Two Brothers (Dan and Adrian Howell FanFic)

Chapter 34- I Found You

It's been 10 years to this day that I left Maysie at Phil's house. I've seen her once since then, when Phil and Rose's baby was born, it was a boy to Phil's excitement and named him William Daniel Lester. I lived with Dan and Christie for 3 years and went back to university and finished my degree. I moved out when Dan proposed to Christie. I moved to Reading. Dan and Christie got married a year later. I got a girlfriend called Annabelle and we dated for about a year before I broke it off. Phil, Rose and William moved to Phil's hometown. Christie became pregnant and had twins, Bethan and Mason. They stayed in London.

I am 29 now and am having coffee as I walk around the streets. I have quite enjoyed doing this. Being able to take in the fresh air as I make my way to The Forbury Gardens. It's just nice to think. The magnificently smelling flowers, friendly people, and the morning breeze.

I take a seat on the bench and pull out my red notebook. I start doing a little sketch of a rose bush, stopping to talk to the occasional friend that walks past on their way to work or dropping their kids at school. I finish quickly and start searching for something else to draw. My eyes stop suddenly, they start to prickle with tears, I hold them in. I pack up my gear and start to walk over to a figure. I tap their shoulder. They spin around quickly. They hug me suddenly and start sobbing.

"I found you," The warm voice echoed in my ears. They hug me tight, like I just came back from death, "I never thought I would see you again."

They hold me by my shoulders looking me over. I see the blonde flowing hair, the sparkling hazel eyes, and the strawberry, large lips formed in a glowing smile. They are wearing a multi-coloured poker dotted summer dress and a pair of pastel pink pumps.

"How are, Maysie? I see your leg is fixed, when did that happen?" I ask holding myself together.

"Oh I'm fine, and it happened a long time ago haha," She answered with a slight laugh, "What's this?" She asked pointing to my notebook.

"Oh, it's just my sketch book, I was just drawing the roses over their," I answered explaining.

"Can I have a look?" She asks. I hand her the notebook and wait in anticipation as she opens it. Another smile grows on her face as she flicks back through the book. She suddenly lost her smile as she stopped on a page.

"Is this your girlfriend?" She asked sadly

"My ex" I answered earning me a slight smirk from Maysie, "Want to go have a coffee?"

"Looks like you've already had some but sure," She stated pointing to the empty coffee mug. I give a light laugh and we go on our way. I take her to the local coffee shop and she gets a mochaccino and I order latte. We take our see and sit in silence for a little moment before I notice a bruise on the side of her neck as she is facing the counter to the right.

"What's that on your neck?" I question worried. Her hand, almost automaticaly, cover it.

"Oh, it's nothing, probably just some paint," She answers in an almost scared feeling about her voice, "You know how I get when I paint." I didn't believe her though.

"Maysie," I say sternly, "What happened?" I must have raised my voice a bit because I could see some heads turning our way.

"It was just my straighten, I was pulling it down my hair and it slipped out of my hands and hit my neck, Okay," She said annoyed that I pestered on, yet I still felt like I didn't quite believe her.

"Okay, okay, I just want to make sure you are okay," I state trying to break the tension.

"Thanks," She replies quietly. The barista calls out our names and Maysie gets up to get the coffees. I quickly take note of her hand. No ring.

She brings them back over and I subject we go hang out at my place. She agrees so be walk back home. It's a short walk home but it's nice. It feels right. We arrive at my house and I unlock the door. I hear fast footsteps and a very excited Jack Russel comes bolting around the corner towards us. I neal down to pick him up but Maysie is already down waiting to cuddle him. I stand back up and close the door. Maysie is patting him and picks him up.

"He's adorable, What's his name?" She asks.

"Jack."

"Haha I get it cause he's a Jack Russel, good one," She jokes. She puts him down and I give her a quick tour of the house. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 kitchen, 1 lounge. We sit down in the living room.

"Nice place you've got here," Maysie comments.

"Thanks, it's been a journey," I reply.

"Did you paint these?" She asks walking toward the paintings on the walls.

"Same of them, yeah," I state sheepishly.

"They are really good Adrian," She turns back to look at me, "This should be in a museum."

I laugh, "It's not that good."

"No, It is, You need to believe in your work."

"Maybe someday," I say looking away from Maysie's eyes, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure,"

"Why are you here?" I look up to see her face. It looks like a deer caught in headlights.

"Umm, well, I guess... I just really wanted to see you again," She answered briefly.

"Okay, how long are you staying?"

"Actually I'm moving here,"

"Oh cool, I can help you move in if you want," I offer.

"Ahh no no, no thank you, I'm perfectly fine," She says hesitantly. Her phone starts ring but she is frozen with fear. She all of a sudden snaps back to reality.

"I'm very sorry, I must go now, I can't leave him waiting." she stands up and leaves without any other words. It was like the ring of the phone hypnotised her.