"I see you and John are together. Again." Andrew said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. To be honest, I didn't blame him. He's watched me breakdown, get hurt, struggle and practically lose my mind. All because of John. Seeing us together again must have been disappointing.
I turned to John. "Just one second."
He nodded and left the room with Max. I pulled Andrew into the kitchen and was about to speak until I saw Julian standing next to us, trying to eavesdrop.
"Julian can you go watch tv or something?"
"I 'ave dishes to attend.."
"Please?" I interrupted. He mumbled and left the room. I sighed and looked up at Andrew. His expression full of questions. "Look, I know this is a surprise to you. It is for me too."
"It's not really a surprise. It's more of a....disappointment. Lucy after everything he's put you through.."
"Let me finish."
"No Lucy! I'm tired of this! Every fucking time he comes around..."
"Shhh." I whispered. He talked quietly.
"..every time he comes around, you just welcome him back with open arms. I trust that you know what you're doing. But I'm not going to just stay out of this entire thing you have going on with him."
"Andrew I make my own choices. I love John. Even though he's not perfect, he's been everything to me."
"And I understand that. Doesn't mean I have to stand around, watching you destroy yourself..again."
I sighed and crossed my arms. "Andrew I know you care for me. I care for you too. I just...I can't leave him now. He's not happy."
"What about you? I know you want the best for him. But what if he just plays around with you for awhile and then leaves off with his wife when he's done with you?"
"It's not like that Andrew."
"Then what is this? A forbidden love affair that was always meant to be?? Lucy you're not seventeen anymore. You have to make reasonable decisions not only for you. But for Maxwell. He's your son. Atleast you know for sure he'll be in your life!"
"This is all I have Andrew! This is all I have left of me!" I yelled quietly. I felt my face heating up in tears. "You think I like being that girl everyone just uses? You think I ever wanted that!?"
"Then why don't you change that!? It's not too late for you to be happy!"
"I am happy Andrew! Even if I have to be that fuckin bitch who ruins a marriage! I just want to be the one girl a guy devotes himself to. I might get hurt again. But the happiness I got out of it was worth any fucking pain I get." I sniffled and wiped my tears as John walked in the room. I took a breath and gave him a small smile.
"I think I should go now." He said looking at me and Andrew. I nodded.
"I'll walk with you out." I said grabbing my coat. I gave Andrew the look not to start anything and made my way out the door with John.
..
"So em, are we not going to talk about the fact you were crying back there.."
"It was nothing John. Just a small arguement. I can take care of myself."
"Can you?" He stopped in his tracks, looking down at me. I nodded, but shook my head.
"What am I getting myself into John? We both know the truth. This, us, will never be an official thing. Will it?"
He sighed and shrugged. "I don't know Lucy. It might..."
"Please don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Give me hope. Just tell me the truth John. Don't care about my feelings. I need to hear it."
He looked around at the empty parking lot and shook his head. "No Lucy. It wont."
I nodded as we continued walking in silence.
"Then why did you come to me?" I looked at him.
"Because I love being with you. You're the reason I'm here today. I just...I can't help myself from loving you. If I could change things I would."
I reached for his hand and held it tight. Our fingers intertwining as we waited for the taxi.
"Your friend is right."
"About what?"
"Looking out for Maxwell. He knows what he's talking about."
"Andrew is a good guy John. I love him. But I also love you."
"I know you do Lucy. I love you too."
..
I walked back inside, locking the door behind me. Andrew was sitting on the sofa, bouncing Maxwell up and down on his knee as Julian laughed at some comedy on the television. I sat next to Andrew and watched tv silently.
"You okay?" He asked. I nodded, looking at him.
"I am. Just, promise me you'll be here when I need you the most? You'll always be my friend?"
He smiled and kissed the top of my head. "Of course I will. I love you."
"I love you too."
..
Two Months Later
November 24, 1977
"Lucy...Lucy!!"
I picked my head off my desk and looked up sleepily at Andrew. He sighed and closed my office door.
"Yes?" I asked.
He handed me a folder and waited for me to open it. I gave him a confused look and opened it to see a reservation at a fancy restaurant downtown. A smile escaped my lips.
"Andrew. What's this??"
"Whelp, the wife is out of town and I have no plans. It being Thanksgiving and all I figured you and me can go out somewhere nice." He smiled. I blushed and set the folder on my desk.
"Are you asking me out?"
"Don't be so full of yourself Daniels. Come on I just don't want to be lonely tonight."
"Mmm. So it's a good time you're after." I smirked, standing up and putting a few papers away in a cabinet.
"Lucy don't make me hurt you." He laughed.
"Oooh really? That's how I like it." I teased. He made a face.
"So are you coming or not?" He asked. I thought for a few seconds. John was off with Yoko for a few days. But then there's the boys. Julian could take care of Max. What if something happened?? He wouldn't know what to do. Unless...
..
"Whelp I'm stuffed." Julian sighed, rubbing his tummy. I giggled and finished the last of my pie. I seemed to be the only person who actually ate all their food.
"Pig." Andrew smirked, pushing his plate to the side.
"I was starved!" I laughed. A mouth full of food.
"Mama!"
We all looked at Maxwell as he giggled. I smiled and picked him up into my arms.
"What did you say? Mama?? Say it again!" I said in a baby voice as he looked at me.
"I heard it! He said mama." Julian smiled.
"Hey. What about me??" Andrew pouted.
"Don't worry. Your time will come." I stuck my tongue out at him. He made a face and shoved me.
"Come on. I think we better go home now. Plus, I think Max needs a bath." Andrew said paying the check. I grabbed my purse.
"Are you staying the night Andrew??" Julian asked. Andrew looked at me and I caved.
"Yes he is." I said before anyone else could speak.
"Alright! Come on let's go then!" Jules yelled, running out of the restaurant.
..
"Thank you. For taking us out. Us meaning..." I pointed to the boys who were sleeping on the floor in front of the tv.
Andrew laughed. "You're very welcome. Look Lucy, I'm happy you've been taking care of youself. Soon, you wont need me anymore."
"That's not true. I'll always need you Andrew. Do you really have to go London next week?" I pouted. He sighed.
"Yeah. It's only three days Luce. I'll be back before you know it."
"I just don't trust planes. They scare me."
"The plane will be fine Lucy. Just don't think about it."
I nodded, looking down at my hands.
"Hey." Andrew nudged my chin to look at him. "I'll be alright. I promise."
"Promise?" I asked. He smiled.
"I promise."
I leaned over and kissed him softly. Something inside was giving me a bad vibe. I ignored it and pulled away.
"Hold me tonight? And every night until you have to leave?" I asked. He nodded.
"Of course." He said kissing the tip of my nose. I snuggled in his arms as we watched tv together the rest of the evening.
......