March Stephenson

Chapter 23

Maxieplus

"Talk to me March, please." He looked at me and took Mason then stepped into the river. Mason squealed and laughed as his little body was gently lowered into the stream. He swished him around and I stripped and got in with them. I watched father and son play for some time, and I had no idea what March was thinking. He finally sat with me and passed Mason over then his arm went over my shoulders.

"It's all a scam to get money out of us baby, you know that. She flew him over so I guess the next thing will be either a visit or an email." I said to him.

"He won't get him Nicky. I swear on May's life he won't."

"I know he can't get him March, we are his guardians and we have his mother's letter and diary, he doesn't stand a chance."

"He won't get my son, ever." He was trying to suppress his anger.

He took Mason and started crying. Nothing else much was said until he decided it was time to go home. I wrapped Mase up warmly and he drove us back to the cottage. I placed him on the floor and opened the blinds, he likes to sit at the big windows and watch the backyard, sometimes a rabbit will appear and he will scream, sometimes a bird would sit on the verandah railing, our son loves all that nature brings to us.

I sighed while March showered, then I opened my laptop.

There was a letter sitting there just begging to be opened, it was from a lawyer in the city. I didn't open it I wanted March to be with me, or dad.

I rang mum and told her that March isn't talking to me, and about the email. She said she and dad are ten minutes away, she is just picking up some food for us all.

When March came out he was dressed which was unusual, he picked Mason up and went to the bedroom, I opened the email. It said everything I expected and they wanted Mason's DNA done as soon as possible. It mentioned a lawsuit by two complainants Annie Shore and Stephen Medley. I know dad will get Martin to handle it.

Mum and dad arrived with fish and chips in hand, I showed dad the email and he sat at the table to send it on to Martin, his lawyer.

"Where is Mason son?" Mum asked.

"In the bedroom with March, he's not talking."

I got up and walked to the bedroom, opening the door I could hear March's sobs, he was laying on the bed with Mase.

"Da da." He screamed and his arms lifted. I went around to his side of the bed and took him.

"He needs to be fed March, mum and dad are here they have fish and chips."

"I don't want any."

I sat on the bed and after kissing my son many times I said.

"You will have to talk about it at some stage March, please don't clam up on me."

"I'm not, I just want to be left alone with my son."

"Well he needs a feed, and I need you."

"You don't need me Nicky, you are all grown up but our son isn't, he needs me."

"He needs us March and we are fighters, dad is sending the email on to Martin, when they do the DNA that will prove he's not the father. Please come and have something to eat."

"I'm not hungry."

"Then I will invite May around she can have yours." I tried to make a joke but it backfired.

"Everything's a joke to you Nicky, I can't find the words to let you know how annoying that is sometimes."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me." He turned on his side and ignored me.

I took Mason to get some food, mum took him and looked at me. I was deflated and didn't feel that funny at all, if that's how March feels then why am I here?

We took our dinner outside and left plenty for him in the oven, I told mum what he said and she took my hand.

"He's lashing out at the one person he loves Nicky, don't take it to heart he doesn't mean it, he just feels comfortable saying things like that to you. It's his anger that made him say it, I think he knows you won't take it to heart."

"But I am mum."

"Then don't, he will apologize and feel awful for saying it too"

"Once said it can't be taken back mum, if that's what he thinks of me then there's no hope for us."

"Martin is going to send off a letter now Nicky, he said they have no chance of getting Mason." March arrived and took Mason from mum he started feeding him.

"March do you want some dinner?" Mum offered.

"No thank you mum, I'm not hungry." He stared at me then spooned some more delicious food into his son's mouth.

"I'm sorry." His head dropped.

"That's okay March, but I am worried about you. What is happening won't come to anything, you need to believe me."

"I do, I always have, but this is painful Nicky."

"Please do not go down that rabbit hole son, it's a long painful drop. Nothing has happened and nothing will happen, like Nicky says there's not a chance in hell they will get their hands on him, it's the money they are more interested in. You and Nicky are his fathers no question about that. If it comes down to money we will make them an offer they can't refuse son, believe me, we have this." Dad smiled at him. He looked up and nodded then looked at me.

