(COMPLETED): Unsent Letters

a new canvas

After the unexpected reunion at the art show, Reid found himself unable to shake off the warmth of that moment. The laughter, the shared memories, and the sight of Kat's artwork lingered in his mind. It was a bittersweet feeling, a mix of nostalgia and the realization that their lives had taken different paths.

Reid was more focused on his career and engagement to Jasmine McNeil. Taking over the family business, it was no surprise that his dad had every intention of hooking him up with his biggest investor's daughter. 

Jasmine wasn't a bag girl by any means. She was on of Harbor Haven's most eligible bachelorettes, before meeting Reid. She was working on finishing her degree in marketing, so she could work at her dad's business on the social media side. Her dad owned various bistros along the East Coast, and while he was successful, Jasmine believed that if he worked on the company's image, it was sure to significantly improve the wealth of her family. 

Reid loved her ambition and her heart; Under different circumstances, before Kat, she would have been the girl he could have seen him spending the rest of his life with. She was safe, he wouldn't have to worry about her using him for his wallet or cheating on him with a couple of his mates. She was the kind of girl you bring to your grandmother's house and she acts shocked at the same repeated story. 

His issue with Jasmine was separate from her, but was based on his dad's opinions on his previous relationship. His dad wasn't a racist, but he also wasn't the kind of guy who believed his children will wed a person of color. 

"Kat, she is a good girl and very easy on the eyes, but she is sort of... hm too ethnic?"

His father didn't believe Kat was the best choice for her son, because of her skin tone. He always said it was because she was too ungrounded- since her career path wasn't exactly made for financial security. Yet, Kat ticked all the boxes of a girl that could have been the one. She played chess with his father every Sunday morning, after staying in with Reid for the weekend. His dad was always impressed with her skills, and he always said he saw, Reid's mother, whenever she was cooking them breakfast in the morning, humming along to Three Little Birds.

Determined to embrace the present, Reid decided to reach out to Kat and invite her for coffee. 

He had questions about her life, her art, and the adorable three-year-old bundle of energy he had met at the art show. As he waited in the cozy cafe, he couldn't help but feel a blend of excitement and nervousness.

Kat arrived with a warm smile, and as they settled into a corner with their cups of coffee, the conversation flowed effortlessly. They spoke about their adventures, the people they had become, and the art that still connected them in some way.

Just as they delved into the complexities of life and art, a sudden interruption shifted the focus of their conversation. The cafe door swung open, and in walked none other than James, Kat's energetic son. The little boy's eyes widened with excitement upon seeing his mother with a familiar face.

"Mommy, look, it's the funny man from the museum!" James exclaimed, pointing directly at Reid.

Kat chuckled, realizing the source of her son's enthusiasm. "Yes, sweetheart, this is Reid. We met him at the museum, remember?"

James nodded enthusiastically, his curiosity unabated. "Are you a friend of Mommy's, Mr. Reid?"

Reid couldn't help but grin at the little boy's innocence. "Yes, James, I'm a friend of your mom's. We go way back."

Satisfied with this answer, James pulled up a chair beside them, insisting that he wanted to join the conversation. Kat exchanged an apologetic smile with Reid, both amused and slightly embarrassed by her son's impromptu socializing.

Reid, however, welcomed the interruption with open arms. As it turned out, James had an uncanny ability to steer the conversation into unexpected yet delightful territories. He shared stories of his adventures at the park, his favorite toys, and his dreams of becoming a superhero.

Kat and Reid found themselves immersed in a charming world of imagination, laughter, and a newfound camaraderie with a three-year-old as their guide. The cafe became a canvas of shared smiles and delightful chaos, reminding Reid that life, much like art, had its own way of blending colors in unexpected and beautiful ways.

As they said their goodbyes, Reid couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of appreciation for the unique dynamics of Kat's life. The unexpected twist in their conversation had not only made him smile but had also provided a glimpse into the joy and love that surrounded Kat in her journey of motherhood.

Walking away from the cafe, Reid carried with him not only the memories of the past but also the realization that the canvas of their lives was still being painted. Life had taken them in different directions, but the connection, the laughter, and the shared moments were threads that wove a tapestry of fondness and affection, creating a picture that was uniquely theirs.