AN
Sorry it's been so long since I've last updated, but one thing has led to another and my updates just got pushed back. But, since the spring semester has finally ended, I can finally get started with updating and possibly finishing this story. I hope you all enjoy the new chapters.
Chapter XVIII: Finally Found
Sitting there in my room as I tried recklessly to unpack my belongings, I finally realized that everything I've been trying to lock away had never truly been locked away after away. So with a sigh, I gave up trying not to think about him. It's been over a year since I left Japan for the second time around, and almost half a year since I moved into my still new home. I guess I still like to think of it as new because I haven't really had any time to actually move all of my belongings into the house. Anyway, back to what I was talking about.
After getting back to New York City, I requested to be transferred to another branch located in Cherry Hill since it was the next closest branch. I also transferred Keith to a new school and cut off all ties with the media so there would be no disturbances in his education. I remember the day we got off the plane, there were reporters everywhere asking questions left and right and snapping pictures of Keith for the rest of society to read about. Sometimes I wish people would mind their own business and worry about their own damned lives instead of mine. I felt so guilty for bringing this all upon my son so I had to get him out of the limelight. We moved into a tiny house just outside of the city to have more privacy.
I also got word that after I left Japan, Andrew had come to America in search of me and Keith, so that was one of the main reasons why I had chosen to be relocated. And I guess I couldn't handle the thought of a confrontation between the two of us after everything that has happened. I didn't want him to take responsibility for something when he didn't truly know what he wanted out of life just yet. Just because he fathered my child, that doesn't mean that he has to give up his way of life because he thinks he's obligated to take care of us. That's the last thing I'd ever ask him to do. So here I am, wallowing in my own misery.
"Mama, I'm home!" I heard my baby call to me as the sound of the front door echoed throughout the hallways and snapped me back to reality. Keith was now in the second grade and had just started attending a different private school after we moved.
"I'll be right there baby," I called back, putting away the rest of my things before rushing out to meet him. Kissing his forehead, I led him over to the kitchen where a light snack was waiting for him. "How was school?" I asked setting his backpack aside so he could sit down.
"It was fun, but I still miss my old school," answer Keith taking a big bite out of the turkey sandwich I had made for him. I smiled sadly, knowing that I was to blame for his current state of sadness. I guess it was hard for him to transfer to a new school and make new friends so it crushed my heart to hear that he was still trying to fit into his new school.
"I know honey, but it'll get better. I promise," I replied, squeezing his hand lightly as I went to get him a glass of juice. "Hey, I know! How about we go shopping today?!" I suggested enthusiastically.
"Really?!" was his reply. It always brought a smile to my face whenever he got excited about anything, even if it was something small. I guess that's what being a mother is all about, making all the little things seem so big.
"Yeah, we'll get you whatever you want from the toy store and even stop by the book store on the way home. How about it?" I asked him, knowing he would say yes to anything right about now.
"Yeah!" shouted Keith, hopping off the chair. He bounded off towards his new room and got changed. I laughed lightly at his still very childish antics, which I was very grateful for, being that he was only 6 years old. I cleaned up the kitchen and headed upstairs to change into something more comfortable. Cleaning all day had worn me down so I needed to freshen up a bit.
"Okay mama, all set! Let's go!" said Keith with so much vigor in his tone. I hurried downstairs and slipped into my sandals and we both jumped into my brand new red Audi TT and sped off towards town.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Dr. Cunningham called today, she said that Toki is all set to come home with us," I told my son as we pulled into the Mall's parking lot.
"Really?!" asked my son, thrilled to hear the news. I bought Toki as a birthday gift to Keith just recently, and he's a Toy . Last week he got sick so we sent him into the clinic to get checked up.
"Yeah, so after we finish shopping, we'll go get some ice cream them stop by and pick him up okay?" I told my son, grabbing his hands as we entered the mall happily. I always loved to go shopping whenever I felt down, so I knew a little shopping spree would surely clear my mind of Andrew for the time being.
Andrew
"It's been so long since I've been here, I wonder how the business is keeping up?" thought Andrew as he walked around the town square. After sighing, he decided to sit down for a break. The last bit of news he got from Jason was that Sere had moved away from New York City to a less busy city. As much as he knew Sere, he was positive she would have chosen to move to Cherry Grove, because ever since she was young she was always drawn to things with cute names or appearances. Smiling at the thought of her beautiful face, Andrew got up and decided to walk around a little more.
