Through Their Eyes

Daniel

On Friday night I was waiting at a local park for Amelia and Henry to come and meet me for our unofficial first date. The divorce with Olivia was finalized Monday, pretty much right after I asked Amelia out. I felt different about Amelia and I didn't know that I ever felt this way with Olivia. I was talking with Isaac earlier when we were moving furniture in, he'd had one girlfriend before my sister and he agreed that when you meet the one they'll feel different than anyone else you've ever been with. Later tonight we were both going to Bailey and Isaac's house warming party together and I guess we'd see how things went on this date before we made any promises for another date.

To me, Amelia was much more beautiful than Olivia was. They both looked much younger than their actual age, but Amelia looked more carefree while Olivia usually looked too stern for her age. Could be because she was a school teacher but still. I think my family was a little disappointed that Olivia and I got divorced, Olivia's Mom-Hannah- was my Mom's best friend. Since Olivia cheated on me my Mom and Hannah had gotten into a couple arguments, even Adam (Olivia's dad) had had a couple arguments with my Dad because he worked at my Dad's restaurant. They're taking Olivia's side, saying things like "she needed to broaden her horizons" or "I wasn't satisfying her enough". Believe me, that wasn't a problem. Anything she wanted to try we did. Believe me, our intimate life wasn't anything but unsatisfactory.

I guess the only person that will ever know why Olivia did what she did is Olivia. To be honest, part of me wants to know why, what I did wrong, what I could have done to prevent it. But at the same time, I don't believe I did anything wrong.

I heard some giggling and I looked over to see Amelia walking towards me, pushing Henry in a stroller. I stood up and waved, she grinned and came over giving me a hug. I smiled and kissed her cheek softly,

"You look beautiful." She grinned and I could tell it meant a lot. I could see the drool on her shirt and a stain that was probably baby food, but none of that mattered.

"Thank you. You look very handsome." I smiled and picked up the duffel bag and cooler I brought with me.

"So I was thinking we could have a picnic?" Amelia grinned and nodded, we walked to a shady spot under a willow tree. I got the blanket out from the bag and laid it on the grass, pulling out a couple pillows that we could either sit on or use for Henry. She smiled and sat on one of the pillows, using two others fur Henry. She got some of his toys out from under the stroller while I got out the containers of food that I brought. She grinned,

"Did you cook a feast?"

"Well I wasn't sure how hungry you are, and I'm not sure how much food will be at the house warming party so I made us a lot. So, help yourself." I got out the paper plates and opened the containers and we started eating,

"So, tell me about you." Amelia said, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

"Well, I'm twenty two, I'm a paramedic at Firehouse 75, I'm recently single... And I guess in my spare time I look cooking, watching television shows and going on trail rides to explore new places." She nodded,

"I'm sorry to hear about Olivia... I don't know how it's possible to do that to the person that you love the most." Looking down I nodded. She reached to take my hand softly and I looked at her,

"Tell me about you then, it's only fair."

"Well, I'm also twenty two. I'm a single mom to Henry, my fiancé died just before Henry was born... I live with my parents for now, until I'm ready to buy a home. I work from home so I can spend most of my time with Henry, so I take him to Mommy and Me classes a lot. I'm pretty close with my family, and I know that you're really close with your family."

I grinned and shrugged, "I didn't get a choice at being close to my family. My Mom and Aunt drilled it into our heads when we were younger by pretty much having a family dinner every other night."

"Well I still see my family every day, but Mom and Dad are both only child's so I don't have any extended family. Even my sister moved away when she was old enough and we never hear from her anymore."

"I was just at the dilemma of buying a house. My sister and brother both offered that I could move in with them, then there was the option of buying a place of my own, but Mom and Dad said that the basement apartment would be empty, so basically a two bedroom apartment to myself." She grinned,

"Oh that would be awesome. My family lives in a three bedroom bungalow and one room is a designated guest room for my grandparents, if they ever decide to come from Italy. So right now it's literally Henry and I sharing a bed all the time, and I hate it because I don't want him to learn that he gets to sleep in my bed every night... I don't want a seven year old afraid of sleeping on his own."

I nodded, "Yeah for sure. When my my youngest sister was born Mom babied her a lot so she slept in their bed until she was two, then rotated beds with everyone when Mom and Dad would lock their bedroom door."

She smiled and we took a break from chatting to eat a little more,

"So your brother has found a house?" She asked and I sighed,

"Well, Evie's a little more picky than Bailey, and they're having a hell of a time with their real estate agent. Apparently Gabe says she's not listening to any of their needs or desires, she's just showing them random properties."

"Well, if they're interested I could try and help them out. Do you know who their real estate agent is?"

"Courtney. Courtney um... Lipman."

Amelia sighed, "They could change realtors but they'd have to speak with the broker in charge of the company. I'll chat with them at the open house and see what they say." I nodded,

"They'd really appreciate it. Time is getting tight for them to move out, they want to get settled in as soon as possible."

She nodded, "Well, luckily or unfortunately I work for the same company as Courtney so if they really wanted I could try and become their agent."

"They'd love that, I'm sure." We kept talking for another hour or so before heading to Bailey and Isaac's house warming party. I'd gotten them a nice "Beverage Center" where you could brew a pot of coffee and a cup or travel mug at the same time. Amelia had taken a picture of Isaac proposing in front of the house and she got that blown up and put in a frame so they could personalize their house. She said she usually always gives her clients a "welcome home" gift, even if she's not invited to the party.

When we walked in the only other people there was my twin and his family. He was talking to Isaac and Eve was chatting with Bailey, Bailey looked content holding Beth while she slept.

"Hey guys, I told Amelia your situation and she might have a solution." I said and Gabriel looked over with interest.

"You do? Thank god, Courtney was horrible." Eve nodded in agreement and Amelia smiled,

"Yes, if you go to the broker of our company explain what's going on she may allow you to switch agents." They both nodded eagerly,

"First thing tomorrow morning we will." 

More people started to show up and Bailey and Isaac welcomed all of them with open arms. Around supper time while everyone was chatting Bailey and Isaac said they had an announcement to make. Bailey took Isaac's hand and smiled at everyone,

"Isaac and I have decided to try and adopt a baby!"