A Melody of You: Book Five

Cristina

Andrew has been a little off lately. Something happened with his father. He doesn't really speak about him much, but I know he was talking on the phone with him one night. He sounded frustrated but his anger subsided when he came back to bed. I didn't ask anything about it. I was so exhausted after a long shift in the Emergency Room. I could barely keep my eyes open.

We celebrated for his success with Danny's case, but his mind seemed elsewhere. I could tell he was not listening to me as I told him about my day. I tried poking around when I stopped in the middle of the story that day.

"Is everything okay, baby?" I gently said.

He seemed to come back to reality and nodded. "Yes, dear. Continue. I'm just tired."

"Oh...Then if you want, I can start cleaning up. We don't have to watch a movie tonight."

"No no. I'm good."

I looked at his half-finished plate and did a small frown. "Did you not like it?"

He realized what I was talking about and he quickly shook his head. "No! It was delicious! Everything you do is amazing, dear. I just...I don't have much of an appetite tonight."

"I see. Then let me start cleaning up so we can rest up."

"I'll prepare the movie then."

"No," I gently said. "I'm actually tired, too. Let's watch it another time."

He narrowed his eyes at me and I chuckled as I picked up his plate. "You're not lying to me are you just so I can rest?"

"I'm always tired, hun. I'd rather sleep than watch a movie."

"But you've been talking about this movie for a whole week!"

I pretend to stifle a yawn. "See that? I'm tired. Let's just go to bed."

He was amused at my reaction and then shook his head with a smile. He followed me into the kitchen and began to put kisses my neck as I washed the dishes. I smiled at the warm feeling of his breath on my cheek as he whispered, "I love you."

I hesitate but I still softly say, "I love you, too."

"Don't ever leave my side," he said as he warmly wrapped his arms around my waist. My heart noticed that hint of fear in his voice and desperation.

I couldn't help but be concerned again. "Are you sure everything is okay, Andrew?"

He was quiet for a moment and I started to get worried. So I turned off the faucet and turned around to look into his doubtful eyes. All that confidence he always has slowly disappeared as he softly said, "It's all too good to be true. I want it to stay that way."

"What?"

"Us. I've lost so many things but I don't want this to mess up. I always...I've done mistakes and I've had to pay a price. And you--"

He started to stutter and I put a hand on his chest. "Okay. Let's breathe first. Deep breaths, my dear."

He nodded and looked down as he tried to find his composure again. I peeked at his eyes and carefully said, "Is this really about us or something else?"

"I don't know anymore. No. I'm just nervous."

"For what, honey?"

"For all of this to end! Something will happen! It can't all be amazing!"

I gently chuckled at his slight panic. "You don't believe in happy endings?"

"I believe in screw ups."

"The story isn't so fun without any bumps along the way."

"You don't understand, Cristina."

I took his cheek and warmly said, "Then help me understand. I'm listening."