The Swap // Denis Stoff

23

I get to the studio, trying my hardest not to cry. I need to come across as happy to David when I first see him because beneath all of the shit that's going on just now I am so excited to see him. I walk as fast as humanly possible with Anya in her stroller down the path and bump it up the stairs to get inside. The familiar warmth hits me and it makes me smile a little. It makes me miss David standing there with a mug of hot chocolate in his hand waiting to greet me. I go down the narrow corridor, trying to not knock anything off of the wall with Anya's stroller and I hear some voices in the studio. I pop my head in to find David and another guy sitting chatting.

David snaps his head around. 'Amber! Oh my God!' He exclaims. He jumps up from his seat and rushes to me, grabbing me in a massive hug. 'Amber I didn't expect you to be back as soon as this... I mean I know it has been almost a year but... I am so happy to see you!' He holds me out in front of him and smiles widely. 

'David I have missed you so much too.' I grab him back in for another hug. 'I'm so sorry to have crept in on you like this.'

'It's okay honey. And who is this!' He coos, bending down to Anya. I glance at the other guy who is sitting and give him a little wave.

'Sorry! I am so rude. I haven't introduced you two. Amber this is my intern for the moment, his name is George.'

I shake George's hand and he seems somewhat frozen to the spot. 'Everything okay?' I as as David lifts Anya out f her stroller, giving her a cuddle.

'Yeah...' He gulps. 'I'm just a bit star struck.' He laughs nervously.

I give out a massive laugh and he looks stunned. 'Well that's a first!' I guffaw. 'I'm not famous... but thank you...' I don't know how to react. He sits fiddling with his hands nervously and David chuckles.

'He hasn't stopped asking about you and Denis... and AA in general. I think he's only working for me just now because he knows you have all been here in the same room.'He puts his hands on his hips and fake cries.

George smiles sheepishly and looks down at his phone. I take Anya through into the kitchen and David follows, shutting the door behind him. His face goes from happy to concerned instantly. 'Amber... I heard everything that's gone on... I'm speechless. How are you feeling.' He comes over to me and pulls me into a hug. I feel myself welling up and I just burst out crying into his neck. Anya is on my hip and she falls into a David too, making cute little noises. He holds me tightly as I just sob into his shoulder and I think this is exactly what I've needed.

He pulls away and pulls a seat out from under the little table. I sit down and he sits across from me. 'You've had a hell of a year Amber...' He touches my hand from across the table. 

For the next half hour I just sit and tell him everything that happened first hand. I stop crying and get to the present, telling im about the shit with Denis. he purses his lips and stands. 'I think we should go back into the studio. I'm working on some stuff for a local band just now if you wanna help?'

'I do.' I sniff, standing and carrying Anya back through. For the rest of the day we work on some new material and it makes me feel so much better. I feel so much more at home here and to be honest I can't wait to come back. David agreed to let me come back and Denis is back in Ukraine and I have decided what to do with myself.

At 5pm I leave to go back to Denis' place. I don't really want to go there but all of Anya's stuff is being delivered here tomorrow so I don't have a choice. When I get in I sit down and open  my texts instantly. 

Hey Derek. I read your letter before getting on the plane... it was beautiful. I am so sorry I left you this way and I hope we can get together soon to talk about it. Amber X