Andrew closed his eyes and nodded.
“I am glad that you will be going with my Maddie to New York. I know that you will look out for her and that you will make her happy. Knowing that she has found someone to love with her whole heart who also loves her in return makes the sadness of her leaving go away. You take care of my granddaughter, Andrew.”
“I will, ma’am.” The sincerity in Andrew’s eyes told her what she needed to know.
“Thank you for bringing my Maddie back,” she whispered as tears began to flow down her cheeks.
He smiled as she pulled him into a tight hug. When she released him he glanced at Aaron and Olivia. Olivia was already crying and he wasn’t so sure how she was going to take the drawing he did for her. He had been a little torn on what to do. He and Madison had talked and talked about it. It was the hardest one for him and then he remembered how she had felt bad that she hadn’t taken him when he was a boy so he played on the theme he had done with Madison’s grandma. He turned to Madison who nodded at him. He took a deep breath, picked up the last picture, and handed it to Olivia and Aaron. He then kneeled down before them, his lip between his teeth as a worried expression settled on his face.
Olivia wasn’t able to unwrap it, so Aaron did. His smile spread as he looked at the picture before him. There were two large drawings on the canvas along with a couple of smaller ones. The first was a picture of Olivia sitting on the couch reading a book to a little boy who was lying down with his head on her lap. The boy looked happy. He was wearing a pair of striped pajamas with one of his bare feet dangling off the seat cushion while he rubbed his sleepy eyes. The second large picture was of Andrew sitting on his bed while Aaron talked to him. Aaron’s hands were up as if he were describing something; he wore the compassionate expression that seemed to come so natural for him. In the space between his hands was a picture of a Phoenix. In the other blank spaces, Andrew had drawn a couple of smaller pictures of Aaron and Olivia together, one of them kissing tenderly and the other of them embracing, looking into each other’s eyes.
Aaron breathed in deeply, his heart filled with both love and pride. Meanwhile, Olivia couldn’t draw her eyes away from the picture of her and a young Andrew. How it should have been. Her heart broke for that little boy in the picture. But, somehow she didn’t believe that was the message she was supposed to get from it. She had a feeling that Andrew wanted to reassure her, to show her that he forgave her for not taking him so long ago. She traced the outline of the boy before finally looking up to meet Andrew’s intense eyes.
“I wish it could have been like that, that you could have been my mother,” Andrew’s voice cracked slightly as he fought back his tears. “I’m glad that you never gave up hope in trying to find me,” he finished, feeling tears falling from his eyes.
Olivia couldn’t speak because her throat felt as if it were trying to close up on her, she couldn’t see because her eyes were blurry from the tears she was not able to contain any longer and she was unable to move because every inch of her was experiencing a pain she knew would remain until Andrew returned, if he ever returned.
Andrew could see her struggle and wrapped his strong and capable arms around her. He swayed with her, whispering to her that it would be okay. Aaron put one hand on the back of Andrew’s hair and the other on Olivia’s back. Aaron tapped his forehead to the two of them, telling them in his always calm and comforting way that they would always be together. He knew how difficult this was for Olivia. He had spent the last six weeks reassuring her that it would be okay and that Andrew would come home if it wasn’t.
“I love it, Andrew,” Olivia finally found her voice.
“We will cherish it always,” Aaron earnestly concurred.
“Now that we have successfully made everyone feel like crap,” Madison said nervously as she glanced around and saw not a dry eye amongst them, but before she could say anything else the song changed and Frank Sinatra began crooning New York, New York. Madison huffed exaggeratedly, “Really, Frank, really?”
Madison shook her head and Callie broke out into a fit of giggles as she jumped up and hugged her friend tightly.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” Callie smiled brilliantly at her, refusing to feel sad.
“I’m gonna miss you, too,” Madison smiled at her friend’s always exuberant outlook on life in general.
“Is there dessert?” Jayden asked in the background, slapping his hands on his thighs, needing a distraction, quickly.
Callie smiled and shrugged. “He loves pie.”
“Well, who am I to deny a man pie,” Madison laughed and stood, taking Callie’s hand as they strolled to the kitchen to get the desserts.
The party went on for another couple of hours as everyone finally addressed the elephant in the room and began talking about New York. It started uneasily but ended with a lot of laughter and jokes. As things started slowing down and the girls were helping to put away the remainder of the food, Elias pulled Andrew aside.
“I can’t thank you enough for the drawing. That means a lot to us.” He reached in his pocket and handed Andrew a card. “Turn it over.” Andrew did and saw several numbers listed. “Please, if there are any problems, whether it is with probation, anything, please call me. That’s all my numbers as well as Liam’s. There is no way you wouldn’t be able to reach at least one of us.”
Andrew sighed. “Do you think I’m going to need an attorney?”
He shook his head. “No, but you might need a friend.”
Andrew swallowed and nodded.
