Chapter 11

Two weeks had passedsince Rebecca found out she had a brain tumor. Though she decided fairly early to have the surgery, the wait for the actual day was excruciatingly slow despite being busy. She had to do so many damn tests that she was ready to reach into her brain and rip the "fucker" as Cassidy called it out herself.

Between blood tests, ECGs, X-rays, and echocardiograms, Rebecca was over the whole thing. However, surgery day was finally here, and Rebecca was… scared. She suddenly found herself wanting to go back two weeks and endure all the tests over again.

"Hey, baby."

Cass sidled up behind Rebecca in the bathroom, embracing her and kissing her neck. She felt Rebecca's pulse beneath her lips and knew Rebecca was as nervous as she was. But Cass was determined to stay calm for Rebecca's sake. Or at least act calm. Was that going against their pact of not keeping things from each other? Cass's executive decision was no. Sometimes, it was better to just stay quiet.

"Are you ready to go?"

Rebecca leaned into Cassidy and sighed. "Would you think less of me if I said no?"

Cass turned Rebecca until they were face to face. "No. If you're not ready, I can call and reschedule, Becca."

Oh, she thought about it. It was on the tip of her tongue to say yes, but she didn't. "We can't keep wondering, baby. If it's malignant, it's best to get it out now. Even if it's benign, the headaches and nightmares are still there. I just want this over with. But promise me something, please?"

Cass held her breath as she nodded. God, she didn't want to hear Rebecca talking about dying. That's not the energy Cass wished to put forth today.

"After all this is done, promise we can ask Eve and Lainey to use their private island. I want to get away, lay on the beach, drink mai tais, listen to the waves with you lying next to me, and not think of one damn thing while we're there."

"Sounds like a dream, babe. I'm in. But, uh… I don't know how to make a mai tai. If you want a pina colada, I got you covered."

Rebecca chuckled. "I don't care what I'm drinking as long as you're with me."

"And then we'll make love in a hammock. I've always wanted to try that," Cass said as she guided Rebecca out of the bathroom. She picked up a duffel bag with some essentials Rebecca would need at the hospital. With luck, Rebecca would only be there for two days. Three at the most. Of course, Cass was hoping for the former. She wouldn't be leaving Rebecca's side, but a hospital chair isn't as comfortable as their bed.

"The way we make love? That hammock would be swinging upside down." Rebecca knew Cassidy was trying to distract her, and Rebecca loved her for that.

"Heh, yeah, it would," Cass smirked. "What a fucking ride it would be." They were downstairs and at the front door when Cass felt Rebecca hesitate. She kneeled and helped Rebecca put on her shoes. "I bet there's a pool. And a jacuzzi. Lainey sets these places up like a boss." She stood and took Rebecca's chin in her hand. "Pina coladas, sun, and fun, babe. You keep that with you today."

"I wish you could be with me."

"Me, too. Believe me. But look," Cass pulled out Rebecca's wedding ring that was on a chain around Cass's neck. Rebecca couldn't wear it during surgery and didn't want to risk losing it by taking it off at the hospital. "I have you right here with me. Hunter said she'd be in the OR with you. You got this, yeah?"

"Yeah." She stretched up and kissed Cassidy deeply. "I'm ready," she announced once the kiss ended.

I'm not, Cass answered silently. Outwardly, she smiled brightly and opened the door. We just have to get through a few hours.

"You'll stayin there with her the whole time?" Cass had yet to release Rebecca's hand even though they were about to wheel her away. The surgical team had already come in to introduce themselves and get Rebecca prepared. By then, things got very real for Cass.

"The whole time," Hunter reassured. "Dr. Lima is the best at this, Cass. I know you're feeling nervous after reviewing the paperwork and the possible complications, but we'll take good care of your girl."

"Her girl is lying right here," Rebecca said softly, reminding them that she hated being talked about like she wasn't in the room.

"Sorry, Becca," Hunter smiled. She stood aside when the circulating technician came in to get Rebecca. "Cass, it's time."

Cass gritted her teeth to keep from crying. She leaned down and kissed Rebecca gently on the lips. "You go in there and crack the whip," she whispered. "I'll be here waiting for you when you get out, okay?"

