At The End Of The Path. CAW 11 Entry

[Prurient Purveyer]

Harold, the man Heather loved, was having an affair with his old girlfriend. Well she would know; standing on the sidewalk and looking in the windows of Antoinnes, the Oh so fashionable little French Restaurant just off the beaten path where couples went when they wanted to be discreet, watching them as they dined together; laughing, smiling, eyes only for each other in their own little lovey dovey world.

“Fuck them,” she thought bitterly.

It was where he used to take her but never took Heather.

‘Too many bad memories,” he had said by way of explanation when she had asked him why they never went there.

And she believed him!

“Poor darling wanting to move on,” she had thought indulgently even sending him a pair of gold cuff links to make him feel better

The whole thing had been bullshit and she had been so, so stupid she thought bitterly. She took one last look just so he could rip her heart out and hurried away. She headed no where in particular, just walked as if putting distance between her and what she had seen might make it hurt less.

She loved him still; that was the maddening part; she couldn’t just “move on”; she loved him and her heart stubbornly refused to accept what her head knew. He was her one true love; he was the one; she had even started buying Modern Bride and thinking about how many children they should have. God she felt so stupid and so hurt. .

The neighborhood changed as she walked on. Her walking had taken her down to the waterfront, a seedy unsafe area where folks such as she would never go; certainly not on their own. But she kept on going. Heather wasn’t a particularly brave girl when she wasn’t in such a state and her decision to head on into the unknown was due in part to her need to prove to herself that she could be courageous, that she could take control and not just be used, could stand up for herself and part because the whole of the road ahead was deserted.

Some distance along she wandered over to the rail and leaned on it looking out at the sea. It was so pretty, she thought, so majestic so… But she couldn’t find the word because much as she wanted it to be the sea was of no interest to her. Nothing was –apart from Harold and she couldn’t have him. So what did that leave- nothing she decided feeling triumphant in her misery.

“Fuck you Harold!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. It just came out.

“Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!”

She screamed till her throat hurt; her voice drowned by the sea. That was better, she thought, just being able to shout that at the sea made her feel- no it didn’t. No she felt no different really, only now her throat was sore too. There was a bench seat a little way ahead; she made her way to it and sat down before checking.

‘Well that was what decisive people the Alpha Types do, wasn’t it?” she thought somewhat resentfully to herself after planting her butt on the wet seat. She seethed at the injustice of it all and, angry now, fumbled with the catch on her handbag to get her mobile out then sat there with it in her hand trying to think of some devastating message to send to him but she couldn’t. Hurt, bitter and resentful as she was she could never bring herself to hurt him back out of spite. She still loved him; lying, devious, untrustworthy sod that he was she still loved him and she couldn’t hurt him- not even with words.

It was so stupid so pathetic; she knew that; how many love struck women get deceived every day around the world? So why would one more make any difference? It was a matter of moving on; that was it. Take some time out for herself; go clubbing or something. Meantime much as she wanted to move on the specter of Harold hovered over her like some sort of personal black cloud.

Seedy part of town or not it was still occupied and a girl of six who stood on the sofa to look out the window of their first floor apartment was now watching her.

“Daddy,” she called to her father who was busy running her bath and couldn’t quite hear her over the noise of the water.

The lady had been doing something with her mobile phone and then she had put it away. She looked really unhappy. She was pretty though and she might be the one so Maisy hopped down to pull the curtains wide open and turn the main light on so she would be easy for the lady to see then clambered back up on to the sofa and waved .The lady hadn’t noticed her but she turned a fraction and the light from the street light shone on her face so Maisy could see her clearly for the first time. Oh she was so pretty, just like Mommy had said and Maisy waved extra hard at her a huge smile on her face willing the lady to look up. She didn’t and Maisy took a chance to turn away and call to her father again.

‘Daddy!” she called again and this time with the taps off he heard her.

‘What is it sweetie?” he called back on his way into her bedroom to get her nightie and pink knickers with the daisies on them along with her dressing gown and slippers.

“There’s a pretty lady out here Daddy,” she told him “, maybe God sent her to be my new Mommy.”

