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Chapter 12
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2024-10-29 19:42:56It felt like a pivotal moment to be in this situation.
Gale grips his knees anxiously as the car pulled over in front of the house that will be hosting a dinner as a thank you tribute for him.
Ben and Molly didn't utter a single word in the whole ride. They gave Gale the time he needed to control his roaring emotion, and Gale felt thankful for their understanding.
Suddenly, there's a soft knock on the passenger window. Gale jumped a little in his seat and look to the side to find a set of eyes squinting and peering inside the car.
It was Julia.
The car window was too high for her. Gale chuckled while seeing her struggling to stand on her toes. He pushed the button to lowered the window and stick his head out to meet her gaze.
Julia was beaming at him.
"Excuse me, miss, it's not polite to peer into a stranger's car," Gale said in mock seriousness.
Julia raised her hands and covered her mouth while giggling. "I'm sorry, mister. I
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She stands at the entrance of the living room. She was looking at Gale and Alex with an unreadable expression. She flinched after a few seconds and bent down to pick up the phone she dropped."I'm sorry," she said with a tight smile. "The pie is ready.""Ave, come here," the old lady said. Avelyn walked towards her. "Gentleman, my name is Maya Shelley, and this is Avelyn, my daughter. Julia is her daughter."Gale unconsciously exhaled a breath of relief.Avelyn uses her maiden name. Maybe she's divorced from Julia's father or never married at all. Still, he was slightly anxious. For the first time, he dared to look at her. He was studying her face while she wasn't looking at him.She was as beautiful as Gale remember her from yesterday. Her hair was in a low ponytail this time. A few tendrils were loose from the ponytail and dangling on the side of her face. She wears high-waisted khaki trousers with a cream blouse. She looked gorgeous.A nu
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"Julia was born prematurely," Maya said once everyone settled on their chairs.Alex and Julia had insisted on sitting next to Gale, so he sat in the middle between the two kids, and he wasn't about to complain. He likes these kids too much.Avelyn was evidently uncomfortable with it, but she didn't say a word, she silently took a seat across Julia.Trying not to read too much into the situation and decided that it would be alright to engage in the conversation as long as he doesn't seem too eager, Gale chimed in. "I've been wondering how Julia and Alex shared the same birthday.""You know their birthday?" Avelyn asked Gale, the first time she talked to him since he arrived.Gale nodded calmly even though his heart was beating wildly. "Alex told me when we introduced ourselves to each other so I can help them. Julia was very persistent that I can't help as long as I am a stranger.""Uncle Gale's birthday is in November!" Alex said.Gal
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Both Gale and Avelyn snapped their heads towards Alex."Alex!" Denise hissed."It's okay, Dee," Avelyn interjected. "I am a single parent, Doctor.""Please, call me Gale." He said as he tried to suppress his victorious smile at knowing that Avelyn is a single parent.Avelyn made a face to protest, but then she sighed. "I– alright.""I'm sorry if my question makes you uncomfortable.""No, it's fine. It's just– it's been so long since the last time I have to explain this matter to anyone. I hardly have time to make friends, so meeting new people was quite a challenging task for me. I'm sorry if my demeanour was a bit slack and cold. I hope I don't offend you." She said to Gale and then glanced at Molly and Ben with an apologetic smile.Molly and Ben smiled understandingly at Avelyn, but Gale only watched her with a straight face, although deep down he still felt so happy at the prospect that he could have feelings for
Closer To You Chapter 16
When they arrived at the living room, Alex was already seated on the couch. Josh was adjusting the pillow that lay beneath his son's casted leg."Uncle Gale! Sit here next to me!" Alex exclaimed.Gale walked towards Alex and slowly lowered himself to sit next to Alex. Julia had whispered to him and asked him to carry her and let her sit on his lap. Gale was happily obliged.Talking with Julia and Alex was very easy and calming - it made Gale didn't aware of the stares from the other people in that room."You know what, Gale?" Martin suddenly said. Gale glanced towards Martin and raised his brows questioningly. "I think this is the first time I see Julia being very clingy towards male adults aside from me, Josh, and Callum.""Callum?" Gale asked, alerted."Uncle Callum! Mommy's best friend." Julia answered first.Gale forced a smile, suddenly feeling anxious. "And why is that, if I may know?" Gale asked Martin."Julia is n
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Gale exhales slowly to calm his roaring feelings and then begins to tell the rest of the story. He told everyone about his first year of recovery and how Meryl had helped him a great deal. He then told them what he thought when he decided that he wanted something more than friendship with Meryl, which was very uncomfortable as he realized he never thought he was in love with her. Gale only thought about the advantages of dating Meryl, how kind, beautiful, smart, and patient she was. How she made him feel secure and safe. And then he admitted he was scared of losing the one person that shows him endless support, and he thought that if he didn't have any ties with her, she would leave him. Then he finally comes to the reason for the downfall of his relationship with Meryl."At first, everything was fine, happy and well... steady. I love feeling secure. But there was something I didn't tell Meryl." Gale glances at Ben and Molly on the opposite side of the room, and both of them
