Breathe Again

California

My plane landed a few hours ago, I have zero time to stop and see Chris because  I'm having lunch with Bailey today. Chris has been filming all day and he said Bailey and I could stop by after lunch if she has time. It's only been four months since she moved and we do FaceTime nearly everyday, but I miss her. She just text me that she's heading to a place called the hideout.

I catch an Uber over and take in this beautiful city as we drive to my destination.

I see her beautiful face waving me over. She looks so grown up. I tell myself not to cry, she'll just get embarrassed. I quickly make my way to her through the scattered tables. She instantly hugs me. "Mom! I friggin miss you so much." I squeeze her back even tighter. We sit down and I tell her I've missed her as well. Our waited comes by, "Mom, you have to get their turkey club here. It's amazing." She tells me.

"Mom? Bailey this is your mom? I thought it was your sister." The waiter says who looks all about the age of eighteen. She laughs at him, "No, Daniel, she's my mom and my sister is only thirteen. But I'm sure you just made my mom's day." I nod agreeing he had. "I'll have the turkey club, and my mom will have the same and can we get a the avocado on the side?" Bailey orders and I'm in shock at how mature she has become. "Of course you can, and drinks?" Bailey tells him two lemon waters.

"I'm so proud of you Bay." She smiles and ducks her head, "Mom, don't cry. How's things back home?" I tell her of everything, including kicking Derek out. "Are you happy now, Mom?" She asks as our waters come out. "Of course. Chris is perfect. I still love your father Bailey. That's never going to change, He gave me three wonderful kids. But..." I trail off trying to find the right words. "He betrayed your marriage and cheated a few times too many?" She finishes my sentence. "Yeah basically. But I'm glad you haven't treated him differently. He loves you kids and he's proud of you Bay." She nods and she goes into telling me all about school.

Our sandwiches arrive somewhere in between her telling me about how difficult it is being so far away from James and me telling her about Elijah's girlfriend. She was right this club is amazing. My phone starts ringing and I see it's Chris. "Hey cutie." I answer causing him to laugh. "You're something else, you guys till out at lunch?" He asks. "Yeah we're at the Hideout. Know where it is?" He tells me does and that he's not too far from here.

"I like Chris mom. He's good for you. Do you think you'll ever get married again?" She asks taking another bite. "Not really." I see her slouch a bit at my answer. "Do you want me to?" I counter her question. "I don't know. I mean if it's Chris I wouldn't be mad at you. You guys are perfect." I roll my eyes and laugh. 

Twenty minutes later Chris walks up to our table and the place is a buzz because of it. He puts his sunglasses on his baseball hat before giving Bailey a hug. "Again with the Hideout. You met me here yesterday." He says sitting down beside me and kissing me. "I can't help it, it's the best." She giggles. Chris tells us the progress on the movie is going great, they are right on schedule. 

"So have you told her?" Chris says. "No, I was waiting for you. Anyway mom, I have some news. Thanks to Chris and his connections, I have my first audition for a series on the CW." She squeals with delight. "That's amazing." I stand to hug her. "B told me yesterday and I was so excited for her. I remember my first audition. You're gonna do great." Chris states. "Of course she is and can I just point out how I love the nicknames you've given the kids. Like B for Bailey, E for Elijah and Lanes for Alaina. Oh I'm so excited for you." Chris grabs my hand under the table and gives it a quick squeeze. 

"Shit, hold on Dad's FaceTimeing me." I almost scold her for cursing but stop myself. She's a grown woman now. "Go ahead, we'll wait." I tell her. "Wait so she told you first?" I ask Chris, "Yeah, I mean we were out to lunch when she got the call. Are you mad?" I shake my head, Derek would be. I look back and see her excitedly telling Derek about her audition. "So what do you have planned while I'm out here?" I ask Chris who I catch staring at me.