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MANGUS

After getting Annie's room all up and sorted, I helped her pack her new tinkerbell overnight bag for Catarina and Ragnor's. She had an early appoint in the morning with Ragnor and so they offered to let me sleep in. I had promised her I would be at the hospital around 8 since the blood tests would be at about 8:30. This way I could get a good night sleep and she could play with their kitty. My wonderful, beautiful daughter has been in remission for about a year and half and the test were to make sure she was in the clear. It can take up to three year and so Ragnor wanted to keep close tabs on our little, doing these about once a month. I was grateful they moved up here to work with her since I had this job offer.

The school where Alec and I worked was one of the top in the country and it's where I wanted her to go. Since I got the job, Annie gets to go for free. It's part of the perks and also one of the main reasons for the job. I watch Annie and Cat walk around the hall to the elevator and then shut the door. I had told them about Alec's texts and so they were taking Cat for a special lunch at McDonald's while I was with him. I let out a breath as I lock the door and look at my empty apartment. What to do now? I was trying not to think about what Alec could possibly want with meeting me. I didn't want to get my hopes up. A bath, with loads of aromatherapy was going to be needed, I think.

I head to the bathroom and strip out of my clothes, leaving on my shorts. I sit on the toilet and start the water. As it's filling up, I pour in some lilac and camomile salts, bubbles as well. I then stirp and sit in the tub, laying back on my bath pillow. When I take these, I leave all electronics and things out of the room, except for music. I turn on my bathroom radio and classical comes through the speakers. I only listened to it when I needed to destress. It helped a lot. I sigh and turn off the spout as I get good and relaxed in the tub. I close my eyes and let the instruments sooth me into relaxation, my mind going blank to all worry. I sit in the bath till the bubbles are almost evaporated and the water is cold. I pull the plug and stand up, grabbing my black towel off the rack. I wrap it around me and pick up my clothing, putting the items in the hamper as I leave the small room. I get to my room and don't even bother with pajamas. I drop the towel and climb into bed, hoping for a good night rest because it would be nice.

I wake up to my alarm and sigh. I reflect on what this morning had in store, not wanting to think on my little meet up with Alec. I was still trying not to go too far on either side of feeling where that man was concerned because I really didn't want to take it like a girl if he said he couldn't do it. I get up and go the closet, pulling out a pair of black lounge pants. I was going to be uncomfortable otherwise. I pull them up and then pull down a white tee. I pull it over my head and add a cap to my hair. I didn't have time to really do it, so a cap would work. I slip on some flip flops and then grab a hoodie on the way out. I promised my daughter to be there and so I was going to keep it now that I could be there. I take a cab because it was quicker and then pay the man as I get out. I stop at the coffee counter inside the door and then make my way up to where my little girl was. I see Catarina sitting outside the room and walk up.

"How is she?"

She smiles and gives me a hug. "We just got here so Ragnor is explaining what is going to happen. He said you could go right in."

I smile and hand her my cup, walking into the room.

"Daddy!"

"Hey princess. You ready?"

I could see the nerves and pulled her too me, cupping her face. "You know it's going to be alright. I love you."

She smiles and holds up the sign for "I love you" before they take her to the room. I wasn't allowed in the room so I promised to be here when they brought her in. I sit next to the woman I grew to love as a sister and she hands me my cup back. I take a sip and lean my head on the window behind me.

"Wanna talk about it?"

I turn my head to look at her. "No. I'm trying not to be hopeful. It'll hurt more."

She nods and leans her head on my shoulder. We just sit there, not talking. Not that we needed to. She knew I was nervous about everything today. I could feel myself drifting and leaned my head back up, opening my eyes. I wanted to be alert when they came to talk about Annie. I smiled a bit as they rolled her in. She smiled and I followed them into the room, throwing my cold coffee away. I sit on the bed next to my daughter and she puts her head on my knee. The nurse gets us set up and then tells us Ragnor will be in about thirty minutes. I see it's about 9:00 now so hopefully we'd be done by noon. The tests usually take an hour or two because Ragnor is very thorough with his remission patients.

