That night before we all piled into the car to go to the DuGrey's for dinner, Dad took Nick, Ricky, and I aside to tell us some news. And, were we surprised. He told us how it turns out Mr. DuGrey is actually Maddie's Father we couldn't believe it. I mean it was just so weird. All I kept thinking was is Maddie okay? I mean this kind of information is so life changing, and I just wondered how she was taking it. Dad had gone to gas up the car before we went, so I still had time to talk to her before we had to leave. Ricky, Nick, and I were now watching TV in the family room, but I'd hardly think they would notice if I left. After searching for Maddie on the lower floor I was about to go upstairs when I saw her walking down the stairs.
"Maddie," I called quietly. She looked at me confused.
"Yeah?" She questioned, reaching the bottom step.
"Can we talk?" I asked, yearning to touch her, but knowing I shouldn't when any second Dad, Nick, or Ricky could come see us.
"Sure." She replied, still with the confused look in her eyes. I heard Nick get up from the couch in the other room afraid he would find us talking; I pulled Maddie with me into the closet. "Um... Danny?" she whispered, when the door was shut.
"Sorry I just don't want anyone to hear us," In the dark I barely made out a nod of agreement made by Maddie. "I just wondered are you alright?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I really just want to take these days slowly, because you know it's Saturday and I have to go back tomorrow night," She replied. I frowned; I could just hear the sadness in her voice. I didn't want her to leave either.
"But, Dad told me about your Dad and are you doing okay?" I questioned again.
"Well, I'm happy; I mean I always wanted to find him. Remember when we were kids and I used to tell you how I wanted to run away and find my Dad? And, then you always said, that you didn't want me to leave so you told me your Dad could be mine too," She said reminiscing. "Well, this is it. I mean he actually wants me too," She said sounding thrilled.
"Who wouldn't want you though?" I replied laughing. Reaching across to her in the dark, I pulled her to me in an embrace.
"Danny," She whispered into my ear.
"Yes?" I asked, looking down at her.
"I think I love you." She whispered, kissing me deeply. I was so amazed she had said those words. I knew what I had to do. Breaking the kiss I looked at her.
Caressing her cheek with my thumb I replied, "I think I love you too." I could just see her grin in the dark, as she pulled me in for another kiss.
"I'm back!" We practically jumped apart when we heard Dad come in the front door. "C'mon lets go you guys! You're supposed to be ready now!" He shouted, Maddie and I could hear his footsteps right outside the closet. "Rick, Dan, Nick! C'mon boys! I'd at least expect you guys to be ready and waiting!" He shouted.
"Don't worry," I silently whispered into Maddie's ear. "He'll go find Nick and Rick when they don't come," Or at least that was what I was hoping.
"Boys what are you doing?" We heard him ask, as he walked out of the foyer. The minute his steps sounded in the other room, we quietly got out of the closet. Kissing me on the cheek Maddie ran quietly upstairs to meet Holly. Well, I headed into where Dad stood.
Finally we were all standing in the foyer ready to go.
Again we all crammed into the SUV, with Nick calling shotgun and Jess driving. After I finally confessed to Danny what I'd been thinking of and then he admitted he felt the same way, well I couldn't have been happier. Except, now I felt I was on my way to my execution. I told Danny I was fine, but was I really fine? I mean I had started thinking about it, and it seemed like they were happy last night when Holly and I were at his house. I mean I'm afraid now I might ruin his marriage or something.
"Whoa, you kids weren't joking when you said he was rich." Jess laughed, when we pulled through the open gate into the driveway.
"Yeah, he sure is like one of Hartford's elite," Commented Nick. Jess parked the car and we all hopped out gazing in awe at the house that most of us had already been in.
"Okay, kids, pick up your jaws, we have got to act like we come into these places everyday." Jess told us, as we made our way to the door. "You can't let them intimidate you." When he said that, he looked directly at me. He was right though, I can't let this frighten me.
