back, I'm going to admit that I'm relieved."
"How so?", I ask as I move my hands through his hair.
"Now that Olivia's pregnant, she and Sawyer have a stronger bond. They're having a baby. I'm certain Sawyer's like me in wanting to protect the woman he loves and his child. Having you, the woman he's assigned to protect, and Olivia, his love and mother of his child, in the same building could possibly have been a conflict if something were to happen."
"This goes back to your concern about who Sawyer would chose to protect, me or Olivia."
"It does. The equation has changed since I first brought up my concern. A baby changes the dynamics in a relationship."
"I understand what you're saying. My decison to not return to the magazine is good for all of us." He presses a kiss on the tip of my nose and then one on my lips. "I've been good in not asking how Jack's doing. It's my way of showing trust."
"Yet you want to know how he's doing?", Christian smirks. "Dean Montgomery, the head of the mail room, has been giving me daily reports on Jack's work performance. Each report states the same, Jack's been an exceptional employee. He's always on time and has been doing what's been asked. Not once has he gotten out of line. The other guys in the department have been receptive of him. I'm happy to see those positive notes."
"Max, do you have any idea what Ethan wants to tell us?", Kate asks Max as we sit and wait for Ethan who's in the bedroom changing his shirt following a spaghetti sauce mishap during dinner. Christian, Elliot, and I quickly turn our heads to Max.
"I do.", Max answers, going back to his glass of water. Holding Oliver, Elliot stands and walks over to Max's chair. "Ethan will tell you when he gets in here. Be a little more patient."
"Look at this face.", Elliot says, nodding his head down to Oliver. "How can you say no to this face?"
"You're not being fair.", Ethan laughs as he finally returns. "What I have to tell you guys may not really seem like a big deal to you, but for me, it's one of the largest changes I've ever made in my life."
"Ethan, if it's important to you, it's important to us.", Christian says.
"We'll support whatever change you're making.", I add.
"It means a lot hearing that. Thank you. As you all know I've been working at Louise Sorenson's studio while also doing some freelance photography. My news is that I'm no longer going to be working at the Sorenson Studio."
"If she fired you, she's out of her mind.", Kate snarls. "You're one of the most talented photographers in the world."
"Draw back the claws. I didn't get fired. Louise Sorenson is moving to New York where she says she'll be able to do more photography in the media world. She even asked me to go with her. New York would be a great opportunity. I discussed it with her, telling how my family and friends are all here. Sure we could still keep in touch if I moved, but New York isn't for me. After I told Louise this, she actually told me something that got me to thinking and then making a decision. She believes I would do well if I opened my own studio."
"She certainly knows talent when she sees it.", Elliot says while handing Oliver over to Christian. "Is your news that you're opening your own studio?"
"It is. Louise's uncle owns the building where her studio is located, and she's positive he'll continue to let me rent the same space for the same price as her. I've got some money saved up that I've been holding on to in the event something major came along. This is major. It's a wonderful chance for me to get more exposure for my work. I don't doubt you guys when you say I'm good, but am I good enough to open my own studio?", Ethan asks, looking at each other for a response.
"You're more than good enough.", I assure him.
"You've got an abundances of talent that's yearning to revealed to the world. Take the chance and make it happen.", Christian smiles.
"All right. I'm going to open my own studio.", Ethan sighs.