Page 14 of Daddy's Intern

He and his brothers are going to play golf, something that I find mind-numbingly boring, but the men enjoy it. As long as I don’t have to watch, I’m beyond happy.

I press a kiss against his lips as we say goodbye. He’s given me his driver, Harvey, to take me to the assisted care home where my mom’s staying. It’s been a few days since I saw her last, and each time I go to her, it’s harder and harder. She never recognizes me anymore, and it’s beyond devastating for me. She’s my mom, she’s the only family I have left, and she doesn’t even know who I am.

I climb into the car and wave goodbye to Tate. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I have an appointment with the doctor after I’ve visited mom. Last week, I went to have my check-up, also noting that I’d been feeling off recently, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what exactly I felt off about, but there was something. I had blood work done, and I’m going in today to get the results. I’m just hoping it’s just procedure and nothing serious.

The ride to my mom doesn’t take long. “Thank you so much, Harvey, shall I call you when I’m finished?”

The older gentleman smiles at me. “No, Ma’am, I have a book to read, I’ll be waiting for you.”

My eyes widen at his words. “A book? What genre?”

His smile brightens. “It’s a thriller, you can have it once I’m finished.”

“That would be great, thank you, Harvey. I also have a stack of thrillers and suspense that I’m finished with, I’ll give them to you later, if that’s okay?”

The older gentlemen’s eyes soften. “That would be splendid, Ma’am.”

God, he speaks so proper. “Excellent,” I breathe, knowing that they’re going to good use, once Harvey has finished, I’ll be dropping them off at the hospital for patients to read. “And, Harvey, please call me, Anna.”

He inclines his head. “Have a good visit with your mom, Anna, I’ll be waiting right here. Take your time. I’m in no rush.”

He’s sweet. “Thank you. Enjoy your book.” I climb out of the vehicle and make my way into the care home.

“Ms. Anna-Beth,” Franny greets me with a smile. “You’ve come on the right day,’“ she tells me. She’s one of the carers here at the home. She’s been working here for years. She’s a sweet lady that always has a bright smile for everyone.

I smile back. “Great, I hope you’re having a wonderful day,” I say as I continue to move through the building and toward my mom’s room.

“Ah, Anna-Beth,” my mom says as I walk through the door.

My heart stutters at her words. It’s been such a long time since she’s remembered me. “Mom,” I whisper. “How are you?”

Her smile is bright and vivid. “All the better for seeing my favorite person in the world. I was telling Mrs. Kristen about you. She doesn’t get visits from her daughter anymore. I told her that my Anna-Beth would never do that. And here you are.”

I blink back the tears at how animated she is and how alert she seems.

I take a seat beside her and enjoy this moment. I know that she’s lucid, but I have no idea how long she’ll be this way or if she’ll ever be this way again.

We spend the entire day talking about our lives. I kind of tell her about Tate, without mentioning his name. She smiles as she listens to me speak about him.

It’s hours later, and she’s lying in her bed, her eyes heavy, but she’s still got that bright smile on her face. I don’t think I can recall a time when she was this happy. It’s been years, my heart’s practically bursting with joy at seeing it.

“My beautiful girl,” she whispers, she’s getting tired now, and it’s time for me to leave. I hate that I have to, I don’t want to. I know that if I do leave, it will never be like this again. I have that sickening feeling in my gut that this was just a once-off.

Her frail hand reaches out for me, and she gently touches my cheek. “I’m so proud of you, my darling. So proud of who you are. You’re amazing, and I’m so happy that you’re in love.”

I blink hard at her words. “What?” I whisper harshly. I never said that.

She laughs. “Anna-Beth, it’s written all over your face whenever you think or talk about your man. You’re so in love you can’t see straight.”

Oh my God. She’s right. I love Tate. Holy shit. When did that happen?

“Be happy, my beautiful girl. Never forget how much I love you.”

I press a kiss on her weathered cheek. “I love you, Mom, so very much.”

She smiles at me. “And I love you.”

By the time I’m walking out of her room, she’s fast asleep. She’s had a busy day.

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