March Stephenson

Chapter 35

March Stephenson.

Maxieplus.

The next day was Sunday and I had a date with a young man called Cory, we were meeting at the football oval. March and Bubs had to come along and I was excited because now I can see if March can run or not. There was no need to pick him up, Lena said she will drop him off. So after I showed March where his Iris's were placed and we cleaned up a bit, we headed outdoors.

They were already there and we were alone except for a tall man who I guessed was Cory's father. He had his arm around Lena's waist and March almost ran up to him and almost kissed him, he was so happy to see him again.

Cory was ready to go and he looked proudly at his dad and mum. I suppose he hasn't told them yet, he still can't run, but he is a quick walker.

"Where have you been hiding Jack?" I heard March ask.

"Oh you know me March, and congratulations I am sorry I missed your wedding day."

"That's okay, are you back for good?"

"In a way March, I have four weeks to go and that is that."

"Four weeks of what Jack, what the hell is going on here?"

"You haven't changed Stephenson, always wanting to know everyone else's business."

"Umm sorry."

I got Cory standing and we both walked to the railing to do a warm-up."

"Cory?" Lena cried out.

"Surprise mum and dad, this trainer you got me is awesome." He winked at me and whispered.

"Guess the chocolate and biscuits will stop now." I giggled.

After he hugged both of them and started exercising.

"Join in March." I smiled at him.

"Maybe later Nicky."

"Loser." I heard Jack say before he joined us, I can see how this is going to play out, March also reluctantly joined in.

"So why did you leave?" I asked Jack.

"The less said the better." Still no solid answer.

After ten minutes March grabbed bub and said he will babysit.

"I can do that March." Lena offered.

"No it has to be me, he likes me the best."

Cory and I started around the oval, I told him to take it easy but it was a chore to hold him back, now and then I would tell him to slow down. We got halfway and I made him have a rest.

"I know you can keep a secret Nicky, mum and dad never split up, he just moved to his uncle's house in the city."

"What the hell would he do that for?'

"Money." He grinned at me.

"Uh?"

"He gets the dole money from the government if they are separated, mum gets a part payment also, it was the only way they could survive."

"But you missed him."

"He rings every night and we talk, he sometimes comes to our house and stays the night." He blushed.

"I see so it is all about the money then."

"Yes and no Nicky, my uncle owns a party shop in the city, dad has been working there, money under the counter." He winked. My God they are a smaller version of Tom and Peter.

"He's training dad up because he wants to open a party shop in town, there isn't anything like it up in the hills. Dad will run it for him."

"It all sounds very illegal to me."

"That's because you are honest, plenty of families who do it tough do the same thing, you just haven't noticed them. Four weeks and dad will be off the dole and back home again."

"You should run with him then."

"No, he isn't as good as you, he won't win."

"Okay now I want you to speed up your steps for this other half. If it is too much please stop." He looked at me and yelled.

"Follow me winner winner chicken dinner." He took off at speed and I watched him glued to the spot. He was running and doing a good job of it, Lena was screaming at him to stop, and Jack urged him on.

When I finally caught up March was laughing and bub was clapping. I looked at Lena and she said.

"I told you to watch him, he is a con artist, like his father."

"I had no idea he could run."

I was pulled aside and Cory whispered.

"Mum gets extra money for being my carer Nicky. Thank the Lord for the government."

"Fuck, fuck." I screamed laughing, what the hell am I dealing with here.

"Okay show me what you really can do?" I looked at him. He looked around and said to Jack.

"Keep an eye out for any photographers dad."

"Got it son."

I think March was helping him, they all started patrolling the park and Cory took off again. I pushed the stopwatch on my wristwatch because I wanted to know what he really could do. He was good, his time was close to mine at that age, so I guess now I am training a budding Olympian.

Jack and March sat on a bench while I massaged Cory's tired legs, Lena had bubs and was teaching him how to run his way. He did well also, he only fell four times, but I think he got the gist of it.

"He said the only annoying thing about leaving was he couldn't spend a lot of time with his wife and boy, but he will come back soon."

"So he told you what they were doing?"

"Yes Nicky, it's not unusual up here, families will do anything to survive."

