#defending jacob au
Andy Barber x Reader
Rating: Fluff
Summary: Two strangers meet in a crowded room. You can’t fight fate, but what if fate is fighting you?
There is something about Boston in springtime that always brings out the romantic in you. Maybe it was the beautiful greenery of the parks, trees blossoming; or the scent of freshly bloomed flowers that seemed to linger on the wind. This year, you suspected the heavy influence of the wedding industry, though always out in full force, garnering a premium with the nonstop swath of ceremonies between April to June.
You and your fellow bridesmaids learned this all too well whilst assisting your friend Jo as she planned her wedding. Unlike some brides, who would get cold feet or transform into a raging, demanding bridezilla, Jo remained level-headed, happy and eager to be married and begin her life with her future husband. As usual, she focused on the positive. “It’s not about the wedding. That’s just one day, and a big party where we get to celebrate. What I’m looking forward to is the marriage.”
Tonight, she glows radiantly with happiness as she struts her stuff on the dance floor. And why not? In two short weeks, she’d be marrying the love of her life.
Your fellow bridesmaids gathered around her, laughing, giggling, and drinking margaritas. Lacy had Becca and Mal in stitches, sharing a hilarious account of her new job in Quincy. Jules, shamelessly flirting with the bartender, seemed to have the man entranced, batting her eyes like a southern belle while tracing a fingertip around the lip of her mostly empty glass.
The pounding music echoed through your chest as you floated beside Jo, steering unwanted male attention away from the bride to be. A gigantic “Bride” tiara would be sufficient, but even with her added white ‘bride’ sash, men will be men, won’t they?
The limousine and its driver were outside on standby, ready to ferry your group to the next location. As the unofficial ‘Mom friend’, you’d committed to helping your friends with small favors for the evening. Jo requested your help steering away any ‘creepers’, something you took immense pleasure in. Especially when engaging in the art of confusion. Becca, Jo’s maid of honor, asked you to help her herd cats and keep your crew to a schedule. Lacy was moving closer to an amazing new job and planned to crash at your place tonight.
The alarm on your smartwatch vibrated, reminding you it was time to move on. You nodded to Becca, who was checking her phone and smiling–as usual, the two of you were in sync. Eager to proceed to your last stop—a concert at a jazz bar; you and Becca ushered your friends back to the entrance, giggling the entire way.
A gentle hand on your arm stopped you, spinning you around. Your heart skipped a beat. The man in front of you was everything you looked for in a guy. Tall, broad shouldered and well groomed, he filled out the cut of his dress shirt well. His with twinkling blue eyes mesmerized you. He leaned in, rapidly whispering into your ear. “I’m sorry to spring this on you, but my ex is heading this way and… can I kiss you?”
Your body was writing checks that your mind wasn’t yet ready to cash. Before you had a moment to think, you were nodding and his lips collided with yours. The handsome stranger kissed you the way you wanted to be kissed for the rest of your life. His full lips were soft, tasting of whiskey and promises as he cradled you to his chest. Your hands carded through his thick hair, tugging gently as he pressed you against a nearby pillar.
“Tick Tock, Momma,” Becca hollered at you. “We’ve gotta go!”
Shit. This wasn’t you. You weren’t normally one to make out with random men in bars. You’d send them away, deflecting with your rapier wit, but something about this hunk bypassed… or perhaps disabled your defenses.
Breaking the kiss, you blinked owlishly into his lust blown eyes and you shook your head as Lacy took your hand, pulling you to the entrance. “I’m sorry. My ride’s leaving!”
His full brows furrowed, and his kiss-swollen lips fell open in shock at your sudden departure. The door closed behind you before he could say a word.
Damn. You didn’t even get his name.
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Pairing: Andy Barber x Reader
Summary: Two strangers in a grocery store are brought together by a little boy determined to make them a family.
Word Count:2.7k
Warnings: Fluff, Defending Jacob non-canon ending, brief mention of grief/child loss, brief mention of absentee parent
A/N:*THIS IS PROBABLY A MINI-SERIES* I’m trying to jump back into writing, so feedback is both very appreciated and very scary for my anxious self. Be gentle please. Also, don’t translate or post my work on other sites. | Jammies | Dividers by @firefly-graphics
“Daddy!” The excited cheer and the rapid scampering footsteps in Andy’s direction made him immediately tense. Nothing could prepare him for the smack of a little body into his legs or the tug of tiny hands on the hem of his suit jacket.
