Chapter 23 Eden
Fidgeting with the wrist on his long-sleeve t-shirt, Eden darts his eyes around the park for the tenth time in the last five minutes.
He got here early to find them all a spot in the shade, and now with their picnic blanket spread out and a cooler full of drinks Addy packed at the ready, there’s nothing for him to do but wait.
He even went by Juanita’s to pick up their to-go order and somehow ended up with his job back once Juanita saw him.
She insisted that his quitting wasn’t allowed, which was possibly more emotional than Eden had been prepared to deal with.
He’s actually excited to go back to work for the first time ever because Juanita and Rosio and Armando always made him feel welcomed and cared for, and he’s starting to get that maybe that’s not always a trick.
Despite the fact that Eden is never early, he’s the first and only one here, waiting for Addy and Ella and Charlie to all arrive. Taking a quick glance at his phone, he can’t help but worry since Charlie should’ve been here already.
Despite Charlie’s assurances that he wanted to come today and officially meet Eden’s family, a part of Eden hasn’t stopped worrying.
What if Eden fucked Charlie senseless yesterday, and he came back to his senses today and realized he could do better than a walking red flag full of trauma who comes with a not-his-own-kid but also kind-of-a-kid?
Granted, Charlie hadn’t seemed put off once he learned about Ella, but it’s not like they had much time to discuss it.
Eden had been in the middle of blowing Charlie when he got a text from Addy letting them know she and Ella were on their way home from the park, and the last thing Eden wanted to do was introduce Charlie and Ella without warning.
He might not have much experience with kids, but he knew enough to know that was a shit thing to do.
Particularly because there had never been anyone else in Ella’s life beside Addy and Eden, and he had no idea how she might take it.
That night after Ella went to bed, Eden and Addy stayed up half the night talking, not just about Charlie, but about all the things Eden had been keeping inside.
By the time Eden was falling asleep in Addy’s arms, he felt lighter than he had maybe ever, and they’d agreed to set something up with Charlie the next day so he could meet Ella.
Talking to Addy had been easy, Ella not as much. She had all the curiosity and tact of a four year old, which meant she was both deeply curious and also deeply skeptical about Charlie. Not that Eden could blame her. Eden had never brought anyone to meet her, ever.
The more he thinks about it, the more things he realizes could go wrong. What if Ella doesn’t like Charlie? What if Charlie isn’t good with kids? What if things are awkward? What if—
“I couldn’t find you at first, but then I thought well, look, here’s a park full of smiling, happy people, just look for the frowning face,” Charlie says with a shit-eating grin.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a pain in the ass?”
“Not today,” Charlie says, dropping onto the blanket before leaning over to give Eden a kiss. Birdie barks, moving into Charlie’s lap but allowing Eden to pet her. She’s warmed up to him a lot, but she still clearly loves Charlie more, which is kind of sweet.
“You brought your dog.”
“You said Ella likes animals, and I wasn’t going to bring that asshole Sweet Cheeks. He’d run away. Agnes, too.”
The fact that Charlie brought his dog to try and win over Ella does something funny to Eden, who leans over and crashes his mouth to Charlie’s before he says something disgusting like ‘I’m really glad you came’ or ‘I missed you.’
“Mmm, hello to you too,” Charlie says, licking his lips. “Is that pineapple chapstick?”
“Kiwi.”
“Let me taste it again.”
Eager for an excuse to be as close as possible, Eden swings one leg over Charlie to sit in his lap, making sure his skirt isn’t riding up in the back before shoving his tongue into Charlie’s mouth.
He kisses him like he can’t get enough, like he didn’t all but devour Charlie less than twenty-four hours ago, like Charlie is everything to him.
When he pulls back, Charlie’s eyes are blown wide, his mouth open and his cheeks flushed a deep burgundy.
“Fuck, baby. Can we get you more of that chapstick?”
“I have a new mango one in the car.”
“Please let me taste it later,” Charlie begs. “I’ll do any—”
“Small child with good hearing incoming,” Addy yells from twenty feet away.
