Chance At Forever

"What could possibly make this day worse?" Ravyn's words were spoken into the dull countertop.

"Don't ask," came the reply. "I don't want to know."

Ravyn propped her chin in her hands and glared at the empty dining room. "You know, we've had all of three customers today. And one of them didn't even like our food! Ellie-"

"I know. Maybe it's just one of those days." The middle-aged waitress who spoke these words appeared from the back room. "People are crabby, the weather is simply filthy, and - I wish I could get this machine to work."

"An empty café with one espresso machine that's under maintenance. That sounds inspiring. You'd think after two years of doing this, I'd be better at it." Ravyn reached absentmindedly for the bowl of jellybeans she knew was beside her register and popped several of the candies in her mouth.

"I think one of the water lines is broken," Ellie announced, her head tipped awkwardly under the machine. "I might be able to tape it."

Movement drew Ravyn's attention to the window. A broad-shouldered officer crossed the street with an aura of confidence surrounding him. Familiarity lined his features, bringing a hiss to her lips. "Gabriel Connor Ross. That's what could get worse. What's he doing-"

"What?" Ellie glanced up. "Did you say something?"

Ravyn slid from her chair, her gaze darting around the room. "Ellie, if he comes in here - oh, help, he's coming here. Get rid of him. "

"Wait, did you say-"

She ducked through the back door. "Just get rid of him."

Gabe inhaled the welcoming aroma of freshly baked muffins as he stepped into the small café.

"Just get rid of him," a feminine voice ordered. A door closed behind the demanding figure.

Another woman greeted him at the counter with a hesitant smile. "Good afternoon, officer. What can I get for you?"

"Did I hear someone wanting to get rid of me?" He found himself grinning at the thought.

"I - I don't think you were meant to - uh - hear that, she stammered, glancing over her shoulder at the closed door. "I don't know - she's - in a mood today."

"Not unusual for a woman," he muttered, still grinning.

"Unusual for Ravyn, it is," the woman replied with a shake of her head. Her voice lowered. "Business has been bad lately. She's stressed out and going through jellybeans like crazy."

"Ravyn?" His throat closed on him. He coughed. "Ravyn Windlow?"

The woman's eyes widened. "Yes. How did you know? Did she do something-"

"No, not at all." So Ravyn had opened a café. How Ravyn-like. He swallowed hard. "I do need to speak with her though." He pushed behind the counter and headed straight for the door she'd disappeared through.

"Oh, I - I mean, customers aren't supposed to - but I guess you're-" Her protests trailed off weakly.

Ravyn spun in her chair as he opened the door, her scowl stopping him in the doorway. That suited him fine, as long as he could see her. There was an icy stare in her emerald eyes, one he wished wasn't aimed at him. Her inky black hair had been pulled into a secure bun at the base of her neck. A light floral blouse hung loosely from her shoulders, accenting dark fitted pants.

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned into the door frame. "Get rid of me, Rae? Really?"

She stiffened at the nickname, spun back to her desk. Pretended to focus on the papers scattered over it. Her boots tapped the hardwood floor incessantly.

"I know you well enough to know that you've got a handful of jellybeans down there," he pointed out. As if to prove him right, one hit the floor.

She sighed. "Why are you here?"

"Why? I wanted coffee, to be honest. Finding you was a bonus."

"Don't flirt with me," she reprimanded dryly.

He nodded, glancing down at his boots. "I - uh - I'm glad you're still around. I thought you might've, you know, found that happy ever after and moved away. I-"

"Gabe-" She lifted a hand to silence him.

He inhaled sharply, memorizing the sound of his name on her lips - as if he hadn't done it already.

"Don't bring up the past. I've put it behind me."

The blade that had lodged itself into his chest five years before thrust deeper. He winced. "Then why'd you tell her to get rid of me? Why're you in here eating jellybeans?"

She ignored his questions and popped another candy between her teeth. Her boots tapped faster.

"You've really put it behind you? You're happy? Because you don't look like it."

"How would you-"

"Have you found someone?"

Her chair swivelled with her. That stunning green gaze bore through him, but he recognized the same pain that had filled them only years before.

"Why are you interrogating me like this? Why did you come back? Why, Gabe? Clearly you have the life that you wanted. Can't you let me have mine?" She shoved to her feet and crossed to the singular window in the room. Her hands gripped the window ledge, scattering jellybeans recklessly.

"This isn't the life you wanted." He stuffed his thumbs throught his belt loops. "You wanted a little house for your own. You wanted a dog. A small garden. Four kids."

"Stop, Gabe! Please," she begged. Her nails bit into the wood.

He moved closer to her. "Maybe I'm here because the best half of my life is something I gave up five years ago."

"I fixed it! I fixed it! Temporarily, of course." The stammering waitress bounded into the room excitedly. "Oh - I'm sorry. I forgot - I'm so sorry."

"No, its alright, Ellie." Ravyn pushed away from the windowsill with obvious relief. "It wasn't important anyway. I really should do some more cleanup in the dining room. It's almost closing time, isn't it-"

Give us another minute, please," Gabe interrupted, nodding at Ellie dismissively.

A blush stained her cheeks and she ducked back out of the room. Ravyn attempted to brush past him, but he touched her arm, gently.

"Gabe-"

"One dinner."

"What?!"

