Matt definitely felt better. Mason and Julia absolutely agreed on this. He was not as hot, and he fell asleep without a slightest whine; just closed his eyes, and here he was, breathing peacefully.

Now that they could not be talking via the baby the dialogue was somewhat harder to maintain.

“Shall I get you something? You probably haven’t eaten anything today,” Julia said finally.

Mason started saying no, but then reconsidered. “A sandwich and a coffee would be great. Take something for yourself, too,” he added gently.

“I’m not hungry.”

Julia looked hesitant.

“Look, Julia--”

“I’ll be right back.” She hurried out.

When she came back with a tray Mason was sitting as still as before, watching the sleeping baby.

“Thanks,” he said.

“You’re welcome. You haven’t slept a wink this night, have you?”

“No.” He turned to her. “Matthew was crying, and then… Have you?”

She shook her head. “Mason,” she mumbled, avoiding his eyes, “I’m sorry. It was my fault, I shouldn’t have--”

“Me too,” he helped her.

She dared to meet his gaze now.

“But it doesn’t cancel our friendship, I hope?” he said.

She seemed a bit more relaxed. “Oh,” she said. “If you see it this way.”

Mason sighed and reached out for her hand. She was so timid; where was the ‘terror of the courtroom’ he’d known?

“Julia,” he said. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“How could I not be?”

He nodded towards the baby. “Yeah, sure… for his sake.”

She smiled. The cunning Mason Capwell was suddenly not so cunning.

“For his sake,” she agreed willingly. “For both of you, actually.”

Mason nodded again and drew her hand to his cheek. “I got so scared, Julia,” he said simply.

“I know. He’ll be all right.”

“I care for him,” Mason confessed, amazed. “I do.”

She smiled in her tender way. “Of course you do.”

“I mean I did not think I did.”

“I always knew you cared.”

Mason looked up with mingled emotion. “You know me,” he said. “You think you know me so well?”

“No. But I wish I did. You’re--”

“Yes?”

“No.”

“Yes, Julia,” he pulled at her hand. “Come on, tell me. Don’t you trust me?”

She laughed. It was an interesting question. “Well--”

“Forget I asked. So, what were you about to say, please?”

Julia caressed his hair ever so lightly and then dared to sound it.

“You’re a very good man, Mason Capwell,” she said slowly and distinctly.

At this, he smiled too, and that was his wickedest smile.

“You just wait, Counselor,” he said.

Julia took a step back, immediately on the defensive. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged his shoulders in his jocular manner. “I said sorry about yesterday, that is about the way it all happened yesterday; but I did not mean ‘I shouldn’t have’. I should.”

“You should have what??”

“Okay, Julia, just have a break. No hurry, right?” he winked.

She stared, and then laughed, shaking her head. “Mason, you’re—you’re really--”

“What?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Nothing.”

THE END ;)

Olga Lissenkova

P.S.

She loved me for the dangers I had pass''d,
And I loved her that she did pity them.

(3rd scene, ‘Othello’, Shakespeare)
SEQUEL here.

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