Chapter Eighty-Six
“We should probably talk.”
Mason nodded his head and finished with the coffee. They moved to the living room and they sat side by side on the same couch. Andrea took a sip from her coffee and closed her eyes as she savored the taste.
“I’m sorry about last night, it wasn’t my intention to corner you like that.”
“And this morning?”
Andrea shifted her one leg underneath her and faced Mason. “I couldn’t stay away and I wanted to talk to you.”
“You can’t take her away from me.”
Andrea reached out and placed her hand on Mason’s arm. “I went on automatic defense last night. You looked so angry when you saw me. I just want to know her, Mason, have the chance to be her mother.”
“Andrea …”
“My parents were trying to force me to give her up for adoption. I couldn’t do that to her, subject her to a life like that. I snuck out of the house and brought her here. I felt that you had a right to know about her and I knew that your mother would take care of her. I didn’t have many options back then.”
“For that, I’m thankful, Andrea, because she changed my whole world but I have to wonder, why now?”
“I’d like a chance, Mason, without lawyers, without fighting, just to get to know her. You can even decide what you want to tell her about me. What did you tell her about me?”
Mason rubbed a hand over his face and placed his cup back on the coffee table. “She hasn’t asked so I haven’t said anything.”
“You’ve taken very good care of her and I can see how much you love her but please believe me when I tell you it wasn’t my choice to stay away.”
Mason saw something in her eyes that made him take the leap, made him question everything he thought he knew. “Tell me, Andrea, tell me the truth of everything and I’ll do what I can to help you.”
“I know for you I was a hookup but that’s not what it was for me. My past isn’t pretty, Mason, but I’m taking a leap of faith here, coming here and talking to you isn’t exactly safe for me.”
“What are you involved in?”
“Did you know I was adopted?” Andrea’s eyes changed with emotion and Mason wasn’t sure he wanted to hear her story now.
“No.”
“I was left at a fire station and I got adopted almost immediately. My mother died when I was ten and that’s when my father changed. First, it was a slap and a push but as time went by he changed even more. He drank a lot and when Grace was born I overheard him on the phone.”
Tears spilled over her cheeks and Mason grabbed her hand. He could hear the pain in her voice and knew that whatever she was telling him was the absolute truth. She smiled then, wiped her eyes with one hand and squeezed the hand holding hers.
“He was negotiating a selling price for Grace and that’s when I ran with her. I didn’t have any money so I left her on your doorstep. I wanted her to feel love. I knew you’d love her or at least that your mother would.”
“Andrea …”
“Peter found me two days later as I walked towards the train station. He was angry when I told him that I took Grace to an adoption agency so he sold me instead.”
Mason grabbed her into a hug, pulling her on top of him as he held her and stroked her back. “Why didn’t you just knock, Andrea? I wouldn’t have turned you away.”
“I didn’t feel like I could, Mason. I was already springing a baby on you. I thought I was doing the right thing because I knew you didn’t feel the same way. I was scared that he’d find Grace and take her.”
Mason tightened his grip and Andrea relaxed in his arms. “What do you need, Andrea?” That question had become a slogan between him and his two brothers. It was a question they asked each other all the time.
“I just wanted to clear the air. Peter died a month ago and that’s when I came out of hiding to look for you and Grace. I just want a chance, Mason.”
“You have it, Andrea.”
“Thank you, it’s more than I deserve.”
Mason shook his head but didn’t say anything else. She deserved much more. His questions could wait because he had about a hundred but he knew he shouldn’t push for more. She had taken the leap and he needed to show her that this was a safe space for her.
“I’ll sit down with Lee if you want, to talk about when I can visit Grace.”
“Where are you staying?”
“At the motel on Fifth.”
“I have a spare room. If you stay here then Grace can see you all the time. She’ll want to know who you are once I tell her.”
New tears welled up in Andrea’s eyes. “Mason, are you sure?”
“Yes.”
They looked into each other’s eyes and Mason didn’t know what pushed him forward but he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. Andrea opened her mouth, giving him access and kissed him back just as fervently as he kissed her.
Shirts were pushed upwards and buttons popped open. Mason spread her shirt open and his hands explored just as the front door opened.
“Shit … sorry.”
Andrea sat up quickly and pulled her shirt closed as Mason pulled his down. Lee stood there awkwardly with a folder in his hands. “You have shit timing, Lee.”
“I was going to discuss Andrea with you but I see you beat me to it.”
“There’s nothing to discuss, we’ve sorted it out and Andrea’s moving in.”
Lee crossed his arms over his chest and looked from Mason to a disheveled Andrea. She had turned her back to him as she buttoned up her shirt but he could see that she was embarrassed. Mason stood up and then sat down again as proof of their liaison pressed against his pants.
“I think I should go.”
Mason grabbed Andrea’s arm and she turned to look at him. “Come back.”
“I will.”
