Second Chance

Chapter 6

"So, you saw Chris this weekend?"

Katherine sat for lunch with Tara a couple days after their date. "Geez, I haven't even ordered yet, and you're going to grill me?"

Tara laughed, "I told you he liked you."

Katherine shook her head. After they ordered she leaned towards her friend, "I saw Chris on Sunday, which I'm sure he already told you about. It was nice. I like him."

Tara nodded, "good. He likes you too."

"Can I ask you why you never introduced us?"

She shook her head, "I wasn't sure you'd be interested. I know you're a single mother. I wasn't sure how you'd feel dating someone that has the possibility of being gone for months at a time."

Katherine groaned. She hadn't actually thought about that until now.

Tara leaned forward, grabbing her hand, "oh no. You're not second guessing now are you?"

Katherine shook her head, "no. It's fine. One thing at a time. I'm just worried about Lucas becoming too attached. I normally wouldn't have introduced him to someone yet. But it just sort of happened. He's already asking when he can see him again. I'm afraid about the possibility that we don't work out, he'll be crushed. Or what if Chris isn't comfortable stepping in as a father figure for him? If the time for that to happen arises that is."

Tara chuckled, "okay. Breathe. He knew you had a son before he asked you out. And I know he really likes Lucas. Like you said, just take it one step at a time."

Katherine looked at her friend, "ugh. Don't tell Chris I just said any of that."

Tara shook her head, "no. Don't worry. I won't."

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When Katherine returns back to her office she gets a message from Chris with an attachment. She sits at her desk opening it to find a short video of him playing piano, smirking at the camera.

<Is there anything you aren't good at Chris?>

Chris chuckled at her response to his video. <I don't know. I'll let you know when I find something. How was it?>

Katherine shook her head at his over confidence. <It was hot. LOL>

Her response made Chris blush. <I'll keep that in mind. I miss you. I can't wait to see you and Lucas on Saturday.>

She hesitated. She wanted to be forward, and they promised they would be. But he was making it too easy to fall. <I miss you too Chris>

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Katherine and Lucas found Chris waiting for them at the park on Saturday. Lucas ran up to him as Chris knelt down, wrapping him in a hug, "hey bud. I missed you." He looked up at Katherine to see her shaking her head. He mouthed 'sorry', and stood back up. "Why don't you go play with Dodger." He handed Katherine a coffee from the bench, running his fingers through her hair. "Am I allowed to tell you I missed you?"

She smiled, stepping closer to him, "you better."

Chris laughed, bringing his mouth close to her ear, "I've missed you. And your lips." He watched her bite her lip as he sat on the bench, motioning for her to sit with him. He turned to face her, "so, don't be mad. I know you said you didn't want to go too fast in regards to Lucas, but I'm having my family over next weekend for the 4th. I was hoping you guys would come."

Katherine groaned, looking at Lucas before looking back at Chris, "Chris. I'm afraid of him getting attached to you, let alone your family."

Chris nodded, playing with her hair, "yeah. I know. I had to ask though. Please, will you at least think about it?"

"I will. Have you told your family about me?"

He nodded again, "my mom. She knows I'm dating someone with a kid. In fact it was her who insisted I stopped being shy and be more direct with you. And you remember my brother staring at us at the club."

Katherine laughed, "well, thank her for me." She rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her as they both watched Lucas playing with the dogs. After a few minutes she looked back up at him, "I'm scared. Not just of Lucas getting hurt, but getting hurt myself. I haven't loved anyone since his father. Or let anyone in, really. And what if we do work out. I have a son, who will eventually need a man in his life."

Before she could continue, he put his finger on her lips, "shh. I understand. And I knew you had a son before I asked you out. You don't think I didn't consider everything before I did? I really like you a lot. And I really like Lucas. Just take it one step at a time and try not to overthink."

Katherine laughed, "that's all I do. But I'll try."

"Can I walk you guys home?"

"Yeah. I'd like that." She turned towards Lucas, calling for him. "Chris is gonna walk us home, is that okay?"

She laughed at his excited expression. "Yes!" He handed Katherine Lucy's leash and held Chris's hand.

Chris saw the look on her face when Lucas grabbed his hand. He bent down to Lucas, "don't you want to hold your mom's hand?"

Lucas shook his head, "no I want to hold your hand Chris."

He looked back up at Katherine who shook her head, "it's fine. Let's just go."

Nicole heard them arrive outside her door, opening it, surprised to find Chris too. Katherine groaned, motioning to Nicole, "you remember Nicole. She's also my neighbor." Chris smiled and nodded before Katherine handed her Lucy, shutting the door. She unlocked their door shooing Lucas inside. "Lucas, why don't you play inside with Dodger for a minute while I talk to Chris." He nodded as she shut the door so her and Chris were alone in the hallway.

"Katie, I'm sorry about holding his hand."

She shook her head, putting her hands around his neck, "no. It's fine. I just want you to kiss me."

Chris bit his lip, chuckling before wrapping an arm around her waist, the other at the nape of her neck. He pulled her lips fervently to his making her moan. He eventually pulled away, resting his head on hers as they both tried to catch their breath.

"Come in for a minute?" Chris nodded as she opened the door, shutting it behind them. "Lucas." He watched her bend down to Lucas as he walked up to her. She looked at Chris before looking back at her son, "you know how we always go see fireworks on the 4th of July?"

Lucas smiled real big, "yes. It's Captain America's birthday."

Chris stifled a laugh as Katherine continued, "it is, yes. Well Chris was wondering if we wanted to go to his house to watch them this year."

Chris knelt on the ground next to him, "yeah. And I have a niece and nephew around your age to play with as well. And, a pool!"

Katherine laughed, "don't over sell it." She looked back at Lucas, "would you like to go?"

His eyes got real big, "can we?"

She nodded, "if you want to, yes."

"I do want to!" Chris laughed as Lucas hugged Katherine before hugging him, making Katherine sigh. They watched him go back to his room.

Chris turned to her, "I can't wait. I'll text you my address." He put his hands back at her waist, "I'm gonna miss you. What made you change your mind?"

She groaned, resting her head on his, "when he grabbed your hand. He's already too far gone. If I pull back now that would hurt him even more." She pulled away, looking him in the eyes, "don't break my or my son's heart. Please."

He shook his head as he cupped her cheek with his hand, "I won't. I promise."

She nodded, kissing him again. She pulled away, sighing. "I'm gonna miss you too. I'll see you next weekend."