Your Lying Eyes

Your Lying Eyes Chapter 36

Over the next couple of days they spent hours in conversation with each other, discussing what they both thought and wanted.

Howard had been genuinely surprised to hear that Anna didn't like being left behind whenever he was away D.J.ing.  How she hated the feeling of being alone in the house while he was away.  In return, he admitted that he was afraid that they would lose time together as a family while she studied and even more once she qualified as a solicitor.

"But you know how important you and Maisie are to me Howard.  I wouldn't do anything to put our family at risk.  You two are my world," she told him.

"But we don't see as much of you as we'd like already," said Howard.  "You spend a lot of time shut away in the study, working until late at night.  I'm out during the day with the others.  I don't want us to drift apart."

"Now we know how we both feel, we should be able to reach some kind of compromise," said Anna thoughtfully.

"Ok, how about I cut down on the amount of weekends I'm away from home then," said Howard.  "In return you could promise to work just part time when you qualify," he suggested.  "Or go part time when we have our next child?" he said, glancing at her sideways.

Anna smiled broadly at him.  Pleased that he was planning their future like this.

"So you're planning our next one then are you?" she grinned at him.  "Er don't you think I'd like a bit of a say in that too?"

"I would have said something to you, not just gone ahead without you knowing," he smiled back at her.  "What do you think of the plan anyway?"

"Yes, I think I could agree to that," Anna laughed, hugging him.  "Just try and be a little patient while I'm still studying.  It won't be for much longer now.  Another six or seven months and it will all be over."

The next few days passed quickly.  They were both much more relaxed and happy in each other's company, enjoying being together.  The air of tension had gone.

Thursday came around, the day they had an appointment at the photographer's.  Anna had arranged to pick Howard up from the studio where he was working on the songs for the new album with the rest of the guys.  She'd dressed Maisie in her prettiest dress and when Howard saw her he scooped her up and took her to show off to the others.  It was written all over his face how proud he was of her.

"He's been a lot more cheerful these last few days," said Gary quietly to her as he moved up on his seat to make room for her.  "He'd been like a bear with a sore head before.  He'd something on his mind that was bothering him."

"Yeah, well we've got a couple of things sorted out that were causing a bit of friction between us," said Anna.  "We've had some good talks recently and I think he understands things a bit better now."

"Good, I'm glad for you both," he said hugging and kissing her cheek.  "You're good for each other.  He needs you more than he realises or is prepared to admit to." He looked at her and nodded seriously.

"Thanks Gary, that means a lot to me," said Anna equally as serious.  "I'm glad that he has friends like you around him," she whispered to him as she returned the hug.

"Oi Barlow, hands off my bird!!" cried Howard as he came over to join them with Maisie.  "Get your own!"

He held out his free arm to Anna who laughed and came to hug both of them, kissing first Maisie and then Howard on the cheek and hugging them both at once.

"Come on, we don't want to be late for our sitting do we?" she told him, taking his hand and leading him out to the car.

Norman, the photographer was waiting, the studio set up ready for them.  He arranged them formally seated, standing, then in a more relaxed manner, sitting on a rug, Howard with his arm draped around Anna's shoulders and Maisie in front of them laughing up as bubbles float up in front of her face.  This is the one that they finally decide upon, caught as they had relaxed and smiled so naturally.