Thank you all for your kind reviews and constant support.
I gave our leading ladies a day off, this chapter is dedicated to the supporting characters. I hope you still enjoy it.
28.
"What the heck happened to you?"
The sight of Yvonne, sitting in a wheelchair next to the fireplace, wasn't exactly what Groot expected when she entered the cozy living room in Miranda's home. The editor had called her earlier, briefly explaining the greatly improved situation with Andy and had also asked her to go the house to keep Cassidy and Caroline company. There was the promise of a tasty dinner and some wonderful, life changing news. What Miranda failed to mention, was the reason why the Hamptons visit was cut short. Groot assumed it had something to do with Yvonne's doctor duties. It had happened before, and she braced herself to deal with the grumpy, disappointed twins. To her surprise the girls didn't seem upset in the least. They were deeply occupied with drawing colorful motifs on the doctor's cast covered leg. Yvonne looked up and pursed her lips, almost Miranda like. Almost.
"I fell…Duh."
"Fell? From where?"
"From a huuuuuuge tree." Yvonne whispered, bewildered.
"A tree? Seriously, Yvonne. What were you thinking?"
The doctor shrugged then she started to sing happily "Carmen and Yvonne sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
"I see." Groot narrowed her eyes and glanced at the girls who never stopped working on the cast. They were either completely ignoring the conversation going on around them, or quite the opposite, they were all ears. Many times in the past, the little rascals surprised her with their efficient observation and intel collecting skills. She learnt that one could never be careful enough with the twins around. She pulled a chair closer to the fire and sat down.
"So, dudettes. How was the Hamptons?"
Cassidy grinned and chanced a quick look with Caroline.
"It was great. Until Auntie Y decided to rescue a dead cat from the top of a tree."
"A dead cat?"
"It wasn't actually dead. Or a cat per se." an unfamiliar voice chipped in and Groot jumped up when she recognized the newcomer stepping in the room. Adriana Wallace.
"Aha." said Groot. "What am I missing?" she inquired when Cassidy started to giggle. Soon Caroline joined, followed by Adriana. Yvonne was still singing the silly kissing song or rather she was repeating the first line over and over again. Whatever drugs she was given in the hospital clearly worked well.
"It was an owl made of clay. For some unknown reason the good doctor firmly believed that it was in a need of a rescue." Adriana winked at the girls and patted Yvonne's shoulder affectionately. She caught a disapproval scowl on Groot's face and added apologetically. "It wasn't this funny at that time, I swear. We are just relieved that at the end it was a lucky fall. Yvonne only strained her ankle, no break, although we had assumed the worst."
Groot's expression did not soften. She kept starring at Adriana. The other woman started to feel like a bug under a researcher's microscope.
"Popcorn time." Caroline declared out of nowhere and rushed out of the door.
"What she said." exclaimed Cassidy and run after her sister.
Yvonne dozed off, leaving Groot and Adriana in a sudden and somewhat uncomfortable silence. Groot was astonished. Being in the same room with Adriana Wallace threw her out of balance. Adriana was a world famous sculptor and potter. She was known for her detailed, realistic sculptures and vivid unusual color combinations. Groot was 14 when she first saw Adriana's works in a gallery in New York and instantly fell in love with her art. Her friends and Sarah often teased her, calling Adriana her celebrity crush and Groot just smiled and took the teasing kindly. After her wife's death the world almost ended for Groot too. Miranda and Yvonne tried everything possible to pull her out of the deep, dark hole she buried herself in, but at the end it was Adriana Wallace's art that helped her through her mourning. She spent hours in the Solace gallery, taking great comfort from the colors and shapes. Soon enough the place became Groot's safe harbor, providing what she needed most. Peace and solace. Despite spending lots of time in the gallery, strangely enough she never met Adriana and that sat well for Groot. She feared that the perfect image she created would crash if Adriana herself was not every bit of what her art suggested. Now Adriana was standing right in front of her and Groot was overwhelmed by her beauty and grace.
"Is there a problem?" Adriana asked quietly. "You're starring." she added. She kept her voice low, she didn't want to disturb the doctor's slumber.
Groot shook her head.