"And you are not bothered by it?"

"Nicky, that's the way Jack plays it. It is okay with me, Cory and Lena are worth the trouble.

"My god." I looked at him.

"I have two words for you Nicholas Stephenson, Tom, and Peter, sorry that's three words."

"I get it March, when I was on disability I stayed on it for two months even though I knew I was being healed with Mays tea."

"See, you are a criminal after all." He laughed. He then kissed me then swished Mase around in the tub, it will be a short dip tonight because March and my son have a date with some of Faith's roast and gravy.

They ate a lot, Mason was hungry tonight and he laughed his way through his meal, mine had to wait because March was starving.

We chilled on the couch after dinner and talked about Jack and Lena for a while.

"So the job he is going to be doing is real?"

"Yes Nicky, balloons tables and chairs, the whole lot. it will be good for the area. Jack will make a go of it because he has got that party sort of personality and I am certain the towns will be behind him."

"But he won't own the business."

"He will eventually Nicky, his uncle is thinking about retirement so he may get two shops to look after."

"More money."

"For sure if it all goes belly up they will break up again and collect the government handouts." It was my turn to groan.

"I had better start looking for a lighter wheelchair then, and I have to practice running with it."

"Good luck with that, but having said that I know you are going to win."

"How certain are you?"

"I have two hundred bucks that say you will win."

"You are running a book?"

"No, dad is."

It was a day of surprises and to be honest, I was happy Cory could run again,

sometimes I get mad with this town but mostly I am in love with it.

"Move over here Nicky."

"I can't get any closer March."

"No, put your head in my lap."

"Oh, that kind of move over."

"When you ready Nicky."

Bubs was sound asleep by the time I turned the tv off, March picked him up and placed him into his bed. I kissed him goodnight and stripped off, he pulled me in and I kissed him goodnight.

"Not tonight Nicky I'm too tired."

"Must have been all that running you did today." I waited for his giggling to subside then I said.

"Good night March Stephenson I love you."

"Back at you Nicky

Stephenson."

I was up early and was having my coffee outside, there was a cool breeze

it was quite nice for a change. I had the letters in my hand and was going to take the time to read them but I heard bub stirring so I returned them to my backpack and went to grab him. March was awake and rubbing his face so I said good morning and took Mase out to change him. He had both accidents today so I prepared a bath for him. March came out and kissed me then he put the coffee on. I bathed and powdered Mase and dressed him for his day, he was quite happy to crawl around the floor while we had our coffee. We sat outside and he came out to sit with us.

"Did you save May some bulbs?"

"Yes, they are in that box next to the front door."

"And the letters?"

"Still in my pack I will get to them today at work."

"Thank you."

"March, if I find some loving ones I will pass them onto you to read, I have no idea why your mum would stash them behind a panel, but I did notice only the two had been opened the rest are still sealed."

He thought about it and couldn't come up with a solution.

"I will ask Faith if she opened them, I have an idea that maybe your mum didn't get them, that your dad may have intercepted them and hid them away, maybe to read later."

"He might have done that Nicky he was always going to the letterbox by the entrance before he drove up to the house."

"That is the answer then, if Faith didn't open them then your dad did, and he deemed them rubbish."

"We will read them, I am sure I know what has happened now and thank you for being with me."

"It is my pleasure baby." I went to get his breakfast but he stopped me, he wants the last of Faith's meals. I will have another scone I like them. Mason played for a while then he wanted the tv so on it went and our day starts.

"You know Nicky you would make a good detective."

"Lateral thinking March, I have always seen the unseen to work out a problem. It helped me in school I could see what others couldn't see with exams and question times."

"Well you would be a good detective."

"Thank you."

"Something else I was meaning to talk to you about last night Nicky, I don't want to join in the fun run."

"I know baby, you just follow us in the car and let me know how far back the other runners are."

"That's a good idea."

"See all fixed." I know he didn't want to run, he's not built for it, I enjoy it so I will run for all of us Mase Cory, and March.