Rebecca nodded, unable to keep the tears at bay. They said their "I love yous," and Rebecca was wheeled away with Cass holding on to her fingertips as long as she could. She took a deep breath, gathering the strength she would need for the next three to five hours.

"Hunt?" Hunter stopped and turned to Cass. "You bring her back to me."

Hunter nodded. As a former trauma surgeon, she knew better than to promise anything. Too many things could go wrong. Especially when dealing with the brain. Still, she patted Cass on the shoulder and did just that before following Rebecca to the operating room.

"I'm goingto get some coffee in the cafeteria," Ellie announced. She had joined Cass in the waiting room thirty minutes after they took Rebecca. They were now an hour in, and Cass was pacing like a caged lion.

"Nah, uh, no. Thank you, though." Cass stopped pacing for a second. "Ellie?"

Ellie looked back, her eyebrows raised in question. "Change your mind?"

Cass shook her head. "I just wanted to thank you for being here. You know Rebecca didn't want anyone to know about this, so having your support helps a lot." She looked at her watch. An hour and five minutes in. Why was time going by so fucking slow? "Aunt Wills texted that she was on her way, so you'll have someone to help you with…" She gestured at herself. "This."

Because she suspected Cass needed it, Ellie came back and hugged her. "I'm not going for coffee because I can't handle you, Cass. I'm going because I'm nervous, and doing something as mundane as walking to the cafeteria helps me center myself."

Cass smiled. "I love that you're always honest with your feelings. It makes me less… scared to have my own. G'wan, and get your coffee. I'll keep the floor occupied until you get back."

Ellie patted Cass's cheek. "You'd think they'd learn to put treadmills in waiting rooms," she winked and took off for that bit of centering.

Cass resumed her pacing, looking at her watch every thirty seconds. That wasn't helping matters much. She tried waiting a little longer between each time check, but the farthest she got was another five seconds. She shook her arm as though that would make the time go faster.

"Cass?"

Cass spun around and frowned. "H-hey. What are you doing here?" Did Ellie or Aunt Wills call them? Oh, Rebecca wasn't going to be happy about this.

Eve raised a brow. "Jules pinged your phone here. You're not answering calls or texts."

Cass recalled seeing a text notification from Eve when they were taking Rebecca back but had forgotten to check it once she got to the waiting room.

"Sorry, I've been, uh, preoccupied. Was it important?"

Eve nodded. "I have news about this Buck McEnroe person."

Cass's brows furrowed in confusion. "Who?"

Eve glanced at Lainey, who was studying Cass intently. "Buck McEnroe," she repeated. "The person Rebecca…"

"Oh!" Cass interrupted. "The dude that was a douchecanoe to Rebecca." She shook her head. "I forgot all about him. It's been… kinda crazy lately. Um, I guess since you tracked me down, you have info. But can it wait?"

"That depends," Lainey said as she eyed Cass, noting the worry on her face. "Something's wrong. Where is Rebecca?" Cass didn't answer, but a quick look at the corridor leading to the surgical unit answered for her. "There's something you should see, Cass. And then maybe you could tell us what's going on."

Lainey took the tablet from Eve, who was growing more concerned by the minute. Lainey turned the screen to Cass and pressed play.

"Here is the warehouse Rebecca went to," Lainey explained. "In a second, you will see Rebecca pull up." As promised, Rebecca's car pulled into the vacant parking lot. She exited the car and walked up a couple of stairs to get to the door. Rebecca knocks, tries the doorknob, then shakes her head and returns to her car.

"As you can see," Eve took over. "No one was there. In fact, no one has been there for more than five years. It's abandoned. What happens next is what worries me."

Lainey continued the video. Rebecca gets to her car and stops. Cass could see her sway a bit before getting in.

"She sits there for forty-five minutes, Cass. The camera is too far away to see if she's on the phone or not, but according to Jules, it wasn't with anyone named Buck McEnroe. He doesn't exist. The company doesn't exist. At least not the one Rebecca described. Now, what's going on?"

Cass scrubbed her face, then ran her hands through her hair. Was this related to the tumor?

"Oh good!" Willamena walked into the waiting room with a strained smile. "You called in reinforcements. I'm sorry, Cass, I tried to get here earlier." She kissed Cass on the cheek and greeted Eve and Lainey amicably. "But I'm glad you have someone with you. Is Ellie here?"