Eden rolls off Charlie with a grunt, rising to stand and holding his arms out for Ella, who takes off at a run and slams into Eden’s arms.
“Were you two kissing?” she asks conspiratorially.
“We were,” Eden confirms, turning around in time to see Charlie stand almost nervously, Birdie’s leash in one hand and the other shoving his sunglasses on top of his head.
Ella hums but says nothing, and a knot of tension pinches in his chest. Despite her many questions this morning, it’d been clear Ella wasn’t sure she liked the idea of sharing Eden.
He reassured her that Charlie wasn’t going to take him away, that having a boyfriend didn’t mean he was moving out or replacing Ella, but judging by the way her small hands have a death grip on Eden, she’s clearly not convinced.
“Well, hello,” Charlie says.
“Hi,” Ella replies.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ella. I’m Charlie.”
“I know,” Ella says, wrapping her arms around Eden’s neck. “My Eden told me.”
Charlie’s lips quirk up in the corner. “He’s a very good Eden, isn’t he?”
“Uh-huh.” Ella eyes Charlie with clear apprehension. “He’s mine.”
Holding his breath, Eden waits—the presence of Addy’s hand at his lower back now that she’s beside him settling some of his nerves.
“Maybe if I’m lucky you might share him with me,” Charlie suggests.
Ella straightens her back. “I’m good at sharing, but you gotta give him back.”
“Of course,” Charlie agrees. Part of Eden wants to point out he’s not a toy to be shared, but he’s too happy at the way things are going to argue semantics.
“Speaking of sharing, I brought my dog. Would you like to meet her? I could share her with you if you like. I’ve got three cats and a hamster at home, too. ”
He’s clearly pulling out all the stops, and it makes Eden like him all the more for how hard he’s trying to win her over, for how much he understands what Ella means to him.
Ella’s attention is drawn down to Birdie for the first time. She turns her face to Eden, the question clear. “You can play with her if you want.”
She wiggles to be put down, sprawling across the blanket to get closer to Birdie, who licks Ella’s offered hand and rolls onto her side to bare her belly for pets.
“She’s old and likes lots of attention and pets. Think you can do that?”
“Uh-huh,” Ella hums, running her hands over Birdie’s tummy. “What’s her name?”
“Birdie.”
“Birdie,” Ella echoes. “But she’s a dog.”
“My little brother named her,” Charlie laughs.
Inching closer, Ella all but drapes herself over Birdie, her lifelong dream of having her own dog at the forefront of Eden’s mind as he watches her pet Birdie and tell her what a good girl she is.
“Can I walk her?” Ella asks suddenly, playing with Birdie’s leash.
“If your mom says yes,” Charlie answers, deferring to Addy. “Birdie’s well-trained so she won’t run.”
“You can if you stay right here in this grassy area. Don’t go past that tree,” Addy says.
“Okay!” Ella holds the leash tightly. “Come on, Birdie, let’s play.”
Birdie lets out a little bark of excitement, following Ella with a wagging tail and an easy stride.
“She’s sweet,” Charlie says, turning his attention to Addy. “You must be a great mom.”
“I try,” Addy says, wrapping herself around Eden from behind and kissing his cheek “Eden helps.”
“It’s all Addy. She’s amazing,” Eden protests, refusing to take credit for what an incredible person and mom Addy is.
“Don’t listen to him, Charlie. He won’t take credit for how amazing he is. He showed up for her—for both of us—when no one else did. Which is exactly why I won’t let you hurt him.”
“Addy,” Eden hisses, unsure what’s happening.
“It’s okay,” Charlie says.
“If you hurt him,” Addy continues, “there is nowhere you can hide. I will find you, and I will ruin you.”
“Jesus Christ, Addy.”
“Anything else?” Charlie asks, smiling like a fucking dumbass who enjoys being threatened.
“Be patient with him. Gentle. Kind.” Addy’s tone softens, her delicate fingers sliding into Eden’s. He’s not sure which one of them holds on tighter. “He’s not just my best friend, he’s my family.”
“Fuck you, Addy,” Eden grumbles, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. “I told you not to make me cry.”
