Chapter Chpater 292
My heart hurt just looking at her. How did it all of this happen? How did we get here? If she had told me the truth from the start, then none of this would have happened. There wouldn't be any tension or awkwardness. We wouldn't be sad because right now I was sad. I was sad because our relationship was non-existent. But maybe just maybe this was our time to fix it.
"Do you want some tea?". I asked.
I could tell by her expression she wasn't expecting that. I would never be disrespectful to her or at least I would never mean to be.
"Sure, I'd like that".
My eyes landed on Jakes. He was stood in the doorway smiling at me. He winked before disappearing upstairs and leaving us to it. I fixed two cups and nodded towards the table.
"You look good sweetheart, you're glowing".
"Are you okay?". I asked taking a seat.
"Never mind about me. I want to know how you're doing".
Something was wrong I could feel it but instead of going off on one I decided to tell her about me. "I'm doing okay, we're both doing okay. We mated and our relationship is better than ever". Nowadays I couldn't help but smile when talking about Jake and me. We were finally happy.
"You seem happy Leah and I've wanted nothing more than for you to be happy".
"Why did you leave?". I asked.
"Because you're better off without me. I've done nothing but lie and keep secrets. I kept you in the dark for so long when I should have been honest. I don't deserve to be in your life".
"Don't say that". I frowned. "You raised me, brought me up and made me who I am today. Yes, there were secrets but don't say you don't deserve to be in my life".
For so long she was my life. It had only ever been the two of us and I looked up to her so much. She lied but she lied to protect and keep me safe. I get that now.
"I made so many mistakes with you and I wish I could take it all back. I thought if I left, you'd be happier. You'd be able to get on with your life with Jake".
I didn't want to keep going over this. I wanted to put it in the past and move on. Everything happens for a reason, but there's nothing to say we can't get back what we had.
We were family. For years she was my only family.
"I still need my gran. I'll always need you".
"I'm so sorry sweetheart and I know I've said it many times before but I truly am. I never wished for any of this. I should have told you everything from the minute I knew you'd understand".
"I know and it's okay. I know now you were only trying to protect me, but I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to keep talking about the past. I'm in a good place and for once I want to keep being in that place". "Can you ever forgive me?".
Our relationship may never be the same but then again maybe it could be. There was nothing stopping us. No more secrets and no more lies.
"Are you coming back home?". I asked.
She gave me a small smile. "I'm not coming home sweetheart, but George and I won't be far. We can visit all the time".
Oh, right. I don't know why I was expecting her to say yes and that everything would go back to normal. What was normal for us now?
"You don't need me Leah". She reached for my hand. "You've turned into a beautiful young woman and I'm so proud of you. You have your life with Jake it's time you start living it.
..
I was sat on the couch drinking tea. George picked my gran up about half an hour ago taking her home. We left things on good grounds. Decided it was best to leave the past in the past and focus on right now. I knew the minute she left I wouldn't see her again.
She came here to fix things and that's exactly what she did. Our relationship may not be perfect but for the first time I wasn't worried or sad about it. She had her life and I had mine. "You're quiet". He spoke.
I was so deep in my own thoughts I forgot he was here. He didn't come downstairs until she left. We had the tv on, but I wasn't paying attention.
"Miles away". I smiled. "But before you ask, I'm okay".
"Are you and your gran, okay?".
"We're okay".