"Ring the door bell already Dad." Ricky complained.
"Alright, but remember we can go at any time." He told us, right before he rang the door bell. We all stood there in silence listening to the door bell chime inside the house.
"Hello, hello!" Rosemary their housekeeper said, opening the door and welcoming us in. We all then stood in their enormous foyer feeling extremely out of place.
"Hi!" Julianna greeted coming down the stairs. "Um, my Dad is just on a business call, and my Mom is just finishing getting ready, so follow me."
"Here this is for all of you," Dad said holding out a gift.
"Thank you very much." Julianna replied, before she led us down a hall and into a gorgeous sitting room. "Would any of you like a drink?" She questioned. We all mumbled no, not wanting her to have to wait on us.
"Hey," Andrew smiled as he walked into the room. Looking up at him I couldn't believe he was my brother. And, I wondered if he knew yet or not. My question was answered as he walked straight across the room until he was standing in front of me. "You're Maddie." He stated, I just nodded in reply, knowing everyone was staring at us now. "It's been a while." He grinned again, pulling me up into a hug.
Before we had a chance to sit back down, Rosemary came in inviting us into the dining room. There were place settings with each of our names indicating where we were to sit. I was beside Chris and Danny.
"Sorry about that," Tristan apologized as he came in. We were all still looking for our seats so it wasn't as if he was that late. It was weird however to see him now knowing he was my father, and that I had seem him before and even had talked to him without knowing.
Right behind Tristan came Rory, "Hello everyone!" She smiled around the table, taking her place opposite Tristan at the head of the table.
I couldn't believe my eyes here was Rory Gilmore, or should I say DuGrey I had not seen her in like twenty years. I watched her sit down and was torn between wanting to run away as far as I could or taking her in my arms and telling her I still loved her. The table was silent when the first course came around no one knew what to say.
"So, I hear you moved from Manhattan, what possessed you to move from the city to such a small town?" Rory questioned, breaking the silence. I was pretty sure she was talking to me and not the children. I was only confused whether she was trying to sound rude or just if it came out that way.
"Well, a lot of reasons, for one there was a great teaching opportunity for me, another push was my wife and I divorced." I replied, looking up at Rory. She looked at me as well, surprised when I had admitted to my failed marriage.
"It's a hell of a big difference, eh?" Tristan joked laughing. I tore my gaze from Rory immediately feeling guilty for having any thoughts of rekindling what we once had.
"For sure, I mean my children think I'm crazy for the move." I told them, getting looks from all of the kids.
"Surely you don't think he's crazy?" Rory asked the children.
"Not crazy, mad," Holly responded.
"It can't be that bad out here," Rory replied, not understanding how different it truly was.
"Yeah, but it's not just that we got dumped in a middle of a field, it's also the fact that now we have to go to a preppy school." Ricky complained.
"Oh," Rory mumbled, smiling, at my children's obvious dislike to Chilton.
"Well, they're still in an adjusting period." I said in defense of my kids.
"It's going to be a long period," Nick grumbled.
"How is your project coming along?" Rory asked Holly and Chris.
"Great." They both replied. Obviously that too was a dead end subject.
Searching for another icebreaker Rory commented, "So, Maddie are you also from Manhattan?"
"Yes," She responded politely.
"So, that's how you became friends?" Rory questioned.
"We lived right next door to each other," She stated.
"When are you going back?" Andrew asked her.
"There is a bus back tomorrow, which I'm taking," Maddie replied.
"Then when are you coming back?" Ricky asked.
Biting her lip embarrassed, she responded, "Well, it was arranged that Holly would come next to New York, so that we could do alternative visits."
"How is New York?" Julianna questioned. "I've always wanted to go there, but Dad says it's dangerous and there are like gang fights!" All of us New Yorkers laughed knowing that wasn't really what happened. I caught Holly sending Maddie a concerned look; it was almost as if she was checking to see if Maddie was ok after that comment.
