an un-expected reunion -Ava & Gray-

[izzy.leona.gray&alexx]

Since arriving back in Ocean Springs, it has been very horrible for Gray Johnson. His mother was in a comma and he had like no one to hangout with. It had all changed between him and Izzy. Who now had a girl friend and spent most of her time with her. His sister stayed at friend’s houses because he explained to the friends parents what had happened and he needed a break. He loved kids though! He had always wanted to be a dad. But he knew it would never happen, since he had really ever done it with one girl, ok that was a lie two girls. One of the girls was named Ava May Mendez. She still lived in Ocean Springs still and he wondered if he would ever run into her in the next couple of weeks. He sighed. He still remembered the two reason of there break up, he had cheated on her with the most popular girl in the school and that he was moving to Las Vegas or was it Las Angeles. He had no idea and couldn’t remember.

You now found Gray in a pair of shorts and a tank top going on a morning run. Today he attended to go to the park; he would run there and just look around there. Then he may just have a break there like he loved to sit there and watch people go around. He was going at a great pace at the moment and the weather was great. The sun hit him and then it seemed to boost up his energy. This summer weather seemed to do that for him. Gray had his ipod ear pieces in and was listening to the song coconut juice by tyga as he came to the parks entrance. He slowed down as he got close to the lake and he stopped. He did a few stretches and then sat down on the bench. He flicked threw his songs. He looked up every once and a while. He messed up his hair with his hand and then pulled out his phone. He had gotten a text from his best friend Izzy. He replied and then put away his phone.

He first checked the time though. He had no idea why though. There was no point since he had no where to be and nothing to do. He as still looking for a place to work. But were would he work? He had been threw so many interviews, it was crazy. He shut his eyes for a few minuets and then opened them. He wanted to lie down. So Gray stood up and went over to the grassy hill and laid down. He put his arm over his eyes. So you could mistake him for a new boy or someone you thought you knew. Which may have happened if he hadn’t fallen asleep. He must have been asleep for a few hours or so. He woke up and propped himself on his elbows. He looked aroud. The park seemed to be very full now.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

It had been a long year for Ava Mendez and she just needed to find a place in this town where she could relax and gather her thoughts. A place where no babies cried, and no dogs barked. Yeah right, no such place existed. Wherever she went, she'd have to bring her newborn daughter and her puppy, since she felt bad about making her dog stay at home all day, especially since it was hot out and she couldn't afford any air conditioning. In the old days, she could have gone to such a place, but everything was different now. About a year ago, she broke up with the love of her life. To make matters worse, she gave birth to his daughter and he didn't even know it. Could you really blame Ava for not telling him, though? I mean think about it; he cheated on her, he moved away. Ava didn't even know where he lived or what his new number was, so she had no way to contact him. Plus, she never wanted to see him again, anyway...since he did cheat on her with some skanky cheerleader from High School.

Ava arrived at the park with her sister, Mia. Mia understood the stress Ava was in, so she offered to come and watch the baby and dog for her while she de-stressed on her own. Ava was tired from walking all this way, so she began her search for a bench. She had never seen the park so full before. Everywhere she looked, people ran about, and the noise level was telling her that coming to the park wasn't the best idea. In her head she had pictured a nice, serene park where she could think. What she got was the opposite. As her eyes wandered the premises, she spotted an empty opening on a long bench right across the way. The only problem was, that some guy was sleeping there. Oh well, she was tired and decided to quietly take a seat by him.

Once she was on the bench, she closed her eyes and began picturing herself sitting on a quiet lakeside, reading a book about how wonderful a guy can be if he just made some effort. That was another problem with her ex, Gray...he only put forth some effort into the relationship in it's beginning stages. Once the two of them knew everything about the other, he stopped trying and just let it ride itself out. Apparently, when they finally did exchange "v-cards", he was satisfied with her and moved onto someone else. Someone taller, prettier, dumber...a promiscuous slut. The was really the last straw for her. She ended it, just like that. No questions asked. She knew he was guilty, because well...she walked in on them! Yeah, you can't blame her now, can you?

