Cont.
As the words leave my mouth, I realise how long it's been since I've said Andy's name out loud. Too long.
"Hi, Haley. I know that I haven't called you for a while, and I'm sorry. You might not what to talk, but, um, I'm moving back to LA, and was wondering if you wanted to catch up." The warmth in his voice causes me to smile. I've always loved how his voice goes quiet when he gets nervous.
"Oh, don't be sorry. Um, yeah. When are you arriving here?"
"Tomorrow- midday."
"Do you want to come to my house? The whole family will be here. I'm sure Dad will be excited to see you!"
"Yeah," Andy chuckles. I forgot how wonderful it sounded. We talk for a bit more, about what I'm doing with my life, and what he's doing with his. We both eventually get tired, so we decide to end the conversation.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
"Yep. Bye, Haley"
"Bye."
As I hang up, I smile to myself. I wonder what tomorrow will be like? In that blissful mood, I drift off to sleep.
THE NEXT DAY. Haley and Claire are at the kitchen, preparing the food. Phil and Luke are in the family room.
"Andy's coming?!" Mom gleefully whispers in the kitchen. I thought it would be good to let her know, since she's the one most likely to freak out when I don't tell her my plans. Especially, when there's going to be an extra person that she needs to feed for lunch.
"Yeah. He's moving back here. He rang me last night." Saying those words evoke excitement. And, perhaps a little nerves.
"Wow! That's so great. I have more than enough food for thirteen, so he'll be fine here."
"Hey guys!" Cam, Mitch and Lily enter the family room. We stop our conversation and welcome them in.
"Lily helped me with a chocolate cake, so no one's leaving here until it's gone." Cam exclaims.
"Well done, sweetie!" Mom places the cake in the fridge.
"Who's ready to eat?" Grandpa walks in, practically sitting at the table before anyone has a chance to greet him.
"Hey, Joe. Man, you're getting so tall." Dad kneels to look at Joe. "Now, you're taller than me." Joe giggles.
Just then, the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it," Dad shouts. He twists open the door handle.
"Hi", Andy looks up at Dad.
"Andy! Hi, buddy!", Dad squeals. His high-pitched voice causes the rest of the family to congregate into the hallway. "What are you doing here?" Dad says, simultaneously pulling Andy into a hug.
"Well, the realtor company that I was working for expanded, and they need someone to lead their department here. So, I'm moving back."
Joe squeezes past everyone, and hugs Andy's legs.
"Hey Joe." Andy kneels down. "Looks how big you are. Before long, you'll be taller than I am." Andy smiles at Joe.
"Come on in," Gloria says.
Andy hugs and greets everyone. I love how much he gets along with everyone. They all adore him, too.
Andy makes his way to me. He looks so gorgeous in his leather jacket and jeans. It was one thing hearing his voice again, but now that I'm face to face with him, all my feelings are coming rushing back. His face lights up when he meets my eyes.
"Hey." Andy leans in and wraps me in a hug. My arms cradle his neck and get caught up in his hair. It feels so fluffy and smells like cinnamon. I can feel his breath on my neck. It's very comforting, and causes the hairs on my arms to stand on end. I feel so at home in his arms and I don't want to let go. I can feel the rest of the family staring at us, so I decide to break the hug.
"Hey" I still don't want to fully quit touching him, so I rest my hand on his upper arm. Andy smiles a half-smile; his dimple on full display.
"Ok, guys, let's eat," Mom says. Thanks, Mom! It was getting a bit awkward. While the other take their seats, I look at Andy and make a motion towards outside. He nods and follows me out.
I spot Mom and Dad's old porch swing. They had their first kiss on that swing, and it carries so many memories for them. For all their faults, they genuinely love each other, and I hope that I'll be as happy as they are in my marriage. The swing is so old that is squeaks when we both sit down on it, but it's the only place outside that the family can't see us from, so I'll take it.
