Redemption

~29~

Issy tumbled down the stairs in a hurry the next morning. John had hinted about driving up last night but she daren't think he would do it. She clamoured around quickly to slip her dressing gown on.

But she had to look didn't she, had to sit on the front step just in case he did come for a visit.

*

The navy Lincoln sedan was parked a long way down the driveway.

Why hadn't he just come all the way in. Why is he all the way out there.

Issy ran bare foot down the gravel drive, Ben and Max on her heels, her hair whipping her face as a strong breeze cut through the early morning.

Him.

He was here and it had seemed so long now they'd been apart that she hardly dare dream he was now more than a voice down the phone line these last few months but he wasn't, was he;

He was here.

Flesh and blood. That roman nose, with Buddy Holly's sitting wonderfully askew. Fast asleep behind the wheel.

Issy cracked the door open and held the excited dogs at bay with a well-positioned leg in their path.

"Johnny" her whisper turned up on the 'y' at the end of his name, creating a soft squeal.

She felt like a school girl again, a fangirl, a true Beatle John aficionado all rolled into one but she was also a grown woman who's heart was bouncing around, knocking hard at her ribcage so very rapidly... so happy her 'John' was right here and not four hours away.

Issy calmed herself a little and tried again "Johnny"

"Hmmmm, Is?"

"You came .... You came"

"Course I did" he smiled sleepily pulling her into the tight spot on his lap behind the steering wheel, one hand flicked the seat leaver and Issy was graced with a few more inches of room. "Isabelle" He kissed her cheek as she snuggled down into him for a cuddle, his stubble scratchy and rough but in the end, nothing was stopping her pursuit of his lips.

He silently confirmed she was more.

He was here with no push, no direction from others or her. He was here on his own accord and that spoke volumes to her.

The dogs chose their moment and tried to get kisses and pats too, both trying to join the humans in the car, making John grumble happily. He started scratching their ears and giving greetings "Hello Maximum Hello Benjamin. Have you boys been looking after mum".

*

It wasn't by design but after taking a shower John was led willingly up the stairs to that comfortable bed.

He'd tried to keep her downstairs chatting about what's for breakfast...

Making tea in the pot- not bags thrown in a cup.

How far along she was in writing her latest novel- was it a kid's Lit. or adult?

How cold the lake would be... Or not.

Any bears or piranhas!? ... Or not.

But she was an insistent one his Isabelle.

This girl that had been always on his mind since well before he left in a hurry last time; Sally's shotgun of worries cocked in his face.

He worried he would cause a rift between the mother and daughter. But it was better now, Sally had warmed up to his Lennon charm and saw for herself that he was trying, really trying to be better.