At the sudden change in subject, Henry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Yes. We’re, um, we’re having dinner at her place this weekend.”
As the three of them got reacquainted, a feeling of peace fell on all of them. Reminiscing about childhoods and backyard adventures with Henry, gave Andrew some of the closure he didn’t even know he needed. It also made Chris see something she had no idea was there, but was thrilled to see: a special bond between her father and boyfriend.
Henry laughed as he recounted the time he had to take Andrew Sr. to the ER after he got a fish hook stuck in his finger. “Your father, bless his soul, tried so hard not to scream, but that darn nurse had no idea what kind of hook she was dealing with.” He pointed to the ceiling, mimicking Andrew Sr.’s reaction and screamed, “‘Take this damn thing out of my finger before I pull it out.’”
The three of them laughed, imagining how ridiculous he must have looked. Henry continued the story. “When we left the hospital, his entire hand was numb and his shirt was covered in blood, but the hook was out.”
Andrew felt lighter than he had in years as he listened to Henry. His mother had kept his father’s memory alive through the years with stories and photo albums, but this version of his father seemed different from the one his mother remembered. He seemed like a fun-loving guy with a great heart for his best friend. He also seemed like the kind of man Andrew wanted to become now more than ever.
That night, Andrew dropped Chris off at her own house, with a promise to be back in half an hour because he had forgotten his overnight bag. He drove slow, needing a few minutes to himself as he mentally went through the evening’s events.
He now knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that even if they had only been together for a few months, they were meant to be.
Once Chris had unlocked her front door and taken off her jacket, she found one of Nana’s pictures in her living room and immediately started crying; unable to keep it in and be strong, as she had been for Andrew earlier. She had spent a large part of the night with a lump in her throat, and now that she was alone, she needed to let it all out.
Through the picture window out front, she could see the large face of the moon illuminating the sky and smiled through her tears.
“I knew you’d be there.” She giggled through her sniffles and tears. Anyone hearing her in that moment would think she was absolutely batshit crazy.
“Thanks, Nana.” She sniffled again. “Thanks for sending him back.”
She kissed her Nana’s smiling face on the picture and placed it back on the shelf she had taken it from, then went to take a much needed shower.
Andrew tiptoed through Chris’s house a short while later and slipped into bed behind her, lulling himself to sleep with the sounds of her soft breaths as she slumbered, curled up next to him.
. . .
“Amy, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.” Chris hugged her employee and breathed a sigh of relief. It was now Friday, and granted Andrew had offered to help her—God bless his soul—she was more than ready to have Amy back at the shop.
“I’m all better, now. Seems you did okay.” She looked around and noticed the stock hadn’t all been put away. “A little messy, maybe, but you got everything out on time, right?”
“Ugh, yeah I did. I know it’s messy, but it was an absolutely horrible week,” she implored, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to do this alone.”
Amy pursed her lips. “I have a feeling you’ll be fine. Have faith in yourself, thy old one.” She giggled.
Chris’s mouth fell into an O. “Why you little...”
The bell over the front door chimed in time, as Amy stuck out her tongue, still in a fit of giggles, and Chris made her way to the front to help her first customer of the day.
. . .
The Saturday and Sunday went by in a blur as they had the previous weekend. Chris worked a lot of hours, and Andrew was there for her; to help her relax afterward. Before she knew it, it was Monday again and she was one more day closer to Mrs. Davis’s return.
Granted, that also meant the business would be signed over to her, therefore it would be entirely in her hands. After surviving these past two weeks, though, she knew she could most likely survive anything.
Last Wednesday night spent at her father’s house with Andrew, gave Chris the strength she needed to push on and move forward without looking back.
She’d been through a lot in her young life, and all these obstacles made her stronger. Now, with Andrew by her side, there was nothing she couldn’t do.
Heck, she was even willing—God help her—to accept Andrew’s help in the shop. After all, he did offer, and having him there was never a bad thing.