"It all depends where you go." Maddie told her.
"Yeah, I mean there are always going to be gangs, it's just always how threatening they are." Holly added.
"Not much help, Hol, she said she wanted to be able to go to New York in her life time, do you think her Dad will let her now you said that?" Danny laughed.
"Don't worry I knew." Tristan replied. "I just didn't think teenagers found them that threatening, unless they had once had a run in with them." Tristan commented, obviously he was hinting around something. I look curiously over at Holly, she didn't? No, Holly's the kind of girl who would come and tell me.
"A friend of mine did." She replied. Across the table I could see she made eye contact with Maddie something was definitely up.
"That is really serious do you know what happened?" Tristan prodded. I immediately wondered what friend it was, and got a sinking feeling in my stomach that I already knew.
"Yeah," She responded. Obviously set not to give any details.
"What happened?" Ricky asked curiously. The whole table, except Danny and Maddie seemed to look at Holly in wonder. Did Maddie and Danny already know what happened?
"It's not table talk," She smiled. We all continue to look at her in question. "I really can't tell you anyhow. I'm sworn to secrecy, but it does make it seem good that we moved." She told the table.
"Did it happen near where we lived?" Nick probed. Holly just nodded silently.
"Did your friend tell the cops?" Tristan questioned.
"Well, no..." Holly mumbled honestly.
"She should, I mean cripes the people are still out there? Not only that but they could get her again," Tristan exclaimed.
"Excuse me. May I please use the bathroom?" Maddie asked timidly.
"Sure, it's the second door on the right, down that hall," Rory pointed smiling.
"Thanks," The table watched as Maddie quickly left the room.
"Aren't you worried?" Tristan asked Holly. I could tell Holly just wanted to drop the subject, but was trying to be polite.
"Yes." She whispered, looking down at her plate.
Okay, okay calm down! He doesn't know she was talking about you. I sat on the porcelain toilet, willing myself not to cry. When Tristan, my Dad had said that the people might come after Holly's friend who I knew was me, I couldn't take it. That was exactly what I had feared that was why I didn't want to go home, that was why I had come two days earlier. I had to head back soon I knew. Danny had wanted to follow me, but before I stood up I put my hand on his leg trying to assure him I'd be fine. Taking one last look in the mirror I headed back to the dining room trying to smile. Slipping into my seat, I took Danny's hand as before and held it under the table cloth.
"Maddie, we were just talking about Slacker High and Chris doesn't believe it was such a bad school," Holly told me from across the table. I grinned at her to let her know I was fine, I knew she wondered.
"Oh it is bad, the teachers just leave class and go to the Staff room to watch Jenny Jones and sometime they see Jerry Springer and you can hear them from outside in the hall chanting Jerry Jerry!" I told everybody.
"It wasn't that bad!" Jess defended.
"C'mon Dad, you're in denial!" Danny laughed.
"Okay, this school didn't have one teacher over thirty; food fights everyday in the caf, and it was just crazy!" Nick added.
"Okay wait not was, is," I announced.
"You still go there?" Tristan questioned. I wondered if he was worried about my education or thinking something fatherly.
"It convenient, it's only two blocks away from home." I replied.
"That's Maddie always being optimistic," Jess put in.
"Can I transfer there?" Chris joked.
"Yeah, can he?" Andrew asked enthusiastically.
"I still want to go to New York." Julianna stated. "I don't care about all that I still want to go."
"If you're ever allowed you can come stay at my house." I offered her smiling.
"You're serious?" She questioned.
"Yeah, we have plenty of room, and the company would be nice." I told her.
"Are you sure Maddie?" Rory asked me.
"For sure, I mean we have extra bedrooms and usually it's just me, so it would be no problem," I assured her.
"What do you mean it's usually just you?" Rory questioned curiously.
"Well, not usually, but sometimes-" I started.
