Chapter 24

Cass easedto a stop in front of Aunt Wills's house. Rebecca had fallen asleep on the drive back, and Cass was reluctant to wake her. She cut the engine and found herself staring at her wife. Up until now, the day had been positive and fun. Cass could pretend that they were role-playing—a new couple, getting to know each other. Then, with Rebecca's pain, reality set in. She would take Rebecca inside, and Cass would go home. Alone. Her heart broke a little more each minute she was without Rebecca. If Rebecca's memory didn't come back soon, would Cass survive?

"Are we home?" Rebecca asked sleepily.

No."Yeah, you're home. Becca?" Cass knew it was wrong to ask Rebecca for anything while she was under the influence of medication, but she was going to do it anyway.

"Hmm?"

"I, uh, know your follow-up appointment is coming up. I'd like to be there."

Rebecca's eyebrows furrowed in thought. Aunt Wills had mentioned an appointment before, but Rebecca was too sleepy to remember the details.

"I…"

"Hey, you don't have to answer right now." You're an idiot for taking advantage of her state. "I just wanted to put it out there, yeah?"

"Okay." Even through the drowsiness, Rebecca heard the warmth in Cass's voice. "I can call you with the date and time." She frowned again. "I don't have a phone or your number. I'll have Aunt Wills call you."

Cass smiled sadly. Rebecca didn't have a phone because Cass had it. Cass had put it in her pocket the day of the surgery, along with Rebecca's wedding ring. At night, she charges the phone and sends an ‘I love you' text to Rebecca's number while holding the ring tightly in her hand. She'd have to ask Aunt Wills if it was a good idea to give the phone back to Rebecca with everything she was dealing with. The ring? Cass would hold on to that until Rebecca was ready to wear it again.

"It's okay, Becca. I know when it is. I can take you if you'd like."

Unfortunately, Rebecca had nodded off again before she could answer. Cass hopped out of the car and ran to the passenger side. With the gentleness of a woman in love, Cass scooped Rebecca up into her arms and carried her to the house.

Willamena opened the door, worry etched across her face.

"She's okay, Aunt Wills. Just tired from the meds."

"Bring her to the couch. I have the blankets ready for her."

Cass side-eyed Aunt Wills. "You knew we were coming. Did Eve call you?"

"I may have been keeping tabs on you both today. While having half a mimosa at Blaise's shop. And if she tells you anything different, she's a liar."

Keeping tabs."You didn't trust me to take care of her?" Cass settled Rebecca on the couch, freezing when Rebecca stirred. Once she quieted down, Cass covered her with the blanket Willamena handed her.

"That couldn't be further from the truth, Cass. I trust you with my niece more than anyone else in the world. Maybe even myself. We were just curious how things would go with you two."

"We?"

"The gals and I," Willamena confessed. "I think you know my appointment was a ruse today. We wanted to give you and Rebecca some time alone to see if it helped her remember."

"It didn't," Cass said sadly. Deep down, she did know what Aunt Wills and the others were up to. It had all been too perfect. "Thank you, though. I appreciate you trying to help and giving me some much-needed time with her."

"Oh, I disagree. I think it helped. The small… tingly feelings, as Blaise called them? That is a step in the right direction." Willamena hooked a hand around Cass's elbow and pulled her away from the sleeping Rebecca so they could talk more freely. "Ellie said Rebecca was laughing. The only time she does that is when you're around her. Cass, the secondary reason for my slight… manipulation is Rebecca's mental state. Amnesia aside, being cooped up, no friends, no work? That's a recipe for disaster. She went down that road before, and I won't allow that to happen again. We've worked too hard to get her where she is. And I'm including you in that. You found a way to absolve Rebecca of her guilt, and I'll be damned if I let Samantha take up residency in Rebecca's head again."

Cass nodded. "Yeah, I get that. I sure as hell don't want that bit…, um…"

"You can say bitch in front of me," Willamena laughed. "Especially when you're speaking of that sorry excuse of worthless flesh."

Cass raised her brows and pursed her lips. "Tell me how you really feel, Aunt Wills," she teased. "But you're right. Why didn't you just tell me what you had in mind? I would've agreed to anything when it comes to Rebecca."

"I know, but we wanted your reaction — and subsequent invitation — to be genuine. Rebecca is very intuitive, so I had to be very careful with how I arranged this."

"Which included running out of here like your bra was on fire and not giving her a chance to question the validity of your appointment?"

Willamena laughed again, touching her forefinger to her nose. "Bingo."

Cass nodded, a slight smile lingering on her lips. It wasn't that this conversation wasn't entertaining. She always enjoyed talking to Aunt Wills with her quick wit. But as Cass glanced back at Rebecca softly snoring on the couch, she dreaded having to leave and go home alone.

