Three of Hearts (20 page)

“I’m done in three, and I still have a ton to do before tomorrow. Oh by the way, I saw Seth, hope I didn’t cause waves for you,” Leo said looking ashamed.

Mae gave his shoulder a playful shove, “no worries, it’s all good.”

Mae noticed once again Robert had grown quiet and looked quite annoyed.

“Well, I have to go and finish up, catch you later, bye Mae,” Robert said and walked off.

Mae waited for Leo to say something or to go after Robert, but he was playing on his phone. MEN! They can be so stupid sometimes!

Becoming quite a bit annoyed herself, she looked at Leo and hissed, “Leo can’t you tell Robert’s upset about the wedding.”

Leo looking at Mae as if just realizing she was talking to him, “huh? What do you mean?”

Rolling her eyes, she looked at her friend and tried to patiently tell him what was obvious to her. “Leo, Robert is upset that you are bringing me to the wedding. Did you even ask him if he would go with you?”

Shaking his head as if there was no possible way she could be right, he brushed her opinion off by saying “No, he’s not. Besides he knows that I couldn’t bring him as my date with my father there.”

Waiting for him to process it all in his head and come to the same conclusion as she, Mae watched as Leo looked off into the distance and quietly talked it out with himself.

“Mae, you really think he’s upset?” Leo said suddenly looking uncomfortable.

“Yes I do, Leo. Think about it, how you would feel if Robert was bringing me to a wedding.” Mae said reasoning it out for him.

“Oh, uh, well, I guess I wouldn’t like it.” Leo said softly that Mae almost missed it.

Now looking at her, Leo looked distraught, “Mae, I better go talk to him. Can I call you later?”

Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek for luck, she nodded her agreement and watched as he headed off to find Robert and hopefully mend a fence.

FOURTEEN

The weather was still quite warm, so Mae rolled down the Camaro windows and headed toward the house. She was lost in her thoughts when Mae realized that she must have taken a wrong turn and now was on a totally unfamiliar road. She was about to turn around when a small sign caught her attention: Lakeview Cemetery. Not knowing why, Mae followed the sign and entered the small cemetery. She slowly drove through the beautiful kept lawns, and maneuvered the car around the small roads. She was about to head back out to the main road, when Mae caught sight of a large red toned granite marker in the shape of a heart. Engraved across the center of the stone was FINN. Mae put the Camaro in park, got out and walked over to the stone and placed her hand along the smooth surface.

Beloved
Wife,
Cherished
Mother,
Treasured
Daughter
Maggie
Ruth
Finn

August
23,
1975-December
21,
2006

She got down on her haunches and ran her fingers over the engraving, then brought them to her lips.

Mae looked down at the grass around the stone and noted it was quite matted, as if there were many visitors. She noticed the freshly potted daffodils and the miniature teal and white cancer awareness pin that was tucked into one of the pots.

Mae took in the scenery surrounding her and was quiet in thought. Finally, she spoke.

“Maggie your family is beautiful and you left behind an awful lot of people that loved you. The more I learn of you the more I wish I had known you. No one will ever replace you and I would never dishonor your memory by trying, but I would really like to join your family and make them my own. So if you could send me a sign if you’d rather wish me to leave them be.”

Just then the few clouds that were left in the sky parted and the glorious sun shined down.

“Thank you Maggie.”

Mae headed to her car, and just as she was about to climb in, she turned and looked back at the stone and knew she was driven here by some unknown force.

Mae turned into Seth’s driveway and cut the engine to hear the ongoing squeals of laughter coming from the yard. She made her way around and to the back yard to find Seth flat on his back with Aidan and Megan piled on top of him. Conner was off to the side giving verbal directions of how to keep Seth on his back.

Seth bound up with one arm around Aidan and the other around Megan and started tickling each child ferociously. Conner jumped on Seth’s back to save his younger siblings and found himself the victim of the sudden change of tactics when Seth left the smaller two alone and focused all his attention on his oldest.

Mae just watched as Seth playful tickled his kids, one after the other. When Conner brought attention to Mae’s presence by saying “Mae, help us.” Seth decided to slowly climb to his feet while holding on to his kids and stalk toward his newest victim.