When I settled in at work I went about reading the opened letters, after the first one I got most of my answers. They used a surrogate who wasn't named once again, so I guess they never told Betty who the lady was. She was furious in this letter and called March's mum and dad all sorts of names. I got the feeling Betty was a God-fearing woman and the head of a family with a grudge against March's dad. She wasn't very sympathetic to March's mum who was yearning to have a baby. It went on and on about how she had just condemned herself to hell along with her husband and child.

The next letter told me that she had been told that two babies were born on the same day, and she threatened once again to make it her mission to let the unclean children know that the devil was their father. I didn't open the next letter and thought I had better talk to Faith first. Being a detective means I will always seek out the little things. I took bub across the road after I placed the letters into my backpack again.

I hugged mum then Rose and grabbed a roll. Mase was taken off me and I thanked Faith sincerely for Saturday.

"I need to ask you a question when you are not busy." She winked.

I took coffee and the egg and bacon roll out to the table. Rose was there with bubs and she started feeding him some veggies and gravy, he loves his gravy. He didn't have a big breakfast so this is a bonus.

March turned up just as I finished my roll, he looked at mums canteen then he looked at me.

"I think I will just have a coffee."

"Why don't you grab an egg and bacon roll while you're at it."

"Okay, I might." He grinned then went to grab some food and a coffee.

Faith came out and Rose passed bub over to her, he lazily played with her blouse and Rose went to get March's coffee.

"Quick question before they come back, were the two envelopes already opened or did you open them?"

"Already opened Nicky, I didn't want to disturb the rest of them."

"Good so I have decided that March's mum never read them, his dad hid them away."

"Sounds right Nicky, otherwise they all would be opened."

"He was protecting her Faith, I am certain of that." March came out and we stopped talking, he grinned at me and then opened his paper bag.

"You had better not try and run today baby, just do good cars." The stare I got was both bewilderment and amusement. Faith talked about the boys coming back, Jimmy had missed her and the farm and Hank had already traveled around Australia so he wasn't all that interested.

"Ethan retiring means they both will have safe jobs for many years to come." She smiled.

"Hank ran the farm anyway," March said.

"Yes, but he wasn't let anywhere near the paperwork." She laughed and then went on.

"March as you know, everyone on that farm does their bit, the exercise was to free me up so I can work, and Ethan can fish some more."

"Good thinking Faith, I am happy they are back. I was worried about them." That didn't surprise me, March does worry about friends and the local folk.

He finished his meal and then he took bubs, he was telling him that they both had to change some brake pads today and do some wiring on an old bomb.

Bubs was all ears and then I heard it.

"Oil?"

"Yes bubs oil, plenty of oil today."

He clapped his hands. I hope he doesn't think that oil is gravy, all hell will break loose if he starts eating that.

"I heard you had a good time with Cory yesterday."

"Yes Faith, it was good, he walked around the oval on his own."

"That's not all I heard."

"Well keep it to yourself please, who told you?"

She looked into the cafe and indicated Rose.

"How the hell does she know?'

"She lives next door to them, Cory couldn't help himself. I think he's more excited that his dad is returning home than running. And mum's the word I won't say anything."

"He's a great runner, we have to get him a proper trainer."

"Nicky can you hold off on that for a while, he may not even do any running after the fun run."

"Am I being conned again?"

He started laughing.

"I already told him he can keep the vouchers if I win."

"It's not the vouchers he wants Nicky."

"What?"

"It's the one thousand dollar prize money that goes with them." He burst out laughing I was now confused. Being a detective does have its downside, but I will get him in the end.

"March I told him he could keep the vouchers. I never said anything about keeping any money."

He roared laughing and bubs mimicked him.

"Faith once again I have to ask you to keep it shut." I grinned at her.

"Poor kid."

"Poor kid nothing he is a criminal," I said.

"It certainly sounds like it." she laughed.

"What did I miss, tell me Faith." Rose came out to see what all the fuss was about.

"I caught Nicky with his hand in March's overalls, having a good old feel he was." Poor Rose she nearly screamed.

"I have a thought Rose, in the next couple of weeks why don't you go and look at Tom's new cleaning venture, they may take you out to the club again."

"Where would I stay?"

"I know a wonderful hotel you can stay at, full of gay waiters and cooks, mention March's name you might get some free chocolates." March glared at me.