"Excuse me sir," said an elderly lady as she bumped into him.
"No, pardon me madam," replied Andrew courteously as he helped her pick up the papers she had dropped.
"My, aren't you a polite young man," said the lady with a smile. She adjusted her glasses and took a closer look at him. "I've never seen you around before, are you new here?" she asked, a little curious.
"I guess this town is more close knit than I thought," laughed Andrew as he handed the lady back her briefcase. "My name is Andrew Forbes and I'm in town in business, actually I'm looking for my fiancée" he answered quickly.
"My name is Katherine Cunningham. And did you say fiancée? Well isn't that sweet. What is her name? Maybe I can help you," inquired the lady nicely.
"Serena Moon, but she likes to go by Sere," said Andrew with a smile.
"Ms. Moon? She has a fiancée?" asked Katherine a bit shocked.
"It's a long story, but do you know where I can find her?" Andrew said saving himself from the long explanation.
"Well, she's going to pick up her pet dog from my clinic in an hour. If you want, you can come with me and save yourself the trouble of looking for her," suggested Mrs. Cunningham.
"Really? That would be great! Thank you so much!" said Andrew, rejoicing at the thought of seeing his Sere again after all this time. They headed over to her clinic and talked a little on their way over. 'I'll finally get the chance to explain everything before you can run away again,' thought Andrew happily as he continued following Mrs. Cunningham.
Sere
"Okay, so do we have everything?" I asked, making sure we didn't forget anything because I hated driving to town for shopping since it was a good twenty minute drive to and back each time. "Now all we have to do is to stop by and pick up Toki so we can get home before the ice cream melts," I said after putting all the shopping bags into the trunk.
"Really?!" Keith asks excitedly. I nodded and he ran to hug me while jumping around. It brought a smile to my face that something so small could make my son so happy. "Yes!" he shouted enthusiastically skipping around.
"Okay sweetie, get in and buckle up for mommy," I called out to him as I finished shutting the trunk. He happily obliged and hopped into the passenger seat, buckled his seat belt and waited patiently for me to get in.
"Hurry up mama!" I heard my son call out after only a few seconds of sitting patiently. Shaking my head, I laughed and slowed down even more just to agitate him. "Mama!" he cried, crossing his arms and pouting.
"Okay, sorry sheesh!" I laughed and hurried into the driver's seat. Started the engine and heard it purr quietly before reverse and taking off towards the vet's office. "So are you excited that Toki will be coming home with us today?" I asked my son, knowing full well that he was more than overjoyed to know his little puppy would be home with him again.
Vet's Office
"Well, here we are," announced Katherine, pointing at the door. Andrew quickly rushed over and opened the door for her. "Thank you," she said before walking in and slipping out of her jacket and into her lab coat.
"Back so soon Mrs. Cunningham?" asked one of the clerks at the front desk.
"Yeah, I ran into a friend of Ms. Moon's so I decided to come back early and get ready to surprise her," answered Katherine with a smile.
"Friend?" asked the clerk curiously.
"Oh yes, where are my manners. This is Andrew Forbes, Ms. Moon's fiancée," Katherine introduced the two people to one another.
"Hello, nice to meet you miss," replied Andrew quietly.
"Andrew, this is my assistant Kaitlyn," Katherine added after Andrew had greeted her with a quick hello.
"Hi, welcome to our office, it's a pleasure to meet you," Kaitlyn greeted courteously with a bright smile.
"Anyway, why don't you have a seat here while I go in and check upon little Toki for Keith," said Mrs. Cunningham as she walked into the back with Kaitlyn following shortly behind her. Andrew took a seat and looked around the office, it was quaint little clinic located across the street from the mall and there were beautiful photos of pets all around.
"Are you Mr. Forbes?" asked a young woman that had come out form the door that Mrs. Cunningham had just entered.
"Yes," answered Andrew feeling a little awkward.
"Dr. Cunningham asked me to walk you to one of the office rooms to wait in since Ms. Moon just called and is on her way over," said the assistant cheerfully.
"Oh, thank you," replied Andrew.
"Right this way sir," she said directing Andrew to follow her into a little room. After Andrew took a seat in on of the chairs near the window, she smiled and quietly shut the door behind her when she left.
'What am I going to do? How is she going to react?' thought Andrew nervously as he struggled to adjust his clothes. He looked around in search of a mirror to double check his appearances but to no avail.
