Chapter 15 Will You Shut Up?!
Andrew didn’t answer.
He didn’t need to.
They laughed. Talked. Planned.
The house filled with voices— bright, excited, unaware.
And Andrew stayed right there, exactly where he wanted to be.
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“Ahhh…”
Andrew’s voice broke the quiet as he stretched both arms above his head, his shoulders rolling back. He yawned deeply, eyes squeezed shut for a second before he forced them open.
He reached to the nightstand, fingers brushing against his phone. The screen lit up instantly.
“Seven… forty-seven,” he whispered, squinting. “Wow. I slept in.”
He turned his head slowly.
Amelia lay curled beside him, one arm tucked beneath her pillow, her lips slightly parted, breathing steady.
Andrew smirked. “Looks like it’s not only me.”
He swung his legs off the bed, feet touching the cool floor, then stood and padded toward the bathroom.
Inside the restroom, the light flicked on with a soft click.
Andrew stepped up to the toilet, relieved himself, flushed, then moved straight to the wide mirror that stretched across the wall.
He stared at his reflection.
His jaw tightened slightly. His lips curved into a small, controlled smile.
“Today is the day,” he said quietly to himself.
He held his own gaze for a moment longer, then turned and walked back into the bedroom.
Amelia hadn’t moved.
Andrew leaned over the bed and gently tapped her shoulder.
“Wake up, sleeping beauty.”
Amelia stirred, her brows knitting as she inhaled slowly. “Mmm…” She blinked, squinting up at him. “Good morning… what time is it?”
“Morning,” Andrew said softly, glancing at his phone. “Seven fifty-two.”
Her eyes widened instantly. “It’s seven fifty-two already?”
“Yes,” he replied. “And we have a flight by eleven. We need to be at the airport before that.”
She groaned lightly, then pushed herself upright. “Okay… okay.”
“Morning,” she said again, rubbing her eyes.
“Morning,” Andrew replied, leaning down to place a soft kiss on the center of her head.
He straightened and turned toward the door.
“Don’t go back to sleep,” he warned, glancing over his shoulder.
“I won’t,” Amelia replied, swinging her legs off the bed. “I promise.”
Andrew stepped into the hallway and walked toward Pete’s room.
The door creaked softly as he pushed it open.
Pete lay sprawled across the bed, blanket kicked halfway off, hair messy.
Andrew sat on the edge of the bed and gently tapped his shoulder.
“Wake up, champ.”
Pete shifted. “Dad?” His voice was thick with sleep.
“Yes, son,” Andrew said warmly. “Wake up. We’ve got a flight to catch today.”
Pete’s eyes fluttered open. “We’re going to Europe today?”
“Yes, baby,” Andrew answered, smiling.
Pete grinned faintly as Andrew lifted him up, resting his head against his chest.
“Dad,” Pete mumbled, arms loosely wrapping around his neck, “where are you carrying me to?”
“To the restroom,” Andrew said. “We’re brushing our teeth, bathing, and getting ready.”
“Okay,” Pete murmured, already relaxing against him.
By the time Andrew and Pete stepped out of the bathroom later, the sound of movement echoed from the living room.
“Babe!” Amelia called out.
“Yes!” Andrew responded, immediately walking toward her.
“Our ride is here,” Amelia announced.
Andrew paused. “The ride is here?”
“Yes,” she confirmed, nodding.
He glanced around. “Where are the bags and luggage?”
“I already took them outside,” Amelia said calmly.
Andrew smiled. “Then we’re set.”
“Yes, we are,” Amelia replied.
“Pete!” Andrew called.
“Yes, Dad!” Pete answered instantly.
“It’s time. Let’s go.”
Pete appeared moments later, backpack strapped on.
They stepped outside together.
A black Honda Civic waited in the driveway.
The driver leaned casually against the car, straightening as soon as he saw them.
“Good morning,” the driver greeted.
“Good morning,” Andrew and Amelia replied together.
Andrew lifted a couple of the travel bags while the driver helped with the rest.
Amelia and Pete climbed into the back seat.
Andrew slid in beside them.
The door closed.
The engine started.
The car reversed smoothly out of the driveway and pulled into the street, heading toward the airport.
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'MOMENTS LATER'
The backseat of the black Honda Civic felt tight, the leather warm against skin, the faint hum of the engine filling the space as traffic crawled forward.
Pete sat squeezed between Andrew and Amelia, his small legs swinging slightly, sneakers brushing the edge of the seat. He twisted his head toward Andrew, eyes bright, voice eager.
“Dad… did you remember to pack all my Lego toys?”
Andrew didn’t look up immediately. His eyes stayed glued to the screen of his phone, thumb scrolling, jaw set.
“Yes, I did, son,” he said finally, lifting his gaze just long enough to meet Pete’s eyes before dropping it back to the phone.
Pete nodded, satisfied for half a second.
“What about my Anakin Skywalker?”
Andrew’s jaw tightened. He inhaled through his nose.
“Yes,” he said. “I packed that too. It’s in the bag.”
Pete leaned forward slightly, his brows knitting together in thought.
“What about my trains and my car toys?”
Andrew’s thumb stopped scrolling. His lips pressed together. He glanced down at the phone once more, then snapped his eyes up.
“They’re also in the bags,” he said quickly, the words sharp, clipped. “Everything is there.”
Pete opened his mouth again.
“What about—”
“Gauuud damnnn!” Andrew exploded, his head snapping toward Pete. “Will you shut up?!”