I know it's his hotel and no one else can use it, but it is Rose, that's different.

Julie came by with her little bubs, she was going across the road to see May and wondered if I could watch her for an hour or so.

"So you will be helping May out?"

"Yes Nicky, it couldn't have come at a better time. I am so ready to get back to work." She smiled. I took little Emma and she was gorgeous, I then introduced her to Mason and they hit it off straight away. The endless baby talk was awesome, they talked for ages in the ball pool and after I replaced their dummies they decided to have a nap, no oiling cars today son. Julie poked her head in a few times and I read more of the letters.

There were no shocks to come but there were plenty of accusations and more threats. I would have loved to have known March back then, we could have grown up together. Maybe I could have helped him out with his three-times-a-day problem, he loves my mouth. I watched the kids sleep and then put the letters away for good. March will be updated at the clearing he knows the answers anyway. Now he has to do to May what his father did for his mum, keep the letters away from her.

"I might grab a coffee Nicky, while I have some me time."

"I know the feeling Julie, have you finished?"

"Yes, I didn't think May had all that in her, there's so much to learn."

"There is, and the bigger question is, do you think you can handle it?"

"I'll romp it in, won't be long then you can go."

"Take your time." I had started playing a new game.

She didn't take long and when March poked his head in and said.

"Lunchtime Nicky." Julie had just bundled Emma up and she was saying see you soon to Mason.

I picked him up and we went across the road.

"I will have the curry March." He smiled and went to order it, I talked to Mase about his new friend he was excited to have one, I think.

May came across the road and took him, she had missed him today, she shot mum a message and mum responded. March came out and kissed her then took my hand, Rose poked her head out and said.

"Hands above the table boys," Everyone looked at us.

"What was that for?" May asked.

I told her what Faith had said she smiled and so did March when his food arrived along with Mays and mine. Bubs got a small dish of casserole.

"So Julie is taking the job May?"

"Yes, she's very good."

"She's impressed with your knowledge, how far away is the franchising?"

"It has been shelved, too much to organize."

"I see, so Jason isn't going ahead with it then."

"No, he misses what we had, he said his life was much simpler back then."

"So why Julie then?"

"I miss the cafe, Nicky. I thought I was doing well by going down the wellness side but I miss the customers and the cafe too much."

I hugged her and said.

"Welcome back sister-in-law."

"That is of course if my big brother can stay out of my business and let me run things the way."

"I never interfered dear sister, only when you are run down or tired. Maybe a few contracts you signed got lost in the mail, and maybe a phone call from some schoolmates wanting to date you were hung up on. Simple things May I have your back." He sat there looking pleased with himself.

"I'm also moving back here."

"What?"

"I'm moving back here, Jason is moving in with me he can travel to work. And when the baby comes we will live here permanently.

"That's good sis, it will be awesome to have you around again."

"Your only happy to have someone else to pick on March Stephenson." She smiled and that little faux pas didn't go unnoticed, my tears headed for my eyes and I grabbed her.

"That is the best news I have heard for a long time. I am more than excited May this is wonderful."

"I couldn't say anything the other day because it hadn't been confirmed. But yes a little cousin for Mason."

"What cousin?" March is catching up.

"I'm pregnant Uncle March." She beamed.

The party started about then, March was still in shock.

"Well May Stephenson you continually amaze me, are we having a boy or a girl?" And yes there were tears.

"Too early to tell, but as soon as I know you will know."

"So the big move here is all about the baby?" I asked.

"Yes, I want to have her or him here in my town, and I want to bring it up here. This is the best town in the world Nicky. And I already have babysitters at the ready." She indicated the shop workers.

She didn't go unheard as the crowd gathered and photos were taken, it will hit the local page within minutes. I sent mum a message and she rushed outside leaving her lunch crowd with Faith. She grabbed May and congratulated her more than once. March ordered a cake to celebrate and when dad came over he was also told.

"May, I am so proud of you, thank you for giving us another grandson."

"It might be a girl dad."

"I might not be. March we have to go shopping for another fishing rod."

As I said the celebrations went on for ages, and everyone in town knew by the time we left to get back to work.

