Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
The call from Rory came while they were eating breakfast. Jack Harley had been picked up this morning, and Rory wanted to let Maggie and Nick know as soon as possible. They found him drunk and sleeping in his car about two blocks from Maggie’s house.
A shiver went down her spine that had nothing to do with Nick’s supportive arm around her waist as she spoke with her brother. She could tell from the sound of his voice that he wasn’t a happy camper when he asked to speak with Nick.
Maggie could only hear one side of the conversation, but it didn’t take much imagination to figure out what Rory was asking Nick.
“Yes, she’s fine,” Nick answered. “I took care of it. No, I don’t think she’ll do anything so foolish again,” Nick continued, shooting a look at Maggie that had her blushing immediately.
“Yes, I’ll tell her. Keep me informed if anything comes up. Thanks, Rory.”
“Are you and my brother through discussing what a bad girl I’ve been?” Maggie asked sarcastically as she began cleaning up the kitchen.
“For now,” Nick replied. “Although knowing you, I doubt it’s the last time the subject will come up.”
“What did my illustrious brother want you to tell me,” she demanded, hands on her hips, her defiance clear to see.
Nick admired her spirit. Standing there in her silky emerald green robe and bare feet, she thrust her chin out as her hair cascaded down her back.
For two cents, he’d spank her rosy ass again and take her back upstairs, but this was serious and he wanted to make sure she understood.
In a heartbeat he snaked his arm around her waist and lifted her right off the floor.
When they were nose to nose, he looked directly into her amber eyes and delivered Rory’s message.
“He wanted me to tell you that if you ever put yourself or his niece and nephews in danger again, well… he said to tell you, the line forms behind him.”
“Oh,” Maggie gulped as embarrassment swept through her. Her arms crept around his broad shoulders as she buried her face in his neck.
“Oh, Nick,” she sighed weaving her fingers into the hair at the back of his neck. “Why am I such a screw-up?” she moaned.
Before he knew what happened, the moan became a sob, and the sob became a wail.
Sweeping her up into his arms, Nick debated where to go with his almost hysterical woman.
He decided on the big rocker in the living room, carried her there, and settled her on his lap.
Rocking gently, he held her close to his heart and tried to soothe her.
“Sweetheart,” he told her as he tried to keep the smile out of his voice.
“Everyone adores you, you know that,” he continued patting her back as she sobbed into his chest. “You’re smart and beautiful.
You’re a wonderful mother, a hard worker, loyal, and dependable.
I love your spirit and that you don’t back down if you believe you’re right. ”
“Then… then why does everyone want to… to… span… spank me?” She pushed herself away from Nick’s chest to look into his eyes as tears dripped down her face.
“Baby, no one wants to spank you,” he told her, pulling her back against his chest and starting the chair rocking again. “We just want you to be safe and to take care of yourself. I can only speak for myself, but as far as I’m concerned, you never have to have another spanking again.”
That got Maggie’s attention. Sitting up, she wiped the tears from her face.
“Really?” she asked with a look of hope on her face.
“Really,” he assured her, unable to stop his grin.
Maggie sighed in relief and snuggled back into his arms. Nick held her close and kissed the top of her head.
“Wait a minute,” Maggie demanded bolting upright. “Is this a trick?”
“Nope, no tricks,” Nick told her wrapping her in his arms. “I promise never to spank you again. As long as you never lie to me and never do anything to put your health and safety in jeopardy, your sweet little butt is safe from me.”
“Great,” huffed Maggie. “I knew it was a trick. Who gets to decide what’s safe and what isn’t?”
“Me, after we discuss it of course.” Nick calmly stated.
“Oh, of course,”’ she sneered. “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. We both know what a big fat liar I’ve become, so let’s just say marrying you and getting my butt roasted three times a week isn’t exactly on my bucket list.”
“That’s really too bad, honey, because I have every intention of marrying you.
I lost you fifteen years ago, and I have no intention of repeating that mistake,” Nick told her firmly, taking her chin in his hand.
She could see the determination in his eyes.
“I love you, Maggie. I have always loved you, and I will find a way to prove my love to you.”
“Oh,” she responded as she settled back and let Nick continue to rock and hold her. He wanted to marry her. Could she marry him?
Nick wasn’t likely to change, she knew that.
