Chapter Twenty
Ben smiled to himself as he looked around at Giuseppe’s.
It was weird to see all the guys out without the ladies.
It felt weird to him to be out without Charlotte.
She’d only been back a couple of weeks, but he felt like he was missing a part of himself when she wasn’t by his side.
He was surprised to see Jack standing in a corner.
He made his way over to him. “I thought you weren’t coming. ”
Jack scowled. “So did I. I wouldn’t be here if it were up to me. My mom wanted to come over and hang out with Emma. They pretty much kicked me out of the house.”
Ben tried to hide his smile. He could imagine Emma wanting to get him out of the way for a little while.
He was a great guy, but his tendency to want to take care of every detail could get to be a little much sometimes.
And with a new baby at home, this might be one of those times.
“You know what women are like,” he tried to sound sympathetic.
“They like to have a little time to themselves. You should make the most of it, enjoy yourself while you’re here. ”
Jack’s face relaxed a little and he smiled. “I know, you’re right. Even I know I’ve probably been a bit much since we brought Isabel home. Anyway, how about you? What’s going on in your world?”
“I’m doing great, thanks.”
“I’m glad. I used to worry about you, you know.
I didn’t know you when you and Charlie were together.
To me she’s only ever been a name, the girl who broke your heart.
I didn’t think she was ever coming back and I didn’t think you were ever going to be happy.
I’m glad things are finally working out for you.
” His smile faded a little. “It must have been hard for you two to come to the hospital.”
Ben nodded. “It was, but we were both glad we came. It was such an important day in your lives and we wanted to be a part of that. Plus, I think in some ways it helped us. You don’t ever get over that loss, you know, but being there for you helped us move through it somehow.”
Jack nodded. “I’m not sure I understand that, but I hope it did help and not hurt.”
Pete appeared out of the crowd and grasped Jack’s shoulder. “Cheer up, daddy! You’re supposed to be out here to enjoy yourself, not standing in a corner moping with Ben.”
Ben shook his head at him. “We’re not moping. We’re having a meaningful conversation, if you don’t mind.”
“I do mind. This isn’t the time for deep and meaningful; it’s time to party and have fun.”
Jack smiled. “I guess.”
Pete gestured to the long table where most of the guys were sitting. “Shall we join them?”
“Okay, but I’m not staying for the whole evening,” said Jack. “I want to get home and make sure that Emma and Isabel are doing okay.”
Pete laughed. “I hate to break it to you, partner, but I promised Em and your mom that I’d keep you out as long as possible.” Pete grinned over his shoulder at Ben as he led Jack away.
Ben started to follow them, but stopped when he saw Chance come in. He waved and made his way over. “It’s good to see you. I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it tonight.”
Chance grinned. “Neither was I. You know this isn’t really my thing, but it’s Gabe. I couldn’t stay away. And I do seem to be getting a bit more social in my old age.”
“I had noticed. It seems as though everyone’s seen you around since you’ve been here. Everyone except me, that is.”
“I figured you’d have enough on your plate, what with Charlie being back and everything.”
Ben grinned. “Yeah, I have been spending most of my time with her.”
“I know, you haven’t even been in the restaurant whenever I’ve stopped in.”
Ben shrugged. “People have told me for years that I shouldn’t work so much. Now I finally have a reason to listen.”
“I’m happy for you. Like I told you, where there’s life there’s hope.”
“Thanks, bud. In some ways it’s still hard to believe that she’s here, but at the same time, I don’t want to question it. I just want to make the most of every moment. We’ll never make up for all the time we lost, but we sure as hell can have fun trying.”
“Hey, you two, thanks for coming.” Gabe appeared at Chance’s side.
“I’m glad I could be here,” said Chance with a smile. “I’ve just seen all my friends up in Montana get married; now it seems I need to spend some time here to watch all of you guys do the same.”
Gabe looked at Ben. “Have you got some news of your own?”
Ben smiled. “Not yet.”
“But I’m sure it won’t be long until you do,” said Chance.
“It’s not like you and Charlie have anything left to figure out, is it?
You’re meant to be, you finally made it past all your troubles.
It strikes me that all you have to do now is get on with the rest of your lives.
And I’m guessing that starts with getting married, right? ”
Ben nodded. “I hope so. I’ve spent all these years waiting and hoping, but now she’s here I’m kind of holding back. It feels like something needs to happen. Don’t ask me what, because I don’t know. It just feels like something has to click into place before we really can step into our future.”