Chris smiled, thinking of the many ways she’d like to have Andrew in the shop, then cleared her throat at the inappropriate thoughts.
“You okay there, Chris?” Amy asked, wrapping a ribbon around a silk flower.
“Great.” She giggled with a sigh. “Perfect, actually.”
Amy nodded, wondering why Chris’s cheeks were so red all of a sudden. “Excited to have Mrs. Davis back?”
“Yeah, I wonder if she met a nice cabana boy.” She wiggled her eyebrows, picking up a foam mold to make a flower wreath.
Amy sighed, scrunching up her face in disgust. “Yeah, knowing her...I’m not sure I want to know.”
The girls laughed as they worked and talked animatedly about the upcoming shower and reception they were helping to decorate. It was amazing how much work they were able to do together in such a small amount of time. Chris soaked up all Amy had to offer in her experience, and Amy happily helped Chris in any capacity she could. Amy had a plan forming in the back of her head, and she was certain with the help of her mother and a few dropped hints here and there, this plan of hers was going to work.
. . .
Andrew worked as much as he could in the time he was at his house. Sleeping at Chris’s was getting to be a difficult task as he couldn’t work at his leisure like he was used to, but he would never begrudge her that time together. He loved her; loved being with her and wouldn’t even consider refusing a sleepover.
That being said, he wanted to ask her to sleep at his house this week. He needed it. He knew Mrs. Davis was coming back and Chris would be relieved and more flexible to change.
He missed his plush mattress and his own pillow. He missed his newly renovated walk-in shower.
He wanted to take Chris in said walk-in shower.
Apparently, Andrew had a penchant for shower sex, something Chris didn’t seem to mind one bit.
The thought of doing so made him rock-hard as he sat at his desk and tried to concentrate on the colorful website he was creating.
His hand unconsciously made its way to his jean-clad thigh where he rubbed his palm over the bulge in his pocket.
His mother’s engagement ring from his father was snuggled proudly between blue satin, waiting to be worn by a special young lady. That was what his mother had called Chris when Andrew had inquired about the ring.
Julia was thrilled. She couldn’t think of a more special and perfect person to marry her son, and would be proud to have Chris as a daughter. Eva and Andrew Sr. would’ve been so happy to see them together, Julia mused as she gave Andrew the small box.
The box wouldn’t sit in his pocket for too long, though. He had a plan and was going to make sure it happened that way. In the meantime, he needed to find a place to hide it in case Chris went snooping around.
If she accepted to sleep at his house.
Andrew palmed the other bulge in his pants; the one beneath his zipper and sighed, shifting into his chair.
He needed her in that shower. Pronto.
. . .
“I’m back! Where are my girls?” Mrs. Davis yelled as soon as she walked into the shop.
Chris and Amy looked at each other, their faces breaking into big, toothy, goofy grins before they both looked up and saw Mrs. Davis
standing by the doorway.
“Well, you girls miss me, or what?” the now tanned, older woman asked, grinning from ear to ear.
“You’re back,” Chris gushed, rushing over to give her mentor a hug.
“You look great!” Amy trilled, waiting for her turn at a hug.
“I’m glad to see you two survived,” Mrs. Davis remarked, pulling back from hugging them both. “You don’t even look tired. I knew you had this.” She smiled, relief written all over her face.
Chris gave Mrs. Davis a short overview of the last few weeks and told her the things that were coming up. “We’ve been busy.” She sighed. “I am so happy you’re back.”
“Oh honey, you did a marvelous job. I’m so proud of you.” She took Chris’s face between her palms in a loving gesture. “I knew you could do it. I have complete faith in you, Christina.”
Chris smiled wide, confidence leaking from every pore. “Thank you, Mrs. Davis, for believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. I won’t tell you it was easy. This one—” she pointed to Amy “—was sick most of last week. I thought I was going to go insane, but then I remembered I could only do so much and before I knew it, the week had gone by and I had managed.”