She turned back straight away to make sure the lady was still there and started waving to her again. She was still there and now she had seen Maisy and gave her a little wave back- she was smiling too. Oh let her be the one Maisy thought and went back to waving as hard as she could

Heather had seen the little girl waving at her and it was like a miracle; just as she was feeling so low, so useless this cute little girl starts waving to her. She was positively beaming and waving so hard as if she were waving to some long lost friend instead of a lonely unwanted woman like her. Harold faded from her mind and Heather waved back at her new friend. She had a smile on her face too and she held her right arm up with her left hand as a little joke between them making as if she had a sore arm from waving so much. The girl covered her mouth to hide her giggling then went back to waving.

.Maisy’s daddy reached the window and though he shook his head in wonder at the things she thought of he was curious so, despite himself, he looked out the window too. She was certainly pretty and not from round these parts. He stood holding his daughter’s night clothes for after her bath bewitched by the sight.


“Go and talk to her Daddy,” the little girl told her father.

“Go and talk to her,” he echoed in his mind “, go and talk to her about what? How great it was with Lizzie and how it’s not quite so great now? That should fascinate her.”

She was insistent,

“Daddy! Now! Go on lazy bones! You go talk to that lady or there’ll be trouble Mister,” and she eyeballed him pointing her finger at him as a pretend gun.

Her Dad was nice, Heather thought, holding her PJs. She had given him a little wave too - just so he wouldn’t think she went around waving to little children who were complete strangers to her- and a smile when she did. He had given her a nervous smile and a self conscious wave back. But he looked kind of cute for all that he was obviously the safe dependable daddy type.

The little girl had given her an extra hard wave then turned her back on the window and was pushing her Daddy.

“Oh well,” Heather thought getting up “, that was sweet; not everyone in the world is a devious untrustworthy so and so; bath and story time then bye byes for you Tuppence.”

Daddy or Mommy would tuck her in. As she watched the little girl and her Daddy disappeared from sight

She stood and looked around to get her bearings. Looking back to where she had come from she could see there were now shadowy figures, three or was it four, moving her way and that scared her; ahead was nowhere, just warehouses as far as she was aware and deserted this time of night. The figures were getting closer. A little over a hundred yards away now and suddenly their haphazard drunk looking meandering changed- they had seen her and the three of them ( she was pretty sure it was just three) had fanned out and were advancing on her; one to the left , one to the right and one coming straight for her.

Terrified she looked back up at the window but there was no one there.

She watched them come on; they didn’t rush; she was alone and there was no escape. They slowed down savoring her terror. It was a turn on for them; the fear, the pleading, the begging; stupid bitches.

Nicholas, Maisy’s Dad, moved reluctantly down the stairs from their first floor apartment. The last thing he needed was to go and make a fool of himself with a total stranger but Maisy was so insistent and, as usual, he had given in just to keep the peace. She finally got him to the building front door and with a sigh and a head shake he opened it- just a bit.

The lady was directly in front of the door still more or less by the seat and she was terrified. . She was looking down the road at something and backing away from what ever it was. He stepped out onto the footpath and saw them too.

“Come in, quick!” He called to the lady pushing the door wide open. They saw she had a possible escape route now and sprinted to try and cut her off. She had started walking but Nicholas shouted for her to run and she did just reaching close enough for him to grasp her hand and pull her inside as the first of them nearly got to her. He slammed the door and flicked the lock while the creep and his friends hammered on it jeering at him.

Heather had seen the Dad accidentally knock his little girl over when he was rescuing her and terrified as she was her first thoughts were for the girl. She rushed to her bending down to give her a hand to stand up. Crouching in front of the little girl but now holding both her hands she looked her over, no grazes or bumps by the looks of things so that was a relief.

“Oh she is such a sweetie,” Heather thought taking her in; long blonde hair, typical skinny six or seven year old shape wearing jeans she was too long for, a skivvy and a hand knitted jumper which was also getting to be a bit short. She thought of her niece and how she had had a growth spurt a few months before and her sister had been in such a state trying to get the money to buy her the new clothes she needed- Heather had just told her sister it was a “when you can lend” then put the money in Lilly’s account.

“You OK doll?” she asked anxiously. She cared. God she cared so much about this little girl and now she wanted to hug her, to squeeze her so tight and let her know everything was fine. Maisy, wanting so much to be cuddled by her new mommy, nodded then moved forward wanting her new mommy to hug her. Heather put her arms out and the little girl pressed timidly against her putting her arms round her new mommy’s neck.

