"Thank you all so much for coming." I smile and hug aunt Talia while waving at Sam and uncle Tom who are standing behind her.
I'm so glad they all took time out of their busy schedules to be here.

"We wouldn't miss it for the world sugar." Aunt Talia smiles warmly at me.

"Thanks Aunt, this means so much to me really." I smile back making eye contact with Sam who winks at me from behind, causing me laugh softly.

Uncle Tom walks over to me and gives me a pat on the back.

"There's my favorite niece, even though we're not related at all."

"Thanks Uncle, I'm really flattered." I chuckle.

"It's really good to see you all again. I've been too busy with work to have time for anything."

"It's okay dear. We understand, Tomi and Sam are like that too." She rolls her eyes at the both of them and Uncle Tom laughs as he returns to her side and slips an arm around his wife's waist.

They are so adorable ; like mom and dad used to be.

I reach for Tomi's hand and squeeze it before mouthing a thank you and she squeezes back.

"Where's Max?"

"He couldn't make it with us. He'll be around later." She smiles sadly.

"How is Natalie?" Aunt Talia pipes and my face falls, remembering their reason for coming in the first place.

"She's doing well. I'll take you to her. Come on, follow me." I lead them to mom's ward and push open the door as quietly as I can so as not to disturb her.

She is propped up on the bed, her Bible open on her lap and her head bent reading it when the door creaks as I open it.
An awkward but radiant smile breaks out on her face once she notices the people behind me.
Aunt Talia rushes past me to her friend's side and hugs mom but as carefully as she can (I notice) so as not to hurt her.
Uncle Tom joins his wife at the side of the bed before reaching out to stroke mom's hair tenderly.

The stroke somewhat paralyzed the left side of her body and slurred her speech a little I tell them not to pressurize her into speaking much.
That gives Aunt Talia the license to do all the talking. She loves to talk

After Sam and Tomi greet mom and give her the flowers they brought with them, I step aside with Sam to do some catching up.
It's been a while since we're even this close to each other to have a conversation.

"Hey troublemaker." I smirk and punch his arm playfully.

"I'll pretend that was painful, so, ouch." He scrunches up his nose and rubs his arm faking pain.

"So, what are you trying to say? I can't throw a decent punch?" My eyes narrow playfully into slits and almost immediately, I feel Tomi's presence beside me.

"You can't Maya so give it up." She cuts in laughing and Sam joins her.

"Tomi, you're supposed to be my best friend." I wail, moaning the very unfortunate turn of events.

"I see you've grown up, no longer the victim of my tricks. I have Tomi here to do the job for me." Sam says still laughing.

"Tomi's much nicer at it than you were though." I pout which makes them laugh harder and I smile wryly enjoying the scene.

A few seconds later, my phone rings and I excuse myself to take the call.
My heart skips a beat and warmth rushes to my cheeks once I see the call is from Brian.

I swipe the answering button and press the phone to my ear.

"Hey." I grin and fumble shyly with a lock of my hair thanking goodness he can't see me.

"Hi."

"How's your mom doing?"

"She's great. I gave her your flowers and she loved them."

"I'm glad to hear that. I really wish I could be there but I'm away on a work related trip. I'm currently not in the states."

"It's okay. From the little I've been able to tell her about you, she can't wait to see you."

"I would be equally honored to make her acquaintance my lady."

I throw my head back and laugh at his poor mimic of the British accent. "Yeah, you bet she would."

"By the way, Lilly misses you a lot though."

I slap my forehead and gasp remembering the sweet white haired cholie. "Oh my goodness, I am such a horrible friend not to have asked after her."

"Each time we go to the park, she would run to that bench where you sat and whine endlessly to me."
I bite back the giggle that tries to escape my mouth.

"She did that?" I can't believe my ears.

"Yeah, every time."

"Is she with you?"

"Mmnhmn, I take her everywhere."

"Awwn that's so cute." I pout my lips. His throaty laugh erupting through the speaker as I say that, inciting butterflies again in my stomach.

There's a short moment of silence leaving me to brood over the awkwardness of the situation.

"Maybe sometime when I'm free, I could do some face time so you can say hi to her before we return."

"I would love that."

"Sure, okay, I have to go now. Just called to say hi and send my wishes to your mom."

"Thank you."

"Anytime." He stays on the line for a few more seconds before hanging up with a click and I sigh, stuffing the phone back into my jean pocket.

I tuck a stray strand of my hair behind my ear as I turn and head back to meet the others.
Just as I'm about to enter the emergency wing, my eyes land on someone who I think is running toward me.
I stop and squint my eyes to get a better view of him and our eyes meet.
The look on my face is replaced with a smirk and I cross my hands over my chest once I recognize who it is.

Whoa, look who we have here. If it isn't Maximus himself.

He skids to a stop in front of me and smiles as he struggles to regain his composure.

"Maya!" He pants.

"Maximus." I cock an eyebrow at him, my wry smile never leaving my face.

"Why do you insist on calling me that?" He straightens himself and as usual towers far above me.
Now I'm the one looking up.

Why is everyone taller than me?

"Because I like it. You're running away with my best friend so it's the least I could do." I grin cheekily.

"You were calling me that way before you found out we were getting married." It's his turn to cross his arms and smile wryly.

I pretend to be upset and stomp my foot on the ground with a naughty scowl on my face. 
"Old killjoy." At that, we both begin laughing so hard that we forget we were in the emergency wing until a nurse walks up to us tells us to be quiet.
I'm sure that nobody who sees me now would ever think I'm a surgeon.
Sometimes my medical manners really fly out the window. 

"Oh my," I heave. "We need to go, it's almost past visiting hours."

"Yeah, it's about time." I slap his shoulder playfully as we resume our journey to mom's ward which is further down the wing.

"By the way, what were you doing outside. I don't remember telling you I was coming."

"Yeah, I had to take an important call. Oh and thank you for the chocolates." I grin up at him and he flushes.

"It's the least I could do. You needed something to take your mind off some things and I figured chocolate was it."

"Oh yeah. It was." I sigh. There is a short moment of silence and the only sound is coming from our shoes as we walk.

"You're a great guy." He smirks and cocks his eyebrows at me. 

"Really? This is coming from the lady who almost wanted me dead." He chuckles.

"I'm serious." That makes him pause a little and he gives me a strange look. I proceed on, "... and I was stupid not to have realized it earlier."

"Is this because of the chocolates?"

"No. I've actually been thinking about it lately and I'm sorry for treating you the way I did."

"It's okay. I was never upset in the first place." He smiles and I whip my head in his direction.

"You really weren't?"

"Yeah, I mean I knew you would chill out eventually, it was just a matter of time." He shrugs.

"Thanks." I say and he holds out his arm for a hug and I smile slipping my arm round his waist as we hug.

I have a feeling that this is going to be the beginning of a new friendship and I smile as I he squeezes my shoulder.

Yay, this was an early update. Told you guys I'd be better. Vote (because I love that) and tell me what you think in the comments. Oh and don't forget to share too. Bye, I love you.

Chinwe_epistle ❤