"Can I have some dinner Nicky, I am getting hungry now."

"Of course, you can sweet man." I got up and went to the kitchen to get his dinner. By the time I got back he was smiling and he ate like he's never eaten before, dad pinched a chip and mum slapped his hand.

"I will get you some more if you are still hungry."

"No thanks darling, just having a joke with my son-in-law here." He laughed.

It was then the storm hit, March suddenly grabbed me and pulled me in for one smacker of a kiss.

"I am sorry Nicky I didn't mean it."

"I know you didn't baby." I looked at mum she raised her eyebrows. Well, I did think he meant it at the time.

He ate what was left then he looked at the email.

"He won't get him."

"I know he won't, we have to put our faith in the lawyers baby. Everything we have is legal, we are his fathers." I reassured him once more.

"I know but it still hurts. I said before he would come looking and yes I believe dad when he said it's about the money. I have decided to give Annie some so she will stop her witch hunt."

"Let us just take it a bit slower, I had thought about that myself but it all has to be done legally, with stipulations she won't bring the subject up again and she will disappear from our lives."

"Good idea Nicky."

Mason was then passed to me and March straightened up.

"I apologize for being a baby, but I never encountered anything like this before and I am so scared." Mum placed her arms around him and hugged him, that will fix everything. He improved a bit from his big shock and we bathed bubs, then put him to bed. Mum and dad left and their presence had been very much needed by us both, we undressed and held onto each other, he apologized again and I told him not to mention it again.

We had work the next day and Rose was coming in the morning to clean, I tidied up and placed bubs in his stroller, but he had other ideas. March had decided he will drive us to work today, I figured he would be clingy for a few days and he's only looking out for us. I tried everything to get him to relax but not even my offer to give him a morning suck moved him to participate. May was on board this morning, she made the coffee while we sat outside, she knew something was up, my lift into work was a dead giveaway.

"You can tell me what's happening now." She crossed her arms.

"Can't do sis, private business," March said. She got up and did a Nicky, she walked into the middle of the road and screamed continuously at the top of her lungs. I jumped up and grabbed her, she said.

"Tell me."

"God you are so like your brother, get off the road."

"Not until you tell me."

She opened her mouth fully to give us another blast and I placed my hand over it.

"Annie thinks she has found Mason's father, she flew him here and March is extremely upset. Her face went blank and she staggered into my arms, she kept saying she was sorry.

"You didn't do anything May, this is all Annie's fault. We are asking for DNA proof, but you and we know it's about money, how much is yet to be discussed.

"I will pay for it."

"We will pay it."

"I am his auntie,"

"So you keep telling us, but for now can you be a sister and place that smile back on your brother's face I am all out of jokes." She looked at me oddly and moved off the road. Surprisingly March was sitting at the table laughing his head off.

"Go back I just rang Ron to drive by and run you over."

"Stupid brother, Ron wouldn't do that to me."

"I know but I told him to not look, he was to close his eyes." He laughed again and she matched him.

"Idiot, now what do we do, how can I help?"

"You can't May, not with this it's just a waiting game, but I do know one thing, he won't get him." My husband said once again.

"He certainly won't March, I have your back." She smiled.

"I don't know how long this is going to take so we all need to try and calm down, it's business as usual."

I didn't believe what I said for one minute, March has changed, he had become happy and broody at the same time God only knows what is going on in his head. He took Mason across to the workshop and I continued to sit with May.

"What are you feeling?"

"Angry, Nicky."

"No, what are you feeling deep down?"

"Terrified, he feels terrified and so do I."

"I don't know what else to do, if I start trying to lift his spirits he will get mad with me because he will think I'm trying to make a big joke out of it."

"He probably will Nick, he hasn't encountered anyone like you before, it takes him a bit of time to catch up. Maybe just go on as normal, his life has changed so much since you arrived. Your night in the cold, your revelations about being abused, you gave him a son and now he might be taken away from him. March is a simple guy he doesn't know about these things and deep down I can guarantee he's terrified for you and Mason, and probably most importantly himself." I sat back and thought about it.

