March Stephenson

Chapter 53

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

I watched March like a hawk for the next week, we went to the doctor's and he had more tests done. All of them came up negative. He held me at night time and I in turn held him. His biggest worry once again was he won't be able to do his job anymore but there were no adverse signs.

After his big scare March and I sat down and sorted out the mess that was mainly his finances, we decided we would open a joint bank account and deposit x amount of money a month for the running of the house. I will set up the utilities to be paid directly from that account. Mason's money was handled separately by Dad's accountant, his own money and his shares in the two rental properties are all above board and he will never really need anything.

March is feeling much better and is already the favorite uncle of little Rosie, her eyes are now fully open and aware of the people around her, and the smiles are getting bigger, they come with some heartwarming bub noises. Mason, the light of my life, has become a little bigger and cuter. His sense of adventure is second to none and I believe at the moment, he and his dad are planning to change an engine over to a more powerful one. He has also found his voice and can string a few sentences together.

One minute I heard him giggling the next he was screaming. I went to see what was up and he had a red mark on his forehead.

"He used the spanner wrong Nicky and it hit his head." March was kissing and rubbing it and Mase settled.

"No?" He looked at his dad, shaking his head from side to side.

"No son, wrong size."

"Oh."

"This one is better." He handed Mase a much smaller tool. He was trying to distract him and it worked for a minute then the moaning started again.

"He's tired Nicky."

"Yes he needs a nap, I'll take him with me." Nothing, I tell you, nothing gets past my son, his moans got louder.

"Ok, bubs you get some sleep and then you come and help me."

He pointed to a very nice green Chevy that had come in yesterday.

"There."

"Okay, sorry daddy he wants the green one today."

I went to find his blanket while March settled him on the back seat.

"Not ideal baby, but if that's what you want."

"Daddy, me?"

"I'm very busy son maybe later."

"Meee." The lip dropped.

March crawled in and hugged him, I left to go watch some hot bodies. That kid has March wrapped around his fingers, I felt so much love deep down inside for them both.

When lunchtime arrived they were both awake so I reminded them it was time to eat. Mason looked better and was carried across the road by his daddy.

May and Rosie were there and dad had already started on his meal.

"Sorry dad, I will work back to get that engine done."

"No need son, the old one is out and it's ready for the new one."

"Thank you."

"You should train your assistant better March, you can't be having accidents like that happening, health and safety will be on to you."

"What?"

"The spanner incident you had better write it in the book, just in case Mason here wants to sue you." Dad sniggered.

March looked at a now smiling Mason then me, then he started laughing.

"Well if he does I will ground him. Nicky, what are you having for lunch?"

"Roast today March."

"Can you get me one too while you're there?"

"Already on the way." I grinned.

"How are your sleeping patterns May?"

"Okay actually, Jason gets up during the night, he does a lot more than I do."

"He's a good daddy,"

"He doesn't mind, he's out the back sleeping now, the businesses run themselves, and he's happy to have that time with our daughter."

"Have you been to the city to see the in-laws yet"

"This weekend Nicky. But they did come to the hospital a few times and Jase talks to his mum a lot."

Our meals arrived and so did Faith, she was all smiles and kissed Mason, then bubs, she had fallen asleep so she didn't get a nurse this time.

"What brings you into town lovely lady?"

"I was bored, I have to go to the restaurant to set up so I had time to call in."

"How is it all going?" March asked.

"Really good March, they are doing very well. Hank is appearing Saturday night."

"Can he sing?"

"He's very good March, I hear him practicing around the farm yard. I don't know how he will go on the stage but we will all be there to support him."

"We should go Nicky."

"Yes it will be a good night out, I had better book a table."

"That's another reason I'm here, they are filling up fast do you want me to reserve one?"

"Yes thank you, Faith,"

"I want to come." May dropped her lip.

"You have family business sister."

"But I want to watch Hank sing, we can put the visit off until next week."

"No May, family comes first." March was baiting her.

"Faith add us to the table please."

"A separate one thank you Faith. I will be dining with my awesome husband, alone."

"Leave me out of it." I protested.

Faith slapped March's hand and told him not to be so silly.