"Nicky stay with me please," May said.

"See you later big boy." I kissed March.

"Come out the back I need your advice on something."

"Great, baby rooms I am good with them." She laughed and said she will talk to March about that one. She sat on the couch with Mason and looked me in the eyes.

"How much does he know?"

"How much of what May?"

"Betty and mum."

"I don't know what you mean baby."

"I have held off saying anything. But this baby is urging me to clear the slate. I have kept it to myself for too long now, only because I didn't want to hurt March. So tell me what do you know about my birth?"

"Oh May, he is so deeply worried about you. He has cried more than a few tears, but know this, there is no way you aren't his sister, and your parents are your parents."

"They are Nicky, mum told me before she passed. They used her eggs and dad's sperm to make a healthy baby, me. Mum had three miscarriages so she knew she couldn't bring a baby to full term, so I am his sister for real. I thought when he asked about Betty it wasn't all about her dishing on us, but I didn't know how much he knew that's why I didn't say anything. Nicky, I wouldn't break my brothers heart over something that he believes to be real. I was feeling sorry for Betty but there is no way I want her in March's life or my babies now"

"He was pretty cut up about it and short of sending you to a nunnery he was out of options. So he pulled out his big brother card."

"I always knew when he was like that he was shielding me from something, his breakdown, was it because of me?"

"No, it was Betty who was threatening your mum when she was so ill that started it, he overheard a conversation about your parentage and Betty telling her she has to tell you. My guess is your mum never told her about the eggs."

"Mum and dad went for fifteen years without a baby, they were getting desperate, so they hired a surrogate, the day after she found out the lady was pregnant she found out she was also with child, she talked about the doctors and the help she got to bring March to full term. She practically lived in that hospital bed without any complaints You have no idea what mums beaming smile was like back then, she loved us both so dearly. March has to know that."

"Then you are the one to tell him May, it can't come from me because I won't tell him the way you told me, from the heart." I hugged and kissed her, and told her I loved her with all my being.

It was a half hour later he came in, he asked me if I was going to do any work today.

"I have been waiting for you." He wined.

"Waiting for my mouth you mean." He blushed and said.

"And that too."

"I am taking our son back to work, and you have to sit and talk to your sister

about baby rooms." I smiled then kissed him.

"It will be all right baby." I squeezed his hand and took Mason for a walk.

He waddled through the cafe until he spied a brightly colored bag of potato chips. Instead of playing with it, he sat on it, and it burst open I looked at Rose.

"Put it on my bill."

"You got it handsome."

I picked up the bag and my son and headed for the gym. He played with them, even ate a few but as always too many carbs and his eyes closed again.

March came back, he opened my door and walked around the counter, he pulled me up and kissed me like never before. He even licked my nose and ears.

"Feel better?"

"You have no idea Nicky."

"I got something that will make you feel even better March Stephenson." I licked my lips.

"Hey Bazza watch the baby."

"No worries March."

He almost skipped out to the back shed and instead of my mouth going to work, his did, and he was so good at it. I held on for as long as I could but nature had other ideas. I was exhausted and breathing heavily when he stood up.

"Give me five minutes." I smiled.

"No Nicky, this is about you today. Thank you for being May and my friend, we never had a friend like you ever. You make May happy, you make me happy, now I am just making you happy."

"Kiss me again." He did that for me then I dropped to the floor.

"Are we going swimming?"

"I need to go shopping."

I didn't ask what for because I already knew he would want to go to the baby shop up the road.

Mase slept on and Bazza said he was good for another hour so we walked up to the shop and he bought just about everything she will need. He loaded up the stroller and we started for the cafe. When May saw us she screamed and said.

"No more."

"What do you mean, no more?" March smiled.

"Look." She took us through the shop to her home and there were stacks of fluffy toys clothes and bottles, the locals had started dropping stuff off for her

He laughed his head off then he kissed her.

"Is Jason coming here tonight?"

"Not tonight March, we will start the move on the weekend."

"I will call him then."

"You do that big brother, he might want to use your old truck."

He quickly looked at me and said.

"Is that okay Nicky?" Then he laughed.

