The Night Before

Chapter 26

16 January 1967

ADALINE'S POV

It was just another night at work. As the days go on I've began to like it here less and less. Back in December I got myself a job at a small pub in town. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I needed to support Madelynn and myself somehow.

I made my way over to one of the booths. "Ello, what can I get you?" I asked, looking over at the man to see the one person I never expected.

"Adaline..?"

"Paul, what are you doing here?"

"I'm wondering the same thing. Do you work here?"

I shifted uncomfortably and gave a small nod. "Honestly, why are you here?"

"I came to Northampton to talk to you. I didn't know where to start so I came here to have a drink and think."

"I'm surprised you came.."

"I carnt believe I found you already.." He said with a smile. "Where's Mady?"

"With a sitter. I don't know why you came here. You made things clear a while ago that this isn't going to work."

"Adaline! There are men waiting on their drinks!" My boss yelled from behind the counter.

"Yes sir, sorry Mr. Parker." I began to walk away until Paul grabbed my arm, pulling me to him.

"Wait! I want to talk to you more."

I paused for a moment. Was this really a good idea? "I.. I get off at 7, meet me outside and we'll talk."

"Adaline!" My boss yelled again.

"I have to go." He gave a nod as I went back to work.

Soon 7 came and my shift ended. I went outside to see Paul standing there.

"You ready to go, love?"

I nodded lightly and got into his car. Giving him the address to the apartment he began to drive.

"You're working as a barmaid now?"

I looked down and gave a small nod. "I am.. I have to make do with what I can get. Not everyone has it easy like you do."

He just stared forward, nodding lightly. "I deserved that one."

I just looked away as he then pulled up to the park. "What are we doing here?"

"I thought we could talk while we took an evening walk." He said as he got out and came over to my door.

I made my way out of the car and began to walk through the park.

"This is a very nice park, very beautiful."

I just have a small nod and kept walking.

"So are you and Isaac still together?"

Hearing his name I looked down as tears formed in my eyes. Barely anyone has spoken about him since the accident.

"Adaline..?"

"Isaac's gone.. He passed about two months ago..car accident."

"Oh my, love I'm so sorry."

I shook my head and turned away. "I don't want to talk about it.."

After that there was this awkward silence between us for what seemed like forever until I finally spoke up.

"Paul, can ye just explain why you're here?"

He stopped and turned to me. "I want you back.."

"Paul.."

"I'm serious. Come back to London and live me with again."

"I just don't understand. You cared for us at first, then you cheated on me with Jane. You've barely spoken to me since and haven't seen the baby. The one time we did speak you complained about Isaac and I, you made it seem like I couldn't be happy."

"I admit I was jealous seeing you with him." He looked down and shook his head. "I know I shouldn't have been, but it just made me so bloody angry. As usual I was thinking about myself more. I'm sorry for that."

"Apology accept.."

"So come back with me." He grabbed my hands and pulled me to him. "I miss you, love."

I was alarmed when he pulled me close to him. Though I wanted to pull back I just couldn't do it. "I-I..I just feel foolish. I still can't tell if you actually love me or if you want to be with me because you feel guilty..it wouldn't be the first time you've done that."

"I love you Adaline.. Just hear me out. I made a huge mistake. I was scared.. I was scared because I didn't think I could be a good father. You were so stressed and being who I am with the schedule I had I felt like I couldn't be there for you as much as I should have. So I thought if I went back with Jane that life would go back to normal and I wouldn't be afraid or stressed anymore. That was the case for a bit, but I felt empty. I started missing you.. I missed putting Madelynn to bed, singing her to sleep. The one night I found one of her toys underneath the bed and I lost it. I had a wonderful woman, the mother of my child, and I pushed her away because I was afraid..I want you back. I want our daughter back. I want us to be a family.."

I paused for a minute as I tried to take it all in. "Paul, no.. I can't do this again."

"What do ya mean? Come on, love, we'll make this work.."

"It's hard for me to trust you after everything you've done. Maybe I'm not ready to move on yet. I just lost the man I loved, the man who was there for me when no one else was. I can't just get over something like that this soon."

"Then I'll wait. Just know that I want you back. I want my daughter back." He was so persistent. I knew he wasn't going to back down.

"Paul, please.. I can't handle all of this right now.." I said, trying my hardest not to cry. "I want to believe you, I do, but I can't.. You left us when things became too tough, how do I know you won't do it again?"

"I won't. I promise I won't. I want you and Mady back." He begged.

"I can't do this.." I looked up at him as I quickly turned away and dashed for home. I just couldn't handle anymore emotion like this. Not now.

"Addie, please.." I heard him beg as I ran. "Adaline wait. Adaline!"