"I apologise May, I sincerely do." I got up and kissed her then I went back across the road. I made sure everything was good to go then I started running up the street, I have something important to finish.

The drive was full of emotion as I headed for the city. I had told Rose when I changed into jeans and a t-shirt to tell March I had important business to attend to. After dodging heavy traffic, and the stop start at the red lights, I was thinking to myself I do live in the best place on earth and there is no way I could come back to this place.

I pulled up outside Annie's place and waited until I gathered my thoughts, no fighting today and no backing down. I knocked on her door and thank God she was home.

"What are you bloody doing here?"

"We need to talk." I stood staring at her then she said.

"You had better come in then." She knew why I was here.

There was a man in her living room, I didn't quite get his name but I wasn't here to see him, it was Annie I had business with. I moved to her kitchen and she sat.

"The DNA has been done and we will take the boy when we are ready."

"You had better get plenty of jumpsuits and nappies in then, that kid can eat."

"You don't like him?"

"I love him and that's why I'm here, now let's cut all the bull shit, how much do you want?"

"It's not about the money, I wanted to do something nice for the boy and repatriate him with his father."

"You and I both know he is not the father, you picked him out of a list of names and went with the dumbest one. We have full custody, his mother's signature on a will, and a legal document that says I am his guardian. She also said that you or the real father have no claim on his inheritance or upbringing. Yes, she named you specifically."

"That's all legal mumbo jumbo and you know it, Canadian laws aren't Australian laws."

"His inheritance comes under Canadian laws and I believe they are stronger there. What comes under Australian laws is our complete guardianship of him. Now stop being the bitch you usually are and tell me how much you want to go away, I'm not worried about the stooge in the living room, this is about you." She placed a slight smile on her face and said.

"Make me an offer."

"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars."

"Not enough."

"Okay then, five hundred, and you will sign a legal document stating you will go away and never try this again. You will stay out of our lives Annie."

"More." I started to get up.

"No more, I will see you in court, black mail is a dangerous game to play Annie, you should be aware there is a jail term and big fines attached to it, your life is now going down the toilet pretty quickly like your sons." I took out my wallet and the lawyer's card.

"Meet me here tomorrow at ten in the morning, after you sign the document I will transfer half a million dollars into your bank account."

I left the card on the table and fully stood up.

"I haven't accepted it yet."

"There's no more for you except a jail term Annie, and you don't come back, you stay away."

I leaned in and whispered.

"If you do I will slit your throat, and you know, I am more than capable of doing that."

I walked out of the kitchen through the lounge room, I had to have a go at the guy also.

"She got a half a million don't let her stiff you, and if you are the father which I doubt, I will have you charged with extortion and blackmail and it will be done in the Canadian courts before I would let you take my son away. You will not see the boy, you won't even breathe his name in your grubby little world, I am this far from having you arrested you c***." I pinched my fingers close.

I sat in the car for some time, I then breathed heavily and tried to calm down while I drove off. There is no way I will drive home until this business is finished. I took myself to the law practice and talked to Martin at length, he told me everything will be okay the law was definitely on our side. I handed him my phone and asked if he could get someone to copy the recording of my conversation with Annie. It was back up just in case she wanted to take it further.

The appointment was made and I travelled on to March's holiday hotel.

I had noticed plenty of missed calls and felt awful that March will be worried about me, I stood at the big windows and looked out, my next move will be hard but it must be done. I ordered a roast and sat talking to the waiter, he was concerned I was alone.

"He is meeting me here Tom, it won't be long before he arrives." I took a photo of my roast and sent it to March.

My late lunch was awesome, I even ordered dessert and one of those cool fruit juice drinks. I took the umbrella and swizzle stick to give to March then I thanked Tom and went back to the room to await his arrival.

I sat on the sofa and started thinking about the day Matt had a big blowout, he ranted and raved so much it was doing my head in. The night before had been particularly bad, he had drugged me and let two guys have their way with me at a party. He laughed when I screamed and he helped them when I struggled. I had woken up in the spare room which had become my sanctuary because I had a big lock installed on the door. He demanded breakfast and I complied, I was sore and angry when he started in on me.