The sun beamed down on her face, and she could feel her skin burning, That will hurt in the morning, she thought to herself. She looked over at the boy sitting next to her. Something about him looked familiar, but then again, Ocean Springs wasn't a big town so she probably saw him somewhere before. It was hard to tell though, since his arms were covering his face. Every time she saw a boy now, her thoughts became consumed in thoughts of Gray. Like most girls after a break-up, she played the whole thing over and over again in her head, looking for clues or reasons that would drive Gray into another girl's arms.

[izzy.leona.gray&alexx]

The weather was so great, then just to ruin it all. A volley ball hit him in the back of the head. He looked around and saw four little kids coming over. He put his ipod on pause and grabbed the ball from behind him. One little boy came up and asked him for the ball. He handed it over and the little boy thanked him. He smiled at the boy and then sat up fully and crossed his legs. While his eyes scanned the area, they stopped abruptly on the same bench he was at a while ago. But what go his attention. Then the girl turned around slightly. He spotted the young face of Ava May Mendez. He gasped and he felt his heart beating inside his chest. It felt like his heart was hitting his rib cage and it was about to burst. Now after, maybe three or four years he saw the face of his ex girlfriend.

If it were possible he wanted to take back what he did with that girl who he had no idea what her name was. They just met at a bar and were drunk. Drunken people do stupid things. But the thing was Ava walked in on them while they were doing it. He shut his eyes and fell backwards. Little did he know, but she spotted him. He sat up again and he looked eyes with hers and then her eyes moved away from his. He was more grown up looking and must look more muscular then his old wimpy self. He stood up; he knew what he had to do. He walked up over to were the bench was.

But since she was looking the other way, he said Ava, look im sorry what I did those many years ago. then he realized, he was glad to be back. But something told him, he must have come back for her. He was the one who asked to move back to Ocean Springs. He shoved his hands in his pockets and put his ipod away.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

Just as Ava examined the boy, he looked back at her and she immediately felt week at the knees. She realized that the reason this boy reminded her of Gray, was because it was Gray! Oh my gosh, I have to get out of here!, was her first reaction to the situation, but then she began to calm down...Okay, well I can handle this. Maybe he won't come over here, maybe he's learned his lesson and knows to stay back, she thought to herself. The thought of this eased her mind, but only momentarily. She closed her eyes and tried to picture herself at that serene lakeside, reading a book, again...but it was no use. For as soon as she opened her eyes, he was on his way over. Inside she started to panic and she seriously thought about up and running, but she knew this confrontation was a long time coming. She could have waited longer, though.

Before he could say a word, she gave him a grim stare, one that would have told him to stay back if he had any brains at all...one that told him to turn back before it was too late. Guess what? It became too late. The first words out of his mouth were a pathetic apology, in her eyes, "Look Gray, let me make this easy for the both of us. If you are looking for forgiveness you are searching in the wrong direction."[/i], she coldly stated with a smug look on her face. Man, she wanted to say that for a while. Of course, she had other lines in mind, but those were just the ones that were natural to her.

Before he could have a chance to comprehend this, she stood up and began walking away. But where could she go? If her sister saw her with her ex, she might mention the whole 'his daughter' thing, so the thought of running, soon subsided and she returned to the bench with a sigh. She was so angry, at both herself and him. She was mad at him for everything he did, and mad at herself for choosing to come to the park at this time of the day. Her instinct told her to stay at home, but fate (yes, she blamed everything on fate) had other plans, and so she ended up here.

While she waited for something else to come out of his sorry mouth, she examined him a little closer. He had definitely lost his 'wimpy look', and replaced it with a muscular, tone guy. If she wasn't so upset with them, she might have admitted that she thought he looked really hot. Then she thought about herself. She didn't look as good as she did when they were dating, mostly because of all the baby weight, that she hoped was covered up enough with the jacket she had on that he wouldn't notice. If he knew she had been pregnant, much less a mother, he'd probably be able to put two and two together.

