Luck or Fate?

PJ Clarke's

I open my eyes and try to blink the sleep away. It's Friday, I think. I sigh with relief. This week has been going by so slow and I need a break from work. Since we finished our foreign policy case, more and more cases have been coming up and Belle is having trouble finding people because it's Labor Day weekend. Three day weekend, I think. Just one more day. I get ready and find that Henry is not in the living room. I make eggs and toast for breakfast before knocking on his door.

"Henry? Breakfast's ready." I say to the door.

"Hey Mom! Can you, uh, help me with something? He says, as he opens the door in his pajamas holding two shirts. He holds them up for me to see. "Um...since you're a girl...which one would you like better?"

I suddenly remember today's Friday. The Friday. "Oh, Henry, today's your 'hang out,' right?" I say, making invisible quotation marks with my hands.

"Uh, yeah, and I want your opinion. Casual or kinda fancy?" I look at the two shirts. One's a plain white t-shirt and the other is a plaid button up. "I'm assuming you're wearing jeans? I ask.

"Yep." he says.

"Well, it depends on the message you're giving Claire. Is she just a friend or do you really like her?" I say. "If she's just a friend, then casual, but if you want to hint at something more, I think you should wear the button up. It's up to you. I think you're handsome in both." I say, smiling.

He thinks about it, then smiles. "Thanks Mom. I'll be right back."

He comes back out with the button down shirt. I smile. "Nice choice." I say, handing him his plate.

"Thanks. You know what, Mom? I'm not afraid of what she thinks of me. If today doesn't end like I planned, I'm okay with that." he says, and look at me. "And you shouldn't be afraid either."

My eyes widen before I look back down at my eggs. "What do you mean?"

"I can see it, Mom. Sometimes it looks like you're daydreaming and you smile really big. You're eyes widen and you look so relaxed. Last night, when you were cooking dinner, you were doing it. It has to somebody. Who is he?" He asks.

I look at him, surprised. "You're very smart, you know? Very observant." I look at the clock. 8:15. I breathe in and out slowly before leaning over towards him. "Don't tease me, okay? There's this man, and I ran into him two times. Wednesday and Thursday. I know it's crazy, it's just...I don't think it's just a coincidence."

"Hmmm. Well, maybe you'll see him again today? I wish you luck." Henry says, smiling. I know it's hard for him to relate with such an adult problem, but he knows me too well. He's the closest thing I have to a friend. Wait a second...

I glance at the clock. 8:25. "I'll clear the plates and then we'll get going, okay?" I ask.

"Okay." He says, walking back to his room.

----

I drop Henry off at school again and drive to work. When I get to a red light, I call Regina on my phone and hear her pick up. "Well, would you look at that. It's been, what, at least 6 months since I last heard from you, Emma. Thanks for 'keeping in touch.' " I hear the sarcasm in her voice and roll my eyes. "What do you want?"

"God, Regina. I'm sorry, okay? I've been busy with work...and Henry...and...stuff" I drift off. "Anyways, I have a problem and I need your advice."

"Since when do I care about anyone's happiness but mine?"

I scoff. "Wow, you haven't changed a bit since college, have you? Okay, just hear me out. I...saw this man twice and I have a feeling I'm going to see him again today. Is that weird?"

"Yes, very." She pauses. "Why are you asking me for advice? I don't know how to love very well."

I bite my lip. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...I just couldn't think of anyone else. What should I do?"

I can imagine her smiling wickedly as she says,"Thank me, because I'm going to make sure you get this guy, if it's the last thing I do."

----

After yet another stressful day at work, I drive home, when the next song on the radio begins playing, "Making my way downtown, walking fast, faces pass, and I'm home bound..." and I remember that Henry and Claire are probably walking somewhere in Times Square right now. I smile at the thought of them having fun. He's growing up so fast, I have to remember to enjoy every second with him.

Then I remember the man. Leather coat, perfect hair, his eyes. Where would he be? I rattle my brain for places in New York. It's almost dinner time, maybe a restaurant, or a bar? I phone Regina. "Hey. Where do you think he'll be, restaurant or bar?"

"Still haven't seen him today. Hmmm...try the bar. Most guys from school days went to PJ Clarke's after school on Fridays. Meet you there in ten minutes?"

"Regina, you're a lifesaver."

"I try." With that, she hung up.

When I get there, it's already very crowded. I've never been here before, but it's a cute little brick building with a few tables and a huge bar. When Regina comes through the door, I wave to her from the table. She comes and sits down across from me. "What's up, biotch?"

"Nice to see you too. But seriously Regina, thanks so much for helping me."

"Why wouldn't I? You're my friend, Emma. Friends protect people."

I smile at her and she smiles back. "What are you going to get?"

"Clarke Burger and Pomegranate Cosmopolitan."

"You've been here before?" I ask, surprised.

"Yeah, with...Daniel." she says, before changing the subject. "So, where is our mystery man?"

I look around. I don't see his familiar black coat in the crowd. "Maybe we went to the wrong bar."

"I'm sure he'll come." She says, trying to reassure me.

We order and eat our dinner and he still hasn't come. I pay the check and we get up to leave. "Thanks for paying, Emma."

"Of course. How else am I going to say thank you for helping me?"

"I'm sorry about him. I'm sure you'll see him tomorrow."

"Yeah." I say, dubiously. "I'll call you?"

"Yeah. See you, Emma."

"Bye, Regina."

I get into my yellow bug and drive back to the apartment. Why wasn't he there? Maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe he doesn't even like me. I'm just another girl in the crowd, I think. I'm not special. What was I thinking, that it was more than luck?

~A/N~
Hello! Hopefully this long chapter makes up for not updating regularly. I'm going to try harder though. Thank you for reading and please comment and vote. Love you all!