"You should have talked to them sweetly, they are big names in the industry."

"I should have them arrested along with you." I threw his plate of food at him and screamed.

"Eat that you asshole"

He stood up and started in on me, the only way he knew how. His well-rehearsed words were cutting and demoralizing, he didn't let up until I grabbed the carving knife and pushed him back against a wall with the knife to his throat.

"I will kill you if you ever try that on me again, seeing you bleed to death would bring me so much pleasure. His eyes went blank because he knew what my temper was like, I did things without thinking, and yes March I do have a temper, worse than yours.

I was debating if I should go ahead and do it when I heard a voice.

"Nick, stop that."

"Fuck off Annie this is between your son and me, now get out of here I'm about to slice his throat open."

It was the only time in the two and a half years I had known her she talked to me softly, coaxing me to release the knife from her son's neck. I made the right decision and threw it in the sink.

"Don't you ever do that to me again. I will kill you, and you know for certain that I am very capable of it." I glared at Annie and walked out. I stayed away for a week but work and the fact I had put so much money into that home forced me to go back, it was business as usual until he tried it again. I got two old schoolmates to bail him up one night. They threatened to cut his face up while they had a good talk with him. Fortunately for me, they were part of an underworld group that was terrorizing Melbourne at the time, and they also liked me a lot. They even took me to the club and had photos taken with me, I had lied when I said they were old workmates. It was pure luck Matt got the offer from a Canadian agent and the words I said to him at the airport weren't too encouraging.

"If you ever step foot in Australia again, I will see you out, in a wooden box."

The room door opened and my husband and son had arrived, I stood up and stopped short of running into his welcoming safe arms. The air was sucked out of the room as I looked upon his magnificence.

"You made it."

"We did."

He put Mason down and grabbed me, his embrace made me cry and I shook, he was making me warm again, and I was trying so desperately to send my previous thoughts away. I heard Mase laugh and looked down at him his arms were wide open so I let go of March and took Bubs. I rained kisses on his face then put him on the floor so he can practice his crawling.

"Now you have to promise me something."

"What Nicky?" I started the coffee machine and sat with him at the small table.

"I have done a deal with Annie, she is meeting me at Martins's office tomorrow morning at ten. I want you to promise me you will take Mason to the Zoo for the day and not get involved with any of this. I have made the offer and it's up to her if she wants jail or money, I am convinced she will take the latter."

"That's so dangerous Nicky, why couldn't I come with you?"

"Because you are you, and I am me, I do things differently than you, and the least you know the better. March I am so sorry I have once again bought all of this shit into your beautiful world, but Mason is worth fighting for, and I knew I was the only one that could fix this."

"I will come with you."

"No, you and I are going to have a wonderful roast for dinner maybe some fruit juices. You are going to take plenty of photos to send to May, and you are going to show Mase the view and take him to the Zoo or a movie while I get it all done. I don't want you involved in any more of my battles, I am slowly getting rid of them like I should have done a few years back. But if I had done it earlier on we wouldn't have Mason, so I have to go with what is now. A beautiful son for you, and a small last battle for me."

"Nicky I don't have the words."

"You wouldn't March, you don't know my world, and I don't want you to ever know it." He kissed me deeply and in the process, I felt something hard in his jeans.

"I will come." He whispered.

"Give this one thing to me March, I need to finish this."

"Okay, I will give it to you then."

"It would go better on the bed March."

"It would wouldn't it?" He whispered back.

I was completely stuffed by the time he finished with me, and it was wonderfully different this time. I was now a fully paid-up member of the March Stephenson lovemaking adoration society.

He lay there naked and I made the coffees, Mason had crawled over to the windows and was looking out. He was pointing at the main tourist attractions and encouraging us to

"ook"

I smiled at his antics and got back on the bed with March.

"How much did it cost us?"

"A half a mil, I will pay that. I should have given her the money months ago."

"I will go you halves, he's my son also."

"He is your son, but this is my stuff up and I will pay."

