36. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Maisie
M averick was indeed waiting for us at the airport when we landed and I ran into his arms as if I hadn't seen him in forever. Granted, that's how it still felt for me. It would take a very very long time for my cup to be full. We had a whole lifetime to catch up on.
He was a good man though. He was kind and funny, helpful and generous. He'd had this big life filled with achievements, he was once one of the very best boxers in Scotland. He wasn't a larger than life personality like I'd been told I was, but there was definitely a lot left there to uncover. I had a feeling that we'd only just scratched the surface in getting to know Maverick Anderson.
We had lunch with Mav before he took us to our hotel which was only a couple of miles away from where he lived in East Lothian. We were staying in Monkton House, it was absolutely stunning. It looked like a castle from the outside, it was surrounded by greenery and tall trees. Inside we had the most beautiful room, it was big and open with a huge four poster bed in the middle. The room was decorated with purples and whites, all dark wood and light walls. It was truly stunning. Close by, there were all manner of things that we could get up to, if I weren't heavily pregnant then we would have taken full advantage of all of those things.
Mack was adamant that we were here to relax, he had booked us into a local spa for massages and relaxing treatments, it felt like heaven. I couldn't wait to get someone's hands on my swollen feet, Mack did a good enough job but he deserved a break.
We spent the first couple of days taking short walks in the area, going out for lunch and for dinner. Making love in our giant four poster bed, soaking in every single second we had together before little baby M came along. We were both beyond excited to be starting a family, but there was a teeny tiny part of me that would miss the time that Mack and I had alone. We were very lucky to be surrounded by so many supportive people though, we'd still get quality time together. We'd make sure of it.
We spent lots of time with Maverick too, he showed us his home and his gym. The gym was nothing short of impressive, the walls were lined with trophies and belts that he'd won. He had everything displayed, his first boxing gloves he'd had as a child, his first pair of boxing shorts that had his name on. It was a sight to behold, he'd achieved so much.
But the most important moment of this holiday so far was when we got to meet Mav's family. Duncan and Bonnie Anderson were everything I could have wished for Mav, they were sweet and supportive and they loved him unconditionally. It was strange meeting his parents, but it just made me wish that mine were still here. They would have loved Mav, they would be so proud of him. We met his brother Jay too, he had also been adopted by the Anderson's as a baby, he was tall, tanned, had thick black hair and tattoos down his arms. He was loud and boisterous and seemed to take great pleasure in winding Mav up.
Initially I'd been hurt and angry when I heard about Mav's adoption. But, I'd now come to realise that they'd done the right thing, they were children themselves when they'd had him. I only wished that it hadn't taken all of that time for us to find each other. The moment I met Bonnie I knew she was right for Mav, she immediately took me in her arms and made me feel like I'd always have a home here with them. For the first time in twenty years I felt that maternal love that I'd been missing so desperately. Bonnie would never replace my mother, nobody ever could but the fact that she was so open to me being a part of Maverick's life, that was enough for me to love her already.
They'd even invited us up for Christmas next year, and we were already looking forward to it.
It was now our last night here in Scotland, I was sad to be leaving and going back home again but we had a baby to get ready for and from the way she was using my insides like her very own punching bag, I didn't expect she'd be waiting for too much longer. She was taking after her uncle already with the kidney jabs she was doling out.
The sun was just beginning to set as Mack led me down the path that led towards Gullane Bents, a wide sandy beach not far from where we'd been staying. The small pathway had been lit with lanterns which should have rung alarm bells but didn't.
We walked silently hand in hand down the beach, looking out towards the ocean where we could just about see some dolphins and seals swimming off the coast. We soon came to a little spot that had been set up like a picnic, a thick plaid blanket laying across the sand, more small lanterns lighting the area. There was a wicker basket filled with food and a bottle of alcohol free champagne.
"You did all this?"
"I'd do anything for you baby, come on, let me help you down." It was then I noticed that he'd brought a fold out chair for me, thank fuck for that, I'd never get up again if he had me on the sand.