"You can stay," Willamena said quietly, accurately guessing the reason for Cass's somber mood.

"I want to," Cass readily admitted. "But I don't want Rebecca to be uncomfortable. She's still trying to figure all this shit out. The last thing she needs is me hanging around 24/7. I do have one request, though," she continued before Willamena could argue.

"What's that?"

"I asked Rebecca if I could be at her appointment. She agreed, but she's also, uh, under the influence of excellent pain meds. I want to be there, Aunt Wills. I need to know what the results are, and I don't want to sit back and wait. I can't. I'm freakin' going out of my mind already."

"Cass," Willamena laid a calming hand on Cass's arm. "You're more than welcome to be at the appointment. The only person who can say no is Rebecca, and I have a feeling that won't happen. You ground her, Cass. Even now. Today was a good day, and if you don't stay like you want to, at least take that with you."

Cass nodded. As hard as it was to leave Rebecca, she was grateful for today. From now on, she was going to look at this situation as somewhat of a do-over. The way Cass met Rebecca was unconventional, to say the least. And Cass wouldn't change that for the world. But this was her chance to woo Rebecca in a way she deserved to be wooed. Today was a good start if Cass said so herself.

"Oh, uh, I have Rebecca's phone," Cass told Willamena. "S-should I give it to her?"

Willamena watched Rebecca for a moment, tears forming in her eyes. She shook her head and walked Cass silently to the door. It was only then she dared to speak the words swirling in her head.

"Samantha never allowed Rebecca to have a phone. The only phone she was permitted to use was the landline, and Samantha would check the phone bill every month to make sure Rebecca wasn't calling anyone she shouldn't be."

"Like you?" Cass guessed, rage burning in her belly.

"Exactly."

"So, when Rebecca said she didn't have a phone, she meant it. Not that she didn't know where it was."

Willamena nodded. "I'm not sure giving her phone to her now will help or hurt." She blew out a frustrated breath. "Have I mentioned how much I hate that woman who hurt Rebecca?"

"That bitch was no woman," Cass snarled. "But I'm right there with ya." Cass drew in air through her nose, holding it for a moment before letting it out slowly. The pause gave her time to calm her anger. Neither of the women in this room was who she was angry with, so lashing out didn't help anything. "I don't like keeping anything from Rebecca, Aunt Wills."

"I know. Nor do I. But we must make choices based on what's best for Rebecca right now."

"And deal with the consequences later," Cass finished. She kissed Willamena on the cheek. "If you need anything, give me a call. It doesn't matter what time it is."

Cass gave Rebecca one last longing look before she walked out.

"Aunt Wills?"

Willamena looked up from her book and smiled. "There she is. Hello, my sweet girl."

Rebecca rubbed her eyes, yawning and stretching the kinks out. "Where's Cass?"

Oh, that's a good sign, Willamena thought with excitement. "She went home, honey. She wanted to stay," Willamena continued when she saw Rebecca's disappointment. "But thought it was best to let you rest."

"Ugh! I'm getting really sick of that word."

Willamena chuckled. "I'm sure you are. Do you need anything? Food? Drink?"

Rebecca shook her head. "I'm still a little woozy from the meds. Give me a minute to wake up, and I'm sure I can find something for you to do for me."

"I'm sure." Willamena tossed her bookmark at her niece. "Dang it, I need that."

"Too late now." Rebecca stuffed it down the front of her shirt. "That'll teach you to throw things at an invalid."

"You are hardly an invalid," Willamena laughed. "To hear you tell it, you're perfectly fine."

Rebecca stuck her tongue out at her aunt. Despite the banter, Rebecca was discouraged by Cass's absence. She picked at invisible lint on the blanket, trying to remember how she got from the car to the couch. Had Cass carried her again? If so, Rebecca was sorry to have missed it. She'd never experienced anything hotter.

"What's on your mind, Rebecca?" Willamena asked, curious about the pink creeping up Rebecca's cheeks.

Rebecca froze. She should know better than to think such thoughts in front of a professional headshrinker. "Hmm?" Oh sure, play innocent. That'll work.

Willamena hid her grin. Her niece was thinking about Cass, which was the outcome everyone was hoping for today.

"How was your day?" Willamena asked instead of teasing Rebecca. "Did you have a good time?"

The smile that graced Rebecca's face was instant and beaming. "Yes. Cass was…" She hesitated, trying to find the right word for how Cass treated her. "Gentle. And funny and kind. Oh, and so talented." She laid her head back on the pillow, smiling up at the ceiling like a love-sick teenager. "Cass took me to Ellie's diner. Oh my goodness, the food was to die for. Then we went to Blaise's flower shop. Apparently, we're all really close friends. I wish I remembered that because I've never had that…" Rebecca waved that thought away. "Then Cass showed me her work at Sumptor Gallery. Actually, I picked it out myself. I just knew it was hers. I could… feel it. Wait! My flowers!"