“Don’t even think about it Finn!” Mae said as she tried to stand her ground and not run like she knew Seth wanted her to.

“Too late, I’ve not only thought about it, I’ve committed to the idea.” Seth said wickedly as his face grew into a sinister smile and a new found challenge.

Aidan, trying to protect Mae, jumped in front of her and called out a chant to make his Dad chase him instead, but nothing would alter Seth’s course.

Seth plunged toward Mae as she sidestepped him to the left. She pushed Megan behind her wanting to keep the kids involved in the game.

Conner and Aidan both tried to taunt Seth for his attention but Seth was firm in his intent.

Trying to avoid his mighty grasp, and failing miserably, Mae found herself momentarily airborne and then carefully placed on her back on the ground. Seth was tickling with playful speed. The laughing coming from Mae and his kids only fueled his fingers even more. The kids tried to help Mae escape but he easily deflected their attempts. Knowing he needed to lose gracefully, Seth let Conner tackle him to the ground and with the assistance of his sibling they each sat on a limb while Mae tickled him until he was calling “Uncle, Uncle.”

Mae gave the final order to seize the attack and picked Megan up while high fiving each of the boys.

Seth stood, trying to catch his breath, and gazed warmly at the beautiful picture Mae made with his kids. With Megan in her arms and each of the boys surrounding her, Seth’s heart grew with love and knew he needed to tell her how he felt.

“Okay you treacherous kids, upstairs put something long sleeved on and we’ll head out on the boat for a sun set trip around the lake.”

Conner held on to Megan’s hand as they ran up the stairs with Aidan trailing behind them. When the kids were inside the house, Seth walked over to Mae and put his hands around the nape of her neck and pulled her to him and kissed her with all that he felt.

Holding onto his wrists, Mae returned Seth’s kiss with equal intensity. When he finally broke it, he kept her held in his hands and looked in her eyes. Her beauty took his breath away. Her hair whirled around them and caused the tropical smell that was only Mae’s, to surround him. This was the woman who was meant for him.

Feeling the power of the moment, Mae didn’t want to say anything. She just wanted to look at the man she hoped would be hers forever.

The children quickly came back down the stairs breaking the trance. “Come on Mae, Dad, let’s get on the boat.” Conner yelled as he and the other two ran down the dock.

“Coming!” Seth bellowed as he and Mae walked hand in hand down the dock and onto the boat.

Once Mae was aboard she sat down on one of the front seats and Megan climbed into her lap. Conner and Aidan sat across from them and Seth took the helm. Slowly easing away from the dock, Seth headed toward the center of the lake. Conner was pointing out all the different beaches and commercial docks along the way. Aidan interrupted every now and then to point out different people’s homes and of course where you could see the local Video Gaming store through the trees. Megan pointed towards the various wildlife they could see and Mae cuddled the little girl trying to keep her warm from the chilly water breeze.

Seth slowed down as they approached the middle of the lake, and to everyone’s surprise called Conner over to the controls.

“There isn’t anyone out here and so if you want I’ll let you drive for a little bit, Con,” Seth offered, hoping his sudden change of heart would make his son happy.

“Really? Oh you are the best, Dad!” Conner leaped up and hugged Seth not caring that it was against Teenage Code.

Conner guided the boat with Seth’s quiet directions. When it was time for Seth to take over again, Conner stood next to his father looking happier than Mae had ever seen.

Seth looked at Mae and winked.

The group of them watched as the sky turned from blue to purple and pink as the sun set behind the trees. As they headed back they talked about their plans for the weekend and how they hoped they could go out on the boat again maybe with the tubes or the jet skis.

When Seth had maneuvered the boat alongside his dock, Conner hopped out and helped his siblings out, then holding out his hand for Mae to grab as she stepped out and onto the dock.

Conner and Mae shared a private moment as Mae read the joy in his eyes. With a wide smile that looked so much like his fathers, Conner bound off toward the house.

