I hadn't heard from Andy since he called me Friday night to tell me he'd made it back to Ithaca safely. I was too chicken to tell him about the lovely visit I had from his mother.
I woke up Sunday morning to the sound of thunder clapping outside. I could see the dark, murky sky through the slits of the closed blinds and rolled onto my side, wrapping my comforter around myself tighter. I was just about to drift off again when I heard the doorbell ring.
I groaned.
Who the hell was trying to visit me so early in the morning?
I sighed and slipped out of bed before finding the pair of sweats I had discarded on my vanity chair from the night before. I pulled my hair in a ponytail as I padded downstairs and smoothed down Andy's Cornell t-shirt that I stole from his house.
Looking through the peephole in the door, I gasped when I saw a soaked Andy on the other side.
Frantically I did the locks before throwing the door open, my mouth open in shock.
"Jesus, Andy!" Another clap of thunder rolled.
"Oh Kate," He said in an almost painful tone as he crossed the threshold and scooped me up in a tight hug. The rainwater from his jacket soaked into my t-shirt, but I could feel tears as he buried his face in the crook of my neck.
"Honey what's wrong? What happened?" I couldn't control the worry that clouded my voice. My fingers dove into his hair as I let him weep softly. There was a chill outside, and I wordlessly coaxed him away from the door, shutting it behind us with a kick of my foot.
I couldn't take not knowing anymore. I pulled his face up and studied his watery expression, and my heart broke for my man. I gave him a soft peck on the mouth and wiped his tears with my thumbs. "Talk to me Andy. Please."
He sighed and ran a hand over his face before pulling my hand and leading me to the couch.
"My mom came to visit me yesterday." He said, wavering slightly.
I snuggled up against him as he leaned back against the couch, his arms immediately wrapping around me.
"How did it go?" I asked quietly. I closed my eyes and listened to his heartbeat through his clothing.
"It was…the best conversation we've ever had. I was so shocked when she showed up to my door."
I smiled and snuggled into him more, "Andy I'm so glad! I was hoping you two would be able to work things out."
I felt his arms tightening around me.
"I know it was because of you, Kate." He whispered.
"I didn't do anything. She came to my door. Why did it make you so upset and want to drive all the way down here?"
"I just…never got that kind of loving attention from her as long as I can remember. I knew she was living under my dad's thumb, but I never knew it caused her to act the way that she did. She told me that she loved me- you know how long it's been since I heard her say that, Kate? Probably my 5th birthday."
My heart broke for Andy as a little boy. If it were my child, they would know every day that I loved them.
"That's terrible. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."
His voiced softened a bit, "If we really do decide to have a child together someday, and I start acting like my father…I want you to promise me that you won't go down my mother's route."
"Andy, you're not going to…"
"Just promise me!" He interrupted.
"Yes, of course I promise."
"I refuse to have my children turn out like I did."
I was confused at his words. "What are you talking about? You turned out great."
"I can't say I'm very proud of my last twenty years."
"Well, we'll just have to make sure that the next twenty are even better." I encouraged.
"Only if you're there with me." He began his habit of drawing on my back with his finger.
"It's a date," I replied, echoing Jim's words to Pam after dumping Karen at the corporate interview. I may have watched a couple more episodes while Andy was away…
We sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes enjoying the sounds of the rain before he spoke up, "I can't believe you got my mother's approval before meeting her. That never happens."
"Speaking of approval…" I started. I knew I was going to bust our happy little moment a bit, but I had to bring it up for my sake.
"Why do I get the feeling this is going to suck?" He asked.
I smirked, "Don't worry about it. Just ripping the band aid off, Andy."
"Shit," he muttered teasingly.
"So, your mother mentioned something about the elicit engagement ring while she was here. She brought up a lovely girlfriend named Jessica and that you were thinking about giving it to her."
"That is true. I was torn whether to do it. But then Erin moved to Florida and I decided that I wanted to be with her instead. So, I broke up with her. I have only proposed to one woman in my life, and that was Angela. I uh, don't have the ring anymore."
This caused me to pop up and look him in the face.
"Seriously? What happened to it?"
He smiled his boyish grin, "I gave it back to mom yesterday. Walt can have it and the diamond."
I was starting to feel a wave of doubt and despair roll over me when his words halted all thinking, "When I propose to you Kate, it's going to be with a ring that doesn't have any Bernard baggage- mine or my family's."
"When?" I asked shyly.
"When." He nodded firmly and leaned forward, kissing me sweetly.
I broke the kiss to stand up. Grabbing his hand, I pulled him up to his feet.
"C'mon Nard Dog. I haven't seen you in a week and I want to go back to bed." I pulled him in the direction of the staircase.
"Is that my Cornell t-shirt?" He asked once we made it to the bedroom.
"No, it's Broccoli Rob's. He wanted me to tell you hi." I tried to look serious but I had a shitty poker face and started giggling.
Andy's tickling attack was merciless and swift.