Interrupting me Nick added, "Madds, c'mon off it! It is almost all the time that you're by yourself."
"By yourself? That's awful don't you get lonely?" She asked.
"Not really, I mean I used to have a house full of Marianos next door!" I laughed, really hating having this spot light on me again.
"Oh, Mom, Dad now I have to go!" Julianna said convinced.
"You shouldn't be missing school." Rory stated.
"That's ok. Really the city is just a giant smoke hole anyway. I mean out here is nice, because the air is actually fresh," I said, hoping to make Julianna feel better.
"But, the offer still stands?" She questioned.
"As long as I'm living there," I replied. The awkward silence again took over the table. As we all just sat there finishing what was on our plates.
"What's the real name of the school you go to?" Rory asked.
"Trafalgar High." I replied looking over at her curiously.
"There was an article in the paper about some children getting caught for drugs on Friday." She explained.
"Oh, I left early on Friday to come here, it must have happened after I left." I lied, really hoping she would just drop the subject and let us eat in silence.
"Yeah, they took the children into custody and then they were going to interrogated them, one of them has escaped they don't how, but one is missing, you might know of him sshis name is Charlie something. I think it began with a B… oh, Charlie Bradford. Do you know of him?" She questioned. I nearly choked on my food, after my coughing fit was over; I looked at her, and wished everyone wasn't looking at me to reply. I felt Danny squeeze my hand under the table.
"I knew him, " I stated. He escaped? Holy shit!
"Everyone knew him," Holly added hoping to take the light off me. I smiled across the table at her.
"Charlie? Didn't you date him?" Ricky asked.
"Yeah, a while ago," I replied. Really hoping we'd drop the discussing.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something like this," Rory said, starting to apologize.
"That's alright, how would you of known?" I told her hoping she'd feel better.
"Charlie? Wasn't he the one that Summer invited on one of your trips?" Jess asked me surprised. I nodded; yeah my Mom was in love with him. Not seriously, but he was the first boy I brought home she liked, besides Danny.
"Invited him on a trip?" Tristan repeated confused.
"We were going on a road trip, my Mom and I and she also invited Charlie." I explained. Not wanting to remember that trip.
"Nice of her." Andrew smirked.
"Well, it was kind of annoying seeing we had broken up at that point." I confessed.
"Did he go?" Julianna asked.
"Unfortunately," I responded. "Have they found him?" I questioned curiously.
"Not yet." She told me with a smile. "This running is just going to get him in more trouble when he's caught."
"Let's hope so." I whispered, shocking everyone who had thought I cared for him.
"Dinner was great. Thank you." Jess said when the maids had cleared away the meal. We all joined in thanking the DuGreys for having us over.
"Coffee in the sitting room?" Rory asked, leading everyone out of the dining room. I was right behind Danny about to leave, when Tristan pulled me aside.
"May I speak with you?" He asked. I nodded and followed Tristan into his office. "Take a seat." He offered, sitting behind his desk. I sat down and looked at him, waiting to see what he was going to say. "I don't want you going back to New York."
"What do you mean?" I questioned him confused.
"I want you to live with me,"
The question or statement or whatever it was just seemed to pound through my head. I couldn't believe it! I had heard him right, right? Say, if I did live here I could see Holly whenever I wanted, not only that but I could see Danny too. But, then Mom would be all alone. No one would be there for her. But, then again it's not like she cared when she left me all alone. I looked up at Tristan who was still eyeing me waiting for a reply.
"I don't know what to say." I finally told him.
"You don't want to?" He questioned, disappointment shone in his eyes.
"No, I do, I mean I've always wanted this my whole life, but I'm just worried about Mom, she'd be all alone."
"Oh, well we could do some joint custody thing, but I guess then she would want to have Andrew as well as you. And, then that might get messy you know. That's the reason why we didn't do it in the first place." He told me looking across his desk. "But, I promise you we will be a family; because that is the one thing I want most." I tried to blink away tears at what he had said, amazed he felt that way.
