24. Maggie #2
“Yes, they will.” I placed my hand on his arm. “I’m sorry that your father scared you today. You must know that wasn’t his intention.”
“Mom, you have to stop defending him. I know about the affair. I know that he lied and cheated. He did that to you, and he did it to me and Sam. He did those things. Not you. You didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“I’m still sorry you had to deal with all that, but I have a feeling things are going to get better for all of us.” I gave him a quick pat, then stood and said, “Maybe we can all go sledding tomorrow afternoon and have a movie night.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
“Great.” I leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “I love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you, too.”
The next morning, I woke feeling like something was amiss. I rolled over, and when I found that I was in the bed alone, I eased the covers back and went to find Ronin. I started in the kitchen, but he was nowhere to be found. There was coffee, so I poured myself a cup and continued with my search.
I stepped into the living room and was surprised to find him standing in the corner next to our Christmas tree. He was busy rearranging the skewed ornaments and didn’t even notice that I’d walked into the room. “How did you do this?”
"Good morning, babe," he greeted, his eyes reflecting the joy of the surprise. "I told you I would, and I did."
“But how?” I pushed. “You even managed to get all the presents and our decorations.”
“I had a little help.”
I looked around the room, and my chest tightened when I saw that the entire house had been transformed into a holiday wonderland. I knew at that very moment that moving in with him was the right decision. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
“You’re my girl.” He gave me one of his smiles. “I’ll do anything for you, babe, even if that means gettin’ up at the crack of dawn to bring you a Christmas tree.”
“And that’s why I love you like I do.”
I helped him finish putting out the decorations, and it wasn’t long before the kids woke up and came down to join in on the fun.
Ronin made us breakfast, and then we went out sledding for a while.
When we got back, Ronin and I made dinner, and then we watched a silly Christmas movie.
The next day was more of the same, and with each hour that passed, his place started to feel more and more like our place.
We had finally decided it was time for Ronin to meet my parents and were getting ready to go to their house for dinner when I noticed Ronin had left his phones on the kitchen counter.
I picked them both up and was about to take them to him when one of them buzzed with a text message.
Worried that it might be something important, I called out to him, “Hey, Ronin! You got a text.”
“Okay. I’m coming.” As he got closer, I shouted, “It’s on your personal phone.”
“Oh?” He looked surprised as he came into the kitchen and asked, “Who’s it from?”
“Oh, umm.” I glanced down at the screen. “Beckett.”
“What’d he say?”
I look back down at the phone and read out loud:
I had a lot of time to think on the ride home.
Sorry brother, but I don’t think I can keep walking.
I had no idea what the message meant, but I could tell by Ronin’s expression that it wasn’t good. Concerned, I asked, “What is it? Is everything okay?”
“No, I don’t think it is.” He came over and took the phone from my hand, then dialed someone’s number. When they didn’t answer, he shook his head and sighed. “Damn.”
Before I could ask what was going on, he dialed another number. He waited for them to answer, then said, “Hey, brother. You heard anything from Grim or Beckett?”
He paused for a minute, then said, “I got a weird message from him. I tried calling, but he didn’t answer. If you hear anything, let me know.”
I waited for him to finish talking, and once he’d hung up, I walked over to him and asked, “Who’s Beckett?”
“A kid who’d been staying with us. He was going through some stuff, and from the sounds of that message, he’s about to do something stupid.”
“Is there anything you can do to stop him?”
“I don’t know.” He glanced up at the clock. “Do I have time to make another call?”
“We’ll make time.”
He nodded, then stepped outside.
He closed the door and stood out on the porch as he made his call. I wasn’t sure how long it was going to take, so I poured myself a glass of tea and went into the living room. I’d barely sat down when I heard Ronin snap, “He did what?”
I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but it was impossible not to hear, “Damn, brother. That’s all kinds of fucked up. I knew he wanted his revenge, but I never dreamed he’d do something like that. You got any idea what Preacher’s gonna do?”
I could tell from his tone of voice that he was both heartbroken and worried. I could only assume that meant something bad had happened to his friend. “Just say the word, and we’re there. We’ll get these guys...”
His words trailed off, and I was left wondering what in the world was going on.
I wanted desperately to go out there and ask him what he’d meant when he said ‘get these guys’, but then again, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to know.
Besides, I trusted him. I knew he would deal with whatever was going on, and I would be there to help in any way I could—just like he would do for me.
When he came back inside, he was visibly upset.
I got up and walked over to him, and without saying a word, I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. “Everything okay?”
“No, but it will be.” He held me for a moment, then kissed me on the forehead and asked, “You ready?”
“We don’t have to go, Ronin. My parents will understand.”
“We’re going,” he pushed. “You’ve kept me your secret boytoy long enough. Besides, your folks are waiting on us, so round up those hooligans of yours and let’s roll.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” I started for the stairs, but stopped when I felt the need to say, “I know there’s something going on and you can’t or won’t talk about it, but I want you to know that I’m here for you just like you’re here for me. It’s a two-way street.”
“I know, babe.”
I felt warm all over as I told him, “In case I haven’t told you today, I love you.”
“And I you.” He motioned his head towards the stairs. “The clock’s tickin’.”
“Okay. Okay. I’m going.”
I called down the kids, and soon after, we were on our way to my parents’ place.
When we got there, he followed the kids and me up to the front porch and waited patiently as I knocked.
Seconds later, the door opened, and my parents appeared with bright smiles on their faces.
They greeted the kids with hugs and laughter, and when they got to Ronin, those smiles faded.
With a look of apprehension, Dad extended his hand and said, “You must be Ronin.”
“Yes, sir. It’s nice to meet you.” Ronin shook his hand as he said, “I appreciate you and your wife inviting me over to dinner.”
“We’re glad to have you.” Mom looked unsure of him as she told him, “The kids have told us so much about you.”
“Good things I hope.”
“Um-hmm,” my mother nodded. “Yeah, lots of good things. Come on in, and we’ll get dinner started.”
“Sounds good.” Ronin was quick to ask, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, thank you. We’ve got it.”
I could tell that my folks were leery, and I got it.
Ronin didn’t look like the men I’d dated in the past. He was big and tall with a beard and tattoos, and they knew nothing about him which led them to ask a million and one questions.
They asked everything from where he grew up to where he worked and everything in between.
It was a lot.
And it didn’t help matters that Ronin wasn’t himself.
That text message had done a real number on him, but he put on a cheerful front, and it wasn’t long before he’d charmed both my mother and my father.
By the time we left, they were singing his praises, leaving no doubt that they approved of him and us, and that made me feel even better about my decision to start a new life with him.
Later that night, when we were home and alone in bed, I curled up next to him and asked, “You really think this moving in thing is going to work?”
“Wouldn’t have asked you to if I didn’t.”
“So, you think we’re going to be okay.”
“We’re going to be more than okay, baby. Just wait and see.”