The cafe's interior was warm and bright with string lights and warmly toned decorations. Erika and Connor walked in as a couple and made their way to Hank and Natalie who were sitting at a table by the stage set up. It was composed of string lights and various tapestries to create a backdrop. Some microphones stand were placed there along with a speaker for any musician that had an instrument. A young man was up and singing with his guitar, a tune that reminded Erika of the country genre of music.

Erika approached the old couple while holding Connor's hand. A wide smile came to her mother's lips as she saw the sight of public affection. In the background, the sound of espresso machines could be heard as a muffled noise while the tune the man played was very audible. The crowd cheered as the song came to an end and Natalie went on up as she was the night's hostess.

"Let's give it up for Matt and his rendition of I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons" the crowd smiled and a roar of an applause soon followed. A small band went on up and waited for Natalie's words on introducing them.

"And now for the performance, I know many of you have been waiting for..." one of the band members went up to Erika and extended his arm in a manner that was very chivalrous. As she took his hand in hers, the man pulled her to feet, brought her to the stage, and positioned her behind the microphone.

While the action occurred Connor watched with shocked eyes as he had no time to process what was happening, but reacted by reaching out for her--as if he did not want to go. Natalie smiled as she may have planned for this to take place and let out a small laugh at the sight of Connor retreating his arm back to his side in embarrassment.

"My daughter and the owner of this lovely cafe, Erika!" Natalie clapped and everyone else copied her as the young woman stood awkwardly while facing the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming out tonight, its definitely been a while since we've held an event like this, but I'm glad that its receiving great feedback...I hope you all enjoyed the festivities and I also hope you enjoy this last bit" Erika backed up from the microphone for a moment before grabbing the device--she had no idea what she'll be singing, so she gave the band a look and sang a few verses acapella.

[ Listen to the song above to get the full experience ]

"Take it easy, with me please~" her voice contained a small laugh as she was winging it then looked at Connor loving. As she continued to sing the band was able to figure out the tune and slowly eased in and played along with the tempo of her voice.

"Touch me gently, like a summer evening breeze~" 

Natalie was seen to leave the stage and reclaimed her spot next to Hank. She leaned close to him so that her back made contact with the older man's chest. The two may have been in their older years, but the connection between them was just like how they were when they were young. 

"Take your time, make it slow~"

Erika's voice echoed throughout the cafe as she continued to sing. The young woman then saw her mother snuggle up with Hank and smiled at their way.

"Andante, Andante~"

She closed her eyes as she started to get into the vibe of the song and tenderly vocalized the next line.

"Just let the feeling groooww~"

The crowd moved to the slow beat while come couples embraced each other at Erika's performance. Connor was mesmerized as each word she sang put him into a trance. He almost did not even noticed Hank's behavior as Natalie leaned to her ear and whispered something.

"Hank?" the older woman looked up at the police lieutenant with curious eyes. Hank reached by looking down at his former lover with a smile and a raised brow.

"Yeah?" he replied as he had no idea on what she may say and prepared himself for whatever she may bring up.

"We should tell her..." Natalie averted her eyes from him and to her daughter performing "about what happened between...us"

"I don't know how she'll take it, Nat" Hank spoke the woman's nickname with care, but he was also worried, especially if the news they'll deliver is what he thinks it is.

"We need to tell her the truth...we're not that great at hiding it" the older woman stated, which in turn made the lieutenant chuckle.

"Well we did for quite some time, but...is it good to tell her now?" He looked down at Natalie with worry displayed on his face. Hank began to wonder what she would say or think. Would she be angry or happy? These thoughts rushed through his mind like a flood and was brought back to reality as Erika's voice became audible to his ears once again.

"...be the velvet of the night, touch my soul, you know hooww~"

Erika had moved from her spot on the stage and sat on top of the table where Connor sat and sang each word to him. The android's eyes lit up as she did this and it made him feel special...someone important...he felt so much more alive.

"Andante, Andante...go slowly with me now~"

"I'm your music, I'm your song...play me time and time again and make me stroong~"

The band began to sing along with her and acted as the backup vocals to this specific part. Their voices sounded like chanting--adding an emphasis to the words Erika sang with every essence of love and care.

"There's a shimmer in your eyes, like the feeling of a thousand butterflies~"

The young woman got really into the song that she approached Connor, pulled him by the hand, and brought him close to her as she sang--she swayed with the music in hopes that he would follow. It took a few moments, but eventually, Connor got used to the tempo and moved along with Erika. This made the young woman smile as she continued to dance with him with each line that passed by.

"Please don't talk, go on, play, Andante, Andante and watch me float away~"

Hank pulled Natalie close as he reminisced at the old days when he and she were just young kids in love. She was the one that got away, but after twenty-some years he had her again. The lieutenant wanted the moment to last much longer and interlocked his hands with Natalie's and watched Erika sing. Maybe it would be best if we tell her, he thought to himself and cracked a smile as his chest felt light and no longer heavy. The pain that he felt, that many factors attributed to lessened at that very moment as he sighed contently. Erika sang the chorus one last time with a hint of humor and happiness in her voice. As she brought Connor back to his seat she slowed down the words as she neared the end. 

"Andante, Andante..."

She looked at her mother and Hank and sung the last line. Each word struck a chord in both, Natalie and Hank as if Erika knew what they intended to reveal right after.

"Oh, please don't let me doowwn~" 

The crowd gave her a roaring applause with those that were not already standing getting up on their feet to give her a standing ovation. She smiled brightly as this signified that they all enjoyed her performance. Her mother clapped enthusiastically with Hank giving the young woman an impressed smile, much like how a father would with his daughter. Hank then spoke in his mind a response to the line she just sang as it was going to be the beginning of something completely new.

"We won't let you down, we never will...I just hope you don't think we did"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Another chapter! I mainly focused on Natalie and Hank, so I hope you readers approve. So what is this thing they were talking about? Was it about them getting together or something different? Who knows really? But, I am curious to what you all think, so leave a comment on what you think they'll be telling Erika and maybe even Connor. Other comments are welcomed as well, I'm not restricting you from speaking your mind. Anywho, I hope you all are enjoying the chapters so far. Thank you again for the love an support for this book even after the hype of the game has died down a bit.

Also, I don't know if you have noticed, but I used a song that Lily James actually sang for the movie Mamma Mia 2, and since I watched it I knew I had to incorporate it into the story somehow. Probably might be some more references to this movie in later chapters. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! 😀😘❤️