"Umm okay then you can come." He started laughing.

Then Rose and mum got in on the night so that table expanded to seven or eight people. I don't know whether Rose will be bringing her pilot friend but it would be nice.

"What am I wearing Nicky?" March asked.

"Cowboy night, so cowboy things."

"Don't think for one minute you can resurrect the barn dance outfit."

"I wasn't thinking that, but it's a good idea, thank you March."

"It's for me only, if there's any horsing about in that outfit it will be done in private in our home."

"Oh dirty talk, do tell Nicky?" Poor Rose, she tries hard.

On the night we dressed in plaid shirts and jeans, I was excited to watch Hank sing and to see the boys again. I believe they are on top of the world and some of the renovations have been finished. March lifted my shirt tail to check I wasn't fooling him, but I had already figured I had been there and done that, so we were both conservative tonight.

The kids were a problem until Julie offered to babysit, which is good. Mason and her daughter were good friends from daycare and she will come to our place to do that job. Jason had more instructions than March, and poor Julie was trying to fend them off. It was May who put a stop to it by grabbing Jason and kissing him quietly.

We traveled to the restaurant together and were greeted by Faith at the door, we had plenty of time to eat and then Hank would do a half-hour show. March and Jason figured they would be home by nine-thirty, if there were no encores that is.

The boys came out of the kitchen and greeted us, they wanted to get together one day to update March and me on how it's all going. Apart from their appearance, almost all of the crowd welcomed us, and March was getting the royal treatment judging by the handshakes and slaps on the back he received.

Rose did bring Ken, his moon boot had disappeared and he walked with a cane now. He looked good and I did notice he held Roses's hand a lot during the evening. Hank and Tom arrived and he was very nervous. Tom kept rolling his eyes and he whispered to me that we wouldn't be disappointed tonight, Hank was a great singer.

We all ordered either steak or roast beef, March's of course was the biggest, and May's was a tad smaller, but not by much. She said she had to get back into shape but when Jason's back was turned he lost a few potatoes and a bit of meat. Her steak was big though but she's like March, she stows it away somewhere.

Brock took the mike and thanked everyone for their support and when I looked the room over, all I saw were smiling faces, and Jimmy's, he was sitting at the family table.

"Is there a problem there?" I whispered to Tom, indicating I had seen Jim.

"No Nicky, he's here to support Hank, but will be traveling back to the city tonight."

"No more calls?"

"No, he's staying clear of us. Nicky I think he's changed a lot, he loves the city and has been trying hard to stick to his studies. Ethan was telling me he's been sending him some ideas he should try at the farm they are good ideas too."

"Excellent."

"And now for your entertainment our favorite son, please give a warm welcome to Hank," Brock yelled and Hank kissed Tom and said.

"For luck."

He walked over to the stage area and picked up his guitar. What came out of his mouth was a pure deep country voice, a few Willie Nelsons, and a couple of John Denver. Like the others there I didn't have a clue he would be this good. The room was quiet while he sang his five songs then it erupted in applause as he left the stage grinning like a Cheshire cat. It took him some time to get back to the table because everyone wanted to shake his hand.

"Well done my friend." I shook his hand and hugged him, his face was red but he was smiling.

Tom gave him a smacker on the lips and March shook his hand eventually.

There was even dancing and as the music started up people hit the small dance floor.

"Do you want to dance Nicky?"

"No thank you March, but I would like to go home." He was up on his feet and talking to May and Jason, they decided they wanted to go also.

Our night was great but I think we missed Mase too much, our departure was hurried. Mum and dad stayed they wanted a dance, and as I was leaving Jimmy threw himself at me and hugged me. He said he was a lot happier now, and his move to the city wouldn't have happened if I hadn't spoken to his mum.

"As long as you're happy Jimmy, that is all anyone can wish for you."

"I am." He hugged me again and we left.

The babies were all asleep and it was quiet in the house. I kissed Mason and March followed behind me, we all thanked and kissed Julie and she left with May and Jase in tow with bubs. I asked March if he wanted coffee but he said he wanted to tub it for a bit. I knew bloody well where this was going.