“Not sorry,” Addy tells him, hip checking Eden before turning her eyes back on Charlie. “You’ll be good to him, won’t you?”
“I will,” Charlie promises. “He’s special.”
“If either of you says one more nice thing about me, I’m fucking leaving,” Eden interrupts, pretty sure he might throw up if he has to listen to them for one second longer.
“Oh, let me fix it,” Addy says, a devilish look in her eyes. “Charlie, I forgot to mention he leaves dirty dishes everywhere, he has an unhealthy caffeine addiction, lives on Red Bull, and he’s a bad driver.”
“Fuck you, I’m not a bad driver.”
“You really are, sweetheart.” Addy says with a straight face. The absolute fucking traitor.
To Eden’s horror, Charlie laughs. “He’s also a bed hog, which is amazing given his size.”
“Shut the fuck up, both of you.”
“Can’t be nice to you, can’t be mean. What can we do?” Charlie asks.
“You can shut up and eat your lunch,” Eden grumbles, happier than maybe he’s ever been in his entire life. It’s a good feeling but also unsettling. What he needs is for Addy and Charlie to pay attention to anything or anyone besides him for a little bit.
“So, Addy, Eden tells me you love seafood.”
“I do,” Addy replies.
“Eden hates it.”
“Yeah, him and Ella would take chicken fingers or noodles over that any day. They’re not the most adventurous eaters.”
“I don’t know if you remember Andrew.”
“I do,” Addy confirms, lowering herself onto the picnic blanket along with Eden. Charlie follows suit. “Your better-behaved twin.”
“That’s him,” Charlie grins. “Anyways, he’s kind of obsessed with seafood. Sushi to be specific. We’re going to lunch next weekend at Harbor House because they have his favorite sushi.”
“Is that the place at the end of the pier?” Addy asks, lighting up.
She’s wanted to go there for months since it opened, but not only can neither Eden nor Ella handle the smell of seafood, neither he nor Addy could afford to eat there.
Something Eden mentioned offhandedly once to Andrew a few weeks ago.
Information he now suspects Andrew passed on to Charlie.
“That’s the place. We thought maybe you could join us for lunch.”
“Oh.” Addy clears her throat, clearly unsure but also clearly interested.
“I can watch Ella,” Eden offers.
“Andrew is celebrating a promotion at work, so it’s his treat. His boss gave him a gift card or something, so we’re making an afternoon of it. We’d love for you to join us.”
Eden isn’t entirely sure the gift card part is true, and is definitely going to ask Andrew later, but he appreciates that they’ve found a way to get Addy to go without making her feel like it’s charity.
“I mean…if Eden is sure.” She looks excited, and Eden could fall in love with Charlie for that alone.
Eden bumps her knee with his own. “I’m sure.”
“Okay. Okay, cool. Shit, what do I wear?”
“You could borrow that black skirt I have,” Eden offers. “The one with the ruffles.”
“That would look so good with my new sweater. Perfect.”
Perfect.
As a child, Eden had dreamed about having a family. Two parents and a dog and a house with a white picket fence. It hadn’t taken long for that dream to shatter, and Eden stopped hoping for the kind of family he would never have, stopped hoping for perfect.
This right here—the sea breeze blowing through his hair and the sun on his legs—surrounded by people who like Eden for who he is, feels pretty fucking close.
In the distance, Ella giggles, running alongside Birdie while they chase a squirrel.
Beside him, Addy and Charlie are excitedly talking about what they might order next weekend.
It’s not a white picket fence, or typical, but it’s perfect for Eden.
On a picnic blanket on an unassuming Saturday, Eden learns that perfect can be your best friend and her daughter, your boyfriend and his dog, and a plastic bag of takeaway. He learns that maybe family isn’t just blood but the people who show up for you, the ones who choose you.
This isn’t a fairytale or a happily ever after. It’s messy and real, and it’s perfect because it’s not perfect. Eden chose these people, and by some miracle they’ve chosen him back, and Eden is happy.
Eden is so fucking happy.