The Way We Were

The Way We Family Reunion PTIV

"Hello, Judy." Russell scared the life out of Judy even though she knew he'd be coming. Their kids had set it up. "How are you?"

She steeled her spine. "I've been better without you."

"I believe it."

She eyed him. He looked a lot better than he had the last time she'd seen him and he'd looked on top of the world then. But now he seemed more humble and at peace. Rats! "The kids said I should talk to you."

He smiled. "I appreciate that."

She sat at the table in one of the hotel's bars she'd been pacing in front of. "I was promised an apology."

"I owe you many." He sat beside her.

She pouted at him being so close, especially when she gave a slight shiver. "Well?"

"I apologize for taking you for granted. I apologize for leaving you lonely. I apologize for embarrassing you. I apologize for betraying our vows and you. I apologize for hurting you. I apologize for destroying your trust. I apologize for wrecking our home. I apologize for leaving. I apologize for not trying in therapy.

I apologize for not being the man you married more than twenty years ago that promised to be everything you needed. I'm sorry."

Judy couldn't catch her breath. She'd waited for three years for him to say something like this and now that she'd gotten it, it was the most beautiful apology she'd ever heard. It was all she ever wanted from him and now that he'd given it, it felt unnecessary. She just wanted him. "I forgive you."

"I know you've probably moved on or hate me or just don't want to be with me but if you give me the slightest hint that there's a chance, I'm going to be on you like white on rice. I will not leave you alone until you call the cops on me."

Her brow furrowed.

"I'm not trying to scare you. I just want to be honest. The way you deserve."

Her heart beat hard inside her chest. "Oh Russell."

He couldn't hear the love in her tone over the fear beating in his blood. "I'm overstepping, aren't I?"

She bit her lip. "It hasn't been the same without you."

"It hasn't?" His fear went up a notch.

"I've missed someone hogging the bed." She smirked.

He chuckled. "I missed someone yipping in my ear."

"I do not!"

"Laura gets it from someone."

She smiled ruefully as she swatted his arm. "Russell..."

He lit up inside. That was just like when they were first dating! He leaned on his arm. "How about I buy you a drink and you can tell me all about how you don't yip in your sleep?"

She blushed prettily. "I'd like that."

W.W.W.

Marcus answered his phone, not knowing the number. "Hello?"

"Marcus?" It was Rose and she was crying softly.

"Rose." His heart seized. He'd never liked hearing her cry.

"I'm so sorry. I know I'm bothering you and I'm the last person you want to hear from but she hates me and I can't-! I can't-! I can't-!" She broke down sobbing.

"Where are you?" Here he was, about to save her. Because he always saved her. Why was he such a fool for this woman?

"I'm in my room. On the balcony."

Everything in him froze. "Stay right there! I'll be there!" He hung up and raced out of his room.

W.W.W.ish

Rose answered the feverish knocking at her door. "Marcus?"

Marcus gathered her in his arms tightly before cupping her face. "Are you alright? Are you alright?"

"Yes?" He was smashing her cheeks so her confused face resembled a puffer fish.

He let her go before coming inside to check the balcony. Once he was satisfied, he shut the door and came back. "What on Earth were you thinking?!"

She was dead confused. "Why are you so upset?"

"What do you mean why am I so upset? My wife calls me saying she's going to jump from a balcony and I'm not supposed to be upset?!"

"I wasn't- Your wife?" She rubbed her nose.

He caught what he'd said and ran his hand through his growing curly hair. "I mean ex-wife."

"Oh."

Both deflated. "Why were you on the balcony if you weren't going to jump?"

"I needed air." She forced through a pout.

"The hotel is air conditioned."

"Real air, Marcus."

He threw up his hands. That was why he couldn't deal with her. She got him all whipped up and then acted like he was the crazy one.

She could see he was getting frustrated. "I'm sorry."

He stopped, never having heard those words cross her lips before. "Huh?"

She added a frown to her pout. "I'm sorry."

"Oh." He was dumbfounded. "It's alright, I suppose. I did assume."

"No. I'm sorry for everything I've ever done to you. I pushed you around and kept things from you. I hurt our child and kept you out of the loop. I was not a good wife. I'm so sorry."

He was blown away and blinked owlishly to prove it.

"I know I have no right to ask you this but I need your help. Please get Marcy to talk to me. I can't have my baby hate me. She said she hates me!" She began crying again. "She looked me in the eye and said she hates me!"

He said nothing at first before drawing her back into his arms. He swayed gently and began singing lowly.

She sniffled and cried all over him until she was fully soothed. "I love you all so much."

He wondered if she could hear his heart hammering in his chest (she could).

She lifted her head to look him in the eye. "I love you so much."

He swallowed, eyes riveted on her mouth.

She leaned up and kissed him softly.

He let it deepen before snatching away from her. "No! You do not get to do what you did and stay away then come back in with your sex eyes and alluring mouth and seduce me! No!"

She only heard that he thought she was sexy.

He could tell by the shy smile on her face and interested eyes. La help him, she was going to be the death of him!