Page 19 of Finding Solace
All business, Ava puts her hand on her hip and sticks the other one out and voices, "You say a badword."
"Shit… I mean darn. I'm sorry. Here," he pulls out his wallet and gives her two one-dollar bills. I told him the first time that he made a mistake giving her money like that. Her sass doesn’t seem to faze him at all. His smile only getsbigger.
Reid turns from the little chastising Quinn just received from a four-year-old and says to me, "You sure you don’t want to head out in themorning?"
"No, I'm all packed and ready to go. Besides, it's not too late. The sun hasn’t even set yet." I explain. I should have left sooner, but I wanted to make sure I had prepared a few extra meals for him before I went. He nods his head and starts to make his way down the hall with Ava on his heels and me following behind. Quinn soon follows with our bags in his hands, and we all pile into the elevator. Making our way outside to my car, Quinn loads my things and announces he'll wait for me on his bike and walks off lighting acigarette.
Clearing his throat, Reid speaks, "Listen, the guys are throwing a party for me this weekend. Why don’t you and Ava come out to theclubhouse."
Assuming it's going to be a family-friendly event, or he wouldn’t have asked I decide there isn’t any reason to say no. I've been to a few with Bella and have enjoyed myself. Ava made a few friends with some of the member's kids also. "Sure, I'd like that," I smile athim.
Before we turn so I can load Ava into her seat, she pulls away from my grasp and walks to Reid and holds her teddy up. Reid takes it from her tiny outreach hands. "He makes me feel better when I sad," she warmly says to him. I watch him take in my sweet girl. This is a big gesture from her. I hope he is aware of the fact she is handing him a huge source of comfort. Doing my best not to cry I silently watch her make a very grown-up decision as her hands let go of her teddybear.
Squatting, he holds the bear close to him, "Are yousure?"
"I'm sure," she confirms, and my heart swells evenmore.
"I'll take really good care of him. I promise," he ensures her, then wraps her in his arms for a big bear hug. Running back to me, Ava climbs into her car seat. As I'm buckling her in I lean in and kiss her forehead, "You are such a brave and caring girl, Ava MarieVaughn."
Rounding the trunk of my car I glance at Reid who's now standing and watching. "I'll call when I getsettled."
I make it home in fifteen minutes. Quinn carries my suitcases inside and sets them down just inside the living room. "I hate to run, but the guys need me out at the clubhouse. Don’t forget to call Reid," he informsme.
"I'll call him soon. Thanks,Quinn."
"Ya know, he didn’t want you to leave. Sometimes we gotta take the chance and go all in even when it scares the shit out of us," he says walking towards the door, "See ya this weekend." Closing the door behind him, I wait to listen for his motorcycle to takeoff.
Ava had settled into her room playing with her toys when I walk towards the back of the house to check on her. "Come on sweet girl; let's get you ready forbed."
"Okay,Momma."
After getting Ava into her nightgown and tucking her into bed, we read a little from her storybook. As I'm reading, she falls asleep hugging one of her dollies. Mentally tired I kiss her cheek, turn on her night light and turn the lamp off. There's a stack of mail I need to go through and a brand new bottle of wine I picked up at the store today with my name on it. I change into my sleep shorts and a tank top before heading toward the kitchen. Pouring myself a drink I take it to the couch. The first piece of mail I notice is a large manila envelope, so I open it first. The letterhead is what catches my attention. Vaughn & Vaughn Attorneys at Law. My parents are contesting my legal rights to not only the home I live in, but they are challenging the validity of Grams’ Power of Attorney. It states that she wasn’t in her right frame of mind due to her illness and that I coerced her into making the decision?What thehell?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
REID
Pulling up in front of Kings Construction, I grab my cut off the seat beside me before sliding out of my truck. It feels so fuckin' good to be back at work. Granted I'm not at one-hundred percent, so I am unable to work in the field, but coming into the office is a hell of a lot better than sittin' my ass at home every day. Since Mila and Ava have moved out, I can't take the emptiness of my place anymore. I used to love the peace and solitude I got from living alone, but now everything about my home is just… off. I miss having Ava's toys scattered around the living room floor. I miss hearing her talk about her day after coming home from preschool. But most of all, I feel a loss without Mila. I miss watching her in my kitchen as she would prepare dinner for us. I long walking into a room and smelling her sweet smell. Now when I'm at home there are no toys on my floor, there is no soft sound of Ava's laughter. The only thing that remains is Mila's scent. I swear to fuckin' Christ every time I close my eyes at night I can smell her. That is how much she has imprinted on me. And it takes everything in me not to go and get her and drag her ass back here… back to where shebelongs.
Wanting to make sure she is still coming to the party this weekend, I take my phone out of my pocket and send her a quicktext.
Me:Hey, Kitten. How's your day so far? How'sAva?
Kitten:We're okay. Just dropped Ava at preschool. How are you doing? You feeling okay? How was your PT appointmentyesterday?
Me:PT was good. No morecrutches.
Kitten:Really!!! That's fantastic!! I'm so proud ofyou!
Mila'slast reply has me grinning like a fuckin'loon.
Me:Thanks, babe. Anyway, I wanted to see if you and Ava were still coming to the party thisweekend?
Kitten:Of course. Ava misses you; she's excited to seeyou.
Me:Is Ava the only one who missesme?
It takesMila a minute to reply, and when she does she gives me the response I was hoping for, and it's officially game fuckin'on.
