Unexpected reunion

Chapter 8

My life was a delightful chaos. With twins, who were now more like tiny tornadoes than babies—and nursing school textbooks were strewn across the kitchen table, it was a comedy routine I never signed up for but ended up starring in any way. "Who knew nursing school involved so much anatomy and so little sleep?" I mumbled, flipping through my notes as Riley threw a sippy cup on the floor, the noise reverberating like a bell tolling for my sanity.
Don't get me wrong, Dad, papa Sasha and Mason have all been great and helped as much as they can, but still, sometimes I do find myself at my wit's end. But this was my last exam and then I became a qualified nurse, and dam proud of it.

Since our first date mason, has been more helpful than anyone. He is here every day even if it's only for an hour.
I rolled her eyes at Mason when he claimed that owning a strip club was like daycare.
Yeah right if you so say so!
We have been together for a year now and things between us are better than ever, yes I was worried about losing our friendship but he had shown me so much love and support since I found out that I was pregnant than I could have ever imagined.
"Mommy!" Kayden squealed, a tiny hand tugging at my pants leg, interrupting my stream of consciousness as Riley chased after him with a toy giraffe, oblivious to the chaos she was creating around me. I knelt down, brushing his hair back, "Yes, my little velociraptor?"
Kayden grinned toothily, a mixture of pure mischief and innocence. "Where Mason? He said come and jump on the trampoline!" He says while jumping up and down.
I felt her cheeks warm. Trampoline? Yup, Mason knew how to lure her kids in, like a Pied Piper in denim. He brought a massive trampoline for the twin's birthday, and whenever he was over they would brag him out to jump alongside them.

Shaking my head, I let my mind wander—with the twins now both bouncing around the living room like they were training for an Olympic event.
Uncle Mason has a lot of work to do this morning, he will come round later and see you both I'm sure.
We go and see Uncle Mason at work mummy, Riley says with a pleading smile.

"Okay, fine!" I finally declared, rolling my eyes as if I could fool myself with my own helplessness. "We'll go see Mason, but you need to be on your best behaviour!"
The ride was an adventure in itself. I kept one eye on the road and one on the backseat, where Kayden and Riley were having what could only be classified as an absolute wrestling match over a plush unicorn.

When we arrived at the club and parked up.
As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by Jason who also works behind the bar. Hey, he calls out, what you going here, hey kiddos he smiles as he bends down with open arms and the twins run over to hug him.
We are here to see Uncle Mason kayden tells him.
Oh, he's not here, he asked me to come in early and do the inventory. As Jason says that Riley's bottom lip drops and she pouts.
Oh well, come on kids how about we go and surprise Grandpa at work instead. Both their faces lit up and we made our way back to the car.

Mason.

I'm at a loss for what to do for the first time in my life. How could I help in saving her? She might not live. The woman who gave birth to me, who picked me up when I fell off my bike, who drove me to the hospital after I fell out of a tree, and who has always supported me through good times and bad is my mother, who is sitting in front of me now, informing me she has cancer. The woman who was my mother, my entire universe, and my life.
It's in the early stages and your father has booked an appointment with some of the best doctors, I'm going to be ok Mason.
Upon hearing that I walk out of the house jump into my car and just drive. To where? I don't know I just drive.

KELSEY

My thumb hovered over the phone screen, my heart thumping a drumbeat in my chest. I had called Mason fifty times over the past two days, but each attempt ended with the same cold, digital silence. His name, etched in my contact list, taunted me with its unresponsiveness. I glanced at the clock for the umpteenth time, the hands seemingly frozen at 3:17 PM. I had just finished my last nursing exam. The sun slanted through the blinds, casting bars of light across her desk, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the stale air of the classroom.

I had tried to concentrate on my exam but my thoughts swirled with worry and confusion. Why wasn't he answering? Was he okay? My mind conjured a hundred scenarios, none of them good. As I made my way to my car my phone finally buzzed, and I snatched it up with trembling hands. The screen read 'Mike" I took a deep breath and answered, hoping he might have some answers.

Hello?" I said, my voice wavering.

A moment of static was followed by a man's voice, gruff and familiar. "Kelsey?"

My pulse quickened. "Yes, Mike it's me, my grip tightened around the phone. "Is everything okay? I've been trying to reach Mason for two days now, and he's not picking up."

Mike's sigh was heavy with unspoken words. "Kelsey, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Mason's mom, The doctors found out she has cancer."

The world spun around me I gripped the steering wheel of the car "Oh no," I whispered, my voice barely a breath. "How bad is it?"

Mike's voice was tight with emotion. "It's... it's treatable. We just found out a few days ago. Mason took it pretty hard. He just... he drove off. We don't know where he went."

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. "Cancer?" she echoed, her thoughts racing. "Why didn't he tell me?"

"He just couldn't, Kelsey," Mike said, his tone filled with a mix of sorrow and understanding. "He's not been handling it well." my eyes filled with tears as I thought of Mason, lost and alone with such devastating news. "What can I do?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.

"We need to find him," Mike said firmly. "We've called everyone we can think of, but no one's seen him. His mom is asking for him, and we need to get him home." Also, we are going to need help with the club.

I nodded, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "I'll do anything to help. Did he say anything before he left?"

He just said he needs space and time.
Ok I can help as much as I can and Sasha will help as well, I've just done my last nursing exam so il be able to help a bit more.

Thank you, Kelsey, you are such an amazing woman, mason is one lucky man.