Return What Was Lost

Chapter 42

Thankfully, Julian did not have to wait too long for Avery to return. With maybe half an hour, he noticed her coming back.

He loved that he knew her that well.

She made her way down to where he sat on a bench and looked calmer than earlier. Whatever she had gone to do had soothe the rage he had seen earlier.

Avery came and took a seat next to him. "You didn't have to do that," she said softly when her eyes found the box he took out of the trash. "I was going to go get it."

Julian chuckled. The thought of watching Avery dig through the trash amused him.

"It wasn't so bad," he replied. "Thankfully the trash had just been emptied so there wasn't much else in the bag."

Avery looked over at him. "Sorry for running off," she mumbled. "I was a little upset earlier."

"That's okay, I figured," he replied honestly.

Julian knew she would tell him when she wanted him to know.

"The woman who does my hair was friends with Grace," Avery explained. "She gave me the box."

Julian raised his eyebrows. "What are the chances of that?"

"I'm still mad at Grace, but I'm curious too," Avery explained.

Julian nodded and passed her the box. Avery rather quickly ripped off the tape and opened it.

Julian looked at the contents of the box. Cash, whiskey, a bracelet made out of string, a few other things, and then some letters. Julian read over Avery's shoulder as she opened and read the first one which had already been opened.

Hey Grace,

I know you said you wanted space. I know you said you don't want to be a mom. I get it, up until last year, I didn't know if I wanted to be a dad, I didn't even know if we could make it work between us. But you know what I realized today? It doesn't matter. Even if we won't work, we need to be there for Avery. She deserves to have a mom and a dad who both love her. God only knows how badly we both needed that from our parents. I can't do this by myself. I know you're staying with Carly. Please just come home.

-Keith

Julian barely had any time to process that before Avery quickly opened the second letter that hadn't been opened.

Grace,

It's been a month, the least you could do is call. I've been doing pretty well without you. You know who's not? Your daughter. She misses you. She asks for you and I don't know what to say. I called Carly and she said you left, I don't believe that. I refuse to believe you would abandon your daughter. Me? Fine, whatever, you can leave me. But you wouldn't do that to Avery. How could you? After everything with your mom, I thought you would care enough to not do that to Avery. I look at her big blue eyes and all I see is how innocent she is in all this. Hate me, that's fine. But don't leave her, we can still be her parents, just talk to me. We can arrange a custody agreement or something. I don't even care if the rumors are true that you left me for Mark. If it makes you two happy then be with him, that's fine. I just need you to be her parent. If you're still at Carly's just call me. I can get someone to cover my shift and I can come over Friday night. We can talk it through.

-Keith

Julian's heart ached a bit as she opened the last one.

Grace,

I know you won't get this. I came to visit Carly and you were long gone. You're not with Mark so I'm guessing you really left. I told Carly to give you this when you come back. (because let's face it, you will) I want you to know this: it doesn't matter if I'm scared out of my mind with fear, I'm going to raise Avery right. I'm going to be the best dad I can possibly be. Everything my dad never was. So I hope you don't come back, I hope we never see you again because Avery and I will always be better off without you.