Across the Hall (G.N.D. Sequel)

6

Evan's POV:

Saturday night

"Mom! We are going to be late." Grace sasses, tapping her foot impatiently as I help Mason out of the backseat.

"Relax. Thirty minutes of previews before the movie starts, Grace." I remind her.

Rather than spending the night in, the girls talked Mason and I into going to see a movie that just came out.

As we walk across the parking lot, Grace and Ava whisper to one another and giggle like usual, making me grin.

Having twin girls my very first time being pregnant was the most nerve-wracking things I've ever experienced, but now it is the most comforting thing to me. Knowing that the two of them will always have one another to lean on, that is. Especially with how cruel this world can be toward girls and women.

Once inside, my two (very mature) daughters approach the counter and begin ordering popcorn, candy and drinks.

"Who is paying for all of this?!" I laugh, finally catching up to them. The cashier smiles and lets out a laugh too.

"Please mom?!" Ava frowns, glaring up at me.

I sigh and roll my eyes, "alright. Nothing else tonight. I mean it." I assume them, forking over my debit card to the cashier.

She swipes the card and hands over four tickets, four drinks, two large popcorns, and two boxes of candy.

I shake my head subtly, realizing that was probably a seventy-five dollar purchase. Oh well, one of the many sacrifices we make for our kids I guess.

"Girls! Stop running!" I hiss as I speed walk to try and catch up with them. "Do you even know which theater we are in?!"

"This way, mom!!" Ava exclaims, pointing towards the theater down the hall.

I nod and she turns to run around the corner, but I watch her smack right into someone. She drops her drink and popcorn, making a huge mess.

"Ava..." I groan, highly irritated with her not-listening.

She lays on the floor and glances up at me, mortified. I shake my head and look to the woman she collided with, prepared to offer a major apology for my daughter's recklessness.

"Mia, Lexi..." are the words that come out instead.

Mia looks at me for a moment before smiling widely. She quickly helps Ava up, who just rammed into her, and then walks to me and gives me a gentle hug like we have been friends for years.

"Oh my! Evan! So crazy running into you here." She chirps.

"Technically it wasn't that ran into you." Lexi chimes in, her eyes studying the three kids surrounding me.

I laugh a bit and look at my daughter, "ha, you're right about that. Ava, what do you say?"

"I- sorry." My daughter frowns.

Mia shakes her head, "oh, don't worry! I understand the excitement to see a movie."

Ava cracks a smile, "Mia, these are my kids. Ava, Grace, and Mason." I say, shifting my eyes to Lexi's girlfriend.