"I just need to talk to Mom, I mean well she shouldn't mind that much, she's never home anyway. And, if she does then I could go there for the holidays… I know, Dad you can tell her that I need a better education and then during the school year I can live here with you, and then I can go home at the other times, and then we can just tell her it's for education purposes," I concluded, grinning like a fool. I looked across at Tristan who was gaping at me. "What?" I questioned.
"You called me Dad." I immediately felt a blush take over my cheeks. In my rambling I had spurted the word Dad, what kind of idiot was I?
"Sorry," I whispered in embarrassment.
"No, don't be sorry." He replied. "I'd love it, if you would call me Dad."
"Ok." I agreed grinning.
"Do you want me to come back with you tomorrow? I could talk with Summer and you could get your things." He reasoned.
"Well, I don't want to put you out, cause it's out of the way and plus you probably have work or something." I told him.
"I don't want you going alone, I know you almost always were and that nothing really has changed I'm just worried after the dinner conversation about you alone. You understand?" He asked. I was happy he felt that way, because I did too, I was afraid of Charlie that he might come after me. But, I was also afraid that Dad might know what happened, and that I didn't want, I didn't want him to know that.
"I don't want to be causing you all kind of troubles though." I responded.
"Look, how about I send Andrew up with you; he can afford to miss a couple days of school. I know Julianna will be angry for not allowing her to go, but would that be alright?" He questioned, looking intently at me.
"Yeah, if he can miss, it's great! Cause, then if Mom's back he can meet her!" I exclaimed happy. Tristan didn't look that happy at the prospect of Andrew meeting his Mother, maybe he was afraid he might leave him to live with her, but then isn't that was I had just done to Mom?
"Alright, we better go make an appearance, I'll speak with Andrew about the idea. He will be thrilled at the thought of leaving Hartford." He stated, standing up from his chair, I too rose and was almost out the door when he called me. "Maddie, I called your school, funny thing there is no girls football team. I will find out what happened, now that I found you, I'm not going to let these things slip by." He warned. I nearly jumped out of my skin! Is this what Fathers were like? One minute nice and the next minute threatening? He seemed to be watching me wanting me to say something back.
"Oh," Was all I could come up with. I reached for the door knob, to get out of there.
"And, also Maddie," He beckoned me back. Turning around I looked at him as if to say what do you want. But all he did was open his wallet and show me a picture. It was my class picture when I was in first grade. "Your Mom sent me this." I smiled at him, not sure what to say, when he had suddenly turned soft. Putting the picture back in his wallet, he nodded to me to go ahead.
"Hey Dad?" I said turning back to see him leaning against his desk, almost as if he were ready to cry. "I was never angry with you." I told him, watching his eyes look up and level with mine. I smiled at him and walked out of his office.
"Wait," He called to me in the hall, before I had reached the sitting room. "I love you." He whispered hugging me, for all the years he had missed.
"I love you too." I mumbled against his shirt. I don't know what came over me, but I just started to cry, maybe it was just all the emotion that I had felt lately, with Danny, Charlie and Dad. I just don't know, but I just cried and cried. "Sorry," I murmured, backing away from him. "I don't know what came over me." I confessed trying to dry my tears.
"C'mon here," He said pulling me into a big fatherly hug. My life really did seem perfect now, well my life in Connecticut that is, my life in New York is a screwed over as ever.
Dad and Maddie came back in and joined everyone as if nothing had happened. I always knew I had a younger sister that was one of the reasons why I was always so hostile to Rory and Christopher, because I thought she was the one who broke up my Dad and Mom's relationship. I know now, that it was just because they didn't click, but even so I'm still kind of angry that Maddie and I have been separated all these years.
"Hey Andy, can I speak with you?" Dad asked me walking over to where I stood.
"Yeah," I told him, casually yawning wondering what he wanted this time.
