ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 107

" Glad you could have lunch with me today," Faith said as she sat in a small trendy cafe across from Andrew on her hour lunch break from the firm. She had a bacon cheeseburger and French fries while he picked at a pulled pork sandwich and onion rings.

Andrew looked bleary eyed and tired to her. Glory was right. She hadn't seen him in a while but it was so obvious. He was drinking. After years of being sober the son of a bitch was drinking again. 

He said almost wearily," No problem. I think my wife was eager to get me out of the house anyway. She's feeling a little energetic today. Watching little Miracle since Spencer and DuBuis are at a funeral. That little girl who killed herself. I can't believe that. Any of it. She was the one who shot Lewis. " He paused briefly. " How are you? How's school? New job? Joy ? "

Faith chewed on a fry and swallowed before answering. " School is good. Work is good. Joy is excellent. Why are you drinking again, you bastard ? "

Andrew looked startled. " What the hell are you talking about? I'm not drinking. I'm....."

Faith slapped the table top swiftly. " Shut your lying damn old mouth. You're drunk now. I , of all people, recognize drunk. What the hell is wrong with you? Your wife is going through hell with cancer and you are playing drunk pity games now. Fuck you. "

Andrew drew back in his seat. " I don't have to take this from you ," he shot out tersely. " I'm leaving. "

As he was about to get up and stand Faith reached out her hand to grab at his arm. " Yeah. You do. What's wrong with you? Don't you know how many people love you and need you and depend on you? Like your sons. Your grandchildren. Your wife. Your stepchildren. Your friends. " She tightened her hold on his arm. " Me. I need you. I love you. Look. I don't do good with emotional shit. My daddy died when I was a kid. Mama is gone now. Nicholas is..... not as bad as I thought when we first met but he'll never be my dad. He'll never fill his shoes. Only one comes close is you. You're my damn father figure. If you can't stay away from drinking what hope is there for me? "

Andrew pulled away from her grip and looked stubborn. " I'm not responsible for anyone's life but my own. "

Faith sat back in her chair with fiery eyes focused on his face. " Right. Well. That's bullshit. We're all responsible for each other. " She stared into his eyes so intensely that he had to break away from her gaze. " I'm going to have a baby. "

Andrew widened his eyes at her. " What....."

" Not now. Not yet. But in the future me and Joy are going to co-parent with Winston Arnett and Joe Jacobs. I'm actually starting to get excited about this. A little. But I don't know nothing about having a kid. I need you. I need my surrogate daddy. And our baby will need a granddaddy. Both Winston and Joe's fathers won't be in the picture for reasons I'm not getting into it right now. Joy's father will be there but I kinda want you to ..... to stand in for my daddy. And you can't if you just an old falling down drunk. "

Andrew shook his head and actually laughed out loud in amazed wonder. " I can't believe..... I'm not approving of the fathers but I think you and Joy will make wonderful mothers. But this has nothing to do with my drinking..... Which I can handle if I am. "

Faith stood up abruptly. " No. You can't. And yes it does. If you keep drinking I don't want you near any kid of ours. And, for that matter I don't want you near me or Joy anymore.  I can't take the chance of sliding back to where I came from. And I'm not watching you destroy yourself. I'm just not. I love you, you old bastard. "

Then she quickly walked off after pulling a twenty from her wallet and tossing it on the table next to her plate.

Leaving behind a stunned Andrew Norland.