A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"My studio is offically opening next Tuesday.", Ethan says as he sits across from me in the living room. "I'm throwing a party the night before and naturally want you and Christian there."
"Hmm. I'm not sure if we'll be able to make it.", I sigh until breaking into a grin. "I'm kidding. Of course we'll be there. I for one can't wait to see the new studio of Seattle's hottest up and coming photographer."
"You're going to give me a complex but thank you. Your encouragement means a lot. Despite not being officially in business yet, I might already have a new client. Mia. She asked if I'd consider doing some promo work for her food truck business once it's up and running. Since I adore Mia and believe in her new venture, I said yes. It'll be good for both of us."
"You'll both get exposure. Very clever."
"What's going on with you?", Ethan asks.
"Not much which is a good thing considering the craziness that had been going on. I've been in need of some down time."
"I'd say so. I'm still in shock that Bob was the mastermind behind the break in. He's the prime example of the word bitter."
"Brendon Fisher probably thought in some twisted way what he was doing was justifiable, yet all it did was cause more trouble for not only Bob but him. He's in the same spot his uncle is in. Plus the recruitment of Joseph Lewis has ruined another life."
"All I've got to say is thank goodness your mom is no longer married to Bob. She's much better off with your dad, her true soulmate. Max and I saw them last week when we had dinner at Carl's Grill. They were already seated when we arrived, but we went over and said hello. After we sat down at our table, I noticed your parents had ordered dessert, a large piece of chocolate cake which they were sharing. It was adorable. They were even feeding each other." Listening to Ethan talk about the connection he saw between my parents cause my heart to skip a beat. "Ana, you look like you're about to cry."
"I'm sorry. I tend to get emotional when it comes to my mom and dad having their second chance.", I say as Oliver starts stirring in his bouncy seat. He opens his eyes and stares briefly at Ethan before bursting into a full on crying session.
"The kid definitely has some lungs on him.", Ethan says. He gets up and picks up Oliver who instantly stops crying. "Oh my gosh. He stopped crying. Can you believe it?"
"Way to go Uncle Ethan."
"Ethan's throwing a party next Monday to celebrate the opening of his photography studio. I told him we'd be there." Christian pulls his black tee shirt over his head and exhales a drawn out breath.
"I really wish you had said something to me first instead of telling him we'd be there.", he murmurs.
"I'm sorry. I assumed you'd want to go.", I say.
"It's not that I don't want to go. I can't go." He sits down on the edge of the bed. "I've got to leave Monday morning for a trip to Hartford, Connecticut. There's an energy conference taking place which I've been asked to attend and give a key note speech. I'll be talking about GEH's work in the field of energy efficiency."
"Christian, that's wonderful. You've been working tirelessly on developing ways to better the environment." His frown lifts briefly into a smile before fading. "I hope you weren't waiting to tell me Sunday night or worse Monday before leaving."
"I was going to tell you tonight. I just didn't know how to go about it.", he replies. "I won't be home until Wednesday, meaning we won't fall asleep and wake up in the same bed two nights." I move from my spot by the dresser and sit down next to him on the bed. "Unless...you and Oliver come with me. How about that?"
"We'll pass. You're going to be attending an important event and will need to have your concentration on it. I'd also like to be there for Ethan."
"I hate that I'm not going to be at the party. Ethan's so excited about the studio."
"He knows you're supportive of him, and he'll understand you not being there. Go and do your thing. We'll make it work. We'll be in touch with phone calls and texts. We can Skype. I'll put Oliver on and let him see you. The time apart will be over before we know it."
"I'm still going to miss you and our little guy."
"We're going to miss you too." I stand and pull on his hands. "How about we go and have dinner? Gail made the chicken casserole, but I made one of the side dishes. Can you guess what it is? I'll give you a hint. It's one of your favorites."
"Could it be macaroni and cheese?", Christian smirks.
"Bingo.", I say as he presses a kiss to my cheek.
"Ana, have you talked to Ethan?", Mia asks as we're having coffee at the Java Cafe the next day.
"I did. He told me about next week's party. I'll be attending solo.", I sigh while looking over my cup at Oliver who's being entertained by Sawyer. Seeing Sawyer make face and baby talk are two things I never thought I'd see.
"Why are you going solo?"
"Christian has a conference in Connecticut. He asked if Oliver and I wanted to go, but I passed. I had already told Ethan I'd go, and I don't want to be a distraction for Christian on what's going to be a business trip."
"I'm fairly certain Christian doesn't share the same sentiment of you being a distraction."
"Even so, I want to be there for Ethan. It's only two days which will be over in a flash.", I shrug. "You'll be there, right?"
"I'll be there as a friend and as the caterer.", Mia answers, taking a small bite of her scone. "Ethan called me last night and asked if I'd like to provide the food for the party. I was literally in tears that he wants me to provide the food for such a big event for him. It's an honor."
"Mia, congratulations.", I say. "Since it was only last night that he called, do you have any idea what you're going to serve or does Ethan have a list already prepared?"
"He wants me to serve simple foods, nothing people can't pronounce. I'm leaning towards ham and turkey pinwheels. I'd also like to some sort of dip. I'm just so excited. Things were already starting to fall together but even more so now. Can I tell you something?"
"Sure. You can tell me anything." She's about to start talking when Sawyer lightly taps my shoulder.
"I think Oliver has a dirty diaper. I'll be glad to go and change him. It'll be good practice." I nod and wave my hand at Oliver's diaper bag which Sawyer picks up and slings over his shoulder. He then takes Oliver in his arms and carries the baby to the restroom.
"Now Mia, what do you want to tell me?"
"It's nothing major, just about how I feel or shall I say felt. I've always been seen as the happy go lucky kind of girl who bursts with positivity. Cheering people on has been one of my strongest traits. Unfortunately, I haven't always been so positive with myself. Christian and Elliot both knew what they wanted to do and had no problem going for it. I've had a love for cooking, but fear kept me from embarking on my dream sooner. I was worried about failing."
"Mia, I didn't know. You've always been so..so..", I stammer, searching for the right words.
"Put together?", she says. "I did a good job at hiding my true feelings and thoughts. The reason why I'm telling you this now is because I no longer feel that way. I finally feel like I can do anything. I've accepted that mistakes happen and there will be stumbling, but I have the inner strength to keep on going."
"I'm glad you told me, and I promise to keep this conversation between us. I realize life is scary and full of unknowns, yet you're full of determination and strength. You're going to be just fine."
"Thanks Ana.", she smiles. We turn our heads as Sawyer returns with Oliver. "How did it go?"
"It was a very messy diaper, but I did it. I think I got the diaper on the right way. You might want to check it."
"I'm going to trust that you did it right."