It would hurt when they all fell apart.
Chapter 23
Mason
Watching Hannah with her sister was eye-opening.
I had been seeing this woman for over a month and only now felt like I really knew her.
Watching someone with their family gave you incredible insight into the secrets of their heart.
I had known that seeing Hannah and Charlotte together would hurt. That it would remind me of the relationshipIwas missing. But it also made me happy. Happier than I could remember being in a long time.
Because seeing the love in Hannah’s eyes was worth all the pain I might feel.
I was lucky to be privy to this softer side of Hannah Whelan.
“This is good pizza,” Charlotte said, her mouth covered in sauce. Hannah patiently wiped her face before feeding her another bite.
“Remember to chew carefully,” Hannah reminded her.
Charlotte’s mouth twisted in a way I had come to realize was her attempt at a smile. “I’m not a baby.” Her voice was halting. The inflections out of sync. A little garbled and slurred.
Her body had failed her but her mind was still active. Still alive.
“I know you’re not. I just don’t feel like doing the Heimlich maneuver,” Hannah replied, winking at me.
“Let me fill up your cup,” I offered, taking Hannah’s glass.
“So what exactly do you do, Mason? I wish I could say that I knew things about you, but I don’t,” Mrs. Whelan said, following me to the sink in the corner of the room and waiting as I filled Hannah’s glass. The surprise of my existence was clearly not appreciated by Hannah’s mother.
Hannah was talking with her sister, but she watched us out of the corner of her eye. It was obvious she didn’t like me talking to her mother. Their relationship was labored, that much was apparent. I could understand contentious parental relationships.
“I’m an FBI agent,” I told her.
Mrs. Whelan snorted. “Seriously, what do you do?” she asked again, not believing my answer.
I pulled my badge out of my pocket and handed it to her. Her eyes widened and she turned to Hannah. “You’re dating an FBI agent?”
“So he’s cuteanda badass,” Charlotte mumbled around a mouthful of pizza. She started to cough and Hannah immediately sat her up and patted her on the back as if she were an infant. She rubbed up and down, smoothing her sister’s hair back from her face. I brought over the cup of water and handed it to Hannah, who put it to Charlotte’s lips.
“I told you I didn’t want to do the Heimlich maneuver, Char. I wasn’t kidding,” she scolded good-naturedly.
“Charlotte Ann Whelan, you need to be more careful,” Mrs. Whelan fretted, going back to her daughter’s side.
“I hate it when she uses our full names,” Hannah mumbled, rolling her eyes heavenward, and I laughed softly.
“It’s a lovely full name, Charlotte,” I told Hannah’s sister, who seemed pleased with the compliment.
“How long have you been an FBI agent? Do you go after bad guys? Is it likeCSI? I love that show!” Mrs. Whelan fired question after question, not giving me much of a chance to answer them.
“Mom, stop it. You know nothing’s like what they show on TV,” Hannah snapped, annoyance on her face.
“It’s okay, Hannah. I don’t mind the questions. But she’s right, Mrs. Whelan, nothing is ever like it is on TV. Most of the time it’s pretty boring.” I took a bite of pizza and sat back down in the chair beside Hannah. She took my hand and squeezed it briefly before turning back to her sister.
“Abe always liked those FBI shows on television. He would have been tickled that Hannah was dating an agent. If you think I ask a lot of questions, just be glad Abe isn’t around,” Mrs. Whelan went on, a tender, sad smile on her face.
“Abe?” I asked.
