Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (33 page)

I was at cradling my beautiful babies, George in my left
arm and Katie in my right as Mason walked in. He stood, regarded the three of
us for a while and his face pained but he shook it off and came over to me,
picked up Katie and settle into the chair beside me “You gonna tell what that
was all about with Greg?” he asked as he placed a tender kiss on Katie’s head.

I snorted “Courtney’s pregnant and Greg called her a slag
and accused her of doing it to trap him” I told him and Mason shook his head in
disgust “Even I know Courtneys not like that” he breathed

“Hi Ava and Mason” Glenda smiled as she walked over to us
“Do you want the good news or the good news?” she laughed and I grinned at her,
knowing what she was going to say “You can take your beautiful little people
home tomorrow” she chuckled as my grin turned into a huge brilliant beam
“Really?” Mason asked and she nodded happily at us “It’s time you were a
family” she informed us and we both stiffened at her words but she didn’t seem
to notice it “Now I know you’re not living together but I recommend you have
somebody around to help you Ava” she fiddled with some equipment and unhooked
Katie from the first one and then did the same to Georges tubes and a sob
escaped my throat as my babies were now utterly tube and wire free, both
independent in their bodily functions.

Mason grinned at me, his beautiful face displaying every
single inch of his happiness and gave them both a kiss “Well done peanuts” he
chuckled, very proud of his clever children. “They’ll be stopping with me” he
informed Glenda and I spluttered “Mason, I really don’t think that’s a good
idea” I grumbled but he just glared at me “I think it’s a wonderful idea” Glenda
exclaimed.
Yes you would!!

 
Mason nodded at
her and she winked at him. I grumbled “Mason, all their things are at the
cottage, you have nothing at yours and I’m sure I’ll manage them on my own” I argued
but he shook his head and ignored me “Daddy will get someone to move your
things” he told Katie and kissed her again “Mason…” I warned as I felt my
control spiralling away from me “No arguments Ava, you are coming home with me.
That way I get to help you and I get to spend time with them before…” he
stopped, refusing to let the words out of his mouth.

I sighed in resignation “Fine but I sleep in the spare
room” I told him, he snapped his face round to mine and narrowed his eyes on
me. I held my gaze on him, refusing to give in but he just turned away and I
rolled my eyes, knowing I would have a struggle on my hands for the next couple
of weeks as he placed Katie back in her crib and pulled out his phone and
started arranging for someone to transfer the babies and my things over to
Masons house.

We pulled up outside Mason’s house, the babies strapped
in their car seats in the back and Mason grabbed my hand “Welcome home baby” he
grinned “Mason…” I warned but he shrugged me off and turned to Katie and George
“Home peanuts” he declared and climbed out, pulling his seat forward so he
could remove George from the rear.

The front door to the house opened and Kerrie stood in
the doorway with a huge smile on her face “Hey Mummy and Daddy” she chuckled as
she walked towards us. I hugged her tight “You look better” I said happily and
she nodded “They decided that I don’t need any more chemo” she smiled cheerily
“I’ve just got to wait and see if they need to do radiotherapy” she declared
and went to take George from Mason as he took hold of Katie. I grinned and
hugged her again “That’s great. You were really rough when I stopped with you”
I said sadly and she nodded “Ava, I never thanked you for that” she said
embarrassed “Hey, you don’t need to thank me” I told her and Mason gazed at us,
his brow furrowed and I glared at him “Someone had to help her through it while
you pissed off to America and forgot about everyone” I snapped and he scowled
“She saved my life Mason” Kerrie told him and I shrugged it off “Don’t be silly
Kerrie, I just helped” I brushed her off as we entered the house “Well it felt
like you saved my life, I dunno how I’d have managed without you. That was the
worst reaction yet” she shuddered.

There were banners and balloons, flowers and streamers
everywhere and I smiled and turned to Mason who shrugged shyly and I chuckled
“Drink?” he disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of
champagne and three flutes. Kerrie clapped and Mason popped the cork and poured
us each a glass “To my amazing children and their beautiful mother” Mason
toasted and I scowled at him but clinked glasses with him and Kerrie.