“I know what it’s liked to be judged. I thought I could control everything in my life but I couldn’t.” He took a deep breath and then glanced at Liam. “He wanted to leave Texas before it happened. Things were getting crazy but I refused. I was being stubborn. Texas was my home, my career, my life and I didn’t want ignorance to force me out. But...” He hesitated and turned back to Andrew. “Sometimes you need to know when to leave a place.” He looked at him intensely. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Andrew glanced at Madison and nodded. “I’m really scared,” he said uneasily, “But I’m not sure if I’m scared more about messing up.” He turned to Elias, “or her realizing that she’s too good for me and that she’s wasting her time.”
“Madison loves you, Andrew. I can’t imagine that will change.”
Andrew turned to Madison again. He had no doubt that she loved him but he worried that somehow being with him would cause her pain and sorrow, something he didn’t want for her at all. He saw her stand and then her grandmother stood as well.
“Excuse me, Mr. Bennett,” he said as he started to walk away and then stopped, turning back to him. “No one has ever really had faith in me so thank you for believing in me. If you hadn’t stood up for me I would have been in jail versus on my way to New York with the most amazing woman on earth.”
Elias smiled. “You’re welcome, Andrew. Good luck.”
Andrew’s lip quirked up into a small smile, he raised his card. “Thank you for this as well.”
Elias nodded as Andrew turned around and headed over to Madison.
“It’s getting late. I’m going to take Grans home.”
“Let me walk you out.” Andrew took her hand.
After her Grans was in the car, Andrew walked Madison to the driver’s side, kissing her passionately. She immediately entwined her fingers in his hair, moving his mouth ever closer to hers. After several minutes had passed, he reluctantly pulled away.
“I’m going to miss you,” Madison said kissing him again.
“I’m going to miss you too; thankfully it’s only for one night. You’ll be at my place early, right?” Andrew asked.
She nodded as she opened her door and got inside. Andrew leaned in and kissed her one last time before turning to her grandmother.
“Bye, Grans.”
She smiled as he shut the door. Madison watched him walk back inside and then she headed home. She and her grans were both
quiet. Madison changed immediately when they got inside the house. She lay on her bed staring at the clock. She then turned to Andrew’s side, wondering how she managed to sleep by herself for so long. She smiled as she got up and walked into her grandmother’s bedroom, sliding in behind her, like she used to do every time she spent the night at her house when she was a little girl.
“Grans, is it okay if I sleep in here with you?” Madison asked quietly.
“Missing Andrew?”
“Yes but...”
“Of course you can, Maddie,” her Grandmother replied before Madison could finish her sentence.
“Thank you, Grans,” she said as she put her arm around her. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“I’m going to miss you too, Maddie.” She then rolled over and looked at her. “Promise me that you will try to get along better with your mother.” Madison rolled her eyes and her Grans shook her head. “She wasn’t always like she is now. She was once in love, as much as you are with Andrew. Your father’s death destroyed her. She was never the same afterwards. How would you be if something happened to Andrew?”
Madison closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. She couldn’t even fathom how she would respond if Andrew were gone.
“Just think about that. I know she can be cruel sometimes and that she doesn’t always understand you but... I lost my daughter a long time ago and one day I will be gone and...”
Madison’s eyes shot open. “Grans, don’t you dare talk like that,” she interrupted her.
“Oh, Maddie, I won’t always be here and when I go she will be your only family, and despite what you think, you need her and she certainly needs you.”
Madison sighed. “Okay, Grans, I’ll try but it goes both ways you know.”
“I know, sweetheart,” she said touching her cheek. “Now, go to sleep, you have several long days ahead of you.”
Her grandmother rolled back over and Madison again wrapped her arms around her. “I love you, Grans.”
“Near or far, Maddie, I will always love you,” She replied as Madison squeezed her tighter.
~*~
Andrew, Olivia and Aaron stayed for another hour before they also headed home. Olivia continued to look at her picture while Aaron drove. As they got to their house, Andrew turned to his Harley on the motorcycle trailer Madison had rented. He and Aaron had secured it earlier in the day. He still couldn’t believe he was leaving in the morning.
“I’m going to make sure I have everything, one last time,” Andrew said as he made his way back to his room.
He looked around and everything he owned neatly fit into one duffle bag and one backpack. He sat on his bed and looked up to see his aunt. She walked in and sat down next to him, holding a couple of pictures in her hand. She breathed in deeply and then handed him the first picture. He looked at her strangely and then the picture.
“Is this...”
She nodded. “Yes, we were twelve there. She was always so energetic and full of life.”
Andrew stared at it. She was young but he definitely could tell it was her. She was wearing the same carefree, on the verge of doing something completely insane expression that he always remembered. But inherently she looked really happy. He started to hand it back to his aunt but she shook her head.
“I want you to have that.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I found it a long time ago and after we lost contact with all of you I often stared at it, wondering if I could have done anything more.”
“I don’t think you could have.”
She shrugged. “Maybe. I also have something else.”
Andrew watched as she handed him another picture, this one a little larger. He turned to her, his eyes immediately watering. “Where did you find this?”
“I was going through my old photo books and there it was.”
“Can I have this?” Andrew asked turning back to the picture of him and his parents.
