Best of Me

Chapter 28

Cora slipped her key into the lock and pushed open the door. The house was quiet and warm. She took her time setting the key on the hall table as she looked around her. It looked almost exactly the same, only cleaner. 

She and Garrett had never had their talk, he had worked well past midnight and spent the following day in meetings doing damage control. He had told her that morning that it would be the same for that day so he had encouraged her to go home, to the house, promising her that he would join her on Friday in time for the fundraiser.

She hadn't wanted to go but he seemed to be more worried about her on her own in New York than at home, and not wanting to cause him any additional stress she had agreed, promising to call him that evening and let him know if the house had turned out alright.

She wandered into the living room where the fire had started, it looked different, there were new carpets, drapes, and furniture but it still had the same feel that it had prior to the fire, and it blended seamlessly with the rest of the house.

Cora's only other worry was the study and she wandered into that room next, breathing a sigh of relief as it looked unchanged. Teddy had done a wonderful job. She heard the front door open and she returned to the hall to see Teddy entering, as if on cue.

They stared at each other for a few moments before Teddy sat her own key down on the table next to Cora's. "That's Garrett's, if you wouldn't mind giving it to him?"

"Sure, but won't you be seeing him soon?"

"Not as soon as you will be."

There was an awkward silence. "Garrett texted me and said that you would be coming home today and I thought that I would show you all that was done."

"Thank you, I would like that."

Teddy nodded, all business as she led her through the house, taking her time in every room to explain what they had done to repair the smoke and water damage. When they got to the atrium and Teddy threw open the door Cora gasped.

"It's beautiful isn't it. Garrett was insistant that it be a show stopper, he's hired a landscape team to come in can care for it a few times a week." Cora felt tears form behind her eyes as she walked around touching and smelling all of the plants. He had remembered.

Teddy cleared her throat after a time and asked her if she would like to see the upstairs where the biggest changes had been made. Cora nodded absently, still taking in the wonder that surrounded her as she followed Teddy out of the atrium.

The upstairs was dramatically different. In all, six bedrooms had been condensed into four, but there were now closets and bathrooms in every room. The décor was beautiful as well. Teddy had carried the rich jewel tones up to the second floor and the entire place felt new and old at the same time.

"It's wonderful Teddy, you and Andie did a remarkable job."

Teddy's reserved look was replaced by one of pleasure, and there was a hint of the old Teddy, the one she had first met sneaking through.

"There's one more thing that Garrett insisted we add." Teddy opened the door to the attic and motion for Cora to proceed her.

Cora couldn't help the tears as she reached the top of the stairs and saw the space that had been created. The center area of the attic had been walled off and a little apartment had been created. There was a bathroom, bedroom, den, and small kitchen, but off to one side, a skylight had been cut into the roof and directly under it was an artist's dream studio. Cora walked towards it and noted everything she could ever want in the small space.

"He loves you Cora," Teddy said softly behind her

Cora nodded, his saving the house and restoring it, the inclusion of the atrium and the studio all proved it, but he still hadn't said the words.

"I'm sorry Cora." Teddy sat on one of the stools at the small kitchen counter.

"No, I'm sorry Teddy, I've been jealous and I'm sure I have had no reason to be, but it's hard. You're so successful and beautiful, and you and Garrett have such a long history, how is a girl supposed compete with that?" Cora joined her at the bar, sitting on the stool next to her.

"Let me apologize damn it." Teddy stood up and started pacing. "You're right Garrett and I have a history together but it's different than what you two have. He loves me but he's not in love with me and it scares me that he won't be there for me anymore. I've been monopolizing his time because I've been trying to prove to myself that he will still be there for me, but he's right, I need to look elsewhere for my support. He has you now and he doesn't need me any longer," she held up her hand stopping Cora's interruption, "as jealous as I am, I am happy for both of you. I like you Cora and I think you're good for Garrett."

"He's good for me."

"Yes, he is. You've changed a lot since you married him." She smiled.

"What about you, are you still dating Conrad?"

Teddy rolled her eyes, "No, I never really was, I just took him to dinner to please my parents. They don't like that I'm well past thirty and still single. They think I should be married and have given them a grandchild by now."

"Is there anyone special, has there ever been?"

She nodded and Cora was so afraid that she was going to say Garrett that she was utterly shocked when she said Andie's name.

"Andie?"

"Yes, I love her like Garrett loves you."

"And she loves you like I love Garrett." Cora agreed.

"How would you know?" Teddy smiled indulgently.

"Because she told me she did. She said that she understood you like I understand Garrett, and that neither you nor Garrett will ever understand each other the way that I understand him and she understands you."

"She told you?" Teddy had started to cry.

"She said she was crazy about you and had been since she met you over ten years ago." Cora watched Teddy as she turned her back to her while she tried to gain control.

"You weren't shocked by the admission?" Teddy sniffed.

"No, I was surprised, but not shocked."

"And by my admission, that I'm gay, you're not shocked?"

"No! I think it's the best thing ever!"

Teddy turned to look at her, her eyes wide in surprise. Then she started to laugh so hard she was crying again. "I love you Cora, you're so honest and sincere. I even know why you think it's the best thing ever."

"Well, duh!" Cora said standing up and moving towards her. "I'll make a deal with you, I'll tell Garrett I love him if you tell Andie that you love her."

"Is it really that easy?"

"No, harder for you than for me I imagine, especially since I kind of already told him."

Teddy shook her head. "I also have to find the courage to tell my parents, I think it's the only way I can really prove to Andie that I'm in love with her."

"Probably, but if they're good parents they'll be happy that your happy and no longer alone."

"And if they're not, happy?"

"Then you'll still have me, Andie, and Garrett. We'll be your family."

Teddy looked at her and this time they both started crying while Cora gave Teddy a hug.

"Am I missing something?" Andie asked from the doorway.

"Andie." Teddy sounded guilty as she stepped away from Cora.

"Pay back's hell, isn't it Teddy!" Cora teased. "If you'll excuse me I want to go look at the atrium again and call Garrett." She turned when she reached the door and looked back at the two women eyeing each other. "Don't forget our deal Teddy. You first."

Teddy shot her an angry look just before Cora closed the door behind her.