Three Steps Back

33

Riley

James and I walked back towards the table, James still having a tight grip on my hand while he smiled at me before offering Piper the same smile
"Perfect timing, James I need your help" Piper said getting up from the seat practically dragging James away
He turned back to look at me with worry on his face but as soon as I nodded in his direction he sighed giving his sister his full attention

"I take it, he's told you?" Andrew asked, I glanced over at him not really sure what he was expecting me to say

"Yeah, he told me during our first year" I answered figuring if I go worst case scenario
"So, I assume you hate me as much as my son does then" He said bowing his head
"James doesn't hate you" I said making Andrew furrow his brow

"did you not see what I just did?" He questioned as I nodded

"That isn't James hating you. James couldn't hate you, what you don't see is that from your absence he's become protective over not only Piper but Deborah to. He watched her hit her lowest while he was only 5 years old" I explained
"he had to pick up all the pieces while you got to walk away" I added
"now I don't mean any disrespect to that, but I think that if you plan to build any sort of relationship with your son. You need to be patient, you need to take it slow and you need to not force this on him" I explained

Andrew looked at me with an expression I could not explain, I didn't know if he was about to yell at me, snap, or cry..

"I think Riley, I think I needed to hear that" He whispered
"I'm glad James has someone like you" He said offering me a smile 

Right as Andrew said that, his two children made an appearance again both with big grins on their face confirming they were up to something
"What did you two just do" I asked with a raised brow, both of them turned to each other grinning before bursting out laughing 

 --

"It was lovely meeting you Riley, it's been eye opening" Andrew said nodding at me, both Piper and James stood there looking at me confused making me chuckle as James wrapped an arm around me 

"As for the two of you, I will see you tomorrow for Piper's showcase. James I'd love to stay around for yours too if you'd let me?" Andrew said making me smile at him before turning to James

"You want to?" James asked
"Of course son" Andrew said smiling as James scratched the back of his neck
"sure it's uh a couple days after Pipers. I can meet you tomorrow during her showcase and give you details" He said, Andrew nodded with gratitude before we all finally parted ways 

As soon as we got back to my dorm, James threw me over his shoulder earning a squeal before dropping me on the bed jumping onto it next to me making me laugh as he began to tickle me
"What did you doooo" He sung making me squirm around trying to avoid his fingertips

"I didn't dooooo anything" I sung back swatting his hands away until he collapsed on the bed next to me 

"Ri, I'm not playing. What happened while Piper and I weren't at the table?" He asked, his brown eyes searching mine for an answer
"Your Dad and I spoke" I said making James look at me confused again as his hand travelled to my waist
"Spoke? About?" He asked earing a scoff
"I thought that much would have been obvious" I continued 

"Rileyy" He whined making me laugh

"I merely told him that if he wants to build a relationship with you. He needs to be patient and not force it" I said watching as James' eyes widened looking back at me
"You didn't" He whispered

"I did" I whispered back laying back onto the bed turning to face him

"Riley, why would you do that? What if he had snapped at you?" James said with worry evident in his tone
"But he didn't so it's okay" I answered cupping his cheek gently stroking it as he closed his eyes
"You always drag yourself into situations you don't need to be in" he whispered making me laugh 

James opened his eyes to roll them at me before sighing and facing me
"I love you" He said kissing the tip of my nose
"I love you more" I whispered copying his kiss before he leant in closing the entire gap between us