My Ex Husband

Episode Eleven

*Flashback*

I dragged my suitcase on the paved path and up the front porch and stopped at the door.

I composed myself, wiping away my tears and mustering up a smile before I knocked on the door.

It swung open almost immediately and there stood Elizabeth McCarthy, my close friend and cousin.

The look on her face broke me and she gathered my sobbing form into her arms.

"Shh.... it's okay. It'll all be okay." She whispered into my ear.

I was jet-lagged and soon cried myself to sleep.

I woke up to the smell of spicy chicken. I closed my eyes in an attempt to keep myself from crying. Mom loved cooking. I missed her.

I got up, washed my face to freshen up and headed downstairs, directly into the kitchen.

"Hey sweetie. Had a good nap?" Lizzy asked.

"Yeah..... Where’s Law?"

"In here." I heard him shout.

I headed into the living room where Lawrence, Lizzy's husband was watching a game.

"Hey sweetie? How are you?" He said as he pulled me into a hug. He was tall and built, I felt safe. Like a child in her father's arms.

"I'm holding up okay, I guess." I said letting myself savor the comfort.

"How about we eat first then we'll talk?" Lizzy cut in and we headed for the kitchen. After dinner, we cleaned up then sat in the living room, glasses of wine in hand.

"What happened, Gabby?" Lizzy asked.

"Let me start from the beginning." I said with a defeated sigh.

*The present.*

"Ma'am?" A flight attendant called to me and I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Yes?"

"We've landed. Do you need any assistance getting out of the plane?"

"No. I'm fine thank you." I replied with a smile as I got to my feet.

I grabbed my luggage and hurried out to meet Lizzy.

"Oh Gabby it's so good to see you." She said as she pulled me into a hug.

"Hey Lizzy. Sorry for the time." I said checking my watch. It was going to 4am in the morning.

"Oh don't worry about it!" She said with a convincing smile. "Now come on! Let's get you home."

At her words, I relaxed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lizzy's two children are bigger than I remember. Henry is now 7 years old while her younger sister Hailey is five.

When I last saw them Henry was still a baby and Hailey was yet to be born.

"Aunty G?"

"Yes Hailey?"

"Are you in twouble?" She asks innocently.

"No sweetie. Why would you think that?"

"Cause mommy says you wan away from home."

"Hailey stop lying. I didn't say that." Her mom scolds from the kitchen door.

"Yes you did."

"No I did not. Nap time for you young lady." Lizzy called as she scooped the little girl up and headed for her bedroom.

Lawrence her husband was at work while Henry was out playing with some friends.

We'd gotten to the house around four in the morning and I had pretty much slept the day away. I hadn't even seen Lawrence yet.

"What you thinking about?" Lizzy asked as she came back to the room.

"Everything. Everything's just messed up right now." I said with a sad sigh.

"Do you want to wait for Law to get here or......" she was cut off by the door swinging open.

"Gabby!" Lawrence called from the door as he dropped his briefcase and headed towards me. "My baby!"

He engulfed me in his arms and I clung on to him like my life depended on it.

"Aawww..... Baby don't cry. Let's go talk outside on the patio." He said as he led me out just as Henry came in looking for a snack.

I hadn't even noticed I was crying till he spoke. He sat me down on one of the seats round a table and handed me a box of tissues. Lizzy joined us not long after with a bottle of wine and some glasses.

I eyed her warily and she stopped.

"Something stronger, huh?" She said and Law laughed.

"No that's fine." I said with a smile.

"Okay." She said as she sat down. "Now spill!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lizzy was busy looking over my business documents and proposed contract with the Giovanni's while I helped out around the bakery.

Lizzy was a financial risk adviser while Lawrence is a CEO in a hotel franchise in Florida. That's how they met but a few years back Lizzy and I had started a small baking enterprise which led her to quitting her job and growing her bakery.

I got so caught up in the baking that I didn't notice the time go by. Lizzy had joined me some time ago and it was rejuvenating working side by side again.

Lawrence came in after everyone had left and we were whipping up something for the kids who were at a friend's house for a party.

"Look at my two big girls working together again." He said as he grabbed a seat to watch us.

"How was your day honey?" Lizzy asked.

"Same ol', same ol'. What about my lovely ladies here?"

"Well Gabby won over all the employees hearts..."

"Did not!" I whined, glaring at Lizzy.

"Well I'm not surprised. My baby girl’s a charmer." Lawrence boasted as he walked over to me and kissed my forehead. "I see a brighter future for Hailey."

"You still think I'm the perfect older image of Hailey?" I asked a smile on my face.

"Well I do see a lot of Lizzy in you and with the bond you two have.... I wouldn't be surprised if Hailey turned out to be just like you." He defends and I flush.

I don't think you'd want to base your daughter's character on me. I think to myself.

And as if noticing my self-doubt he answered. "You're stronger than you think Gabby."

"How can you say that after all I've told you?" I snap.

"It's precisely cause of what you told us sweetie." Lizzy says back.

"If you haven't realized Gabby, you came to us sometime back with the same question as now.....'What should I do? Where should I go from here?' And you had more s**t to handle back then than you have now. You were still a child back then. We raised you for the few years we had and you made it through. Now you're an adult. Time to make your own choices."

"You've told us about the Carter case, Lucca, your dad's recent death, the business and the girls. Here's my advice sweetie..." Lizzy put in, "find that Carter bastard. Dead or alive! As for your dad, with all he did forgive him and embrace the fact that he's gone but will always look out for you. The business, sign the contract. It's legit. As for the girls, stop hiding things from those who love and look after you!" she put great emphasis on her last sentence.

"That includes us." Lawrence said added supporting his wife.

"But, what about Lucca?"

"You mean that handsome devil you left all alone on your bed?" Lizzy teased

Lawrence glared at her while Lizzy and I laughed. "Oh Law lighten up."

"The answer is simple Gabby." He said ignoring her.

At this they'd looked at each other, then at me and said. "Follow. Your. Heart."