"Nicky you don't have to take all the blame for this, in reality, you are the victim. What that family has done to you is despicable, are you sure there is nothing more I should know?"

"Sure March, this will end it all, but I warn you she may want more. That's why I wanted to meet her at the lawyer's office so I can put a finish to it all, and if she asks for more then I will have her arrested for blackmail."

"Then Mason is ours for good."

"Yes he's ours anyway, I am just getting rid of an annoying itch."

"How do I get to the Zoo, I have never been there before."

"Not even on school trips?"

"No Nicky, I never went on one of those."

"Then you are going to be blown away, the best way to get there is to catch a train from the local station, it's a half-hour trip."

"I don't know trains."

"Can you wait for me here and I will come with you."

"I knew you would see it my way." He giggled and I started eating him, and before he said it I said I loved him, now what will his answer be?

We dined in the restaurant because he wanted everyone to meet his son.

He took many photos of himself and Mason at the big windows and I ordered the food. By the time it arrived, he was sitting with me, and bubs was back in his carry crib. We dined well and the guys made sure we had enough. When one excited waiter came over with the drinks March said out of nowhere.

"I am the top he is the bottom." The waiter laughed and blushed.

"Why in hell did you say that March?'

"Because gays love tops, I thought it would get them all sexed up if they knew I was one and they will stop lusting after you. It's a gay thing Nicky keep up." I burst out laughing.

"That's better."

I was on time at the lawyers, March had promised me he was staying home to wait. Annie and her stooge were waiting and I nodded to her they followed me to Martin's office.

"Before we go ahead with this I want to let you know he isn't the father the results are back."

"Yes, I knew that anyway, so could you remove yourself and wait out the front, we won't be long." I looked at the man and he went red, but he did leave.

"Now Mrs. Shore what are we going to do with you?'

"Father or not I have a claim to settle."

"You don't have to do this now Nicky,"

"I do. I want to get this crazy off my back, and you understand Annie, no more. I won't tolerate you in my life for one more second."

"Understood." She signed the contract and I moved a sickening amount of money into her account. We didn't shake hands but she checked it had gone in, then she left without a word.

"You didn't have to do that." He looked disappointed because he was ready to fight.

"I did Martin, I should have done that ages ago, she would have tormented me and my family until I did give it to her."

"Okay I understand, and we have all the relevant paperwork done, if she tries it again I want you to promise me that you will have her charged."

"I promise, and I certainly will do just that." We shook hands and I left.

March's car was out the front and bubs was fast asleep in the back seat, I got in and updated him. He said he didn't want to go to the Zoo and asked if we could go home.

"Drop me at the hotel I will get my car, Mason can go to the Zoo with his schoolmates at some stage." He laughed and there was no way I was going to leave Goldie in the city, she would dump her oil all over the place in protest.

I followed him home and surprisingly we had a good run, I pulled into the drive and he was getting Mason out of the truck.

I heard him breathe out heavily and took his hand, he was smelling the crisp country air.

"Come with me, big boy."

I rang May first and she screamed down the phone at me, not because of what happened it was because I didn't bring her a roast for lunch. She did cry a bit when I told her what had happened and I also told her we would see her in twenty minutes, then I rang mum.

While I was doing this Mason slept his day away, and March bought in our bags. He was naked by the time I finished and when I hung up I sat on his lap just to let him know I still had it.

We picked up a roast chicken on our way to the cafe, May will be pleased, and of course, we had to buy two, one for March. Mason was grabbed and cuddled by her and then mum took over while she pulled that poor chicken apart and ate it with gusto.

"She's gone for good mum, but don't stop ringing your friend for a while."

"I won't son, Martin rang your father and the money has been replaced. Do not say anything its what we do as grandparents."

"Thank you." What else could I say, my heart burst at their generosity, we will find something to buy them as a thank you.

Rose flittered around and nursed Mase for a while. She was looking at me and I guess she wanted some answers so I told her the whole story after dad arrived. The chicken was destroyed and mum looked at both of them and said.

"So, I am guessing that roast lamb I have for dinner tonight will go to waste." May and March started begging her not to change her plans, May said she will call in on her way home and could she grab one for Jason.

