A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"I'm sorry we won't be having dinner together tonight.", Christian says while placing more cereal on Oliver's spoon. He and Ros are having dinner tonight with GEH's department heads so they can discuss the company's upcoming team building program.
"It's ok. Besides, it's not like I'll be moping around here.", I tease. After Christian told me about his dinner, I called the girls to see if they wanted to have dinner. Olivia already had plans with Sawyer, but Kate, Mia, and Audrey said yes. "OIiver and I are going to have a nice dinner, and we want the same for you. Tell me more about the team building program."
"It's basically to help address weaknesses and strengthen the departments. We want to work on increasing trust between everyone."
"I think it's a great idea." I scoop a large amount of scrambled eggs on to my toast and bring it to my mouth. "Just the other day the mere mention of eggs sent me running to the bathroom, but not today. Or at least I should say not yet." Christian continues feeding Oliver, looking over at me every once in a while.
"I'm glad the nausea isn't bad so far today, and I hope it stays that way.", Christian says as the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it.", Gail tells us, holding up her hands to stop Christian and I from standing. She returns moments later with my parents following her. "Look who's here."
"Mom, Dad, I didn't think you were going to be back until tomorrow.", I say before getting up to hug them.
"That was the original plan, but we decided to come back a day early. Don't get us wrong, we had an amazing time, but we missed home and more importantly, you guys.", my dad replies.
"There really is no place like home.", my mom adds.
"How about you pull up a chair and join us for breakfast.", Christian suggests. "We've got plenty of food to go around."
"I can see that.", my dad laughs, eyeing the abundance of food on the table. "But we've already had breakfast." He pulls back a chair from my mom and then sits down next to her.
"We stopped at IHOP.", my mom shrugs. "Ana, are you feeling?"
"Really good. My energy level is higher than it's been in a while, and my nausea hasn't been so bad."
"I'm so happy to hear that. Oliver, you seem to be enjoying that cereal. Is it good?" Oliver shoves his right hand directly into the cereal and starts giggling. "It seems to also be fun to play in."
"That's his signal of being done.", Christian says.
"Ana used to do that when she was a baby. She'd also knock the bowl off her high chair tray and on to the floor."
"I'm sure it was only an accident.", I smirk.
"Kate, do you want some of my food?", I ask, gesturing to my plate of nachos which I ordered at Barrio.
No thanks. I'm getting heartburn just looking at your food.", Kate giggles as I start on my chicken quesadilla. "I hope Audrey and Mia get here soon." Both Audrey and Mia called and said they were going to be late, and both insisted that Kate and I go ahead and order.
"Is my company really that bad?" I place my hand to my chest and feign being upset. My eyes cut to Oliver whose high chair is between our chairs. "Oliver, you like me being around, don't you?"
"You're hilarious.", Kate snorts. "You know darn well I like your company. I was just wondering when Audrey and Mia were going to get here." She glances over her shoulder, soon spotting Mia who quickly finds her way to our table. "You're here."
"I am.", Mia nods. "I'm sorry I'm late. I was going to close the truck up at six, but the line kept getting longer. Nicholas said he had it covered, yet I didn't want to abandon him."
"You don't have to apologize for being successful.", I reply. "We're also still waiting on Audrey who said she had issues at her apartment."
"Ah, I see her." Turning my head, I spot Audrey although she doesn't hurry to the table as fast as Mia. Audrey slumps down in a chair and rolls her head back. "I'm guessing the issues at your apartment weren't simple."
"I wish.", Audrey scoffs as she grabs a menu. "I came home and was about to start getting ready when I noticed a large spot on my living room ceiling. I called the super who came to check it. After investigating, he discovered the woman who lives above me had left her bath water running which caused her floor and my ceiling to have get damaged. Between that and neighbor to my left having his music up loud at all hours, I'm ready to move." The waitress comes over and takes Audrey and Mia's orders and then leaves us so we can get back to our conversation. "I'd actually be in a worse modd if if weren't for something good that happened today."
"Tell us.", Kate demands.
"Daniel once again proved how incredible he is."
"Did he propose?", Mia asks while looking at Audrey's left hand. "Were you waiting to put your ring on after telling us?"
"Mia, stop jumping to conclusions.", I sigh. "Audrey, what did Daniel do?"
"He went to the store and bought me tampons." She waits to see if one of us says a word, but we all remain silent. "So buying tampons might not seem like a huge deal, but I thought it was sweet."
"You're right. It is sweet.", Kate replies as a tall, dark haired man walks up to the table.
"Kate.", he says. "I thought that was you."
"It's me. Um..." It's clear Kate's trying her best to remember the guy's name.
"Patrick.", he answers for her. Kate's eyes widen at his name. "You didn't remember me, did you?"
"Of course I did. It's been a long day, and I can barely remember my own name.", she says while the rest of the table watches.
"Are you back here for good or do you have to returnn to the Arctic?" Audrey gets choked on her water, getting a curious look from Patrick.
"My water went down the wrong way.", Audrey murmurs.
"The answer to your question is I'm just here visiting friends.", Kate says, motioning to our group.
"Well, I hope you have a wonderful visit. I'll let you ladies get to your dinner.", Patrick says before walking away.
"So Kate, tell me how is the Arctic.", Mia grins.
"Shhh. I'm not proud to say Patrick is a guy who I had a one night stand with a few years ago. We met at a club, and he seemed like a nice guy."
"And by doing things you mean him, right?", I tease. "Back to the Arctic, how did that come about?"
"Even though Patrick was a nice guy at the club, our time together at his place wasn't the best. Since we're in the presence of Oliver, I'm going to keep it as clean as possible by saying I didn't experience an O, and Patrick didn't seem to care."
"Not cool.", Audrey mutters while her and Mia's food finally arrives.
"Not cool at all. Anyway, when morning rolled around, he asked if he could see me again, and I somehow blurted out that I was moving to the Arctic to do research.", Kate replies. "He didn't ask what kind of research and seemed to believe me."
"You're terrible. You could've just told him that you didn't see anything happening with the two of you. Why lie?"
"I don't know. Maybe I didn't hurt his pride by letting him know he couldn't pleasure me. Elliot, though...He really knows how to get the job done in a way that no man as ever."
"I just got my food and already think I'm done.", Mia sighs.
"If you're not going to eat your rice, I'll take it.", I tell her.
"Hey baby.", Christian says when I walk inside the house. He scurries to me and takes Oliver into his arms. "I'm surprised this little guy is still awake."
"He's close to falling asleep. I kind of thought you would be out longer." I take off my scarf and coat and trail behind Christian into the living room.
"I haven't been home long. We had a productive dinner. Every department head is in agreement that team building exercises will be beneficial for the employees and company as a whole. What I'm anxious to know is how your night went."
"It was great. We had a very delicious dinner and then some ice cream. We missed you though.", I pout.
"I missed the three of you more than you know.", he says. "But I always miss you even if it's for a few seconds."
"Same here."