Page 42 of Aussie
Joker joined in with a firm nod. “Playboy’s right. This is a tough situation, but once she hears what actually went down,she’ll understand. She’s been around us long enough to know the job can be complicated.”
Aussie looked between his friends, grateful for their support. “I appreciate it, guys. I just don’t want to lose her over a situation I couldn’t control.”
Bear gave him a reassuring nod. “You’ll figure it out, man. You’ve got all of us behind you.”
“Thanks,” Aussie said, meaning it. He felt a little steadier, the weight of their support helping him cope. The pain of Ava’s misunderstanding was still raw, but he felt more determined than ever to set things right.
Aussie’s thoughts shifted, his heart catching at the idea of spending the holidays with Ava and Christian. Before last night, he’d actually been considering not going home, instead spending it here and inviting Ava and Christian to join him. They’d started feeling like family—a family he was excited to be part of. But now he wasn’t so sure he’d have the chance.
???
It was difficult for Ava to pull herself out of bed. But she was determined to get past her heartache and move on with life.
After showering and getting ready, she told Christian that she and him were going to spend the day together, which he was very excited about.
She wanted a full day with Christian, one filled with laughter and lots of memories, especially after everything that happened the night before. Her heart felt a little heavier than usual, but she was determined to set aside her pain for his sake.
Their first stop was the indoor mini golf course, decked out with neon lights and decorated with over-the-top winter themes. They each took turns at different obstacles, laughing as they made their way through the course. Christian, with hiscompetitive streak, kept challenging her to beat his score. Ava felt herself relax as they made a game out of trying to “trick shot” around the obstacles, both of them laughing every time the ball ricocheted off the barriers.
Next up was an escape room, something Christian had been excited to try. As they entered the room, he dove right into puzzle-solving mode.They found themselves in a “Pirate’s Cove” scenario, hunting for clues to escape a fictional shipwreck. Christian was clever, and he’d noticed clues Ava had missed entirely. Their teamwork paid off as they unlocked the final door with just seconds left on the clock. They high-fived each other, and Ava couldn’t help but feel a burst of pride for him.
As they walked out, Christian glanced around, a thoughtful look on his face. “There’s actually one thing I’ve always wanted to do around Christmas,” he said, his voice quiet.
Ava looked at him curiously. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
He glanced down at his shoes. “I’ve always wanted to pick an angel off a Christmas Angel tree. You know, where you pick a name and get gifts for a kid who is in need.”
Ava felt a rush of warmth and admiration for him. Even with everything uncertain in his life, his heart was big enough to think about making Christmas special for someone else. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders, giving him a gentle squeeze.
“That’s an amazing idea, Christian. Let’s do it.”
He looked up at her, his eyes lighting up. Ava’s heart swelled with love for this boy—no,herboy. She realized at that moment that her feelings went beyond the care of a foster parent. She loved Christian, truly, like a mother loves a son. But the thought of him leaving after the holidays made her chest tighten. She’d have to talk with her friend, Judge Holten, to see what her options were. She didn’t want to lose him.
They finally found an Angel tree at a nearby shopping center, and Christian carefully examined each of the cards. He pickedone for an eight-year-old boy named Jackson. Then, his face lit up with excitement as he turned to Ava. “Look, he has a twin sister! Can we find her card too?”
Ava smiled. “Of course! Let’s make sure we get both of them.”
They sifted through the cards until they found Jackson’s twin sister, Julie. Christian’s face beamed with happiness, and they made their way to the nearby stores to get everything on the kids’ wish lists. They gathered clothes, shoes, a science experiment kit, a skateboard, and some video games for Jackson, while for Julie, they found a pair of sparkly sneakers, a pink scooter, an art set, and a soccer ball. Ava couldn’t help but smile as she watched Christian’s enthusiasm as they went from aisle to aisle, his focus completely on making the twins’ Christmas perfect.
By the end of the day, they were both exhausted but starving. Christian’s eyes lit up as he remembered something. “There’s this place, Bayside. I’ve heard some people talk about it, but I’ve never been.”
Ava smiled, curious herself. “I’ve heard of it too, but I’ve never gone either. Let’s check it out.”
When they pulled into the parking lot, she was a bit skeptical. The outside looked rundown, with peeling paint and faded signage. She glanced over at Christian, who looked just as uncertain.
“Well, I mean, people rave about the food,” Christian offered, a small grin on his face.
Ava chuckled. “You know what? You’re right. Let’s give it a shot. If we don’t like it, we can always leave.”
When they stepped inside, Ava was pleasantly surprised. The decor was a blend of Chesapeake Bay charm and military tribute, with vintage ship wheels, model boats, and old photos of service members on the walls. The restaurant was bustling for a Sunday evening.
Christian spotted a booth in the back with a view of the water, and they quickly claimed it.
As they settled in and the waitress took their drink order, Ava’s phone buzzed, and she quickly silenced it. Aussie’s name flashed across the screen, her stomach twisting.
Christian gave her a puzzled look. “That’s, like, the fourth time you’ve done that today. What’s going on?”
Ava hesitated. She thought she’d been discreet, but clearly, Christian had noticed. She’d been avoiding thoughts of Aussie all day, but now, she couldn’t keep it to herself.
