Chapter Thirty Three

ANDREW'S POV

I was leaving for Paris in two days and I still hadn't heard anything from Pierra. I had spent the last three weeks in agony over how we had left things. Even with my terrible emotional state I had been able to convince the university to let me sit for my exams early. With Pietro's help I managed to get my passport, gotten the necessary immunization shots and all the needed documents were in place just waiting for the travel date to arrive.

I had been so excited by my win but not being able to share it with Pierra, my inspiration, had dampened my mood. Pierra had been the face behind my victory in the first place and it just felt wrong to be celebrating without her.

Since Pierra had decided to probably cut me off completely I'd travelled home for a weekend to spend time with my mom and sister before the trip. They had both been disappointed when I went home without her. They knew that I had been planning on asking her to accompany me to Paris and expected me to introduce them all before we left. I didn't have the heart to tell them that we broke up as I was having a hard time admitting it to myself so I'd come up with some lame excuse about Pierra having family issues to deal with. I didn't lie anyway, her brother was the biggest issue between us. I just wished there was a way to fix us before we got to the point where we avoided each other just like we had before we started dating officially.

"Careful with that before you chop your hand off."My mom's voice warned behind me.

I stopped the cutting and turned to face her. I had been so lost in thought as I trimmed the fence that I didn't hear her approach me.

"I wouldn't but thanks for the warning mom."I replied taking a bandana from my back pocket and wiping my sweaty brow with it.

My mom looked at me with a worried expression on her face. I knew I looked terrible, I hadn't been sleeping well, didn't have an appetite and was more quiet that normal but I couldn't help it. I feared more than anything that I had ruined everything with Pierra and that this time around it was for good. I didn't want to loose her, she meant too much to me but I had messed up big. I had given her the space she needed but she hadn't reached out like I expected her to. Paris was in two days and if I left without fixing things then it would probably be the end for us.

"Are you going to tell me what really happened with Pierra or will you keep up with the tough macho man act?"My mom asked her hands crossed over her chest.

"I messed up and that's all I can say. If I tell you the details then you'll be ashamed of me and I can't have another woman in my life hate me."I concluded the words weighing heavily on my heart.

"I'd never hate you. Your my son and no matter what you do, I will always be proud of you but it's okay if you don't want to tell me the truth. Can I give you a piece of advice son?"My mom asked.

"Yes please."I replied with a simple nod of my head.

"It's okay to feel low right now that you're in a spat with Pierra, it happens in all meaningful relationships as it shows she means a great deal to you. Take courage in the fact that if she's meant to be yours then you will definitely fix things but if not then the one for you is still out there somewhere."My mom consoled.

In a way what she said is exactly what I needed to hear but I knew deep down in my heart that there was no one else for me. Pierra was it for me and I would hold onto the hope that she would come back to me for as long as I could.

"Thanks mom."I replied with a smile.

"Anytime, now finish up here then come in for lunch, I made one of your favorites,mushrooms and rice."She said.

She patted my cheek affectionately before walking back into the house leaving me alone with my thoughts again. I got back to work because despite my lack of appetite my body was feeling the effects of not eating well and besides mushrooms with rice sounded heavenly.

After I was done trimming the fence I made my way to the tap to wash up as my mom would cut me up if I went for lunch with a sweaty body and dirty hands. The rumbling of a car engine at our front gate caught my attention just as I finished up washing my face and cleaning wild leaves from my hair. We rarely received guests, let alone any with cars so I turned off the water and made my way to the front of the house.

A familiar car was parked out front and I smiled when I saw Ned and Cliff alight from the front seats. Ned was the only one who knew where I lived as I'd brought him with me once when I came to visit my mother and sister a few years prior. The back doors opened and I assumed the rest of the guys had tagged along.

"Guys, what the hell are you doing here?"I asked approaching them.

"Is that any way to talk to your friends who just drove four hours to come see you?"Cliff retorted as he gave me a bro hug.

"It's a two and a half hour drive."I remarked.

"Yeah but these fools kept stopping to pee and buy more drinks. I just thank God we got here safe."Ned replied.

"I'm happy to see you guys."I commented.

