A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"Sawyer, are you sure you don't want to take more time off?", I ask Sawyer who's sitting at the breakfast bar with Taylor on the stool next to him.
"Even a few more days might be good.", Christian adds.
"I'm ready.", Sawyer replies, staring down at his coffee cup. He lifts his eyes to meet Christian's. "My dad would want me to go on, and work is a way of doing that. Just like when I returned following my dad's surgery, I promise to put my full attention on the job."
"We know you will."
"Today's going to be a big day, huh?", Taylor asks as he gets up and pours more coffee in his cup and then some more in Sawyer's who smiles at the gesture.
"It is.", I answer. "Sawyer, I don't think we've told you yet, but today is the first official day for Mia's food truck. I think we might go and see the new business around noon. Maybe you can call and ask Olivia if she'd like to go."
"Of course. Olivia's on her first day back at work and said she'll probably have a lot to do, but I've already told her to make sure she eats lunch." He pulls out his phone and is about to type a text. "Where's the truck going to be located?"
"Mia said she'll be on 5th Avenue around lunch time.", Christian says. "With it being in the vicinity of the Space Needle she figures she'll get a lot of business. It might be a little after noon when I get there, but I'll be there."
At eleven fifteen, Sawyer drives us to the location of Mia's food truck. We wanted to leave early enough in case there was a lot of traffic and also to get a good spot in line. He maneuvers the SUV into a parking lot across the street from Mia's truck. We sit in the vehicle and wait on Olivia who arrives only a few minutes after us. I get out of the back and unbuckle Oliver from his seat and put him in his stroller while Sawyer goes to greet Olivia. Her growing baby bump is very visible in a flowing sea green dress. She pushes her sunglasses to the top of her head and smiles.
"It appears the word about Mia's truck is out loud and clear.", Olivia says. She points to the line of people who are assembled at the food truck.
"She did great with the advertising.", I reply as we stride across the walkway to the other side of the street. Olivia looks down at Oliver who grins back up at her from his carrier.
"How are you Mr. Oliver?", she coos.
"He's great. He's been in a good mood today."
"Is your day going ok?", Olivia asks Sawyer. He closes the distance between them and slowly links his hand in hers.
"I'm fine. You don't have to worry.", he says.
"I can't help it."
We get to the food truck and spot Mia. She finishes taking an order and gives a quick wave. Nicholas moves from the back of the truck and starts taking orders as Mia goes to the back. I turn and scan the area to see if Christian's arrives yet. Just before I'm about to stop searching, I see both Christian and Taylor walking towards us.
"Fancy meeting you here.", he winks at me. He presses a kiss on my lips and then lifts Oliver from his stroller. "I believe I've seen this adorable face somewhere before. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it. I had a last minute meeting that luckily didn't last long." The line subsides, and we're soon at the side of the truck.
"Hello. Welcome to A Fork in the Road.", Nicholas says. He's wearing a dark blue tee shirt with a fork on the upper right corner along with the words A Fork in the Road. "Please have a look at our menu of delicious foods." To the left of him is a sign that has a list of foods offered.
"Hey everyone.", Mia says. "We've had a busy day so far, and we're not even close to being done."
"A sign of success.", Christian replies. "I'm going to take you up on trying one of the Hawaiian Burgers. I'm also going to have an order of the dip fried pickles."
"I'll have the same burger.", I say. "But I plan on having some of Christian's pickles." Taylor and Sawyer also decide to have the Hawaiian Burger, but Olivia goes for a double Hawaiian Burger.
"Your orders will be out shortly.", Nicholas tells us. We step aside and wait on our food while more people place orders.
"Ana, hi." The voice calling my name is one I haven't heard in a while, but it's still very recognizable. Standing before me is Bryant. He looks at Christian and nods. "Hi Christian."
"Bryant, hello.", I say.
"Hi.", Christian adds. I notice Taylor, Sawyer, and Olivia backing away slightly. "How are you?" Christian and Bryant will never be best friends, but the two no longer have the animosity they once had.
