Chapter 77 Thank You
Pete nodded— grip tight.
They climbed the wide stone steps to the front porch— double doors dark wood, brass handles gleaming. Andrew pressed the bell— deep chime echoed inside.
No answer.
He waited five seconds— then pressed again.
Still nothing.
Andrew tried the handle— locked.
“Where is this damn woman?” he muttered— low, under his breath— head shaking slightly.
He pressed the bell a third time— longer.
Silence.
Andrew turned to Amelia— small, tight smile. “You see what I'm dealing with? I think I have a spare unlock card in the car. Let me check.”
He jogged back down the steps— trunk popped— rummaged for a moment— returned with a slim black key card.
Andrew then crouched to Pete’s level— hands gentle on the boy’s shoulders.
“You know I told you Mommy was sick?”
Pete nodded— eyes wide.
“Good.” Andrew’s voice stayed soft— careful. “I need to go in first. See if she’s okay enough for you to meet her. Or even if she’s inside. Okay?”
“Okay, Dad.” Pete nodded— trusting.
Andrew rose— turned to Amelia. “I’ll go in first.”
“Okay.” Amelia’s smile was calm— satisfied.
Andrew placed the card against the reader— beep— green light flashed. He pushed the door open— stepped inside.
The grand foyer opened before him— marble floors, double-height ceiling, sweeping staircase. Light poured through tall windows— dust motes drifting in the beams. The house smelled faintly of fresh flowers and lemon polish.
He walked forward— into the living room.
Maggie sat on one of the long cream sectionals— legs tucked beneath her, phone resting in her lap, oversized sweater swallowing her frame. She looked up as he entered, rolled her eyes, then dropped them back to her screen.
“Didn’t you hear the bell ring?” Andrew asked— voice even— as he approached.
“I did.” Maggie didn’t raise her gaze. “I just didn’t stand up to open the door.”
Andrew stopped a few feet away— folded his arms across his chest— six-foot-seven frame towering. “And why is that?”
Maggie finally looked up— eyes narrowing. “You’re seriously asking me that question?”
“Yes. I am.”
Maggie scoffed— light, disbelieving— dropped her phone onto the cushion beside her. “A fool is what you are.”
“Pardon?” Andrew’s eyebrow climbed.
“You heard me.” Maggie rose— five-foot-four frame swallowed by his shadow. “A fool is what you are.”
Andrew’s jaw tightened— barely. “Watch your mouth.”
“What if I don’t?” Maggie stepped closer— not backing down. “Are you gonna hit me?”
“I won’t warn you again.” His voice dropped— low, dangerous.
Maggie hissed— rolled her eyes— then dropped back onto the couch, grabbed her phone, started scrolling again.
Andrew watched her for a long second— then spoke— voice cold, measured. “Seems you’re too riled up right now. Not in a state Pete needs to see. Maybe I just take him back. He doesn’t need to see this.”
Maggie froze— phone forgotten. Her head snapped up. “Pete?”
She whispered the name— soft, almost reverent. “He’s here? Did you bring him?”
“I did.” Andrew’s tone stayed flat. “But I don’t think I’ll let you meet him. You’re too loud. Too wild. Too uncontrollable. And stupid right now. That’s not what he needs.”
Maggie’s eyes widened—hurt flashing raw. She set the phone down— slowly— rose again.
“I’m sorry for being rude,” she said— voice small, trembling. “I’ll behave myself.”
“You better.” Andrew dropped his arms— stepped closer. “Because if I take him away today, you won’t see him again in a very long time. I promise you that.”
Maggie swallowed— hard— then nodded— once. “I will.”
Andrew studied her— long moment— then turned toward the door. “Stay here.”
He walked out— door clicking shut behind him.
Outside— Pete waited beside Amelia on the porch steps— small hands clutching the straps of his dinosaur backpack, eyes huge, hopeful.
Andrew crouched to his level— hands gentle on Pete’s shoulders.
“She’s inside,” he said— voice soft. “She’s… still a little sick. But she wants to see you. You ready?”
Pete nodded— fast, eager. “Yes!”
Andrew smiled— small, tight—then stood. “Come on.”
He took Pete’s hand— small fingers tight in his— and led him back inside.
When the door opened and they stepped inside, Maggie’s eyes— already searching— found Pete, and everything else disappeared.
“Pete…”
She walked slowly at first, then faster, crossing the room in three strides before dropping to her knees in front of him.
Pete let go of Andrew’s hand— ran the last steps— threw his arms around her neck.
“Mommy!”
Maggie wrapped him close— face buried in his curls— shoulders shaking once. “Baby… oh, baby…”
She pulled back— just enough to look at him—hands cupping his face. Tears shimmered in her eyes— smile trembling.
“I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too!” Pete’s voice cracked— happy, high. “Dad said you were sick!”
“I was.” Maggie’s voice broke— soft. “But I’m getting better.”
She hugged him again— tight— then looked up at Andrew over Pete’s shoulder.
Her eyes were wet— grateful.
Andrew stood a few feet away— arms folded— expression unreadable.
Maggie mouthed two words— silent.
“Thank you.”