Kerrie left early evening when we had settled the babies
in and Mason called for a take-away as I laid Katie and George into their cribs
in the spare room. I was amazed at how fast he had achieved the move; the spare
room had been cleared of its furniture and all the babies’ things were now
filling the room.

 
I kissed them both
on the head and quietly shut their door to. Mason was stood on the landing and
took hold of my hand and led me into the large bathroom where he had preceded
to fill the large bath with lots of soft bubbles and there were dozens of
candles lit, bathing the room in a soft glow.

 
He kissed me on
the forehead, smiled softly and left the room, shutting the door gently behind
him. A glass of champagne and some strawberries were on the shelf beside the
bath. My mouth hung open and my heart swelled and cracked a little at his
loving act.

I sighed contentedly as I slipped into the hot water and
took a sip of wine then rested my head back on the rim of the bath…heaven!!! My
body relaxed instantly and my mind calmed as I breathed in the relaxing scent
of the candles.

“Baby” Mason whispered and my eyes fluttered open as soft
fingers brushed down my face “Mmmm” I murmured and he chuckled softly as I
stretched out in the bath “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep” I sighed “Food’s
here baby” he swallowed and turned away as my stretch had displayed my breasts
above the foam of the bubbles. I saw his shoulders heave in a deep breath
“Okay, I’ll be down in a minute” I said and he nodded and left me to dress. I
towel dried and put on my robe and followed the delicious smell into the
lounge.

Mason had placed the take-away containers and two plates
on the coffee table and soft music was playing through the speakers.
Shit!!

I smiled at him and sat on the other end of the couch,
away from temptation. He scowled to himself and piled the food on to the plates
and handed me mine. We made comfortable conversation while we ate and I was
secretly smiling to myself as every now and then I would catch him stealthily
nudging closer inch by inch until eventually he was sat beside me.

He leaned forward and picked the bottle of wine off the
table and filled my glass “Are you trying to get me drunk?” I smirked and he
chuckled “Baby, I don’t need to get you drunk” I raised my eyebrows at him
“Really?” I scoffed and he gave me that damn lazy grin of his, the one that lit
my core intensely and surged blood to my groin. I coughed slightly and looked
away “I have something to say” I swallowed and Mason regarded me sceptically
“Am I gonna like it or do I need to be stood at the other side of the room
before you tell me?” he bit his lip harshly “I’m not sure” I cringed “Okay, hit
me” he braced himself and I rolled my eyes but turned towards him, slipping an
ankle under my knee

“I’ve decided to wait three months before I move out to
Portugal” I said bluntly and his eyes shot to mine, a glimmer of hope and
relief flashed across them but I held up a finger “I love you Mason, so much
but we’re a mess together” he tried to butt in but I held my finger to his lips
“Please Mason…let me finish” I pleaded and he exhaled and nodded “Okay” he
turned further towards me and he was having serious trouble hiding his grin
“Don’t get too cocky” I told him and he frowned “I want us to work but I wanna
do things properly” he nodded rapidly and I couldn’t help but melt at his
eagerness but I swallowed and carried on “We can’t put the babies through our
fuck up of a relationship, they don’t need our arguing and the devastation we
trail behind us” I took hold of his hand “You have three months to get off the
coke” I warned him and he gripped my hand tighter

 
“Baby, I would
stop fucking breathing for you, you know that” he declared and I nodded “I mean
it Mason, you touch the stuff even once and I’m gone. I won’t let you do that
to Katie and George. You’re their father and I need you to be their father” I
smiled as he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it gently “Oh baby, I
promise I won’t let you down…I promise Ava” he cupped my face “Even when we row
and I do something you don’t like Mason, no coke at all” I warned and he nodded
“Okay” and then I sighed “One more thing” he glanced at me as he took a sip of
his wine

“No sex!” I said frankly and he spluttered his wine back
into his glass “No sex, I need to go slow Mason. Our whole relationship is
built on our intense passion Mason and its explosive, we need to simmer down”
his eyes were huge and I was dying to laugh but I had to hold on to this, I
needed to do this. I knew it would be hard for us but I hoped it would help.