"Okay Andrew, she's outside so if you don't want her to run out once she gets in here, you better hide behind something," suggested Katherine as she put Toki down into a little caged area so he could play and pulled out some paperwork.
"Thanks," whispered Andrew as he got and walked behind a little area with a white curtain drawn.
Sere
"Okay Ms. Moon, Dr. Cunningham can see you now," announced on of the clerks outside.
"Thanks for taking care of Toki for me doc," I greeted the lovable vet.
"Hi Dr. Cunningham!" greeted Keith happily.
"Why hello, how are you two doing?" asked Katherine, smiling as Keith ran up and hugged her tightly.
"We're great!" Keith answered for the both of us quickly after spotting Toki in the cage. "Is he all better now?" he asked reaching down for the puppy.
"He's great, there's just one little problem I need your mommy to deal with. Do you want to take Toki out and give him some treats while we talk?" asked Dr. Cunningham with a smile.
"Sure!" Keith agreed cheerfully. He held Toki close to his chest and ran out to the front desk where the girls were waiting for him with treats. After the door was shut, I turned and gave the lady a confused look.
"I know you're probably wondering what I'm talking about but hear me out," Dr. Cunningham started to explain to me. "You'll see just as soon as I step out real quick," she said reaching for the doorknob.
"What? Wait, where are you going?" I asked, getting up to follow her out.
"No, you sit here and wait for it to come to you," Dr. Cunningham instructed me as she left the room leaving me all alone.
"What on earth is going on?!" I almost yelled from the frustration. Just then I heard the curtain behind me ruffle. "Oh my god, am I hearing things now?" I started talking to myself out loud. Turning I looked around wearily hoping that it I was just hearing things and not some feces infected rat. So there I am looking at the curtain and I notice a pair of shoes just lying there. 'What the hell,' I think to myself, creeping slowly to the curtain. I pull back the curtain and send a kick flying at the person who was hiding behind the curtains, sending the culprit to the floor.
"Oomph" I heard a man cry before passing out form the pain and falling to the ground with a huge thud. I looked down ready to pound the crap out of the perpetrator but stopped after I noticed a shiny silver bracelet on the man's wrist. It looked just like a bracelet I had once bought as a birthday gift to Andrew. Then I looked up to see blonde hair, and it hit me, there on the floor before me was the man I had been running from for the last year and a half.
"Andy?" I thought out loud, not believing that I knocked him out. "Omg, Andy!" I cried, rushing to his side and trying to wake him. I picked his head up and propped it on my lap as I caressed his cheeks. "Oh Andy, I'm so sorry," I whispered, tears coming to my eyes and spilling over, falling onto his face.
"No, I'm sorry," Andrew whispered back, grabbing hold of my hands, making me jump back and dropping him to the ground once more.
"Oh my god, don't scare me like that!" I screamed, running to the door.
"No wait Sere!" Andrew called out running after me as I made a run for the exit of the office, grabbing Keith and the dog as I left in tears.
"Mama, what's going on? Why is Andrew here?" Keith asked, trying to keep up with me as I ran like hell to my car. I quickly put him in his seat and told him to buckle up before running to the driver's side and getting in.
"Sere, wait!" Andrew called out, running out from the vet's office. Seeing that, I quickly shut the door and tried to get the key into the ignition.
"Mama, wait!" Keith yelled at me, seeing Andrew run after us.
"Baby quit yelling, we need to get home," I told my son, nervously trying to get the right key into the ignition. My hands were shaking so much that I dropped the keys so I reached down to search for them quickly, but right when I found them I looked up and was met face to face with Andrew. "Oh god!" I screamed, tears still pouring down my face as I jumped over to my son's seat and unbuckled him. Grabbing him, I threw open the door and ran out into the open road. "Baby, run back to Dr. Cunningham's office and stay with her until I come for you okay?" I instructed my son and pushed him in the direction of the office.
"Sere, wait damn it!" I heard Andrew call out. I don't know why I was running from him, I just couldn't take chances, I didn't want to get my heart broken anymore. I kept running and ended up entering a secluded field of trees. Looking around frantically, I tried to find a place to hide from him. I couldn't risk the chance of him catching me and making me tell him everything.
"No," I whispered when I discovered that I came to a dead end with no way out. Just as I was about to run back, Andrew had already caught up with me. "God, no," I called out to no one in particular. "Please don't do this to me," I begged him, tears continuing to spill from my eyes.
