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MASON

I picked up my phone, and it showed Sylvia’s name on the caller ID. I answered, my voice slightly raspy. I’d just finished my Jell-O cup and set it down before the phone rang. We chatted briefly and agreed she and Jack could visit that evening. After I ended the call, I looked across the room. Connor had an expression of curiosity, but he didn’t ask who’d called.

“That was Sylvia. She and Jack will be here tonight for a visit,” I said, so he didn’t need to ask. I grunted and adjusted myself as best I could to get comfortable as Connor came over. I was tired of lying down, and I’d at least been able to sit upright and even stand for a short time with help. They wouldn’t let me venture out on my own until I had my protective helmet, and that was going to take another week since it was being custom-made.

“That’s great. I can’t wait to meet them,” Connor replied happily. “I’ll be sure to text Eli and let him know. Mom and Kyle planned on having dinner down on the waterfront tonight, so we won’t see them until tomorrow.”

Once I got comfortable, I held my hand up to take Connor’s. He kissed it. He exuded such love and warmth, and I felt so lucky to have him by my side. It was the right moment to tell him how I felt.

I cleared my throat and squeezed his hand. “Connor, I don’t know what I’d have done without you here with me. For you to travel from the university, sit with me, and worry the entire time is almost more than I can comprehend. You’ve taken time away from school, and I’m sure it’s been rough.” Connor looked at me with such care, and I felt my lower lip quiver, but I needed to get it out. “You mean more to me than you know, babe. I love you so much—I have for some time, and I wanted you to know that.” It was my turn to pull his hand to my lips, and I brushed his knuckles with kisses. I heard his breath hitch.

“Oh, Mason,” he began as I saw moisture fill his eyes. “I think I’ve loved you since that night at the bonfire. I’ve tried not to think too hard about what it might mean for us. I-I’ve wanted to tell you I loved you for so long but kept it to myself. It seems everyone else knew how I felt, and it was Eli who pushed me to tell you. When you were in the coma, I told you over and over, every day, and hoped you heard me.”

My throat tightened, and a tear ran down my cheek. Connor swiped it away with his little finger. I didn’t get deeply emotional often, and I think the last time I was overcome with such feelings was when Claudia died, and thoughts of grief consumed me.

These weren’t sad tears, though. They were tears of devotion and the love I felt for the man standing next to me. I didn’t know what our future would look like, but I knew we’d figure it out together. Claudia told me we were meant to be, and now it all made sense.

Connor had given up trying to work on his paper, so he decided to read to me. He started somewhere in a book that sounded familiar, yet I couldn’t place it. Connor hadn’t said what the title was. He just started reading to me. But as soon as I heard him say the names Wesley and Buttercup, I laughed, which my head told me was a mistake as it throbbed.

Connor didn’t say anything but kept on reading, using crazy voices for some of the characters. I wanted to hold up both hands in a ‘timeout’ gesture but couldn’t because of the sling. “Time out!” I exclaimed louder than I’d expected. Connor stopped and just looked at me with a straight face.

“Seriously? You’re reading me The Princess Bride ?” I said, still smiling and holding back my laughter.

“Well, you did say it was one of your favorite movies, if I’m not mistaken,” he replied casually. “When you were in the coma, the doctor said we were supposed to talk to you. I ran out of small talk, so I figured reading would be the best way to fill that void.”

The funny thing was, I vaguely remembered a distant voice telling me the story. It seemed like a dream at the time, but it was quite vivid. Not unlike the conversation I’d had with Claudia that I planned to reveal to everyone tonight.

“My God, Connor. I fucking love you!” I replied. That was just another thoughtful and caring thing the man had done for me, and I thought it was brilliant that he remembered, especially when my fingers were up his ass when I quoted that specific line from it.

That thought suddenly made my dick awaken, and I was a little shocked by it. Not now , I told my brain, thinking sex wouldn’t be the best idea, especially in a hospital room and in my condition. But I wanted nothing more than to cover his body with mine as soon as I was able. My dick was half hard at the thought.

