Thank you so much for reviewing hands out mini Lindens and Maddys Sorry it took so long to update- have been on hol (and will be next week as well (sorry). However, will still write when I'm away, type when I get back
Linden was sat in his house at the kitchen table, with a glass of whisky in front of him. Tonight he was alone, Maddy having been doled the night shift on Keller. However, tonight was also the anniversary of the night he had proposed to Olivia. All those years ago he had been in a similar situation as he was in now; in a relationship but unsure of where it was going. He and Olivia had been courting for a great deal longer than he and Maddy had, yet the love he felt was the same. Deep inside, it still hurt when the thought of Olivia and their daughter; the car crash; the funeral. But that had been several years ago, he should have started to move on long before he did.
Maddy was a beautiful woman, her hair falling into perfect curls around her gorgeous face. They shared the same profession, similar interests and dislikes; but still Linden was not sure. Was it fair to be in a relationship when Maddy was forever going to be living in Olivia's shadow, however faint it grew? Nothing could replace a first love, just as no one could replace Olivia. However, no one could replace Dr Maddy Young. Her close bonds with friends, the pluckiness when it came to defending a friend, her dedication to a cause worth fighting for…
Linden sighed. He certainly was not ready for marriage, but equally he did not want to lose Maddy for her thinking that he was not really interested. It was a tough decision, but as always, Linden Cullen decided to turn to God for guidance on what to do.
Sam cornered Maddy on her break – it was his first opportunity to talk to her without the possibility of Mr Cullen overhearing, since his suspension had been revoked.
"Hey! Maddy! Wait up!"
"Sam, what do you want? I'm on my break."
"Yeah, me too. Look, can we go and get a coffee? It would be good to catch up a bit?"
"Sure, I'll have a medium latté."
As Sam went to get the drinks, Maddy settled herself on one of the window tables. Conversations with Sam were never short, so she figured she might as well have the option of looking at something nice while he was talking.
"So, Maddy, how's life? Good? Bad? Been up to much?"
"Sam, get to the point."
"Okay, but am I really that easy to read? Anyway, what's up between you and Cullen?"
"Me and Cul– Why? Nothing's 'up'."
"Come on, don't be secretive. You aren't really subtle, or at least not to me. You go into his office and spend five minutes longer in there than anyone else. Out of view, the blinds down… Jeez, you even go for drinks with him, catch a taxi with him–"
"What are you? My stalker?"
"No. As stated before though, you aren't subtle."
"Okay… So maybe there is something between us. I don't know where it's going though, if anywhere. I mean, I really want it to. I haven't felt like this over someone since Dan…"
"How do you feel, deep inside?"
"Deep inside? Well, everything is brilliant at the moment – we agree on things; when we're together it's perfect. But there's just something lurking, waiting to jump out. I don't know whether it'll be from him or me, but there's something under the surface. Bugger! Look at the time! My break finished two minutes ago, and you know what Lola's like! Thanks for the coffee Sam, ring sometime, yeah? Bye!"
Maddy disappeared, thoughts of Linden filling her mind so much, that even an icy glare from Lola did not dampen her mood.