"One dinner. You and me."

Her eyes widened. "Are you asking me on a date?"

"I'm asking you for a chance."

A shaky laughed burst from her throat. "I already gave you a chance. What we had - that was happy ever after. But I guess I was just a stupid tenth grader, because you went and broke that."

"I can explain-"

"Explain why you left me without a reason, left town without a word, and now come riding back in claiming you still want me? Please. Enlighten me."

He swallowed again. "It's a long story."

"Well, I'm sorry but I don't have time for a long story."

"Tomorrow night, then?"

She glowered. "I'm-"

"Or if you'd rather, I could arrest you for not complying with an officer of the law," he added.

"That's blackmail, and you know it."

He grinned "I also know you're completely free tomorrow night."

She bristled. "How did you know that?"

"Maybe I'll tell you tomorrow."

Her gaze narrowed on him.

"7. At my office. Bring an appetite."

"And you had this whole date planned - without knowing I was here," she challenged.

He shrugged. "I had every intention of finding you. You're why I came back. Vain hope, I know, but-"

"Gabe-"

"Speaking a little too soon? It's an old habit of mine."

She shook her head with disbelief. "Your office? Where's that?"

"Oh." He let out a chuckle. "The jail."

'Im not doing this. Am I so stupid as to walk into that room and let him ruin my life again?'

No, he'd done that once. She wasn't going to let him break her heart like he had only days after graduation.

'Get me out of here.'

She spun around, her foot poised over the doorstep.

'Just go home.'

"Ravyn?"

"Gabe!" Another spin, this time to face him.

He frowned. "Didn't want to knock on my door?"

"I - uh - no, I was just looking around."

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk, but he simply opened the door wider and motioned inside.

'This isn't a good idea.'

She hesitated. "This is ridiculous."

"I know. It's not exactly warm out here, and you're standing outside my open door."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

He touched her elbow lightly. "If you don't enjoy yourself, you can leave as soon as you like. I promise."

"I shouldn't even be here." Despite her words, Ravyn found herself stepping through the door.

"Then why are you?"

"Because I've waited too long for answers." She lifted her eyes to meet the warmth in his, wishing he didn't captivate her with a single glance. "I need to know the truth. And I know you can give me that."

"Right before graduation, I spoke to your dad. I asked him for permission to marry you."

"You did?" she whispered.

Gabe leaned his elbows on the table. "He asked me if I thought I deserved you. And when I looked at myself, I saw the mess I was. I knew-"

"I never asked you to be perfect-"

"Let me finish. Please. I wasn't the man I thought I was. And I realized I'd never deserve you. A part of me wondered if I'd ever been good enough for you to love me. Wondered if maybe it wouldn't last when you saw the dark side of me." He glanced down at his now empty plate. "That's why I left. And I hated myself for it."

A tear threatened to drop. She blinked and bit her lips.

He picked at the tablecloth nervously. "So I changed. I started working on myself. I knew I wanted to be able to make a difference, so I joined the police force. I thought maybe it could make me good enough."

A sob caught in her throat. Her fingers ached to draw him closer, to tell him that he'd always been enough, but he continued.

"I did a lot of shaping up. But I wasn't satisfied. Until one day someone showed me that I could either keep living my life as a failure, or I could see myself as a work in progress. I still don't deserve you." He shook his head. "Goodness, I never will. But I'm finally a man who will try to deserve you."

Wetness hit her cheeks.

"When I got here, I was terrified that you'd gone and found someone that could love you enough. I didn't really hold much hope that you were still single, anyway. I realized how stupid I was to leave you for five years and still hope you'd be waiting for me."

"And yet here I was, hopelessly alone," she laughed.

A smile tilted his lips. Something familiar flickered in his eyes. "And just as beautiful as ever."

Warmth spread through her neck and crept to her cheeks. She glanced into her lap.

He leaned closer over the table. "Is that still your dream? The house? A dog, a garden, and kids? Because I still want to give that to you."

More tears. She brushed them away to meet his gaze. "You really mean it this time?"

"I meant it all along. Always. Forever." He reached up and thumbed another tear from her cheek. "I should've never let go of you."

"Yes."

His head tipped to one side. "Yes to what?"

"Yes to second chances. Yes to our dreams. Yes to you. Yes to forever. Yes. Everything." The words tumbled out in a rush and suddenly he was pulling her up to meet his embrace. His lips brushed hers with a gentleness that melted her, but then his hands cupped her cheeks to pull her closer. She met his need with equal desire, her hands sliding up his chest and fisting in his suit collar.

He whispered her name between kisses, paired with three words.

"I love you, Rae."

She kissed him harder.

"I love you, Rae."

She pulled back to search his gaze, twirling a strand of his blond hair around her finger.

"I love you."

A smile crept over her lips.

He trailed kisses down her nose. "I love you. Have I said that already?"

"Might have to repeat yourself."

"I love you, Ravyn Windlow."

She stretched up and touched her lips to his. "I love you too, Gabriel Connor Ross."

"I was wondering when you'd get around to saying that." He grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist.

She laughed.

"You have no idea what that sounds does to me." His fingers intertwined with hers. He started a slow sway on the plank floor. "Thank you. For giving me a second chance at forever."

Another smile played on her lips. "Second chances. I think I can dance to that."