Cat

We arrived at the hospital. Alex thought it best to get the details out of the way, so we went first to Accounts Payable. The woman assured Alex that his mother was covered for the duration of her stay.

"Do you know how long that stay will be?" he asked.

The woman looked at him apologetically. "Sorry, no. Only the doctors can decide that. Now I was told you wanted to take care of the bills for a Ms. Tina Worthington?"

"Yes."

I didn't say a word, but I couldn't help but wonder why Alex was taking so much of an interest in this woman. Surely if she worked for a big company like Alex's father owned, her medical would be covered. Maybe there was a large deductible? Such thoughts made me feel so petty, so I pushed them aside.

"It's quite an extensive bill," the woman warned. "She has coverage through your company, but the deductible for the year is high and she has used no services so far, so she'd be responsible for almost her entire stay and the tests."

So, it appears my guess was right.

"Whatever it is. I'll pay for it. You can send the bill to the company. She was working in my employ when she got hurt."

But for some reason, it didn't make me feel any better.

"So, this is a workman's compensation suit?" the woman asked.

"No, she volunteered but I still will cover the costs," Alex replied.

The woman smiled at him. "Can I come work for you?" she joked and he laughed.

It was nice to see him smile, yet once again that feeling of unease crept in. Even this woman believes what he is doing is extraordinary.

"So, who do you wish to see first?" I asked when everything was settled.

Alex only took a moment to think about it. "Tina. Now that the bill is paid, they can release her sooner."

I simply nodded at his answer. I would have thought he'd be more eager to see his mother but I guess I was wrong. We got on the elevator and I took his hand in mine.

"That was very nice of you. Are you sure you can afford it?"

"Oh yeah." His words sounded so bitter. Then he sighed.

"A perk of my father's death. I now own everything. So yeah, I can afford it."

I know he came from money. That this is how he lived most of his life but I can't seem to reconcile the Alex I know with this new version of him. They don't match up. He's only been on his own for a short while but he's been so completely removed from his family that he's become someone different. It seems he resents being pulled back into this world.

We walk hand in hand to Tina's room and he knocks on the doorframe as the privacy curtain was pulled in place.

"Hello?! May I come in?" Alex inquired.

A doctor pulled the curtain aside and Tina was smiling.

"Hi!"

Alex immediately smiled back. "You're looking better." 

He looked so relieved. He let go of my hand to go stand by her bedside. I quietly stood beside him.

"You too," Tina retorted and then eyes met mine and her smile grew. "And now I know why."

The doctor interjected, "Everything checks out, Ms. Worthington. I'll get to work on your release papers and we'll get you out of here."

"Music to my ears, Doc," Tina told him.

"Will she be going home with you?" The doctor asked Alex.

"Uh..." Alex stammered. "We are here to take her home, yes."

"No. What I mean is, is there someone who will be staying with Ms. Worthington when she goes home?"

Alex looked at Tina, obviously not sure how to answer this question. "Does she need someone to be there?"

"It would be best. She has a slight concussion from the fall. We've kept her under observation here but now that she's going home, I would like to know there is someone to watch over her at least for the next 24 hours. She's still experiencing headaches and some dizziness. So, I don't want her on her own where she could fall and get injured."

Alex didn't hesitate. "I'll take her to my home. We'll keep a watch over her there."

His decision surprised me and I hoped it didn't show. At least he said 'we'll keep watch.'

"Perfect! I imagine I can have you out of here around 1 o'clock today or sooner depending on how fast the paperwork gets generated," the doctor told Tina.

"Thank you!" Tina replied.

The doctor left and an awkward silence filled the room. I couldn't take it any longer so I broke it saying, "I brought you a pair of my jeans and a t-shirt to borrow. Alex mentioned your clothes had gotten messed up."

"Thank you. That's really nice of you..." Tina paused for me to fill in the blank.

"Cat, my name is Cat."

Tina smiled awkwardly. "I know, we have never been formally introduced but Alex talks about you, a lot."

"That's good to know," I replied yet wondering if Alex talked about me so much, how was it that Tina didn't know my name.

Alex added, "Constantly," and my smile grew as I looked at him.

He turned back to Tina. "I brought your whole purse. I wasn't sure where your glasses might be and didn't feel right going through your things."

"Oh, they're right in that front pocket," Tina said pointing to it. Alex unzipped the compartment and pulled out the soft case handing them to her. She pulled them out and placed them on.

"Oh, thank Heaven. I can see again," Tina looked at me. "You're really pretty," she announced and a surprised laugh escaped my lips.

"Uh, thank you?"

Tina colored. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to just blurt that out but you were a hazy blob before I had my glasses on."

I laughed in earnest this time. "Well, I'm glad I'm an improvement over that."

Tina laughed with me and suddenly the tension between us eased a little.

Her smile turned and a look of concern replaced it. "Are you sure you're okay with the whole, me going back to your place, thing? I can probably see if I can arrange something else. The hospital must have some kind of care they can make happen in cases like mine."

"Don't be ridiculous, we'd love to have you," I tried to reassure her.

"We?" Tina questioned.

The ease I felt disappeared. Was she hoping to have Alex care for her all on his own?

"Cat is staying at the house until Monday," Alex filled in.

Tina frowned. "Now, I feel like an intruder," she pouted.