"I'm well, very well. I've been working a lot and enjoying life." His eyes land on Oliver. "I see you guys are doing great as well."
"We are.", I say. "This is our son Oliver. He's the apple of our eyes."
"I knew you would be a wonderful mother, and Christian, simply looking at you I can see you're a great dad. I'm happy for you two. You deserve it."
"Thank you. How's your dad?"
"Dad's doing ok. He's reconnected with some friends who he went to high school with, and they've started playing golf on Saturdays. They go bowling if the weather's not good. He and I both miss my mom like crazy. Some days are worse than others, and the loss is always going to be there. My mom wouldn't want us miserable though. She'd want us to carry on with our lives."
"Order up!", Mia shouts in our direction. Christian places Oliver back in his stroller and heads off to get our food.
"I see your food is ready. I'm going to order in a bit. Ana, I want to tell you something. I hurt you terribly. Nothing can ever change that. Looking at you and Christian with your son makes me realize even more that you're exactly where you belong."
"We did go through a rough time, but I want you to be happy."
"I am.", he says as Christian returns. "Take care." He eases towards the food truck and starts ordering.
"That went well.", Christian murmurs.
"Yeah." I look behind us and see the rest of our group have gotten their food. "There's some picnic tables at the park over there. How about we go and have lunch there?"
"Ana, you've been staring at my ring for a while.", my mom giggles. Since she has the day off from work, she came over after I arrived home and put Oliver down for a nap.
"I'm sorry. You and Dad have been engaged for almost two weeks, yet I still feel like a giddy kid." She raises her left hand up and admires the engagement ring on her finger.
"You're not the only one. I've woken up a few mornings and been worried that I was only dreaming."
"You weren't. You and Dad are getting remarried.", I squeak. "Not to come across as nosy or impatient, but have you discussed any sort of plans?"
"Some. We want a low key and intimate gathering of only our closest friends and family. I don't want to wear a big gown. I'd like a simple but elegant dress."
"You'll be beautiful in whatever you wear. I'll help in any way I can."
"I'm not shocked you said that.", she giggles. "Ah. While we might not know the date, we do have a photographer. Ethan's said he'll take the photos. Your dad and I stopped by his studio the other day. We were only there to look around since we haven't been by to look at it yet. Ethan asked if we'd like for him to take the photos for the wedding. Your dad and I explained that we haven't set a date yet, but Ethan said he wants to do it, no matter the date. We tried to make him understand we don't want him scheduling shoots around us. He wouldn't hear of it."
"You and Dad have known Ethan as long as I have. He sees you and Dad as family."
"And we see him that way as well. It was sweet of him to offer."
"Mom said Ethan's going to take their wedding photos.", I tell Christian.
"Have they set a date?", he asks while keeping his eyes on Oliver who's resting in his arms.
"They haven't yet, but Ethan still wants to do the photos. It's nice of him."
"Very nice." He lifts his eyes to me. "So, remember me mentioning that I had a last minute appointment before lunch?" I nod my head. "It was with Jack Hyde. He wanted to see and inform me that he's going to be leaving GEH. He thanked me for giving him the chance to prove himself, and even though he still feels like he can improve, he's planning on moving."
"Moving where?"
"To Maine. It's a place he's always wanted to go. A few weeks ago, he was online and saw that an IT firm was hiring. He didn't think he had a chance of getting hired but went ahead and applied. They called and told him last night that he's hired. He's excited but also scared and nervous. I told him how proud I am of the work he's done and not just as an employee but also as a person. I admit I had my reservations when he claimed he wanted to change. I took a leap and trusted him. I researched the firm he's going to be working for, and they're highly respected."
"I was right there with you on the untrusting boat, but he did prove himself."
"He said he's been saving money and has enough for a small place. Even though he doesn't have a lot to move, I offered to help transport his belongings."
"I wish him the best."
"Me too."
