Chance Encounters

6.2

The week my parents were out in Utah went by faster than I ever thought it would. It felt like just yesterday they were surprising Liam and I at the balloon festival and suddenly we are packing them up and heading to the airport so they could go home. It was a great week, Austin and my Dad seemed to be getting along a lot better thanks to their bonding time shooting guns and drinking beer together the first day they were actually here, not to mention the never ending questions and test drives my Dad took in his cars.

My Mom—ever the question asker that she is—was constantly asking him about his job, how he got the different plaques on the wall, what made him want to pursue this career. Anything you could think of was coming from her mouth, but Austin was so sweet and answered each and every one the best that he could. I knew that he didn't like all of the attention to be on him—he is more of an exist invisibly kinda person—and even though I tried to steer the conversation to be on me he would sweetly rest his hand on my hip and give me a kiss and tell me it was okay.

They were sweet enough to watch Liam for Austin and I one day and although I had thought it was just them being nice to us, I knew it was because they wanted to have the alone time with Liam that they missed so much. So, while they spent most of the evening home with Liam, Austin and I had a date night filled with dinner, drinks, laser tag, movies and sex...lots of sex. I held true to my promise that we could make a baby whenever he wanted and after our adventure filled evening we did just that countless times in the guesthouse—that thankfully my parents weren't using—before walking happily back home hand in hand with high hopes and happy hearts. I knew making babies with him was going to be fun.

We pulled into the airport, my Father making the comment that he had never had a security detail escort him to the airport which made everyone laugh—leave it to him to lighten the mood—as Austin followed the white suburban to the tarmac. He had set up with Kyle to make a trip back to PA to take my parents home so they wouldn't have to fly commercial and so they could properly relax as the perfect way to end their trip. I let out a sigh as Austin threw the truck into park, his hand sliding across the console as he laced his fingers with mine. I looked over at him to see that he was giving me a sympathetic look as he tightly squeezed my hand. I appreciated the gesture so much, but I knew that once my parents got on his plane that I was going to be a different person for a while. I smiled back at him doing my best to keep my emotions in check as he gently let go before sliding out of the truck, my Dad following him as they both went to grab for the bags that were in the bed.

"You going to be okay?" My Mom asked with a smile, her hand reaching out to grab mine as I gave it a tight squeeze. I took in a deep breath as I felt that familiar lump form in my throat as I nodded my head at her, the words not being able to escape as I felt my lip start to quiver.

"Austin is lovely Candy and I know that you are going to be in good hands without us, just try not to be too sad when we leave okay? You don't want to make him feel that he isn't enough" she said, her hand still clutched in mine as I shook my head at her. "Okay, come on honey" she said letting go of my hand as she reached for the door handle.

"I'm sorry that Liam isn't awake" I said hopping out of the truck as we took the long way around before stopping in front of my Dad and Austin who were happily chatting.

"That's okay sweetie, that is why we said good-bye to him before we left the house" she said with a smile as she wrapped me in a hug, my arms coming around her neck as I buried my head in her hair trying my best to keep the tears at bay. "I love you Candace and we are always just a phone call away okay?" she said squeezing me tighter as I did the same.

"I love you too Mom" I said as she pulled me away from her giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Austin, it was so nice to finally meet you in person. I am so glad that Candy found you" she said to him, her arms immediately wrapped around him in a hug as I watched his face turn red.