Chapter Twenty-Nine
It had been a week since the last time he had seen her. Between his trips, meetings and her cases being taken to court Mellie and Andrew barely talked to each other. Andrew felt guilty. Guilty because he had told Alexandra about that one thing he had swear he'd never talk. Although she had told him she couldn't be mad at him. He knew that she was. She had distanced herself from him. His heart ache. He felt like he was loosing her. He looked at his watch. He was going on a three day trip to Europe. He picked his phone from his desk. He had no missed calls and no unread text messages. He closed his eyes before he picked his briefcase. He left his office as two secret service agents followed him.
She was seating at the dinning table with papers spread all over it. She was studying her case. Once more. Going through all the details. She wanted to make sure she had everything in the tip of her tongue. She had to spit it like it was fire. Make him burn in that seat. And she had to make sure he wouldn't see it coming. She looked at her watch. It was late. She took a deep breathe as she re-organized all the papers. She picked up her phone, and smiled at her locker screen - it was her kids, all of her children smiling for the camera - she had no missed calls and the only unread texted she had it was from Alexandra. She opened it.
"You should have warned me about how hard and boring it is to organize a ball! :P"
Mellie laughed. "The ball will be harder, special on your cheeks. And on your feet. How is it going so far?" Mellie texted back. She picked up her case file and was about to get up when her cell phone's light went on.
"Gonna prove some cakes tomorrow! *.* It shall be fun!"
"Lucky you! I never had one of those! How is Andrew?" texted Mellie before she got from her seat. She was putting her case file inside her briefcase when she received another text from her niece.
"I have to be different! You know me ;P He's good… I think… He left for Europe today. BUT why are you asking me? " Mellie read Alexandra's text as she walked towards her son's room. She stopped just outside of Teddy's room.
"Go to sleep. It's late. We'll talk tomorrow" replied Mellie, before opening the door of her son's room. She smiled at the sight of her baby boy peaceful sleeping. She walked in and tuck him in before kissing him lightly in the forehead. Her cellphone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out once she closed the door of Teddy's room.
"Night. Love you! xoxo" Mellie smiled at her phone before replying "Night. Love you too"
As soon as Mellie stepped into her room she took off her robe and put it by the end of the bed. She sat down on her side of the bed. On her side. She put her phone down before putting cream on her hands, just like she did every night. She kicked of the sheets before getting into bed. She laid on her side as she covered herself. She stared into the empty space next to her as her hands felts the coldness of the sheets. She had gotten used to fall asleep with him next her. She had gotten used to him climbed into bed in the middle of the night after long hours of meetings. She had gotten used to see his face first thing in the morning. She had gotten used to have his arms wrapped around her waist when she woke up. She missed him. She missed him terribly. But even though she had told she couldn't be mad at him. She couldn't help but being, and feeling, betrayal. Even if it was small, the feeling was still there. He had told Alexandra. He had had the chance of telling the real story when the drug rumors came out. But he didn't. He would have jeopardize his career for her. If Olivia Pope hadn't been able to take care of the rumors he would have done. Without a second thought. For her. He would have jeopardize everything he had. And never once the thought of telling the truth cross his mind. Not until Alexandra pressed him to tell her. And she knew how demanded and boss her niece could be. And once again, the only person he ever told the truth was Alexandra. Her niece. Someone who he knew that wouldn't take it and use as a secret weapon against him. But most importantly, she would never use it as a secret weapon against her.
And she missed him. She missed him terribly. She turned around and grabbed her phone from her bed side table.
"I miss you. Be safe"
When he woke up he had two unread texts. One of them it was from her. He read it with a smile on his face. "I miss you too. Let me know how court went. Have I told you I missed you?" She missed him. He thought of himself as a fool for let himself believe that she had forgotten about his trip. He smiled as he opened Alexandra's text "What's wrong with you two? Are you guys fighting? Is it because of me? Is is because I told Mellie I knew?" when he read her words his smile was replaced with concern. He blamed himself and never for a second thought that Alexandra might be blaming herself too. "If there's anyone she's mad at it's me. It's not your fault. Don't worry about it. We'll be okay" or at least he hoped.
It was his second day in Europe and the only text he had gotten from Mellie was on his first in the old continent. He hoped that the lack of news meant that everything was alright. Because he knew that if something had happened Alexandra would be the first one to tell him. But Andrew had to be honest and fair, between meetings, lack of sleep and not really be sure on timezone he was he hadn't contacted her either. He was on his way back to the hotel when his phone buzz. It was a text from Alexandra. "Something is up between you two! Mellie won't stop checking her phone. So pleaseeeee call her! Btw, Teddy won't stop asking about you! And your pancakes!" He smiled at her text. He was about to reply when he got a second text from Alexandra "We're on meeting and I'm about to take a pause to kidnap Teddy and some food. Here's your shot, sir!" He laughed as he did what he was told.
