Authors Notes: Thanks to all that reviewed. Here's chapter 16. Sorry it's a bit short, will update soon! Read and review.

Chapter 16

It's been two weeks since Neil asked Andrea to move in with him. Two weeks and she's heard nothing. Two weeks though it still seems like only yesterday to Andrea.

Neil meanwhile is seemingly getting on with his life. His divorce has finally come through and it just a matter of time before a decision is reached as to whether or not Neil will be granted custody of Jake.

Andrea is sitting on the floor playing with Annabelle when the phone rings. At first she ignores it not wanting to speak to who ever it is ringing her. She not in the mood for chatting and of course it could be Neil and two weeks may have gone, but his words are still spinning round her head.

The phone persists ringing for ages but eventually cuts out to the answer phone.

"Hi! This Andrea, I'm sorry but I'm not in at the mo, please leave a message after the tone! Beeeeeeeeeep!

"Andrea. It's Neil; perhaps you could give me a ring? I'd like to discuss Annabelle with you."

Andrea just sits still glaring at the phone.

"Da!" A little voice pipes up.

Andrea turns to look at Annabelle. "I don't believe this" she mutters.

Annabelle starts gurgling and waving her rattle in the air.

"Bella." Andrea says, pulling her onto her lap. "Say Da." She says wanting to make sure she isn't hearing things.

Annabelle just continues to wave her rattle, paying no attention to her mother.

Andrea sets her back down and goes to the phone, to play the message back again.

"Andrea. It's Neil; perhaps you could give me a ring? I'd like to discuss Annabelle with you."

"Discuss!" She mutters, talking to herself again. "I'll give you discuss, Neil Manson!" She says clearly annoyed by the message.

"Da!"

Andrea looks to Bella. "You were not meant to say that Bella." She says her eyes welling up. "Why did he have to be your first word?" Andrea shakes her head and goes to tidy the kitchen in a bid to keep herself busy.

It's an hour later when the phone rings again.

And continues to ring.

"Hi! This Andrea, I'm sorry but I'm not in at the mo, please leave a message after the tone! Beeeeeeeeeep!

"It's Neil. You haven't returned my call Andrea…"

"Da!"

Andrea shoots Bella a look.

"I've rung your mobile but it's saying the numbers not valid. What are you playing at, Andrea?.."

Andrea half laughs, "Nothing Neil. Could ask you the same question."

"Perhaps you could give me a ring…"

"Perhaps, hmmm yeah perhaps I could."

"Preferably sooner …"

Andrea rolls her eyes before grabbing the phone. "Neil!" She says, "Would you know I've just this minute walked in."

"Really!" Neil says, mimicking the slight sarcasm Andrea had used. "I thought you didn't work Tuesdays."

"You never heard of shopping Neil? You know food to eat, clothes to wear, it doesn't just appear on your doorstep!"

"I want to talk about Bella."

"Well talk then I'm listening!"

"I want to see her."

"You do?"

"Don't try to be awkward, Andrea. It doesn't suit you."

"Well if you'd like to hurry up and get to the point then. Your daughter's waiting to be fed."

"That's not my fault! Perhaps you should plan your shopping times more carefully."

This remark hits a nerve with Andrea. "Will you just shut up Neil and say what you have to say! Otherwise I'm going to hang up and I'll be taking the phone off the hook!"

"Fine! I want to see Annabelle tomorrow; I've got Jake as well so I'll pick her up before you leave for work."

"And what if I don't want you to see her."

"Don't be like that Andrea; I get enough grief from Phillipa about seeing Jake. The last thing I need …"

"Okay." She interrupts. "You can see her. Tomorrow 8 o'clock. Don't be late."

"Right. Bye then." Neil says sighing down the phone.

Andrea goes to pick Bella up cuddling her in her arms. "Love you Bella." She says pressing a kiss to Bella's head. "Your gonna see Daddy tomorrow."

"Da."

Andrea can't help but smile, despite her annoyance with Neil. "Yep, that's right. Da, Daddy. Clever girl aren't you."

Andrea sighs to herself, rocking Bella in her arms. Why is life so cruel and why does every choice she makes seem to be a bad one.