Chapter 71

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"Let me know if it starts to hurt."

Simone swallowed back the soft chuckle that had lodged in her throat as she slowly nodded at her son's thoughtful words. She was touched by his statement, but since he felt the need to give her the same warning every morning before they started their exercises, she had grown weary of it.

"Mama?" Tommy prompted before he handed her the ten-pound free weights. "Let me know-"

"Okay! I will, hon," Simone replied, holding out her glove-protected hands. Her fingers flexed in anticipation as she said, "Let's get started."

Tommy handed her the weights and picked up his own twenty-pounders. In unison, they began their bicep curls. They made quite a pair, both dressed in black sweatpants and matching t-shirts, as they increased their muscle mass.

Simone absently wiped at the trickle of perspiration which trailed down her cheek. She could "feel the burn" and she loved it. She was proud of herself and the progress she'd made. Since leaving the hospital and moving into the apartment which Audrey had constructed over the Hardy garage for her and Tommy, Simone had begun to make the steps to reclaim her life. She'd renewed friendships and made new ones. In the process, she had improved her social problems as well as her physical ones. In weeks, she'd gone from just barely being able to lift a single pound to being able to lift ten. As she glanced at her fit form in the mirror and took stock of her lean, firm arms, and the determination she saw reflected in her eyes, she knew that it would only be a matter of a few short weeks before she reached her son's level.

Green eyes met brown eyes in the mirror as Tommy smiled at his mother. She was kicking butt as Dawn would say, he decided as he watched her lean forward and began her tricep exercises. Every other day, they worked their upper body and even though her tee-shirt covered her shoulders and back, he knew the strength she held there. He was proud of her progress and of their team effort. Her physical therapist had had a few misgivings about allowing Simone to train with him, but after some coaxing from him and Gina and some demanding from Simone, Lee had acquiesced and given Tommy the tips he needed to get started. The feeling of accomplishment he felt whenever he looked at his own increased muscle mass as well as Simone's, matched the feelings he had about his job with Jason. He was doing something worthwhile, and he could see the results of his efforts.

"Are you coming back here before you go to the Island?" Simone asked, pausing to take a sip of water.

"I wasn't planning on it, but if you want me to, I will," Tommy offered as he took a break to wipe his small hand towel across his neck.

"Don't make the extra trip. I can get a ride with Carrie."

"Isn't she going out there kinda early? Are you sure you want to be there that long?" he asked, reaching for his bottle of water.

"I don't mind. Besides, I doubt if we'll be there that long. Dawn has planned a small surprise for Nikolas and we're not sure how long it will take to get it ready," she said, as she waited for Tommy to finish with his water. Her next exercise worked her shoulders, and he was always adamant about spotting her.

Tommy screwed the top back on his bottle and moved to stand behind his mother. He kept his hands just below her arms in case she would need his help. She rarely did, but he felt better if he was prepared. Just in case.

"So, you're helping Dawn with her surprise for Nikolas?" Tommy asked, trying to keep the curiosity from his voice.

Simone released a small laugh as she said, "Yeah, I am and so is Carrie, but that's all I'm saying about it, nosy rosy."

"Aw, Ma! C'mon. One little hint. I won't tell Nikolas."

"Nope. Nothing doing. You'll find out with everyone else. It's nothing major anyway. She has an even better surprise for him. I'm just helping with the smaller one," Simone said, her arms suspended in air as she changed the direction of her movements.

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