"You should be after all you were about to leave for Paris without saying a proper goodbye."Cass commented as he and Alfred joined us after alighting from the back seat.

"I did say goodbye, two days ago before I came home."I commented shoving him playfully.

"Yeah but not in the right way."Cass answered.

"But seriously guys, what are you all doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you because I am but this is an unexpected visit."I asked.

None of them had informed me of the visit yet I talked to at least one of them daily.

They all looked at me with sheepish looks on their faces and I knew theirs was not a casual visit. Before I could demand an explanation, the last voice I expected to hear spoke up behind me.

"Don't be mad at them, I asked Ned to bring me and they wanted to tag along."Pierra explained.

I turned around fast just in time to catch her close the backdoor. She looked so beautiful dressed in a long sleeved green sweater, black jeans, white sneakers and her signature purple backpack in hand. Her hair was straightened out, falling over her back and she had very light make up on.

I had no idea what to say or how to react at seeing her standing in my childhood home so I just stood there frozen in place staring at her. So many nights over the past three weeks I had dreamt of seeing her and fixing things and yet there she was in front of me and I couldn't utter a single word. Of all places I had anticipated our reunion, not once had I thought she'd show up at my mom's homestead of all places.

"We'll leave you guys to talk, boys lets go see what Mama Andy has made for lunch."Ned declared pulling the guys away.

"Perfect, I'm starving."Cliff lamented.

"You just ate a whole pizza on the drive here."Alfred countered.

"I'm a growing boy."Cliff defended.

"Everything about that statement is wrong except for the fact where you claim to be a boy. Real men are not cry babies like you." Alfred jabbed.

"Why you little... "Cliff exclaimed.

I didn't catch the rest of their conversation as they disappeared into the house. My focus was then turned back to Pierra who was a sight for sore eyes. I wanted more than anything to pull her into my arms and kiss her but I held myself back. I had no idea where we stood so I left it up to her to determine the course of the conversation.

"Is there somewhere more private where we can talk?"She asked and I nodded.

There was a possibility my family and friends were eavesdropping on our conversation through the windows and I didn't want them hearing us. Wordlessly I led her away from the front of the house and towards the back. I could have taken her to my cottage but being in an enclosed space with her under such circumstances was not a good idea. I scrapped the dried leaves off a wooden bench outback before motioning for Pierra to sit. I sat next to her making sure to keep a respectable distance between us. The air was crisp and clean around us but I felt as if I was suffocating due to all the uncertainty between us.

"You have a lovely compound."Pierra commented with a nervous undertone.

I was pleased to know I wasn't the only one anxious about our meeting.

"Thanks it's all because of my mom."I replied finally gaining control over my vocal cords.

"I'm sorry I came unannounced but we haven't talked for weeks and I didn't think it would be appropriate to have this conversation over the phone."Pierra spoke up after a few minutes of awkward silence.

I was so glad that she did as I would not have spoken up if she hadn't.

"Before I react, is this going to be a good or bad visit?"I asked wanting to establish that before we went too far with the conversation.

"It depends on if you're mad at me for ghosting you or understanding that I needed time to think."She replied and I smiled.

"I'm not angry at you, I could never be seeing as I was the one on the wrong."I answered.

Pierra smiled looking so beautiful in that moment, it took everything in me not to pull her into my arms and kiss her. I had really missed her.

"Thank you for saying that and for being so patient with me. It's been rough this last few weeks being away from you but honestly speaking I'm glad it happened. Not that we took that break, that was hard but for all that I learnt and found out during that time."She explained.

The heaviness in her words made me look at Pierra with a closer eye and I realized that she looked tired and stressed mirroring my look. We had both been affected by the distance between us so I hoped she was there so we could fix things and get back together.

"Are you okay?"I asked Pierra as I took a leap of faith encompassing her hand in mine.

Thankfully she didn't pull away but stared at our joined hands with a smile.

"I am now that I'm here with you."She replied turning her palm over so she could intertwine our fingers together.

"I've missed you Ivy."I admitted.

"I missed you too Andre, so much."She answered.

When she said that, every nerve in my body relaxed because I knew that we were going to be okay.

"Talk to me."I requested wanting to hold her already but knowing I couldn't do that until everything between us was fixed.

