Unexpected

Part 7: The Best for Last

It took about two months for Helen to start feeling normal again. The medicine seemed to be the perfect balance she needed to find happiness, but a lot of it came from being with Max and Luna. She had been taking care of Luna the whole time- taking her to appointments and staying up with her when the chemo started wearing on her. Her motherly instincts kicked into high gear. Max was just thankful that he didn't have to do it alone. He loved having Helen able to care for his daughter and be there when he couldn't be. To know that she was in the same safe hands that held him when he was in the same place of pain and despair. However, at the same time, she started taking notice of him being more and more absent from their little 'family'. He had been lying to her about having to stay late at work- when he really was out with Alice. She knows because she saw little notes about their meetings on little sticky notes she'd find in the laundry from his pockets- the words still there, but slowly bled through the paper.

Standing in her foyer, Helen waits for Max as he hurries to get all his things ready. Staring at herself in the mirror on the wall, Helen wonders if she is ready for tonight. They agreed that a night on the town would do them some good, after a few successful days of Luna's treatments. Her white counts have been going up and the last time they did imaging, it appeared that the cancer had been shrinking successfully after having the mass removed a month ago. Max comes downstairs in a very nice dress shirt and tie and in a pair of jeans- so he's a little casual. He looks relaxed and calm for once instead of frantic and on edge. Lauren and Casey come into the foyer from the kitchen with Luna. They both agreed to babysit while the adults went out and had fun.

"You two look nice. Did you decide on where you are going?" Lauren asks as she bounces Luna on her hip.

"Just gonna go to dinner, nothing too major. We don't want to be out all night." Helen says and Lauren rolls her eyes.

"How thrilling. The first time in months you two actually get to go on a first date and it's just dinner and then home before 9:30. What are you 16? Go live a little, we got this. I don't want you back here until after 12." Lauren states gruffly and Helen has to clarify a few things before leaving.

"No, funny business when she goes to sleep. No funny business when she's awake. Buffer zones." She states with a serious tone and Casey just salutes her sarcastically and Lauren tries to deny the whole idea.

"We aren't even a thing, but okay Mom!" Helen flips her off and then kisses Luna goodbye. Max does the same and they wave goodbye before leaving. As they go down the steps, Max. Looks at Helen and can't stop smiling as they walk down the sidewalk. She has come so far and has been so wonderful to Luna and him- which is a given anyway.

He holds her hand as they walk and Helen feels his eyes on her.

"What? What's the matter?" Shaking his head, he sighs and pulls her tiny frame closer to him. Big fluffy snowflakes slowly fall around them and the street lamps illuminate their way.

"I'm so in love with you. You know that? I just think you're so beautiful, even when you aren't trying to be. I'm so happy that you are better. I don't know what I'd do without you." She stops and pulls on his neck to bring him closer to her. Pressing her lips to his, his hands fold around her waist and he deepens the kiss. When they pull from each other, she looks up into his eyes and searches his ocean for a reason why he would be lying to her.

"I love you, Max Goodwin. With all my heart and soul." They continue on their journey and end up at a cute little restaurant. As they sit down to order, Helen keeps glancing up at Max. He's such a handsome man. The sharp edges of his jawline, his skinny nose, the way his hair naturally waves back a bit- he is absolutely a sight to be seen. She glances down at her green dress and smiles a bit. Her mind still taken by him, buy her heart breaking.