"I need a favour." He stated, looking around the room making sure no one was listening.
"Hmm..." I hummed, secretly trying to piss him off.
"Knock it off." He muttered. "Look it has to do with Maddie." I immediately stood up straight from slouching against the wall.
"What?" I questioned.
"I need you to go back to New York with her." He told me.
"And?" I asked, knowing there would be a hidden agenda in the idea.
"That's all." He stated.
"That's all?" I questioned. "Go with her to New York? Perhaps even see the Mother I haven't seen in over sixteen years that is all?" I inquired suspicious.
"Yes." He replied. I noticed he had cringed when I had mentioned my Mother.
"Why did you even have to ask?" I joked. Definitely I'd go, not only would it give me a chance to see the big city, but I could spend time with my newly found sister, and see my Mom. "When are we expected back?" I asked him.
"Well, I guess it depends on how much time Maddie needs, or well Summer needs, I'm saying around two days, if it cannot be done by then I'll come down." I looked at him shocked, at why he would want to see Summer. "I'd like to see where she grew up." He defended himself.
"Y'know I can just get a picture of her for you." I suggested, really not wanting him to come.
"What are you talking about?" He questioned me trying to sound confused.
"Look Dad, I'd want to see my old girlfriend, who was the mother of my kids too." I told him, hoping he quit the act he was putting on.
"I'll be there Tuesday morning I just have to settle some things." He replied, looking away and not telling me anything else. I looked around the room curiously. I'd have to go talk with Maddie about this.
"Hey Maddie." I smiled, walking up to where she sat with her friend Holly.
"Hi," She replied, grinning back.
"So, you've heard I have to go back with you?" I asked her, sitting down on the couch next to Holly. It was the only available seat, not that I minded, I mean I'm still a guy with hormones.
"Yeah, but you can meet Mom." She told me grinning. Obviously thinking what I had.
"An added bonus," I replied. "And, miss school."
"Of course," She smiled.
"Can you see if my Mom is back yet while you're home?" Holly asked Maddie.
"Sure," She responded in ease. "I'll have nothing to do, but show Andrew around since I highly doubt I'll be going to school there any longer."
"That's a relief." Holly sighed, knowing something I didn't.
"Tell me about it." Maddie said in return. I suddenly felt oddly out of place.
"What's so bad about it? From what I hear it's quite nice and lazy." I drawled, hoping to hear what she thought.
"The academic side of it is quite wonderful. It's just I don't feel up to being in the social atmosphere that the school entails." She explained.
"Would that have something to do with the dinner conversation?" I asked. Before she could answer our Dad had started to clink his glass to get everyone's attention. I thought it was rather stupid seeing there were only eleven of us.
"I'd like to make a toast." He stated raising his glass. "To family and friends,"
"Here, here," Mr. Mariano joined in.
"So what bus are we taking tomorrow?" I asked Maddie ignoring the parents.
"There is a 6:15 bus and also a bus at 10:35. But then if we took the bus at 10:35 we get there in the wee hours, and I much prefer to get there earlier." She explained.
"Alright then I'll pick you up at the Mariano's at a quarter to six." I offered. She nodded and smiled at me.
"You two are so lucky I want to go back so much!" Complained Holly.
"I bet you everyone in the room minus the parents would love to go." I reasoned, looking around the room. "And, if it probably weren't for school then you could go." Holly stood up quickly looking around the room for someone.
"What is it?" Maddie questioned curiously.
"Andrew just gave me an idea." She replied, continuing to look around.
"I did?" I asked confused.
"Yeah, why don't we go tonight instead? I mean there is bound to be a bus going tonight, and then we'll only miss one day of school if we return on Monday." She suggested.
"Do you think Jess will go for that?" Maddie inquired.
"Well, it's not like I'd have to stay with you and bother you while you and Summer talked, I mean my Mom still lives next door so I could stay with her," She told us excited.
"What are you scheming?" Danny asked coming over.
