“I’ll handle Aidan,” Mary said firmly, causing Lexi to grin widely. “I knew I liked you. And you know what? I bet you could, too.”
As Mary prepared the tea, Lexi began her tale. “I’m originally from Pine Ridge, you know. My mom died when I was little from the same blood disease I have. My dad eventually remarried, and, well, let’s just say there was no happy ending there. Long story short, my dad sent me away to live with some aunts down in Georgia. That’s where I met Aidan. If my mother hadn’t died and my father hadn’t remarried, I never would have met him.”
“I guess I can see where that’s a good thing,” Mary admitted, though she was far from convinced.
“I’m not done. Fast forward about ten years. With Aidan’s help I’m able to manage a fairly normal life, and I’ve even realized my dream of becoming a professional chef. Everything’s great, right? Then I get word that my dad died, and I head back to Pine Ridge for the funeral. I took a bus north, and who do you think was also on the same bus? Ian!”
Mary blinked, feeling as though she was missing something.
“I did mention that I had fallen deeply, irrevocably in love with Ian when I was fourteen, right?” Mary shook her head, her eyes wide.
“Oh, well I did. Of course I was just a stupid kid to him then, and I never thought I’d ever see him again, but there he was. He didn’t recognize me, of course – I’d filled out quite a bit by then – but one thing led to another and we kind of hooked-up anyway.”
“So...,” Mary said, trying to follow along, “you’re saying that your father’s death led you back to Ian, and you got your happy ending after all?”
“Not quite. See, Ian didn’t know about my disease, and I didn’t want to tell him for fear that it would change things. I never intended to wind up in the hospital bleeding out and Aidan having to fly up in his private jet with a cooler of meds and a warm body, but that’s what happened.”
Mary leaned forward, caught up in the story now. “So Aidan arrived in time, gave you the transfusion, and then you and Ian had your happily ever after.”
“I’m afraid not. I left Pine Ridge, you see, thinking I would be too much of a burden on Ian. It was only after I got back to Georgia that I realized I was pregnant. Aidan was there for me, every step of the way. He brought in specialists when my regular doctors told me I had to choose between my life and my baby’s. I wasn’t even going to tell Ian after I knew everything would be okay, but Aidan flew up and did it anyway. Boy, was Ian pissed.”
Mary felt like she was caught in a whirlwind. “But you guys obviously worked it out.”
“Eventually, but it took some doing. Ian was too afraid of hurting me, and I was so devastated by the fact that he saw me as nothing more than some fragile shell that I gave up and nearly died. Michael Callaghan, Ian’s brother, is a genius when it comes to biochemical stuff, though, and he came up with this kind of organic chemo and a plan and now I’m kind of normal again. Aidan still helps me out once in a while, but for the most part, I’m gloriously normal. Ian and I worked everything out, got married, and even had a second child. And that, Mary, is my happy ending.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. So you see, all those bad things – my disease, my parents’ deaths, my father’s second marriage, almost dying – are what gave me the things I treasure most – my dream job, my best and closest friend in the world, my soulmate, two beautiful kids, and as close to a cure as I can get.”
Mary’s head was spinning. When she asked Lexi to explain, she’d never expected all that. Lexi definitely had her beat on the life-is-unfair scorecard. “That’s a lot for one person to deal with.”
“Sorry, TMI. I get carried away sometimes. Just consider the possibility that everything that happened – even the really crappy stuff – has brought you to this moment. And maybe, where you are right now is exactly where you were meant to end up all along.”
The sudden appearance of Aidan and Ian saved Mary from responding – something for which she was grateful because she really didn’t know what to say.
“Mmm, Lex, something smells awesome.” His eyes lit up when he saw Mary. “Hey, beautiful. Feeling a little better?”
“Much,” she answered, somewhat bemused by just how comfortable he was in her home. Aidan kissed her cheek and she felt the rush of warmth that came with it. Yep, she was definitely feeling better.
At the sound of Aidan’s voice, Max got up from where he lay next to Mary and demanded a little attention, too. Aidan obliged.
“There’s enough stuff to last a couple of days at least,” Lexi said, rising and grabbing both her and Mary’s mugs. “Mary, Aidan’s proficient with a microwave, but don’t let him anywhere near the stove.”
Aidan shot her a martyred look. “Really? You had to go there?”
Lexi laughed, and it was truly a musical sound. “Yep, I really did. I like Mary. I’d hate to see her wind up with food poisoning.”