When Jacob and the rest of his age group finished their three song set, the weight on Cole's shoulders had lifted. He didn't realize he was carrying so much worry for him. He knew his mother was and he tried to help her relax, but he felt like he had only made it worse. When the lights dimmed and the audience ceased their conversations, Cole felt the weight appear. He hadn't felt that since his playing days. Before each game he'd have lots to worry about. Most people thought professional athletes don't stress or worry about the games, and it may have been right for some. However, many of the people Cole played with throughout his career put everything on their shoulders and he was right there with them.

His worries for Jacob were just as grand as any big game he played in. He wanted Jacob to be successful, but to also have fun and watching him worry at home before they left had crashed into him. He wanted to wrap Jacob in bubble wrap and protect him from the world and everything in between including his own worries.

When they finished, Cole let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He felt silly for worrying in the first place. Jacob had crushed it. He remembered all his words, he acted professionally -minus the moment he found his mother and waved ecstatically- and he sang wonderfully. He head his head high afterwards, seemingly aware of how well he'd done.

He unconsciously reached for Noelle's hand as they walked off the stage and the next age group moved in. Her hand was no longer gripping the chair so he had no reason to go for it, but he did anyway. He felt like a teenager on a first date, going into the unknown and worrying that any move he'd make would backfire. Fortunately Noelle didn't pull her arm away or run for the hills. She only looked at him in relief and a small smile made it to her face. She was much more relaxed now that Jacob's performance was done and her hand that was below his still twisted to cup his.

The moment was magic. It was innocent and it was sweet, but it was the most feeling Cole had felt in anytime he could recall. Her hand, that was comically smaller than hers still radiated a warmth and electricity that Cole felt throughout his entire body. She had a power over him that could bring him to his knees and she probably didn't even know it. When she squeezed her hand in his, he knew he was done for. She was it for him. He'd do everything he could to make her his and spend eternity proving himself worthy.

"We going to Flannigan's to celebrate after?" A voice belonging to Noelle's brother broke their spell and they pulled their hands back as if they'd both been caught in the cookie jar. Cole seemed to forget he wasn't alone with her constantly. She took all his focus and all he wanted was some time alone with her. Time to figure out one another and see if this is the real thing.

Noelle twisted to face her brother and Cole didn't miss the look of annoyance in her face. He held a laugh in while she replied. "Sure. We didn't drive here though so we'd have to meet you there. Are mom and dad going too?"

"Nah, you know dad. He already did his social thing for the evening and will want to get to bed early to recover," Max laughed. Cole didn't want to feel like he was cutting in to family time, but he thought maybe it would be best to find an excuse to leave after the show finished so he wasn't in the way. A sense of longing washed over him. Wanting his own family and being the one who made plans for everyone. He didn't get to wallow long before Noelle turned and faced him once more.

"Would you like to join us? It's no steak house, but it's got a lot of comfort food and they are generous with portions. Plus...Jacob would probably force you to go," she ended with her cheeks reddening. The sadness that threatened to crawl its way into Cole's heart had been squashed by her words. The relief was instant and he nodded immediately.

"I'll call to see if we can reserve a table towards the back to avoid the stares..." Max said to end the conversation as he stepped out of the aisle and walked quietly while the older group finished their set. Cole felt guilty for not paying attention to the groups that followed after Jacob's, but his mind wouldn't leave the beautiful woman next to him and the little boy who brought them all together.

"Are you sure you want me to come with you all?" Cole asked Noelle, still feeling slightly insecure. The uncertainty of her feelings was the factor not helping, but he wasn't ready to outright demand her share them. His mother would have to set him straight if she learned he did something like that. His sister would probably join in as well.

Noelle looked at him and her expression softened. Did she see the worry in him?

"Of course, silly. We'd love for you to come. It's not the biggest place and you'll probably be recognized. Will that be okay?"

"I'll be fine as long as I have you and Jacob as a buffer," and as mine he thought to himself. No one would ever think it, but this was turning out to be one of the best nights Cole had in a long time. He remembered the beginning of his football career and the fun they'd all get into after big wins, but he never went as crazy as some of his teammates. Girls, booze, and sadly sometimes harder drugs were easy to come by in the professional athlete world, but Cole and plenty of others preferred to recover after a big game with relaxing and treating their bodies like the temples they created.

Cole didn't think it was easy to resist. Sometimes, especially when he was young, he thought it would be acceptable to go wild a time or two, but after feeling what a hangover felt like, he decided it wasn't worth it.

Before he knew it, the audience clapped loudly as the final group of choir members exited the stage and the lights came on revealing everyone behind him. When he stood up along with Noelle, he swore he heard some people in the row behind him asking if that was who they thought it was. The last thing he wanted to do was draw attention to himself on Jacob's night. Sometimes he wished he could make himself smaller, but that wasn't possible with a man his stature. He tried to embrace it as much as he could, but times like this he wanted to be invisible. He didn't want Noelle to go back into her shell like she did at the farm, but he didn't know how to leave without going through a crowded auditorium.

Before he could spiral, a hand grasped at his forearm and brought him back down. "Are you okay?" Noelle's low whisper tickled at him and brought his blood rushing back. When he looked at her, he saw plenty of concern and confusion in her face. He knew he had to be honest with her if he wanted to move forward.

"I don't want to take away from Jacob's big night," he said weakly, hoping only she could hear. Her brother seemed to be occupied in thought, but was close enough to hear as well, but didn't give any indication he could hear them.

"You're not. I promise. And we'll get outta here quick, okay?" The confidence in her voice helped Cole feel a little better about the situation, but it still brought up worries about the longterm. Cole wasn't the most famous football player in the world, but he had a long enough career with the same team and received MVP twice. He saw random people wearing his jersey and his sponsorships left him with plenty of money and an online presence that he still had google alerts pop up of him occasionally.

What he didn't want to happen was for that to affect his relationships. For the most part, people in the area were friendly with him and wanted to talk to him. He'd give them that, but more persistent people existed and tourists were always around for various reasons. Especially at the farm. He didn't want Noelle to feel like she came second to random people wanting his attention, but at the same time he felt he didn't deserve to slight anyone who still gave a darn about him. At the moment Cole felt overwhelmed with worry and didn't know what to do.

So he chose to do the only thing that could help him at the moment and seek solitude.

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to head out after this."