Chapter 3
Myles
Life is sweet. I still work hard, but I have two of the most incredible human beings I come home to every night. Maylee and Oren. I love them both, and I don’t care who knows it.
Maylee's honesty and love for Oren and me show me how bad things were with Oren's mother, who caused me trouble from the start.
Now I know what a healthy relationship is, and I’m not letting go. Maylee is it for me, for the long haul. I’m going to marry her, and I hope she’ll want to have a child because I’d be thrilled to have another son or a daughter. I’d love either with the same intensity I have for Oren.
Washing the breakfast dishes, I rinse then pop them in the dishwasher. My mind is miles away as I work. But an arm wraps around my waist, and I dry my hands on the tea towel before turning and wrapping Maylee in my arms, bringing her tightly to my chest.
“You okay, honeybunch?” I ask, knowing my attempts at pet names amuse her.
“Yeah. I took my pain meds, and they make me sleepy. I don’t like that, but they are needed just now.”
I kiss her slowly and gently, letting her feel how much I care for her throughout the kiss. Finishing the kiss, I guide her back into the living room and make sure she’s comfortable on the couch. I tuck a blanket over her legs and kiss her forehead before I take the place beside her.
“Did I tell you that the house purchase just needs me and Clem to sign? It won’t be a large mortgage, but with what happened before, I couldn’t buy the place outright.” I lean my temple against Maylee’s and breathe in the floral smell that she always has.
“I have a chunk of savings we can put on the house, Myles. It would be paid in full that way, and we’d not have a mortgage to think about,” Maylee says, turning her head to look at me.
“I’ll think about it. But I’m supposed to look after you…”
“Hey, if we are in this together, then we do it together. Speak to the realtor and get the house paid, and then we can save together to get anything done to it we need to be done. I think we should sneak off and get married too…”
I grab Maylee and hug her to me. “You being real? You want to get married? I was going to ask you but thought it was too early and you’d say not yet…”
We are interrupting each other as quickly as we are speaking at this stage. “Of course I’m being real!” Maylee sighs, and rolls her eyes, which has me chuckling at the sass she is showing.
“Okay, then. I’ll get a license and get it sorted at the courthouse. We’ll go in, get married, then hold a family get-together and tell Oren, Clem and Whitney.”
Maylee
Walking into Clem and Whitney's place, I’m nervous, but I know my bestie will be happy for me.
It’s been three weeks, and I have two more weeks before my cast is removed.
It was a clean break, and the orthopedist thought it could be removed in five weeks, but he’ll X-ray it again before he removes the cast.
I’m pleased we didn’t do wedding photographs because it would have been terrible to look back and see me with a broken arm. We are going to have pictures taken together when it’s removed, and include Oren so it’s a family photograph.
The TV is on, and Whitney, Clem and Oren are watching a movie with a coffee table full of snacks and soft drinks.
“Um, can I have your attention for a minute?” I ask, and Myles chuckles under his breath at my timidity.
Whitney stands, places her hands on her hips and squints. “What have you done? I know that look. Out with it!”
I must look like I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Myles has no shame or embarrassment and blurts, “We got married. Meet Mrs. Maylee Barstow.”
Clem jumps to his feet and walks to us, giving me a hug and his brother a man hug, which ends in a back slap that has Myles taking two steps forward.
Whitney smiles as she walks over to me. “Aw, Lee, I am so happy for you, but you know I was supposed to be your flower girl.”
I look at her, and she’s grinning so broadly I know she’s making fun of me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t want a fuss.”
A tug on my pants has me looking at Oren, who has a huge smile on his face. “That mean you are my mom now?”
I grab Oren and swing him around, which is difficult when you only have one arm to do it. “Yes, I am your mom, and I’m going to adopt you properly so that when I tan your butt, it’s legal.”
The look on Oren’s face is hysterical. He can’t believe he wanted me as a mom and I’d beat his butt.
He places his hands on his butt and steps back until he reaches the couch and sits.
He gives Myles a filthy look before turning back to the TV, but we all hear him mumble that he doesn’t want a mom after all.
In the afternoon and evening, we watch TV, eat snacks and drink soda that we found in both Whitney’s and our fridge. It’s a great day, and I never wanted to have a big wedding, because let’s be honest who would we even invite?
At work, I completed all the paperwork to change my married name. Thank everyone for their congratulations and complete the work on my desk.
I’m thankful that I didn’t break the arm that I write with, or it would have been a clusterfuck.
Annabelle has been amazing. I didn’t have a secretary or a helper, but she has taken on the role.
I’ve spoken to my boss, and he’s given Annabelle a salary raise, and made her my assistant.
We get along great, and I’m plowing through the work that has been sitting on my desk.
Mrs. Carmichael is three towns over from here. She has a job, an apartment and all the support she could need. The divorce will go through easily with all the evidence against her husband.
I’m meeting Myles for lunch today, and after making sure Annabelle is informed I’m leaving but will be back in an hour. I head out to the café.
What I don’t expect to see is Florence freaking Tomas sitting with Myles, and looking way too friendly for my liking.
I strut up to the table, give Myles a look that should have him dropping to the floor d.e.a.d… “Am I interrupting something?” I ask icily.
“Hi, sugarplum,” Myles says, looking relieved I think?
Florence glares at me. “No, you can leave now.”
“So, you think I’m going to leave my HUSBAND…” which I spit out with as much snarl as I can muster, “with you?”
“What? Husband?”
Myles smiles innocently. “Come on, wifey, take a seat.” He turns to Florence. “Go away, I’ve told you three times already.”
“Oh, that’s harassment if I’ve ever heard it. I’ll speak to my boss about getting a court order…” I don’t get to say more before Florence is out of her chair, and out of the café.
“You are in trouble…” I state as I take a seat. But we both know I’m not really that angry with him, and he wouldn’t cheat. I lean forward and whisper. “You know they say make-up sex is the best!”
The next morning, I can confirm it is about the best, but I may have to annoy Myles just so I can test it again.