The Best Mistake

Chapter Twenty-Six

The next few weeks flew by faster than I expected. Work demanded my attention even after I clocked out. Beverly and I have been working nonstop on editing her book and I love every minute of it. Caleb was always there to be a listening ear and to offer any advice, but so far, Beverly and I have a good working relationship. Mason hasn't been back to Vancouver in nearly three weeks but that hasn't stopped him in the slightest. Mason calls twice a day, early in the mornings and late in the evenings before bed. There are times that Mason even reads to the girls before bed, and his video calls come in handy on days I need him to watch the girls while I get ready for work. I was worried how the girls would take him, but my worries were futile, they adore Mason and are always thrilled whenever he calls even if it's only for a moment. Sometimes the girls would ask me to call him throughout the day and he always answered even if it meant stepping out of a meeting, after I insisted that it wasn't necessary. The dedication that he has shown to be a part of the girls' lives is baffling, he is determined to not miss another moment of their lives. There were still moments when Royce would show signs of annoyance, but I have caught him on many occasions looking impressed over Mason's actions. Royce may not be fond with the idea of Mason being close to me, but I know he is happy for the girls to have this opportunity. Royce and I have also been on several dates these last few weeks. It's hard to still work on our relationship with so many new obstacles to battle and date nights are simply steps to get past those obstacles. There were moments when he held me under the stars and whispered sweet words in my ear that I am reminded why I love him so much. Royce and I have a long road to travel but as long as he is willing to travel with me then we should be good. It was Friday morning before work when Mason called to talk to the girls. I got dressed in my closet carefully as I listened to them talk back and forth. It's the smallest things that they are eager to tell him about and as always, he is hyped to listen. In my closet, I was wearing my matching black panty and bra set along with my pantyhose as I browsed through my clothes. Deciding on my black v neck and long-sleeved dress with a red belt around the waist, I pulled it from the hanger. I was about to slip into my dress when Lily burst into the closet with my cell phone in her hands.

"There's mommy Maston." She grinned.

My eyes widened in shock as she pointed the camera in my direction. I covered my body using the dress and snatched the phone out of her hands.

"Lily!" I chastised. "Don't do that, what if I was naked."

Lily looked away sadly. "Swooy," She mumbled.

"It's okay, here" I handed her the phone and directed her out of the closet. "I'm coming now, sit with Peppa."

I quickly threw on my dress, secured the red belt around my waist and exited the closet. The girls were still talking to Mason as they sat on my bed already dressed to go to my mom. I sat next to them, coming into the view of the camera and Mason immediately smirked. My face turned beet red in embarrassment, and I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up." I mumbled.

"Don't worry I didn't see anything." Mason laughed.

I shrugged pretending I was aloof.
"The girls said they'll be with your mother today. Where's Royce?" Mason asked curiously.

"He had a late flight last night. He should be home this afternoon." I said.

"Alright." Mason nodded.

"Mathon, momma painted our nails." Peppa grinned.

"She did?" Mason gasped. "Let me see."

The girls eagerly showed off the purple and yellow polish on their fingers, wiggling them into the camera.

"Oh, wow they're so pretty. Mommy did a great job."

The girls grinned proudly at their fingers and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Girls go get your shoes, we soon have to leave." They handed me the phone and jumped out of bed quickly. Mason had a sad look on his face when they left. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I really miss them. I didn't anticipate that." He admitted.

I smiled, "You weren't prepared to miss them?"

"No, I was, just not this much. Every time we talk, I miss them more." He sighed. Mason has been constantly busy with work. He was more anal about working than Caleb was, and I didn't think that was possible.

"What do you have to do today?" I asked.

"I have a Skype meeting with a few people in New York, I have to do a few things for my mom and I promised Chasity I'd take her out later." He said.

I nodded, "So you don't have any idea when you can come down?"

Mason sighed, "Not yet." Suddenly his back stiffened. "Wait, can't you guys come here?"

"You want us to come there?"

"Please it'll only be for the weekend, two nights that's all." Mason pleaded.

"You seem kind of busy already, I don't want us to impose..."

"What? You three will never get in the way of anything. I really miss the girls and honestly this may be a good time for them to meet my family."

At that my breath stuttered. "Meet your family?"

"Yea, is that a problem? Do you think they're not ready to?" He asked.

"I'm not worried about the girls' readiness, I'm worried about your family's. I didn't leave the best impression."

"That's not true."

"Mason your family saw me as a delusional whore."

"Now I know that is not true." He said. I rolled my eyes. "It's not. My mother and sister have been asking when you're going to come by, they want to meet them and all I could give them were pictures."

"I'm just worried." I admitted.

"I understand and you have every right to be, you know I won't let them cross any lines. It would be different this time."

