Chapter Fourteen

Slowly the ice surrounding anything involving Patrick began to thaw and the couple was finally allowed a visit. Annie had been released from the hospital three days prior and was begging for Patrick to come to her home. Patrick was weary and had repeatedly tried to convince her that it was a "bad idea." Her response was a simple, "Shut up and come over already."

So there Annie stood on crutches, welcoming Patrick into her home for the second time. She smiled warmly, "I've missed you."

"You have no idea," he replied sincerely, his smile causing his eyes to crinkle at the corners. Annie led them into the living room and offered him something to drink.

"I'm fine. Sit and rest. How are you feeling, by the way?" He asked and sat next to her, taking her small hand into his.

"Better now that you're here," she smiled.

"I have exciting news!" Patrick began but was interrupted as Ezra entered the room. He and Annie immediately broke apart, keeping their hands to themselves.

"Hello Mr. Fitz," Patrick said nervously and reached out to shake the older man's hand. Ezra took it and gave him a small, forced smile.

"Annie, honey, could you give us a moment?" Ezra asked calmly. Patrick looked slightly panicked and Annie nodded, giving Patrick a reassuring smile as she left the room. Once he heard the click of her bedroom door, Ezra began, "I want to have a calm discussion and try to understand where you're coming from."

To say Patrick was surprised by Ezra-er-Mr. Fitz' calm demeanor was an understatement, "Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me, thank my wife. I'm trying to stay on her good side, not yours," Ezra replied with a small chuckle, "So, what are your intentions with my daughter?"

Patrick took a deep breath and cleared his throat, "To love her until the day I die. I know that sounds cliché and unrealistic, but those are my only plans."

"Why are you in love with my daughter? What do you get out of it?"

"Honestly?" He asked in disbelief, to which Ezra nodded and he continued, "She is the most amazing woman I have ever met. I know she owes that to you and your wife. She's fiercely independent and so brave. There have been times in our relationship where I wanted to crawl under a rock and give up, but she never did. She's a fighter. She'a intelligent and witty. Her presence alone makes my day. Someone like her isn't worth giving up just because of society's view of our relationship."

"It is a risk to love. What if it doesn't work out?" Ezra asked quietly.

Patrick smiled, "Ah, but what if it does. Peter McWilliams?"

Ezra nodded and even smiled himself before his features became serious again, "What about your job?"

"I was actually just about to tell Annie... I got offered a job at another school. I'll be able to start there within the next few weeks, I actually put in my letter of resignation this afternoon," Patrick said, his face showed how excited he was about this oppurtunity.

"Congratulations, they'll be lucky to have you. Why don't you go tell Annie?" Ezra suggested. Patrick couldn't believe his ears, did he just get the approval of Annie's father?

"I would love to Mr. Fitz," he replied as he got up off the couch and turned towards Annie's room. Ezra called him back a moment later, "Yes sir?"

"I have plenty of people who will make your life hell if you hurt her, understood?"

Patrick nodded his head fiercely, "Understood. I would never want to hurt her, Mr. Fitz"

"I'll count on that. Aria is making her famous mac and cheese, would you like to stay for dinner?" Ezra asked warmly, a sincere desire to get to know the man who had stolen his little girl's heart.

Patrick eyes widened in shock, "Yes, sir. I would enjoy that."

Patrick was just turning away as Ezra called him back once again, "Call me Ezra, you make me feel old."

Patrick just smiled and walked to Annie's room. He knocked softly and the door opened, she pulled him in and shut the door so quickly it was almost comical.

"Chill, would yo–" Patrick was interrupted by Annie's lips crashing onto his. Their weeks apart burning into a new found passion. His hands steadied her at her hips and they continued to move as one. Tongues tangled, breathes shared and hands roaming made for a sweet reunion.

"God, I've missed you," Patrick panted after they parted, both gasping for breath.

"How did it go with Papa Fitz?" Annie asked, suddenly worried as she brought them back to reality.

"Good, great actually," he replied, still stunned himself. Annie's face was glowing. Patrick knew how important her father's opinion was to her and it was obviously a weight off of her shoulders.

"In fact," he began, placing kisses on her shoulder and up her neck, "he invited me to stay for dinner."

Annie pulled his head up so that she could look him in the eye, "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

"Hey, you said you had exciting news. What is it?" Annie asked curiously.

"I got the job! The one on the Upper East Side that I told you about," Patrick said, a huge smile covering his face. He carefully picked her up and spun her around, careful not to hurt her still fragile frame.

Annie squeeled in delight, "I knew you would! Everything is falling into place."

"You're stuck with me," Patrick laughed, but suddenly Annie's demeanor changed. Her shoulders shlumped and she bit her lip nervously. Patrick lifted her chin and looked into her eyes, "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Are you sure that I'm worth all of this? You've been through so much, all for a high school girl," she sighed, shaking her head and looking down again.

Patrick took her head in both of his hands and she placed her hands on top of his. He stared at her in disbelief for a few seconds, "I wasn't looking for you– I wasn't looking for anyone, but one smile changed all of that. One smile, one look and I was lost. I still am. I tried hard not to love you–not to want you, but that smile and what I saw in your eyes, changed everything. Even after all this time, that smile still changes everything. You are worth it, Annabelle Fitz. I will spend the rest of my life trying to prove that to you."

"I love you, Patrick," she said as she burrowed her head in his chest.

"Eh, you're alright, I guess," Patrick joked, earning a playful punch on the arm from Annie. He swept her hair out of her eyes and looked at her for a moment, "I love you, too. I don't think I could ever stop."

I have heard you loud and clear! I am going to try to refocus my attention on this story, thank you so much for your supportive reviews! Passed 100 reviews, that accomplishment deserves celebration. Dance party, anyone? Haha, anyway... I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Ezra approves, yay! What will happen next? #pannieforthewin

Love you all,

-RissyWrites