Mistakes of our past | Rhekker

Chapter 57- Plans

"Sophia? Avey?" Connor called around the house, trying to find them.
"In here Mr. Rhodes" Carlota called from the kitchen, "Sorry, Connor" she threw her hands up in the air.
Connor came into the kitchen to find Carlota making lunch for the family and Ava sat at the table eat some strawberries. On Ava's lap sat a small black and white dog.
"Oh I love you, yes I do, yes I do" she giggled as the puppy licked her face.
"Ava where did you find a dog?" He asked, moving her at the table.
"It's Cartlota's" she smiled, squirming under the dog, "His name is Bruce"
Connor reached out to scratch behind Bruce's ear, "Don't be giving her any ideas Carlota, were already got one new addition to the family in the way"
"But aren't you a cutie" he smiled, feeling the dogs soft fur. Looking to to catch Ava's eyes he winked at her, causing a flush in her cheeks.
Connor reached out to take a strawberry from the bowl in front of Ava.
"Ah ta ta" Carlota swatted his hand away, "When your growing a baby in you, you can have strawberries"

Ava snorted some laughter as Bruce returned to licking her jawline and Connor playfully pouted at Carlota's comment. Ava reached over to touch his cheek, sneaking him a strawberry under the table.
"Your too good to him Ava" Carlota called over her shoulder, having predicted that interaction. Connor smiled to himself, "I know she is"
Leaning in Connor caught her cheek in his palm, bring her in for a gentle, strawberry flavoured kiss.
Shortly after little feet could be heard pounding into the kitchen from the garden,
"Pa, pa!" Sophia called, coming bounding in from the garden, her knees stained green.
"Ah my princess" he said, opening his arms out to catch her.
Covering Sophias cheek and forehead with kisses, Connor pulled her onto his lap.
"What happened here princess?" He asked, wetting a rag in the sink and running it over her knees gently.
"Playing with Charles" Sophia told him, squirming under the cold rag.
Just as Connor was about to ask who Charles was nails could be heard running across the tiles. And a little brown dog, similar to the one of Ava's lap, leapt into Sophia's arms.
"Can we keep him Pa?" She asked with a big smile.
"Oh no, Charles and Bruce are Carlotas dogs, but maybe when your older we might get one" He kissed Sophias temple. "But we'll come visit her and the dogs"

*

"You ready?" Connor asked as they approached the door. Ava dropped a hand to her bump and nodded, "I'm ready".
Opening the door to the apartment Ava walked in first. Taking serval deep breaths she realised she wasn't over whelmed or stress like she thought she would be coming back here. A cleaning team had came in and deep cleaned the entire house, to remove any stain or grime that might remind Ava of what had happened. The curtains in the kitchen were open, looking out to the Chicago sky line. Ava walked deeper into the house dropping her bag off as Sophia breezed past her, wanting to return home to her dolls.
Walking up to the kitchen island, Ava heard Connor enter behind her. On the counter top, wrapped in delicate brown paper lay a fresh bouquet of orange chrysanthemums. Opening the card attached with twin, Ava read it to herself.

My girl, forever and always <3
- Your Cowboy

Ava took the bouquet carefully in her hand, smelling the sweet flowers. Returning them to their place on the counter and turned to Connors, immediately finding herself in his arms. Connor buried his nose in Ava's curls, taking in the scent of fresh flowers that her hair had absorbed. "I love you" she said quickly before kissing him, light but passionately.
"Are you feeling okey? No flash backs"
Ava studied the apartment around them, Remember focus on positive memories Ava. Connor and I playing Monopoly together oh his bedroom floor. Sophias first birthday here with Connor. Connor proposing to me
"No" She shook her head confidently, confirming it with a kiss. Connor unpacked their bags while Ava out the flowers in some fresh water. Returning to the kitchen Connor found Ava on the sofa, with her hands on her bump.

"We should probably start talking about the wedding" he reminded her. Ava lifted her head up so she could rest her head on Connor's lap. He ran his fingers through her hair, brushing away free strands.
"I think we should wait until bump arrives, I don't think getting married while heavily pregnant is a good idea" she chuckled carelessly.
Connor nodded, silently watching Ava's expressions as she thought about their wedding.
"And we should do it during the summer, when it's warm. I'm not getting married in the Chicago cold"
Connor frowned, calculating how long he would have to wait to marry Bekker. It would be next year by the time the baby was born and summer arrived in Chicago.

"We could elope" Connor suggested, trailing his free hand down her arm to take her hand in his.
Ava laughed, settling her head into Connors lap, "If we eloped Maggie would personally hunt you down in revenge. And I want you to be my husband for as long as possible Rhodesy" Ava grinned up at him.
Connor smiled down at her, happy to see her smiles return over the last week.
"We should start looking at buying a house" Ava said, looking around.
"As much as I love this apartment I don't think it'll fit all four of us"

"Avey" Connor asked uncertainly, knowing the risk of rejection.
He looked down at her loving smile, she looked to him with all her love, as if she would never see him again.
"Will you be Rhodes?"
Ava nodded her head quickly and a smile grew in Connors face. Leaning down her captured her lips with his new found smile at the knowledge that Ava Bekker, soon to be Rhodes, would be entirely his.

A/n: Thank you for 3k 💓❤️