As soon as Mellie's phone start ringing Alexandra run out of the room leaving a confused Mellie behind. When she noticed who was calling she knew why her niece had left the room in such a hurry.
"Hello" he smiled the moment he heard her voice
"Hello" his voice send shivers upon her spine.
"How is Europe?" she asked as she stretched her legs in the couch.
"Europe is fine. Me on the other hand!" he said as he unbuttoned his coat.
"What's wrong?" he could feel the concern in her voice.
"Just jet-lag" he could hear her sigh of relief in the other side.
"You had me worried for a minute, mister!" she said with a small laugh and he could feel her smack lighter in the shoulder like she was seating right next to her.
"What about your case?" he asked.
"The jury considered him guilty. Sentence is announced next week. The other one was pushed - the judge is on medical leave" he could feel he annoyance in her voice. And he wished he was there to get the tension out of her shoulders.
"I miss you" his voice was calm although his heart was aching.
"I miss you too" she said with a smile "When are you back?"
"Tomorrow. I have a meeting in the morning. And a speech in the afternoon followed by some dinner. And then I'm back home" home was the place where she was. Mellie smiled at the mention of home.
"Stop by my place when you get here" said Mellie.
"It will be late, honey" he said as his secret service agent opened up his door
"I don't care. I just need to see you" she was tired of being mad at him. She couldn't be mad at him.
"I want to see you too" he couldn't help but smile as he entered the hotel lobby.
"Where are you now?" she asked.
"Just arrived at the hotel. About to get a shower" he said with a smirk. And although she wasn't there she could see him doing it.
"I wish I could join you" she said in a lower tone. But just right then her niece walked in with Teddy laughing in her arms.
"I wish you would" said Andrew as he opened the door of room. "Tell that kid I miss him too" he untied his tie and tossed it to the bed.
"I will" she said as she watched her niece and son playing in the ground.
"Go back to them. I'm gonna go get some sleep. I love you" he said as he stared out the window.
"I love you too. Just be safe" said Mellie before hanging up. She looked at Alexandra who had a grin on her face.
"What?" asked Alexandra as Mellie kept her eyes on her.
"Andrew says hi" Mellie got up from the couch and went seat next to them "and that he misses you very much" she said as she snuggled her nose against Teddy's neck making him laugh.
"Drew back?" asked Teddy as he played with his cars.
"Tomorrow"
"Pancakes?" asked Teddy once again
"Yes, he'll make you pancakes" said Mellie before kissing her son's head.
It was late in the night when Andrew arrived at Mellie's apartment. He stood by her bedroom's door watching her sleep. She was laying on her side with one hand over the place where he slept. He smiled. Even though she was sleeping alone, she still searched for him in the middle of the night. He took off his coat and put it in the chair. He did the same with the rest of his clothes, until he was only on his boxers. He knew there was a pajama of him somewhere but he was too tired to look for. And all he really wanted was to held in his arms. Mellie woke up as soon as she felt his presence next to her.
"Hi" she said as she opened up her eyes.
"Didn't want to wake you" he said with his eyes locked on hers.
But Mellie didn't say a word she just smiled as she passed her hands through his chest.
"I've missed you" she said as she kissed his chest.
"I've missed you too" he said as he kissed the top of her head.
"Mellie…" he called out her name but she kept on kissing his chest "Mellie" he said once more. This time she looked up to him. "Are we okay?" he asked as he took her face into his hands.
"Andrew I'm kissing you" replied Mellie with a small laughter.
"I do miss you. And I do want you. I want you so bad!"
"So, what's stopping you?" she asked not really sure of where his conversation was leading to.
"Melody, I'm so sorry. I should have never told Alex"
"Ssshhh" she said as she place a finger on his lips "I needed to clear my head. To think." she took his finger off his lips "You could have said it anytime. But you didn't. You almost lost your career because of me…" she stopped and smiled "I'm not mad at you" she caressed his cheek "We are okay" she leaned into him pressing her forehead against his "I love you."
"I love you too" said Andrew with a smile on his face as his hands roamed over her body feeling every inch of her. She closed her lips on his the moment he said those words. He brought her body closer to his as their kiss got more passionate. His hands found the hem of her shirt and she shivered upon his touch. His kiss was fire. His touch was fire. Her lips were sweet. Their bodies were burning, screaming out loud how much they missed each other. The feeling of each other skin's against one another.
"You gotta make pancakes for breakfast" she said with a laugh after they broke apart.
Andrew laughed as he rolled them over. "No problem" he mumbled against her lips as she wrapped her legs around his middle and her arms around her neck.
His insecurities disappeared. Her fears were buried six feet under. They didn't know what tomorrow would bring, the only certainty they had was that a week apart felt like months fulfilled with no touch and smalls words. The only certainty they had was they were never letting go.
