Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,38
plan. You know you have help. Jackson and Amy should be here in a month, so there’s more. I think Amy is going to help run the company from home part-time.” The girls smiled.
“I can’t wait to have her here.” Becca clapped her hands together. “They’ll be here for the summer. That’s perfect.”
“The holidays, too. Gram is going to love that.” I grinned as I watched Ava drink her bottle.
“Her first Christmas with us!” Mari leaned down to kiss Ava’s cheek.
“It’s the first one that she’ll remember,” Becca said, looking at the baby. “She doesn’t remember last year.”
“We’re going to make it amazing for her,” Mari promised her girlfriend as she reached out to hold her hand. “It’s time to begin some traditions.”
“You saw Gram. She’s got a lot, and there used to be more when she was more active. Christmas caroling, looking at lights, friends over for food, and I remember a few cookie parties. She made it great for Jackson and me. You’ll do it for Ava,” I assured them as our food was set down on the table. “This looks great.” We ate, each giving the baby bites of our food as she happily munched on it.
“What are you going to do for her birthday?” Hayden asked as Mari smiled.
“Family party. She’s little and doesn’t have friends yet. We’ll just do a cake for her, get some presents, and have fun.” Becca smiled as Mari laughed. “We’ll save the big celebrations for later. I just want her to know that she’s loved.”
We had a long breakfast, and the girls headed home to see Gram, while we continued on the hike. We drove to the trail, parking in the small lot before heading through the trees to a creek that we loved to visit.
The afternoon turned into evening as we walked back to our car. We decided to be lazy, grabbing pizza for dinner, and popping into Gram’s apartment. Everyone was there. We shared the feast, watching the baby while Becca and Mari went out for dessert. They brought back ice cream.
This was a regular thing when we were all home together. It was easier for Gram to have us drop-in, so we all did. We’d eat, catch up, and just spend time together as a family.
We celebrated Jackson’s move about a month later. They did decide on the upstairs unit, and Gram cooked dinner once they were in over the weekend. I liked having my cousin here. We caught up on old times in our childhood while everyone ate. Amy fell instantly in love with Ava, sending pouts Jackson’s way as he chatted with me.
“You’re going to be asked for a baby soon, buddy. Look at them.” The girls were all gathered around Ava, smiling as the baby giggled at them.
“I am going to get a ring on that finger, and then she can have all the babies she wants. I think that she’ll be busy with that one.” He smiled, and she blew him a kiss.
“We all will,” I replied, sipping my soda.
“Is everyone ready for cake?” Gram asked as he groaned.
“I need to know what gyms are in the area. Her cooking will be the death of me.”
Jackson focused on running his business long distance with the help of Amy. He made enough money that he could probably just have a good manager handle things, but he built that company from the ground. My cousin was nothing if not smart. They also spent a lot of time with Gram and the baby. There would be a couple of hours where Becca would have to be at work before Mari arrived home, so Amy covered those days. She happily watched the baby so the girls could go on dates, or something as easy as going grocery shopping alone.
I got to have a beer with my cousin anytime I wanted that. We weren’t planning around his trip here for a week or so anymore. He lived here, and hanging out for a couple of hours was easy now. He welcomed Hayden if he wasn’t working as well.
He found that he still had to travel to Florida for company business once a month or so, and Amy usually stayed home. She worked on the spreadsheets and spent time with the girls and the baby. It was kind of perfect for everyone involved.
One day, Mari invited me to dinner at their place. Becca was working with Hayden, and she had some steak that she wanted to cook for Amy