When he exhaled a long, slow breath and looked down, excited eyes stared up at him. His routine of grocery shopping late Thursday nights was now interrupted by a pajama-clad toddler. “Hey, pal. Where’s your mah?”
“Uppy?” The little boy’s big eyes now glimmered with tears, despite the big smile, and a familiar tug on his heart and he slipped his hands under the kid’s arms to scoop him up before he started wailing. Before Andy could ask his question again, the little boy’s small hands were on Andy’s beard giggling, “Daddy, you’re prickly!” Swallowing, he smiled a crooked smile as he noticed a familiarity in the coloring in the little boy’s irises, blue with hints of yellow-green near the pupils. Laurie used to say Jacob had sunflowers in his eyes. The thought of his ex-wife and their late son made him sniffle. This little guy in his arms quickly threw them around Andy’s neck, “Don’t cry, Daddy! I’m so happy you’re finally here.”
Andy patted the little boy on the back, exhaling a shaky breath before adjusting the kid’s weight and picking up his grocery basket, “Which way’s your mah?” Moving out of the aisle toward the checkout, he adjusted his Red Sox cap to get a better look down the deserted store. The closer he got to the front, Andy heard the panicked rambling of a woman. “I think I found what you’re looking for.”
Your head snapped so quickly at the sound of his deep voice that he thought you might be about to hit him. His step back made you immediately melt with relief and apologies as your gaze raked up his body. It wasn’t until you saw Andy’s face that you realized exactly what was happening. “I’m so sorry. C’mere, Bubba,” You tried to peel your son off the unsuspecting and gorgeous stranger but he nuzzled his face into the man’s neck and clung onto him tighter. “This is all my fault. I’m really so sorry. C’mon, AJ.”
With a few gentle pats to the little boy’s back, Andy tried to coax him to let go. “I’m not sure what you’re apologizing for, but it’s okay. He’s a sweet little guy but…” Andy felt the steady, gentle breaths on his neck, “It’s late and he’s out like a light.”
He studied your face as a new pained look of anxiety settled there. “This is all my fault. He’s gotten really into superheroes and we were marathoning those Marvel movies. Ever since he started asking about his dad, I could only manage to tell him that he was off saving the world…” You swiped your hand almost angrily at the silent tear that fell down your cheek before continuing. “I didn’t think he’d connect that to his dad, but I think you kind of look like… We just watched Infinity War.” Andy’s eyebrows knit together with confusion, still not sure what she meant. “It’s why we’re even here this late. I should’ve known it was too scary for him. He hasn’t slept since his nap yesterday afternoon. I was trying to find those melatonin gummies.”
“Look, it’s okay, really. I’m pretty much done, let’s go find that and maybe the longer he’s out he’ll actually stay asleep and you won’t need to use it.” Andy offered an empathetic smile and nodded toward the aisle the little guy must have ran from. “My son wasn’t easy to get down at night. I wish it could’ve been as simple as a gummy or carrying him around for a few minutes.”
Your eyes lit up for a moment at the mention that he’d been in your shoes, but when you looked at him you saw how set his jaw was, clearly not wanting to talk about his family. Instead you focused on how this man’s broad hand kept gently rubbing your son’s back, your own trick to hush him to sleep. Swallowing, you moved and kept your eyes on the items on the shelves, walking slowly through rows of vitamins and generic medicine. “His dad’s in the military. I don’t actually know anything else about him, not really. Child support comes in, but he’s not interested in a relationship with him. One mistake changed my whole life, but at least it was a change for the better. I know, all too well, that most people’s mistakes cost them everything.”
Andy wondered if this was your way of telling him that you knew who he was or about the case. Initially, after the crash when both Laurie and Jacob were in the hospital he’d left the practice. After Jacob passed and Laurie divorced him he needed the familiarity and, frankly, a job that could take up as much time as he was willing to let it. It was part of the reason he grocery shopped so late, coming straight from work while also avoiding anyone that could possibly recognize him. He’d been studying your face, waiting for some sort of recognition and instead found a tired young woman that lit up at the sight of melatonin gummies. “I think you might not need it tonight. I just have a few more things to grab, if you don’t mind, and then I can help put him in his car seat.”
