Together is my favourite place to be❤️

Chapter 35

*Luke's house*

"Mummy!" Vannah yelled as she saw Andy through the open door.

"My darling girl! I missed you! How was your day?!" She over enthusiastically asked her, avoiding all eye contact with any other grown ups as she was led by her daughter to where she was previously knee deep in a princess tea party.

"It was great, I played with Grace and Ellie all day AND we got an extra recess this afternoon for all being so good in class!" She excitedly told her mum.

"That's great Mi'ja!" She instinctively replied, catching herself off guard with that word. Andy took a second to recompose herself, looked briefly at Robert who was already looking at her and immediately looked away so as to not crumble in front of her child.

"Mummy I thought you were going to pick me up today? I drew you a picture but you weren't there in the playground." Savannah was speaking whilst still playing with her dolls, so Andy didn't think she was upset, just unsure why there was a difference in schedule.

"I know baby I'm sorry, Something came up at work so I thought you'd enjoy a little Uncle Luke and Auntie Vic time until I could come and see you!" She tried to keep her voice excited instead of alarming her any further.

"That's okay! We enjoyed some Moana and then we set up this tea party! The boys are sleeping, too, so I got them all to myself!" Savannah was beaming at this point.

"That's great sweet pea, I'm glad you had a nice afternoon." Andy took a pretend Sip of her tea to try and keep any tears at bay. She looked back at Robert who gave her reassuring, yet sympathetic smile.

-

*Meanwhile, In the kitchen*

"Any update?" Vic asked Robert, nodding in the direction of the living room.

The three adults were all leaning on the kitchen island. All wanting to help Andy, all feeling very in the dark. Robert took a look at his wife and daughter, smiled with sadness and turned back to Luke and Vic.

He took a deep breath... "Andy found out today that her Mum is alive." He finally let out.

"Say what now?" Vic blurted out.

"Yeah, I know. Minefield. She is distraught, she is confused, she's just... lost. Doesn't know where to turn, doesn't know who to trust, she's so hurt."

"Understandably" Luke nodded.

"And.." They both looked at him for answers. "Someone's been watching us, for weeks now.. following us around the supermarket, she was in a coffee shop across the road when we were all at the park the other day.. and she hasn't said it... maybe hasn't even realised it yet... but I'm pretty positive that it was Elena." Just in that moment Robert heard Andy call Savannah 'Mi'ja'... his head whipped round figuring that it would be a trigger for his wife. He met her gaze briefly, felt warmth that Andy had looked at him for comfort, but then let her look away so she didn't break down.

"This is wild, but explains why I found her where I found her." He paused. "She was asking Pruitt" Luke continued..

"Maybe even Ryan?" Vic interjected.

"She was, because her own husband was stuck in a stupid meeting." Robert stated, throwing down a tea towel on the counter in frustration.

"Hey, don't do that to yourself. How were you to know? You were there for her this afternoon, that's all that matters. You were all she needed."

"Yeah, me.. and that beautiful girl in there." He looked again at his wife and daughter, in total admiration. "Have the kids been okay? Thanks so much for getting them on short notice."