Hang Up [Unedited]

Epilogue 3: Finale

25 December, 2019. 3:25pm.

As always, Andrew had arrived first to meet at the bench. The bone-chilling cold of Chicago threatening to break through his gloved hands, Andrew checked the time once again, the third time in the last two minutes. She usually arrived a few minutes after her did, so he wouldn't be waiting long for her. He just wished she'd picked some place warmer than the park, but this was their usual meeting spot; also being the first place they had ever met. The thought and feeling of being cold had completely left him, as he thinks back on that particularly hot day.

What he was hoping for when she arrived, was for her to jump into his arms again, just like when they had first met. Although he knew that was being a little too hopeful, that's what he wants, but something told him that he won't be getting what he wanted. There was anxiety building in him, the thought of her not showing up, running around his mind. To keep himself calm, Andrew begins to scratch at his wrist again, and a stinging sensation occurs when he realizes he has broken the skin. Nevertheless he just keeps scratching.

Jewel pulls onto the street she had always parked on, and shut off he car. Swiveling in her seat, she turns around to peek inside the purple carseat. The baby has her honey brown eyes open, and is staring back at her mother. For some reason the little girl gave her a boost of confidence, that she didn't have when she first parked the car. Unstrapping herself from her seat, Jewel also grabs the baby carrier, and begins to trudge across the snow sodden field.

Although she was bundled up in her winter jacket, scarf, and beanie, Jewel had forgotten her mittens, chilling her hands to the bone. She was so wrapped up in making sure the baby would stay warm she disregarded her own. A slight smile spread across her face as she thought about the scolding she would get for not being more thoughtful. In the end, no matter how many times she says it's fine, Andrew was usually always right. So as she passes the water park, her smile broadens when her eyes land on the figure sitting on the bench.

Her first instinct was to run and collide her body with his, but she knew better. Not only was it because she was carrying her child in one arm, but also because once she was back in his arms again, there would be no stopping from going into a raging fit of tears. So clutching the carrier tighter, Jewel saunters over to the all-too-familiar bench, where the figure has now risen to their feet. Compared to Jewel, Andrew's height was still a bit staggering, but they preferred it that way.

Finally the two of them are standing face to face with each other, a wide distance in between them. They hold each other's gaze, eyeing the other with speculation, curiosity, and wonder. Andrew had grown a faint amount of facial hair, while Jewel had gained a bit of weight--she's in the middle of a coke bottle and hourglass figure. Both of them had slightly significant physical changes, yet one thing had truly remained the same for them, love.

"Hey," they breathe at the same time.

They both laugh, and the thick tension seems to lighten around them. Somehow, even in the blistering cold, the air had become warmer around them. The sun began to shine a little brighter, and warmth spreading through their bodies. No longer was there a numbness to them, but a vivacious spirit ready to be released.

Holding out her hand, Jewel offers it to Andrew to shake. Considering that she couldn't and wouldn't hug him, that's all she's able to do. Andrew just stares at her hand, a bit upset that she isn't wearing any type of protection from the cold, and contemplating whether to shake it or pull her into him. Instead of doing either, Andrew takes off his gloves and puts them on her hands. It is a bit of a bold move, since they haven't had any type of connection in a long time, but she needed them.

Jewel sets the carrier down, so that he can put the other gloves on he right hand. She didn't feel it, a spark or some electric volt running down he spine when he touched her, it was just nothing. She didn't expect to feel them though, she had never really felt them, but her heart always skipped a beat at his touch. And although it wasn't as noticeable as it used to be, her heart still skipped a beat while her breath hitched in her throat. He still has an affect on her, he always did.