I remembered when I originally said that movie line to Connor—I’d thought of Claudia. We’d watched that movie repeatedly while she battled the later stages of cancer, and quoting the lines helped us forget what she’d been going through. It was our go-to comfort flick, but I hadn’t seen it since she died. Hearing the book read aloud was different, though, a fresh, new perspective, so I asked Connor to continue.

“I love you too, Daddy,” he replied and gave me a wink. He noticed the bulge under the sheet and reached over to grasp it gently. I was embarrassed and rolled my eyes, but he took delight in the sight and licked his lips in response.

I looked at him and said, “Not now,” in a cautionary whisper. He smiled, resumed his storytelling, and I relaxed back into bed to enjoy his reading.

I listened to Connor for a couple of hours. It was early evening, and my dinner arrived on a covered tray. Eli soon strode in, holding fast food bags and a cardboard tray containing large paper cups with lids. The smell of French fries permeated the room within seconds.

Connor stopped reading and took one of the bags from Eli. “Aren’t you going to eat your dinner?” Eli asked as I watched him pull out a paper-wrapped hamburger and bag of fries. Connor didn’t even look at me but giggled as he took a cup and straw from the cardboard tray.

“If you think for one God-damned minute I’m going to eat what’s on this tray with both of you chowing down on those fucking burgers, you’re sorely mistaken,” I said with a huff. “Give me a fucking French fry!” Once I blurted it out, the pain in my head started up again.

Eli stared at me with a stony expression before shifting his attention to Connor. “I think he’s feeling better,” he said as he pushed his chin up, his hands still holding one of the bags of fast food.

“We can give him a break, I think,” Connor said with a mouthful of burger.

Eli walked to where my tray sat, picked it up, and placed it on the small table across the room. He sauntered back with a bag of food. “We figured you might be tired of the stuff they serve you here, so tonight you get a treat,” he said, opening the bag. “Cheeseburger, no onion, extra mayo, fries, and a vanilla shake,” he proclaimed as he laid each item out on my rolling table and unwrapped them for me. He knew me so well.

I shook my head and smiled as he opened packets of ketchup for my fries.

“Thank you,” I said happily. “I see a green Jell-O cup on the tray over there, so make sure I get to keep that.” Eli rolled his eyes, sighed, and handed it to me. Connor giggled again as I clutched it tightly to my chest.

We ate in companionable silence, just enjoying each other’s company. It was a treat, and I hoped I wouldn’t get into too much trouble for enjoying the splurge from my man and my best friend. The burger and a few fries satiated my appetite, but I couldn’t finish the shake, which Connor greedily took care of.

When dinner was over, I asked where my truck was and how they’d worked it out with the contacts in Ellensburg they’d retrieved from my phone. In all honesty, I hadn’t thought about it much. Maybe it was time to give my career a rest and move on to other options. A new beginning, perhaps.

Connor, Eli, and I chatted for some time about how the next few weeks and months would play out according to the doctors. I hadn’t thought about my aftercare, and it concerned me. I didn’t want to interrupt Connor’s final year at EOU any more than he’d already sacrificed, and I didn’t have the proper care facilities in Crescent City for my rehab. I didn’t want to panic, but the dinner in my gut was beginning to make me feel slightly sick.

There was a soft rap at the door that broke our conversation as Jack and Sylvia stepped into the room. Connor and Eli stood to greet them. Eli introduced himself first, and then Connor. As soon as they saw Connor, Sylvia placed her hand over her mouth and looked at Jack. It was either going to be a disaster, as truths were revealed, or things would fall into place while fate played its hand.

