A Beautiful Forever - By Anderson, Lilliana Page 0,100
and say that I can’t read it properly without my glasses. I catch Elliot trying not to grin; he knows full well that I don’t wear glasses.
When our meals are delivered, I’m rewarded with the most tender slices of chicken, drizzled with a warm creamy sauce on a bed of semi crisp vegetables that tastes divine. I’m so glad I didn’t order something weird.
I listen in as Elliot and his father talk about Robert’s work, he tells us some vague details of the case that he is working on and gives Elliot a reminder that he can always go back if he’s had enough of personal training.
Elliot
I have to give the guy credit. He doesn’t give up too easily. “I don’t think so dad, I never really enjoyed law,” I say.
“Fair enough son,” he says surprising me by holding up his hands to imply that the subject won’t go any further. “Have you got work lined up or do you need to look around?”
“I’ve already called the gym I used to work at, and they’re happy to take me back,” I say.
“I’ll bet you’re very popular, Elliot,” Erica puts in. “All the women would want you because you’re so nice to look at, and all the men would want you because they want to look as good as you. I’m not surprised they want you back.”
“Thank you Erica… I guess,” I laugh, making a joke of it as I place my arm around the back of Paige’s chair, using my thumb to caress her shoulder as we all talk.
Paige is looking at her phone on the table. I know she’s resisting calling my mum to make sure that Grace is alright, truthfully, I would love to call her too, but I’m trying my best to just enjoy our time out and not worry. I know my mother will call if there’s a problem.
My dad raises his hand and signals the waiter over, asking for the bill before turning to us. “Erica and I asked you out tonight because we wanted to give you a wedding present. We feel really bad that we didn’t get to come out for the wedding or the baby, so we wanted to give you something… helpful as a wedding gift.”
The waiter approaches us again with the bill, and my father places his credit card in the black folder, handing it back to the waiter immediately.
“We know you are both dying to get back to little Grace,” Erica adds. “But if you can just bear with us, we have something really special for dessert.”
“Ok?” I say, looking at Paige as she says the same thing. Dad signs the bill when the waiter returns again and stands.
“Did you drive?” he asks.
“Yeah we did, where are we going?” I say standing as well.
“It’s a surprise, just follow us,” he tells me.
Erica claps her hands giving a little excited squeal and Paige, and I exchange glances as I offer my hand to help her up.
Walking out of the restaurant, we follow behind my father and Erica, who are clinging to each other, the picture of a happy couple. I guess now that I think about it, this is the happiest I have seen my dad in years. Erica is obviously very good for him.
“Where do you think we’re going?” Paige asks me quietly.
“I seriously have no idea.”
Chapter 40
Paige
Butterflies are churning in my stomach as we follow Robert’s Mercedes through the night. I put in a call to Kathy to let her know that we are going to be a little longer, and she tells me that everything is fine, Grace is fast asleep and we should take our time.
I feel relieved and kind of sad at the same time. I miss my baby.
“So everything’s fine?” Elliot asks.
“Yeah it is, I don’t even think she misses us,” I tell him.
“Of course she misses us. She's just secure enough that she can handle her grandmother looking after her for a few hours – that’s all.”
He takes a hold of my hand across the centre console and gives me a reassuring squeeze before breaking away as he flicks the blinker on and squints out the windshield.
“What the hell…?” he trails off, turning into a street behind his father who’s pulling into a parking garage under a block of flats.
“What? Where are we?” I ask as he pulls over to the side of the road and parks the car.
“I used to live here,” he says. “I didn’t think he still had it.”