I feel Annie start to drift off as I start to run my fingers through her hair and I smile. I still couldn't believe she was here with me, living with me. I really hated Tessa just leaving her before she was well for good. I hear a cough and look over to see Ragnor and Catarina. I smile and they come in. Ragnor tells me about the test, one being a bit different than normal. He was expecting the tests to be negative as the others have been given that Annie has shown no signs of being sick again.

"Have you thought about an aid for her?" Ragnor asked.

I shook my head. "She knows ASL, will be going to the school next year when she's reading better. She doesn't need an aid."

They both nod and we talk about little things Ragnor is paged at about 11 and I know I'm getting nervous. I wasn't going to be able to change to meet Alec. Oh well, this is my life till Annie's better so he's going to have to deal with it. I look at Cat, who smiles at me and Ragnor brings a folder back in the room.

"Everything's fine. All negative, just like we thought. I already set up for three months from now. We're almost at the normal level needed to be completely clear, which is very good, Magnus."

I let out a breath of relief, not matter how long it's been, hearing that your daughter was still on the upside of the illness is the greatest news.

"Can I go home now, daddy?"

We all look at Annie, who sits up by me now. I hold up my hand and sign. "Cat and Ragnor want to treat you to McDonald's for good tests."

I see her eyes light up and she starts getting excited. Ragnor and I leave so Catarina can help her change and then I give her a hug, walking out of the building with them before taking a different cab to meet Alec. The ride was shorter than I thought it would be and I pay the man when he stops. I get out and walk in, noticing Alec in the corner. I hold up a finger and the walk to the counter. I order an iced tea and a sandwich, hungry from not eating earlier. They give me a number and then I walk over to Alec.

"Hey." I wave and sit down.

He waves and then I lean back. No one does anything for a bit and the waitress brings my lunch. I smile and then look at Alec.

"Are we alright?" I ask, making sure he can read my lips before I take a bite.

He nods and holds his hand up. "I still had some questions. First though, I shouldn't have left like I did. I'm sorry, Magnus."

I smile and do a "don't mention it" gesture. "What questions?"

He smiles and pushes a paper over. I look at while I eat and he picks up his own sandwich. So that's why he wrote them down. The questions made sense. They were mostly about Annie, wanting to know more about her illness, one or two about Tessa. I finish my sandwich as I think on how to answer. I look up to see him waiting for me and I smile.

"Tessa was a good friend. She was a preacher's kid and I was well, the total opposite. It was fast and prom night just happened. We eloped before her parents could find out about Annie. I don't know if she's leaving because of Annie and not wanting her, but I do know her boyfriend has a job in London and so she decided to go."

I pause so he can process it and then he signs. "Sorry, about that. Were you guys alright?"

I shake my head. "I guess. When Annie got sick, the fights got worse. Annie was two when she was diagnosed. With the Chemo and everything, Tessa and I got stressed. She started seeing this guy that worked there. I didn't know, of course. She convinced me of cheating, which I don't do when I'm committed."

"And Annie?"

I smile. "Annie is in remission, has been for about two years. She's fluent in ASL, which I'm very grateful I took. Camille has her on the wait list for next year because she still learning to read. She can talk, but it's almost easier to sign with her."

I had answer his top questions really, so I didn't know what else to say. He nods and I can see him processing everything I explained again. I was hoping this was a good thing. He wouldn't ask these if he wasn't seriously debating anything could he. I mean, he could be curious about Annie since they have something in common, but I'm beginning to hope. He looks back at me and leans forward. I stay where I am because I don't really know what's going to happen.

"I think we should continue how we are. I don't really know how this all works. Annie's not an issue. I'm just worried if we go to fast, she could get hurt." he signs.

I close my eyes and try not to smile too big. The fact he's more worried about Annie will be has me wanting to kiss him. He was right though, we'd have to go slower than I think we both intended at first. I open my eyes and look at him to see his apprehension.

"I agree. She gets attached as easily as I do."

He nods and we spend the rest of the hour talking about how his sister helped him with figuring everything out and some other things. I didn't know what, but there was something I think he's afraid to share. I also knew he probably didn't get many chances to just be Alexander, so I will wait till he's ready to tell me. Right now it's not important. Him knowing about my daughter was important. So unless he has another guy in his closet at his apartment, I'm sure we'll get past it without any issues.

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