'Cause even after all this time, I still wonder

 

Chili was excited about Valentine's Day, despite it being in the middle of the week and the start of Lent.  At least for a little while she was charmed with the wonder of it. Yes, she was in love. Possibly.

But of course, nothing went like she thought it might with Axton. The night before he got a call late. It was Yuki. Em was having labor pains.

Of course, she told him to go. Was he a fool to still be here? She knew he needed to be there. There was no jealousy. She hoped for the best. After all, Em's due date was in March. Naturally, she'd said, "Oh, a Valentine's Day baby!" 

Em stayed in the hospital all night. Of course, Chili was on pens and needles. And the Valentine's Day Specials was what everyone needed. Or so it seemed that day. The brunch special (Heavenly waffles with sausage and eggs) was a big hit. The price was nice. There was no time to really worry about Em and Axton.

And then out of the blue in the late afternoon, her ex-husband Parker showed up. For a moment Chili thought she might be seeing things. It couldn't be him. Not Parker. They'd made a clean break. He said he never wanted to see her again.

"How did you find me?" Her voice cracked. This was not what she meant to say. She wanted to tell him NO, but instantly she went to get him a cup of fresh coffee. It was her duty as a hostess at the coffee shop. 

Parker didn't say much. Yet, he hung around at the back booth, and finally, as the place was about to close she went to see what he wanted.

"I got stationed here." Of course, he'd finished the burger and salad she brought him. She knew he wouldn't pay and she wouldn't ask him to.

She nodded as if it was no business of hers. But he smiled at her as if he knew she was glad he was back. 

"So you know where I am." Chili shrugged.

"I don't live that far from you," he practically laughed. It was only a block or so from the coffee shop.

"Well, you know we're strangers now." She got up and told him that it was closing time.

"But don't you want to talk?" Parker winced.

"Why should we?" Chili looked him in the eye. She remembered very well what he'd said when it was over. He never wanted to see her again. She hadn't wanted to see him either. She hugged herself, thinking maybe he'd missed all the fussing. They couldn't get through the day without yelling at each other. Evidently, nobody could put up with him after all.  

Oh, the whole day was draining and she finally got him out of there. Axton was waiting for her when she got home with pink roses. He'd made spaghetti and meatballs. Her favorite.

"Things are going to be OK for Em," he told her. "She's on bed rest." He said Yuki was going to take care of her. "But now she knows what real labor pains feel like."

Chili sighed. Yes, maybe she knew what if felt like to have an ex-husband around, too.