Finding you: A Christmas special

Old Times

Ryan POV:

Elena Grant. Who would have thought that I would ever see her again. I looked at her, she looked great. Her body had only gotten more curvy in the last few years and she looked tired but beautiful. I still remember the day we said our good byes...

~~~

"Good bye Ryan," she said before she left the building. Her blonde hair was in a high ponytail, she was still in her cheerleading outfit. I was just a nerd then, I wanted to ask her out, but I choked at the last minute. I watched her get into her mom's car and that was the last I saw her. I headed off to college and she got married.

~~~

"So how are you liking the place?" I asked and she tilted her head to the side, "you own this place?" She asked, and I nodded my head, "yes, I make it a habit of popping in to check on my guests when I am in town," I said. "That's so sweet of you! I'll make sure to give you a five star review!" She giggled, "yes, please, we can use all the five stars we can get!" I exclaimed and we laughed light heartedly for a few seconds, "well, I'm glad you're settling in," I said, I was starting to feel nervous being around Elena again. "Thank you, actually -" Before she could finish, there was a cry that came from the lounge and she immediately went towards it, I followed, confused. There was a baby, swaddled in a blue blanket and she reached into the cot and scooped him up, "sorry, this is my son, Mason." She looked like she was in love with that little boy. "It's nice to meet you Mason," I smiled and he wriggled in his mom's arms, "he doesn't like being swaddled anymore," she said, "how about we free the prisoner then?" I joked and she put him down on the couch and opened up the blanket, he stretched and I sat down, watching in awe. "He's so cute!" I exclaimed and she laughed, "yes, he is the cutest!"

"Ryan," she said looking up, my heart skipped a beat as my eyes noticed her full lips, "yes," I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. She's married! She's married! She's married! Keep repeating it so that I don't make a mistake. "Could you please adjust the thermostat so that it's a bit warmer here," I nodded and got up to do just that, "sure thing." So she's married with a baby, I need to stay away from her.

"All done Elena," I said and she put Mason down again, "thank you," she smiled. "All the best, maybe I'll see you and your husband around?" She seemed to grow nervous, despite the smile that was plastered on her face. "He works a lot, anyway," she said changing the subjects and averting her eyes from mine, "can I ask a small favour of you?" I swallowed nervously, "yes?" It seemed like we were both holding our breath. "Please don't mention to anyone that I'm back." I nodded, "sure thing. It's your business." However, her need for secrecy was making me curious, what was Elena Grant up to?

"Elena, thank you for the chat and catch up, but I need to go, I'll be at the veterinary clinic in town if you need me and my number should be listed in the phone book." She nodded and gave me a smile, an Elena smile, "thank you Ryan, and it was great seeing you." Her warm smile and words made my stomach flutter. I smiled and left.

She has a baby. A husband. A family. Don't be that guy Ryan.

I got into my car, and looked one last time at the little cottage where my first love was and I found myself choking again. Defeated, I started the engine of my 1967 Mustang and drove off.