[izzy.leona.gray&alexx]

Gray deserved what was coming. He knew that she must be freaking out at first when she turned around, he could see it in her eyes and on her face. Then she seemed to cover it and puck up the courage to snap at him. He stood there and tilted his head to one side. He sighed and blinked a couple times. His eyes caught site of something? Was she recently or already pregnant? He spotted the little fat area when she stood up and started to walk off. He was so confused and he wandered if he should say something. He was going to try one more time with talking.

He said “Look, Eva. If I could take back cheating on you with that Skank, I would. Seriously.” he bit his lower lip and wasn’t expecting her to stop and turn around. He looked at her with some surprise. He sighed a little and said “I haven’t dated a girl like you before. That girl treated me like shit. She used me. Then just before we moved she dumped me, well actually she cheated on her boyfriends and had many of them as well.” he stepped a couple more steps away from the bench towards her direction. He had a serious face on and he thought for a moment.

Then he shouted “I came back to Ocean springs to say sorry to you and you’re the reason why I came back.” and then he looked down at his feet, he felt so vaularble. He sighed and shut his eyes. He added “If you don’t want to talk to me then its fine. I can just not talk to you once again.” when he looked up he saw Avas sister. He smiled and waved to her. He wondered how the girl had been. Then he spotted a little girl. He froze. The girl had a slightly familiar look. It looked sort of like him mixed with Ava. What was going on? He was not sure if that was his child. He looked from Ava to the sister and little kid.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

A part of Ava wanted to believe that Gray was honestly sorry, but it's nothing she didn't hear before. How can you really ever trust someone who you once loved when they cheated on you? So some parts of her wanted to up and forgive him, but the stronger part of her knew that if she did, there could very well be another 'skank' with him someday. That part usually won. Ava felt as if she was at a very uneasy place in her life. She was a new, single mother and now the father of her baby was trying to come back into her life. It was also especially hard for Ava to stay mad at someone, much less be mean to them. Ask anyone, Ava wasn't a mean person. If anything, she was too nice,"Although I appreciate you calling her a skank, I don't think I could ever trust you again."[/i], she began with a small tear blurring her vision. Try as she might, Ava could not feel any sympathy for him, "Oh so she used you kinda like you just used me after a while?. I was just like a security blanket to you, protecting you from the awful singles world..."[/i], she replied with a hiss.

As soon as he threw her the line about only coming back to Ocean Springs for her, she just rolled her eyes, " As much as I'd like to believe that, I highly doubt you'd come back just for me. I myself just moved back, so don't try to play me like that. And even if you are being truthful for the first time in your life, I don't care. I've moved on..--"[/i], before she could finish her sister walked over with her daughter, "Hey my friends over there, so take your kid --"[/i], she said before Ava cut her off, " Kirsten, your such a--a kidder!"[/i], she replied in attempt to cover it up, widely opening her eyes to her sister to tell her to shut the heck up! Kirsten rolled her eyes and ran off, placing Anabella into her mothers lap.

Ava made a nervous face for a minute, before cradling her daughter in her arms. She tried to hide her from Gray, because she very well knew that Anabella displayed many of his features, and like I said, he could put two and two together, and then she'd be screwed.

[izzy.leona.gray&alexx]

He rolled his eyes sort of and then bit his lower lip. If she didn’t trust him, then why sas she still standing there. He threw out another try Fine you don’t believe me why I came back. Ask my mom or dad. and then he added Oh wait, she is in a comma and we have no idea were he is.! So wont that be a little hard Don’t you remember me telling you on my seventh birthday he walked out on me and my mom when she was preggo with my two little sisters. he sort of looked at the sister and her at the same time in a minuet and raised his eyebrows. His brain was at work while he stood there. He tried to put the pieces together.

Then it hit him, it hit him hard. For some odd reason, Gray found it hard to stay stable on his feet. He had pieced the two facts together. The kid was his. He blinked and looked at her. He stammered I-is t-t-that m-my d-d-daughter? T-tell m-me the t-truth.” if it were his kid he wouldn’t run away and go with another girl. He would want to help with raising the little girl. He looked at her with soft eyes, the eyes he used to use with her. It was not his old self, he knew that. He was more capable of taking care of little kids, cause look at him he was taking care of little kids single handed with out a mother or father. He wished he could tell her all of this.