I do want things to be different this time around. No arguments, no accusations or mean words, just love, acceptance and purity. I really believe that having more family in the girls' lives could be a good thing. I don't have any siblings, but the girls have the opportunity to have an aunt, uncle, cousin, grandfather and another grandmother, if they'll accept them.

I sighed, "Okay."

I didn't think Mason's grin could've gotten any wider just then. "Really?"

"Yea, I think it could be a good thing for them, as long as your family agrees to be civil." I warned.

"That won't be a problem, the only person I'll have to give a pep talk to is my dad. If he can't be civil then he won't meet them." He said calmly.

"I agree."

"So, this weekend right?"

"This weekend? Don't you have things to do this weekend?" I asked.

"I don't care. Whatever I need to do can be put on hold and what I have to do you guys can make yourself comfortable at home until I get back. The renovations are finally done, I have multiple guest rooms...."

"Wait, hold on. You want us to stay by your house?" I asked.

"Of course! Where else would you go?"

"I thought we'd stay at the hotel, that's where we were the last time." I said.

"Yea but that was because Caleb doesn't have a house over here. I have a perfectly good home with more than enough space."

"Wow, I mean..."

"If you want you can bring Royce too." He suggested.

"I don't think Royce can join us this weekend, but I guess I can talk to him."

"Ava you know I will be a total gentleman. It's not like that with us. The Reynolds hotel is a bit too far from my house and doesn't have much protection." He explained.

"Protection?" I asked.

"Of course, our family needs protection here and there."

"Do you need it very often?"

"Most times we can live comfortably until there's some juicy story or charity event, during those times it can get crazy. Either way I want you all safe."

I sighed internally preparing myself for the argument that no doubt will come from Royce.

"Okay I understand, we'll come."

"Yes! Thank you, Ava."

I laughed, "So when do you want us to come?"

Mason looked at his watch quickly. "I can come there now."

"Now? I have work and don't you have a meeting?" I asked.

"It's a Skype meeting Ava. I can do that anywhere. Besides it's not until noon so I have time to get there."

"I have work Mason and have a date tonight." I reminded him.

"Stop worrying, Chasity and I can still have our date after I settle you guys in." He said.

"What about..."

"I'm coming." The phone hung up instantly and I was left feeling baffled. What the hell?

Shaking off his actions, I got the girls and carried them to my mother's house. I was able to make it to work a little early and for that I was proud, lately I've been arriving to work earlier than I usually did. The office was buzzing with work as usual, phones ringing off the hooks, typing sounds from keyboards, printers going off and talking. I noticed Julia at her desk and moved behind her slowly to wrap my arms around her neck snuggly.

"Morning." I grinned, my action causing her to jump slightly.

She chuckled lightly, "Hey you almost scared me shitless."

"Oh no we don't want that now do we?" I giggled.

"I went to the doctor yesterday." She said.

I pulled away, "Really? How did it go? You could've told me."

"I know but Steven accompanied me."

"Really?" I raised my brows.

"Yea I know right, he even surprised me with his involvement. Anyways, so we got a sonogram picture." She smiled reaching into her bag.

I eagerly took the photo out of her hands to look at it. A smile stretched across my face as I stared at the little blimp. It surprises me how something so tiny can cause so much hell in the first trimester. "Awww, so small and beautiful."

"Really? You can see it?" Julia's question took me off guard.

"Of course, I can. Can't you?" I asked.

"Nooo." Her eyes filled with tears instantly.

"What do you mean, you can't see it?"

"When the doctor showed us on the little monitor it looked so different, but now on that little photo I don't know what the hell I'm looking at. My baby isn't even here yet and I'm already losing it, how am I supposed to be a mother?" Julia sniffled.

Just then Jerry passed Julia's cubicle with a frown, "Can you please stop angering it? Geez."

I rolled my eyes. "Julia, sweetie see? It's right there." I said, pointing at the baby in the picture.

She wiped the tears away from her cheeks and focused on where my finger was pointing. "Oh." She hiccuped.

"See there's no reason to cry. This is your first pregnancy. It's normal to have worries and be emotional." I said.

"Well how come you found the baby faster than I did."

"Julia, I have two kids, I have all of their sonogram photos and I studied them nonstop. I know what to look for."

"Well what if I lose it again." She sniffled.

"Here." I circled the baby lightly on the photo before handing it to her.

"Thanks." She sniffled.

I chuckled lightly before kissing the top of her head and leaving her to her emotions. Emotional Julia is a sight to see. I went to the break room to place my lunch into the refrigerator. Loren and Jerry were there drinking coffee along with my other co-workers Gen and Lloyd.

"Morning guys." I greeted.

"Hey." They all greeted politely.

"Ava, are the girls enjoying the new story books I got them?" Loren asked.

