In The End, I Lost It All

~~~~~~Chapter 5 (Avril's POV)

In The End, I Lost It All

Chapter 5: First Date at the Coffee Shop and meeting Jake's kids

(Avril's POV)

Jake and I talked back and forth through texts all day long yesterday saying that we'll meet up for coffee at Starbucks. I get changed in this outfit; A leather crop top, leather leggings and my leather jacket with a pearly necklace, studded earrings and bracelets. I grab my studded purse and head to my car, driving to Starbucks. When I get there I see Jake dressed about the same as me, wearing a leather jacket, black v neck tee, denim jeans with moto details at the knee, slip on shoes, and his leather wallet sitting next to him on the table. I order my large black coffee and sit down across from him in the booth, waiting for them to bring it over for me.

"Hey, glad you made it," He says, smiling ever so kindly and laying his hand gently on top of mine. "I wouldn't miss this for the world, I haven't met anyone like you in the longest time, so thank you," I reply softly. "No need to thank me, I enjoy the company. I haven't felt this happy in a very long time, so I should be the one that's thanking you." I blush a little at this comment, and look up at him through my eyelashes; "So, tell me more about you, Jake... all I know is that your ex-wife left you, and that you have 10 children."

He sighs before responding, "Well I grew up in Boise, Idaho with my dad Mark, mom Carolyn, and my sister Sarah. We were and still are a tight knit family. Well now it's just the 3 of us as my mother has passed away due to heart disease." I feel tears pooling in my eyes as he says this, as I quietly whisper "I'm so sorry for your loss, I know what it is like to lose a beloved family member..." He raises his head up when I say this and asks about my family, so I tell him about my parents and siblings. "My mother's name is Judith Rosanne and my father's name Jean-Claude Joseph. I also have a younger sister named and an older brother, Matthew."

He smiles at this, but then asks, "You said you knew loss in your family, may I ask who it was that passed on?" I nod my head in response, replying "It was my grandpa that I lost; just right before I recorded my 2nd record, Under My Skin." His eyes become saddened, and he holds my hand gently to let me know it will all be okay. After we finish our coffee, we head down to his place.

During the drive, he asks if I have my 2nd record with me by any chance, and I nod placing it into his CD player in his car. I turn it to the song I wrote about my grandpa, called Slipped Away. The song begins playing immediately...

Na na, na na na, na na
I miss you, miss you so bad
I don't forget you, oh it's so sad
I hope you can hear me, I remember it clearly

The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same

Na na, na na na, na na

I didn't get around to kiss you goodbye on the hand
I wish that I could see you again, I know that I can't
I hope you can hear me, 'cause I remember it clearly

The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same

I've had my wake up, won't you wake up
I keep asking why?
And I can't take it, it wasn't fake it
It happened you passed by

Now you're gone, now you're gone
There you go, there you go
Somewhere I can't bring you back

Now you're gone, now you're gone
There you go, there you go
Somewhere you're not coming back

The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same
The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same

Na na, na na na, na na
I miss you

Once the song ends, Jake turns to face me and smiles, "That was a great song, I could really feel your emotions and just how difficult this time was for you." I gently grab his hand, thanking him for the kind words and comfort. We finally make it to his place, and as soon as we are settled in the driveway, 9 pairs of feet are by the car, opening my door for me. I smile gratefully and step out, being hugged by his 9 beautiful children. He chuckles and steps in, telling them all, "Ok you guys, don't horde her. Give her some air;" they nod and Jake introduces them all to me.

"Avril meet my children; first is Elissia Katherine..." A beautiful young girl with brown hair and big brown eyes waves shyly. "Then there's Asher Cayden..." A good looking boy with Jake's eyes and lips, but has his mother's bone structure waves kindly. "Next is Amber Marie, she is the spitting image of Ella, to be honest. She looks like her miniature twin." A young woman who looks like her biological mother comes forward and waves happily and hugs me a little. I giggle at her enthusiasm and hug her back. Jake smiles and continues down the line.

"This is Alec Dylan, the middle child of the 10 in total." I look at him and ask, "10? I only see 9." He chuckles a little, "Noah is a married man to my bandmate's daughter, so he no longer lives here at home." I make a facial as if to say 'Oh'. "Next, we have Celeste Anne and Jared Morgan..." 2 young teenagers wave shyly at me, a female with black hair and blonde tips, and a male with dark black hair, cut into long layers and put back in a ponytail.

I notice that the last three kids weren't outside, so Jake tells me they went to bed as they are still too young to stay out real late. He asks if I would like to meet them another time, so I say yes. He smiles and tells his kids to go back inside and get ready for bed. He opens the car door again and holds out his hand like an old world gentleman. I giggle a little and take his hand getting back in the car. He closes the door and gets in the other side, reversing out of his driveway and driving me back to my apartment.

Once we get to my apartment, Jake walks me up to my door and does something that shocks me. He pulls me closer, and slowly puts his lips on mine, kissing me. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss back, not wanting to let go. He smiles and pulls away after a few minutes, with a small hint of a blush on his cheeks. "I'm sorry if you thought I was moving too fast..." he looks down at his feet, shuffling them against the wood. "It's perfectly ok, I loved every moment of the kiss. I look forward to getting more." He smiles wide, and then grabs my hand in his, "Avril, I know we've only known for a few weeks here, but I was wondering if you'd be my girlfriend?" I nod my head up and down vigorously, repeatedly saying yes.

He chuckles and wraps his arms around my slim body, kissing the top of my head as I lay my head on his chest. I take a deep breath, and he pulls away, leaving a chaste kiss on my lips. "Goodnight my beautiful Avril, and sweet dreams." I grin like a madwoman and touch my lips where he kissed them, feeling the wonderful tingling sensation that was left behind. I can see a bright future with Jake. I am truly a happy woman.