“I’ll switch you seats, Mr. and Mrs. Erickson.” Owen stood so Ford’s parents could sit next to him.
“Didn’t know if you’d make it,” Ford whispered to his mom who took a seat to his left.
“Are you kidding me?” Mom shook her head. “We wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Ford smiled. He loved that his parents were so committed to their family. Loved that they’d embraced the kids, not that he doubted they would. “Glad you’re here, Mom.”
“Where else would I be?” His mom held out her arms for Callum who leaned forward into her, and Ford let him go.
Ford turned to find Sawyer coming back into their row. He looked over at Ford. From his expression, he wasn’t giving anything away, but he didn’t look happy about something.
“What’s up?” Ford whispered.
“Nothing, babe. It was Nate. He needed some clarification on a document he’s working on.”
The lights started to dim. “Showtime.” Sawyer grinned and held up his camera at the ready.
When the curtains opened, both Ford and Sawyer started to cheer, clapping their hands as loud as they could.
Gavin was the first actor on the stage. When he said his first line, both Ford and Sawyer jumped to their feet. “Bravo!!! That’s our boy!” Sawyer yelled.
Several people laughed, but one woman turned around in her seat. She didn’t look pleased. “Really?”
Ford leaned forward and held her gaze. “Really.”
Ford smirked, and the woman rolled her eyes. He wasn’t bothered by it. Instead, nothing could ruin this for him. They were a family, and Ford would always be proud of the kids… his kids now. Yeah, he was ready for more school plays, cheerleading, ballet, football. Whatever the kids wanted to do, Ford was ready.
32
Sawyer
“And they lived happily ever after.” the narrator said. The kids all took a bow, and the crowd jumped to their feet, Ford among them, clapping and whistling.
Sawyer turned to Ford. “He did an amazing job.” Ford nodded and then wiped his eye. Sawyer nudged him. “Are you crying?”
“What? No!” Ford shook his head, but Sawyer knew those were definitely tears in Ford’s eyes.
“Well, I was definitely crying.” Barbara sniffed.
Everyone turned to her and saw her eyes glistening with tears.
“Me too, Barb, me too.” Sawyer’s words were choked as he spoke.
“And here comes the star now!” Savanna’s voice had them looking around.
Sawyer turned left in time to see Gavin running towards them. Ford held open his arms, and Gavin jumped into them. Ford hugged him tightly.
Sawyer joined in for the hug.
“You did amazing.” Sawyer kissed the top of Gavin’s head.
“Thank you.” Gavin pulled back grinning brightly. “And it worked.”
“What worked?” Ford asked.
Gavin grinned. He covered his mouth. When he lifted it away he was wearing a large grin. “Picturing everyone in their underwear.”
Everyone laughed. Gavin turned to Ford’s parents. “Grandma, Grandpa, you came.” Gavin hugged them, bouncing in their arms.
“I’d say we should go out and celebrate,” Sawyer said. “How does pizza sound?”
“Great!” Gavin said.
Ford looked over to Owen and saw Dean and his daughter Kennedy standing next to him now. He must have snuck in during the play with. “Want to go with us to get pizza?”
Owen glanced over at Dean, and they seemed to communicate without words like he did with Ford more and more. Then Owen smiled at Ford, nodding. “Sure. We’d love to.” They all left the auditorium and headed back to their cars.
They formed a train, driving to the pizza place that was just down the street from the school. Gavin was eagerly talking in the backseat about the play. Apparently, he couldn’t wait until the next one.
Sawyer pulled into the parking lot, and they got out and headed into the restaurant, waiting inside for everyone else to join them. Once they had all arrived, they moved forward to the hostess.
“How many?” she asked.
Sawyer counted them up, then turned to her. “Eleven. And we’ll need a high chair please.”
The waitress grabbed the menus and motioned with her head. “Come with me.”
They followed her to the tables that were pushed together, then took their seats and were each handed a menu each. After they placed their orders for drinks, she left and conversation sparked around the table.
“I’m starved,” Gavin said. “Can I have a small pizza to myself?”
Sawyer laughed. “Okay, I think we can make that happen. And I think Ford has a surprise for you.”
“For me?” Gavin asked with wide eyes as he sat bouncing in his seat, looking to Ford.
“That’s right, buddy.” Ford picked the paper bag that he’d carried in off his lap and passed to Gavin. “Sawyer and I decided that we would give this to you when you made us—”
Gavin’s squeal cut him off as he pulled out the ‘57 Chevy he’d found at the Bel Air Diner.
“Thank you, Ford. Thank you, Sawyer.” Gavin sat talking excited to Archer, showing him the car.
They all looked back at the menus until their waitress returned and then placed their orders. After scribbling it all down on her pad, she took their menus back and left once again. Gavin and Asher were talking in hushed tones and then turned to Ford and Sawyer.
“Can I go with the boys to play video games?” Gavin pointed. “It’s right over there.”
There was a game room at the end of the aisle, but you couldn’t see beyond the entrance. Ford looked at Sawyer and Ford shook his head. Sawyer nodded in agreement. “I’m sorry, bud. The food will be here soon,” he said. “Plus, we can’t even see in there.”
“Please…” he pleaded.
“Come on, Sawyer,” Owen argued. “They’ll be fine. Archer is a good kid.”
Sawyer turned to Owen. “It’s not that I don’t trust the boys,” he said. “But we really don’t feel comfortable with it…” he gesticulated. “You know, because of everything that’s happened.”
“It’s just right there,” Owen pointed out.
“Leave it alone Owen,” Dean said his voice low, but Sawyer heard him.
“I do agree with Sawyer, Owen.” Ford looked like he was trying to gently tell his friend