Pierra looked at me, took a deep breath and I braced myself for whatever she was going to tell me.

"There's no denying that I was hurt by what you said about Bishop and I but there was a truth to your words. In your defense when we started dating you did say and I quote "I can't promise not to hurt you because I'm a guy and we're pretty clueless to somethings but I can promise you that I will always be there to make things right when I screw up." I didn't take you literally then but I probably should have, it would have spared us a lot of heartbreak. You did hurt me but you also apologized and I forgive you for that. I found out so much in the few weeks we were taking a break and its led me to believe that what we have is true and pure and I'm not willing to give that up, at least not without a fight. I love you Andre, with all my heart and I want to be with you for as long as you'll have me."She declared.

Unable to resist any longer, I tugged Pierra's hand so she landed sideways on my lap. I didn't waste a minute before kissing her. She kissed me back with the same urgency and fervour. I was so happy to hear that Pierra forgave me and still loved me. I had messed up pretty bad but she had given me another chance.

"I love you too Ivy, so very much."I declared when we surfaced for air.

There was still so much to talk about but it could wait until later, for the moment, I just wanted to enjoy having Pierra in my arms and my life.

"Is your invitation for Paris still open?"She whispered.

I jerked my head up to meet her gaze and found her staring shyly at me.

"You want to come with me to Paris?"I asked just to confirm I was hearing her right.

"Yeah if you still want me to."She replied.

"Of course I want you to but what about your brother and school?"I inquired.

"It's all handled so don't worry about it."She responded.

"Then it's settled, you're coming with me to Paris."I cheered unable to keep the excitement out of my voice.

"Great otherwise I have no idea what I would have done with a plane ticket to Paris."She grinned.

Overcome with happiness, I kissed Pierra once more pouring all my love and gratitude to her in that one kiss.

"I love you."I whispered meaning those words more than ever.

Pierra never failed to amaze me. She had forgiven me and actually went as far as to make sure she found a way to accompany me to Paris.

"I love you more."She answered pecking my lips.

I hugged her close to me for a few minutes before I released her.

"Ready to meet the family?"I asked.

She nodded yes without any hesitation. I had already met her family so it was only fair that I introduced her to mine.

She got off my lap and I took her hand leading her to the house.

"I'll give you a tour later, for now let me introduce you to my family and get some food in you, hoping the guys haven't eaten everything already."I commented making Pierra chuckle.

When I opened the door to let us in, we heard shuffling from inside the house and walked into find everyone looking very suspicious and in odd looking positions. They couldn't meet our gazes meaning they had been spying on us. I ignored them all as it was typical behavior and led Pierra to where my mom and Alice we're seated. They both got up when we approached them.

"Pierra this is my mom Beth and my sister Alice. Mom, Alice, this is my girlfriend Pierra."I introduced.

"It's so nice to meet you both, Andre has told me so much about you."Pierra said holding her hand out for a shake.

My mom ignored it and pulled her in for a hug instead.

"It's so nice to meet you Pierra, you're much more beautiful than my son described."My mom said.

"Thank you and you're beautiful too, I see where Andrew gets his good looks from."Pierra replied making my mom smile.

"You're too kind."My mom brushed her off.

Before Pierra could reply Alice was on her, tired of being ignored.

"Pierra it's so great to meet you. You really are so pretty."She gushed.

Pierra chuckled hugging her" Thank you and you are gorgeous, I love you hair."

"Thank you but I love yours more. I follow you on Instagram and love everything you do with the IDP's, it's so great. I want to..... "She rambled on and would have wore out ears off had my mom not stopped her.

"Okay enough, time to eat, our guests are hungry."My mom declared and Cliff immediately jumped off his chair on hearing that.

"Great, I'm starving. Your mom made us wait for you guys."He lamented earning himself a slap on the back of the head from Cass.

Everyone else just chucked at their behavior. I took Pierra's hand and led her to the only empty seat in the living room. I was happy to have all my friends, family and girlfriend in the same room sharing a meal. Pierra had given me a third chance and possibility was high that I would screw it up again but as she had said I would make sure I always made it up to her when I screwed up. I loved her and would hold onto her for as long as she would have me.

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