Bubs crawled in with us around four, he wouldn't stop kissing us, then I heard March quietly talking to him then his baby snores arrived. I guess he had missed us, as much as we had missed him. He got a little clingy when we went out to the kitchen but he soon lost that when the TV went on and Sunny dozed in his lap.

"He was good last night, I had no idea that Hank sang so well."

"He was Nicky, do you think he will go on and have a career?"

"I doubt it March, I think farming is in his blood."

"Well, he was good."

"Have you got much work today?"

"No, just pickups and a drop-off, that doesn't need to be done until Monday."

"Good, maybe you can finish early and come home and get a nap in."

"You will come home with me."

"Of course I will, I think I could do with some sleep too. It wasn't a late night but it has thrown our routine out a bit."

"How so?" He chewed on his toast.

"Well this morning for example, by now you would have your pants down and I would be making you feel wonderful."

He stood up and dropped his shorts.

"Be my guest."

Before work we sat out the front of Mays cafe, she wasn't to be seen but mum and Rose were there, they told us the night was a great success and when they left there were still plenty of people around. March grabbed two egg and bacon rolls and Mason played with Sunny under the table. I cruised the local page and Hanks's show got rave reviews, there was a photo of him with the whole Wagner family including Jimmy and Tom. May came out and bubs was a little restless, that was until March took her, he has that calming smell about him as he gently talked to her. Mason wanted to see her and he kissed her cheek and May then grabbed him for a cuddle. A perfectly normal

morning and the sun was out and warming us.

"Well, I had better get started." He stood up, Mason yelled and he picked him up, I will bring Sunny over in a minute.

The gym wasn't packed this morning, I guess everyone is tired. Nudge said they left just after we did and they had a great night the food was excellent.

I poked my head into the garage and Mason was asleep in his high chair, so I gently picked him up and took him into the gym. He slept while I played games and answered emails. I looked at the restaurant web page and yes we have a drag show in three weeks then Hank was appearing again the following week. On the weeks there isn't any entertainment there will be dancing and raffles, Rose had told me she had applied for a bingo license, so that will be run once a week. It is all looking very well for the boys and I was pleased for them.

"Nicky, it's nearly lunchtime, I have finished everything I had to do so we might eat and then head home."

Mason had woken up and was now playing with you know who, so I thought why not, spending an afternoon with my husband and son will be great.

"We eat here I think March, saves on the washing up." I grinned.

"What are we having?"

"Curry."

He picked Mase up and headed for the cafe, I followed with Sunny. No May, or bubs still, but two very good-looking relatives were at the table eating. March ordered lunch and I talked to Brock and Ben. They said all the debts were paid off and they were looking forward to getting bigger and stronger. They hadn't heard a word from Betty but they believed she had purchased a home unit in a retirement village not far from where her house was.

"She will like it there, a lot of retired folks do that, and she will have plenty of company," I said.

"We were told she sticks to herself."

"That's a shame, she should be joining in on the activities."

"I doubt she has ever been a player."

March came back and raved about last night's meal and entertainment, they said they had spoken to Hank and he agreed to a once-a-month appearance, at a good rate." Brock smiled.

"It's good to be able to pay for some sort of entertainment for a change."

"The drag show will be popular, Rose did well to get them to come up here."

"Yes, and the bookings are already coming in fast, we are thinking about two nights Friday and Saturday."

"Maybe a winner Ben," I said.

They talked some more with March and once again thanked him, then it was time for them to go. Our meal was awesome as usual and after we said our goodbyes we left for home. Mason wanted to play in his cubby so we both checked the area for nasties. I had some biscuits in the tin so I placed three small ones on a plate for him to offer his guests. We watched from the porch,

March had turned the outside TV on and watched some of it until his head nodded and he fell asleep. I covered him up and then went to have afternoon tea with my son and his dog.

He was a very good host and sat talking to me about business and things he has to do at play school tomorrow. He drank his milk and I had my coffee then his eyes started getting heavy so I took them both to my bedroom and we had a nap.

March came looking for us and he crept in beside me, I could feel his eagerness to please me in the small of my back. He whispered in my ear so I wet my lips.

