The Test of Time

107 ~ June

"Savannah?" Georgia breathes out.

"Hi." I manage a small smile as she watches me, her eyes wary. "I... Uh..."

"I saw the news." Georgia cuts me off, "George Winters died after shooting his son's girlfriend?" She elaborates, "I take it that's you." She points to my leg.

"Yeah." I admit, "He told me everything."

"It's in the past." She shrugs, looking away from me, her lips pursed in a thin line.

"I know." I acknowledge, "I just..." I trail off, unsure of what to say.

"You didn't have to come here." She replies, crossing her arms across her chest, "I made my choice. My Dad's life was worth more than your relationship," She shrugs, "I'm sorry."

She's right, I would have done the same thing. If I had been given the option of saving my Father I would have jumped at the chance, and damned the consequences. I nod at her as I try to figure out the words to say.

"I don't forgive you." I admit, "But I understand why," I add and she looks back up at me, surprise on her face, "I would have done the same."

"I don't know exactly what it was George had over my Dad, but I had to do everything I could to protect him." Georgia replies, an apologetic look on her face.

"Yeah. You did." I agree, "How is he?"

"He died two years ago."

"Oh! I'm so sorry..." I exclaim. Damn it Savannah, way to put your foot in your mouth! I feel sad that Samuel isn't still alive, never getting to see George Winters' downfall. Instead he took that blackmail to his grave, dying without ever being free.

"Mommy!" A small girl suddenly appears, Georgia immediately reaching down and scooping her into her arms.

"I'm sorry Savannah, I never wanted to hurt you," She says softly.

"Congratulations!" I exclaim, gesturing towards her child as I smile.

"And to you." Georgia replies, nodding at my visible bump, "How long do you have left?"

"Three and a half months."

"That'll fly by."

"It will." I agree. Time always does - one minute you're best friends at school, laughing with each other about the popular football jock, and then you blink and it's eight years later, the two of you no longer friends, but strangers instead.

"Georgia?" a familiar voice suddenly calls out and I furrow my eyebrows, attempting to place the sound. Within seconds they come into view, my mouth opening in surprise as he rests his hand on Georgia's waist before glancing up at their front door, "Sav?" He exclaims.

"Liam." I breathe out, "This... I..." I trail off. Wow, just wow! "Congratulations you two." I manage before taking a step backwards, my crutches making it ten times harder to make a quick getaway.

"Sav!" Liam calls out after I've battled back down the steps towards the car, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." He says as I turn towards him. He's left Georgia and his child standing at the door, both of them watching in curiosity.

"I understand why you didn't." I admit, smiling slightly. It's hardly like this relationship would have gone down well with any of us... "Now it makes sense why you were so secretive." I grin, laughing slightly.

"I'm sorry." He says, a regretful expression on his face.

"You should reach out to Brett and the others." I reply, "I know that they miss you." I point out, "Plus, I'm not completely against Georgia anymore."