I had forgotten about Cory, but he hadn't turned up anyway, so I guess my training is over and done with. I have no idea if he would even be running with me anymore.

We headed home a little early, it was Chinese night at our place tonight. Mason screamed when we got in, he wanted the river so I went to March's car and got his tent out. He was happy again and played for the next hour as we watched him from the hot tub.

"So everything is sorted out now with May?"

"Yes Nicky, we are family again I knew mum and dad would have a good plan and I am so grateful to you for doing what you did."

"What do you want me to do with the letters?'

"Burn them, there is nothing in them I want to read."

"Good."

"Nicky, I sort of always knew May and I were the same, I get those feelings

every time I see her so maybe mum's eggs were closer than we think."

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe they took an egg and inseminated it and there was another one like it that mum got pregnant with."

"I don't think that's the way it works March but anything is possible in the medical world."

"I like to think that."

"Then you are probably correct March. How are you feeling anyway?"

"Good Nicky, a bit hungry but good."

"Let's hope you don't get Mays morning sickness then." He looked at me and smiled.

"I thought of that also Nicky, it would be cool if I could feel May's pregnancy with her."

"Okay but you know you will put on weight."

"No I won't I never put on weight."

"Because whoever made you March decided that you would be perfect." He blushed and said.

"No Nicky whoever made me, sent you to keep an eye on me that's the truth."

Mason had finished his playing and wanted in, so I got out and handed him to March, the squealing started right there and then.

Mum and dad arrived and Mason forced us to set his tent up in the living room. He went back and forth to the bedroom and bought out some of his favorite toys that were tossed into it. Dad had the big white bag full of food and placed it on the counter. Mum got down on the floor and played with Mase. I got the plates out and watched my small family and I was so grateful that March Stephenson was gay, that Matt went to Canada to find Mason and that mum and dad never change they will always love me, and now Mase and March.

"Mum you don't have to keep Mays mail now." March informed her.

"Yes May told me about her birth so I guessed you might not need me after all."

"Thank you anyway I appreciate your input."

"Your welcome March." She smiled then kissed his cheek then went to dish up some food.

I did a dim sim for Mason, no rice but he can have some meat chopped up. March and dad were practically eating out of the containers but they didn't touch mums or mine, they wouldn't dare.

"She won't have any problems with the pregnancy March, apparently she was thoroughly checked out. And for sure she won't even need to buy a thing, God this town has its finger on the pulse."

"It's a wonderful place mum, I couldn't think of a better place to be bought up in." March grinned.

He is a hometown boy that man of mine.

I fed Mase and he was hungry tonight, yes some ended up on the floor but a lot went into his tummy, he will sleep well tonight.

"Hey, March when is Barry going to start?" I asked.

"Tomorrow Nicky, then he will do Mays."

"Your old bedroom?"

"Yes, she only has the two out the back I am not sad about it, because you know why."

"Okay, is there anything there you want to bring here?"

He blushed and looked at mum.

"I'll tell you later Nicky." Then he shoved more of his chicken dish into his mouth. He also took a photo to send to May, she sent one back of the same dish, he laughed.

He and dad made a date to go see the old car museum on Sunday, we will make a day of it.

"What about Mays move?"

"I can do that Saturday, there won't be much she won't be able to fit it in."

"Has Jason got much?"

"No hes not a possessions kind of guy, and all their wellness stuff will stay at the house." He suddenly had an idea he rang May.

I don't think she was happy that he disturbed their dinner because it was a very short conversation, he began laughing again.

Mase was wiped down and dressed for bed, the tv was forgotten tonight, but the tent was featured. It went awfully quiet before mum and dad left because he had gone to sleep.

"So what did you leave there?"

"Where Nicky?"

"At Mays, you didn't bring everything here did you?" He blushed again.

"Just some magazines under the bed Nicky."

"Oh dirty ones?"

"Some but mainly football club ones."

"Okay we will smuggle them out when we get the chance."

"Those guys have some awesome bodies Nicky, I spent loads of time wanking over them."

"Well when we get them here we can both wank over them."

"I would much rather wank over you Nicky." I spread myself out and said.

"Be my guest handsome fella."

Donations are gratefully accepted at Nifty