"I've really missed you, Andy." I stare up at his eyes; flickers of brown and green.
"Same here. It's been hard not seeing you. I'm sorry that I didn't initiate it earlier."
"Don't be. It's also my fault. I think I thought seeing you would be too heart-breaking." Wow. It's the first time I'm admitting this, and as scary as it is confronting my feelings, it's nice to do it in front of someone I trust completely.
At this, Andy breaths a sigh of relief.
"I was also thinking the same thing. I was too scared that you wouldn't want to see me. So, I only decided to talk to you when I knew I was coming back here. Is that pathetic?"
"No, not at all! I'm glad you talked to me last night. It felt amazing to hear your voice again." I smile and look across at Andy's lips. He smiles back and places his hand on mine. Goosebumps tingle up and down my back. I turn my hand towards his and our fingers intertwine.
There is a commotion is the dining room, and we both turn our heads. Through all this, Andy continues to hold my hand.
"Wanna take bets on how many people are trying to listen to our conversation?" I joke. I turn back to look at Andy, and his face leans in closer to mine. My eyes float down to his lips again, and I can feel a gravitational pull towards him. His hand is stroking mine, and he stares into my eyes and leans in.
I close my eyes and feel his lips against mine. I reach up, and rest my hands in his hair. His hands slide down my back, pulling me in closer. As we continue to kiss, my hands move down his hair, to his cheeks and neck. I can feel his hand on my thigh and warmth on my face. We passionately kiss for what seem like forever, and I can feel his smile when I kiss his lips. Eventually, we both come up for air, Andy's hand resting on my cheek. As I slowly open my eyes, I see Andy leaning into me.
"Haley," Andy whispers into my ear. He moves a piece of hair away from my face, and strokes my cheek. I beam, and cuddle into his arm. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in close. We stare at the backyard, with the silence being completely comfortable. In times like these, words aren't even necessary, and we continue gazing out for ages.
"You hungry?" I ask. Considering how long we've been out here, and the smell of lunch wafting out in the air, I could guess the answer already.
"Sure."
We make our way back into the kitchen, which thankfully had been emptied of people. Unfortunately, though, the family was just in the living room next door, so when we went inside, we were met with eager eyes.
"Hi, guys" Mom says, in her exciting, nosy tone. I don't even want to imagine what they were talking about when we were outside. "Help yourself to lunch."
"Thanks Mom." I say, with caution of how people could interpret how close I was standing next to Andy.
We go into the kitchen, grabbing plates and serving up food.
"So, Andy. How's the job going?" Dad asks, enthusiastically. It's only a matter of time before Dad sweeps in and steals Andy away, so my only time with him is during lunch.
"Really great, actually. It was quite scary going there in the beginning, but I eventually picked it up. It's a lot of fun interacting with different people." I smile to myself, determined not to do it for too long so that my family mocks me. Still, I am proud of Andy.
"I remember when I first started out. I was so nervous. I still have a lot of insecurities." Dad says, sitting next to Andy at the table. The two of them talk for a while, eventually finishing off their meal.
"Alright, cake time!" Cam sings. We divide the cake and eat it. Every now and then, Andy and I would exchange looks at the table and smile to each other.
"Thanks for coming, everyone!" Mum says, hugging Mitch and Cam.
"Thanks for offering to host it. It's a nice change from us." Jay says, with Gloria poking him in his side.
"Bye guys" Luke says.
"So, do you have a place to stay?" I ask Andy off to ourselves, secretly hoping that he can stay here tonight.
"Yeah, a friend of mine has a spare room. I'll need to start looking for an apartment though."
"Ah, ok. Can I see you tomorrow?"
"Of course!" Andy and I hug, and we both become aware that everyone is leaving, and if we're not quick, then Mom will pester us again.
"Goodnight, Haley" Andy winks, and moves outside.
"Goodnight" I calmly say. For the first time in a long time, I feel completely content.