The Parent Trap (Jaria)

Chapter 18. The long awaited chance

Kenna and Addison were holed up in the latter's room, on the latter's bed, playing a game of poker when Jason came up. He checked himself in the mirror, making sure that he didn't look bad in his black button up with the sleeves rolled up and dark jeans.

"Okay, I'll take two.." Kenna said to her sister, then looked up when she saw her dad in the doorway. "Hey Dad, wow...you look nice." She said teasingly.

"What are you doing?" Addison asked excitedly but her father just grabbed the doorknob and was all smiley faced. "Good night, ladies." He said in a singsong voice before pulling the door closed. Kenna and Addison glanced at each other, thrilled. They put down their cards (face down) and crossed their fingers and tightly shut their eyes, both silently praying for the same thing. Their parents getting back together.

XXX

"Oh, wow."

"This is where I keep my private stash. Did you know I also collect wine?"

"Oh, really now?"

"I'm a man on limited interests. Follow me..."

Aria giggled but nevertheless followed Jason through the cavernous lace, looking around in awe at all the bottles lined up on the shelves. The place was stone-walled and lit by iron chandelier candleholders with real candles. It seemed there was no electricity in this place and it felt very medieval. Jason led her to one of the shelves and took out a bottle, holding it out in front of her.

"This is a 1921 Burgundy." Jason explained dramatically, tapping the bottle proudly, "They say the rain that year made this the best Burgundy ever harvested."

Aria looked at the bottle appreciatively and she smiled. Jason was really at home with his wines, she recalled, during their time together.

XXX

Back upstairs, Addison and Kenna were no longer playing cards, but were lying on their backs, looking at the ceiling, both quiet, with the exception of Pepe's panting next to them. "Ken?" Addison said softly, not bothering to turn and look at her sister.

"Yeah?" Kenna replied, just as softly, shifting on the bed slightly but not facing her twin.

"What if..." Addison took a deep breath as she closed her eyes, getting ready for the tears she knew were bound to spill if she opened them. "What if they don't get back together? What if you go back to London?"

Kenna bolted up and turned her body, allowing her to look down at Addison, whose eyes were still closed, yet some tears had managed to escape. "Why would you say that? You're the one that said this was a fool-proof plan!"

Addison opened her eyes and sat up, facing her sister. She tucked some hair behind her ear and wiped her tears. "I know...but mom can be really stubborn, and well, she might be too caught up to realised dad loves her more than anything in the world." She whispered, looking into Kenna's green eyes.

Kenna's eyes welled up with tears, realising her twin was right. But before they could have the chance to fall, she embraced her sister in a tight hug. "I know, but if that happens, we'll still be sisters, and we can visit each other all the time. And we still have camp..." she whispered, not letting Addison go.

XXX

"Now you will appreciate this." Jason said and asked her to follow him to an old cabinet. He opened it and Aria saw five dusty bottles on the 7-rack display. Jason picked up a dusty bottle on the right of the middle and the biggest bottle of the group. It had a pink label which read: Fiji Day 1945.

"Look," Jason said and Aria read the label then looked up at him, amazed.

"That's incredible." She whispered stroking the bottle.

He smiled and put the bottle back. Then he picked up the bottle on the left.

"Now this wine, was the same wine served at my parents wedding. A Bordeaux 152," Aria couldn't help herself and said 'Aww'.

"What's this one? Where dreams have no ends, 2005." Aria asked, picking it p and turning the bottle in her hand.

"That one actually took me years...to track down." Jason explained, looking at her expectantly.

"Why? Where's it from?" Aria asked, looking up curiously.

"It's the wine...we drank on our wedding." Jason explained with a small sheepish smile, "I now have every botte ever made."

Aria became misty-eyed at his words and she fought back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. Although he didn't say it outright, she could feel that he still love her. Though his actions and casual words, she could still feel the affection, the care, the live...and the longing.

"You do?" she asked hoarsely.

"I do," he answered, smiling gently.

"Then can we open one now?"

"You're the only one I'd drink it with."

Aria stood in shock. There it was again, his subtle confessions. She couldn't move and now her heart was beating very fast. Being with Jason was like being in heaven and she'd rather be there than elsewhere. Jason blew the dust off the bottle and Aria bowed her head as small tears escaped.

"You okay?" she heard him ask, looking at her in worry.

"Oh yeah, just got a little dust in my eyes." Aria replied after wiping the tears.

"I can...offer you a clean sleeve." Jason said and held out an arm.

"No, no, I'm fine...all better." Aria looked back up and was once again lost in Jason's eyes.

"You don't always have to be so brave, you know," he told her.

"Oh, but I do, actually." She said.

The distance between their faces was decreasing by seconds, as they got closer and closer. Aria closed her eyes for the anticipated kiss as Jason watched her face draw nearer. Their lips were millimetres apart when they heard a honking noise from the outside and both looked towards the door. The distance grew and the moment dissipated into nothingness, leaving Jason inwardly frustrated.

"That will be Alison and Emily." Aria whispered.

"She has a key." Jason retorted, leaning in again but Aria stepped backwards shaking her head.

"Hello! I'm home...is anybody home?" Alison called out and Jason gave Aria a sad smile.

"We'll be right up!" he called from the cellar. Aria walked passed him and he clutched the bottle of wine tightly before returning it to its place – missing its long awaited chance.