“We were just talking about how we met.”

Groaning he shook his head. “All lies. Whatever she told you, it’s all lies.”

Alannah grinned at him and reached up patting his cheek. “Oh I doubt that young man.”

“Mother, stop flirting with him.”

Mason grinned over at Lena and smirked, “I happen to like it.”

Lena rolled her eyes at him, “Of course you would. Anything female must bow down to your endless supply of charm.”

“Can I help it if the women love me?”

He looked back to see a twinkle in her mother’s eye. “Apparently not.”

Grinning he looked over to Lena, “You should bring your mother down for dinner tonight.”

Lena looked over to her and he saw the way Alannah looked back at her daughter, almost wary, expecting her to say no. “That’s a great idea. Would you like to come with me or do you need to get home right away?”

He watched as mother and daughter seemed to reach an outcome neither of them expected. Then Alannah turned to him and smiled brilliantly.

“I’d love to.”


Not twenty minutes later Lena went to park around the back as Mason drove straight into his reserved spot. Frowning, it took her around ten minutes more to find one of her own. Her mother looked around the crowded parking lot then back to her. “Boy this place sure gets busy. He must do very well.”

Lena stopped the car and looked out to window to see Mason there to open the for her.

“Busy tonight.” he remarked as he helped her.

Nodding she took his hand and climbed out. “Sure is. Is it always this crowded Friday’s?”


“Yeah pretty much. The quietest nights are Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Lena turned to see her mother had got out and was making her way around to them.

“Your place is packed. That’s a sign that the food is good.”

Mason smiled widely, “Our food is the best.”

“If he says so himself.” Lena added.

“Well fine, don’t let my words convince you.” He reached out the crook of his arm to her mother and said softly, “Let my food. Tonight you dine at the chef’s table.”

Lena watched her mother’s face beam up at him and was amazed at how easy he seemed with a virtual stranger. Catherine, his mother, was right. He could wrap any woman around his finger.

“Is the chef’s table in the kitchen?” her mother asked excitedly. He winked at Lena over his shoulder and they started forward. She followed from behind smiling and heard him reply.

“It sure is.”


Seated at the back of the bustling kitchen Lena was absolutely amazed at the frenzied madness that was going on all around her. The same three men, who she’d seen before, stood at the back of the kitchen in front of several huge ovens, and they were screaming out orders to everyone. They were flipping scallops in fry pans, baking chicken in another and searing duck on the back burner. At the stainless steel prep table was a lady madly plating salads and vegetables and then off to the very far left hand side Lena saw Rachel bent over a pastry adding powdered sugar to the top. All in all it was organized chaos. Her mother was watching fascinated as Mason stood at the head of the ship, by the pass, checking over each plate and adding garnishes to every dish. He would smile at the waiter or waitress, coming to collect, then hand them the plate and move to the next, and each and every one of his staff smiled at him as though he was the best boss in the world, and as far as she could tell he was.


Mason could feel her eyes on him as he worked. He hadn’t brought Lena back down to the restaurant until tonight because it seemed as though every time they got down there somehow, someway, something would go wrong. However, he figured having her mother there as a buffer would help him out and he had to admit he really liked her. She was sweet and genuine and he couldn’t help but wonder how she managed to be so warm and accepting after such a tremendous loss. It was obvious to him that any guilt or self loathing Lena harbored was her own doing, because it was clear to him that her mother just wanted her to be happy and it shocked him even further to realize that she seemed grateful to him for making her that way. Stopping for a moment he glanced over his shoulder and caught Lena’s eye. He tilted his head toward her, motioning for her to come to him. She smiled at her mom squeezing her hand and Alannah smiled then nodded toward her daughter as he watched the capable doctor stand gracefully and make her way over to him.

“Having fun?” he asked when she stopped by him.

“Yes actually. I love watching chaos unfold.”

Laughing he nodded once. “Yeah I guess to most on lookers it does seem slightly chaotic, but I assure you, every single person here has a purpose and a job.”

He noticed she was watching him closely as he garnished and wiped a plate then set it up on the pass.

“Oh I believe you. It reminds me of my internship in the ER. Hectic.”

“When you’re here with me I almost forget how brilliant you really are.”