Closer To You An Interlude: Avelyn Shelley Part 1
She woke up with a start and mumbling curses under her breath at the sound of her sister's voice, shouting her name."Ave! Wake up!!!"Avelyn slowly sat on her bed as she rubbed her sleepy eyes and yawned at the same time.Right, it's Saturday."I'm up! Stop yelling!" Avelyn said as she kept hearing her sister yelling around the house.At the age of twenty-two years old, having a job as a middle school teacher, Avelyn still lives with her parents. What's the point of renting a flat when she could give the money to her parents? Besides, the school where she works was close to her parents' house. And as for her parents, they were more than happy that she decided to stay with them. After Denise married five years ago and moved out to the house a couple of blocks from her parent's house, their parents have been feeling lonely, and Avelyn went to college in Vancouver, they got more lonely. So by the time Avelyn finished college and got a
Closer To You An Interlude: Avelyn Shelley Part 2
It's almost a week since Avelyn met Gabe, and she hasn't been able to stop thinking about him. And she was grumpy. She didn't even get proper sleep because of it. Avelyn decided to bring lunch for Denise at her studio. They were eating when suddenly Denise asked. "This man that Alex didn't stop talking about for two days straight. What's he like?" "Tall," Avelyn answered nonchalantly despite the thumping of her heart at remembering Gabe. "That's it?" "What else do you want me to say?" "I don't know... Did he offend you or something? That's why you prefer not to talk about him and Alex blabbering about this guy," "No, it's just... He mostly talked with your son, so there's really nothing for me to say about him. Alex already said it all." That wasn't a lie. Gabe was indeed talking mostly with Alex. But Avelyn doesn't need to tell Denise of how Gabe's gaze was mostly pointed at her even though he was talking to Alex.
Closer To You An Interlude: Avelyn Shelley Part 3
"You are going back to Toronto tomorrow?" Avelyn said to her phone screen.After the hike to the Wapta Falls, Avelyn has been constantly in contact with Gabe. They also met a couple of times in town, just walking and talking."Yeah, I was hoping to see you tomorrow, but then I got a call from my friend informing me about my professor's schedule change. I was supposed to go back next weekend, but that blasted professor is always changing her schedule unexpectedly." He sighed. "I guess I just have to be content on seeing your face through my phone screen,"Avelyn laughs heartily. "What time is your flight? Is your family going back tomorrow too?""Eight am. My class starts at three pm. No, they're staying for another week. I envy them,""Can you go out tonight?" Avelyn asked, then she bites her lower lip nervously."Avelyn... I was about to ask the same question." Gabe replied softly."Let's meet outside,""Yeah? Where?"
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"Ava, where should I put these?" Gale asked from the back porch while lifting small chairs. He was busy helping decorate the backyard for Julia's and Alex's birthday party."Near Julia's tree. Set them so they are facing the house. Thank you, Gale," Ava exclaimed from the kitchen window. She was making a cake with Maya."Got it. You don't have to say thank you every time I do something, though," Gale shook his head while smiling."I feel bad asking you to help us. You could spend your time on other things instead, but here you are…""I'd rather be here and help prepare the party than be anywhere else at this moment. This is going to be my first time celebrating Julia's birthday – I wouldn't miss a thing, even the preparation." Gale grinned at Ava before he walked away with the chairs towards Julia's tree. He then met Alex in the middle of the backyard – walking slowly with a crutch. "Don't push yourself too much today, alright? Save you
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It's been two hours since Gale ended his call, and now he was still looking at every tweet of Hayley's regarding his relationship with Ava that Lisa had captured and sent him. Lisa – Finn's cousin was one of Hayley's closest friends. She was one of a few people Hayley trusted to follow her private account where she ranted about all kinds of stuff. Turns out, his little sister liked to talk a lot about his relationship with Ava. There were even pictures – lots of them. Mostly, Hayley ranted about how frustrating it was knowing about his secret relationship and couldn't speak about it freely. She adored Ava so much. Hayley's friends were so loyal to her. Even after she died, they never revealed what she said on Twitter to anyone. Except for today, Lisa broke her promise today because she believes that was for a good cause. She had lunch with Finn today and accidentally saw him scrolling on i*******m – searching for Ava Shell
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Molly took Julia to wash her hands before bringing her to Dani in the dining room.Once everyone was seated at the table, Ava started retelling what happened five years ago to Molly and Ben. She spoke so quietly so Julia couldn't catch what the adults were saying.Gale was busy with his laptop. But every once in a while, he would look up and see the confused faces of Ben and Molly."Oh, Avelyn… that was you?" Ben said sadly."Yeah, that was me," Ava sighed."Damn the girl that stood me up on Thanksgiving!" Ben said."Ben, language!" Gale chastised as he made a head gesture and signaled with his eyes towards where Julia was."Oops, sorry," Ben said. "But my point still stands. I really hate that girl. I was desperate to have a girlfriend that year. This girl gave me hope and all, but then she stood me up on our first official date! Not only did she break my heart and pride and waste my time, but she was also the cause that
