The Elaborate Parent Trap

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Dad! When are we going to see Chris and Jade?" River asked his Dad for what seemed like the hundredth time in the last hour.

It was the guys' monthly poker night, where they invited a few guys around and played a few rounds. Matt was hosting and River had been driving him crazy, as much as Matt loved how much his son adored his girlfriend, he was driving him crazy. "Who is Chris and Jade?" Andy asked Matt curiously.

River turned a dirty glare at the blue-eyed man. "She's my Daddy's girlfriend and Jade is my best friend." River snipped.

"Riv, do you want me to call and see if you can spend the night with her?" Matt asked, getting fed up with his pestering.

"Well duh, Dad. I'll go get my stuff!" River yelled bolting off before Matt could even get his phone out of his pocket.

Matt shook his head and pulled his phone from his pocket dialling the tiny blonde. "Hey, baby," Chris answered on the third ring as Matt made his way away from the table. "I thought it was poker night?" She asked, remembering him mentioning it.

"Hey babe, it is. Would you be up for taking River tonight? He's asked me a hundred times tonight when we were going to see you again." Matt sighed.

Chris laughed. "You guys were just here on Wednesday. It's Saturday." Chris laughed. "Yeah, I'll come get him Echo is over, and she and Jade are baking so it'll just be me," Chris told him and he could hear Echo in the background telling her to hurry up and get him.

"Thanks, baby. I'll see you in a few." Matt smiled, even though she couldn't see him.

"See you soon babe," Chris replied as they hung up.

Matt made his way back over to the table and Andy smirked at him. "Guess no more party days for you huh?" Andy teased.

Matt shook his head tipping back his beer. "Nope." He grinned.

Andy remembered the days on tour when the two would try to compete to get the hottest girl at the parties they attended when River was at home. He wondered absently about what this 'Chris' looked like when Brian snapped him out of his thoughts. "She owns a tattoo shop downtown. She's fucking good, man." Brian nodded.

Just then River came pounding down the stairs, backpacks and stuffed dinosaur in hand. "I'm ready Daddy!" River called.

"You gotta wait for her to get here buddy." Matt laughed just as there was a knock on the door.

Matt called out for the person to come in, knowing it was Chris as he got up to greet her. "CHRIS!" River yelled latching onto her legs and almost knocking her over.

She laughed and bent down to hug him. "Hey, my sweet boy. You ready?" She asked him ruffling his soft brown hair.

"Yes!" He nodded excitedly. "Bye Daddy!" He said running for the door.

"River!" Matt called making him wait as he shook his head and stepped toward Chris. "Hey, baby." He grinned leaning down to kiss her.

"Hey yourself." She smiled back up at him. "You boys have fun, call if you need anything okay?" Chris told him.

Matt nodded and kissed her again before letting her leave with River. It was then Andy had an idea pop into his head. He considered Matt a good friend, but his girl was gorgeous. For old times sake, he decided he was going to pay the tiny blonde a personal visit.

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It was Monday morning, Chris was sitting at her workstation reorganizing her ink stash when a man entered her shop. He seemed oddly familiar as she made her way over to greet him, having given Kate the day off. "Hey, how can I help you?" Chris asked.