Wanting You - Mandy Gonzalez X Chris Jackson - COMPLETED

50 - Lunch in the City?

Chris and I make our way down to the theatre with Douglas's night bag in one hand and Chris's in the other. I lean against him slightly as we walk. "You okay love?" He asks.

"Yeah, I just am barely going to get to see Dougy at all. I'm gunna miss him so much. I love spending my days just playing with him and watching him grow into this amazing kid."

"I know gorgeous. But you'll get used to it. I promise you will."

"Okay." We continue to walk down to the theatre and the others are already waiting for us.

"There's the love birds." Karen says as I give her a glare. "Sorry by it's true."

"Whatever, theres this cute little Italian place around the corner that Chris took me to on our first date. It's really nice and is really good food for the low price."

"Sounds good," Janet smiled.

"Okay, I'm gonna go dump Dougy's bag inside, I'll just put it in the cubby holes by the door." I walk in and find the cubby and leave his bag there. I head back out and the five of us walked down to the restaurant.

"Ohh, this does look cute." Andréa smiled when we stopped at the restaurant. We headed in, Chris and I in front.

"Hello, any chance you have a table for five. We haven't booked." The restaurant looked quite empty so I had high hopes.

"Yes ma'am, right this way." The lady lead us to a table that was next to the one, Chris and I sat in last time.

"Okay, how about I don't sit with Chris, then we can have more of a group conversation, rather than just the two of us talking and you three talking. I just feel like that would happen." I sat at the head of the table. Janet and Andréa on either side of me, the. Karen was next to Andréa and Chris was next to Janet.

We all ordered large portions, since we knew we wouldn't get much dinner that night and ate it all. "At least my club dress is a little big! I feel like I could explode any moment." I said quietly. "But that was delicious. This has to be one of the best places in the city, or at least near the theatre."

"I agree." Janet said. "I'm definitely coming back here."

"Same." I heard from Andréa.

"Babe, it's three thirty we need to go pick up the monster before our call time."

"Yeah, here's the money for us, ladies. We have to rush, but will see you in half an hour or so. If we're late, just say we are picking up Doug." Chris stood and took my hand. I stood up next to him and kissed his cheek. Before we walked out the door towards Douglas's preschool.

"I can't wait to see Dougy and give him a big hug." I smiled.

"Neither can I. I have't seen him since last night, because I was still asleep this morning."

"Oh my gosh, I forgot you weren't up then. I'm sorry I've been so inconsiderate that I've not been able to see Doug 'all day' when you literally haven't. I'm sorry babe."

"Hey it's fine. I'm used to not seeing him. You're still adapting to it all, you were with him all of the summer until rehearsals started, then you spent the morning and evenings with him. It makes sense for you to miss him so much." He rubbed my knuckles with his thumb which calmed me down a lot. Just before walking into the building Chris turned me to face him. "I love you Mandy. I don't feel like I've said that enough today."

"I love you too Chris." I giggled in response. He pulled me in closer by my waist. I held one hand on his shoulder and one on his chest as we kissed. They were soft gentle kisses but still affectionate all the same. "I love you handsome."

"I love you beautiful." I giggled and kissed him once more. "Let's go get the monster." I nodded and we walked in."

"Douglas Jackson." His teacher called. I saw him turn his head from the toys and jump up from his place.

"Mama, Daddy." He ran towards us as I smiled. I crouched down as he jumped into my arms, I picked him up and put him on my hip. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders! I looked at him and he gave me a kiss. "I missed you mama."

"I missed you too Dougy. I missed you so much." I passed him over to Chris. They did the same until Chris's phone went off. He put Doug down and took his phone out.

"Oh hey Lin, what's up." ... "we are picking Douglas up, we are just leaving now so will be about 20 minutes. Sorry." I checked the clock, 3:55... "Oh Okay, Yeah, I'm sure Mandy'll be fine with that. We can find something for Doug to do."... "Okay, see you in a bit, bye man."

"What's up?" I asked as we headed out the door, holding Douglas's hand.

"Lin was wondering where we were, he didn't realise Doug finished at quarter to four. Then the other thing is that Vanessa is stuck in traffic so will be late picking him up from the theatre. He doesn't mind him sitting down with us as we get notes as long as he's quiet."

"Okay that's fine."

"Mama, I can do my homework." Doug says from beside me.

"You got homework Dougy. What do you have to do?"

"I have to colour in a picture."

"Okay I have some colouring pencils in my dressing room so you can use them. Also you're going to Vanessa and Lin's house to have dinner and sleep. Vanessa is looking after you Okay. Then we will pick you up after the show when you've gone to sleep."

"Okay," He said happier than I expected. "I like Vanessa. I spent a lot of time with her when I was little and mom and dad were rehearsing for off Broadway."

"Ah Okay. So you'll have fun. But we need to hurry now and get the theatre because mama and daddy are late."