The picture was the only formal portrait they had ever taken. He was four at the time. It was before his parents started using again, before they left Chicago, before his life changed so drastically. As he looked at the picture, they seemed like a normal family. His dad was wearing slacks and a button down shirt while his mom practically glowed in a pink dress. Andrew sat on his father’s lap in an outfit that matched his father’s with his hair wild and all over the place. His eyes were beaming with a healthy mixture of happiness and mischief.
“Of course, Andrew. I thought I had it and well, I know you don’t have any pictures of them and that your memories of them probably aren’t the best.”
“You know, it’s weird, since I told Madison what happened I have had other memories of them,” he said with a half-smile that didn’t hide the sadness he felt.
“I’m glad to hear that. Just remember, Andrew, you will always be welcome in our home. No questions asked,” Olivia said with a smile.
Andrew frowned. “Why does everyone act like they are expecting me to fail?”
“Oh, Andrew, it’s not that at all. I think it’s...” She paused and touched his cheek softly. “People want to make sure that you know that you are not alone and that no matter what happens you will always have a place. We love you, Andrew, and want you happy and if that means you need to leave then I am all for it.”
He nodded and got up, walking to his backpack. He pulled out one of his drawing notebooks and slipped both pictures inside of it. Olivia got up and walked towards the door. She knew this would be one of the most difficult things she had ever done but she also knew that she needed to let him go. He loved Madison, as much as she loved Aaron, and he needed to be with her. She just hoped that everything would be okay, he deserved happiness.
3 On the Road
Madison felt her grandmother move and knew it was time to wake up. She had all of her clothes packed and in the car already except for the outfit she would be wearing today. As her grandmother moved to the bathroom, Madison changed clothes and made them a light breakfast. They sat quietly and ate, unable to find the right words to say. Madison stayed until the very last minute before giving her grandmother a tight hug.
“I love you, Grans,” Madison whispered against her.
“I love you, too, Maddie. Now go, you have a long drive ahead of you.”
Madison smiled and kissed her one last time before walking out the door. She hated leaving but when she saw her grandmother’s door close, she knew it was time. Of course Madison didn’t see the look of despair on her grandmother’s face as she finally allowed herself to cry over the absence of her granddaughter. Madison sighed and pulled out of the driveway. It didn’t take long to get to Andrew’s place and when she arrived she came upon Aaron and Andrew standing around the motorcycle, talking, but not looking at one another.
“I'm going to miss you, Aaron,” Andrew said kneeling to check the bindings on the bike for the hundredth time just that morning.
“I’ll miss you too but you know... I am always just a phone call away,” he said with his trademark smile and hand on his chest move.
Andrew nodded before he heard Madison approaching.
“Is everything okay?” Madison asked concerned.
“Yes, everything is fine. Andrew just wanted to check his bike again,” Aaron said with a wink.
Andrew smiled at Madison and kissed her lightly. “Let me get my things.”
Madison nodded and watched as he walked away.
“You’ll take good care of him, won’t you, Madison?” Aaron asked and Madison turned, startled by his question.
“Of course I will.”
“He’s been hurt by so many people, people who were supposed to take care of him. I know he’s a grown man but inside, he’s still that little boy in the picture, needing nurturing and love.”
“I won’t hurt him, Aaron, and I won’t let anyone else either,” Madison answered with conviction. “I love him and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work.”
He smiled. “Of course,
please don’t take offense. He’s like a son to me and I am protective.”
Madison closed her eyes as her brows furrowed. She knew that Andrew leaving with her probably seemed very crazy to everyone, but they loved each other. She took a deep breath; trying to calm her racing heart, when she felt a hand rub her shoulders softly and a kind voice begin talking.
“Your love for him means a great deal to us. It’s the only reassurance we have that he will be fine. He’s putting all of his trust in you and so are we. I know that is a lot to take on, but I...” He paused and took a deep breath. “I had to be sure, Madison.”
Madison nodded.
“What’s going on?” Andrew asked, coming outside with his bags and Olivia in tow.
“Nothing,” Madison said, looking at him with watery eyes. “Do you think you can hook this up, Helios?” Madison asked with a smile, trying to ease the discomfort she felt.
Andrew grinned and tossed his bags on the backseat. “Yeah, Aaron, can you guide me?”
Madison watched as they hooked the trailer to the car. Olivia stood beside her with her arm around Madison’s waist.
“You take good care of him,” Olivia said, squeezing her tighter.
“I will, Olivia,” Madison replied, swallowing hard before looking up to her. “He’s everything to me.”
Olivia offered her a genuine smile and then turned back to Andrew and Aaron. “I could never have children. We tried and tried but it just wouldn’t happen. Finally I got checked and found out I was...well, I would never be able to conceive.”
“I’m so sorry, Olivia.”
“I didn’t know at the time that Andrew was supposed to be my child. That God was trying to gift me with this beautiful little boy.” She sighed before continuing, “I think my infertility was my punishment for not taking him when I could have and for the pain he endured because of it.”
Helios Exposed (The Helios Chronicles Book 2) Page 3
