Breathe Again

Getting Past the Awkward

Bailey is off in California. I have a college student now. Derek moved back unfortunately he's staying in Bailey's old room until he gets a place. Which is fine I spend most of my time at Chris's anyway. 

I'm on my lunch break and came back home today, knowing Derek is at work. We don't try to avoid each other it just sort of works out. My phone rings and I know by the ringtone who it is, "Hey you." I answer. I hear Chris's incredible laugh through the phone. "You doing lunch out today?" He asks. I finish warming up some of last nights dinner, "Yeah, I'm at home. Wanna come by?" I ask him already knowing his answer. "Of course. My flight isn't until nine tonight. Wanna spend as much time with you as possible. Be there soon." He says and we hang up.

Out of respect,  I don't have Chris over a lot when Derek is home. He never asked for that but like I said I'm over at Chris's house more than I am home. That way it gives him time with the twins. 

I hop on my counter and wait for Chris while stuffing my face. 

About ten minutes later I hear my front door open. "Maggie, you in the kitchen?" I hear Chris ask. "Yup." He comes walking in, sees me on the counter and laughs. "What are you doing up there?" He asks while walking over to me standing in front of me. I pull him closer to me using my legs. Chris wraps his big arms around me pulling my small frame into him. "God, I'm gonna miss you." He says smelling my hair. 

"I know. I'll be out over the weekend though." Chris is filming a movie in LA for the next few months. This will be the longest we've apart. "Great and before you ask, I already have Bailey's Bluetooth speaker packed." Bailey called once she was settled and was in a panic over her Bluetooth speaker. Chris told her he'd bring it to her. "Good. Now shut up." I tell him grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him down before crashing our lips together.

He pulls back only to rest his forehead against mine, He cups my face and stares into my eyes. "I really am going to miss you." He kisses me one more time and then we hear the front door open. Like we are teenagers getting caught he pulls away from me in lightening speed.

"Maggie? Thought you worked today." We hear Derek say walking in. "I do. Just taking a lunch. He walks into the kitchen and sees Chris. "Oh. Sorry. I didn't know you had company." He says looking thoroughly uncomfortable. "Derek it's fine. What are you doing here?" I ask him knowing he's supposed to be at work. "It's lunch and I always come home for lunch. What are you two doing?" Shows how much we don't communicate.

"Just talking." I say. Chris gets up and walks over to me. He was texting someone. "I'm gonna head back home and pack. I have Bailey's speaker and she asked me to grab some dress of yours." He says and I know exactly what she is talking about. "Okay. Come on up and I'll grab it for you. Does she want the heels too?" I ask him and he goes to his phone. I can see Derek trying to go about his normal routine but is failing.

"Nope she said she already has them." Chris responds following me upstairs. "That shit head. I didn't even know they were gone. Is she excited?" I ask him going into my closet as he sits on the bed. "Yeah. Has she talked to you about her major yet?" He asks. I was pretty sure she was going for writing. "Why? Has she talked to you?" I find the dress and hand it to him. "Chris?" He sighs, "Yeah she did. She wants to be an actress but also still get a degree in literature."  

"And she told you all this?" I ask him not because I'm mad she didn't talk to me. I'm actually shocked she talks to him as much as she does now that she's in California. "Yeah, we talk a lot. Is that ok?" He asks. "No, it's not ok. That's my daughter and she shouldn't be talking to you about any aspect of her life!" Derek comes walking in MY bedroom. Clearly he's been eavesdropping again. "Derek, get out of my room and she is Our daughter." I tell him. Chris looks so uncomfortable. "Come on, Chris I'll show you out." I grab his hand and lead him out.