“Baby, do you honestly think you can keep your hands off
me for three months?” he smirked and I smirked back “I have toys Mason…do you?”
I smiled coyly as his jaw dropped “No Ava! That is so not fair” he argued and I
bit my lip to hold back my laughter “Oh I’m deadly serious Mason. If you want
this then you’ll do what I’m asking” he stared at me “But can I kiss you?” he
asked on a puff of breath.

I smiled softly and kneeled up, framing his face with my
hands. I leant forward and brushed my lips over his “Yes” I whispered as I took
control and covered his mouth with mine, kissing him long and slow, giving him
all my love in that single kiss. His hands slipped into my hair and he pulled
me closer to him and I straddled his knee, my robe hung open. He moaned as the
kiss grew more demanding and I nibbled on his lower lip and brushed my mouth
down his warm neck “Oh Ava” he breathed as his hand came to rest on my bare
thigh. I planted little kisses on my way up to his lips and my hands gripped
his hair, tugging fiercely as my blood pounded into every part of my body, my
arousal surged to a dangerous level and I knew I had to pull away soon. I could
feel his fingers trailing upwards and I moaned against his mouth, he replied
with a low rumble in his throat “No” I whispered against his mouth “I need you
Ava” he rasped as he nibbled on my neck and then slowly and delicately sunk his
teeth into me. Oh he was crafty; he knew damn well what that did to me!!

I groaned loudly and pulled back, calling on every bit of
determination I had “No Mason” I breathed and he groaned and held his head in
his hands “Baby” he grabbed my hand and placed it over his hard erection. I
snatched it back and stood up “If you’re not going to play fair then I won’t
play at all” I scowled and he held his hands up “Okay, okay” he sighed and
patted his lap for me to sit down. I shook my head slightly and smiled at him
and then deposited myself heavily on his knee. He puffed out a large breath “Jesus”
he mocked and I slapped his arm “Cheeky” I scowled and he nuzzled into my neck
“I’m only messing baby, you’re perfect” he kissed his way up my neck and took
my mouth again “Thank you” he whispered against my lips and I smiled “I’m doing
this for me as well as you Mason. I need you but I need you clean” I told him
as I took his fingers and placed them against my lips and kissed the pad on
each one “I love you so much Ava” he breathed as he stroked his thumb across my
lip “And me, you Mason, sometimes too much” and then the wailing began!!

The next six weeks passed in a blur of tears, milk, nappies
and vomit but we loved every single minute. We had developed a routine and both
knew what was needed of each other. Mason helped as much as he could around
work and he came home happy and grinning every night and my heart was slowly
but definitely warming again. Courtney had decided to keep her baby but her and
Greg hadn’t rekindled their relationship. I think he had hurt Courtney too much
with his words and I got the feeling he was regretful and miserable but I kept
out of it, I had had my say and now it was up to them. Greg didn’t hold a
grudge over the punch and I respected him more for it.

 
I was at drinking
coffee with Courtney as the babies had their afternoon nap when Mason charged
through the door and sprinted into the kitchen “Courtney…” he panted and our
heads shot round at the panicked tone of Masons voice “It’s Greg…he’s in
hospital” he exclaimed and we both shot up “Which one?” I asked hurriedly
“Royal” he told me as I snatched up my bag and ushered her to the front door
and gave her the car keys “Get in the car and wait for me” I ordered and she
nodded and raced off.

“What happened?” I turned to Mason who was still puffing
on his knees and I realised how seriously out of shape he was or it was the
coke withdrawal “Some bastard stabbed him” he eyed me and I could see the need
for revenge in them as well as the pain and worry for his friend “Is it bad?” I
asked slowly and he held my eyes and nodded before closing his eyes with a sigh
“
SHIT!!!
Who did it?
”
I asked but he shook his head. He was
hiding something, I could tell from the look in his eyes

“You okay with the babies?” I asked and he nodded but I
could see the turmoil in his expression. I calmly walked over to him and cupped
his face “If you need…if you need anything please phone Kerrie to babysit and
come and find me” I pleaded and he took a breath and nodded “I mean it Mason,
you come to me, okay?” he nodded again, more firmly “I promise baby. Now go!”
he urged and I kissed him quickly and dashed out of the house to my friend who
would need me more than anything now.