We chatted, whilst eating delicious food and drinking our favourite bubbles when things turned serious.
Mack moved on to his knees and settled in front of me, he rested his hands on my thighs before he pressed a soft kiss to my lips. Our ten year anniversary was coming up soon, so I'd just assumed that's what we were celebrating. I couldn't have been more wrong.
"Baby, the last ten years have been the absolute best of my entire life. We found each other when we were both in need of a friend, you are my very best friend and I wouldn't wish to ever spend a single day apart. Our lives haven't been perfect, we've had our ups and downs and our worries and scares. But I wouldn't wish to be anywhere else but right by your side. I feel like I've loved you my whole life and now we have a beautiful little girl to extend that love to. The last ten years may not have been perfect but they've been perfect for us, well almost perfect."
Almost perfect, what did he mean?
He moved himself onto one knee in front of me, surrounded by the yellows, reds and oranges of the sunset. The smooth sand beneath us and the sounds of crashing waves.
"Baby, the first time I did this it was truly magical, a day we will never forget. It was one of the very best days of my life, but it wasn't perfect." He paused.
"It wasn't?" I asked.
"It wasn't – because there was somebody missing." Mack gave me that sweet smile and nodded behind me, I turned and there he was. My big brother was here with us, to witness the moment that Mack was recreating after all these years. I instinctively clutched my mother's locket which I still wore around my neck everyday. It meant even more to me now that I knew Mav was inside it too.
The tears began to flow as I looked at my brother, I could see his emotion reflected back at me. We'd missed out on so much time. Maverick moved behind me and placed both of his hands on my shoulders before pressing a firm, whiskery kiss to the top of my head. I looked back towards my husband of ten years and fell even more in love with him.
"S-Someone was missing," he croaked, the emotion getting to him too, "It's time to do it right baby, the way it should have been all those years ago. Your brother deserves the opportunity to walk you down that aisle, the way he should have the first time."
We were all sniffling, Mav's hands tightening on my shoulders the only visible reaction from him.
"Little flame, will you do me the greatest honour and marry me again? Not only for us, but for your family too."
I couldn't say a word, the emotions were too strong for me to verbalise how I felt in that moment. My wedding day had been one of the very best but also one of the hardest days of my life. Ace had walked me down that aisle and he'd been my family for a very long time but I'd still been missing something. Family, a bond like no other, pure contentment. I had the chance to do it again and I would not let that opportunity pass me by.
I pushed on the sides of the chair, both men helping me to stand.
"I'd marry you every single day for the rest of my life, you're my peace, my soul, you're my entire existence."
I turned to Maverick, his eyes red rimmed, I couldn't reach to wipe away the tears that were falling but I didn't need to. We both needed this moment.
"I'm so grateful for you Maverick, I'm so glad I found you." I told him as I wrapped my arms around his thick waist and held my brother close.
When he released me I turned back to Mack to find him holding a box, a navy velvet box.
"I know how much you love your ring, there's no way you'd ever want me to replace it."
He was right, the wedding I could do again, a renewal of our vows but everything from the first time around, I'd never want to change it.
"So I had this made for you instead." Mack pulled open the box and inside was the most beautiful bracelet, it was silver to match my other jewellery and held various different charms. A tent to signify me taking Mack's virginity, I couldn't help but smile at that memory. A motorbike, a cherry, a house, a little dog and four M's. Mack, Maisie, Maverick and … Maeve.
We were planning to name our daughter after her uncle, it was the closest we could get and it was perfect the very moment we'd heard it. I was beyond grateful for every single good thing in my life, there had been many.
But, meeting Mackenzie Richards was what turned it all around. I had gone from being completely alone and lost in the world to being the most cherished woman on the planet. Mack is the most humble, patient and beautiful man in existence and I will love him forever.
Mack loves me immensely, unconditionally and with every single atom in his body. We will love each other forever, I can't wait to see what forever might bring.