“That’s my girl,” Mrs. Davis whispered, pulling Chris into another hug. “And you’re doing okay, Amy?” She let go of Chris and turned to the young, spirited girl who was creating a storm of colorful looking wedding decorations.
“Yeah—” Amy waved her hand around dismissively “—you know me and summer colds and flus. I can’t go without them.” She shrugged and rolled her eyes.
“Well, I’m back, ladies. How can I help?” Mrs. Davis rubbed her hands together and cracked her knuckles.
Chris and Amy looked at each other and smiled. “There’s this rather large bouquet that requires your special touch. The bride was more than a little...miffed that you weren’t around. I think she’d love it if you did it.” Chris showed Mrs. Davis the notes she had taken during the meeting and told her which flowers to use.
As Chris watched Mrs. Davis and Amy work diligently at their tasks, she knew the shop was in good hands.
Just as she knew everything in her life was going to be fine.
Chapter 13
Two weeks after returning from vacation, Mrs. Davis surprised Chris by handing over the papers for Daisy’s Flowers. Chris was now a small business owner, as well as the owner of the cute little cottage-like building that housed it. Her loan had been approved and everything was signed off; her name and signature appearing on all the appropriate forms.
“This is so great, Mrs. Davis. Thank you so much,” Chris gushed. The two women had just returned from the lawyer’s office, where they had gone to make everything nice and legal.
“It’s about damn time, honey.” Mrs. Davis looked around the shop. “I’m ready to let go of the responsibilities, but I’m happy to be here as your employee.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of you,” Chris replied in good humor. “Heck, we may just have to get you a hospital bed and an IV drip set up right here.” Chris snorted, patting the top of the front counter.
Mrs. Davis waved her off and pointed toward the new computer by the cash register. “You can do whatever you want, girlie, but I don’t think this old gal is ever gonna figure out one of those things.”
Chris shook her head, thinking about what had happened a week ago when she had tried to explain the new computer programs to the older woman. “Yeah, I think we’re going to use your creative powers for good. I have quite a few customers adamant that you be the one to make their arrangements.” Chris shrugged. “I’ve come to terms with that.”
“Oh, honey, we’re going to work on changing their minds.” Mrs. Davis patted Chris’s shoulder lovingly. “Now, how about you go home to that young man of yours. It’s late and I need to rest. My boss expects me here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and I’m not sure I can manage that at my age.”
Chris giggled, shaking her head. “Not you, too? Jeez, you and Amy are gonna be the death of me.”
“Hey, I trained that girl, you know? It’s nice that some of me rubbed off.” Mrs. Davis smirked. “Now, off you go. I wouldn’t keep that boy waiting much longer.” She wiggled her eyebrows exaggeratedly.
Chris rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Fine. See you in the morning, Mrs. Davis.” She pulled the front door opened halfway and turned, continuing, “And thank you...for everything.”
Feeling lighter than she had been in days with the stress of the lawyers behind her, Chris headed toward Andrew’s house in hopes of a nice, relaxing evening.
Andrew was finally able to persuade Chris to sleep over at his house for the night. It had actually been an easy sell, and he wondered briefly if he should have asked weeks ago, instead of making it a bigger deal than it was.
Chris hadn’t broached the subject herself because she had so many other things on her mind. But now she was headed to his house, with her change of clothes in a backpack and some paperwork folded neatly with her laptop, she wondered how come Andrew had never said anything. He was more than gracious at being accommodating to her needs and it was now her turn to do so.
She had been to his house several times over the months they had been seeing each other, but other than the living room, it occurred to her they hadn’t properly christened the entire place, yet.
“That’s gonna change,” she told herself, a feeling of excitement settling in the pit of her stomach.