He wouldn’t try to walk now. But now he was sort of mad at Ava, why had she kept this from him all these years. He put his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. He bit his lower lip really hard this time. He tasted the blood in his mouth. Which made his nose wrinkled up. He said Why did you never tell me this? I would have been there for you and her. I would have left the skank to come for you again. I didn’t use you. I…I…loved you more. he didn’t bother looking up. He had given up ages ago to get her back and trust him. It would never be that agian.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

Try as she might, Ava could not bring herself to look up at Gray, so she just focused her eyes on her daughter. This situation had quickly became very complicated. She only half listened to him when he said the whole deal about him not liking that she didn't believe him, and then somehow he involved his parents, " I never said a word about your parents, so you make absolutely no sense right now.", she responded, with distrust in her voice. She really wanted to run right now, and she was seriously considering it. She did not feel prepared for this confrontation, so she was weak. Ava also knew that she wouldn't be able to lie in front of her daughter, so this Gray and her argument needed to stop. Although she was only barely listening to him, she did catch the part about his mother and she began feeling some sympathy for him in the first time in a while. Uh oh, what did this mean? Why was she still standing there? Why was some part of her keeping her in front of him? As much as she'd like to change it, she knew she still loved him. Crazy...right?

Even though Ava had tried to hide the baby's face from Gray, she noticed him staring at her. The jig was up, she could see it in his eyes. He had put the puzzle together and now the question was whether or not she should deny it. She had to think the consequences of each situation out, before she could make up her mind. So indecisive. On one hand, if she denied it, he would be out of her life and things would stay the way they were, but she'd also have to live with the guilt of keeping her daughter from her father for the rest of her life. And let's face it, when Anabella was older, she'd wonder about her father, and Ava knew her dirty laundry would be found, and her daughter would hate her and go searching for Gray. Ava wasn't liking that scenario as much as she should have. OK so the other scenario would be that she'd come clean, they'd have an argument over how wrong it was for her to not tell Gray...yada yada...happily ever after....or they'd get back together, he'd get overwhelmed and walk out again, just like his father did when he was seven. Neither scenario was pleasant, really.

After thinking this over, her eyes finally focused on Gray, but they were still blurry from the tears, "Before I tell you the truth, Gray, you have to understand some things. You have to understand how devastated I was the day I walked in on you and the skank, and you have to realize how you don't deserve my trust, ever again. At the same time, you have to realize that if she is your daughter, you'd be liable for child support and just because she may be yours, it doesn't mean I'd automatically get back together with you. Gray, you hurt me in places that I didn't even know I had, and nothing you could ever say or do could ever completely heal those spots!"[/i], she explained, strength growing in her voice with each sentence. She couldn't show much vulnerability, even though he looked so vulnerable that a feather could send him crashing to the ground. Her eyes made their way back down to her daughter, and all she could think about was how mad she was at her sister, and how sorry she felt for this baby. In the long run, she couldn't keep this secret from her child, so although denying it would solve the problem in the present, a lie just leads to more lies and they lead to a dead end. Still, Ava decided to wait a little longer before telling Gray. She wanted to see his reaction to the speech she just gave, first.

Then he said it, 'I loved you more'...." You know saying I loved you MORE, tells me that you loved the skank too. Or else there would be no 'I loved you MORE' at the end of that sentence, there would just be an I love YOU."[/i], she remarked with a tear. After realizing that and saying it to him, she looked away and then she walked away.

