Chapter 32
…
Andrea pulled up outside the apartment, Kate undoing her seatbelt before turning to look at Andrea, a curious look on her face.
"What?"
"Are you going to tell me now."
"I told you, when we get inside."
"You are impossible, do you know that."
"Look who's talking, come on."
Kate opened her door and got out of the car, waiting as Andrea got her bag from the back seat before coming to join Kate, her arm going around Kate's waist as they made their way up the steps. Kate waited as Andrea unlocked the door, the two women stepping inside. Kate looked around and saw nothing out of place.
"Well, so far so good…everything looks normal."
"What on earth is it you think I'm going to do Kate?"
"I don't know, that's what I'm afraid off."
"Relax, follow me."
Kate walked along the hallway with Andrea, stopping as Andrea pulled back the sliding doors, Kate letting out a gasp as she saw the dining room table beautifully set, candles placed neatly in the middle, a beautiful vase of red roses taking centre stage.
"Well, what do you think? Andrea asked.
"Dearie, it's beautiful."
"You really like it?"
Kate turned to Andrea, kissing the younger woman before returning her gaze to the table.
"You've gone to so much trouble."
"You're worth every minute of it, come on, take a seat."
Kate was guided over to the table, taking a seat as Andrea poured a glass of wine for her.
"Oh dearie I…."
"Don't worry, it's non alcoholic."
Kate could only smile as Andrea continued to pour the wine in to her glass.
"Now, I'll be back in a moment. I just need to check on dinner, just relax and drink your wine."
Kate watched Andrea walk away in to the kitchen, smiling as she took a sip of her wine before leaning back in her chair, feeling the baby kick against the palm of her hand.
"Your mom's gone to so much trouble for us tonight sweetie, I wonder what she's up too."
…
Elizabeth walked in to her apartment, carrying Agnes in her arms. She stopped as they entered the front room to see Tom sitting on the couch, waiting for her.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see my daughter, is that okay?"
Tom got to his feet, taking Agnes from Elizabeth's arms.
"How's my baby girl doing hug, daddy's missed you so much." He whispered as he kissed the top of her head as she played with the collar of his shirt.
"Do you think it would be okay if she stayed with me tonight?" He asked.
"That depends, are you on your own."
"Liz…"
"It's a simple question Tom?"
"Yes, I'm alone."
"Who is she?"
"Liz come on?"
"I want to know, I deserve that at least?"
"Fine, her names Chloe, we met in the park a few months back when I took Agnes out."
"You picked up a woman while you were spending time with our daughter, classy Tom."
"You're one to talk."
"Excuse me?"
"Oh come on Liz, I'm not a fool. Tell me you haven't slept with him."
"Tom I…"
"Tell me the truth, I think it's time we both started doing that, don't you. You've slept with Reddington, right?"
Elizabeth let out a sigh before taking a seat on the chair as Tom sat down on the sofa with Agnes as she continued to play with his collar.
"I'm sorry Tom."
Tom sat quietly for a few minutes before he finally spoke again.
"Yeah well…maybe us….maybe it just wasn't meant to work out. We tried though…right?"
"I didn't mean for it to happen with him, it was just with everything that was happening to Mr Kaplan, the pain he was in over her…it just all came crashing down around him and I…"
"You don't need to explain, lets face it, we're both at fault herem you with Reddington and me with Chloe."
"What's she like?"
"Chloe?"
"Yeah?"
"She's…different. She's a stay at home mom, she has a lot of time to just talk, to listen."
"I'm sorry, I know my job got in the way a lot."
"It's fine Liz, you love that job and I get that."
"I didn't want it to end like this."
"Me either, but it did. I'd rather you'd left me for someone other than him but I guess, if you feel something for him, there's not much I can do about it."
"Tom…about Italy?"
"You were serious about that?"
"Mr Kaplan wants somewhere safe to raise the baby, she wants to put this life behind her but she wants Red with her."
"You really think he could give up this life he has."
"He wants to try, for her…and for me."
"You're talking about taking my daughter out of the country, I'll never see her."
"Red said he's pay for everything, for you to come over to Italy and for me to fly back here regularly, every other weekend. You can have Agnes for the holidays."
"And what about her birthday, Christmases?"
"We can alternate every year, I'd make sure it's fair for both of us. I'd never deprive you of Agnes Tom, you know that."
"Yeah I know you wouldn't….look I need some time to think about this, can she maybe stay with me for a few days, give me some extra time with her."
"Of course you can, I'll go pack a bag for you."
"Thanks."
Tom watched a Liz made her way in to the other room, holding Agnes close to him.
"I love you so much baby girl." He whispered to her.
…
Kate finished off her steak, before looking over at Andrea who suddenly looked very nervous. Kate leaned over, grasping her hand in hers.
"Dearie, is everything okay?"
"Sure."
"You look nervous, what is it?"
Andrea got up from her seat before coming over to Kate, kneeling down in front of her.
"Andrea?"
"I never thought I'd ever find someone that I could see spending the rest of my life with, and then I met you and well, you've certainly kept me busy. I wish we hadn't met or ended up together because of what happened to you but we did and as much as I'd love to change what happened to you, I know I can't, we just have to move forward and that's what I want for us….to move forward. We're together, we're happy and you're having this amazing baby."
"We're having this amazing baby dearie, she's as much yours as she is mine."
"Which is why I want to make this more official, before she's born."
"What are you talking about?"
" I love you Kate, more than anything else in this world. We're starting a new life in Italy with baby and I'd love it even more it we moved their as a married couple."
"As a…"
"Will you marry me Kate?"
Kate sat open mouthed as Andrea brought out the small box, opening it before Kate took out the ring. Kate sat looking at it for a few moments, tears in her eyes before she allowed Andrea to take the ring from her and gently slipped it on her finger.
"You don't have to make a decision right now, I know I've probably shocked you and I…"
"Dearie sssshhh….I'm just surprised. This was not what I was expecting when I came home tonight."
"What were you expecting?"
"Honestly, I don't know, but not this."
"Are you happy?"
"Oh dearie I…help me down with you."
Andrea took hold of Kate's hands as Kate lowered herself down to Andrea's level.
"I love you more than anything, after I lost Annie, I didn't expect to fall in love ever again and then you came along. I wouldn't have made it this far without you and for that, I love you. I will marry you Andrea."
"Yeah, really."
"Really."
Andrea wrapped her arms around Kate before leaning in and kissing the older woman, before Kate pulled back, a small groan escaping her lips.
"Kate….you okay."
"Mmmm, I think this ones happy with the news too."
Andrea placed her hand to the side of Kate's abdomen as the baby gave another sharp kick to her hand.
"Well that certainly seals the deal."
Kate smiled before leaning back in to kiss Andrea once more.
…
To Be Continued…
