Unfinished Business

Chapter 7: Memories and What Could Have Been

Lena stood in the kitchen, her mind elsewhere as she washed the dishes. The house was quiet, except for the sound of water runnin' and the occasional clatter of plates. She couldn't shake the thoughts that had been circlin' her head for weeks. She knew deep down that Que wasn't the cause of their breakup—it was her choice. She was the one who walked away, convinced that distance and a fresh start were what they needed. But now, with everything goin' on, she couldn't stop wonderin' if they could ever get back to what they had.

The problem was, every time she thought about it, that night at the party haunted her. She didn't know for sure if Que had slept with that girl, but the image of him kissin' her neck, the way he held her like Lena didn't even matter—it was enough to tear her apart. How could she even think about trustin' him again?

Que's Visit

Later that afternoon, Que came over, like he had been doin' more and more recently. He was steady about bein' there for her and the baby, always checkin' in and makin' sure she was okay. Lena appreciated it, but it didn't make things any easier.

She heard him knock on the door before lettin' himself in. "Lena, you good?"

She turned to see him walk into the kitchen, his usual calm presence fillin' the room. "Yeah, I'm good. Just cleanin' up a bit."

Que nodded, walkin' over to her without sayin' much. It was like he could tell when she didn't feel like talkin'. He didn't push. He just stood by her, reachin' out to rub her belly like he'd done a hundred times before.

His hand was warm, gentle, and for a moment, Lena forgot about everything that had happened between them. She could feel his care, his protectiveness in the way he touched her belly. She closed her eyes, tryin' to stay calm, but then she felt his hand linger on her side, where the tattoo was.

Lena froze as his fingers brushed over the small tattoo—his initial on her side, the one they'd gotten together back when everything felt perfect. He still had her initial tattooed on his hand. She glanced at him and saw the look in his eyes, the memories flashin' across his face.

Que smiled, a soft, almost nostalgic expression on his face. He chuckled, his voice low. "I remember the day we got these. You was so nervous, actin' like you was scared of the needle."

Lena smiled a little, thinkin' back to that day. They'd been so young, so in love, like they had the whole world in front of them. Back then, nothin' could touch them. They were invincible, or at least they thought they were.

"I wasn't scared," she replied, her voice soft. "I just didn't wanna mess it up."

Que's hand stayed on her side, his eyes lookin' at the tattoo like it was a piece of their history he was holdin' onto. "We was happy back then," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lena bit her lip, tryin' to ignore the flood of emotions rushin' through her. She didn't wanna go down that road, didn't wanna start thinkin' about the past like they could just pick up where they left off. It wasn't that simple.

"We were," she admitted, her voice shaky. "But things are different now, Que."

He didn't argue. Instead, he nodded, pullin' his hand away slowly. "Yeah, I know. But that don't mean it gotta stay this way."

What If?

As the afternoon wore on, Que hung around, helpin' her with things around the house. But all Lena could think about was that moment, the way his touch brought back memories she wasn't sure she was ready to face. She didn't know if they could ever get back to what they had, but a part of her still wanted to believe it was possible. A part of her still loved him, even though the hurt ran deep.

She watched him from the corner of her eye as he moved around the kitchen, the familiar sight of him in her space feelin' both comforting and complicated. She knew Que wasn't pushin' her to get back together, but the way he looked at her sometimes, the way he touched her belly—it made her wonder if he was hopin' for more.

And maybe, in another life, they could've figured it out. Maybe if that night at the party never happened, if she hadn't seen him with that girl, they could've found a way back to each other. But now? It felt like too much had happened, too many scars were left on her heart.

Que's Hopes

Later that evening, as Que was gettin' ready to leave, he stopped at the door and turned back to her, his hand restin' on the doorframe. "You know, I been thinkin' about it a lot lately," he said, his voice low.

"Thinkin' about what?" Lena asked, leanin' against the kitchen counter, feelin' the tension in the air.

He hesitated for a second before speakin'. "About us. About how things used to be, and how maybe... we could get back to that one day."

Lena's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't say nothin' right away. She wasn't sure how to respond. The part of her that still loved him wanted to believe they could, but the part of her that had been hurt wasn't ready to let him back in. Not yet.

"I don't know, Que," she said softly, lookin' down at her hands. "It's just... a lot's happened. And I don't know if I can go back."

Que nodded, but he didn't look defeated. "I get that. But I'm still here. And I'm not givin' up on you. On us. Not if there's still a chance."

Lena felt the weight of his words settlin' in her chest. He wasn't pushin' her, but she could see the hope in his eyes, the quiet determination that said he wasn't done fightin' for what they had.

As he left that night, Lena couldn't help but wonder—could they ever really go back? Or was it too late for them?