"You are so good to me Nicky."

"It's all my pleasure March."

"I know but I have to thank you, it is the done thing." I giggled.

He got a call around four and we readied ourselves to go to mums place for dinner. She has a lot of leftovers she brings home so there is no cooking on Saturdays. Mason was loading up his backpack with the latest toys and he will probably leave half of them at mums. He has so many I wanted to cull them down a bit but couldn't bring myself to do it in the end, a lot are still in their boxes or gift bags, he has his favorites. March and dad sat and talked about next week's work, they have two farms they have to visit and March was giving dad the rundown on one of them which I heard him say was easy.

No bookings this week only the one they are still working on, but that could change as quickly as the weather. My gym is constant but March's workshop is off and on.

"Do you have to go to the doctors again for a follow-up March?" Mum asked.

"No mum, it's all pretty well over now. I have three days left of the pills then I can start running again." I laughed.

"Well get back to the gym again, I have been pretty slack for the past few weeks."

"I will be watching mum, if he looks like he's going to faint I'll let you know."

"I don't faint Nicky, and you know that very well."

"You might."

"I might not also."

"Tell me again how awful I am to you?"

He huffed and shoved more food into his gob.

"I am thinking I might go fishing on Wednesday, March, are you up for it?"

"I will be writing it in my diary dad, cars can wait but fish can't."

"Can you ring Ethan?"

"Of course dad, Nicky do you want to go to Faiths?"

"I think so March, but she will be going to work early, maybe I can catch her for a late breakfast."

"I will ring when I get home."

"She's going to settle down on the restaurant now it's in full swing, maybe she will have the day off also," Mum said.

"Good, I miss having her around," I whispered.

I liked Faith, she has the knack of getting me to do things she deems unladylike, you know ask the difficult questions. I had better ring Tom before I go he will have news, I'm sure of it.

Every morning March gets a weather update, then he goes online to look at the current fire situation. He makes notes in a book then he messages all his boys with an update. Nothing special about today the weather was nice and he was smiling.

"All good March?"

"Yes Nicky, fires are still blazing across Western Australia but it all seems under control. It's so vast over there they almost let it burn itself out."

I was happy to hear that, mostly I'm happy but there's always that one fire that pops up now and then. I was sick of seeing the big colorful sign that was erected as people entered the town, during summer the arrow seemed to be stuck on Extreme Fire danger day, soon I think March will turn it back to high then moderate during winter.

"Mase, do you want eggs today or just toast?"

"Toast daddy."

"Coming up."

I made some toast for him and March, and an extra piece for Sunny who was hanging around my feet.

"Dad me work?"

"No son just some tires to be changed."

"Help?"

"If you like."

"Ok."

He picked up his toast and with the never-ending swinging of his legs he took a bite, the rest was dropped for Sunny.

"Mason, eat your breakfast, Sunny has had enough." I stared at him.

"No enough."

"Yes plenty."

"Mase not think."

"Then Mase is wrong."

"This will come back to bite you Nicky, be cautious." March smiled.

I guess I had better shut up I don't want another shouting match with my son.

I watched him, then when March had finished he took him and sat him on his knees. The toast was eaten as my son looked at me, one word, just one word, and that hand on your nappy will be getting closer.

"Dad, no."

"Okay son, maybe some more later at Aunty Mays."

"Good."

He jumped down and then opened the back door to let Sunny out, I looked at March and suddenly laughed.

"You are so baby whipped."

"No, I'm not, he just prefers to be fed that all."

"Well, I hope when he turns ten he's still not sitting on your knees."

"I fully expect it Nicky, up until he's at least twelve." He grinned.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, he is still little and needs some boundaries."

"He does, and every day I teach him those boundaries."

"I see." I went to shower.

Bubs and I ran to work today, he was giving the orders and I was concentrating on poking my ass out because March followed. He has decided to do two things today, one was to take his old truck out for a run and the other was to call into the clearing just to see if it was looking any better.

I looked at the gleaming truck and felt a pang of loss for the old rusty one and I guess I will go to the clearing and feel the same. He opened up and then we went to say hello to the family. May and Rosie were cuddled up but she was unsettled so March took her for a nurse. I ordered the standard breakfast fare and Mason got a kid's burger, how much of it he will eat is yet to be determined.

