Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) (9 page)

With their tea forgotten, passion surged between them, their chemistry still intact. Michael’s hands wandered all over her body. He paused and looked down at her. “Are you sure?”

Maggie replied by crushing his mouth with hers. She didn’t want to think or deal with reason. That answer sufficed for him as he carried her off to their bedroom.

***

Feeling Seattle’s early gray sunlight penetrating the room, Maggie’s eyes fluttered open. She could feel the pleasant weight of Michael’s arm as it rested on her hips. She backed up against him, their naked bodies spooning, she sighed.
Why couldn’t things just be okay?
Thoughts plagued her; she tried to think of ways to try to solve their marital problems, she wondered how they could repair things and be a family again. She thought of the new life slowly growing inside of her, she thought of Melanie and how quickly she was growing up. Life as an adult was so complicated and messy, and was nothing like she’d imagined.

Maggie sensed that Michael was stirring. The sound of his content breathing had changed, and his hand started to roam over her, cupping her breast and pulling her closer to him. She sighed again as she felt his body harden against her. She welcomed him as he prodded her gently, her body still tender from the night before.

“Oh, Maggie.” He moaned in her ear. She felt her body heat up as desire warmed through her. Pleasure soared through their bodies, emotional release contracted in their muscles. Spasms lingered in their afterglow. Spent and sated, they fell asleep in each other’s arms again.

***

Maggie heard their bedroom door opening, and pulled their comforter tighter around her naked body. Melanie peeked in and asked, “Mom, I’m hungry, can I have breakfast?”

“I’ll be right out and will make us all some. You sleep okay, sweetie?”

Melanie nodded. “Yeah, I slept okay.” Maggie could tell her child seemed a little out of sorts.

“Everything okay, Mel?”

Melanie’s bottom lip jutted out a little. “I thought I would be happy that we are home. I sort of wish I was going to school today.”

“Like school here or in Birch Valley?”

“Birch Valley. I miss Grams and my friends at school.”

They hadn’t even been gone a full day, and it was Saturday, so it wasn’t like Melanie would even be at school. That certainly was a change of events. Maggie felt a sense of relief that she had made the right call moving them back to that special, rural community.

“I bet they miss you too, sweetie. Do you know why we are here?” Maggie decided she needed to discuss this again with her daughter.

Melanie nodded, her expression sad. “Grandpa died.”

Maggie felt tears emerging. That was why they were there, it as what brought them back, brought her, back to Michael. She felt her husband move next to her, he must have heard them speaking.

“Good morning, sweetie,” he said to Melanie.

“Morning, Daddy. Mom says she is going to make us breakfast.” Melanie’s expression quickly changed as she smiled widely at him.

“Well, let’s get out of bed and get dressed,” Maggie said, clutching the thick comforter even tighter.

“Aren’t you wearing pajamas?” Melanie asked, a confused scowl crossing her face.

Good grief
, thought Maggie as she was filled with embarrassment. She could hear Michael let out a laugh as he told Melanie, “We’ll meet you in the kitchen in a minute. Can you see if we have any eggs in the fridge?”

That was clever
. Melanie happily skipped out of their room. Michael grabbed Maggie’s waist and turned her to him. “Did I thank you for coming back?”

She watched as his lips curved into a sexy grin. “Yes, several times now.” She couldn’t help laughing. Here they were on the verge of their marriage ending, yet they were naked in bed.

Maggie memorized his face, the faint wrinkles and creases near his eyes, the shadowy stubble that outlined his strong jaw, and his slightly swollen lips from the heavy kissing the night before.

She felt his hands slowly run down her spine as he leaned in to kiss her full on the mouth. God help her.

***

The mood shifted when reality decided to invade. They were seated at the dining table eating a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, and Maggie had recovered some frozen sausage links that were tucked in the back of the freezer. Her cooking talents were limited, but she could manage a simple meal like this. They were working on their second cup of coffee when Michael’s phone rang. He left the table to answer it and came back minutes later explaining he had to go to the office, but would return as soon as he could. He showered and dressed in record time, and Maggie reluctantly kissed him on the cheek as he headed out the door. The scene was all too familiar.

After clearing the table of their dirty dishes, Maggie showered, her body still sensitive from her and Michael’s love making. Letting the hot water beat hard against her shoulders, she felt more confused than ever. Last night, and even that morning, being with him in their bed felt so right, like it was where she belonged. Then when he left her to go to his office, she felt abandoned again. Sure, he promised to be home early, she would give him the benefit of the doubt and see if he actually did. In her heart, she knew that wasn’t how Michael operated. But last night felt completely different, as they lay in bed together, flushed from their intense and powerful love making, they talked. Really talked. Michael opened up about the feelings he was struggling with, how the grief hadn’t really settled in yet, and that he was worried about when it finally did. Maggie comforted him, holding him in her arms as they both cried in the darkness. For the first time in a long while she had actually felt hope, hope that their relationship could be mended. If only she could convince Michael to leave Seattle and come to Birch Valley, maybe they could still be together and be a happy family like she had always dreamed.

***

The evening sky had turned an even more dismal gray color, which suited Maggie’s mood. She kept eyeing the clock. She had sent a couple messages to Michael to check in with him, only one response came that he was going to be a little late. Of course he would be. Maggie stood and gazed out the large window of their high rise condo, watching the cars below move at a snail’s pace. She could hear the distant sounds of horns of frustrated drivers.

