Lena found herself humming as she lay there on the ground one of Carly’s favorite songs. She broke off at the end and reached up wiping away a tear. Standing she brushed her hands on her legs.
“Before I go.” she grinned and leaned down to whisper, as though she was telling her a secret. “I think I’m in love.”
Chapter Sixteen
Mason was feeling pretty happy with himself when he walked into the hospital the next day. Although yesterday evening had been difficult he felt as though he was one step closer to understanding how Lena ticked. Making his way to his mother’s hospital room he stopped and watched her as she lay sleeping. His mother meant the world to him. He didn’t really know what he’d do if something happened to her. It’d been hard losing his father a few years ago but he’d been sick, and they’d known he was going to pass and he’d made sure they all knew he was at peace with himself and everything he’d leave behind. Granted that still didn’t make it easier to deal with but at least when they were gone you knew they weren’t suffering and they were finally at rest. His mother on the other hand had nothing wrong with her as far as he was aware, and the heart attack had shook him to his very core. After watching Lena yesterday fall apart in his arms he had to admit he didn’t know how he would’ve coped if his mom hadn’t made it. He moved into the room quietly and as he made his way around to the chair by her bed he saw her open her eyes. A smile lit up her face and she held her arms out to him. He walked over and hugged her tight.
“Mason.” she said softly, “It’s so good to see you.”
He sat on the bed beside her reaching out to take her hand. She squeezed his lightly and smiled over at him. “How’s my young Casanova?”
Groaning he rolled his eyes then grinned at her, “Not you too.”
Laughing she patted his hand, “And why not me? I’m you’re mother I get to call you whatever I like. Although I must admit I don’t really like the fact that you’re dating all these women.”
Shaking his head he laughed softly. “I’m not dating all these women mom.”
He paused then grinned and raised his eyebrows at her. “In fact. I’m only dating one woman and you know her very well.”
“Lena?” she asked quickly, “You and Lena?”
Nodding he got off the bed and walked over to the window looking out at the sidewalk below. “Yeah. I’m shocked too. I took her to see her sister yesterday.” he told her and watched as his mom’s mouth opened a little then shut.
“Wow.”
“I know.” he said softly. “It was an amazing moment for us mom. What you did with her flowers, were beautiful.”
His mother blinked and it looked as though tears were forming in her eyes. Funny, Lena had been crying over her just the day before, and as he stood there looking at her he decided it was time they were all in the same room together.
“She’s been coming to me for nine years and every time she paid me for the flowers I’d ask her to come with me to see Carly.” she shook her head slowly, “Every time she said no. Mason please be careful love.”
Smiling he walked over and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “I am being careful mom. Don’t worry I wont break her heart.”
Smiling sadly she reached up to cup his cheek, “It’s not hers I’m worried about.”
Standing up he nodded slowly, “I know she’s difficult mom. I know she has more problems than I even know what to do with or how to deal with and I’m pretty sure they all stem from losing her sister, but yesterday we came so far. She let me inside.” He gave her a goofy smile. “I sound like a schmuck.”
Laughing she shook her head, “No dear, you sound happy.”
“Would you mind if I go get her? I’d love to finally have us all in the same room, and I’m fairly certain if I don’t go and get her she’ll be up here a little later anyway.”
“Why would I mind dear? Go get your girl.”
He turned and walked out the door, oh he planned to.
Lena had just walked into the break room after finally finishing up with her rounds this morning. She’d managed to co ordinate a break during her day right when Shelly could. So now they were both sitting down for lunch. Pulling out her incredibly boring ham and cheese sandwich Lena peered over to her friends plate.
“Lasagna, really? Do you have to bring a good lunch every day?”
Shelly lifted her fork to her mouth then chewed and nodded. “You’ve been around me when I’m hungry. It’s not pretty.”
“That’s true.” Lena agreed taking a bite from her sandwich.
“You okay today?” Shelly asked around another mouthful.
Lena’s eyes came up to meet her friends. “Yeah. Why?”
“You seem different. Quieter than usual, but more relaxed.” grinning Shelly sat back, “Is Mason keeping you nice and relaxed Lena?”
Rolling her eyes she cursed the fact that she could never keep things from Shelly. So of course that had meant she’d come into work today and told her everything that had happened, in the flower shop that is. She hadn’t yet found it in her to talk about their little excursion. That was still to new, still to life altering, to divulge just yet.
“No we haven’t, done, anything since a week or so ago. I told you that. We just talked yesterday.” then with a grin Lena added, “No touching.”
“Pssh! Yeah well I don’t know what to believe because you told me all about what happened when you both decided with the no touching rule.”
Lena was about to reply when Brandy knocked on the door then hurried in. She came around and stopped beside the table. “Dr O’Donnell?”
Looking up, at her skittish receptionist, she raised a brow. “Yes Brandy?”
“Ah you have a visitor.”
Frowning Lena looked at Shelly then shrugged. “Can’t they come back? I’m on lunch.”
“Well yes I asked him that, but he insisted that I come and tell you ahh that Casanova is here?”
Lena felt a huge smile break out over her face and she actually burst out laughing. Shelly’s mouth fell open and she dropped her arm down with her folk in it. Brandy looked back and forth between the two of them.
“Casanova huh?” Shelly asked with an arched brow, “Doesn’t think to highly of himself now does he?”
Still laughing Lena reached for a napkin and wiped her face. She was just about to answer when she heard.
“I didn’t pick the name myself, just so you know.”
Mason watched as three heads turned to face him standing in the door. Sure, the little assistant had told him to wait at her desk, but he’d heard Lena laughing and decided to take a chance and walk on back. He knew she’d get a kick out of the nickname and was happy to see her sitting there grinning like a fool.
“Ah I told him to wait at my desk.” he heard the little assistant sputter.
Lena kept her eyes on him and said softly. “ I’m sure you did. He doesn’t listen very well.”
Grinning at her he walked in and looked down at Shelly. “Sorry to interrupt lunch.”
“Nonsense. It’s fine.” she smiled up at him.
He watched Lena stand then said softly, “No, no I’ll just join you two. If you don’t mind?”
Shaking her head she sat back down. The assistant was still standing glued to the spot staring at him. He smiled at her and winked. He watched her turn bright red then seeming to find her footing flee from the room. Turning his head he saw Lena arching a brow.