One Time Only

Chapter 50

Louis walks into his livingroom to see Andi sitting on the sofa, with a sigh he walks over, sits on the coffee table in front of her. "Okay, talk to me. Why in the hell would lie to Jeri like that? I thought you were happy she and Harry finally got their shit together, and got married."

Andi looks at her husband as tears stream down her cheeks. "I am happy for her. But I'm not so sure Harry won't fuck up again. Lou it's been almost 14 years since they've met, 13 since they've basically been a couple if you go by Timmy's age. And all he's done is hurt her. What makes you think this time will be any different?" She asks.

Louis shrugs. "What does it matter? Babe it's their life, not ours. They have to figure it out. Andi we had ours all figured out until you pulled what you did." Louis says with tears now in his own eyes. "Do you know how much it hurt me to hear my wife tell her best friend she's in love with her husband and wishes she had died, when I know damn well you don't feel that way?" Louis whispers.

"God I know, babe. But I just don't know if I can withstand seeing Harry hurt Jeri again, I don't know if I can go another five years not knowing where she is." Andi sobs, not realizing Harry and Jerica is standing in the doorway hearing every word said. "I love them both so much, I really do. I just hate them together, they're toxic for one another." Andi cries.

"Oh babe, maybe this time it'll all work out." Louis says, hugging Andi to him. "Babe it's their life, I just don't want to lose you. And after what happened earlier I'm not sure how I'll explain us staying together." Louis whispers.

"You don't have to explain anything." Jerica says as she and steps into the room. "We thought we'd come see if you need help packing."

Harry walks over and sits next to Andi, he picks up her hand and holds it in his. "Andi, I'm glad you love my wife enough to want to protect her, even from me. And I don't blame you one bit. I know my track record hasn't been that great, hell it's been horrible. But trust me when I say, I've learned my lessons. I got to see Timmy after he was born, yeah I missed a couple of years but when you miss a whole five years of your child's upbringing, everything from birth to, first word, first steps, hell first everything's, you kinda take stock of what you've done with your life. I did that and I found out something very important during that deep soul searching. Everything good I've ever done in my life I've done with Jeri. Other than the tattoo shops.
With Jeri in my life I have two of the most wonderful kids a guy can ask for, and an amazing wife. But not only that, I gained you, a faithful friend, who's willing to throw away everything to make sure her friend is happy and safe. Andi I'll never hurt her again. I just couldn't do that, she is my everything." Harry says as tears trail down his cheeks.

Andi throws her arms around Harry's neck. "God I'm so sorry."

"I know, Andi. I am too." Harry says as he hugs her back.

Andi looks up at Jerica. "I'm so sorry I said what I did. Do you forgive me?"

"Of course I do, Andi. You're like a sister to me, I love you." Jerica says, pulling Andi into a hug. "Look if you're not going to need our help here, we're going to go home to our kids."

Louis nods as he wraps his arms around his wife. "Okay, we'll see you guys at work tomorrow."
...................

"Mom, dad, Memaw is here." Genna yells as she runs into the house.

Harry steps out of the kitchen, catching his daughter around the waist as she runs by. "What have we told you about running in the house, young lady?" Harry asks as he props Genna on his hip.

"Not to. But daddy Memaw told me to run in here and get you." Genna says with a grin, causing Jerica to laugh.

"Did she?" Harry chuckles. "Well we'll just have to go see what Memaw needs." He says as they all three walk out the door to see his mom, Gemma, Louis, Andi and their kids with Timmy standing in the yard.

"Mom? What did you do?" Jerica asks as the walk off the porch to the group.

"Nothing you two shouldn't have done years ago." Anne smile.

About that time a huge dog comes running up to Jerica and sits at her feet. "Oh my, what a beauty." She whispers, kneeling down to pet the animal.

Andi kneels down beside her. "He's a Great Dane and only half grown. But he's already trained, and yes Harry he's house broke so there will be no piddles in the floor." Andi tells them all. "He's main objective is to provide protection to the females in the house."

"Then he's allowed to stay." Harry smiles.

"Dad, by the way mom looks I think he was staying anyway." Timmy laughs. "What's his name Memaw?"

"Dagger, due to the white mark on his chest. It looks like a knife." Anne says.

"We've got his brother, where this one is this beautiful grey color, ours is black." Louis says.

"Ours is named Shadow." Addy says. "Maybe we can bring him next time."

"Well I say we go eat." Harry says as he swings Genna and Scott up in his arms. "I'm starving and Jeri made lasagna with garlic bread." He says turning back toward the house, everyone following, even Dagger.