Heather put an arm round her shoulders hugging her in to her bosom then put her other arm under the girl’s bottom and stood up cuddling her. Maisy closed her eyes as she felt her new Mommy’s body reassuringly against hers. She was stroking her hair, just like Mommy used to and giving her little kisses on her cheek – just like Mommy.

Heather was besotted; it was like after however many years of not being overly clucky she had found this one child and so wanted to mother her it wasn’t funny.

‘Was that you waving at me?” Heather asked her softly and the little girl gave her a shy wee smile back, nodded happily then snuggled in again.

“Are you OK baby?” Nicholas asked stroking his daughter’s hair as she cuddled into this lady.

“Yes Daddy,” she answered sweetly giving him a smile then turning back to examine her new Mom again.

Someone upstairs opened a window and screamed at the creeps to “piss off” or she would call the cops. The banging and voices stopped and Nicholas heard the sound of them walking away. Not far he thought, they’d hand around, just in case.

She was so nice Maisy decided; certain now that this was the pretty lady God had sent to be her new Mommy just as Mommy had said he would when she was so sick. She straightened up a little knowing she would have to do the introductions because if she left it to her Daddy, they might be there a week before he got around to it. Her Mom used to say that; “be here a week” and she had thought at first it meant just that but her Mom had told her it was just a saying.

“I’m Maisy, very pleased to meet you,” she said politely her eyes never leaving Heather’s “, and this is my Daddy, his name is Nicholas but I’m not allowed to call him that. But you can: if you like.”

She had looked expectantly at Heather almost the same way as you might look at the Christmas present you know is the biggie. Heather knew she was blushing, she couldn’t remember when she had been under such scrutiny, but it felt wonderful. The little girl thought she was wonderful, adored her- when had that ever happened before?

“Maisy. That’s such a pretty name sweetheart; I’m Heather, I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance,” she replied. She spoke softly to her then turned to Nicholas.

What could she say to him? After the danger he had exposed himself and Maisy to in helping her; what words were there?

“Hi Nicholas, I, I, oh look; I’m so sorry,” she started but he put his hand up.

“It’s done; you’re safe now.”

“Yes but only thanks to you.”

“Thanks to Maisy,” he corrected her “, she insisted I go down and say hello.”

He stopped as what he said hit home; her eyes went wide open and Maisy felt her body tense. She shut her eyes tight and let out a long terrified sigh.

‘Oh my God,” she gasped.

Maisy, put her face back to Heather’s, squeezed her extra hard and kissed her on the cheek. Mommy had said sometimes your new Mommy might need cheering up too and you have to do that because it’s only fair.

‘Daddy can protect us,” she whispered in Heather’s ear the words ringing with a child’s conviction.

“He sure can,” Heather whispered back..

‘He sure can,” Nick repeated looking around as if there was someone else there with them. Maisy giggled- her dad could be so funny sometimes.

With Maisy in her own little world snuggled into her shoulder he and Heather looked at each other. She followed his eyes to the door then to the stairs. He wanted them safe and that meant in their apartment. She nodded and gave him a little smile as she loked down at Maisy.

It meant “I’ll take care of this one” and he smiled back nodding.

She gave Maisy a squeeze then put her down to stand, somewhat reluctantly it must be said, on her own two feet.

“I’ll race you to your door.” She told Maisy taking up the start position.

“Our door silly,” Maisy corrected her, also taking a starting position.

“OK, ready set,” and Heather started running but not very fast “, go!”

Maisy tore past her and pounded up the stairs. Two flights and Heather wanted her to keep going.

She pounded up after her.

” I’m coming, going to catch you, here I come” and a delighted Maisy bumped against the door a few feet in front of Heather. Nicholas arrived a few seconds later. He reached past to unlock the door and usher them in. Then he closed it, set the dead lock and pushed the bolt across.


“I’m so sorry to impose like this Nicholas, are you sure it’s alright?” Heather asked him wanting to be reassured, her confidence right at that moment being somewhere below zero on the scale.

“You’re not imposing and there is no way on earth we were going to leaving you, is there Maisy?”

