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“You in my arms is all I need to warm up,” I said, pulling her to sit on my lap.
Thank you, universe. You at least got it right the second time.
CHAPTER 21
Crystal
I hated the fact that we didn’t have more time together, but it was getting late and I needed to get back to Anya.
Showered and dressed again, I tried one last time. “Mayson, are you sure you don’t want to see your mother tonight? I know how much she would love to see you.” To see us together.
“Crystal, I don’t want to take away from our day together,” he said.
“Is that what you’re worried about? That I will feel less special if you see her too?” I asked.
“No. I think you know better than that. It’s just that...I’m not sure what’s going to happen when I see her. I honestly don’t even remember what she looks like,” he said.
This made more sense. “Well even if you did, I’m sure she had changed a lot. First of all, her hair is a mix of white and gray. Even though she is still on the younger side, you can tell that her life wasn’t easy, and that she isn’t well. But she has not given uphope that one day you will come. You doing so is going to be so uplifting to her. It’s what she needs.”
Her being happy too is what I need as well.
“Okay. I’ll go.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and said, “Thank you. I know you won’t regret it.”
“I am more worried that you will,” he replied.
“I won’t. I know that when you and I are together, we can get through anything. Not saying life will be perfect, but we will get through it.”
“Together. I like that. Just promise me one thing,” he said.
“Anything my love. What is it?”
“Promise me that you’ll never leave me. Even if I do something stupid. Or disappoint you. Or make you angry. Please, don’t just leave. Promise me that we will always fight for us.”
This wasn’t the man Mayson talking. It was the boy who grew up without his mother. He needed me to reassure him that there is someone who will always be there for him as he opens his heart to her once again. He wanted to see her, but he didn’t trust her.
Thank you for trusting me.
“I promise, Mayson. I’ll always fight for you. For us.”
I gave him a quick kiss before we left to see his mother. Once I arrived, the nurse updated me on how Anya’s day was, which sounded as though she had a bad one. I knew why. She hated Sunday’s because I was gone all day, and she said the other nurses were totally incompetent. They weren’t. She as just being difficult. If she had it her way, I would be there 24/7. But even though I loved her, I needed my space too. And today, I needed it more than ever.
“This place is huge. She lives here?” he asked.
“Yes. But she doesn’t go upstairs any longer. She had a room on this floor now.” I could tell him how she came to live in this place. That she was forced to marry that rich bastard of a husband who abused her for most of her life. But what he learned was going to come from Anya. I know she would eventually tell him. On her terms and when she was ready.
I took his hand in mine. His hand was trembling. Looking down at me he asked, “Why am I nervous?”
“Because you don’t know what to expect. But just so you know, she has no idea what to expect from you either. Or that you’re even here for that matter,” I said. “Just go in with an open mind. No expectations. Just let things go as they do. And I will be right here with you if you want me too. And if you want your privacy, then you know our code word.”
“Did we ever settle on a word?” he asked.
“I thought it was jetlag. Then again, maybe it was yawning and the word jetlag? Oh, I can’t remember. Maybe we need a new one,” I suggested.
“Maybe you just stay with me the entire time,” he replied.
“And if you change your mind?” I asked.