Connor seemed confused by her reaction but didn’t question it. Sylvia took his offered hand with both of hers, and I saw her blink back the moisture in her eyes. She then placed her hand against his cheek briefly and told him how handsome he was. Jack shook Connor’s hand and beamed at him. Eli looked at me, confused at how they preened over Connor. That now made complete sense, from the questions at Jack and Sylvia’s last Christmas to Claudia’s declaration to me. They could see her in his eyes.

They drew their attention from him and walked to the bed. Eli helped me sit up so I could swing my legs over the edge. I wasn’t about to try to stand but preferred not to talk lying down.

Sylvia gave me a brief but loving hug and tried her best not to bump my bandaged arm. I then shook Jack’s hand as they asked how I was feeling. I asked the guys to find some extra chairs for them, which they did quickly. When the general questions were answered and pleasantries were exchanged, I made everyone sit so we could talk. I saw Jack and Sylvia watching Connor and exchanging glances.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain the visitation from Claudia, so I turned to my in-laws and asked, “Do you remember last Christmas when I visited you and you asked questions about Connor?”

“Yes, of course, dear,” Sylvia replied, glancing at Connor again. His eyes met hers.

“And then you told me about destiny and meeting people along the way?” She nodded in agreement. “I need to tell you something that happened to me when I was in the coma. I was told my heart stopped, and they had to revive me. I think, during that time…I left my body briefly and saw Claudia.”

The room was silent other than some muffled noise from the hallway. I looked directly at Sylvia when I spoke. “It was more than a dream—it felt real. I was pain-free and elated to see her again. She was beautiful, and those emerald eyes captivated me all over again.” I looked at Connor, and his brow was furrowed. He leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees.

“What did she say to you, Mason?” Jack asked before Sylvia could respond. She had a look of shock that seemed to turn to one of wonder.

“She…she said there was something she needed to tell me that had been kept secret from me,” I replied as I looked at Jack. He then gave me a crooked smile before looking down at the tiled floor.

“Mason, Claudia never…” Sylvia tried to speak.

I interrupted her by lifting a raised palm. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not upset. What she revealed just gave me a clearer understanding…if it’s true. To me, it all fits, but I wanted to give you both the chance to explain. Your visit tonight might clear things up for everyone.”

Jack and Sylvia looked at each other, and then Sylvia looked at Connor, who, along with Eli, seemed confused by the conversation.

“Wait, I don’t understand what’s going on,” Connor said with a lost look. He glanced at me, then flicked his gaze between Jack and Sylvia. “Are you saying you had an out-of-body experience?” he asked, looking back at me.

I kept my voice calm, and without hesitation, I said, “Yes, I believe I did, and I saw Claudia.”

Sylvia spoke before Connor could say anything, “Claudia never told you about her teenage years when you were married, did she?” she asked softly. Sylvia always had the knack of knowing what to ask or say. Again, it was her motherly intuition.

“No, but she never dwelled on the past and always looked to the future, especially for the two of us,” I responded. “But I now know what secret she hid from me.”

Sylvia stood up and slowly paced the room, putting her thoughts together before she spoke. Jack lovingly watched her like he had when I’d visited them last year. Connor looked at me and then Eli, who simply shrugged and raised his brow, not knowing what was going on either.

“It was very difficult, Mason, keeping that from you,” she began. “But it was her story to tell, and she decided not to confide in you, which was unfortunate. The decision to have the child and give up the baby was the right one, though, instead of the alternative,” she said as she walked up to me. “I think you know that’s true, Mason, because look what happened in your life once fate played a part, and you chose the path that led you to a life with Connor.” Her eyes spoke of love, caring, and understanding.

Sylvia placed her hand against my jaw before she sat down again. Jack gave me a sympathetic, thin-lipped smile after he took Sylvia’s hand and placed it on his lap. I looked at Connor, and his confusion was evident. I wasn’t sure how he was going to react to what I was about to say, but hoped it wouldn’t freak him out. Everyone remained quiet, and the silence became unsettling.

