Xander was all smiles at work the following day. He was in a good mood. Ayden and Jessica made him think it was time for him to get a move on with his life.
A family was what he needed. His house was too big and empty. He imagined a little girl or boy running around. How he and his lover would be hopelessly in love with each other. He needed something like that.
His gloomy and boring life was about to be thrown out the window. A new and improved Xander was on the rise and no one could stop him. His parents would be proud and happy for him if they heard of his new approach on life. They'd been pestering him for a while to get out there.
When Ayden and Jessica left he realised what a good relationship they had. Xander felt a little envious every time he thought back on the evening.
Life was too short to not enjoy oneself and do exciting things. It took Xander all those years and Ayden for him to realise such a simple thing.
His day was going great. Even when Richard --his boss-- gave him a load of paperwork he didn't grumble. Instead he did what needed to be done. By lunch time he was halfway through with his work.
Lunch was also different for him. Instead of his usual microwavable food he made his own lunch.
Xander was enjoying his fill of sandwiches when Lisa from the same department as his smashed her tray onto the table. The action caused Xander to snap up from the magazine he was reading.
"What the hell Lisa?" Xander complained. She nearly scared the life out of him.
She rolled her eyes and stuffed a fork fill of salad into her mouth. "You know my wedding is in two weeks right?"
How could Xander forget it was all she ever talked about. Xander remembered how her husband proposed to her just outside the office building. Romantic or not she said yes. Thinking about it, almost everyone around Xander was either married or engaged.
"I seem to recall you mentioning it, everyday for the last month, " Xander replied.
"The makeup artist I hired cancelled" Lisa said, she wasted no time in ranting. "She decided to break her arm. I mean, couldn't she have waited until after the wedding"
"I don't think people decide when to break their arm. "
"Now I have no one. Everyone's either booked or not up to my standards," Lisa continued ignoring Xander. Was there even a point in this conversation.
"I know someone," Xander thought back to Ayden. He remembered him saying he was a makeup artist.
Lisa only then stopped to listen. "Who?"
"A guy I recently met," he told her. "I'll have to ask him. See if he is willing to."
"Please do that," Lisa clasped her hands together pleading.
Xander thought about how to get in contact with him. He could scroll through his call history. It wouldn't take him that long. No one called him anyways.
"I'll see to it."
°•°
When Xander got home he saw a familiar brunette on his front porch, Only this time she was colouring in a colouring book. She was using a pink pencil to color in a bear. An odd colour if you asked Xander.
"Jessica," Xander said as he climbed the last step. "Why are you here?" He hadn't expect to see her so soon. In fact he didn't think he would see her again.
Jessica packed her things back in her backpack. She stood next to Xander then said "Daddy's late in picking me up again."
"Are you allowed to leave the school on your own?" Xander questioned. Was it okay for her to leave without her parents. "Shouldn't you wait at school for your dad?"
Xander understood that Ayden was late but wasn't it safer for her to wait at the school under a teachers supervision.
"I sneaked out," Jessica said casually.
"Why?" Xander couldn't understand what reason she had to sneak out.
"I don't like staying there after school" Jessica frowned.
Xander didn't mean to upset her. He just needed answers. Xander unlocked the front door and allowed Jessica to enter. He closed the door behind him.
Jessica sat on the couch while Xander took off his jacket and placed his leather briefcase to the side. He got back to the living area.
"Is your dad always late?" Xander questioned. Jessica shook her head. 'Something new?" He thought. "Why did you come to my house?"
"Daddy said you were a good guy," Jessica said. "And that you were handsome," Xander couldn't help but blush at the compliment. "Plus I had nowhere else to go and I wanted more hot chocolate."
Xander couldn't help but chuckle at her last words. He could use a cup himself. Not because he was stressed or needed to clear his mind. But just because he was in a good mood.
Xander put on some cartoons and exited the room. "Two hot chocolates coming right up."
EDITED