Chapter 46 Reunion At Last
Darcy's POV
"Gillian was here a few minutes ago, where is he?" I mumble to myself as I search for him.
There's something he needs to know about Adriana. I've been meaning to tell him but I keep forgetting.
Maybe he's outside. I rush outside but everything freezes. Gillian is talking to a man who is holding a child.
I bat my eyes and my breath becomes shallow.
"Adrian?" I call in a shaky voice before I could stop myself. My legs stick to the ground, unable to move.
My heart pounds against my chest as he slowly turns. In the letter, I made it clear that I don't want us to ever cross paths.
But somewhere deep down, I'm happy that he's here. I'm not hallucinating.
"Darcy, this man is looking for you," Gillian informs but I don't pay him any attention.
Adrian finally turns and locks eyes with me. It pierces mine so much as if searching for something and fortunately, my emotions are all over the place.
My hands tremble and my breathing becomes ragged. I suddenly feel a large burden lift off my shoulders.
Both of us just stand there, staring at each other. Unshed tears glisten in his eyes and I could feel mine coming.
I break the eye contact as my eyes roam his body. Adrian has lost weight. His eyes are hollow and the dark circles under his eyes are so obvious.
My chest tightens at how horrible he looks. Has he been eating and sleeping well? Why does he look so pathetic and unkept?
Did his mother not look after him.
Hazel giggles disrupt my train of thought, so my gaze shifts to her. My heart melts and the corners of my lips tug into a small smile.
My baby Hazel.
Unlike her father, she looks better. It's more like Adrian is the one bearing all the brunt and going anything to protect Hazel.
I don't know how long passed. However, my brain screams for me to run and hug them but for unknown reasons, I could not move.
Although, all the last trace of anger I feel towards him slowly disappeared. As if, the hostility was never there.
"Dar... Darcy," he calls in a low cracked voice. His eyebrows furrow. His emotions were clearly written on his face.
The confusion, happiness... everything.
My tears start rolling. I sob and nod. Tears blur my vision but I could see them closing the distance.
Adrian's arms pull me into a tight hug. Instinctively, I wrap my hands round his waist and Hazel.
I gasp, struggling to breathe as I cry but I can't break the hug. I do not want to break it. I close my eyes as I inhale his woody cologne. I've missed this, him and Hazel.
Hazel continues giggling and I smile in-between my tears. My heart continues to race.
Adrian's tears drop on my shirt, soaking it. Our heartbeats are in rhythm. It feels good to be in his arms and I never want him to let go.
After minutes of hugging and struggling, I finally pull away and Adrian's face twists into disapproval.
"Is it because of him?" Adrian grumbles.
My eyes widened. That's true, Gillian!
I look behind Adrian but he's not there. I don't know when he walked away. I'll talk to him later.
"Darcy, is it because of him?" He asks again with a serious tone.
I roll my eyes and keep quiet. Hazel is bouncing with her hands stretched out for a hug.
Gosh, I've missed my baby.
I carry her in my arms and kiss all over her face - pouring out everything I'm feeling.Hazel laughs and a fresh round of tears comes rolling.
Both of us are happy but just showing it different way.
Her baby scent slams my nostrils. Hazel wraps her small hands around my neck, pulling me closer.
Since I got here, I've been wondering if leaving them was a good idea and I think I know the answer.
Yes. Because it helped me to realize how much I love them and how important it is for them to remain in my lives.
As for Adrian, I can never hate him or bury the feelings I have for him. He makes me whole again.
Slowly, I open my eyes to see people whispering and smiling as they watch everything unfold.
My face becomes hot. I smile nervously at them to reduce the awkwardness but it doesn't work.
I turn to look at Adrian but his only focus is me. An invisible smile dances on his face.
"Adrian stop looking like that," I grit. Since I got here, I've never gotten this much attention and now it feels weird.
He doesn't respond, so I sigh heavily. I need to leave work now to take care of this.
"Here's Hazel, I want to go sign out," I inform, giving Hazel to him but she whimpers, wriggling and blabbing baby words.
She looks at me with teary eyes and I bite my inner cheek. Hazel is mine to love and protect, so why am I giving her back?
I swallow and wipe my tears. I'll be back," I say ready to walk out when Adrian grabs my arm.
"I'll go with you," he says flatly.
He doesn't trust me anymore and I don't blame him. I mean who would want to trust a runaway nanny and friend?
I nod and three of us walk inside. Adrian helps me take my things and we are soon on the way to my house.
Using one hand, I hold Hazel and fiddle with my dress with the other.
Adrian drives slowly and I look out the window. The silence is uncomfortable. The air is very tense.
We stop outside of the apartment. I walk ahead to my room carrying Hazel, while Adrian follows behind.
I insert the key to the door and it opens, revealing my small, almost Emory apartment.
"Come in," I invite Adrian in. After he enters, I close the door.
"Welcome to my house," I smile lightly. I pause before continuing, "have a seat." I offer.
"Can I lay Hazel on the bed?" I ask, not sure what is going on in his head.
His eyes drill holes into my face without giving an answer.
He is silently judging me for asking that question and I really do not like how small I feel under his gaze.
Gently, I place Hazel on the bed. Before I could turn, Adrian hugs me from behind and bury his face in my hair.
I open my mouth to talk but I couldn't think of the words. So we just stand like that.
After a few minutes, he spoke up. "I've missed you a lot," he says in a low voice.
I missed you more. I reply in my head.
I'm happy that he's here for me even when I warned him to but I can't ignore these feelings. All the things he's making me feel. What if he leave? What if none of this will last?
I don't want to open up again only for him to cower away. If he's here to stay or to get closure before moving on, I need to know.
My lungs contracted painfully as I think about all the probabilities. Can I go through the pain of separation again?
I start crying and that only made him, hug me impossibly tighter.
"Where will all these lead to?"
Promise to stay only to disappear when I need him the most?