"Yea definitely, thanks again." I smiled.

"Did Julia calm down yet?" Jerry asked.

"Yea she did."

"Good cause I need her help." He said absentmindedly.

I shrugged, "Alright, talk to you guys later."

As soon as I walked out of the door, my folder slipped from my hand causing a few papers to scatter. I sighed and quickly bent to gather them.

"I'm surprised you're so calm about Ava being editor for Beverly Hollis." Gen said quietly. I stiffened at the sound of my name and listened closely while gathering my papers slowly.

"Oh please, I'm civil." Loren said.

"Why wouldn't you be calm?" Jerry asked.

"Come on Jer, Caleb is allowing his assistant to be an editor? Loren has been here for nearly seven years and still can't get that kind of opportunity." Gen scoffed.

"Tah, Libby was here longer than Ava and didn't get that opportunity either." Loren said.

"And she was actually sleeping with him." Gen cackled, her nasally voice sounding more annoying than usual.

"Perks of screwing the boss's brother." Loren giggled.

"What??" Everyone was shocked.

"Tell me you don't see the resemblance between Mason Reynolds and Ava's kids? I wouldn't be surprised if that's the only reason Caleb 'appointed' her in this book. I've been working my ass off to get that kind of position." Loren said bitterly.

"Boy, Caleb surely has a problem with keeping his business and personal life separate." Gen said.

"Come on now, Ava is a really good worker." Lloyd intervened.

"Hmm, I gotta agree with him, she worked hard too." Jerry agreed.

"Oh please, pushing out the boss's nieces doesn't count as work." Gen said.

I felt the familiar pinch in my eyes and nose, collecting the last of my things I quickly headed upstairs to Caleb's office. Caleb was making a cup of coffee when I exited the elevator.

"Hey, look at the early bird." He smiled.

I nodded, "Morning."

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yea I am." I said clearing my throat.

Thankfully, Caleb didn't press the issue. He headed into his office as I made my way to my desk to get started on my work. If my work was stressful before it has doubled these last few weeks, because while I'm editing Beverly's book and working closely with her, I am still Caleb's assistant. I have to continue to be on my P's and Q's if I wanted my editing position to be a permanent one. In between editing, I am scheduling meetings, responding to emails, organizing Caleb's schedules and making necessary phone calls. Today I found myself working harder than usual and I knew it was because I was trying desperately to distract myself from the words I overheard. The pressure in the back of my neck was increasing by the hour and I can't shake it no matter what I did. I was so engrossed in my work that I didn't realize the elevator door opening until Mason stepped in wearing a pair of thick black joggers suit. A white T can be seen underneath his hoodie as he scrolled in casually.

"What are you doing here?" I asked suddenly.

Mason cocked his head curiously, "Am I mistaken, or did I not tell you that I was coming?"

"Mason, I told you I had work you can't just pop in like this." I said.

"Why can't I?" He asked. Mason moved to Caleb's office door and opened it with ease. I jumped up from my desk quickly but was too slow to stop him.

"Sorry Caleb he just showed up." I said.

Caleb chuckled, shaking his head, "It's fine Ava." He said. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Well I told Ava that I was." Mason said looking towards me.

I rolled my eyes, "I didn't realize you would pop in like this."

"We are introducing the girls to the family." Mason said.

Caleb's eyes widened, "That's great. I thought you would've waited longer."

"I thought so too but it's no use putting it off I guess." I shrugged.

"Awesome, when are you guys leaving?" Caleb asked.

"Now." Mason said.

"Now?!" I asked.

"Yea why not?"

"Mason, I have work." I said.

"You can work from anywhere."

"That's true." Caleb interjected.

"It doesn't matter, you can't just spring this on me I have to be prepared for these things."

Mason looked confused, "You said okay so I thought today would be fine and we can meet them tomorrow for brunch."

"It doesn't matter Mason. We have to communicate to make this work, I don't want to just get up and leave work." I said frustrated.

"Okay, take it easy I apologize." He said hurt.

"Ava come on, you work so hard already, I can let you go a few hours early." Caleb said worried.

"I just left a few hours early a few weeks ago."

"And so did the entire staff, what is your problem?" Caleb raised a brow.

"I just want to do my work and deserve it okay? I don't want special treatment." I walked towards the door quickly and Mason moved to block my exit.

"Can you move?" I ask annoyed.

"Not until you tell me what's going on." Mason said casually folding his arms.

I tried to move past him several times without any luck and groaned. "What is the big deal, so I want to work so what?"

"Ava that's not the problem and you know it." Caleb said.

I attempted to move past Mason once again and I was almost through when he gripped my wrist firmly. I would've yanked my hand away if I didn't feel the sparks in my fingers.

"Ava stop." he said firmly.