Cass's brain took a moment to catch up. "Uh. Ellie is getting coffee. And…"

"And Eve and Lainey have no clue what's going on," Eve said stoically.

Lainey stepped between Eve and the others. "What Eve means is we just got here. We tracked down Cass to talk about another matter. However, it seems we've walked into something bigger. Did something happen to Rebecca?"

Willamena glanced at Cass apologetically. When Cass said nothing, Willamena took it as loyalty to Rebecca. She knew her niece. Having people know she was… impaired in any way dug into her confidence. A confidence she had spent years building after Samantha. However, Cass was now a part of Willamena's family, and she could use the support. They both could.

"Rebecca is having surgery at this moment," Willamena said finally. "To remove a brain tumor."

"Oh my god." Lainey reached for Cass's hand. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. She's going to be fine," Cass said with conviction.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Eve asked angrily. "She's our friend."

"And she's my wife." Cass stood tall, using her height as an intimidation tactic. She would probably look back at this and laugh one day, remembering how she seriously thought she, Cass Giles, could intimidate Eve Sumptor. "Rebecca asked me not to say anything, and I will always do what she asks of me. I'm sure you understand that."

Lainey felt Eve bristle behind her and turned to give her a look. That was all it took for Eve to stand down.

"Please forgive Eve. She gets a little… intense when she's worried. Look, I get it. I didn't want anyone to know what we were going through when Eve was being framed. But I am eternally grateful that you all were there for me. I don't think I would have survived otherwise. Technically, you're off the hook. You didn't tell us. However, I think Rebecca would understand better than anyone that we're family and need to lean on each other. So, you can stop with the aggressive posture. We know you're tall and strong. Believe me, I've heard it many times during girls' night."

Cass blew out a breath, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I don't know why everyone thinks Eve is the intimidating one."

Eve couldn't help but laugh. "That's what I've been saying!" She noticed Willamena watching the exchange closely. Always the shrink. Then again, Eve Sumptor was always Eve Sumptor. "I could have specialists here by the end of the day if needed. Who is Rebecca's surgeon?"

"Dr. Lima," Cass answered. Now, she wondered why they didn't utilize Eve's expansive resources. Of course, Cass trusted Hunter's opinion, and that meant she trusted Lima.

"Alita," Eve nodded. "You have one of the best, then."

Lainey smiled at Cass's confusion. "Eve is on the board here at the hospital."

"Right. Should have known," Cass grinned. She looked at her watch. One good thing about having friends around was the time went by a little faster. Fifteen minutes had passed. "Well, I'm going to get back to pacing. Uh, thanks for being here."

Willamena, Lainey, and Eve watched Cass pace and mutter to herself.

"Coping mechanism," Willamena said. "Let's leave her to it."

"Shrink," Eve muttered, receiving a light smack from her wife.

"I think I'll call Blaise," Lainey announced. She saw Cass stop in her tracks and look over at her. "Don't worry, you're still off the hook. I'll tell Rebecca it was all my doing."

"I already called her." Ellie came in with handfuls of coffee and snacks. "I saw the two of you coming in," she explained. "If Blaise knew everyone was here and left her out, I'd never hear the end of it." She held out the cup carrier with an offering. "The one on the right top is black coffee for Eve. Below that is tea for you, Lainey."

"Thank you," Lainey took the cups Ellie indicated, handing one to Eve, then turning back to Ellie. "Let me help you with that."

"Ah, ah. This is what I do. And I'm very good at it. Aunt Wills, this is an oat milk latte with agave for you."

"You are a saint!" Willamena took the cup and sipped from it carefully. "Perfect."

Ellie went to Cass. "Cass? I know you said you didn't want anything, but I brought you some chocolate milk and a protein bar. You have at least another two hours of waiting. Keep your energy up."

"Yes, ma'am," Cass murmured a thank you and took her nourishment to a corner where she could be alone. She loved that her friends were there for her, but Cass just needed a minute to herself. Rebecca was going to be pissed at her. Yeah, Lainey was right. Cass technically didn't blab, but technicalities didn't count. It was okay, though. A mad Rebecca meant she was fine. Cass could live with that.