Page 90 of Only You

Andrew watched as Ana held her breath. He knew he shouldn’t tease her and wanted no more misunderstandings. She had to understand, she wasitfor them.

“Ana, she burst into tears. She told me she never wanted you to leave.”

A single tear tracked its way down Ana’s cheek. “I wasn’t sure how I would cope if you and Eva had given your relationship another go. I could not have stayed and watched, but tearing myself away would have broken something inside me.”

Andrew hugged her tight. “No more talk of leaving or running away. We are in this together, and I will fight with my last breath to hold us together.”

“How did I get so lucky?” she said.

Andrew closed his eyes as Ana ran her fingers through his hair.

They stayed holding each other, savouring the closeness they had spent the past two months hiding from.

Andrew moved away, taking Ana’s hands in his. Sitting on the stool next to her, he looked into her eyes. “I want to ask you something... no not that.” He grinned at the look of horror that crossed her face. “It’s a bit early for that... yet, but I promise you one thing, it will come, mark my words.”

His heart stuttered at the smile Ana sent his way. “What I want to ask is off the back of something Eva said. She told me you were top of your class in med school. That you gave it up to get away from your father?” Andrew paused. “My question is, do you want to go back? I’m sure we can get you transferred to the university here. I’m happy to support you if it’s what you want.”

Ana’s eyes opened wide before she sank away from him, a frown creasing her brow. “Do you want me to go back to med school?”

Andrew stilled. Had he just made an error?

“No, but I want you to have the choice. I don’t want you to give up anything you want in this life because of someone else. Not your father, myself, or Olivia.”

Ana ran the back of her hand down the side of his face. “No, Andrew. I don’t want to go back to med school. Six months ago? Maybe. But now? I like my new life.” She grinned at him. “I want a life. No offence, but I have seen the hours you work, and although I loved medicine. I’ve moved on. With Millie and George, you, and Olivia... even Eva... I’ve found myself. I don’t want to go back to something that has negative memories of me. I’m making new, more positive ones.”

“I never want you to have any regrets,” Andrew added, knowing he meant it.

He would give her the moon and stars if she asked.

“I promise I’ll think about it, but I don’t think my feelings will change. I might not be saving lives, but I love what I do.” Ana lent forward and dropped a kiss on his lips. “The fact you asked means a lot.”

A knock on the front door broke the moment. Andrew rolled his eyes and stepped back.

“And life returns to normal.”

Ana grinned at him. Star was obviously dropping Olivia off. Andrew was sure Eva and Star had orchestrated the sleepover to force him and Ana to talk. Removing Olivia for the evening meant they’d had no excuses. What they hadn’t realised was he’d already decided that he needed to talk to Ana. The fact he’d had all night to show her what she meant to him had been a bonus. Thinking ahead, he might want to get a lock installed on his bedroom door.

Throwing open the front door, Olivia and Skylar raced past him.

“Come on in,” Andrew said to a grinning Star and Damian.

“So, how did it go?” Star asked. “Did you get everything sorted?”

A movement must have caught Star’s eye because her face broke out into an enormous grin. Andrew watched as Ana’s face grew red at the scrutiny.

Star clapped her hands. “Oh, I love it when a plan comes together.”

Ana groaned as Star rushed forward and swept her into a hug. “I’m so happy,” Star said. “Sorry to tease. You should have heard Laura when Damian and I got together. I had days of it.”

Andrew remembered that time. He hadn’t known Damian very well then, and in all fairness, he hadn’t been Damian’s favourite person. Andrew grinned and rescued Ana, putting his arm around her and pressing a kiss on her head.

“Daddy?” Everyone froze. No one had noticed the two girls coming back downstairs. “Daddy, why are you kissing Ana’s head?” Olivia asked, her head tilted. Skylar whispered something, making Olivia grin. “Is Ana your girlfriend?”

Skylar whispered something else, Olivia’s grin widening.

“Do you mind if she is?” Andrew asked her quietly.

Olivia continued to grin. “Nope, that would be awesome,” she said, running down the stairs and throwing her arms around them. Skylar stood on the stairs, grinning. “Everyone is going to besojealous.”

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