Chapter 173

The weekend flew by and by Sunday morning Richie was quiet and withdrawn.

The breakfast table wasn’t lively as usual but he really tried his best to be his old goofy self. Ava chatted non-stop and didn’t pick up on her dad’s behaviour.

Stacey’s heart was bleeding for him but she didn’t know how to help, so she just sat there, her hand stroking his thigh.

Jon ate in silence, knowing his buddy is having a hard time letting his kid go, he hates what this divorce has done to his friend. Richie did fuck up but the suffering he is going through doesn’t justify his fuck ups. He’s good guy with a good heart and he sure as hell hopes that Richie will be lucky with a woman one day. He found his soul mate and he is sure Richie could find his as well, if he hasn’t found her already. His eyes turned towards Stacey. She was a sweet woman, the same humor as Richie and by the looks of it hopelessly in love with his friend. They were good for each other, but only time will tell if they are actually made for each other for life.

“Well, sweetheart we have to go. Say your goodbyes.”

Ava greeted everyone and bounced back to the car, holding Stacey’s hand.

Richie was hanging back for a while, trying to get his emotions under control.

Cheyenne stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him.

“She’ll be back soon, Rich. You’ll see.” He hugged her close, his head resting on hers. His eyes closed.

He blew out a shaky breath.

“Fuck it’s hard….”

Jon looked at the two people in each others arms, Richie drawing strength from Cheyenne and Cheyenne giving it so freely. The old jealous feeling reared its ugly head and he suppressed it.

For fucks sake Jon, get over this already…

Richie kissed the top of her head and let her go, walking slowly to the car, his shoulders slumping.

“God I hate seeing him like this.” Cheyenne was sniffing lightly , burying her head in Jon’s chest.

He wrapped his arms around her.

“He’ll be alright, Richie always suffers when its time for her to go back. But our man it tough,..he’ll be ok.”

The drive to the airport felt long. Ava was getting a bit quieter as well.

“Well, honey did you enjoy the weekend?” Stacey tried to lighten the mood a bit.

“Oh it was a cool weekend. I can’t wait to show mommy my new doll!” She clutched the doll tightly to her little body.

Richie smiled at his daughter’s enthusiasm.

“Daddy can I come visit you soon?”

“We’ll have a chat with mom. You know you are welcome any time sweetheart.”

“Just don’t forget to ask her when you speak to her again, k daddy?”

‘Sure, sugar.”

The goodbye was a bit heart wrenching to see, Ava’s tears upsetting her dad even more.

When he turned around, tears were streaming down his face.

“Oh, baby…” Stacey wrapped her arms around him, feeling his huge frame shaking.

“I fuckin’ hate this…and its all my fault. Had a good thing going and then I had to fuck it up…”

“Richie, you are a good man..and just a MAN not a God. People make mistakes and you made yours, you can’t hate yourself forever! You stood up and dusted yourself off and got on with your life. Heather will see that soon and she’ll let Ava come visit more, remember she is a mom and feels the same about Ava. She wants the best for her , just as you…so give her time…”

Richie lips touched hers..

“You’re a sweetheart, you know that? Thanx for coming with me.”

Stacey caught a tear running down his cheek, tasting the saltiness, her heart aching.

“Let’s go home.”