Let me love you | Merluca

25 (additional chapter)

3 months later

...

They were doing great, they were getting closer and closer. They had met each other's kids, and while in the beginning they seemed to adore each other, Andrew had noticed how Zola was closing herself of more and more. And he knew that it was getting to Meredith, if he knew one thing for sure, then that she would do everything for her kids to be happy... And it broke his heart to see this happening without really knowing how to help...

Just as he arrived at Meredith's house with Theo, he saw how Zola ran upstairs, loudly closing the door behind her. He looked towards Meredith, seeing how she avoided his gaze. He took a deep breath before he slowly went towards her, bringing her in his embrace, Theo still on his arms.

"Can I try?" He asked softly, noticing how helpless Meredith seemed with this situation.

"If you want to... I'm just not sure it'll help..."

"She seems to have a problem with me... maybe I can try to... clear things up." He wasn't  sure himself, but he at least wanted to try before this would tear them further apart.

"Yeah..." Meredith sighed, making Andrew tighten his embrace slightly, putting a small kiss to her temple, before Meredith took Theo in her arms and he left to talk to Zola.

He slightly knocked before he carefully opened the door.

"Can I stay for a moment?" Andrew asked softly, hoping she would at least listen to him.

He didn't get a response. He sighed, before took another step inside, but staying close to the door, deciding to just try talking to her.

"Is there something I did?" He started calmly.

"You're not my dad!"

He took a deep breath, not quite having been prepared for that and on the other side able to relate to her. He took another moment before he started slowly.

"You know... When my mom died... I missed her so much... Every day I woke up and didn't know what to do anymore, because everything inside me felt empty... Because she had always been there for me and then... she was gone..."

He tried to hold his own emotions back while telling Zola about his mom. It would always be hard for him to have lost her so soon.

"Do you still miss her?" He saw how Zola looked up a little, asking quietly.

"Yes, a lot." He gave her a small sad smile.

"And when I do, I start talking about her..." he added after another moment.

"To whom?"

"Mostly to Theo, because he is always there... He probably doesn't even listen..." Andrew answered chuckling slightly, when he saw Zola smiling a little, making her chuckle as well.

"I know, it probably seems like we only spend time with Theo right now... And I'm sorry that it feels like this... He is still very little and needs a lot of care... But, I want you to know that your mom is always there for you, when you need her. And I'm here for you, too... When you're sad or want to talk about something or when you're happy or just want to tell us about your day. We will always be here to listen to you, okay?"

Zola nodded slightly.

"And about your Dad... If you want to talk to me about him you can do that too. And I know that your mom will also talk to you about him. And... I can assure you one thing. She also misses him a lot and she also talks about him sometimes. You're not alone with this feeling, Zola."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry." He offered her his embrace, hugging her tightly. "Do you want to talk to your mommy?" He asked quietly, trying to look at her.

"I didn't want to make her sad."

"I know, come on."

...

They both went downstairs; as soon as they reached the last few steps, he could already see her with Theo on the couch, looking up at them surprised, a smile slowly forming on her face as she noticed Zola holding his hand. Andrew having a smile on his face as well; he loved this family, his family.

"Come here, Zozo." Meredith took Zola in her half-embrace, still having Theo in her other arm.

"I'm sorry, mommy." She answered quietly, Meredith putting a small kiss in her daughter's hair.

"I'll give you a moment." Andrew whispered towards Meredith, while he took Theo, who was complaining that he couldn't reach Meredith anymore, making all three chuckle. Meredith gave him a small kiss as well, making Theo chuckle and the widest smile appear on Andrew's face.

...

Andrew gave them some time, disappearing into the kitchen to prepare some dinner, which turned out to be a little more difficult with Theo wanting to explore everything around the kitchen. But they had a good time and eventually dinner was ready after some time.

He went back into the living room to get Zola and Meredith, and then Bailey and Ellis, hearing a part of their conversation as they hadn't noticed him yet.

"Will you love Theo more than us?" Andrew heard Zola quietly as she looked at her mom.

"No, Zozo. You will always be my three shining stars and now there is a fourth little star to love. I love you all so much. I will never stop loving you!"

"I like him too... He always smiles and laughs when you do something."

Andrew waited a moment before he announced himself, still with a big smile on his face.

"Dinner is ready."

He never imagined to have this family and yet it was all he needed in his life.

...

The End