[izzy.leona.gray&alexx]

Gray glanced up from were he sat. He saw her starting to walk off. He sprang up and jogged over to her. He said Let me prove to you that I love you. Also let me prove that im more responceble and ill stay with you. I promiss. Gray said and then stayed a few feet back. He noticed her slow down. He sighed and relized how much he had screwed up now. Would he ever get to see or even hold his daughter? It dawned on him he might NEVER. He was nearly to the edge of his patience. He wanted to be sweet and what not. But it was starting to get old. He bit his lower lip and bad it bleed agian. He said Tell me the truth though. Is this really my daughter? Ill do anything to make it up to you. he stepped forward a little. He looked at the baby girls face.

He knew that she must be very confussed and not understand what in the world was going on. What would Ava tell her when she was old enough to talk? That her father had walked out on them or that he was going to away for ages. It started to bug him now. He looked back at the mother, Ava. He sighed and then shoved his hands in his pockets, he didnt want to speak. He was begging to look vaunlerable. He covered it up very quickly though. He gritted his teeth. He then looked at the sky and shut his eyes. What in the world would he do now. He then remembered something she had said about his last comment. He said I do still love. I was saying I more then anything in the world. Plus I would love to have a daughter. I have always wanted one. he looked at her agian.

[ooc-sorry its short. i dont have a lot of muse on this thread.]

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

Ooc- Before I reply, I PMed you Izzy!

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

When Gray started to talk, Ava paused for a moment to listen. Prove to her that he loved her, how could he do that? She was at such a confusing place and she wished somebody would just show up and point her in the right direction, I don't know what I have left to say to you Gray...what do you expect? How can you prove to me that you really love me? Are you sure your not just saying that because you think your the father of this baby?" she asked, tears streaming down her soft cheeks. Inside, she wondered why she was crying. She didn't care about him anymore, right? That's how it should have been, but reality or fate or a mixture of the both, were having fun playing with her heart. She just couldn't deny that she loved him anymore. When she first walked in on him, she had convinced herself she was over him, but now that she was a mother and Anabella's father was standing right there, she just crumbled and could no longer lie to herself, "Gray, I--I can't deny that I do love you, even though you put me through so much turmoil. I don't even know why I still care, because you deserve even a second of my thoughts, but truth is...", this was harder to say than Ava thought, so she had to pause for a moment and after taking a deep breath, she continued, "Truth is, I still care about you and it's not just because you are Anabella's father. It's because I've known you for years and you were my first everything. You just never forget your firsts, especially when you wind up a single mother. Gray, this baby is yours, and her name is Anabella Rose.", she finished with a fountain of tears.

She rocked Anabella in her arms and wondered if she should ask Gray if he wanted to hold his daughter or not, "Do you want to hold your daughter?", she ever so meakly asked. Man, right now she was every emotion imagineable....she was mad at herself for forgiving him so "soon", yet happy and relieved he still cared and wanted to be a part of their lives again. She was also sad to have admitted that he was Anabella's father, but at the same time shocked that he felt ready to take on the responsibility. And the list continues.

[izzy.leona.gray&alexx]

Gray was stung by her last few comments. Then he spotted her crying. His face softened and he walked forward. His heart beat fast and fluttered when the truth came out. IT WAS HIS DAUGHTER. Gray said softly You were everything to me. he looked at the face of the one girl that he had known many years ago and missed for the many years that he had been gone. It was very true for what had said before, he had come back for her. IT was the truth. Now he had a real reason to stay forever. His Ava and his daughter Anabella Rose. When she offered to let him hold her, he smiled and then nodded. He said I would love to hold our daughter. he stepped forward and took the daughter out of Avas arms.

He was very gentle and looked down at her face. He must of looked like a true father. With his daughter in his arms, bouncing her gently and the baby laughing. He had a question burning to be asked. Gray couldnt resist. He then asked So, to be a true father. Wanna go out with me? he smiled at her and then Anabella. He made a face at her and then she cracked up. He chuckled and then looked back at Ava. He said I promiss not to ditch you for another girl. I have a baby to take care of and a very special girl in my life still. he winked at her. But he knew he would still have Molly and Yale as close friends. But nothing would happen between either of them. He said I thik she likes me... when she seemed to fall asleep in his arms.