“You really don’t have to do that.”
“It’s kind of comforting, honestly. My son, he’s gone and his mother and I aren’t…” Andy trailed off, lowering his gaze to the groceries in the basket he was lugging around. Her eyes moved from the sadness in his eyes to the way AJ clung to him- even in his sleep, and then to the basket full of freezer food.
“Let’s get your groceries, but I’m going to have to insist that you let me pay you back with a real dinner.” Andy couldn’t remember the last time he had a home cooked meal. It wasn’t that he couldn’t cook, but Laurie had done it before and on the rare times he did it was for a family of three with the intent of both Laurie and himself having leftovers for work the next day. His mouth bobbed open to protest, maybe to mention the hour or to ask for a rain check that he’d never fulfill, but you were faster. “I said, I insist.”
Your smile was warm and bright, even though you really did look exhausted. With a nod and a smile that mirrored yours the pair of you walked through the store, fairly quiet aside from your humming of the song playing overhead. He grabbed some more overly processed chronic bachelor foods and you picked up a few more things to make him dinner before checking out. By the time your son was buckled into the car, you realized just how crazy inviting a nameless stranger you just let carry your kid around the grocery store. As if he was reading your mind, the man gently shut the door and opened yours, “I’m Andy, by the way. Andrew Barber, technically, but no one ever calls me that.”
With a look of surprise you glanced into the back seat, “That little guy is Andrew, too. Andrew Joyner, but I’ve always called him AJ.” You gave him your name and address, noticing how he’d been a little distracted by your sleeping son as you spoke. Though you’d never seen AJ’s father with AJ, you’d always hoped that he’d look at AJ like that, like the world started and stopped with those eyes. It was at that moment, Andy took off his ball cap and you really saw his eyes and just how similar the color was to your son’s, his only trait he shared with his father. “Want me to wait so you can follow us?” He shook his head and smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. With a nod, you made your way home and tried to pull yourself together by mentally walking through the steps of the meal you were about to make.
Andy pulled in just a few short moments after you and he was quick to shuffle around to help, “I got him. Why don’t you get the door?” His thoughtfulness was jarring and you couldn’t help but recall the few dates you’d been on since AJ was born. Men never opened doors anymore, several ‘forgot their wallet’ on expensive dates, and the few that made it long enough for you to mention AJ ghosted. “Your home is beautiful.” His eyes moved around the open concept of your small two story home, seemingly ignoring the toys strewn across the living room and the basket of laundry with your panties on top right by the open laundry room door. Instead he stopped at the wall by the door, covered in pictures of your family. “Wow, he looks like he’s the happiest little guy in the world.”
You took the opportunity to pick up a few things as you moved further into the house. “He’s always been super easy. Honestly, today was the first real heart attack he’s given me.”
Andy’s eyes found yours in every picture, too. The lawyer couldn’t help but notice that you were always so happy with AJ in your arms and a little lost when alone, but you’d turned a corner now and he couldn’t see you, only hear the cautious clang of pots being gently pulled down. “What is it you do, if you don’t mind my asking?” Andy sat at one of the stools on the kitchen island, a little relieved that you hadn’t led him straight to AJ’s room to put him down because he found comfort in those small arms sleep-hugging him as he patted his back. “I’m a lawyer, if I didn’t mention that.”
“Fancy!” You chuckled softly, wiggling your shoulders a little as you looked back at him from the sink where you filled a pot with water. “I’m a freelance graphic designer.” After the pot was on the stove, you pointed to a door off of the living room behind him. “I get to work from home and as much as I want or need to. Mostly, I’m with him all day and work at night after he goes to bed.”
