Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

Crystal

"So, what did you think of the hospital?" Finn asked.

I wanted to say it was amazing and ask a bunch of questions, because I knew I had plenty, just at the moment, none were coming to my mind. I could barely focus. Mayson spent the entire night, and I loved every second of it. I had no regrets. But we were beyond exhausted. Neither of us even had coffee. We only had time to rush out this morning so Mayson could get a change of clothes so that we could be here at nine. If it wasn't forthe fact that Finn was married to the President of the country, I probably would've let Mayson text him and cancel.

"You really have an impressive facility here." I looked at Mayson, hoping he could read my mind and offer some help.

"I know I'm grateful for all the advanced medicine that has come, because a year ago my grandmother was in this hospital, and if it weren't for Finn and his team, she might not have lived.

I reached out and touched his arm. "I'm sorry. I had no idea she had been so ill." I met her yesterday at the wedding. Besides being a little pushy and asking me a bunch of personal questions that sounded more like an interview for dating her grandson, she seemed fine.

"She's old and shouldn't live on her own. That's why she stays with Raya and Orion.

"You didn't want her staying with you?" I asked and wished I hadn't. It sounded very judgmental, and that was very wrong.

"My grandmother didn't want to stay with me. I love her, but Orion has always been her favorite. She won't admit that, but it's true."

I wouldn't go as far as saying Orion was her favorite, but I could hear how proud and protective she was of him. That didn't come across when she talked about Mayson.

"That's normal to feel like one is loved more than the other," I said. "But I don't think this is the place for us to discuss that."

"I guess that means our tour is over," he said and shook Finn's hand. "Thanks for taking the time out of your day to show us around."

"It was my pleasure. I hope you both enjoy the rest of your day. Now I get to go home and watch the children so my wife can get some rest. Two children and running a country is more than I think she can handle. She's amazing and does great at both things, but she can't keep up this pace for much longer. Neither of us can," he stated.

"I'm sorry that we kept you away from your family so long," I said. "Family is everything."

"That is very true," he said before we left.

As we walked to the car, I noticed Mayson was very quiet. Was he just exhausted like me or was it something more? I picked up on it immediately after Finn and I were talking about family. It seemed to be a subject Mayson liked to avoid. But that wasn't something I could allow to happen. How was I going to get him to read the letter if he won't even talk about the family?

I wish I had someone to support me here. Someone who I could trust with what was going on. Kathy would never be able to keep the secret. Raya was too personally involved, and it would cause a family riff. That was the last thing I wanted to happen. There was Reesa, but as Finn said, she already had enough on the plate. Why bring her a problem that wasn't her to resolve?

Their grandmother had health issues, so even though I thought she would be the perfect person to intervene, it could also cause too much stress, so she was off the list too.

As we drove back to the resort, I found myself yawning.

"You need some sleep," he said.

"That I do. I'm having trouble staying awake now," I replied, closing my eyes.

"Why don't I drop you off and let you get some rest? I have a few things to do today, and maybe we can meet up for dinner tonight?"

"I'm really tired of eating out," I said.

"I'd offer to cook, but I don't want us to take another trip to the hospital because of accidental poisoning."

I opened my eyes and chuckled. "That bad?"

"Do you really want to find out?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Did I see a pizza place on our shopping adventure two days ago?"

"You did. And we have a bowling alley and even a movie theater now. Might not be the newest releases, but we have a theater," he said.

"It might sound crazy, but it's been ages since I've done any of that. All I seem to do is work," I admitted.

"Then tonight we dress a lot less formally and go out for some fun."

"That sounds great. But just so you know, I'm very competitive. You might want to make sure you get some rest too, because I was in a bowling league when I was younger," I warned.

"Okay. So, we're going to the movies tonight," he laughed.

We pulled into the resort, and he kissed me before I got out of the car. "See you tonight." I waved and went inside.

I was so tired that my feet felt as though they had fifty-pound weights on them. I needed sleep desperately. Maybe tomorrow, with a clear head, I'd be able to think of a way to get Mayson to talk about family. If I didn't, he'd never read the letter, and I might as well toss in it the trash myself.

I promise you Anya. I'm not giving up. Just need a better plan. And right now, I've got nothing.

When I got into my room, I didn't even bother undressing. I lay across the bed, closed my eyes, and passed out.