Chapter 16
Gavin
Ispentthewhole weekend at Lauren's, only going back to Oakside at night per the rules. Tonight I'm going home with her to pick up Graham and have dinner. It’s Monday Spaghetti Night, after all.
Graham doesn't know I'll be tagging along, so we decided to surprise him. With his help, I’ll be making the spaghetti. I want to show him we can spoil his momma every chance we get.
"So, who is it he stays with after school?" I ask on our way to get him.
"His friend James's mom. She's a stay-at-home mom and offered when the kids became good friends. In return, I watch her James a few times a month so she and her husband can go on date night. A few months back, I also watched him for the weekend so they could take a short trip for their anniversary."
It's a simple conversation that makes me realize it could have been us in James’s parents’ shoes if I hadn't walked away. Would we be a happy family, trading babysitting so I could take Lauren away for an anniversary weekend?
We’ve lost so much time, and I don't want to lose any more. I want to rebuild what we lost and find a way forward. To do that, I need to pay attention to what Lauren is saying.
She’s talking about some event James and Graham did last week as we slow down and pull into a driveway.
"I'll be right back." She leans over and kisses me on the cheek.
After waiting a few moments, I open the door and step out to stand in front of the car. I want Graham to see me as soon as he steps outside.
"Dad!" I'm rewarded with his over-excited squeal a few minutes later.I kneel, and he runs into my arms, hugging me tightly."Are you coming for dinner? It's spaghetti night!"
"I am. Your mom and I did Monday Spaghetti Night many years ago when we dated," I tell him.
"I know. She told me. Come on. Gem looks like she wants to leap from the car to join us." He runs off to get in the car.
I turn, using the car to guide me back to my door and join them. "Is your mom still inside?" I ask once he's buckled up.
"Nope, she's standing on the porch with Ms. Jessica. I heard them talking about you."
"About what?"
"Well, Ms. Jessica didn't know my dad was back, so she asked about you. You know how women gossip."
I swear I can hear the eye roll in his voice. My boy is like me. There’s no if, and, or but about it. He's going to be trouble.
"All right, ready for Spaghetti night?" Laurens asks as she joins us in the car.
Graham cheers, but as soon as she pulls from the driveway, I can tell something else is on her mind.
"What did Ms. Jessica have to say?" I ask her softly.
"I told you weren't in the picture a while ago, so she was a bit shocked you showed up, and I had to explain things. She invited us to dinner next week. I think she wants to get to know you and have you meet her husband since the boys are so close."
Smiling, I reach out to take her hand. Our first dinner invitation ever and not only as a couple but the first one ever for me. Growing up, we didn't get invited to dinner. Instead, it would be group things with other friends.
"I'd be happy to go. You set up the time. Hell, you know my schedule better than I do," I tell her.
When we get to Lauren’s house, she goes into Mom mode, but I put an end to that.
"Nope, you sit down with a glass of wine, watch TV and relax. Graham and I got dinner."
"At least let me show you around the kitchen." She tries to walk past me, but I wrap an arm around her shoulder.
"Hey, Graham?"
"Yeah, Dad?"