Chapter Fourteen
Grayson
Ten Years Later….
I walk into the community center, eyes peeled for my wife. We built this place a couple of years ago when our boys started school. Charlee was bored at home and wanted to do something to give back to the community so we had designed a safe place for kids to come to. Charlee is in charge and runs this place like she was born to do it. She helps so many kids every year and I couldn’t be prouder of her.
I don’t see her in the common area so I make my way towards the back. I have to stop and say hi to a few people as I make my way back to her office. Finally, I get there and can see her through her open door. She’s got both of our sons sitting in the chairs across the desk from her and it looks like they’re all coloring something together. I watch as she smiles at something that Nicholas tells her. Our younger son, Hardin, laughs at whatever his older brother said as he searches through the crayons for a different color.
I’m still an architect, although I’ve cut back on my hours a lot. I’d rather spend it with my family than in some office building. We have enough money that I don’t need to work 80 hour work weeks. Normally, I just go in for a couple of hours in the morning and I’m home in time to have lunch with my baby. The kids only had a half day of school today though so we all agreed to eat together at the community center.
Today was the last day of school and both of our kids are signed up for summer camp this year. They leave in a week and I know that Charlee is sad to think about spending a month without both of them so I figured out a surprise for her. I’m going to take her back to Bora Bora for a repeat honeymoon. Now I just need to keep it from her for a couple of more days so she’s surprised.
I smile as I walk into the office and the kids jump up, running over to hug me and tell me all about their last day at school. I drop a kiss on Charlee’s lips as she pulls up a chair for me. We eat burgers and milkshakes while the kids excitedly talk about their day. I pull Charlee into me as we finish eating and pick up the trash. The kids clean up the crayons and papers that they were coloring on and we say goodbye to everyone as we make our way out to the cars. We’re going to meet my mom for dinner tonight and we need to head home so everyone can get ready.
I wrap my arm around Charlee’s waist as the kids run ahead of us down the hallway. She leans her head on my shoulder and I kiss her forehead as she digs her keys out of her purse.
“How was your day, baby?” I ask.
“Good. We got this donation today and it’s going to be huge for us. We’re going to be able to get those computers and tablets that we were talking about. We’ll have our own computer lab for the kids to use. They can do homework or play games together now.”
I smile down at her as I listen to her excitement for the future. We walk out to the cars and I help the kids climb inside and buckle up before I make my way to the driver’s side window. Charlee rolls the window down and I lean in to kiss her.
“I’ll see you guys at home.”
“I wanted to stop at the mall really quick first.” Charlee says before I can walk away.
“Sure. For what?” I ask.
“I figured I needed a new bathing suit before you take me to Bora Bora.” She winks at me before she rolls up the window and reverses out of her spot.
I laugh as I stare after her. I should have known she’d figure out my surprise. I can never keep anything from my baby. I smile the whole drive home.