"To go to New York with Maddie and Andrew," She whispered.
"Naha, Dad would never let you go." He replied, sagging her high hopes.
"Why not?" She questioned him.
"Ok, one we just started a new school and we already started it late. Two, we were just in New York a week ago, and Three, you have no reason to go." He stated.
"Why do you have to suck so much?" Holly pouted at her brother.
"It's my job." He replied. "And, also if you went back home, then Dad might kind of feel abandoned. I mean Mom and him did just get a divorce, and it'd be like you were running away from him to her."
"Things are so complicated," She complained.
In the end it was just me and Maddie going back the next day. Holly hadn't even asked Jess, because Danny had convinced her that it would be hurting his feelings. All I knew was that I was going to see the Mother I had never met in about two days, I was excited.
Sitting beside Andrew on the bus back to New York, I found it hard not to grin. Not because of going home, I mean I was a bit excited to show Andrew around, but I was super happy, because of Dan and my goodbye. I mean what much could it be when you're hiding your relationship from everyone, but Holly. It was good though, I really love him.
This morning we had pretty much just hung around their house. They had all homework to do for Monday, so we couldn't really go out. Although, we did leave after lunch to go get some coffee at a café, but Danny didn't go, because he and Nick had just started a game of basketball. But, Holly and I had some good girl talk. She confessed that she had kissed Christopher, on Friday. I'm super happy for her! And, when we got back to the house the boys had gotten so hot, they'd stripped off their shirts! Heaven, well pretty close! Danny is really fit, but I couldn't really gawk over him, since well everyone still thinks we hate one another.
Here comes the good part... so Ricky had to go get some school stuff, Nick had to get something as well, and Jess had some errands to run so they all left. Yup, so only Holly, Danny and I were there! And, Holly was doing her homework. So, yeah Danny and I. You can probably figure what we did; we're still early in the relationship. But, well we were on his bed, and then they all came home. And, I don't think my heart ever beat that fast! Cause Danny and I hadn't realized that they were home until, well, until Jess was knocking on the door! Yeah, it was quite the shock, I nearly had an attack. Just thinking back to it I get nervous.
Flashback
"Danny!" Danny and I both froze, when we heard Jess knocking on the door. "Hey Dan!" He called again.
"Yeah?" Danny shouted back. Quietly I slipped out from Danny's arm, and signaled to him I was going to the adjoining bathroom.
"Can I come in?" I heard Jess ask, as I silently closed the adjoining door. Holding my breath I tried not to laugh at the situation we were in. I mean who would've thought two months ago, I'd be sneaking out of Danny's bedroom. Quickly I gasped as I heard a noise, looking around the small bathroom; I noticed that Danny's bedroom wasn't the only one adjoined with it. There was another door, and before I tried to think of whose bedroom it might lead to, I noiselessly hid behind the dark blue shower curtain. Closing my eyes, I listened as someone came in. Please don't use the bathroom, I thought. I had seen enough movies where one person gets stuck hiding in the bathroom, while another one goes. Luckily however instead I heard the person dialing a phone.
"Julie?" I heard Ricky's voice question. "Can you tonight?" He asked. I strained to hear the voice that was talking a bit loudly in return. "Of course... yeah... definitely... bye!"
"Madd-" Danny called walking in. I couldn't see, but I knew Rick must be looking at Danny confused.
"What?"
"Oh... Sorry, I got this song stuck in my head." Danny covered, sounding barely believable. "What are you doing in here?"
"What do you think it's a bathroom?" Ricky shot back.
"The phone though? Who brings a phone into a bathroom?" Danny asked.
"Waiting for a call, can't here it over the running water. What are you doing in here?" He questioned suspiciously.
"Same thing you were." He replied. "Now, what are you going to do watch me take a piss, get outta here!" I heard Ricky mumble something and leave. "Maddie?" Danny whispered.
"Hey!" I replied, moving away the shower curtain.