"I apologize. Making you uncomfortable was not my intention." She couldn't help but grimace when she noticed that Adriana's hand was still resting on Yvonne's shoulder. Adriana didn't miss the look. She withdrew her hand and held it out.
"I don't think we have been introduced. I'm Adriana. Adriana Wallace.
Groot slowly took the offered hand and blushed hard at the contact.
"I…she cleared her throat "I know"
"And you are?"
Groot winced. She was so lost in the sensation of meeting her idol that she forgot all her manners. She wondered what Adriana must have thought of her. "She probably thinks you are a world class dumbass." she scolded herself mutely.
"Groot." She muttered.
"Pardon me?"
"Groot."
"Sorry what?"
"Groot. I am Groot."
As soon as the words were out Groot realized her mistake. The mischievous glint in the older woman's eyes was a definite affirmation of the set up. Groot rolled her eyes and cracked a half smile.
"But you already knew that, didn't you."
Adriana laughed quietly. "I hoped for an opportunity to pull that off. And I made you smile, so it was worth the effort."
Groot was uncertain, how to take that comment. Sure she smiled. Often. Or sometimes. But she definitely smiled. She must have said that out loud because Adriana shook her head.
"No. You don't smile."
"I don't?"
"According to the girls, no, you don't." answered Adriana. She didn't know how Groot would react, she didn't appear as a person who liked to be talked about. The twins mentioned her many times and the way they described their beloved auntie Groot filled Adriana's heart with tenderness toward the woman she had never met before. In person, Groot was exactly what she imagined. The strong, silent type. She oozed confidence but not in the arrogant, cocky way Adriana hated and had unfortunately experienced with many before. She was ruggedly handsome, well built and the artist in Adriana itched to sculpt her.
"And the girls are right. You don't smile. Not anymore." Yvonne tried to suppress a yawn.
"Boy, these pills are dangerous." She shifted in her seat and gestured toward the women, who were still holding hands.
"Can I join? Or this is a private hand holding party?"
Groot blushed again and released Adriana's hand. Shit. Now she wouldn't hear the end of this. Yvonne would make sure to rub her nose in it and would probably come up with an over the top tale that started with. "the time I caught them holding hands".
"Your timing sucks, Yvonne" Groot murmured.
"What did you say?' asked Yvonne innocently, not batting an eyelash.
"I was just inquiring about your health and overall comfort level, Yvonne. Are you comfy enough? Need anything?" answered Groot, keeping her voice neutral.
"I'm quite content, thank you. Adriana takes good care of me. I might have to ask her to move in with me. And then who knows, marriage maybe?"
"Cool down, Doc. You are cute, but hardly my type."
"Let me assure you, I'm everybody's type." And there it was, the cocky smile, Yvonne's trademark. While Groot loved Yvonne, she despised the player in her. It was a common argument between the two of them, they often ended up not talking to each other for days. She hoped, that Adriana wouldn't fall for the charm, which broke so many hearts before.
It appeared that she didn't have to worry. Adriana was more than capable of handling Yvonne's big ego.
"Is that so? I suppose I missed that memo."
"Why so cold, Adriana. You've hurt my fragile feelings." pouted Yvonne, placing both hands over her heart in a dramatic gesture.
Adriana laughed softly.
"Why don't you save this for that sweet girl, who is on her way here to nurse you back to life? However, she might change her mind after hearing your corny lines."
Yvonne leaned back in her chair and raised an eyebrow.
"What sweet girl?"
"Carmen, I believe her name is."
"Carmen? How do you know about her? And how does she know about my accident? No, no. I don't want her to see me like this. In a wheelchair. Crippled."
"You should have thought of that before you sent her dozen messages, begging her for forgiveness and saying other silly things that only people in love would say."
"What?"
"You used my cell phone, Doc. I'm impressed, that you actually know her number by heart. Isn't that sweet?" she asked, turning to Groot. Groot tilted her head and after a couple seconds she nodded in agreement.
"Absolutely. And I'm sure Miranda will also find this very, very, very, sweet. Right, Yvonne?"
Yvonne dropped her head into her palms and groaned.
"I'm screwed."
