Old life... New love..

[melbender]

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He lives a sheltered routine life, used to order and schedule. That’s how it’s been since his wife passed. Before she died, they had the same routine and structure. Sex was for pregnancy and straight forward. His children, well mannered and reaching their early teens. 

She’s free spirited and clumsy. Travelling the world one month at a time. Her parents died and left her a trust fund for her to experience life at its best. She knows no schedule, and enjoys living. 

A job takes her to a small town, where she is to take photos of the beauty she finds. Renting a small house next to a large property. She goes over to introduce herself and finds the man less than pleasant.. but it doesn’t bother her and she soon finds herself annoying him for help each day.

How can he let someone new in his life when he had lost his only one. Everything she does, says, wears.. he compares it to her and when they become something more, he finds himself still saying she’s doing things wrongly.. can he let go of his past, and become something more with the future? and when he discovers old diaries in the attic that details a sordid affair with her ex boss, is it too late to see what he could have had.

[melbender]

“It’s not that. This house is full of memories, good memories of your wife and i can’t say anything without it being rude but I can’t live here. Your kids have a mother, which I understand. I’m just not comfortable here knowing each room is memories for you all. I cant ever share a bedroom with you, we won’t be a proper family.” I was going to be known as the idiot who trapped him.

[Ashwag24]

I looked at her.  “Happy memories?  As far as I see it they were mostly fake.  And did you forget I have to go sleep in that room where I now know my wife had another man?  Tessa, if you don’t want to be with me in that way just tell me please.  I mean why would you, I’m a mess with lots of baggage.”  We weren’t getting anywhere she just didn’t want to be a family.  I pulled away.  “Get some sleep Tessa we can talk more before the kids wake, right now I’m thinking a good walk will do me some good.”  I kissed her head and looked at her I don’t know what to say or do.

[melbender]

“You’re twisting my words.” I shook my head and just laid back down. “Maybe me coming back was a mistake.” This was all one huge mess. “I told you what I wanted earlier and you shut me down almost immediately. You assumed I’d be going again, why would I come back here? I could have stayed away and taken care of it and you’d be done the wiser but I came back here to tell you, you’re the one pushing me away. I’m here, i came back here because I thought there was something but maybe I was wrong.”

[Ashwag24]

K turned and looked at her.  “How am I pushing you away, I said you can stay here you don’t want to, I told you I wanted this baby, with those things comes you too.  I would say that or offer it if I didn’t want you.  I shook my head went to my office grabbed my book edited copy it wasn’t the hard copy but maybe if she read it she would see.  I came back out and handed it to her. “Surprise.”  I said and turned and walked back to my office.  I didn’t know what to do at all.

[melbender]

I couldn’t sit in the living room anymore, feeling like the couch was burning me. I took the blanket and made a hot tea, going outside to read the book. It was beautiful. I read until my eyes stung, and I could no longer stay awake. The sun rising early morning was when I slowly began to fall asleep on the porch swing with the book in my arms.

[Ashwag24]

I dozed off in my office and when I woke I looked around and felt like crap.  Walking out and seeing she wasn’t there I felt my heart sink going to the front seeing her van I smiled I walked out to it but she wasn’t there.  I turned to go back in and saw her on the porch sleeping.  I walked over and picked her up talking her inside and laying her on the couch.  I kissed her head and went to make coffee and tea.

[melbender]

I heard noises from the kitchen and woke, still beyond tired but awake again. I laid there reading more, racing to get to the next page until I finished the book. Tears in my eyes as I realised what he’d written about. I made my way to the kitchen, sleepily leaning against the door frame “it’s going to become a best seller instantly.” I knew it would. “It’s mt favourite so far.”

[Ashwag24]

I turned.  “Thank you.”  I blushed a little.  “Did I um do the intimate parts justice this time?”  I smiled.  And took the tea over to her.  “Did you get enough sleep?”

[melbender]

“Oh trust me, women will be lining up for autographs and photos with you after reading this.” I laughed softly which turned into a yawn “barely slept, but I’ll deal with it.” I sat at the table resting my head on my arm. Then I looked at him “I’ll move into the cottage, just until I find somewhere else and I will still take jobs but nothing that involves flying or travelling too far.”

[Ashwag24]

I nodded.  “Okay, do we try to Umm date too?”  I heard the kids slowly getting up “and we need to tell them today I don’t want to wait if that’s okay with you?”  I sighed.  “We have to make these decisions together.”

[melbender]

“We date, and if it doesn’t work out then we find a way to do this separately but together.” I was teary, emotional “can I finish that sandwich? I put it back in the fridge.”

[Ashwag24]

I laughed and turned to get it.  “Yeah, you can finish it.  What else would you like I have to make the kids breakfast I was thinking eggs and bacon.”

[melbender]

“Oh god stop it.” I groaned as the kids sleepily walked out “I’ve never had them before, but I hear bacon is the best.” They all looked at me strangely and finally kenzie walked over “you’re eaging meat? But you don’t eat that.” She said wide eyed “daddy she’s eating your sandwich.” I nodded laughing “blame your father for the intense urge to eat this.”