‘Uh uh. No way,” Maisy echoed enforcing the meaning of the grunts with a definite shake of the head.

Nick was in shock now too and Heather felt terrible. It was her fault; she shouldn’t have been there in the first place and he had been so brave holding the door open right to the end when a lesser man would have shut it as soon as those awful men came into sight. The “what ifs” were too much to think about.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say. Oh do you think perhaps if I wait a half an hour or so they will have gone and…“

“No, they’ll loiter around, they know you don’t live here; they’ll be waiting.”

“Oh. Um,” Heather was back to feeling guilty again.

“Daddy Heather has to stay here, doesn’t she?” Maisy said sounding very serious.

“Sweetie I can’t make Heather do anything; she’s a grown up lady but Heather Maisy and I would feel a whole lot better if you were to stay here. Maisy’s Mom has passed away so there are just us two. I could sleep here on the couch maybe and you could have the main bedroom, if you like?”

Maisy heard this and shook her head in wonder at how silly her Daddy could be.

“‘Daddy! Heather can share with me and you can stay in your bed. Mommy would be so cross if you slept on the couch.”

“Maisy!” her father exclaimed “, you can’t expect Heather to share a bed with you, we’ve only just met.”

‘No we haven’t,” Maisy murmured under her breath; her father missed it but Heather heard her crystal clear. Was she missing something? She had never seen Maisy before and yet she had been so certain, just like when she had been waving.

. Whatever, it was obvious the only sensible choice was to accept Nicholas and Maisy’s kind invitation to stay the night. Heather had always been one to pull her weight and she saw no reason why now should be any different.

“Well if I’m going to be here I had better make myself useful,” she announced wondering if there might be dishes to do or washing to fold; something she could do to be useful.

Maisy looked up at her beaming.

“I want Heather to bath me,” she announced firmly, her arms folded across her chest.

Heather looked at Nicholas her eyes asking the question.

He rolled his eyes and smiled back; then shrugged and shook his head at his manipulating daughter.

“I was big sister, I don’t mind,” she said for Nicholas smiling back at him. She crouched down by Maisy “, Hair wash?”

Maisy looked at her very seriously and nodded.

‘Yes please, Daddy does my hair in pony tails,” she added the tone used making it clear she didn’t think much of pony tails.

Heather looked up at Nicholas and pulled a face at him- he put on an” oh please excuse me” face back at her and felt a thrill at the way she had looked at him; she liked him.

“How about if I brush it tonight and we might do something a bit different with it in the morning?” she asked and Maisy’s face lit up.

‘Are you OK?” she asked him.

He sighed and gave a pensive nod. He wasn’t.

“Hey I’ve got Maisy to keep me busy, have a sit down and I can make you a coffee maybe after her bath.”

“No,no I’ll be fine, just need to keep moving. I’ll be fine, thanks.”

One last look at him, he nodded, and she took Maisy’s hand.

He watched them go; hand in hand as if they had known each other for years instead of merely a few of minutes. Maisy just loved her; she had this “pretty lady God sent” thing going on he knew but she was really special this Heather- it would be nice if they could get her to stay.

. Maisy, at six, undressed herself and felt the water. It had gone a bit cold so she waited while Heather topped it up with hot till it was just right again. She stood up so Heather could wash her with the flannel then sat down while she used the hand held shower to wet her hair, wash it, and then rinse the shampoo and conditioner out.

She had her toys in the bath: a rubber ducky, a little boat with a family she could put in their little spots and a water wheel. As she played they talked.

‘What did you mean before?” Heather asked her.

“When Daddy said about us just meeting you?” Maisy asked as she poured water on to the water wheel making it turn.

“Yes then.”

“Mommy said a pretty lady would come along if I wished hard enough and she would be my new mommy,” she said it so confidently knowing it to be undeniably true.

‘Do you think that’s me?”

“Yes,” Maisy turned to look at her plainly bewildered by the idea there might be any doubt.

“Oh.”.