"Taking a shower?" He joked, stepping inside the bath and kissing me.
End of Flashback
"Happy to be going home?" Andrew asked me, tearing me from my memory. I then realized I must be grinning like an idiot.
"Yeah, I'm really excited for you to meet Mom and see everything," I admitted. He nodded grinning, he must be really nervous. I remember how nervous I was when I had to meet Tristan, well after I knew he was my Father.
Getting off the bus in New York, we got a cab to the house. We didn't talk much, but not because of it being awkward. I think Andrew was a mess from being both nervous and excited.
"Don't worry," I reassured him, as we drove down my street. "She loves you, and there is no way you could be a disappointment."
"I know, but whoa, I haven't seen her in sixteen years, I mean whoa." He smiled at me. We pulled up beside the house, and got out. Andrew insisted on paying for the cab, and after a little persisting from him, I gave in.
"You ready?" I asked, after the cab pulled away and we were still standing on the sidewalk.
I grinned at Maddie and replied, "I'm always ready." Looking up at the old house that was squeezed in between two others, I wondered what it would've been like growing up with Mom and Maddie. We headed up the walk, where overgrown grass grew in the cracks and up an old porch that had one of those swing like benches hanging. Maddie took out a key, and unlocked the door, looking at me she grinned before pushing the door open.
"She might not be here, she never really is." She told me, when we walked in, but it was obvious when we stepped inside that she must be there.
My first thought of the house was that it was a home. I mean every house is a home, but mansions really aren't homes. This, this was a home. Where you could smell baking coming from the kitchen, and that had family pictures hanging everywhere. It was obvious that people lived here. At my house, it was so pristine and clean, that it didn't seem it could be someone's home.
"My baby! I wondered what time you'd be back from Holly's!" A woman's voice came down the hallway. A voice, I immediately recognized at my mothers.
"Mom!" Maddie cried, running down the hall to hug her. I watched them embrace, and watched as my Mom pulled Maddie away from her, and looked at her.
"What happened honey! Oh, baby what happened?" She asked, obviously noticing the bruises on Maddie's face that even though were faint, still stood out.
"Nothing," Maddie replied, looking away as not to face her Mother.
Mom sighed as if; she figured she'll ask again later. Looking up, she smiled "You've brought a friend?" Walking over to me, she extended her hand. "Wait, you're no friend, you're, goodness, you're Andy!" She exclaimed, pulling me to her in a hug. Inside I was doing summersaults in excitement, she recognized me! Andy, just hearing her call me that brought back so many childhood memories.
"Mom you're crushing him!" Maddie laughed from close by.
"Oh, my babies are home!" She grinned, stepping back from me, to pull Maddie in for a group hug. "I never thought I'd see the two of you together!" She exclaimed smiling. "C'mon into the kitchen, we all have a lot to catch up on!"
"When did you get home?" Maddie asked Mom.
"On Saturday, I'm so sorry I was gone for so long, but I sold quite a few of my painting," She replied, as she put the kettle on. "Cocoa?" She inquired looking at the two of us.
"Yes please," We both agreed. And, she proceeded to get out three mugs and fill them up with the chocolate powder.
"So, how did you two come upon meeting each other?" She asked, turning around and leaning on the counter looking at us.
"Well..." I sat back and listened as Maddie told the story of going to see the Mariano's and then first finding out Jess had known Tristan and then that Tristan was indeed her Father.
"What an overly dramatic weekend," Mom smiled, turning and pouring the hot water, after the kettle whistled.
"Soap opera material," I put in, smiling and quickly thanking Mom as she placed a full mug in front of me.
"So, Andy tell me all about you," She said, looking across the table at me.
"What would you like to know?" I asked in return.
"Well, c'mon sixteen years have past; you must have something interesting to tell me!" She replied. And, that is how we spent the night, it was so good, we just sat there talking. And, I felt at home, I felt like I was finally there.