Chance gave him a puzzled look. “I thought the only thing that needs to click into place is that you need to ask her to marry you.”
Gabe grinned. “I thought all I had to do was ask Renée to marry me, but it still took a long time for her to be free to do so.”
“It’s not that,” said Ben. “Charlie got her divorce through before she even came back here. I don’t know, I just still feel as though there’s some door we need to close on the past and another one we need to open so we can step through it and into our future.”
Chance pursed his lips. “Did you ever sort things out with her folks, or yours?”
Ben shook his head slowly as his heart sank. Why hadn’t that even occurred to him? They’d talked a little about Charlotte’s parents when she first came back, but that was all. He hadn’t even called his parents to let them know she was here.
Chance held his gaze. “It’s not like you need their permission or anything. But I do think you have to come to terms with what her parents did, and at least find some kind of peace with yours.”
Ben sighed. “You’re probably right, but I don’t want to think about that tonight.” He smiled at Gabe. “Tonight is about helping you celebrate.”
Gabe smiled. “So, come on over and join everyone.”
“Hey, bud, how’s it going?” asked Smoke when Ben sat down next to him. “I haven’t had chance to check in with you this week. Between Laura coming home and the flight school I’ve been busy.”
“Everything’s going well with me, thanks.”
“With you and Charlotte?”
Ben nodded with a smile.
“And what about Angel?”
“What about her?”
“I don’t know, you tell me.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
Smoke nodded. “You made your decision then?”
“There was never a decision to make. Charlie’s the one for me. She always has been.”
“No matter how good Angel felt in your arms when she kissed you?”
Ben sucked in a deep breath. He’d been trying to put that as far from his mind as possible. “I don’t know what to say about that, Smoke. I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe in another lifetime Angel and I might have worked, but not in this one.”
“Hey,” Smoke held up a hand. “I told you plenty of times, I don’t need the answers. I’m just trying to help you ask the right questions.”
“I know, thanks. All I can tell you is I have all the answers I need. I’m back with Charlie, we love each other, and we’re building our future.”
“Good. Then I’m happy for you. Whoa …” Smoke jumped up as beer spilled all over him.
“Sorry!” Michael looked panic stricken. He’d spilled his beer as he jumped to his feet.
“What’s the matter?” asked Ben.
Michael stared at him for a moment before he answered. “I’ve got to go. That was Meggie. I’ve got to get home to her. Her waters just broke.”
Gabe appeared at his side. “That’s awesome. I’ll drive you. You look too shaken up to drive yourself.”
Michael stared at him. “You can’t, this is your party.”
Gabe smiled around at everyone. “I don’t think anyone will mind, will you?”
“I don’t think anyone will mind at all, and I imagine quite a few of us will want to come with you,” said Dan. “I know Missy would kill me if I didn’t let her know what’s going on.”
Michael looked around at everyone; he seemed to be in shock.
“What’s up?” asked Pete. “I thought you’d be cool, calm, and collected; you’re the doctor after all.”
“I’ll ask you how cool, calm, and collected you are when it’s your turn,” said Michael with a grin. “I might be a doctor, but I’m about to become a daddy again.”
“And we’d better hurry up if you want to be there when it happens,” said Gabe. “Let’s go.”
“You know where to find us if anyone wants to come,” called Michael over his shoulder as Gabe led him out.
“I said this might become a tradition,” said Dan with a grin. “I need to go crash Renée’s bachelorette party. I can’t get Missy to answer her phone, and I know she’ll want to be there for Michael and Megan.”
Ben smiled. It seemed none of his friends ever had a stag night without meeting up with their girls.
Chase was already standing by the door. “I’m going to have to take Kenzie over to the hospital, does anyone else want to come?”
The others all looked at each other. “It sounds as though we all need to go,” said Pete with a grin.
~ ~ ~
Charlotte made her way up the stairs to the function room above the Boathouse.
It was weird to come in here and not see any familiar faces.
She couldn’t remember a time she’d ever come in and not seen Ben here.
He was over at Giuseppe’s with all the guys, and she was here to meet up with all the girls.
She’d spoken to Missy this afternoon who had offered to meet up with her so they could come over together, but Charlotte had wanted to come by herself.
She didn’t need anyone to hold her hand.
It seemed important that she should establish herself here in her own right.