All by Chance {Brollins}

/ Chapter 2 \

Rebecca pulled into Colby's driveway a few minutes after she had gotten off of the phone with him.

She carefully made her way to his door, coffees in hand. His house wasn't extremely different from hers, although it did have more rooms on the top floor, with a basement.

After knocking on the door gently, Colby quickly opened it. "Thanks for coming."

"Of course." She smiled, passing him the coffee tray as she took off her shoes. "What's up?"

"She won't stay asleep." He grimaced, hearing cries from the other room.

"And you thought I could help?" Rebecca laughed, "I'm not the one with a kid. I think you're more fit to figure this out."

"She likes you." Colby pointed out, "Most often more than me."

"That's just because I'm her candy dealer." Rebecca smirked, "Bribery goes a long way."

Colby placed the tray on his kitchen counter as Rebecca walked over to the swinging baby seat that the tiny baby surrounded by a bundle of blankets laid in.

"Hi, baby." Rebecca picked up the small and crying child. "Hey, Danielle."

The little girl's whines came to a pause, and her tear-filled eyes focused on Rebecca. Danielle's furrowed eyebrows relaxed, and her chin stopped quivering. Rebecca rocked the nine-month-old back and forth as she walked around the room and whispered to her.

Colby just watched in relief as his baby was finally starting to drift off. He watched Rebecca continue for a few minutes before putting a sleeping Danielle back in her spot. Colby held out her cup of coffee for her the minute she walked over, and she sat down on one of his kitchen table chairs, with him following suit.

He just watched Rebecca for a bit until she noticed his stares. "What?"

"Are you still having nightmares?" He asked, and suddenly her entire demeanour shifted.

She immediately looked down, knowing he'd be able to figure it out on his own, by the look on her face. "That's why you're up, isn't it?"

A few tears filled her eyes, and she just nodded in response. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

"I know." She muttered, not wanting to broach the topic.

"We've been friends for years." He responded, "Hell, you were the only one willing to help me when Danielle came into the picture."

He watched her pick at her fingernails, "I'm here for you. I know it hasn't been that long, and the feelings are still... new. But when you're ready to talk, I'll be here.

"I know, Colby." She nodded again and heard him stand up shortly after.

He walked over to her and lifted her chin up gently with his finger, seeing tears in her eyes, before bending down to hug her. "I love you. You know that."

"I love you too." She wrapped her arms around him and stood up, still in his grasp.

After Danielle started to fuss again, the two diverted their attention to her. The rest of the day went as one normally would with the two. They rarely had plans with other people, so they'd find themselves hanging around the other most of the time.

They'd been close since childhood, which meant they'd also seen the phases the other had gone through. The random relationships that led to secret jealousy, along with the break-ups that led to silent relief. As well as the different hobbies they picked up in different periods of their lives.

But throughout the years and all of the hidden emotions, neither of them had the courage to make the first move with the other.

There had been times when one was close, but their paths never seemed to fully align. At least, that's what they would tell themselves. In truth, they were afraid to ruin the friendship they'd built over the years.

"What are you doing for her first birthday?" Rebecca asked as she brought a bottle to Danielle's lips.

"Not sure." He shrugged, "I've got months to figure that out."

"They'll fly by." Rebecca smiled while watching Danielle grasp at the bottle. "The good times always do."

She looked up at Colby, "Before you know it, all of the boys will be lining up at your door just so they can talk to her."

"Yeah right. Over my dead body." He shook his head, "Not happening."

"It will." Rebecca insisted, "Whether you like it or not."

Danielle finished eating and was put to bed shortly after, leaving the two to mingle alone. They hung out in the living room, and Colby put on a movie in the background.

"Do you wanna get some rest in the guest room?" He spoke suddenly, seeing the exhaustion that filled Rebecca's eyes.

She looked over at him with a grateful but sad smile. "Changing the bed doesn't change the mind, Colby."

"I know, but maybe a different place can help?" Colby suggested with a shrug.

"Wouldn't know." She laughed dryly, "I'm not spending my nights at other people's houses."

"Good to know." Colby stood up and moved onto the couch Rebecca was curled up on and pulled her on top of him.

Rebecca shook her head, "Colby, I'm fine, really. You don't have to-"

"Sleep, Rebecca." He placed his chin on top of her head, "You need it."

He felt her slowly curl into him more comfortably as he watched the tv. Colby grabbed a nearby blanket and placed it over them, knowing Rebecca got cold easily.

He wrapped his arms around her and adjusted himself into a position where he could lay down as well. She didn't want to bombard Colby with her problems, but the two had always been open, and she knew he just wanted to help.

Within minutes, her eyelids grew heavy as his natural body warmth surrounded her. When Rebecca finally stopped protesting and accepted Colby's gesture, she was comfortably asleep for the first time in what felt like forever.