My Hometown Love

Chapter 46 – Reunited

Lexie’s P.O.V

“Ladies and Gentleman, Welcome to Jacksonville!”, I said with a flair.

“Yay!”, my adorable group of friends responded.

“I’ll be your tour guide of this week assisted by this amazing man here.”, I said as I pointed to Kevin.

“Oh please. I’m no such thing. Hi! I’m Kevin Walker.”, Kevin said as he shook their hands one by one.

“Kevin the doctor?”, Jimmy asked curiously.

“Yep. That’s me!”, Kevin replied sheepishly.

“We have heard so much about you!”, Lydia shrieked.

“Oh, you have? I didn’t know Lexie talked about me.”, Kevin said coyly as he turned to look at me sarcastically.

“No comment.”, I replied nonchalantly as I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing.

“Anyway, it’s nice to meet you guys. I have heard a lot about you guys too.”, Kevin replied politely.

“All good things hopefully.”, Amy replied.

“That depends, is the story of how you met Jimmy considered good?”, Kevin replied jokingly.

“Lexie Cooper! How could you? You promised you wouldn’t tell that story anymore.”, Jimmy yelled as he started chasing me.

I quickly ran and hid behind Kevin, resulting in curious looks on their faces.

“Well, I guess I should inform you that I’m in a relationship now.”, I reply shyly.

“What?! No way! You finally let your guard down?”, Amy replies.

“Who’s the unlucky guy?”, Jimmy says before bursting out laughing, at his own joke.

“Well, I wouldn’t consider myself unlucky.”, Kevin replied coolly as he hangs his arm around my neck.

“Whhhattt?! Seriously?”, Lydia exclaims excitedly.

“I told you she seemed smitten by the doctor.”, Jimmy said as he playfully pokes Amy.

“Yes, yes. You told us a million times and we told you we agree. A million times.”, Amy replies bluntly.

“What we mean is that we are so happy for the both of you.”, Lydia tells us, ignoring the bickering behind her.

“Thanks, Lydia.”, I reply sweetly.

“Okay! Shall we head out? Unless you plan on spending your whole trip at the airport?”, Kevin says playfully.

“Oh. I like him already.”, Amy says as she drags her bag behind her.

*************

Kevin’s P.O.V.

I watched Lexie point out the window, explaining everything to her friends as I drove along the road. She was so happy to see them again and they seem like amazing people. I for one still get butterflies when she introduces me as her boyfriend, still in awe that it’s true.

“That’s my brother, Jake’s coffee shop.”, she says as she points at the Lava Java.

“Oh. It looks classy! It’s like those trendy cafés back in NYC, but much cooler. We have to visit it one of these days.”, Jimmy says as he pulls out his phone and types in it.

“Definitely. We can visit my parents’ bakery too.”, Lexie said excitedly.

“Your town looks so lovely, Lex. Now I know why you missed it so much.”, Lydia said as she admired the scenery.

“It’s so peaceful. No blaring sounds and no floods of people. I like it.”, Amy said as he rested her head on the headrest and watched the town pass by.

“We’re here.”, I exclaimed as soon as I pulled into the driveway.

“Is this where little toddler Lexie rode her first bike?”, Jimmy said teasingly.

“I can’t wait to dig up some embarrassing childhood stories.”, Amy said as she got out of the car.

Lexie turned to look at me in alarm and all I did was burst out laughing, which apparently didn’t help her feel better at all. I totally deserved the pinch I got after that.

We unloaded the bags and Lexie opened the door, welcoming them inside. Soon, we were all seated inside comfortably with a hot beverage in each of our hands.

“You have a lovely house Mr. & Mrs. Cooper.”, Lydia said as she admired the architecture around her.

“Yes. If I lived here, I would never want to leave the house.”, Jimmy blurted out.

“What he means is, thank you for hosting our stay. We hope we’re not troubling you.”, Amy quickly replies after elbowing Jimmy.

“Oh, nonsense. You all took so good care of my baby, the least I can do is host all of you and share our town with you.”, Mrs. Cooper told them.

“Plus, we have enough room for all of you to have a comfortable stay.”, Mr. Cooper added.

“Okay. You guys must be tired. Let me show you to your rooms.”, Lexie said as she got up.

“Jimmy, you will take the guest room while Lydia and Amy can share my brother’s old room.”, she explained as she climbed the stairs.

They followed her carrying their luggage with them. I watched Lydia struggle with carrying her bag up the staircase.

“Here, let me.”, I said as I carried her bag for her.

“How sweet.”, Lydia said as she patted my arm, before making her way up the stairs.

Before we knew it, the whole house went quiet as everyone went back to their own work.

“Hey.”, Lexie said behind me.

“Hey. How you holding up?”, I asked her as I opened up my arms.

“I’m good. I’m so happy they are finally here.”, she replied as she hugged me.

“Good. You sure you can manage them by yourself tomorrow?”, I asked her.

“Yup. You go save lives, superman. We’ll be fine.”, she replies as she looked up at me.