A smile tugged at her lips as she parked her car beside Andrew’s in the driveway. She turned to look at their vehicles and grinned; it seemed as though they simply belonged there...side by side. As she got out of the car and walked up the path to the front door, she noticed what a quiet neighborhood Andrew lived in.
She was startled out of her thoughts by the sound of a familiar voice.
“You’re here!” Andrew opened the door before Chris could even knock.
He had been waiting anxiously for her to show up and spent the last half hour staring out the living room window, hoping the next car to drive down the street was hers.
“I’m sorry it took so long,” Chris apologized, pulling him into a hug. “But we got everything done. It’s all mine.”
Andrew hugged her back, pulling her inside the house, closing the door behind them with his foot. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
Chris closed her eyes and buried her face in his strong chest, reveling in the feel of his arms around her small frame. “Thanks, baby.”
Andrew kissed the top of her head and held her, closing his eyes. He enjoyed having her in his arms, in his house, surrounded by his things. “You’re welcome.”
Chris leaned back and looked up into Andrew’s soft gaze. Smiling, she scratched the stubble on his chin and pulled him in for a chaste kiss. “Are you going to stand here all night, or are you going to show me where to put my things?”
“Hmm, how about I show you where to put your things and then we make dinner?” Andrew suggested.
“I like the sound of that,” Chris replied, licking her lips and smirking. “Lead the way, lover boy.”
. . .
Andrew stretched the sleep from his limbs, his eyes still closed and his body relaxed and sated against the plush mattress he was more than happy to have slept on.
He moved his arm to the side, where Chris should have been, and found nothing but a cold sheet and a pillow smelling of Chris’s familiar floral scent. Curling up with Chris’s pillow in his arms, he breathed her in and smiled as he remembered their evening. He led her to his room where he showed her an empty drawer and a large empty second closet, as well as a space in the master bathroom for her to store her necessities.
He told her how much he loved her, and had showed her how thoroughly clean that huge shower would get her. That was after they had christened the large double vanity and custom-tiled shower wall.
Opening his eyes, Andrew sighed when he saw what time it was on the alarm
clock by his bed. Chris had already gone into the shop, and he needed to get out of bed and get his day going. He had a few errands to run, one of which took more courage than he knew he would ever possess.
After a quick shower, replying to work-related emails, light dusting, eating breakfast, chopping vegetables and beef for a crock pot stew recipe, he sighed, running a hand through his hair as he grabbed his keys and left the house.
“Man up, Harris,” he told himself, as he drove the few streets to his destination. “It’s just Henry.”
He sat in his car and looked up at the house that had brought back so many painful memories the last time he was in it. “I can do this. I have to do this.” He sighed, running a hand over his face, tugging at the ends. Inhaling, he leaned back into the headrest and closed his eyes. “You can do this,” he chanted, swallowing back too many emotions.
Without Chris’s comforting embrace, he wasn’t so sure about any of this anymore.
He knew he had to see Henry. He needed to talk to him; to man up and ask him an important question. He also needed to prove to himself he could face his past on his own and start letting go. He had made steps, leaps and bounds over the last month, but he hadn’t made any attempts at seeing Henry since they all had dinner together.
He simply wasn’t ready to see him or this house again, a choice he now regretted deeply as he stared at the charming, little, white house in front of him.
Just as he was about to pussy out, a loud noise startled him, shaking him out of his internal debate, making him open his eyes. As he looked around, he realized Henry was standing on the front porch, looking at him, his eyebrows pulled together and his arms crossed over his chest.
“Fuck,” Andrew muttered. “No getting out of this now.” He sighed; feeling his pocket for the small box buried in there, and took a deep breath as he exited his car.
“Hey, Andrew. What are you doing here, son?” Henry asked, eyeing Andrew thoughtfully. He hadn’t seen him in a while, but didn’t think anything of it as he had been quite busy with work and a budding love life of his own. He spoke to Chris a few times and even had her over for a quick lunch the previous week, but hadn’t put much thought into how Andrew was doing.
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