I spoke directly to Connor to alleviate his confusion. “When I had my near-death experience, Claudia came to me and revealed her past before we even met in college. At fifteen, she was raped by a boy she was on a date with and became pregnant.” I gestured towards Jack and Sylvia. “With the guidance of her parents, she decided to have the baby but felt it best to give the child up for adoption. The adoption agency was in Portland.”

Connor’s brow pinched, and he tilted his head as he continued to listen.

“That baby was adopted by a family that had a young son already. The father was a police officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty shortly after the baby was adopted.” I stared intently into Connor’s eyes, and I saw him visibly start to shake. Eli placed his hand on Connor’s back.

I motioned for Connor to come to me, which he did. I took his hand and tilted his chin up to look into my eyes. “I believe you were that baby, Connor. I had the pleasure of meeting your family, and it all fits, babe. You have the same emerald-green eyes Claudia had, and that’s what drew me to you. As Sylvia stated, fate brought us together, and I chose to act on that chance meeting two summers ago. I believe it was destined for you to be with me and become an incredible blessing in my life.”

Connor let go of my hands, walked to the other side of my bed, and stood behind me. “So, it was my eye color, and because you remembered your deceased wife?”

Although his question was blunt, I didn’t take offense, but I noticed Sylvia looked at the floor. “Yes, Connor, it was your eye color that took my breath away, but…but once we started talking and when we met again, something shifted.” Connor remained quiet as I heard him lightly rustle the bedding. Even though I couldn’t see him behind me, I knew he was in deep thought and possibly in shock.

I knew he was contemplating everything we’d done together, so I continued but didn’t turn to look at him. “Ever since that night at the bonfire, a fire within me sparked. When we kissed that night, I knew, I just knew my life was about to change. You did that, Connor. You had begun to chip away the armor around my heart. My love for you became an obsession. You’re on my mind every hour of every day, and I thank God and the universe for bringing us together.”

I glanced at Eli and watched him track Connor’s movement back around the bed. It was a significant revelation for my boyfriend, and I prayed it wouldn't overwhelm what we had. I gazed in his direction as he came into my line of sight.

As he stood at the foot of my bed, he looked up and said, “This is a lot…a lot to take in, Mason. You know I love you too, but I’m confused about how that could be true. What does that make me to you if I’m Claudia’s son? Am I your stepson, which would be weird? Where…where do we go from here?” I saw unshed tears in his eyes due to the uncertainty.

“Connor, listen to me,” Sylvia began. “You were adopted by another family, which severs all ties between you and Claudia, your birth mother. There is no familial connection between you and Mason, only the love you share.” As she spoke, Jack walked up next to her and placed his hand on Connor’s shoulder. Connor lowered his head and blew out a deep, hitched, somewhat relieved breath.

Sylvia wiped away a stray tear from Connor’s cheek. “I’m sure you noticed how Jack and I reacted when we met you. Not only do you have the exact eye color Claudia had, but we also see expressions you make that remind us of her.” Connor closed his eyes as she spoke. “That makes us so happy, having had the chance to meet you, Connor, but also to have you as part of our family. Mason deserves you. We all do.” She pulled him into a gentle hug and lightly kissed his cheek. “Jack and I have the grandson we’ve never had the opportunity to meet until now.”

Connor let his head fall onto her shoulders as the three of them embraced. His shoulders shook with light sobs. My throat tightened, and Eli looked wistfully at them with a level of emotion I’d not seen from him before.

When Connor released them, I noticed he was deep in thought. I put my hand out to him, and he walked to me. He stood against the bed with his legs between mine as I sat there, and he kissed me tenderly. I wrapped my good arm around his waist. The news I’d revealed wasn’t an end for us but a beginning for him to know he’d gained a bigger family.

“What are you thinking about, babe?” I asked as I pulled him tight. He took a moment but before he could answer, there was a gentle knock at the door.

We all turned to see Sharon and Kyle enter the room.