Maisy watched her as a delighted smile broke out over her face and they shared the moment; yep she was the one alright. Heather knelt down and they played with the toys together; taking the family on a boat ride and giving them a picnic on the side of the bath. By now the water was getting cold and Maisy’s new Mommy got her towel and stood, as mothers do, holding it meaning bath time was over. Maisy pulled the plug and sat while the water went down the plughole. She was going to wait till it had all run out but a look at Heather and she knew she better stand up. Heather wrapped the towel round her and lifted her up high then spun round with her and placed her down gently so she stood on the floor mat.

She wasn’t to know it but that was just what Maisy’s Mommy used to do before she got too tired. It was more than Maisy could believe possible; like when the magician had come to school and he had plucked a coin out of her ear, like that. It was like God was watching and he got her to do that so Maisy could be really really sure Heather was the one.

She helped Maisy get dressed towel dried Maisy’s blonde hair a bit more then Maisy took her hand, and led her into her room. Maisy sat on her bed and Heather, who could still feel wetness at her bottom pulled her skirt up a little so as to avoid getting the covers damp then knelt behind Maisy, her butt resting on her calf, to brush Maisy’s hair.

“So pretty,” she thought as she pulled the brush through getting it nice and straight and tangle free. Nicholas plugged the hair dryer in for her to use then tiptoed out of the bedroom.

‘There,” she announced when she had finished “, have to go to bed with dry hair or you might get a cold or something.”

Impulsively she put her arms round Maisy’s shoulders and hugged her giving her a kiss on her hair before getting up off the bed to unplug the drier. Nicholas put his head round the door

“I’ve made some hot drinks for us.”

“OK thank you,” Heather replied

‘Thank you Daddy,” Maisy said politely with Heather looking at her. Just like Mommy she decided.

“You have coffee I suppose?” Heather asked her with a wink. It was their little joke together and Maisy looked up delightedly at her and wrinkled her nose as if to say “, oh don’t be silly.”

“I have hot chocolate and Daddy puts a marshmallow in it for me and he does chocolate sprinkles too- sometimes,” Maisy said importantly. She reached up for Heather’s hand and led her back out to the lounge where they had their hot drinks at night time.

“I’m sorry my skirt’s still a bit wet from when I sat on that bench,” she told him as he waited for the girls to sit down.

She half turned to show him and she was right, her skirt was wet there. He forced himself to focus on just that area of fabric and not have a good old look which, funnily enough, is what she was expecting and hoping he might do.

‘Oh hang on I’ll get a towel-“

‘Two towels daddy and we can all sit on them.”

‘Where on earth did that come from?’ he wondered as he rushed out to the linen cupboard to get the towels, being careful to get nice ones. Heather was full of apologies for being such a nuisance as he and Maisy spread the towels on top of each other and Maisy sat Heather in the middle with Daddy and her on each side. She snuggled in and just as she hoped Heather put her arm round her; she felt so soft and warm.

Her dad got their drinks for them and Maisy showed Heather her hot chocolate with the dissolving marshmallow (pink) in the center while Heather showed Maisy her coffee and asked her if she wanted to swap. Maisy giggled and shook her head then snuggled in just that little bit harder.

Photos of Maisy’s Mom Elizabeth were on the walls: her with Maisy, her Nicholas and Maisy, a portrait of her alone. She was a striking beauty and Heather, despite being here due to unforeseen circumstances couldn’t help feel a pang of insecurity.

‘She was very beautiful,” she commented softly and Nicholas seemed to reflect on her words before nodding with a wistful little sigh.

“She’s in heaven with Jesus and the Angels,” Maisy told her after another sip of her hot chocolate.

“Well Jesus is lucky to have her with him,” Heather told her biting her lip and blinking to stop the tears.

As she got more comfortable, and more tired, Maisy pulled her legs up and laid them over Heather’s lap.

‘Oh come on then,” Heather told her with an indulgent smile and helped Maisy onto her lap.

“I don’t want to hear a peep out of you Missy May; stories tomorrow night huh? You go sleep now,” Heather told her and Maisy knew she was with her new Mommy.

She fell asleep very quickly and Nicholas had to wake her to go toilet but she didn’t play up after that and followed him obediently to bed where he tucked her in and gave her a good night kiss.

He stood in the door way looking at her; she needed a mom and Heather was just fantastic, maybe God did care- after all.

Back in the lounge he looked at the sofa and, deciding not to push his luck, sat in one of the arm chairs.