I wondered why she would only feel this way if I'm around. Wouldn't it be even more of an imposition if it were Alex and her alone? I pushed the thought aside. Alex needs me now and I pulled myself together and sat on the bed next to Tina.

"Look, I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and we couldn't ask for a better situation. You need someone to watch over you. Alex still has so much he has to handle for the funeral. So, between the two of us," I said pointing to myself and Alex, "there will definitely be someone around should you need it. And with you around, I'm sure Alex will even get more done as you'll be right there should he have any questions."

Tina shrugged in agreement.

"Do you need anything? Before we get you out of here," Alex asked.

Tina's worried eyes turned to Alex. "I should be fine. Have you seen your mom yet?"

"Not yet. In fact, if it's okay with both of you. I'd like to go see her."

He was going alone? "I'd like to come with you."

"To be honest it's best if you stayed here."

I really didn't like the idea of him doing this alone, but I must respect his wishes. My thoughts must have been visible because Alex was quick to explain, "They only allow one person in the ward to visit. You'd be stuck in the waiting room waiting for my return. If Tina does get released while I'm talking to my Mom, I'd feel better knowing you were here to help."

"Whatever you need," I told him.

"Thank you!" He leaned over and kissed my cheek.

As Alex was leaving, Tina leaned over and asked, "So, got any dirt you can dish on my boss?"

Alex turned back and the look he gave us was priceless. Tina and I both ended up giggling at him. He shook his head and left the room resigned to his fate.

I studied Tina for a moment. It felt odd that Alex and she seemed so close in the short amount of time he's been home. I wouldn't dare tease my boss that way if I just met him. I wondered if perhaps they knew one another before.

"I have plenty of gossip but I'm afraid he's made me sign a confidentiality agreement when we got engaged."

Tina laughed. "Sounds like something his father would do."

"Have you worked for his father long?"

"For the past 4 years or so."

That meant she was hired after Aiden's death and never met Alex. It was hard to fight the jealous feeling that I felt looking at this woman. I know I'm more emotional due to the pregnancy but wouldn't any woman feel this way in this situation?

"I've never had the chance to meet him what was he like?"

"A lot like, Alex, I think. Always trying to take care of everyone around him. Putting others before himself. He talked about Alex a lot. So often, that once I met Alex, it sort of felt like I'd known him forever. Is that strange?"

I wasn't sure what to say to this. "I guess, not. So, when we met in the phone store Alex introduced you as his assistant."

"I was his father's assistant. I guess Alex introduced me that way because it was the simplest explanation for my being there. Technically, I am assisting Alex but he hasn't decided on whether or not he is taking over the business. He's only the acting director because of his father's death. I'm really hoping he stays on though. The company needs him."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense." I wanted to ask her more questions but I didn't think it right to ask anything too personal as we just met.

"So, that guy you were with at the phone store, he's your... ex?"

It seems Tina doesn't have the same filters as I do when it comes to personal boundaries. I sighed. "Yes, but we have managed to stay friends."

"That's amazing. I could never stay friends with someone I broke up with. Especially, if I was dating someone else. Too much pressure for me."

"The circumstance is... unique," I said not really wanting to talk about Liam or why I am trying to keep him in my life.

"You must be a very strong woman. Which is a good thing because Alex is going to need that. If he takes over the business, he'll need someone who can understand that the job will require him to work long hours and take business trips. I think it was hard on Mrs. Bragin to bear so much alone. She did it, however, out of love for her husband, without complaint. It's one of the reasons I admire her so much."

The only time Alex and I were apart was when he chose to leave me over Liam's father's threat. My mind revolted against the idea of us being apart for long periods of time no matter what the reason. Am I so selfish? I must be. I chose to change the subject.

"What is his mother like?"

"She's smart, beautiful, elegant. She was Mr. Bragin's equal in every way. This illness has taken its toll on her, though. If you do meet her, she will not be at her best, but keep in mind there is no one more kind or gentle."

"You sound as if you've spent a lot of time with her."

"Yes, we are very close. I guess it came with the territory of being Mr. Bragin's assistant. It required me to be by his side at every moment. It was inevitable that I'd become closer to his wife."

Every moment?

Tina startled me from the thought when she took my hand. "Perhaps, one day we'll become just as close."

I smiled at her as best I could and gave her hand a squeeze. "Of course. I would like that."

Not knowing what else to say I offered. "Why don't you take a shower and change your clothes. You'll probably feel a thousand times better. I promise to hang out here in case you need me."

"That sounds wonderful."

I helped her out of bed, though she didn't appear to need my help, and walked her to the bathroom. I brought the clothes to her and she placed them on the sink in the bathroom.

"Do you have everything you need? Should I call for a nurse to help you?"

"No, I'll be fine. Thank you!"

I nodded at her and shut the door.

I took a seat and waited. It was good to have some time to myself to collect my thoughts before Alex's return. It seems I have a lot to consider if he chooses to take over his father's business. 

A life without Alex is not an option. I need to find a way to adjust. The thought of him and Tina becoming closer didn't appeal to me either, but if Mrs. Bragin could trust her husband, then I must do the same. I felt the baby kick and rested my hand on my stomach. 

"Don't worry, Peanut. I won't let anyone come between me and Alex ever again."