Chapter 4

2 weeks later

A few days ago, Andrew was allowed to go home again – with strict bed rest orders of course – But it was a big step forward. And it was a step that made Meredith realize once again how scared she had been about him.

Andrew and she have kept texting after she had called him that evening. It was mostly a text here where she was asking how he was doing or a text there where he asked about her day and sometimes they talked about her kids or Carina – who apparently could be just as annoying as her own sisters. But she loved her sisters, and she knew that Andrew loved his as well – But nothing beyond that, nothing that turned into a deeper conversation... But the fact alone that they kept texting each other for two weeks probably gave that conversation already a much deeper meaning than it seemed on the surface. But that was something that Meredith wasn't ready to dive into right now, because the only thing she needed right now was for Andrew to be okay again.

Meredith had just finished cleaning the kitchen after she had prepared some sandwiches as lunch for her kids when she joined her kids outside in the backyard, watching them as they played a new game they had learned during lockdown. She took a sip from the glass of water she had brought outside with her before she checked her phone to see what time it was and asked herself the thousandth time if she should text Andrew again. She knew that it was much more than just checking in from time to time. She almost asked him on a daily basis if he was still feeling well. But could you blame her?

After another few minutes of going back and forth whether it was a good idea, she finally decided that one more time asking if he was really okay wouldn't hurt anyone. And so, she quickly took her phone in her hands again and started to type.

'Checking in again. Your daily reminder to tell me how you are doing...' – Meredith

She laid her phone on the table in front of her again, observing her kids for a little longer when she heard her phone ringing, giving her to notice that she had gotten a new message.

'Better. But I'm not sure how much longer I will survive with Carina and her girlfriend...' – Andrew

And just at seeing that the text was form him, she already found a smile on her face.

'Why?' - Meredith

'Sisters...' – Andrew

She had to chuckle slightly; she knew exactly what he meant having two sisters herself. She loved them, but sometimes...

'My couch is free...' – Meredith

She answered without giving it much thought, and his answer came just as quickly. And he was probably just as surprised as she was by herself.

'You would let me stay on your couch again?' – Andrew

'If you accept before I change my mind again.' – Meredith

She hit sent before she could change her mind about even sending that message. It's not that she didn't want him to be close. Her unconscious probably already told her that by coming up with the idea in the first place. But this would also mean things... Things she was not sure she was ready to face just yet.

'I accept!' - Andrew

And before she could really start to doubt what she had offered, she saw Andrew's response and had to chuckle. That was a fast response. A very fast response. And somehow, she had to smile at the thought of having him closer again.

'Thank you, Mer.' - Andrew

"When are you finally going to tell him that you still love him?"

"Maggie!" Meredith jumped in surprise when she heard her sister behind her, having disappeared in her own world for a few moments. She put her hand on her chest, trying to take a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself down again. "Don't scare me like that!"

"I'm sorry." Her sister chuckled slightly. "So, when are you telling him that you still love him?"

"What?"

"You heard me." Maggie added teasingly with a smile "Why are you holding yourself back?" She added more sincerely, walking around the table sitting down on the opposite side.

"I invited him over." Meredith stated instead of answering her sisters' original question.

"Like a date or..." Maggie asked curiously.

"No! Maggie, the kids..." She reprimanded her sister with a small disbelieving smile, quickly looking over to her kids to make sure that they didn't hear their conversation. They knew Andrew, they loved to have him around, but it has been a while since he was last at their house and for the moment, she needed to figure out a few things for herself. Of course, the kids would see him when he comes over, but there was a difference in them believing that he is 'visiting' for a few days or staying with them again because he is mommy's boyfriend. And that part... she hadn't figured out yet.

"Okay... so...?" Maggie prompted, wanting to know more.

"He will be... sleeping on the couch again." She answered, trying to make it sound like a normal thing to do.

"On the couch?" Her sister asked frowning, but with a big smile.

"Yes." She answered, ignoring Maggie's questioning gaze.

"Okay."

She saw her sister looking at her, without responding... She only had that big smile on her face while observing her. And she knew her sister well enough to know that she wanted to say more.

"What?" Meredith asked after another moment trying to ignore her sister, a smile on her face as well.

"So, he is going to live here?"

"He will be sleeping on the couch and if you don't stop with this you can look for another place to sleep as well." Meredith was warning her sister teasingly, chuckling slightly.

"Okay, okay. I understood. You want him close, but you don't want to admit to it."

"Maggie!"

Maybe Maggie was right, but maybe she didn't want to admit that either.

End of chapter 4

Thank you for reading!