"Do what Sere? What am I doing to you?" Andrew asked me loudly as he walked passed me, looking out of the field of trees. "All I want is some time to talk, why do you keep running from me damn it? I've been searching for you in vain for the last two years and when I finally find you, you try to run away form me again!" he continued to yell at me angrily. It scared me to death just seeing the rage burn in his eyes that I fell to my knees and just rocked myself hoping that I would wake up from this horrible nightmare.
"Stop, please just stop," I cried out quietly still rocking myself.
"Sere?" Andrew called out after a short moment of silence. He turned around and rushed over to me to see if I was okay. I don't know what came over me but I just fell into his arms and cried out openly. Andrew placed me on his lap and just cradled me in his arms and he too began to cry with me. Together, we sat there for over an hour crying and holding onto one another like there was no tomorrow. "I'm so sorry," Andrew whispered, his hands gently stroking my hair.
"I'm sorry too," I sobbed into his shirt loudly. "I should have told you from the very beginning, I'm the one who is wrong for so many things, I'm so sorry," I admitted staring at the ground because I was too ashamed. Finally I was able to get everything off my shoulders after all the years of lying and deceiving.
"Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you, I would have been there with you every step of the way," replied Andrew, pulling me face up to meet his.
"I had no idea of what I was doing and I didn't want to ruin your life!" I cried even harder thinking about what I went through when I first found out I had slept with Andrew and had later gotten pregnant. "Plus you had just got started with law school and then Rita came into your life and I didn't want to mess things up for you," I added sadly.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that alone, not to mention bottle everything up for so long," whispered Andrew as he placed a trail of kisses all over my face. And in the heat of the moment, our lips connected and we just let go of all the vented up passion that had been pushed aside for so long.
"Andy," I whispered trying to push him back so we can talk things through. "I need to go get Keith," I stated, pulling myself up from his lap and looking around for the road. Before I could walk away, I suddenly was pulled back into Andrew's embrace once again.
"Let's go pick up our son," he said taking my hand into his and leading me back to Dr. Cunningham's office. I was so shocked that I allowed him to walk me all the way back to the office without any resistance. Once we reached the office, Keith had spotted us from the window and came running out to meet us.
"Mama!" cried Keith, rushing over and hugging me.
"Sorry about that Mrs. Cunningham, thank you so much for watching Keith for us," said Andrew as I stood there mutely with my arms wrapped around Keith.
"No problem, I'm just glad you two worked things out. Are you alright Sere?" Dr. Cunningham asked giving me a look over. What took me by surprised was that I nodded and then felt Andrew wrapped his arms around my waste. "I apologize for interfering with your life Ms. Moon. I just thought you would be thrilled to see your fiancée," she explained to me. After hearing the word fiancée, I snapped out of my zombie like state and nearly had a seizure.
"Fiancée?" I asked unsure that I heard her correctly.
"Yes, Andrew here told me the news earlier. Why didn't you tell me you were engaged dear?" answered Katherine with a smile.
"What is she talking about? We are not engaged Andy!" I yelled at Andrew angrily after ripping his arms off of me. "I can't believe this," I whispered, placing a hand to my temple because I could already feel a headache coming.
"I know we're not, but it's not like it'll never happen. I mean come on, we have a kid together for Christ sake Sere!" Andrew yelled back, literally catching me off guard with his outburst.
"Not now Andrew," I tried to calm him down.
"Then when damn it, how much longer are you going to make me chase you? Can't you realize that I want to make it right?" Andrew asked me tiredly, bringing tears to my eyes.
"Lets go baby, we need to get home," I called out to Keith, grabbing our things and pulling him out the door with Andrew following shortly behind me.
"What about Toki mama?" asked Keith, looking back at Dr. Cunningham sadly. Andrew quickly turned around and took Toki from her and ran back to the car before I got in.
"Sorry, this is a two-seater, you'll have to figure something out or call a cab," I announced pointing at my Audi.
"That's fine, I can follow you back, I bought myself a car when I got here," replied Andrew quietly after setting Toki down into Keith's lap.
"Okay, see you at home Andrew!" called out Keith happily.
"I'll wait here until you pull up then we'll take off," I told him before getting in and starting the engine. Turning o the lights, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw him running towards a silver Mercedes Benz and hop in. Within a matter of seconds he had pulled up behind me and we took off back towards the house.
"So this is where you've been all this time?" Andrew asked, taking a look around the little estate. It was a descent size, two-story house with a huge yard and a four-car garage as well as a guesthouse. I didn't know what to say so I just went ahead and unlocked the door so that everyone could come in and rest.
