Chapter 23
…
Andrea was standing outside Kate's door the next morning, knocking and knocking but not getting an answer.
"Kate…are you in there?"
There was no reply so Andrea looked around the outside of the house, checking under plant pots and the doormat but coming up empty, she finally gave in and called Reddington.
"Andrea…good morning."
"Hi Red, sorry to call so early."
"No need to apologise, what can I do for you?"
"I'm standing outside Kate's, I've been knocking and knocking but she's not replying, the lights on inside. I'm worried and I was wondering if she hides a spare key anywhere. I've checked the usual places, plant pots, under the mat but she…"
"Go to the flower bed under the side of the house."
Andrea did as he asked and walked around to the flower bed, looking down at the soil.
"Okay, what am I looking for?"
"There's a small collection of coloured stones beside the sunflowers."
"Yeah, I see them."
"Pick up the green one and underneath there's a slot, just open it."
Andrea did as she was told and picked up the stone, turning it over to see a bit for opening it, which she did, smiling when she saw the key.
"I have it, thanks Red."
"Let me know she's okay would you, I was there last night, she seemed fine…perhaps a little concerned about whether or not you'd go with her to Italy or not but other than that…"
"Well she doesn't have to worry much longer, I've made my decision."
"Oh…and?"
"If it's alright with you, I'd rather Kate knew first…you understand?"
"Of course, look after her Andrea."
"Always." She said, hanging up.
Andrea walked back to the front door and put the key in to the lock, turning it before opening the door and walking inside. She stood in the hallway for a few moments, compete silence filling the house.
"Kate…it's Andrea, are you here?"
Andrea didn't hear anything for a minute or so and was getting ready to leave when she heard a noise coming from upstairs. Andrea made her way up, stopping outside the bathroom as she heard Kate on the other side. She tried the door and found it unlocked, she opened it slowly to see Kate on her knees by the toilet.
"Oh Kate…"
Kate looked behind her when she heard Andrea's voice before turning back. Andrea ran a cloth under the cold tap before folding it over and coming over to kneel down beside Kate, holding the cloth to her forehead as Kate grabbed her free hand.
"Ssssh, it's okay…I'm here."
Andrea sat for a long time, no words spoken as she kept her hand in Kate's as the older woman suffered through her morning sickness. Kate eventually felt safe enough to move as Andrea helped her to her feet, making their way to Kate's bedroom. Andrea lowered her on to the side of her bed before going to get her a glass of water.
"Thank you dearie." Kate smiled, taking a few sips from the glass.
"How do you feel?" Andrea asked, taking a seat beside her.
"I've had better mornings."
"You scared the hell out of me, when I couldn't get an answer I phoned Red and the things that were running through my head I…"
"I'm okay, I'm sorry if I scared you."
"So…morning sickness sucks huh?"
"I've never felt this terrible in my life, and I'm counting the times I've been shot."
"Kate…" Andrea warned.
"Sorry dearie."
"Why don't you try to get some more sleep?"
"No, I want to go and see Aram, thank him for all he's done and the rest of Elizabeth's team."
"There's plenty of time for that, you need to rest."
"Andrea….I'm fine."
"You're still mad, aren't you?"
"Why would I be mad?"
"Italy?"
"I'm sorry; I should never have asked you to come."
"What?"
"It was wrong of me to ask you to give up your life here, I understand…believe me. I'm not mad at you for it, if I were in your shoes, I might feel the same way."
"Well then it's just as well you're not then, isn't it?"
"Dearie you…"
"My answers yes Kate."
Kate stopped mid sentence, looking up to meet Andrea's eyes to see the younger woman smiling at her.
"What?"
"You heard me, Kate I can't imagine my life without you in it. This is not my home if you're not here too."
"You're coming to Italy?"
"I'll go anywhere you want, just so long as we're together."
Kate felt tears in her eyes as Andrea moved forward to kiss her.
"Dearie no…I've just been sick."
"You brushed your teeth, besides I don't care."
Kate returned Andrea's kiss before hugging the younger woman, relief washing over her.
…
Dembe brought though the coffee, placing it on the table in front of Reddington, who watched as the young man opened the bottle of painkillers and past two to him, waiting for him to swallow the pills.
"Don't you trust me Dembe?"
"No, I know you and pills…you're stubborn."
"Thank you…for taking care of me."
"Drink your coffee before your visitor arrives." He smiled.
"My visitor, I wasn't expecting anyone?"
"Elizabeth called, she told me to tell you she'd be over in an hour."
"An hour?"
"That was about forty minutes ago."
"Dembe, you really should hav…"
Both men looked up when they heard someone at the front door.
"She's early; I'll go and let her in."
Dembe opened the door, Reddington attempting to stand up as Elizabeth walked in, a small smile on her face.
"No no, don't get up? You should be resting." She said, quickly walking over to him, helping him to sit back down.
"I'm fine Lizzie."
"I'll leave you two alone." Dembe spoke up.
"Thank you Dembe." Reddington smiled.
There was silence in the room, enough to hear a pin drop as they were finally left alone together.
"So, how are you?"
"I'm fine Lizzie, just a little sore but I'm getting there."
"Why the hell didn't you tell us you were hurt?"
"All I cared about was getting Kate looked after."
"And to the hell with your own health, a little selfish don't you think?"
"I don't see how?"
"You scared the hell out of me, that's why. I thought you were dead for god sake."
"I'm sorry."
"You will be if you ever pull a stunt like that again."
"Sit down Lizzie."
Elizabeth turned and made her way to the sofa and sat down, Reddington watching her closely.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Why would anything be wrong?"
"I know when something's bothering you?"
Elizabeth lowered her head, her hands suddenly becoming her main focus. Reddington got up slowly and came over to join her, his hand coming to cover her own.
"Talk to me Lizzie?"
"I told Tom about what you said to me yesterday in the hospital."
"I see…he didn't take it well."
"That's an understatement."
"Do I take it then that you gave what I said some serious thought."
Elizabeth finally looked up, locking eyes with him.
"I didn't say it back to you?"
"Say what?"
"When you told me that you were in love with me, I didn't say it back to you."
"Lizzie you don't have t…."
"I love you too Red."
Reddington went quiet as he saw a smile creep up on Elizabeth's face.
"Well that's good then." He answered."
"I should have told you in the hospital but you took me by surprise and I just….I didn't know how to respond, I needed some time to really think."
"I know Tom will do whatever he can to keep Agnes but we can force him if necessary."
"No, look Tom doesn't deserve that. I won't do that to him, he maybe cheating on m but he's a good father, I couldn't be that cruel. We just have to work out a plan between us where Agnes can stay with us at separate times."
"Would you be able to do that, spend time apart from your daughter."
"It would be hard…I don't know."
"Lizzie I…"
"I don't want to lose you." She replied quietly.
"I don't want to lose you either."
"You're willing to give up this life for Mr Kaplan, for me…if that doesn't show me how much you love me then I don't know what does."
Reddington moved closer, bringing his arm around Elizabeth's shoulder as she leaned in on him, closing her eyes as she felt him tighten his hold around her.
"We'll figure it out Lizzie, I promise."
…
To Be Continued…
