Page 48 of Mr. CEO's Secret Baby

The restaurant was located in an old brick building, with a rustic charm that was accentuated by the warm glow of the lamps on the walls. The scent of garlic and tomato sauce wafted through the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation.

Catherine and I were led to a cozy table by the window, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the change of pace. As we looked over the menu, I found myself feeling more relaxed than I had in days.

The food was incredible. We started with a plate of bruschetta, the crispy bread topped with fresh tomatoes and basil, and followed it up with a bowl of spaghetti carbonara that was so rich and creamy, and I wanted to lick the plate clean.

As we ate, Catherine and I chatted about everything and nothing, catching up on each other's lives. She did come clean about knowing Maya and Eli. That part was a surprise, but it explained the questions in my mind. Part of me was happy that she actually knew the people I was talking about.

It wasn't until we were halfway through our main course that I finally opened up to her about the nightmares.

"It's weird," I said, poking at my lasagna with my fork. "I keep having these dreams about the accident. But instead of Ava's face, all I see are Maya and Eli's faces."

Catherine reached out and placed a hand on my arm.

"It's okay, Jack," she said gently. "It's normal to have nightmares like that after a traumatic experience, especially when your fears are getting triggered again. On the bright side, it means you’re healing enough to care about someone again."

"I know," I said, looking down at my plate. "But it just feels like I can't shake off this fear. Like something bad is going to happen again."

Catherine leaned back in her chair and studied me for a moment.

"Jack, you have to let go of that final kernel of fear in your heart," she said. "The accident was…tragic. But it was just that, an accident. I know we’ve talked about it before, but you didn’t let Ava down. But you have a second chance now, so you should work on your happiness. You have a child. It’s so easy to be terrified when you have that level of responsibility, but let’s see if we can help you take control of that fear a little bit more. Instead of letting it take control of you. Let's try to turn that fear into hope.”

I knew she was right, but it was hard to accept. The accident left me with a deep sense of guilt and regret, and it was hard to shake off those feelings.

But I had Eli now. And Maya, too, in some ways. They were the most important things to me now, and I owed it to myself and them to work through my fear and not let it hold me back.

"Hey," Catherine continued, pulling out her purse, "I have something to give you, that maybe you can deliver for me."

She pulled out a large blue button and handed it to me.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Take a close look and see if anything comes to you."

I held it in my hands and took a closer look. Flipping it around in my fingers, feeling the edges, seeing the aged scratches. Then, suddenly, just how all the dreams that come about Ava, I had scenes of my life with Maya flashing and whirling through my brain. I closed my eyes and tried to steady my head in my hands.

"Maya…" was all I could squeak out. Catherine's hand held my forearm as I tried to catch my breath, my heart racing to catch up with the memories. "Catherine, I remember."

We sat wordlessly for a few minutes. I was trying to regain my composure and she was just there for me.

I was finally able to sit back and breathe deeply, still holding the button in my hands.

"Maybe this can be the little piece of hope you can cling to," Catherine quietly said. She explained to me that she found it in the sand after a playdate she had with Maya and Eli some time ago. She hadn't been able to return it to Maya since. Her ultimate wish was to return it to Maya since it meant so much to her, but now that she could see it meant so much to me, she decided to leave it in my capable hands. I promised her that Maya would receive it, one way or another.

“Thanks, Catherine,” I said with a hug as we stood on the street after dinner. “You always know how to make me feel better.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for,” she said with a smile.

“You’re an expensive friend, Catherine.”

She laughed out into the night.

“I’m worth every penny, Jack.”

I chuckled.

“That you are, Catherine. Hey, say hi to Hudson for me, yeah? Once the weather is warmer and school’s out, you're more than welcome to use the pool whenever you want. The gate code is the same as last year.”

“Thanks, Jack. I’ll say hi and let him know. He'll be so excited.”

---