It was in his nature to be protective, maybe over-protective at times, and let’s not forget bossy.
There was a lot she admired about him, and his taking charge in the bedroom was unbelievably sexy.
Just thinking about last night had her melting.
But could she live with that on a full time basis?
Could she bend without breaking? Maggie wasn’t sure.
Rebecca was living it, and she was gloriously happy, but just the memory of what happened at Rebecca and Mason’s wedding left Maggie feeling mortified. One thing was for sure. If she and Nick ever did get married, they’d be doing it at a Justice of the Peace with no witnesses, just in case.
Pushing that thought to the back of her mind, Maggie decided to see if Nick was really serious. She slid off his lap and tried to tug him out of the chair.
“You want to prove you love me? I have the perfect place for you to start.”
Nick’s eyes widened as he lunged out of the chair and snatched her up, growling like a bear and kissing her wildly.
Maggie squealed and struggled as he threw her over his shoulder and started up the stairs.
“No. Nick, not that,” she laughed, hanging upside down and smacking his back. “I said prove you love me, not prove you want me.”
Nick stopped and reversed his steps, setting her down gently.
“Okay, I’m listening,” he inquired suspiciously.
“Go home and change, Nick, we’re going to dinner,” she told him with a twinkle in her eye.
“Okay, where?”
“Ma and Da’s” she said smiling sweetly.
“Aw, Maggie, really?” he groaned. “Why?”
“I think it’s time to do a little damage control, and besides I miss them,” she admitted.
“Are they all going to be there?” he asked, a little panic in his voice.
“It’s Sunday,” she laughed, pushing him towards the door. “What do you think?”
“Okay, sweetie,” he conceded as he brushed a kiss across her soft lips. Sunday dinner at her parents’ house, he mused to himself. It shouldn’t be too bad. What’s the worst that could happen?
* * *
It was bedlam. As they drove up to the large Victorian house, Nick knew immediately he was out of his comfort zone.
While he had spent hours upon hours as a teenager hanging out at this very house, he was now unsure of his welcome.
Maggie called her parents to let them know they were coming, but Nick hadn’t set foot on this property in over fifteen years.
Despite the countless meals Maeve had just about forced on him, he wasn’t sure if he could even swallow at this point.
“Does your family know?” he asked quietly as they parked the van at the curb and got out.
The long driveway was already taken up by other vehicles, an assortment of toys, bikes, and of course, the ever present basketball hoop where Jason and two other tall young men were trash talking to each other and laughing.
He could see a tea party was in progress on the large wrap-around porch, and he quickly identified Caitie.
The other two little girls were a mystery; the absolutely enormous hats decorated with tulle and flowers concealed their little faces.
All were still wearing their Sunday best. Several small rattan chairs were occupied with large teddy bears, and soft giggles floated across the air, quickly smothered by tiny white-gloved hands.
Maggie leaned against the van and took in the scene.
How many summer afternoons had she and her sisters spent exactly like this?
How many times had she watched her brothers and assorted friends, Nick included, shoot hoops until well after dark?
They were good times, maybe the best, and it was somehow sad to think those times were gone forever.
Sighing softly, she faced Nick and answered his question.
“No, no one knows. There was no point in making things any more complicated than they already were at the time. They all supported me after we broke up. I’m sure they had questions, and I’m not sure why they kept them to themselves.
Maybe Da had something to do with that, but no, I never told a living soul,” she whispered.
Maggie turned away from him and silently watched her children playing. Everything suddenly felt surreal, and she struggled to stay focused.
“Just so you know, I have no intention of telling them now. We have to find a way to work this out, Nick. A way that doesn’t cause my… our son any pain.”
“I agree,” Nick said as he pulled Maggie around to face him. A gentle breeze lifted and swirled her shining hair around her face, and the soft scent of her mother’s roses wafted over them.
“Marry me, Maggie and we’ll never have this discussion again,” he told her as he held her hands to his chest and looked down into her amber eyes.
“Jason’s paternity will cease to be an issue.
No court, no secrets. If he ever comes to us, we’ll tell him the truth.
But if he doesn’t, we’ll let it be.” Nick dipped his head and lightly brushed her lips, forgetting the little gigglers on the porch who immediately went into peals of laughter.