“Okay. Do I have to go now? Can’t I stay?”, I ask reluctantly.

“Yes, you have to go. Or else, I might kidnap you and keep you here forever.”, she replied as she pulled away.

“Hurmm…. Interesting. Tell me more.”, I replied cheekily.

“Go!”, she yelled as she pushed me towards the door.

I had just opened the door and stepped outside when I felt a tug on my sleeve. I turn around to find Lexie’s face an inch away from mine.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”, she asks coyly.

I lift my chin with my fingers and kiss her softly before pulling apart reluctantly.

“See you tomorrow night, babe.”, I say as I slowly back away from the door and get into my car.

*************

Lexie’s P.O.V

“Ready for today’s activity?”, I asked my friends as they finish up breakfast.

“Aye, aye Captain!”, Jimmy says with a little salute before putting his plate in the dishwasher.

“So, what are we going to be doing today?”, Lydia asks.

“Remember my blog post from a few weeks ago? The one about Historical Jacksonville and the vineyards??”, I ask them.

“Yeah. The old town landscape and the winery, right?”, Amy adds.

“See, I told you Amy was hooked.”, Jimmy says comically as he points to Amy.

“Yes, Amy. That one. Today, you all will be experiencing it yourself.”, I explain.

“Awesome! Let’s go!”, Amy exclaims enthusiastically.

“Who are you and what have you done with our broody moody Amy Shazner?”, Jimmy asks accusingly to Amy.

*************

A few fun and eventful hours later, we all pile back into the car in exhaustion.

“Wow. I learned so much today.”, Lydia says before gulping down a whole bottle of water.

“Yeah. Who knew how hard it was to make wine? All we do is pull it off the shelf, pour it in a glass, and enjoy its intoxicating taste.”, Amy added.

“It’s true. I felt like I was in a totally different country. Being born and bred in New York has deprived me of the fresh country life.”, Jimmy says as he takes pictures of the farm outside.

“Well, I’m glad you all loved it. Now, let’s go grab lunch at my favorite café.”, I say as I drive towards the new town.

Several minutes later, I pull up in front of the Lava Java as we all scramble out of the car and into the café.

“Hi, there! Welcome, welcome!”, Jake says as he walks out from behind the counter.

“Guys, this is the proud owner of the Lava Java and my annoying older brother, Jacob.”, I say sarcastically as I introduce Jake.

“Call me Jake, please. I would love to know how you tolerated my baby sister all these years.”, Jake replies as he pokes fun at me.

“Well, it was hard at first.”, Jimmy starts saying.

“Hey!”, I yell before punching his arm.

“You see what I mean?”, Jimmy says as he points at me and then at his arm.

We all start laughing as Jake seats us down at a corner booth. We quickly flip through the menu and before we knew it, we had an array of delicious food in front of us.

“This is delicious!”, Lydia says as she enjoys her sandwich.

“I know right?! This fish and chips are heavenly and for half the price we pay back home for a lousy version of this.”, Amy says as she stuffs her mouth with fries.

“Jimmy? You enjoying your food?”, I curiously ask the unusually quiet Jimmy.

“Can’t. Talk. Eating.”, he replies before swallowing his food and biting into his burger again.

“I’ll take that as a Yes.”, I replied with a smile as I drank my iced tea.

“Hey guys, I have a favor to ask. I want to plan something and I need your help.”, I suddenly blurt out.

“Sure, what’s up?”, Amy asks as she puts her food down and gives me her undivided attention.

And so, I fill them in with my plan and idea as we continue our lunch.

************

Kevin’s P.O.V.

I walked out of the hospital after my last shift of the month to see Lexie in the parking lot, leaning against my car. She looked dressed up and so breathtaking.

“Lex? What are you doing here? And why are you so dressed up?”, I asked as I approached her.

“The g**g hitched a ride back home with Mom and Dad after we visited the bakery. While I took the opportunity to dress up for my incredibly good looking boyfriend and spend some alone time together before we go back home for dinner. Is that a problem?”, she said as she tugged on my necktie.

“Well, that is totally fine with me. Shall we, milady?”, I replied after I planted a kiss on her hand and opened the car door for her.

We started the drive home as I turned on the radio and rested my right hand on my lap. Suddenly, I felt Lexie grip my hand and interlace her fingers with it. I looked over to her lovingly as I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed it softly.

“How did I get so lucky?”, I asked her.

“Are you kidding me? I’m the lucky one.”, she replied before getting down from the car and walking over to my side.

We walked to the door hand-in-hand and stopped in front of the door. I opened the door to a pitch-black room.

“Huh?”, I said in confusion.

SURPRISE!!!

I heard everyone yell as the lights came on to reveal a roomful of people and decorations everywhere.

I turn to Lexie, confused, and shocked only to see her beaming with joy and shrugging her shoulders innocently.

I felt a kiss on my cheek as she whispered in my ear.

“Happy Birthday, Kevin Walker.”