[Ashwag24]

I smiled. “Sit down kids I’ll make some breakfast and then we will talk more about why Tessa is eating meat.” I turned to start when my oldest looked at us and blurted our.  “She’s pregnant!” I turned spatula dropping and hitting the floor.  I looked at her she was in the middle of taking a bite.  “Well yes she is,  and well the baby is your sibling.”  I hated the word half sibling and wouldn’t use it.

[melbender]

“But you aren’t married.” Kenzie said confused. “You said only people who marry and love each other can have babies.” 

I eyed him curiously “is that so? Hmm, good advice dad.” I looked back at the kids “umm well yes we’re having a baby. We like each other.” 

“But dad says you’re annoying.” She sat still confused. “If it’s a girl will you call it after mommy? She could have Mary as her name right daddy?”

[Ashwag24]

I shook my head.  “No sweety if we have a girl she won’t be named after your mummy.  And we still need to talk about that, also if you want any photos of you Mum that are hanging up you better get them.  I’ll be taking them down.”  I didn’t want to look at them anymore.  “If the baby is a girl she will be named after Tessa’s mum and if the baby is a boy after Tessa’s father.” I hated that Kenzie asked that in front of her.  I need to speak to the kids and fast.

[melbender]

“But why? Don’t you love mommy anymore?” she asked dropping her lip. Then looked at me “why don’t you want to have Mary as the name? Do you hate her?” 

Well this was going great. “I don’t hate her, I didn’t know her. When you was born they named you after your mum, and because my parents are here anymore I would like to do the same.” 

“Why are you taking the photos down? I don’t want you to.” The other son said. “You’re being mean!”

[Ashwag24]

I sighed.  “Look your mum will always be your mum, but she didn’t love me like she should have,  she was in love with another man named Fred. She was a great mum don’t get me wrong she was a good person too but she just didn’t love me.”  I looked over at Tessa. Mouth sorry. “You can take any photos of your mum you want but I don’t want them up anymore it’s time to move on.“ I looked at the kids.  “I don’t want any photos of her dad and I’m glad Tessa is here and she makes you more fun and happy.”  My oldest said.  I looked at him.  “I don’t want you mad at your mum son she loved you kids.”  I looked at Kenzie.  “Tessa and I are dating and we are having a baby I want you to show some respect okay!”

[melbender]

She stomped her foot and let out a angry scream at him “no!” And she ran to her room slamming the door and I sat listening to something that sounded like an exorcisms. “Your dad is right, you have a mum and I’m sure she loved you so much. I won’t ever try take that position away from her.” I stood up, making my way over to him at the stove “maybe I should go, I don’t want to upset kenzie more than she is.”

[Ashwag24]

I shook my head.  “She will get over it.  And your not leaving we had plans to go to the waterfall, the kids can swim and we can take lunch and get to know more of each other.”  I said hating that Kenzie was being like this.

[melbender]

“The waterfall will be fun.” I was worried about it he would judge me like before, wearing a bikini but it’s all the swimming attire I had.

“Are you getting married?” Middle son asked.

[Ashwag24]

I looked at him then at Tessa.  “Tessa and I need to get to know each other more but maybe one day.” I wouldn’t mind if we got along and made this work if she wanted me then yeah I’d marry her.

[melbender]

I smiled at their question and his answer. “It’s still early days, let’s just focus on the now, whatever happens happens and you kids will be told when we decide things.” I just hoped his daughter came around. “Speaking of the now, that smells so good.” I groaned my eyes half rolling as I inhaled. 

“Will you live with us?” Chad asks. 

“Umm for now I’ll be over the fence again.” I smiled and noticed his sudden look of disappointment. “But you can visit anytime.”

[Ashwag24]

“And tessa can come over anytime, I’m going to make some changes here and I’ll need you boys help okay.”  They nodded.  “I’m going to go get your sister so we can eat and then we can all get ready and go swim at the waterfall!” I kissed the boys and then kissed Tessa and went to talk to my girl.  “Hey sweety, I know this is a lot to take in but can you try to understand.  I will always care about your mother by she hurt me bad, she had a a affair and loved another. She was planning on leaving I read all about it in her journals.  If you want you can read to understand but know this your mother was a great person and will always be your mother Tessa doesn’t want to replace her and you like Tessa don’t you?”

[melbender]

“Yes.” She sniffled. “I just miss mommy and now you won’t have anytime for us. You’ll be with the new baby and Tessa and she will want more babies.” She sobbed hugging him tightly. I overheard and walked in, sitting My the bed “kenzie sweetheart, you’re not going to be forgotten, if anything I’m going to need your help because I have no clue about babies, and I was hoping since you’d be the big sister, that you would help me, and maybe you can help me with the baby room when it comes time to make one of those.” I rubbed her back “you can always talk about your mum, whenever you want to. I won’t mind.”

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