GRay looked up at Ava. He wished her was there for Ava at the night when Anabella was born. BUt he must have been gone then. He sighed and then remember. He asked Have you met my two lil sisters. They are in the fifthgrade. Here you can meet them some time. I have to take care of them until my mom wakes from her comma.. he smiled.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

It was such a touching moment for Ava. Gray was finally holding their daughter, and the truth was finally out. Now Ava would never have to ask herself the questions of what she would have to tell Anabella about her father someday, because he was back and hopefully he wasn't going anywhere. Before Ava could allow the happy family reunion to continue, she felt the urge to warn Gray about one thing, "Before we live happily ever after, let me warn you that if you ever leave again, I won't be so forgiving. As it is, forgiveness is very new to me.", she explained. Once that was said, Ava felt ready for her long-awaited happily ever after, " Of course I'll go out with you. How could I deny the father of my--I mean our daughter, a date with her mother?", she teased with a growing smile. At that moment, she wanted Gray to put Anabella down in her stroller, so she could jump into his arms. She hadn't realized how much she had missed his touch. Since he was still holding Anabella, she compromised by kissing him on the cheek. He smelled so good, it gave her chills. So this is what true love felt like.

She smiled when Gray mentioned his sisters, No, I don't recall meeting them, but I know how much they mean to you. On our first date, they were practically all you talked about. But you know what, that discussion made me like you so much more. That conversation was solid grounds for a promising future making a family with you.", she admitted, blushing a rosy red color at the acceptance.

[izzy.leona.gray&alexx]

Gray looked down at the baby. He felt his heart beating a little. He smiled his charming smile which always got her. He knew that. Then she gave him the warning. He nodded his head and then said Alright. I will always keep that in mind. he shrugged a little. He looked at the stroller. He placed her gently in it. Then he looked up and Ava. She looked like she wanted his touch. When she replied yes to going out with him. He smiled wider the before. He was so over joyed. To tell the truth, he missed her smell and touch. Her lips and many other things. He was kissed on the cheek. Then he said softly You missed love. then he brough her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. He pulled back and then he looked at her. He replied Yea. You free tonight or tomorrow night for a date? he was excited for the date.

He would be all dressed up. Just for the love of his life. Gray ran a hand threw her hair and moved a lose piece of hair behind her ear. He clearly remember the first date clearly. He smiled and said Well back then they were nealy a year old or soo. They are lil twins. They like little kids. he shrugged and wrapped his arms around her waiste. Gray looked up at the sky as a gust of wind brushed by them, he looked down at Anabella. With one hand he grabbed her hand and held it. He asked Remember I used to be a whimp? Now look I can pick you up. he picked her up and help her in his arms, just how he held her in his arms. Something they had done soo many times years ago. He laughed. Something he hadnt done in ages.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

Gray's touch made Ava nearly melt into puddy in his arms. It was strange how much she hadn't realized how much she had longed for his touch. Even in the years where she had convinced herself she was over him, his touch had crossed her mind from time to time. This was because he had the softest touch, she lingered as he kissed her. Once he pulled away, a smile formed across her lips and a single tear of relief mixed with joy, overwhelmed her cheek. When he asked her out on a date she giggled, "If it wasn't for our daughter needing a nap, I'd be ready right now.", she teased, before setting Anabella down in her stroller. She looked down at her baby, and then looked over at Gray, "Why don't you come home with us tonight?", she offered, hoping she wasn't pressuring him into moving too fast.

Gray kept talking about his sisters, "Well I can't wait to see the twins again. It sure has been a while, who knew we were so good at keeping grudges? Haha.", she responded as she took a seat back down on the bench. It had only been a few weeks since Anabella was born, so Ava was still easily exhausted, and was still carrying her baby weight, which continually made her ankles swell, "Let me tell you how lucky you are to be a guy. Being pregnant is not fun and the weight you get stuck with after giving birth, is so unfair.", she explained, being in envy of his masculinity. Being off the ground was a new experience for her and she giggled as he spun her around, "You sure grew into your muscles, that's for sure. ", she replied with a flirty grin.