“Is that what you always wanted to do?” Andy had so many questions he wanted to ask you, but the ones that seemed to come out were so surface level. His eyes fell to the little boy asleep in his arms and, as if he felt Andy’s heart stutter and swell, he stirred, just a little. AJ’s face nuzzled further into the corner of Andy’s neck, his little nose twitching at the tickle of his beard. Rocking his hips with the swivel of the chair, the corner of Andy’s mouth turned up in a smile and, looking up when he realized you hadn’t answered, he caught you watching him. “Has he always been…”
“Easy to love?” Andy nodded and your smile grew. “I like to think so, but this is different. I think he chose you.” Biting your lip you turned around, not finishing your thought aloud. As you stirred the sauce into noodles, adding more seasoning and lowering the temperature, you let out a slow sigh and then answered his question. “I was that kid that never knew what they wanted to be, head always in the clouds, and I think that creativity helped me be successful in this job. I just helped a few friends here and there, word of mouth helped my clientele expand, and bit by bit I established something successful. I really do love it, but I might not love it so much if it wasn’t for the fact that it lets me do what I really want to do every day.”
It was obvious Andy had been listening to you intently. His hand had paused on AJ’s back, his rocking back and forth had slowed and a small creased line formed between his eyebrows as if he was about to ask another question, but instead asked, “Should we get him to bed while it’s simmering?”
With a nod and a soft smile, you couldn’t help but wonder what he wasn’t saying. Nevertheless, you led him to the stairs. Andy followed you slowly, stopping as he looked at the art and pictures on the walls before he made it to the top. There were three doors and the one straight ahead was open to a duck themed bathroom that dizzied Andy with the sweet floral scent of your perfume. Turning left to follow you into a blue-green bedroom, he took in the simple space with a small bookshelf stuffed with books, a spaceship bed with Finding Nemo blankets and a stuffed giraffe, and the various toys strewn about the room were just as diverse. Overall, it was mostly empty and he could see the little guy growing up in that house, finding himself. For a moment sadness washed over Andy’s expression and you wanted to reach out and hug him, certain he was probably thinking about his own boy’s room. Instead, you stepped aside and picked up toys, watching Andy tuck AJ in out of the corner of your eye. “I’m amazed he let you go.”
A soft chuckle, weighted with sadness, quietly passed his lips as the man stood back up to his full height and gazed down at your son. There was an obvious tenderness to that look, longing. Before he turned and headed out of the bedroom, Andy faintly whispered, “Sweet dreams, Bubba.”
You smiled at him, aware he’d used your nickname for your son, before following him down to the kitchen after cracking AJ’s door. Andy watched you walk down the stairs and you couldn’t help but feel aware of what you looked like after a long day of chasing your boy around. Your fingertips toyed with the hem of your jeans as you used every ounce of restraint to stop yourself from fidgeting with your hair or staring at how long and lean the attractive lawyer looked perched on the stool waiting for you. Instead, you headed straight to the cabinet and pulled down a shallow plate to serve up, “Spaghetti pomodoro was one of the first things I learned how to cook. Would you like something to drink? I usually have mine with white wine, but I have beer, water, orange juice, and apple juice.”
“I’ll have it like you do, but just a little since I’m driving.” Andy looked down at the plate and back at you, had you been looking you might have noticed the way questions seemed to dance across his face again. “It smells amazing. Thank you, you really didn’t have to.”
“I know, but I wanted to.”
You cleaned the dishes while he ate, both of you periodically asking each other questions or stealing glances. There were no uncomfortable silences, he didn’t irritate you with slurping or chomping, and he even offered to help you clean while praising your cooking. As the two of you walked to the door he held up the container of leftovers you gave him. “Thank you. I’m already looking forward to lunch tomorrow.”
Before you could stop yourself you asked, “But what about dinner?”
Andy turned on his heel and looked down at you, the porch light offering up a warm glow that was only highlighting his smile. “I would need to bring you back the container.”
“Then I guess you’ll just have to join us again. What time do you get off work?” After plans were made and numbers were exchanged you offered up a soft, “We’ll see you tomorrow and I promise I’ll talk to AJ about calling you Mr. Barb-”
“It’s fine, sweetheart. Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The lawyer was quick to cut you off, his nonchalance over what your son called him making your forehead wrinkle.
He leaned down and kissed your forehead, giving your shoulder a squeeze. Confused, all you could manage was a whispered, “Goodnight, Andy.”
The way that man looked back at you from the bottom of the stairs with an unpracticed, soft smile only to say, “G’night.” Well, you had a reason to toss and turn tonight.
A/N:The next part is partially written and I think I’d like to see what people thought about this story before I put more heart into it. I’ve just been gone so long that I’m not sure anyone’s even around. Hi, it’s me, your favorite flake
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