"I haven't had the chance to unpack or go furniture shopping yet, so it's kind of plain looking," I told him sheepishly. I'm a fashion designer for god's sake and my house isn't even furnished, how embarrassing can this be right?
"It's okay, at least you have a warm house to live in; I only have en empty loft I rented out. It doesn't even feel like home," replied Andrew, rubbing the back of his neck tiredly.
"Why don't you go upstairs and take a bath honey, I'll give Toki his dinner and put him in your room when he's all done," I told my son and watched him scurry upstairs to his room. "So, how long have you been in Cherry Hill?" I asked not knowing what else to say to him.
"About a week," answered Andrew, he too beginning to feel awkward.
"Have a seat, I'll go make you some coffee," I told him, pointing at the living room and I went into the kitchen to start the coffee maker.
"I've missed you," whispered Andrew as he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, startling me at the same time. I took in a breath and for some odd reason just held it in as he turned me around and looked me in the eye and continued talking to me. "God how I've missed you," he added, placing a kiss on my lips.
"I've missed you too," I replied giving into the urge to just hug him.
"So does that mean I get to stay with you and Keith from now on?" asked Andrew, squeezing me tightly in his embrace.
"I don't know, is that really what you want?" I asked him unsure of what to do about the situation. Should I let him stay with us and risk the chance of him wanting to leave us and break my heart? What if he's not ready to be a father yet? What if this is all a mistake and he doesn't really know what he wants but thinks he's obligated to stay with us?
"Of course this is what I want, I love both you and Keith very much," answered Andrew, placing his hands around my shoulder. "And no I'm not doing this because I feel that I owe it to you. I'm doing this because I want us to be a family," he added before I could think of anything to say back to him. Pulling away from him, I walked over to the window that over-looked my vast back yard into a huge lake and stood there thinking for a while.
"I don't want you jumping into anything you're not ready for. I don't want you to regret your decision in the future," I told him as calmly as possible. "I don't want to get hurt anymore," I whispered, mainly to myself, hoping he didn't hear me.
"I would never hurt you," Andrew told me, coming up behind me and placing his hands on my shoulder firmly. "I've wanted us to be together for so long, but I was afraid you were still in love with Darien," he admitted quietly, running a hand through his sandy blonde hair. He turned me around and looked me in the eyes so I would know that it was the truth.
"I don't know," I stuttered, not sure that I should even be saying anything because I might regret what I say later on.
"What don't you know mama?" asked Keith, interrupting our conversation. We both took a step away form one another and looked at him awkwardly.
"Uh, nothing baby," I lied but my son knew I was a bad liar.
"Mama, you know that's bad right?" he asked me knowingly, confusing the hell out of Andrew. I laughed and nodded, rubbing the back of my head nervously. "And you know you want Andrew to stay with us," he added, skipping over to us and grabbing onto our hands. "She missed you the whole time, every night she would sneak into my room and look at our picture," he whispered to Andrew with a sneaky giggle as I gasped.
"Oh really?" asked Andrew, eyeing me with amusement.
"I need to make dinner, what do you want tonight baby?" I asked trying to change the subject and avoid any questions from Andrew. I turned and headed into the kitchen before they could answer me.
"We'll go out to eat tonight," answered Andrew, grabbing my hand and pulling me back into his arm. "So, tell me more about how much you missed me," teased Andrew, earning a hard slap on the chest from me. He laughed and kissed me on the cheek making Keith turn away and make gagging noises at the sight we were displaying before him.
"We'll talk about that after dinner tonight," I told him, pulling out of his grasp and taking a seat on my comfortable recliner. It had been a long an exhausting day for me, and I need to take a load off. I patted the chair beside me and signaled for the two men in my life to come sit by me, which of course they obeyed. Turning on the television, I flipped through an assortment of channels until finally landing on the news station.
"And on international news, CEO of Shields Corporation has announced its plan to merge with Moonlight Fashions Inc. this afternoon," introduced the anchorwoman calmly. With that said, I jumped from my chair and gawked at the television set. "Tune in tonight to find out the response from Moon light Fashions!" said the anchorwoman cheerfully. The remote fell from my hands and I almost collapsed from all the blood that rushed to my brain simultaneously.
"Sere," Andrew cried, leaping up to catch me before I could hit the carpet.
"Mama," screamed my son right before I blacked out.
AN
Wow, what an installment right? Laughs I hope that was long enough for your enjoyment.