Two Weeks Later

My life was getting back to normal, at least somewhat. Things between Andrew and me were great, actually better than they were before everything that happened. If that was possible. I went back to work for LAC and Lucas was thrilled. As far as everyone there was concerned, I had been out on a medical leave. Andrew and I went back to seeing each other in private, which was my decision. He told me he didn’t care anymore what people thought and he wanted to take me out every night. I felt it was only right to keep us under wraps until this whole divorce situation was cleared up. Lucas and Veronica were the only two in the company that knew, and Lucas said he didn’t blame Andrew at all because he’d met Ellie a couple times and said something was always off with her.

I was sitting at my desk when Andrew walked in and shut the door.

“Hi there.” I smiled.

He walked over to my desk, grabbed hold of me, stood me up, and smashed his mouth into mine.

“Andrew.” I laughed. “What are you doing?”

“She signed the papers, Addison.”

“What?!” I exclaimed.

“I told you I was going to see her this morning and we talked, and she signed the papers right in front of me. I just dropped them off at my attorney’s office.”

“Why would she do that all of a sudden after all this time?”

He placed his hands in his pockets and paced around my office.

“She told me she’s better now and she has accepted that we will never be together. Apparently, her therapy is working. She said she wants nothing but happiness for me and she wants to start her life over. She’s being released in a few days.”

“And where will she go?” I asked with concern.

“Back to our old apartment. She wanted that and a lump sum of money. I agreed, and she signed.”

“That’s great news, Andrew. I’m so happy for you.” I walked over to him and kissed his lips.

“My attorney is filing the paperwork as we speak and he’s going to put in for an expedited court date. Addison, this could all be over within a couple of weeks.” He pulled me into him.

As happy as I was, something wasn’t sitting right with me. But I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“I’m taking you out to celebrate tonight. Sound good?” He grinned.

“I can’t wait.” I smiled.

He kissed my forehead and left my office. I took a seat behind my desk and sent a text message to Charlie.

“Hey, Bobby. Ellie signed the divorce papers.”

“That’s wonderful news, Rosebud. Now the two of you can move on with your lives.”

“She’s getting out in a few days and something doesn’t feel right.”

“You’re being paranoid, Addison. Forget about her and focus on your future with Andrew.”

****

One Month Later

Andrew’s divorce was final, and I couldn’t be happier. I still hadn’t told Madeline about him yet, but that would change as of today, because we were heading to Connecticut for the weekend.

“Do you think she’ll remember me?” Andrew asked as he grabbed hold of my hand and interlaced our fingers.

“I’m sure she will.” I smiled.

“I’m a little nervous.”

“Why?” I laughed.

“What if she doesn’t like me and doesn’t think I’m good enough for her daughter?”

“She’s going to love you, so stop worrying. She loved you as a child and she’ll love you as a man.” I grinned.

Andrew pulled up to my childhood home and took in a deep breath as he got out of the car.

“Don’t be nervous.” I grabbed his hand.

We walked up to the porch and when I opened the front door, the smell of cherry pie smacked me in the face.

“Mom?” I shouted.

“Edward, she’s home!” I heard her voice speak with excitement.

She came flying from the kitchen and hugged me tight.

“It’s so good to see you, Addison. Let me look at you.” She broke our embrace and planted her hands on my shoulders. “You look wonderful. A little thin, but wonderful.”

“Thanks, Mom. Hi, Edward.” I smiled as he hugged me.

“Welcome home, Addison.”

“Mom, Edward, I would like you to meet Andrew London,” I nervously spoke.

Madeline stood and stared at him for a moment.

“London? As in the company Addison works for?” she asked him.

“Yes.” Andrew nodded. “It’s my company now that my father passed away.” He held out his hand.

“I’m a hugger, Andrew.” She wrapped her arms around him. “It’s so good to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, son. Welcome to our home,” Edward spoke as he shook his hand.

“There’s something about you that seems so familiar,” Madeline spoke as she placed her finger on her chin.

I cleared my throat before telling her who he really was. Then, I took in a deep breath.

“Mom, he seems familiar because you already know him.”

“I do?” She cocked her head at me.

“He’s AJ.”

She inhaled a sharp breath before her jaw almost hit the floor.

“AJ from the Hamptons? The little boy you were best friends with?”

“Yeah, Mom.” I smiled.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Edward spoke.

I rolled my eyes while Madeline placed her hands on each side of his face.

“You always had the prettiest eyes.” She smiled. “I can’t believe this. How on earth did the two of you meet again? Come in the kitchen and you can tell us all about it over dinner.”

Andrew took my hand and looked over at me with a smile. We followed Madeline and Edward into the kitchen and all sat down at the table for dinner. We improvised our story to fit what Madeline needed to hear.

“What a wonderful coincidence. The two of you were inseparable as children every summer, and here you are, together again after all these years.” She had a tear in her eye.

After dinner, Edward and Andrew went into the living room for a drink while I helped my mom clean up.

“Hey, Mom?”

“Yes, darling.” She smiled.

“How could you not know about London Arc Corporation when I told you about my interview? I mean, you were friends with Andrew’s parents.”

“To be honest, Addison, I forgot about them. I never saw them again after that summer.” She turned away. “And we weren’t really friends. We were more of acquaintances who would occasionally have dinner with them when we were there. It’s not like we kept in touch after the fact. I wanted to erase every memory of that place after your father died.”

I could feel the sadness of talking about Charlie overcome her, and knowing he was alive and that I couldn’t tell her was killing me inside.

“Do you love, Edward, Mom?”

“Addison Rose!” she exclaimed. “How can you even ask me such a thing? Of course I love Edward. He has been nothing but good to us and he loves you like his own daughter.”

“I know he does, Mom, and I love him too. I’m sorry.”

“I’ve made up the guest room for Andrew,” she spoke.

“Mom, you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. He’s staying in my room.”

“Addison.” She glanced over at me with that disapproving look. “You know the rules.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Mom. I don’t know of any such rule because I’d never had a guy spend the night. I’m twenty-five years old and me and Andrew sleep together pretty much every night. Just because we’re here, that’s not going to change. Besides, I remember you having Edward spend the night all the time before you were married.”

“Are you giving Addy a hard time about the sleeping arrangements?” Edward asked as he walked into the kitchen with Andrew.

“It’s okay, Madeline. I can stay in the guest room,” Andrew spoke.

“No, Andrew. It’s fine.” She sighed. “Addison is right. She is twenty-five years old and I remember what I was like at that age.”

“You still are, sugar.” Edward smiled as he slapped her on the ass.

I looked over at Andrew in embarrassment as he stood there with a wide grin across his face.