~*~ On Borrowed Time ~*~
Her stomach was in knots as she stood at the door. Hesitantly, she reached to push the button for the doorbell but pulled away as if it would shock her. She had to do this. Once more, she reached out and quickly rang the bell. Waiting, she nervously played with the ring on her finger, the ring he had given her.
The door opened and a short, red-haired lady dressed in a bathrobe greeted Andi.
"Andi! I thought you’d be getting ready."
"I probably should be but I needed to see you."
Seeing her distress, Denise took her hand and led her into the living room. "Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Today should be the happiest day of your life."
"You’re right, it should be but it’s not. Not knowing that I have to marry Seth."
Sitting together on the couch, Denise took Andi’s hands in hers. "Andi, Alex promised you he’d be here. He’s not going to break that promise."
"How can you be so sure?" questioned Andi. "I haven’t heard from him in days and he made a deal with my grandfather."
"I know all about the deal and that he has a private detective working to find information. Andi, Alex is head over heels in love with you and I know my son. When he wants something, he doesn’t give up until he gets it and he wants you in his life…as much as he wanted to have a career in music."
Andi’s tears started again as she said, "I want that too but it’s not going to happen. My wedding is in three hours and Alex is no where to be found. I have to face the fact that I’m not going to have him in my life."
Denise hugged Andi rubbing her back as she held her. "Sweetheart, you can’t give up," she whispered.
Sitting up, Andi wiped her tears. "Ms. McLean…"
"Whoa! That’s a little formal, isn’t it?"
Andi smiled through the tears. "Sorry…Denise. I can’t hold on any more. I came to ask you to give Alex his things." Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the cell phone and the note. Then, looking at the ring on her finger, she slipped it off. "Please, give these to him."
Denise tried to refuse. "No, I can’t. This is something you should do face to face with Alex."
"Please, Denise. I can’t face him again."
Denise saw the desperation in Andi’s eyes, the same desperation she’d been feeling since last night at the rehearsal. "Tell you what, I’ll take the cell phone and the note but you put the ring back on your finger. No matter what happens, I know Alex would want you to keep it."
"Thank you," whispered Andi gratefully as she slipped the ring back in place. "I probably should go. Denise, please, make sure he knows how much I love him."
Denise brushed her hair back. "I’m sure he knows, Andi."
Andi gave her a kiss on the cheek then headed home.
Denise followed her to the door to watch and as she stood in the doorway, the cell phone rang in her hand.
"Hello."
"Mom?" questioned AJ with confusion.
"Alex! Where in the world are you?"
"It’s a long story, Mom, but I’m on my way home. Why do you have my cell?"
"Andi just left here and gave me the phone with a note for you. Alex, she’s given up."
"Mom, I got the proof but I need you to stall. We aren’t gonna land until two."
"I’ll do what I can, son."
"Mom, she kept the ring?"
"I wouldn’t take it. I told her you’d want her to keep it no matter what happened."
"Thank you, Mama. I’ll see you soon."
The connection was broken and Denise said out loud to herself, "I just hope you can get here in time."
