in the hands of fate (a love by chance, tincan, story)

chapter 12: thank you for bringing me here

"I've decided I'm going to move into Tin's place for a while," Can stated once Ma and Ley had finished eating their dinner. It was the day after Tin had made the offer and they had agreed that a member of his staff would pick up Can's belongings—mainly clothes and Ren's things—and bring them over to Tin's house in two days' time.

Ley almost choked on the water she had just taken a swig from. "Like, a couple moving in?"

"No, like a friend moving in." Can wasn't going to admit he was working on the couple thing. He looked at Ma. "Now that you're getting married, Ma, I think it only right that we move out, give you and Vit some space."

Ma narrowed her eyes suspiciously but after a quick glance at Ley didn't voice what she was clearly thinking, that being that Can knew of her and Vit's plans to move somewhere else without him and Ren. "What about Tin's parents, what do they think about an unrelated teenager and baby moving into their home?"

Tin had said he was going to sort it with his parents. Said they wouldn't have a problem with it. He trusted Tin's word. "His parents spend most of their time at their beach house. Tin is usually on his own unless his brother is in town."

Only when he voiced it out loud did the reality of Tin's life hit him. Tin obviously wasn't completely on his own, there was always several members of staff in the house, but that wasn't like having people around you who that were there because they loved you. Like family. Tin was alone. That broke Can's heart.

"I thought you said his brother has a wife and son? Won't they be there?"

Can shook his head. "They've separated. I'm not actually sure where they are living. Phu comes to stay occasionally. Anyway, the house is like a palace, there's enough room for thirty people to live there and not get in each other's way."

"When are you going?"

"Day after tomorrow."

Ma's eyes filled with tears. "I know you're grown now, and a father yourself, but you're still my baby."

Can put a hand over hers. "Ma, I'm still going to be in Bangkok. You'll see me and Ren plenty!"

He looked at Ley and winked. "I'll be able to get plenty of pictures of Tin for you now." It was a lie of course but needed for the moment.

"You better," she said, trying to subtly wipe the corners of her eyes.

:::::

As Can entered the café he immediately recognised the girl sitting beside Tin as the one he'd seen holding Tin's had recently and he tensed up, his step faltering as he approached the table. Surely this wasn't the person he wanted to employ to help care for Ren? No way was that happening!

The girl's curious eyes followed his approach. She seemed confident in her position beside Tin. He looked at Tin who had his unreadable face on again. Great.

"Hello," Can said, pausing at an empty seat to undo the straps on the baby sling. He'd just collected Ren from her last but one session at the crèche before he moved into Tin's. He sat down with Ren on his knee. When Ren saw Tin, she held out her arms and leant forwards. She had definitely hit the facial recognition milestone! Tin immediately reached over the table and lifted her into his arms, talking to her in a soft voice that had her palming his face and looking at him adoringly.

"Hello, you must be Can. I'm Nat," said the girl, apparently seeing that Tin was pre-occupied and not about to make introductions. She glanced over Can's shoulder and smiled widely and Can turned to see another woman approach.

The woman reached the table and gave a wai before sitting in the seat beside Can. "Can, this is Ani. Ani this is Can."

Ani smiled and said, "Pleased to meet you, Can." She looked over to Tin who was bouncing Ren who was bearing her weight on her feet on his lap, eyes only for her. "I'm guessing that is Ren?"