May was telling me that bubs had been unsettled since four this morning. March rubbed her back and she spewed all down his overalls.

"That's better bubs, get it all out. Mums milk must have been a bit sour today."

"It was fresh," May said.

"She does look a lot better sis."

"It was fresh."

"Fine it was fresh sour milk, better pop her on the bottle May."

"What? there's no way Jason would let me do that."

"Be assertive May," I said.

"Stay out of it Nicky."

I guess I will have to stay out of it, my son isn't being very agreeable and now I have May to contend with. I looked at March he was grinning, so sometime today I will have to reeducate him.

"How is Cory's tennis coming along Rose?"

"Good, he's sticking to his deal with his coach and I believe there is an inter-school tournament happening in the city in a few weeks."

"We should go and watch it."

"We can stay at our hotel Nicky," March said.

"Yes and do the rest of the zoo while we are at it."

"We are going too," May said.

"Find your own hotel this time," March replied.

"I will, and a much better one."

It was on again so I thanked mum for the food and grabbed Sunny's leash to walk him across the road.

I had only taken one step onto the road when I heard.

"Me daddy."

So I went back to grab my son, in the future, I will control him through his best mate because there is no Sunny without Mason.

He and his pal played while I surfed the web, checked the showers out, and watched my boys pump iron. I received a phone call from Faith and yes she will be home on Wednesday what would I like for lunch? I laughed and said if March doesn't get his roast there will be merry hell to play. She didn't have any detective work for me to do so I guessed everything was okay in her world. I think Tom has calmed everything down by just being there. He did say on Friday night that she fussed over him to the point he had to have words with her, he felt a bit smothered.

March came back to work and was looking for something to do. He had no cars in today just gas, and dad was handling that so I walked out to the workshop and told him we should go for a drive before Mase fell asleep.

It took him minutes to put the new window door up and get the truck out. Mason and Sunny were excited to be going on a big trip and thanks to Joel we can take them both with us. He fired it up and I settled into the passenger seat with Mase in between us, no screeching tires just a smooth take off. He did a lap of the town then drove towards the veggie barn. He had a list from mum, so we parked and grabbed a trolly.

"It's running very well March."

"He did a great job on it Nicky, and yes it's in tip-top condition."

Sue and Jenny greeted us and took Mason who was looking at me, I didn't think he was going to last long being fussed over. Sue was telling me that Faith (her mum) was starting to get ready for my visit.

"She's got two days." I looked at her, she shrugged her shoulders and said.

"You know mum everything has to be perfect for her favorite friends, she's gone into the city to buy a new dress." She giggled.

"She always looks nice Sue and she doesn't have to do that for us."

"She does, she has an excuse now to not only buy something new, but she will also call in on Jim."

"I see he will be pleased to see her I think."

"He will, thank you Nicky he's a lot different now and actually wants to sit and talk to us more."

"He's free of the drudgery of the farm Sue, and I wish him well with whatever he does"

"We all do."

"Nicky, can you help me pick the onions?"

"Sure and I can look at the lemons also."

"Mum doesn't want them."

"No the ones in your basket baby." He didn't get it but my foreplay has just started.

The shed wasn't busy today so Mason had time to get to know his different fruits and veggies, he ended up with a banana in his hands but Sunny wasn't interested in the piece he dropped for him.

"No fruit baby, he doesn't like it." He struggled down and tried to force-feed his mate but he ran off.

I found him hiding under the car so I leashed him and took him back inside.

March was distracting him by naming the veggies he had purchased and then we said goodbye to the ladies and jumped back in the car.

He headed for the clearing then he parked in his regular spot. Mason screamed and was trying to take his clothes off before we even entered.

"My god March this place is amazing." I looked at the foliage that was regrowing, the trees were still blackened but not dead, some yellow flowers had bloomed and I knew it would all be back in a few years.

"Now let me handle those lemons in your basket."

"We didn't buy any." I grabbed his crotch and answered

"These lemons baby."

