Page 96 of Holiday Romance
“Just keep me updated,” Mam says, cupping my cheek briefly as she follows the nurse back inside. “And best behavior.”
“Why wouldn’t I—”
“Pleases and thank yous.”
“I’m notnine.”
Though a few hours home and I feel like I am. I fight back a smile as the door swings shut, leaving me alone in the hallway. I stand there for a moment, stalling, before heading slowly back to the waiting area, past rooms of sleeping mothers and exhausted partners, past nurses and midwives and doctors as they get ready to spend Christmas Day in the hospital.
Andrew is in the same position I found him in at O’Hare, hunched in his seat, a magazine in his hands. Only this time it looks to be one for lactating mothers as opposed to aNational Geographic. I linger just around the corner to watch him and know in my heart that whatever I’m feeling isn’t going to go away anytime soon. This isn’t me bouncing back after Brandon or losing my mind over a travel plan shot to hell. It’s deeper than that. It’s deeper and it’s real and it’s worth sticking my neck out for.
“Is Zoe okay?” he asks when I approach.
“She’s fine,” I say. “They’re both fine. Fine and dandy.” Oh my God, shut up. “Ava still around?”
“She should be done any second now. Though I realize I’m jinxing myself by saying that.” He stands, stretching his arms over his head. “You good?”
“Yeah. Tired.”
“I bet. Maybe you can—”
“I was actually thinking I could join you guys,” I interrupt, the words spilling out of me in a rush.
Andrew looks confused, arms still raised as he bends his back. “For what?”
“For Christmas. Zoe suggested it and I thought it would be a nice opportunity to meet your family.” I lose confidence by the second when he just stares at me. “I mean, only if that’s okay with you. And no worries if it’s not because I know you’re excited to see everyone and we’ve come all this way to…” Nothing. He’s giving me nothing. “You know what? I’m sorry. This is such short notice. Forget I ever said anything. Zoe’s just—”
“I’d love for you to come.” His arms drop to his side before he rubs his face, like he’s trying to wake himself up. “That sounds great. If you’re sure you’re okay leaving Zoe?”
“She’s not getting out until tomorrow,” I say, a little awkward. “Shouldn’t you check with your folks first?”
“I’ll let them know,” he shrugs.
“That a stranger is coming to visit on their biggest day of the year?”
He gives me an odd look. “You’re not a stranger. They know who you are.”
“They do?”
“Of course they do,” he says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “They’ve known about you for years. And the biggest day of the year is Hannah’s birthday. She makes sure of it.”
“If you’re positive—”
“I am,” he says firmly, looking much more awake now. “They’d love to meet you. Mam especially. Honestly, this will make her day.”
“Well… okay. I guess I’ll go tell everyone.” I start to walk backward, not taking my eyes off him. “Meet you back here?”
He nods, watching me go, and it’s only when I reach the double doors that I force myself to turn around, smiling so wide that my cheeks start to hurt.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
TWO YEARS AGO
Flight Eight, Chicago
“I think I’m dying.”
Andrew watches me sympathetically as I slump back into the chair, pressing the mini soda can to my temple. “You should have said something.”
