You Don't Know Me | A Andy Gibb What If Story

Chapter 55

"Violet, are you serious?" I asked her.

She had stopped by my place after I got out of work at 2. She looked worried but it turned out to be something completely different.

Violet got the news that she was offered the next semester of college she could go to the Netherlands and study abroad the arts. She was about 6 semesters away from getting her degree. She would be away for a year. Grandma Mary would also go with her.

"Yes, and I really don't know if I wanna do that. I mean I'm finally settled and happy here," Violet contemplated.

"Yes I get that Violet but this is a once and a lifetime opportunity," I told her.

"But it means I won't get to see you almost every day. I'll gain so much but lose too," Violet remarked.

I frowned. She wasn't believing in herself. This was her time to shine.

"Violet, you should take the opportunity. Your momma up there wouldn't have done this for you if she didn't see your potential," I told her.

"I know but," Violet remarked.

"When would you have to leave for the Netherlands?" I asked her.

"Sometime in January. They told me because of the last-minute news, I'd get to start the semester a little later overseas," she told me.

"Oh," I remarked.

"Which means I'll have to apply for the papers in the next few days," Violet told me.

"Go with your heart Violet. I can't make a decision for you. But I'll support you either way," I told her.

She sighed. 

I knew inside, we both would feel weird. No Violet around me for the first time since her rehab stay? First time I wouldn't get to see Violet since preschool. Now that's hard. But this was her dream to get to backpack in Europe and see what the world had to offer.

"I'll think about this later. Let's focus back on Christmas," Violet commented after a second of silence.

"Yeah let's not focus on any stress. It is the Christmas season," I told her.

"Right well we definitely will need to get everything in order for the AA meetings holiday party," she told me.

I chuckled.

"Now I say no stress and you start stressing about something else," I remarked.

She laughed.

"Good point. Why not focus on the brunch Grandma Mary is doing on tomorrow?" Violet asked.

"Right did I need to bring anything?" I asked Violet.

"No just yourself," Violet told me.

"Okay good," I told her.

And so, the visit with Violet went on and she went on her merry way.

Andy was in Florida for a few days with his brothers. He would be home in time for the brunch with Violet and Grandma Mary. It was weird having such a quiet house.

As the evening went on and I got ready for bed, it was weird just being me and Sam.

"I know you are being protective Sam but Andy will be home tomorrow morning," I commented.

He lay at the end of the bed while I got adjusted to sleep.

For work, it was troubling working in the days leading up to Christmas. Though most of us had Christmas spirit, we just wanted to be at home doing Christmas activities. 

By 2 a.m, I heard noises from the living room. I was absolutely terrified. I slowly grabbed the baseball bat that I kept under my bed and Sam and I walked down the hall quietly. 

The lamp was on.

"Whoever you are, know you ain't gonna survive," I remarked as Sam went into the living room first.

"Well that ain't a nice welcome," I heard.

I popped my head around the corner and Andy was standing there.

I dropped the bat and ran to greet him.

"You fucking almost gave me a heart attack," I whispered as he held me in an embrace.

"Well hello to you to darling," Andy remarked.

"Why are you home so early? Not that I'm complaining," I told him as we separated.

"I didn't want to risk being late for the brunch so I planned an early flight," he told me.

I glanced at the clock. It was after 2. So his plane must have left Florida at 8.

"You must be tired honey. Go shower and let's get to bed. Brunch is at 11 at Grandma Mary's,"  I told him as he stole another hug.

"God I missed you," he told me as he left his luggage in the living room.

"Are you hungry? I could make you something," I told him.

"Just a snack will be fine. I'll even take some Christmas cookies if there are still some left," he remarked as he went to get ready for the shower.

"Okay I'll get that and some tea ready," I told him as I went to the kitchen. 

After about 15 minutes, we met in the bedroom.

"Your tea and cookies are on the side table," I told Andy as he walked out of the bathroom.

He was towel-drying his hair.

"Thanks, darling," he told me as he walked over to me on the bed.

He leaned down to kiss me.

"That's one thing I miss when we aren't together. Getting to be with you every night," he remarked.

I smiled after he walked away. It was now after 3. I really wanted to go back to sleep so I didn't feel tired at the brunch.

"I'm going to try and doze off now cause I really don't feel like looking ugly in the morning at the brunch," I told him as he sat down on the bed with his cookies and tea.

"I won't be long," he told me as I adjusted and closed my eyes.

I closed my eyes and comfortably got adjusted.

I was slowly dozing off and Andy was finally adjusted lying next to me.

"Come here," he whispered.

I scooted closer and he kissed my forehead.

"I love you," he whispered.

"Love you more," I mumbled to him.

"You were worth the wait have I ever told you that?" he asked quietly.

"You are so whipped. I love you," I mumbled back.

"I think so but how can I not be?" he whispered.

I sleepily chuckled.

"Good night honey," I commented.

"Good night darling," Andy remarked.

Oh to be loved. It felt like a fantasy.