Chapter Thirteen

Cameron carried a plate of Liz's brownies and a glass of chocolate milk into Katie's bedroom. She was sitting up in bed.

"I have treats, brat." he teased

"Yum! Hand it over."

"What's the magic words?"

"I'm not saying that. Just give it to me." Katie smiled at him and reached for the brownies.

He lifted the plate high in the air so she couldn't reach.

He said, "Fine. I'll eat it all myself."

"Cam!"

"The magic words."

Playing along, she pouted and mumbled "Cameron is king."

"Now wasn't that easy?" he asked with a smile.

He used to make her say that when she was a kid and he was the put in charge of keeping an eye on her.

He sat down on the bed and watched her gobble up her snack. He said, "I'm proud of you, brat."

"No big deal."

"It was. And you know it. Dad about had a heart attack when you said 'I'm having the operation and that is that. If you don't support me then get out.' Where'd you get the guts to say that?"

"I don't know. But I'm glad it worked out."

"You feel okay?"

"Stop asking me that every five seconds. Mom and Dad are at work. Give me a break from the 'are you okay?' stuff."

"Nope. No break. They left me on brat patrol."

Katie hit him with a pillow. Cam ducked and grabbed one to hit her back.

He laughed as she bopped him, hard. She must be feeling better, he thought , Thank you God.

Then he smacked her with the pillow again.

Over at the Metro Court, a week later, Lulu was sitting at the bar when she heard a female voice behind her say "Hey, little cousin."

She spun around and saw Carly walking toward her.

Lulu jumped up and hugged her. "What are you doing in town? I thought you live in Miami right now? Or is it New Orleans still? I can't keep up with you and all the new Metro Court hotels."

"I'm in Florence, Italy right now actually. We went international."

"Well, go on with your bad self, girl."

"You know I will." said Carly " So, how is your boy? I got your email about him pulling through and getting released from the hospital. Is he somewhere around here? Can I meet him?"

"Do you have a few minutes? Let's sit."

"Sure. I have all the time in the world for you. You have to come visit more often. It's been ...what?...four years since you spent Easter with me and the boys in Montreal. I remember because Morgan was just graduating college that spring."

They both sat on stools at the bar.

Lulu said, "I'll try to make it to see you all again soon. I might have plenty of free time anyway if I lose my job. I was supposed to be back there this week but I can't seem to get on the plane."

"Because you want to spend time with Clark?"

"Yeah, I want to. But he doesn't. I've driven all the way to New York a couple of times already. I get to his dorm and stand there trying to decide if I should go up to his room or go home. I think I really was hoping he would just walk by and say, 'Hey, Mom, good to see you.' but he didn't. He probably hid if he saw me."

"Lulu, he just needs time. He will come around. He'll love you, I know it."

"How?"

Carly placed a hand on her arm."Because you are you. You have a big heart and, though you don't risk it often enough, when you give it away it's forever. Just look at how you STILL feel about Dillon.

"What are you talking about?" Lulu said

But Carly kept going as if she hadn't spoken, "Clark will not be able to resist all the love you have for him."

"I hope you're right about Clark but you are way off about Dillon."

"Nope, I 'm not." Carly smiled and said to the bartender "Shouldn't I have a drink in front to f me by now? Don't tell me you don't remember what the Boss drinks?"

The bartender quickly made drink and placed in on the counter in front of Carly.

She gave him a twenty dollar tip.

"I couldn't accept this." he said

"Take it." ordered Carly with a smile

When he walked away Lulu said, "Are Michael and Morgan doing well?"

"Don't change the subject." Carly said "Have you and Dillon gotten it on yet?"

"Of course not."

"But you want to."

"Of course. " Lulu said automatically "I mean... he's still grieving and he'll never love anyone but Georgie anyway. Lets not talk about this."

"You need to go after that man. You're here. He's here. And Georgie is dead and gone."

Lulu shook her head and whispered "Don't talk about her that way."

"It is the truth, Lu. Come on, girl, you never got over him. Isn't it about time to see if he is really worth loving for so long or if you can finally let the dream of him go?"

Lulu sighed and thought, Only a fool would lust for a man for this long when he chose another woman.

"We're co-parents, that's it." she told Carly

"Don't make Clark the obstacle. You used that excuse for the last twenty years. It's time to retire it."

"You think you know me so well?" Lulu said with a smile

"I think you want that man."

Saying her thoughts aloud, Lulu muttered "I'd be a fool to..."

"Not go for it." Carly finished for her. "So what's your plan?"