Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Forty-Two

Aria

            “Good morning Grace.” I greet her with red cheeks as I step out of Mason’s inviting arms, now feeling cold and empty without them.

            “Hey, ladies and Mason.” Tara waves from behind Grace as they both push through the small crew by surrounding the kitchen.

            “Tara! Hey, I’m glad you’re both here!” Everyone is working this morning since it’s the opening and we plan for it to be so wild, I’m glad Tara didn’t mind getting up earlier than normal.

            “Girl, I’m so ready! I’m sick of washing the windows!” She moans as she undresses and hangs all her stuff up on the hooks, same as Grace.

            “Please, we all know what you’re up to when you’re ‘washing’ the windows.” Going back to the sink I wash my hands before I finish up the bagels.

            “I have no idea what you're talking about,” Tara mumbles as Grace, Levi who made it in here at some point, and I all laugh knowingly.

            “Paul’s going to be here soon with a bus full of people, we better get to work.” Mason reminds the room as he washes his own hands, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

            “Hey now, you aren’t the boss here.” Tara glares over her shoulder at him as she ties her apron around her back.

            “Bam, thanks, Tara! He needs the reminder,” I cheer. I love being the boss here, knowing it rubs on Mason a certain way to not have all the control.

            “Boss or not time stops for no one. Let’s get to it.” This man literally claps his hands in front of him before swing them around in front of him like he’s motioning for us to hurry.

            “Is that why you were dancing with your fiancé instead of prepping?” Tara asks with her hands on her hips and an ornery smile on her spite-fire face. She might not be a morning person either. Grace looks like she’s in good spirits as she gets herself ready while watching on with an entertained smile.

            “No. That was time well spent making an important memory with my girl.” Mason says with no room for argument.

            “Swoon! That was so cute.” Grace says well clutching her heart. The girls on the crew’s eyes get bigger as their mouths drop open practically drooling over him.

            “Aria, what’s going on over here?” Mason brushes it all off determined to wrangle us all up and keep us on track.

            “He is right, we do need to hurry. We’re doing good on time as of now but it won't take much to fall behind,” I say while walking towards the oven to check on the bagels inside.

            “Oh, s**t he’s rubbing off on you,” Tara groans.

            “Only some nights,” Mason calls back and the room fills with a mixture of groans and immature laughter.

            This is the best.

***

            “Aria!” Jude’s little voice is the first to break through the doors when I twist the lock as the bus pulls up.  Sean and his nurse turned girlfriend, Olivia is standing behind him. Olivia is tall and curvy with a perfect hourglass shape, long black hair, and hazel eyes. She’s gripping Sean's arm so he can use her for  support over his cane that hangs by his side uselessly at the moment.

            Jude is as handsome as ever wearing a crisp blue polo under his black winter jacket and pressed blue jeans with adorable black vans on his feet. I didn’t even know they made vans for feet so small. I’m glad they do, he is rocking them.

            “Jude! I’m glad you guys could make it! Sorry, it’s so early.” Bending down I scoop him up for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. His little arms wrap around my neck and pull me down. I feel Mason’s heat behind me, he’s learned from experience to be prepared for an incident whenever Jude and I are in a room together.  

            “You shoulda made it later. It’s still nighttime,” he groans out suddenly exhausted. I guess that means my apology is not accepted. That’s okay, I’ll just have to up my game.         

            All of us laugh drawing a smile from his sleepy eyes. “You’re right. Next time you come it’ll be a normal time, okay?”

            “Only if you made the dirt cups again.” He looks up to me with raised eyebrows like he’s my teacher asking for a late assignment. Out of everything I’ve made for him that’s what he wants the most, something so basic.  

            “You’ll have to wait and see.” Letting him go I stand and move backward so everyone else can get in through the beautiful flower archway that was delivered and set up just moments ago. It fills the whole space and gives off a subtle fragrant smell. We had to stick with flowers that hold up in the cold so they aren’t the most fragrant nor the most colorful. The green vines, stems, and leaves are woven around mostly white flowers with a few red ones here and there.  

            “Hey, Dude.” I hear Mason greet Jude from behind me while I wrap my arms around Sean careful not to put any weight on him or Olivia.

            “It’s finally here! How’s it feel Sweetheart?” I hug him a tad longer than a typical greeting, taking comfort in his kind arms. We went to their house the other day after Mason got into the fight with his Dad, it was a wonderful night. We had dinner, good conversation, and a bunch of board games that made us laugh all night long.

Both Mason and I were able to get lost in a good time, with no thoughts of the craziness surrounding us.

            I hope soon everything will calm down and we’ll be able to see them more. It’s nice to be able to shut off and enjoy the present moment with amazing people like the three of them. And Sean sure makes you forget, Jude too. They’ve always stayed happy no matter what and both of us need more of that in our lives.

            “It’s terrifying but I think the moment I see everything going well, I’ll be jumping up and down with excitement. I feel like I’m in a dream like this can’t possibly be real.” I pull away from him with a smile as I pat my hands on my burning cheeks. This is all so crazy.

            “Real indeed. And you deserve every minute.” He smiles back at me as I go in for an awkward hug with Olivia. I make it stiff and uncomfortable, I’m still getting to know her, I like her but we’ve really never hugged and I’m not typically a hugger.

            Yeah, it’s all my fault it's awkward. She doesn’t seem to mind; she wraps the side of herself not supporting Sean up around me in a tight squeeze as she gives me her congrats and a friendly smile. I give her my thanks.

            We step away just as Paul is walking up to the doorway, a row of friendly faces lined up behind him, as they continue to stream off the buses. My smile grows and my stomach settles as I take everyone in. Everyone from the Soup Kitchen has to be here, volunteers and all, even this early they all came to celebrate.

            Getting chocked up I clear my throat and look back to Paul. “Thank you for helping to organize all of this!” Paul smiles but doesn’t try to hug me, he’s great at knowing people's boundaries and that’s one we’ve never crossed and I’m glad for it.

            I know most of these people pretty well by now, I know they won’t harm me, but there’s still a part of me that Brian scarred that keeps me wary of embracing everyone or anyone.

            Mason’s arm hooks around my middle as Paul answers, “Thank your fiancé he did all this I just showed up.” I have to fight hard to keep the tears at bay, nerves are no longer my problem, apparently, it’s now being too overwhelmed with emotion.

            Needing a second, I smile at Paul before I turn into Mason’s chest, burying my face in his warmth as I try to gather myself. I’ve never felt this grateful or loved, not ever and I really don’t know what to do with any of these feelings or how I can ever show my appreciation, to everyone here but mostly to him.

            Love is beautiful and ugly. Rough and wild while being gentle and boring. It’s up’s and downs with chaos and torment alongside joy and peace. If I had to lose everything else, this bakery, the show, the satin sheets, and beautiful bouquets, I would lose it all as long as I could keep him. It’s always going to be Mason, always.

            Pushing away from his chest I grab both his cheeks in my hands and pull him down to me. I kiss him hard and long right there in the middle of the doorway while everyone hoots and cheers as they file in around us and into the warmth.

            Pressing his forehead to mine he looks at me with excited eyes and a whole bunch of love. I hope he can see how grateful I am in mine. No matter what I’m showing him just how grateful the first chance we have.

            So what if they’re right and we can't keep our hands off each other. You won’t ever hear me complaining.