Seth stepped up behind Mae and moved her hair so he could place light kisses along her neck. As he gently nibbled, Mae tilted her head to give him better access. With his hands wrapped around her waist, he pulled her against his front and continued to arouse her.

“Honey, how come you taste so good?” Seth asked huskily against her throat.

“Just lucky I guess” Mae teased as she reached around his face and placed her hand on his cheek.

Giving one last kiss he moved her so she was now facing him and kissed her lips as he had wanted to do since she came home.

Home, exactly where she belonged, he thought

“So what is your plan for the evening?” he asked as he regretfully ended the kiss

“The only plan I have is to be with you and them,” as she pointed toward the house where his kids were.

“Well if I have to share you,” Seth said with assured meaning, “then there is no one I’d rather share you with than them.”

When the entered the house, Conner and Aidan were starting a game of tennis on the Wii and Megan was looking pouty on the couch.

“What’s the matter, Spitfire?” Seth said leaning over the back of the couch where Megan sat.

“They won’t let me play.”

Raising his eyes to the ceiling, Conner turned to Seth and explained that they couldn’t play with an odd amount of players.

“Okay then, we’ll make it even. I’ll play with Megan.” Seth said going to the cabinet where the additional controllers were kept. He took two more out, handing one to Megan and they all took their spots ready to engage in the tennis game of all tennis games.

Mae watched from the kitchen area as the teams played to win.

Twenty minutes later, it was down to match point and Conner spiked his serve and Seth missed by a mile. Conner and Aidan came out victorious. Seth and Megan both graciously took their defeat and while Megan headed off to another room, Seth made his way to Mae.

“You, Mr. Finn, just lost.” Mae said as she handed him a piece of her sandwich that she made while they played.

Chewing the ham and cheese sandwich, Seth nodded in agreement and went to the fridge to grab a drink. He pulled out two bottled waters, handed one to Mae and twisted off the cap of his own and took a refreshing gulp.

Mae looked around Seth and saw that the boys had started a singles game. Turning her attention back to Seth she saw that he had a smoldering look in his eye.

Seth turned to the boys and told them he and Mae would be out on the deck if they needed him.

Once out on the deck, Seth sat down in one of the chairs and pulled Mae onto his lap. He kissed her just because he could as well as took a quick feel of her soft breasts just because he wanted to.

“Want a glass of wine, Honey?” Seth asked as he played with the ends of her hair.

“That sounds wonderful.”

Seth tapped her on her bottom, as Mae switched to the open chair next to the one she shared with Seth, she watched as Seth went and got her a glass.

He returned with a full glass and as he handed it to her he said “Pinot for the Lady.” Touched that he remembered, she expressed her thanks and rubbed his back as he took his seat next to her.

“So what time is the wedding tomorrow?” Seth asked as they both sat contently in the dark, with only the inside light and moon to give light.

“The ceremony starts at one, so I guess I’ll leave around 11:30 to get there on time.” Mae said hoping that Leo and Robert had worked things out.

As if reading her mind, her cell phone rang in her pocket. It was Leo.

“Hi, Leo. How’d it go?”

“Hey Mae, you were right, he was pretty hurt that I was bringing you rather than him to the wedding. I tried to explain that I didn’t think it was the time to introduce him to my dad, but he just got pissed and said whatever.” Taking a deep breath, Leo continued “Mae I think I fucked up.”

Feeling empathy for Leo and Robert, she asked “so what are you going to do?”

Laughing ironically, Leo answered “he won’t even take my calls. I’ve called him like twenty times and texted him at least fifty times, telling him to go with me and we would tell my family together but he won’t even respond.”

Mae’s heart broke for her friend, “do you still want me to drive out there tomorrow?”

“Yeah, please. I’m going to be miserable if I’m by myself and besides they already paid for the meal and all.”

“Ok, sure, we’ll meet as planned. Is there anything I can do?” Mae asked wanting to do something that would make Leo feel better.

“Nah, just promise me you’ll hit me over the head if anything like this should happen again.” Leo said trying to be funny but it pretty much fell flat.

After saying good bye, Mae hung up the phone and placed it on the glass table.