I laughed so much I hurt, and March pulled me in by the neck and kissed me hard. That put a stop to it all, he calms me down like no other.

"Did you like the house? Rose asked.

"I didn't even look Rose but I will be checking behind the doors when I get home." She smiled and I know it was good, it always is.

We called into mums later on and sure enough, May had just left with her roasts. Mason was on the floor crawling around and dad was behind chasing him, the giggles filled my heart with love. March opened every pot and he even looked in the oven, I think he was reserving his portion of the meal. Mum took my hand and squeezed it.

"It won't be a minute I just wanted to sit down."

"Good, do you want me to put it all out?"

"If you wouldn't mind son, it's been a heavy day."

I tried to talk to dad about the money but he shushed me up and he said it was eventually going to be mine anyway.

"So no hidden siblings anywhere?"

That got a laugh.

"There are no arguments son, please leave it to daddy."

"I have a treat for you next week dad."

"Oh? what's that son?"

"We take a trip to Sorrento to work on six of the nicest cars in Australia. A private collection Lamborghini."

"What?" Dad almost fell off his seat.

"A wealthy businessman collects them, we just have to service them and make sure nothing is missing. I did it two years ago they are not driven just transported. Too much money involved for them to be dropped off here."

"I haven't worked on one, ever."

"I will show you they are easy to do a day's work but easy."

"What day are you going?" I asked.

"Probably Wednesday."

"Okay, dinners served." It was a mad rush and I had already dished mum and mine up.

The meal was as usual great, and there were leftovers for later, March smiled and all is well in his world again. I stopped eating when he did that, and I planned to get back to normal as soon as possible. One of those normal things was to completely lose my city look and go country.

"I'm going for a haircut at that new salon that's just opened near the supermarket mum. Want to come with me, we can have a girly day out?"

"Yes we could do that son, maybe Wednesday when the boys are away. I can book us in what are you going to do with it?"

"Maybe some highlights and a good cleanup, I have been doing it myself but it's time to see a professional."

I heard him groaning, March Stephenson is always a good thermometer where I am concerned, and I take it from the groan that he is not happy.

"Who cuts your hair March?"

"May does."

"I wonder if she will do mine."

"I told her not to, I like your messy look."

"Okay, I will go and have some highlights and a small clean-up then,"

"They won't do it either." He shoveled a potato into his gorgeous mouth.

"Why won't they March?"

"Because I will tell them not to."

"Oh." I sniggered and stuck my face into my roast, I looked sideways at mum she was stifling a giggle.

Feeling pleased with myself I can now gauge his reaction to my hair, I will go get highlights done, but I won't tell him. Little hands were slapping my leg and Mason is upright, I had felt him pull himself up and the effort bought some grunts, but he made it. I picked him up and told him what a good boy he was and his head landed heavily in my face again as he let go with a big giggle.

I fed him some cauliflower but he spat it out, then some potato and he liked that. Mashing it up with my fork and shoveling it into his gob he managed to swallow some of it. We had coffee outside it was a nice night and mum fed Mase some warm milk, he will drop off to sleep and hopefully won't wake up until dawn. I had a plan tonight when we got home, I placed the carry basket where I could see it and stripped off.

"I think I will go for a tub baby, do you want to join me?" He didn't need an invitation he was naked before I put on foot into the warm water.

He pulled me in beside him and started playing with my hair.

"Please don't get it all cut off."

"I won't March, just a small trim to straighten it up. I will do the highlights they have faded away since I got here."

"Okay then If you promise you can get it done."

"Thank you, I promise I won't go crazy March."

"Good."

"Nicky, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, March."

"Are we safe now?"

"One hundred percent baby, nothing is going to touch us from now on."

"Good." He started nibbling on my ear.

"Can I ask you something else?" Here it comes.

"Yes."

"Can you move over to my lap?"

There was no answer I didn't have one, I threw my leg over and he smiled for days.

"We have to talk about buying mum and dad something, but I'm at a loose end."

"I know, leave it to me." He grinned.

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