Willamena listened closely as Rebecca gushed about her day with Cass. Rebecca had never been giddy as a teenager. Willamena attributed it to losing her parents at an early age and then taking on the weight of the world. Seeing Rebecca like this now warmed Willamena's heart. Could she look at this as Rebecca's second chance to be young? To see life differently? Yes, Samantha still happened in Rebecca's memory, but there was a significant difference between this Rebecca and the Rebecca from two decades ago.

"Cass texted me about the flowers. She found them in the car when she got home. She said she'd bring them to you…" Willamena paused, forgetting she hadn't yet asked Rebecca how she'd feel having Cass at her doctor's appointment.

"Were you going to finish that sentence, or am I supposed to guess when I'm going to see Cass again?"

Willamena raised a brow. "Do you often wonder when you're going to see Cass again?"

"Aunt Wills!" Rebecca whined.

Willamena laughed. "Oh my goodness. The last time I heard you whine like that, you were fifteen and wanted to visit the Berkeley campus."

"But you wanted me to go to NYU, so you kept procrastinating."

"I was not procrastinating. I was giving you time to make a sensible decision."

Rebecca smiled. "And I did. I went to Berkeley," she winked. "Now, can we get back to Cass?"

"You are smitten!"

"Aunt Wills!"

They both enjoyed a spirited laugh. Willamena enjoyed hearing Rebecca's carefree joy. Rebecca enjoyed feeling this free and effortlessly credited Cass for her lightheartedness. Today, Cass showed Rebecca an entirely different world. One where she could be happy. One where Rebecca was an equal and not just a… play toy. One where pain didn't have to be a part of her life.

"Fine, my girl, calm down. I just wanted to mention — or remind you in case you were too sleepy to remember — that Cass wanted to go to your appointment with you." Willamena leaned forward to observe Rebecca's reaction. "Are you okay with that?"

Rebecca's eyebrows creased in thought. "Right. She asked me in the car." She raised her eyes to Willamena's. "When I'm with Cass, I feel… safe. I don't think I've ever felt that before." Rebecca winced. "I didn't mean…"

"Oh, my sweet girl." Willamena offered an understanding smile. "As much as I wish it weren't true, there was always a part of you that was guarded with me. Until Cass came along, that is. And believe me when I tell you I understood. You always carried too much responsibility for things you had no control over."

Rebecca wanted to argue, but Aunt Wills was right. At ten years old, when her parents died, young Rebecca was reserved. She loved her aunt and was grateful Aunt Wills took her in. But, at the same time, Rebecca worried that she'd do something stupid again and lose another person she loved. Then Rebecca met Samantha and was forced to keep Aunt Wills out of her life. Forced and too much of a coward to do anything about it.

"Cass seems to be good at making things better," Rebecca said, focusing on that tidbit from all that Aunt Wills said. "This follow-up. Is it just to get my stitches out?"

Willamena shook her head. "Dr. Lima will discuss the results of the biopsy as well."

Rebecca closed her eyes briefly and nodded. "The tumor. I think I want Cass there. Maybe she'll bring me good luck. Or she can console me if it's bad news."

"Console you, hmm?"

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Don't make it weird."

Willamena snorted. "I made it weird?" She wanted to be there with Rebecca when she heard the results. But she loved Rebecca and Cass enough to step aside and let them bond. "This actually works out great. Cass can take you to your appointment while I go grocery shopping. That girl can eat, and I'm sure she'll be starving when she brings you home."

"Wait, you're not going?"

"I don't want to overwhelm Dr. Lima. It's fine, sweet girl. Cass will be with you, and you can tell me about it when you get home. Unless you want me there."

"I don't want you to think I'm cutting you out again."

Tears welled in Willamena's eyes. "I don't think that. Our relationship is stronger than ever, sweet girl." She got up and went to Rebecca, hugging her gently. "I'll text Cass and let her know she can pick you up to take you to your appointment."

Rebecca's smile lit up the room. "Thank you, Aunt Wills. And since you're being so generous, do you think you could make me a sandwich?"

"Ha! Nope. My generosity has run dry," Willamena teased with a wink. "Turkey?"

"With mayo, cheddar cheese, and one slice of a tomato, please?"

Willamena grinned and kissed the top of Rebecca's head. "Comfort food coming right up."

"Thanks. Oh, hey. When is my appointment?" Rebecca needed to know how long she had to prepare for whatever news she got from the doctor.

"Tomorrow morning," Willamena called out on her way to the kitchen.

"Tomorrow?!"