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"Gale, stay for dinner," Maya suggested."I'd love to, Maya. But I really need to return to Ben's place. I received a phone call from the hospital and need to check something on my laptop," Gale expressed his regret. "However, I'd come again tomorrow." He added when he noticed Julia pouting on the sofa.Julia perked up when she heard that. "Promise?""I promise. I'll spend time with you every day, but I have to leave early tonight. We can play again tomorrow, okay? " Gale gave Julia a soft smile."Let me drive you, Gale," Ava offered. "What do you think, Jules? Let's take your dad to Uncle Ben's house. Perhaps Dani is still awake, and you can say hello before we get back home."Julia squealed and jumped. "Yes, yes, yes, yes!"Her enthusiasm was met with laughter from everyone in the room. Ava then excuses herself from the room to get Julia's jacket."Gale, don't hesitate to come every day. You've become a member of our family no
Closer To You Chapter 30
When Ava opened the back door to the backyard, the afternoon summer breeze hit Gale in the face. He looked in awe at the entire setting of the yard.A small flower garden adorns the right side of the yard - stretching all the way from the porch to the fences that separate the yard from the small road.On the left side of the yard, there was a long picnic table that was perfectly placed under the shade.What had him amazed was the amur maple tree that grew right in the middle of the yard. The height was between two to three meters, give or take. The samaras on the tree are bright red and green. Gale has a strange attraction to every maple tree. He was familiar with almost all of them and can tell one from the other.Gale now understands what Alex told him in the woods – why they played in the backyard when they got bored watching cartoons. The backyard was very beautiful and a perfect place for children to play. What he couldn't figure out was
Closer To You Chapter 29
Martin let Ava and Gale into his house by opening the door.Maya stepped out of the other room and stared at the man standing in her foyer with wide eyes.There were no words to describe how Maya felt right now, and the next thing she knew, she was crying while smiling. She took her time making her way to the foyer.Gale had already noticed her and smiled as best he could. His chest was churning with emotions."Gale..." said Maya. Her voice was slightly shaky."Hello, Maya," Gale replied warmly.Maya cupped Gale's cheek with her hand. Her other hand was on his shoulder. With a teary smile, she looked at Gale."I thought I was crazy for thinking that I saw Julia's face in yours when we first met," Maya began."You're not alone. I saw myself in Julia's face the moment I was able to focus on her on the way to the hospital," Gale responded. Tears began to form in his eyes."Is it alright? Are you okay with this new informati
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The drive to Shelley's house began in silence.Ava's body reverberated with a mix of anxiety and excitement. She has been wondering how she would inform Julia of this. What should she say so that Julia understands right away? Julia was still a four-year-old little girl, no matter how smart she was for her age, Ava wasn't sure her daughter would understand the gravity of the situation she was about to face.Gale abruptly spoke as if reading into her whirlwind of thoughts. "Julia is so smart,"Ava cast a sidelong glance at Gale before returning her attention to the road. He had his gaze fixed on the window."She is," Ava said, smiling."She was fearless when I met her in the woods. I'm sure she knew that a rock and a stick wouldn't protect her from a bad person, but she stood her ground and won't let me pass through her. And she was so considerate. She was capable of reading the situation and did everything she could to make it easier for
Closer To You Chapter 27
"Dad?" Ava called Martin who was speaking with one of his employees. Martin paused and turned around to see Ava smiling at him, but then his gaze was drawn to the person standing behind her. Martin's eyes widened in surprise. "Good afternoon, Martin," Gale said. He was just as worried as the old man. "Ave, Gale… hello. Err–" Martin looked at his daughter with trepidation - asking for help with what to say. He couldn't think of anything to say. "We talked, dad. Everything is good now. Gale will meet Julia today," Ava gave a bright smile. Martin unexpectedly burst into tears. Ava quickly cupped her father's cheeks with concern. "What's the matter, Dad?" "I'm sorry," Martin apologized. His voice shatters. "I'm happy– these are happy tears, Ave," he said. Ava's eyes glistened as she looked at Martin. She was sure she'd cry again with her father if she hadn't already. She smiled as she wiped her father's tears. Some
Closer To You Chapter 26
What an irony.Gale wished all sorts of bad things for Julia's father last night. Feeling jealousy crept up in him as the thought of someone having Julia as their daughter – he was willing to do anything to be in that place. Julia was a brilliant little star, just like her mother.Not to mention the resemblance they shared. Gale wasn't blind. He had felt like he was looking at his reflection when he saw Julia's face. Even with softer features and edges, different colouring, and different lip shapes – Julia looks more like him than she was with Ava. And the way Josh, Denise, and Maya looked at him in astonishment was more proof that there was an uncanny resemblance between him and Julia.Gale wasn't aware that he was still holding Ava's hand. Their hands clasped so fit together that it felt so right, it's almost unnoticeable. The slight squeeze and soft thud of Ava's heartbeat against his wrist was the reason that reminds him of their joined han
