Crying Wolf

Chapter 27 July 3rd - Monday

Her Dad decided they needed to celebrate, so he took them out for food and dessert. Daniel and Noah both came along, Daniel because he was her ride, and Noah because Dad had insisted. Daniel sat on her right and Annie was to her left. Noah sat directly across from Meredith.

She looks over at Daniel, "Aimee's going to be livid that she went into work when she finds out about this."

He chuckles, "Eh, she will be okay. She'll probably buy herself a cake. Which she won't finish on her own. So, honestly, it's okay. Double desserts for us."

She tilts her head back, "that is true. Maybe you could help me set up my PC when we get back?"

"Yeah of course, or you could just hop on mine. I'm usually on my PS5, so you could do that." He shrugs, a smile on his face. "Yes, I'm sure, before you ask."

Annie taps her on her shoulder, "Mer?"

"Yes?"

"I really am sorry. I betrayed you. I need you in my life, Mer. You're my sister, practically my twin. Will you please forgive me?"

She looks her sister in the eyes, "yeah, I forgive you. Dad told me a powerful saying. I don't hate you, I just hate what you did."

Her Dad grins, "That didn't work for me, but damn is it working for you."

Noah looked so detached and hurt. He knew it was over for them, but she no longer felt she owed him anything. She no longer felt like she belonged to him, and she liked that sense of freedom. He didn't look like he enjoyed being without their bond. Maybe he didn't like that he would never know if she was in pain. Maybe it was a protection thing at this point.

They ate their meals when they came out, the sweet aroma filling the air. This was her new favorite restaurant, the food was extraordinary. She could only imagine how good the desserts must taste, making her mouth water for a bite. She was going to get some chocolate cake.

"Why do you look so sad, Noah? We're celebrating!" Her father questions.

Noah looked up from his plate, "I–well, I would have loved to go back in time to before I messed up. Before I lost her."

"I broke the bond. The night before the last court date. I know I can forgive Annie, but I can't think about dating him. Knowing that when all I wanted was him...and he...yeah." She interrupted.

Her Dad nods, "I could never forgive that either. I mean, you can try to be friends, but until you both go through your feelings, you should stay apart. It's what your mother and I are doing. I filed for divorce before your trial started. So, your mother and I agreed we should find somewhere to live, and so I did. Maybe I'll stay in touch, but maybe we won't."

"When were you going to tell us?" Meredith pondered.

He smiles, "when you won, well, after. I didn't want to make you feel sad for me or anything while you are going through all of that. My tiny divorce is nothing compared."

"20 plus years of marriage isn't nothing, Dad" Annie says quietly. "Where are you staying?"

"A hotel," he shrugs. "It's far, but it's somewhere. I-"

"Live with us," Annie says. "Well, me, until Mer comes back."

The waitress came by to take our dessert orders, each one making Meredith hungrier. She hadn't had dessert in a long time. Well, not from a restaurant. She had enough ice cream to last her a while. She loved her ice cream, even though she shouldn't eat so much. Her sister didn't help, whenever she was out of ice cream, she would bring her another gallon.