Chapter 19

Jennifer's POV

The snow was falling on the roads in swirling white bits in the air and had deposited along the sidewalk. The sky was grey and had set the atmosphere as gloomy and dark, giving the slightest impression that today the overall mood for the common people like me was going to be morosely displeasing.

Nevertheless, for me I noticed that it was no more morose or annoying feelings. I felt happy, tremendous happiness which had woven their way to my heart. This Christmas was the best one I ever had; there was everyone, one big happy family with one yet to come.

But another part of me confessed it was due to the presence of Andrew in the family. He was beginning to settle in and moulding to the love and spirit of the bond which were solidifying into stronger bonds day by day.

His thought constantly made me smile, not to mention the little pup he gifted me on Christmas was always roaming the entire house and learning to accept and give love, though he was much better than Andrew for that matter.

Maybe, just maybe this time it would work, Andrew would make it work. Faith was starting to establish itself in our relationship, though Andrew didn't still let me cook on own, I took it as a caring emotion for me. Now that a new year had already begun, I could only hope for our being together, though love was yet to make its own appearance. I would settle with togetherness for the time being.

This year had begun quite with a blast of fun and frolic on our part. Not to mention the blast of laughter we would bark out every time we remembered it.

A walk down the memory lane

We had all settled to go the nearest bar, with my two handsome brothers and two of my best friends forever. I had settled for a black shirt, with jeans and knee length boots and my warm coat, what with the chill which was terrifying and the snow freezing the branches on trees. Andrew was looking quite the handsome hunk himself, his hair always shaggy and had chosen a white button up shirt with jeans and a leather jacket.

Before we leave for the bar, Andrew had to drop some important credentials to his boss. Unfortunately for us, Andrew's boss insisted we come into his humble yet large and spacious house which could easily accommodate the whole lot of my family including separate rooms for my dogs.

Andrew's boss, Mr Grayson had a raspy voice with the sporadic coughs and sneeze. He had a tall build, making him a strong person yet determined to win his case. His eyes were a smoky grey and his hair was of a golden fire.

Contrary to him, his wife was one for soft speeches, which I wouldn't rely onto. She was thin and small with her black hair down her back, always with a smile. Nevertheless soon after Mrs Grayson brought us some hot coffee, the world war three had taken a nasty turn when I heard the shattering sounds of crockery down to the living room where Andrew was eying me and apparently regretting his boss' invitation. A little while later Mr Grayson made his appearance from the kitchen, with a bloodied nose inviting us to stay for dinner.

"No, actually we have to be somewhere soon. So we will take your leave now Sir." Andrew said fumbling a little here and there with his words and I smiling goofily.

"Oh but, please. Only a few minutes."

"But S-"

"You wouldn't mind my invitation to stay, Andrew?"

"No Sir"

After Mr Grayson disappeared into somewhere in his mansion like house I eyed Andrew.

"You have a very scary boss"

"Well, so far he didn't seem harmful, what with his wife screaming like a crazy banshee the whole time."

In the house somewhere higher pitched voices which could be heard.

"Don't you dare tell me to shut my mouth?" Another crash sounded

"Well, maybe you could lower your tone." A soft voice said muttering lightly.

"Don't you dare order me to lower my tone" With each word she took there was a distinct crash punctuating them.

Turning towards Andrew, he said at the time I spoke

"Let's get out of here"

Before we could make the motion to move and sprint towards the door, both husband and wife appeared with some glasses of red wine.

Gulping, I signalled Andrew for his phone.

"Just give it to me you stingy person. You want to get out of here?" I asked quietly

Nodding towards before putting a fake smile on his face towards Mrs Grayson, he handed me his phone.

Messaging Parker I wrote

ANDREW: Call me now!

PARKER: WHY?

ANDREW: IT'S AN EMERGENCY. SO YOU'RE GOING TO CALL ON THIS NUMBER IN 3…2….1… NOW!

In no less time, Parker called on Andrew's phone. Making a doe-eyed face I said

"Oh that's Parker."

Picking the phone up, I twirled a lock of hair while bracing me for the lecture Parker was bound to attack me.

"Oh my god!" I gasped while struggling to keep my laughter when I saw his smile lurking out from his stoic expression.

"What happened?" Parker said on the other line, worry lacing her words.

"But we are at Andrew's boss place." I said

"What the hell are you doing there? You're supposed to be here." Parker said, wrath coming from her mouth like a dragon snapping out fire from its mouth.

"Oh my-" I faked another gasp and grabbed Andrew's hand tightly faking horror. "We have to go. Emma is about to deliver anytime. We've to be there, there's no one with her."

"But Emma has still-"

"One month" I gritted my teeth and kicked him in the shins with my booted feet.

"What the fucking hell is happening there? Emma is delivering? What the fuck is goi-"

"We're going to be there, Emma breathe deeply. Okay"

Making my way to the door I muttered some stupid excuses while Andrew offered his excuses to Mrs Grayson who was tugging on his arm.

"Andrew! Emma's water broke!" I exclaimed with fear creeping my face.

"Oh Shit! We've to go Sir!" He said hurriedly before slamming the door.

Entering the car, Andrew pressed on the accelerator speeding off from this hell like place, all the time cackling like some mad person.

"You should laugh often you know" I said as we stopped at a red light.

Shrugging he started the car. Soon we arrived at the bar where a fuming Parker, not so cheery anymore and a flustered Emma waited for us near a table.

However when I related the whole evening's dealing, the whole lot of us laughed as Parker still fumed inwardly. The whole evening we kept talking about Andrew's boss and my fake horror expression. Andrew kept on smiling till the end of the night, even when he asked me for a dance.

We were so close that I could get the smell of his aftershave. His breath tinkling down on my neck as we swayed slowly, there was no rush I realised. We were there and that was what needed.

"Why don't you smile so often?" I asked him before realising that the words sprang out from my mouth against my will.

"Maybe I didn't have someone who had the ability to make me" He shrugged one shoulder before trailing his finger along my jaw.

Behind us, I could hear the countdown.

"10….9…..8….7…."

"So now you do?"

"6…..5…..4….." The shouts were only emphasising, excited cheers and joy all around.

Parker and Henry came flinging their arms around us as the place seemed more crowded.

"Maybe I do now" Andrew whispered in my ear despite the roar of excitement, and clutched on my hand as the countdown continued.

"…3….2….1… Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year, Guys" The shouts kept on increasing with seconds ticked by after the New Year.

"Happy New Year" Andrew whispered before grabbing my face in his, his lips yielding to mine softly, and gently. There was no roughness and want warmed in my stomach as the need to have his hands on me exploded through mine. Breaking away for precious and valuable oxygen, Andrew rested his forehead against mine, my hand clutched tightly in his as Parker and Aiden rounded on us with shots.

"For good luck" Parker chimed through the noise and lifted her shot

"For more of love in life" Aiden said glancing at Parker making her blush while tapping his glass to hers.

"For the arrival of my baby" Emma said clanking her glass of iced water to that of Parker and Emma.

"For my new family" Henry said all the while clutching his wife who leant on him.

"For the new beginning!" I said all the while looking at Andrew.

"For this togetherness" Andrew said his arm snaking my waist.

And then after another clanking noise to the lot of shots in the air, we all shouted Happy New Year, before downing our shots.

Back to the present

That was one of the most vivid moments in my mind and waved when I saw Emma and Parker waiting for me. Waving at them I rushed towards them and tightening my coat around me.

"How's the morning sickness going?" I asked as Emma made a sulky face

"Oh, not really pleasant. But Henry's been with me every morning!"

"OH" Both Parker and I cooed and so went on our conversation.