HER

Chapter 42

Lily watched Dana talk to Dr. Eleanor of Lakeside Milam rehabilitation centre in Seattle. Dana who had researched the rehabilitation centre with her had cornered the doctor assigned to Lily to ask more questions which didn't surprise Lily because her she knew her friend was thorough.

She sighed from where she sat at the reception which shone bright with the floor to ceiling glass windows around the entire room. She took her right hand out of her hoodie pocket and watched as the tremor took hold again. She had been having quiet a lot of tremors lately and hadn't said anything to Dana because she knew it would only be a cause for her to worry more than she already was.

"You alright?"

Lily snapped her gaze up at Dana just as she put her hand back into her pocket.
"Yea, what's up?"

Dana took the seat next to her with a sigh.
"She just told me I can't come here to visit."

"What?" Lily turned in her seat so she was now facing Dana.

"You're allowed to make a call once a week but asides that, no visitation."

"That's taking things too far."

Dana looked at Lily.
"Yea I thought so too since you'll be here for three months, maybe more."

"Hopefully less."

Dana smiled.
"That depends on you."

"You know I'm serious about it this time."

Dana nodded.
"I know. That's why I'm going to find a way to change Dr. Eleanor's mind about visiting. Once a month at the least."

"With the phone calls."

"Definitely more phone call privileges."

Lily smiled and Dana smiled back.

"Ms. Reed." Dr. Eleanor called from where she stood and they both turned to look at her. "It's time."

Dana sighed and looked back at Lily.

"Ms. Reed?" Lily asked. "The divorce hasn't been finalized."

"It'll soon be."

They stared at each other for a brief moment.
"I miss you."

Dana smiled.
"I miss you too."

They reached for each other at the same time and held on.
"Don't think of the process, think of the end result and all the things you're doing it for."

They pulled apart.
"Cheryl, you." Lily said. "My future."

"I'm proud of you." Dana leaned in and kissed her forehead.

Lily smiled before she rose from the seat and walked towards Dr. Eleanor. Dana rose from her seat just as Dr. Eleanor placed her hand on Lily's arms.

"Lily?" Dana called.

Lily turned around and waited.
"They'll all be very proud of you."

Lily was silent as her eyes began to water. She smiled.
"I love you."

"I love you too." Dana said before Dr. Eleanor took her away.

Dana stood there for a minute, she sighed then took her leave.

"Hey Owen?" Dana answered.

"Hey, are you busy?"

"No, not at all. Actually, just heading home."

"Can you stop by The Grandeur?"

"Hmm alright. I'll be there in ten."

"Great. See you there."

Dana hung up and drove in the direction of The Grandeur instead of heading back home. She reached there in ten minutes just like she had said.

"Ms. Young." The maître d smiled up at her. "Can I get you a table?"

"No, I'm meeting with a Mr. Jefferson."

The maître d' checked her list on an iPad. She looked up at Dana and smiled.
"Right this way Ms. Young."

She was led to a table away from the window view she loved for more privacy she figured because it was Owen she was here to meet. He was always concerned about everything, taking all the factors into consideration. She saw him before he saw her.

"Hey." She said when she reached his table as the maître d' walked away.

Owen who was already on his feet at the side of the table placed his hand on her waist which made her breath catch. He smiled and kissed her cheek.
"How are you?"

"Good." She said taking a seat.

Owen sat after she was seated.
"Sorry about this, I know how much you like the window seats but I thought it best to sit away from the public eye. Someone might see us and twist our meeting to something scandalous."

She smiled at that.
"You always think about everything. And just so you know, I don't care about what they write anymore. I'm so over it."

He had a smile playing on his lip when she looked up at him.

"What?" She asked smiling.

He shook his head, smiling now.
"Nothing. You've...changed. You're different now."

"You mean after being kept a prisoner in my own life since the beginning? Yea, getting out of prison changes a person."

"I like the way you are now. Bold, confident, in charge."

"So, you didn't like me before?"

"N-no, that's not what..."

She chuckled.
"I'm messing with you."

He stopped and grinned.

"So, how's the divorce progressing? When will it be over?"

"I got the signed papers from Mr. Young today and I assume you did too."

"I haven't been back to the house, so, not yet."

"Ok. Anyway, getting a judge to finalize the divorce might take a while because they would be trials and hearings you and Mr. Young would have to attend. It would take two to three months minimum, twelve; maximum."

"Wow." Dana said. "That doesn't sound very promising."

"I'll have a talk with the judge and see if I can get her to speed things up a little bit."

Dana nodded.
"That would be great, thanks."

"I'm your lawyer, it's may job to make these things easy and smooth for you."

Dana studied him for a moment; she had never taken the time to see him beyond the friend he was and suddenly it was like she could and that scared her.
"So, how's the firm doing?"

"It's growing. Number one in Seattle and hopefully, it'll reach top ten in Washington."

She smiled.
"I'm so proud of you."

Owen stared at her which made her very self-conscious.
"Thanks."

Silence filled the space between them which was interrupted when the waitress arrived with meals for each of them.
"I'm sorry, I haven't ordered yet."

"I ordered for both of us, I hope that's ok."

Dana stared at her favourite meal placed in front of her and smiled up at him.
"It's perfect, thanks." She looked at the waitress and thanked her before she left. "I can't believe you remember."

"How could I ever forget?" He asked.

She tucked her smile away and dug into the mealin front of her with gusto.