Chapter 14 I Knew You’d Choose Us
The smile vanished from his face the second the line went dead.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket, inhaled deeply, then turned and walked toward Maggie’s room. His hand landed on the door handle, and he pushed it open.
Maggie looked up immediately.
“Who was it?” she asked, watching him cross the room toward her.
“Someone important,” Andrew said briskly. “I have to go.”
“What?” Maggie whispered, her brows knitting together. “But you just got here.”
“I know,” Andrew replied, already backing away. “It’s very important.”
Her lips parted, clearly about to protest.
The door closed behind him before she could say another word.
\---
Andrew’s shoes echoed faintly against the polished hospital floor as he strode down the corridor.
He didn’t slow.
Didn’t look back.
Didn’t hesitate.
By the time he reached the nurses’ counter near the elevator, his face had already rearranged itself into something pleasant— open, warm, reassuring. The kind of smile people trusted.
“Goodbye,” he said, lifting his hand in a friendly wave, his grin wide and convincing, like a man leaving after a comforting visit with the woman he loved.
“Goodbye?” one of the nurses echoed, rising from her seat. It was the same nurse who had attended to Maggie earlier, the one who had watched Andrew arrive with flowers the day before. Her brows creased slightly. “You’re leaving already?”
Andrew chuckled lightly, pressing the elevator button. “Yes, I am.”
“So soon?” she asked, stepping closer. “You just got here.”
“I know,” he replied smoothly. “Something very important came up.”
“Oh.” She hesitated. “Will you be back today?”
Andrew stepped into the elevator, turning just enough to meet her eyes. “No,” he said calmly. “I don’t think so.”
The doors slid shut before she could say another word.
Inside the elevator, Andrew exhaled slowly, loosening his tie just a fraction. His reflection stared back at him from the mirrored walls— composed, confident, already elsewhere.
“Finally,” he muttered under his breath.
As the elevator descended, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He didn’t check it. He didn’t need to.
Amelia.
Pete.
Home.
By the time the doors opened on the ground floor, his steps had already quickened.
The Chevrolet Blazer’s engine roared to life the moment Andrew slid into the driver’s seat.
“Freedom,” he said quietly, gripping the steering wheel as he pulled out of the hospital parking lot.
Traffic didn’t bother him. The red lights didn’t irritate him. Every second closer to Amelia’s house sharpened his mood, lifted it, energized him.
Thirty minutes later, the SUV rolled into the driveway.
Andrew shut off the engine and climbed out, already smiling.
He didn’t knock politely.
He knocked like someone expected.
“Yes!” Amelia’s voice called from inside. “Who’s it?”
“It’s me,” Andrew replied.
The lock clicked. The door swung open.
Amelia stood there barefoot, her eyes lighting up instantly. “You’re back already.”
Andrew barely had time to step inside before she rose onto her toes, her hands gripping his jacket.
“You missed me,” she said softly.
“Terribly,” he replied, bending just enough to meet her lips.
Their kiss was deep, unrestrained, familiar. Amelia laughed into it, her fingers curling into his shirt.
“That’s exactly what I needed,” Andrew murmured as their lips parted.
“Me too,” Amelia said, holding his gaze.
They stepped fully inside, the door closing behind them.
From the couch came the faint sound of a game notification.
“Hey, champ,” Andrew said, turning toward the living room.
Pete looked up from his iPad. “Hey, Dad.”
Andrew walked over and placed a light kiss on the center of Pete’s head. “What’ve you been up to?”
“We were playing Scrabble,” Pete said proudly. “Me and Aunt Amelia.”
Andrew glanced at the screen. “Scrabble, huh?”
“Yes,” Pete nodded. “She’s really good.”
Amelia crossed her arms playfully. “He beat me twice.”
“That’s my boy,” Andrew said, ruffling Pete’s hair. “Sounds fun.”
“It was,” Pete agreed. “I liked it.”
Andrew straightened, his tone shifting slightly. “You know what else is fun?”
Pete’s eyes widened. “What?”
“A vacation,” Andrew said casually. “A trip to Europe. One whole week.”
“What?!” Amelia blurted out, staring at him. “You’re joking.”
Andrew grinned. “Dead serious.”
Amelia’s mouth fell open. “Andrew— are you serious right now?”
“I booked the tickets on my way back,” he said. “Flights. Hotel. Everything.”
Amelia screamed, actually screamed, throwing herself into his arms. “Oh my God! Oh my God! I’ve always wanted to go to Europe!”
“I know,” Andrew said smoothly. “That’s why I did it.”
Pete slid off the couch. “I’m going too?”
“Of course,” Andrew replied. “All of us.”
“What about school?” Amelia asked, pulling back slightly.
“I’ll inform them,” Andrew said dismissively. “He won’t be around next week.”
Amelia smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Pete tugged Andrew’s sleeve. “Where in Europe?”
Andrew crouched to Pete’s level. “Places you’ve only seen in books.”
Pete’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Really.”
Amelia watched them, her smile lingering just a bit too long.
“This is perfect,” she said. “Everything is perfect.”
Andrew stood, pulling her close. “It’s going to get even better.”
She leaned her head against his chest. “I knew you’d choose us.”