They had already eaten dinner, Melanie was in her bedroom playing with dolls, and Maggie sat waiting like she always had when she lived here. This helped remind her why she couldn’t move back to Seattle, and it cemented her reasons for leaving. Lost in a tangled web of angry thoughts, she heard her cell phone ring.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Maggie,” Rachel said on the other line. Maggie was surprised but happy to hear from her.

“Rachel, how’s it going?”

“Fine here, just wanted to see how you guys were all holding up. Liam told me about Michael’s dad, I’m so sorry.” Her voice was soft as she offered her condolences.

Maggie appreciated Rachel thinking of her and Michael; it showed what a decent and kind person that woman was. She really hoped that someday Rachel would become her sister in-law, but for now she would settle for her being a good friend.

“We are doing okay, I guess,” she paused and wondered how much detail she could go into with Rachel. She threw caution to the wind and started to explain everything that had happened since she had arrived back in Seattle.

Rachel let out a long breath. “Wow, I can’t say I really know how to advise you on this. I mean, on one hand, he’s your husband, so obviously wanting to be with him is natural, but on the other you guys are sort of at war about things. If you add in the grief and shock I’m sure you both are feeling, damn, I mean, I wouldn’t even know how to handle that.”

“Trust me, that’s why I’m venting to you. I don’t know what to do. Like I said earlier, I love him, I honestly do. I really thought maybe we could work this out and save our little family,” she said as her hand drifted protectively over her belly.

“Okay, here’s where we can start, let’s handle this thing with his dad first. Try and get through that. When’s the funeral?” Rachel asked. Maggie frowned, Michael hadn’t been home all day, and she had no idea who was handling things.

“Gosh, I don’t know. Michael mentioned last night that his dad had already set up his funeral arrangements, but I have no idea when the funeral is being held.” This made Maggie feel a little more anger towards Michael. How could he ask for her to come home, and then run off to the office, leaving her stuck, not having any idea as to what was going on?

“Maybe you need to work out the details with Michael when he comes home tonight,” Rachel suggested. “Maggie, try to go easy on him, this is a lot to deal with. I’m not excusing his behavior, he should be home grieving, with you and Melanie by his side.”

She was right, Maggie had to admit. Her husband didn’t really know any other way, he had always thrown himself into his work. He said it was for them, but she knew that it was because that was what he had always done, long before he had even met her. Maggie wished Rachel a good night and thanked her again for calling before hanging up.

Maggie was chatting with Melanie as she brushed her teeth and got ready for bed when Michael came home.

“Are you guys here?” he frantically called out.

“In the bathroom,” Maggie answered.

Michael appeared in the doorway. He looked exhausted, his dress shirt was partially un-tucked and wrinkled, and his eyes looked raw but relieved to see her and Melanie.

Maggie let Michael tuck in Melanie and read her a bedtime story. She heated up some leftovers for him and waited at the dining room table. Moments later he joined her, and he looked grateful as he eyed the food.

“So what happened today?” Maggie asked as Michael forked in a mouthful of noodles.

He swallowed. “A lot of things actually. I have been working on this case for the last month or so, and had some last minute deposition changes.” Michael forked another bite of food into his mouth and took a drink of the cold iced tea that Maggie had poured for him. “Then I spoke with the people down at the mortuary.” His eyes glazed over with a wet sheen. Maggie realized it wasn’t the first time her husband had cried that day.

She reached out to him and rubbed his arm soothingly. “So what did they say?”

“Well, I guess Dad has picked out everything from his casket to floral arrangements, if you can believe it. God, I can’t imagine being able to do that, you know?” His voice trembled.

“He was actually just trying to make it easier on you, sweetie. He knew you would be distraught, just like you both were when your mom died.”

Michael dropped his fork and placed his head in his hands. “I know, but God, Maggie, it’s just so hard.”

She witnessed the reality of his father’s death starting to sink into Michael. He was no longer in shock, he was fully absorbed in his grief. Rachel was right, this was a lot to deal with, and she did need to go easy on him. Maggie stood up and walked over to him, she reached for his head and brought it her belly and held him close to her. She could hear Michael sob as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. Seeing him so vulnerable chipped away at her resolve. She just wanted to hold him and make the pain go away.

“Have you felt the baby move yet?” Michael asked quietly. It was the first time he had brought up the pregnancy since she had returned. With tears swimming in her eyes, her heart sank.

***

Maggie was laying on their bed. She had suggested Michael go take a hot, relaxing shower. He emerged from the adjoining bathroom, steam following him as he entered their bedroom. His dark hair was wet, and he had on only a towel that hung low on his hips as he neared the bed. Maggie felt a bit guilty for the aroused feelings that were overcoming her. She needed to be his pillar of strength and support.

“You were right, I feel a lot better,” Michael said as stood near her.

“I’m glad. You want me to make you some hot tea, or can I get you anything else?” Maggie offered, trying hard to keep her eyes off his sculpted chest and the towel that looked like it could fall at any moment. Her heart raced with anticipation, hoping it would.

“No, it’s okay. I think I might just go to bed.” Michael yawned. He did look exhausted, but there was something else that sparkled in his brown eyes. Maggie recognized it; she was more than familiar with the stare of desire he was giving her.

“Michael, I want you to know that I’m here for you. I want to support you as you deal with your father’s death, but this doesn’t mean I’m back home for good.” Maggie was gathering all her inner strength to not strip down and relive their passion from the night before.

Michael towered over her as she sat up in the bed. “I know. To be honest, being with you helps me forget everything that I’m dealing with. I miss you.” His voice grew raspy, rich with desire. Maggie could see her husband wanted her. God knew she wanted him equally, but it was only complicating matters.

“Maybe we should talk?”