She tilted her head to the side and looked up at him with a small smile. “Brilliant huh?”

Grinning he showed her his teeth and went back to the plate in front of him, “Well, that may be slightly overstating the matter.”

“Well too bad, you already said it.” he caught her poking her tongue out at him and raised a brow.

“Watch it Lena. That tongue has much better uses then being sassy.”

“I hear lots of threats, but see little follow through.” she chimed back. He stopped what he was doing and moved to stand behind her. She stilled as he leaned down and whispered into her ear. “Your mother is sitting over there watching us very closely, so behave yourself young lady and stop torturing me.”

One of his chefs’s brought forward a plate and it landed in front of her. She took in a deep breath as he continued. “As much as I’d love to take you into my back office and show you what we could do with that tongue how about we stick to garnishing some plates so I remain one of your mothers’ favorite people.”

Laughing she looked over her shoulder at him. Their noses were close and she had to raise her eyes a little to meet his. “You think you’re a favorite of hers huh?”

“I sure do.”

“Oh? And why’s that?”

Leaning in he kissed her nose quickly, “Because I’m your favorite and I make you happy.”

Her eyes twinkled at his and she smirked, “You’re cocky Langley.”

“Hmm, I’m right. Now turn around so we can garnish this plate before I forget everything and just say fuck it, and take you right here.”

He watched her tongue come out as she licked her lips and he groaned softly thinking she’d eventually be the death of him.


The following Monday Lena had been invited to go to Catherine’s for the usual Monday night family dinner. She’d thought about it a million times then decided, why not. It wasn’t as though she didn’t know everybody going, well except for Wendy, Mason’s manager, but the rest of the family she’d already be introduced too. So that was where she currently found herself. Standing on a little porch that wrapped around the most charming cottage she’d ever seen. Lena had known Catherine’s place would have lovely flowers due to the nature of her work, but her home was so cheerful and warm, as you walked up the path to the front door, you couldn’t help but smile. The house was yellow, and although it should’ve looked wrong it didn’t. It was pastel and faded but none the less yellow. It was exactly as she would picture a cottage. It peaked up into a triangular style roof and was framed by a white balcony that wrapped around the porch. The two huge rectangular windows were framed in white trim and the pebbled path leading up to the front steps was lined in tulips that were so bright you couldn’t help but want to stop, bend down and touch them. On the front porch was a swing that was secured to the ceiling and it looked well used. There were plants, flowers and trees everywhere. It reminded Lena of an enchanted forest and she was absolutely mesmerized. As she came to a stop on the front porch the front door swung open and Catherine stood inside the glass. Smiling at the lady she’d grown to love over the years she watched as Catherine unlatched it then pushed it open coming to stand out in front of her.

“Lena! I’m so glad you could make it.”

Automatically Lena felt a smile slide onto her mouth and she reached out to take Catherine’s hands. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Don’t be silly! I’ve wanted to invite you for years. I just knew your answer would‘ve been a no. I’m just so glad that somehow you were led to my Mason and we get to have you here now.” she paused and tilted her head up to look at Lena thoughtfully. “Maybe someone was guiding you to him, like it was meant to be.”

Sucking in a deep breath Lena thought of Carly, then Mason’s father, and then dismissed the notion reminding herself that was ridiculous and she was a logical, rational person who did not believe in things like that. However, with Catherine smiling up at her with such hope in her eyes Lena mumbled. “Perhaps.”

“Well don’t just stand out there. It isn’t quite as chilly these days but still, come in take your coat off. The tribe’s out back in the living room and Mason’s in his favorite place.”

Lena smiled handing her the coat. “The kitchen?”

“You got it. It’s just down that hall there. You should go and let him know you’re here.”

Nodding once Lena turned and slowly made her way down the narrow hall. On the walls were photos of a young Mason and Rachel through different stages of their lives. There were school pictures and holiday pictures by the Christmas tree, as well as graduation photos with their parents standing by their sides. Then Lena noticed one of a small boy with dark hair, a little too long, flopping down in front of his face as he held up a fish in one hand and had a pole in the other with a smile as bright as the sun. Behind him was a man who had the exact same smile and he had his hand resting on the boys shoulder as though he was the proudest father in the world.