Chapter 31 Avery
Chapter 31: Avery
Wednesday, December 23, 10:00 AM
Gabe had landed in Phoenix, the anticipation driving Avery wild. She waited outside the security area, bouncing between back and forth on her feet, holding a big sign that said, “Indiana Jones.” Her eyes searched the crowd coming towards her, wiling Gabe’s blue eyes to pop out and greet her.
The moment he came into view, she squealed and dropped the poster. They ran to each other, Avery jumping and Gabe catching her legs. Avery held him close, his smell, his strength, enveloping her.
Back at her house, Avery opened the front door and Emmett practically mowed Gabe over.
“Ah! calm down, dude.”
Avery laughed as Emmett furiously licked Gabe’s face. “He might be more excited to see you than I was.” Her hands were on her hips.
Gabe peeled himself away from Emmett. “But not as excited as I was to see you.” He leaned in, grabbed her waist, and pulled her close. They locked eyes.
“Gabe! Come on in!” Mom yelled from inside. “Tell me all about Egypt.”
Avery and Gabe smiled, neither one moving. “Be right in,” Gabe said. Placing his hand on Avery’s cheek, he slowly brought his lips closer, his heart racing. She closed the gap and passionately kissed him, making up for the months they’d been apart.
The three of them caught up as Patricia fussed in the kitchen, cooking brunch and serving orange juice. “So, it sounds like the dig is going well,” Patricia said. “Have you heard anything about if your time there will be extended?”
Avery and Gabe exchanged glances. “Actually, yeah. My professor told me as I was leaving yesterday. The original plan was four months, but we’ve exceed our goals and found key pieces that have caught the eyes of investors. They want to add another few months on.”
Even as Gabe told them the news, it was more like a question. “Of course you have to stay,” Avery said. “They need you.” She nodded, and he smiled, picking up her hand and kissing it.
“I thought you’d say that. Being back in Phoenix made me realize how much I missed it, missed you. But I can’t let my team down. And I’d be lying if I said Egypt wasn’t the coolest thing in the world.” His passion shone through his eyes, and while her heart already panged for the day she’d have to say goodbye again, seeing him happy was worth any pain.
Their reunion was everything she’d hoped for—kisses, hand-holding, and endless laughter. They spent every moment together, from lazy mornings sipping coffee to cozy evenings watching movies. Avery had surprised him with an Indiana Jones whip for Christmas, which had him laughing so hard he nearly cried.
But his gift to her—an antique copy of Pride and Prejudice —left her speechless. She ran her fingers over the delicate pages, beaming up at him.
“Thank you,” she mouthed.
“Thank you,” he mouthed back.
After Christmas, they took short day trips, the mild Phoenix winter allowing for lots of outdoor activities, like hiking with Emmett. During their video chats over the past few months, Avery had hinted that she hoped to meet his parents. Gabe finally took the bait, and his parents made plans to come to town right before New Year’s. Avery had already been serious about Gabe, but this was an important step.
Avery smoothed her dress for the third time as they walked up the steps to the restaurant. Gabe squeezed her hand, his thumb tracing circles on her skin. "You nervous?" he asked, his teasing smile calming her jitters.
"Maybe a little. I hope they like me."
"They’re going to love you," Gabe reassured her, but there was a glimmer of unease in his eyes, too.
When they entered the restaurant, Gabe’s parents were already seated at the table, his mom nervously folding her napkin and his dad checking his watch.
"Mom, Dad." Gabe pulled Avery forward. "This is Avery."
"Hi. It’s so nice to finally meet you." Avery extended her hand, her voice steady despite the butterflies.
"Hello, Avery, I’m Janet." Janet smiled stiffly, an odd contrast to Gabe’s easy-going nature.
Gabe’s father stood, giving a brief handshake, his face serious but polite. “I’m Thomas. Nice to meet you, too.”
The initial awkwardness hung between as they all sat. Gabe leaned close to Avery, his leg brushing against hers under the table. She shot him a quick smile. No matter what happened, at least he was by her side.
“So tell us, Gabe. How is Egypt?”
Gabe took a deep breath. “Where to start? It’s amazing! My professor is very happy with our progress. I’m learning so much.”
Thomas nodded as he took a drink. “That’s great.”
Gabe explained the latest discovery, his passion lighting his eyes up as he talked about the artifacts and his team.
"That’s really impressive," Janet finally said, her voice softer than before. "We always knew you had it in you."
Avery glanced at Gabe, whose passion was fading. His eyes went a little dim and he placidly drank water. Likely, Gabe was searching for some genuine emotion, but his parents not the enthusiastic types.
When his parents were busy talking to each other, Avery leaned in to Gabe and whispered, "Maybe it’s not obvious, but they’re proud of you.”
"Are they?" he muttered back under his breath.
As the meal continued, the conversation shifted. “So,” Janet turned towards Avery, “you are a substitute teacher, right? Is that how you met Gabe?”
Avery set her fork down and nodded. “Yes. Substitute teaching wasn’t on my radar, but I’m glad I decided to do it. Gabe helped me a lot. He’s a natural teacher. The students all love him.”
Gabe squeezed her hand under the table, his foot nudging hers.
“Is that so?” Janet asked.
Gabe shrugged, playing it off. "It’s nothing, really."
But Avery noticed a small spark in Gabe’s eyes. "He’s being modest," she said, smiling at his parents. "Gabe’s amazing at what he does. Teaching and archeology."
Janet gave a small nod, her smile more genuine now. "We always knew he’d do something important."
Thomas chimed in. "You’ve always been driven, Gabe. Since you were a kid. I remember how you’d spend hours with those archeology books, even when we didn’t really understand it. And it makes sense the students love you. You’re highly entertaining. Which as two boring parents, we didn’t understand. We’re proud of you, son."
Avery caught Gabe’s gaze, his expression softening. There it was, the validation he’d been seeking, even if it was a little hidden beneath formality.
As dessert was being served, Janet leaned forward, her eyes darting between Gabe and Avery. "We were thinking," she began, her voice a bit hesitant, "if you’d like, we could fly Avery out to Egypt for Valentine’s Day."
Gabe blinked rapidly. "Really?"
"Yes," Thomas added, his tone matter-of-fact. "You two shouldn’t have to be apart so much. It’s the least we can do."
Avery’s looked at Gabe, the mixture of surprise and gratitude on his face. "That would be amazing," she said, her voice soft.
"Well," Gabe said, turning to his parents, "I didn’t expect that. Thank you."
Janet waved it off. "It’s nothing. It’s obvious how much you love each other."
As they left the restaurant, Gabe wrapped his arm around Avery’s shoulders, pulling her close. "Thank you," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.