"Oh you meant them, well be my guest once again."

We were back to him watching the 'kids' and me on my knees, not ideal but very satisfying.

We sat on the big rock, it wasn't a swimming sort of day the clouds were blocking the sunshine so we sat and talked while Mason and Sunny played throwing stones in the river.

March had to convince him the water was too cold by placing his foot in it, he then understood that the tub was better for him.

"It's looking great March,"

"Yes it is coming along nicely, by next spring there will be a big change."

"I can see it already, I can't wait to be able to come back again."

He was deep in thought, I guess some memories are coming back for him.

"You know Nicky, I was thinking we may never come back here."

"We will baby, be patient."

"No, I meant we probably won't come here as often as we did."

"Why?"

"We have bubs and the tub, and there is nothing here for us anymore our lives have moved on."

"I hear you, but we will still come here, apart from some bad memories there's been a lot of good ones too March. I don't want to lose them."

"Okay, then we come here, it's just that mum and dad are now with us and I don't need to come here to get away from it all. I have you now, and when I need fixing you do that for me."

"Thank you, but I think you are fixing yourself. If you look back to where you were and what you are now there has been a significant change in your life."

"Maybe Nicky, but I still think it was you."

"And your town, they never gave up on you and still look out for you, and May."

"And now you and Mason."

"He is going to love growing up here I can imagine him working with you and dad after school." My heart skipped a beat.

"I don't want him to end up like Jimmy being stuck in the one place, he may not like it here when he grows up."

"I'm not looking forward to it March, but I doubt he will want to spread his wings."

"I don't see your dad meeting up with the old mates he used to know."

"He hasn't March they have spread further afar than this town, and it's the town that called him back, and us."

"Maybe I will talk to him about it."

"You do that then you can tell me." I smiled.

We packed up our small family then he carefully drove us back to the garage. I sat across the road and watched him settle the truck back into its spot then I ordered some food.

"Was it okay Nicky?"

"Yes May, it is coming back with a lot of regrowth showing. He said he may not go there anymore, and maybe hand it over to nature." May leaned in and kissed me.

"Thank you."

"I haven't done much May, it's all March's hard work that got him here."

"He didn't address it until you arrived, he was very possessive of that place. I knew he went there to cry."

"He doesn't do that anymore."

"Thanks to you." I didn't go on about it I wanted her and March to put it aside and live a little. He has arrived because he kissed the back of my neck which sends shivers down my spine.

He took Rosie and asked what I had ordered for lunch.

"Corned beef."

"Really?"

"Yes it is on the menu today."

"Great."

He tickled bubs and started talking to her about oil. I guess he's prepping her to become a grease monkey also.

"March if we are going to go and watch Cory's game why don't we contact Dr Mike and go see Rock Conners in concert?"

"That's a good idea, we will come. I have the dates out the back Mike sent me." May said.

"We had better ask mum and Rose, Ethan and Faith might come too."

"Maybe a sign in the window will tell the world about our hotel and family night out, why not place an ad in the local paper May, they always attract a lot of people," March remarked.

"It's okay March there will only be us, no need to tell the world," I replied.

"Good, don't forget to tell my sister to book a separate table for them, because I will be dining with you."

"I can hear you," May yelled.

"Good." His food arrived along with ours, and bubs was handed back to May, she was having trouble juggling her lunch and bubs, so Rose took her for an aunty cuddle.

"What's up?"

There was no way anyone was going to mention our weekend away to Rose not in front of March that is.

"Nuthin," May said.

"Ummm."

Mum came out and dad arrived, she sat for a minute and smiled at me.

"Put us down for two seats and two tickets please Nicky."

"Two seats for what?" Rose said.

"Cory's tennis tournament and Rick Conners concert."

"How the hell did you know mum?" March arched up.

"The window is open son, I overheard your conversation."

"I'm coming and I might ask Tom and Hank to come too," Rose smirked.

"Nothing to do with me March, I can't help it if some people ear drop." I was trying to settle him down.

"We are still sitting on our own Nicky."

"Of course we are." I smiled at Rose.

He was only playing happy families, because later on he said we should invite Pete and Jimmy also.

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