Begin Again (Andy Barber x OC)

18

We think Jacob has gone to a trail which is more of an intermediate hike he's been wanting to make. It overlooks the city and is lovely at sunrise, but there's always a chance of rattlesnakes and other dangers out there, especially when dark. It's also by a road so getting up there is easy enough for some of it.

Andy and I start at the beginning. If Jacob's made it here then he'll only be a short way ahead. We call out for him, but hear nothing Doc and his group are covering more area than we are and can search places if he's fallen or is hurt somewhere. I'm just praying to find him at the top safely.

"What happened with Laurie?" I ask as we carry on walking up and up.

"She left." Is all he says, and I know not to say anymore about it.

He's angry at her but I'm also sure he's not too pleased with me for losing his kid. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't want me left with Jacob again. "I'm sorry..."

"It's not your fault." He sighs and runs a hand through his hair as we stop to catch our breath. "Laurie did this, not you. She chose to come here and try her luck, but now I think she knows that Jacob really doesn't want anymore to do with her." he looks around the trail and then back at me. "Let's just find him before he does anything stupid."

Eventually we can see someone sitting at the viewpoint watching out over the town and know that it's Jacob. Andy heads on over to talk sit down next to him and talk, and I simply take a step back and watch. Jacob needs his fathers reassurance right now and I put in a call to Doc, who's still out with his group.

"Hey Doc"

"Have you found him?" Doc asks calmly.

"Yeah we've found him. He's fine" .

Doc sighs with relief, "That's great, I'll tell the others, Tell Andy I'm around if he needs me to check him over or whatever, although I'm sure you'll do that."

"Yep, I will, thanks for all your help – Andy and I are really grateful."

"You'd make a great mom to that kid y'know, just saying." Doc chuckles and I know he means well by it.

I look back as Jacob and Andy are still sat together watching the town and probably talking about Laurie. "I'd like to think so, but it's still early days."

"Well you'd be mad to lose grip of a man like Andy. He's one of the good ones."

"Doc..." I roll my eyes and begin.

"I know you like no other Nora...you're worried that any kind of commitment will end up with you divorced all over again. You're doing the right thing, taking it slow, but what I'm trying to say is that it is clear to anyone you ask in town that Andy Barber loves you. Now he may not have said it yet, but he sure as hell will do soon."

I shake my head, "Now how on earth could you possibly know that?"

"Every time he talks about you, he's got that look. A man in love, and I can't wait for the day that I can say 'I told you so'."

"I'll see you on Monday." I decide to end this conversation right now, being sure that Doc will on want to continue it after the weekend.

I look back to Andy and Jacob who are getting up and walking over, Jacob looking as though he's been crying. "Come here..." I smile weakly and wrap my arms around him as he walks into them and hugs me "Are you hurt?"

He shakes his head.

Andy looks at me. "Come on, lets get him home. It's been a long day."

Laurie is gone when we get back and Jacob says he's going to get an early night. He's not hungry which is no surprise and Andy settles himself on the couch next to me and putting his arm around me. I shuffle closer into him and rest my head just under his chin. "Is he alright?"

"He will be." He says softly and kisses my hair. "He got scared that she'd come over and try to take him with her."

"Is she gone for good?" I ask.

"She's gone for good. I think I made myself perfectly clear earlier."

I lean over and take my glass of wine that I poured to calm the nerves of earlier and sip it. "I don't know what I'd have done if something had happened to him. If he'd fallen or had been bitten?" The scenarios were still flying around in my head even now Jacob was upstairs safe and well in bed.

"But he wasn't, and we can be thankful that it wasn't anymore serious."

I have no idea how Andy has managed to put up with the amount of crap that he has. If I was him then I'd probably have a drinking problem by now.

"I still should've stayed with him..." the guilt of taking that call is eating me up, and the fact is that had Jacob of been a very young child then something worse could have happened.

"Nora." Andy gives me a look. "You can't beat yourself up about taking a phone call."

"What if he'd been younger? Like five?"

He cradles my face and kisses me. "Stop. It's not your fault. The blame lies with Laurie on this one. Not you, I mean the way you were earlier? Anyone who didn't know you would think that you were his mom. Not her – and that's something I love about you. You love Jake. Simple as."

Did he just say he loved me? Ok it wasn't an 'I love you' flat out but more so half of one. Do I say it back?

Oh shit. I need to play this tactfully.

"Just something? There's more?" I smirk.

Nice.

"Course there's always more. But I love you." He shrugs. "I think I've waited long enough to say it."

I don't let him say anymore, I just launch myself at him and kiss him. "If you hadn't guessed? I love you too." I break away, but he just pulls me back onto him.

Now is not going to be a good time for Jacob to come downstairs.