Renewed Passion (Completed)

20. Children

The evening rush goes by without a moment of being able to slow, as Kate and I work seamlessly together. Tary laughs on and off as we stop for a brief moment to take a drink of a soft drink we have kept off to the side. Poor Terry didn't want to leave us when it was so busy but I stressed how important it is to go home and get better.

As it gets closer to closing time the Diner has begun to slow. I sit for a moment and Kate slumps into the booth with me.

"Phew." She laughs and I join her. "Sorry for it ruining your evening."

I shrug her off. "This was out of your hands."

"How was things going?"

"Samuel got to meet Erik was what we were doing when Tary called me."

Kate sits up straight. "And?"

"It was going very smooth as they were talking when I got the call then it turned into Erik having Samuel with him. Last I texted to check on them a few minutes ago, they were doing well and playing a video game."

She laughs and takes my hand in hers on the table. "How are you feeling with everything?"

"I am very happy. A little confused but I think things will work themselves out as time passes."

"Things always do." Kate nods. "What about your mom?"

I roll my eyes. "She went back home this morning. A barely stop in to wave bye to Samuel while not even getting out of her car after we arrived back from the bicycle ride."

Kate rolls her eyes. "I am going to step out back before getting back to tables."

"Go have a cigarette and I will check everyone." I laugh and stand from the table.

We get up and time passes by rather quickly. As the evening turns to night, the diner doors open and in walks Samuel, Erik, and Josh. Samuel dashes over with a smile on his face.

"Hi, Sammy. Have fun?" I hug him back as he hugs me.

"Yes and I even gave Erik some ideas with the current video game he is working on."

"Oh really? That sounds exciting." I smile and kiss the top of his head. "Hungry?"

Samuel nods.

"Go pick a booth out and Tary will whip up whatever you want."

"I can go back and stand by the door to ask him to make us all something?"

"Us all?" I smile and he nods. "Go for it."

Samuel takes off and I see as he stands to the side and Tary walks over to him before bending to talk with him.

"He is a wonderful kid." Erik smiles as I walk over.

"That he is." I turn and get new glasses from the shelf. "Diet soda and tea?" Josh and Erik nod. "Pick a booth out."

I fill up their glasses after doing one for Samuel as he tends to enjoy mixing a couple of them together for a new flavor. Then carry them over to the table. "Here you guys go."

"Tary is cooking up food." Samuel informs after taking a drink.

"Here you go too." Kate puts a glass down and then hip bumps me to where I loose balance. Falling very ungracefully into the booth next to Erik.

"Kate, I can't."

"Yes you can as there is barely anyone here and right at closing time. I got clean up while you enjoy dinner." She smirks then takes off. After I realize she swiped my notepad from the tables corner.

"Okay then." I can feel my cheeks blush as I push off of Erik, who never made a move to help me up. "Sorry."

"I'm not." He smirks before leaning closer to me. "Been over a decade since I felt you plastered against me."

My mouth opens and closes then feel as my cheek burn. The warmth that his body created within me makes things spark back I hadn't felt in so very long. There is just something about Erik that ignited things inside me that no toy or Daryl ever could. A part of me only Erik knows of and the look in his eyes tells me he must be thinking it too.

"How was the hunt for finding a place?" I clear my thought and look at Josh.

"Erik and I scored a nice apartment less than a mile from here." Josh smiles. "Speaking of which the furntiure is there and set up too. The place was very eager and with the entire package deals being bought and in the warehouse worked out perfect. Which also means." Josh stops and hands over my house key. "I am moved into the apartment already."

"I can get my things moved from the hotel tonight." Erik nods. "Thanks for getting me a bed."

"Not an issue." Josh shrugs and mumbles under his breath which I notice Erik's leg jerk out and Josh smirk as he waved his finger to Erik. "Missed me."

"Children." I roll my eyes. "What did you order up for us?" I look to Samuel.

"The best."

"You say that about ninety percent of the food here." I narrow my eyes with a smile.

He laughs. "I wanted Erik to try out somethings and then Uncle Josh wouldn't stop about the macaroni salad."

"I fully intend to eat my weight in that food." Josh laughs.

Kate comes out with plates and I see burgers, chili cheese fries, macaroni salad, and the house dressing I make up every couple of days with potato bites.

"Is this?" Erik points to the sauce and I nod. He uses a bit on the potato skin and closes his eyes. "It has been forever since I tasted this."

I laugh and start eating my burger. I listen as they talk about how their evenings were and more on what Samuel brought up with the game Erik is currently working on. The smile doesn't leave my face as I watch them interact while we all eat the food.

The other customers leave and I help the clean up process while Josh bids us all night before leaving out to go to his new home. Erik and Samuel continue talking until Kate bids a bye along with Tary.

"Time to go home." I smile and Samuel yawns.

We all leave the diner and I lock it up. Samuel gets into the car and Erik opens my door for me. "Drive safe."

"You too." I smile and he returns it. "Have fun getting out of the hotel."

His laughter rings quietly around me and I shiver. "Most definitely. Talk to you soon?"

"I would like that." I smile and get in the car with him shutting the door for me.