‘I don’t bite,” she told him reprovingly.

He got up and sat back on the sofa.

I just didn’t want you to think I would, you know try and take advantage,” he offered while they both knew that was the last thing he would do.

“She’s just wonderful,” Heather said at length and he nodded.

“Lizzie’s pride and joy, mine too,” he started confidently then his face broke and he turned away from her trying not to let her see him like this. It was how he was; he dreaded getting Maisy off to sleep and coming back out here alone. Most nights, nearly all he could remember it happened; the absolute hopelessness, the despair.

She shifted down to him and put her hands on his shoulders to pull him round and into her stroking his back as he sobbed. Even now, months later, whenever he allowed himself to think of her it hit him. As she rocked him he began to feel very foolish; he was a grown man, not a child and he shouldn’t be so emotional like that- even if he couldn’t help it. He wiped his eyes and she backed away a little then reached for his hands.

The thing was; she didn’t think he was being foolish at all. When her father had died no one had cried; he had beaten her mother and terrified Heather and her sister. It was worst when he had been drinking but they never knew with his temper. No one cried at his funeral, she was sixteen and Lilly was just turning fourteen. They had stood together at the graveside and as the coffin was lowered in Lilly had muttered.

“Good riddance,” to her and she had murmured,

“Yeah,” back to Lilly.

But everywhere she looked in this gorgeous little apartment she could see Lizzie so why shouldn’t Nick miss her like crazy?

“Its hard for you, isn’t it? On your own and after Maisy has gone to bed…”

“Oh, well yeah, I guess but it’s hardly manly.”

“Oh bugger manly,” she said emphatically “, my father was as ‘manly’ as they come and we hated him.”

She saw him looking at her, wanting her to go on.

“When we buried the miserable old bastard no one cared, my sister wanted to dance a jig on his grave.”

“Did she?”

“No, I told her she’d get her shoes dirty.”

She looked at him, waiting as he imagined the scene and finally his face cracked into a delighted smile and he roared with laughter. It wasn’t so easy for her to laugh because she had wanted her father to be their dad and when he was gone, well that was that, never any hope of having him as her dad then. But it was a dream anyway; he wasn’t going to change and if anything he had gotten worse as he grew older.

Still, Nick wasn’t to know that. She had decided to call him Nick, it sounded much friendlier than Nicholas like she was his teacher or something.

“Come here Nicholas.”

“Disappointing assignment Nicholas”

“Do you have something to share with the class Nicholas?”

No, Nick was much nicer and in any case he was much more a Nick than a Nicholas.
He was nice, really nice and it was a lot less tense now that he had finally relaxed a bit. She wanted him relaxed so they could talk. Maisy used to look out the window when she thought daddy wasn’t watching so she could see if the pretty lady Mommy had told her about would suddenly appear. She knew that much. What of Nick? Did he look out the window in the hope of seeing pretty ladies too?

To her surprise he blushed; yes he did though under no circumstances was she to tell Maisy. It was her turn to laugh now he thought but she didn’t, she stroked his arm instead and told him about the love of her life Harold and how she had him but she didn’t.

They talked on and on about things that really didn’t matter; Nick because he was scared that if it came to the crunch she might just say no and it was easier to hold on to the possibility that she might want to stay than to know for sure one way or the other. Heather knew he was scared but if she was going to live there it would be as his wife and she hardly knew him. She liked him, she had a really good feeling about him but she was a practical and thorough type of girl and she only knew him in bits. It was the wrong time to press and so she let the inconsequential stuff remain the mainstay of the conversation.

She realized after a while that she had been right to; she was finding a lot about Nick and Maisy too. Lizzie had stopped scaring her, she wasn’t wonder woman but she had done all she could for her husband and her daughter and at the end of the day what more was there?

The clock on the mantelpiece was showing quarter to twelve and Heather decided it was time for bed. She yawned and stretched.

“I’m going to have to squeeze in next to Maisy,” she told him and he could tell despite the face she pulled that she was looking forward to it.

“Oh, yeah, ha, she’s a real little organizer that one. You don’t have to- I can sleep out here and you can still have my bed,” he offered gallantly.

‘And have Lizzie cross with you? I wouldn’t dare. No, don’t think so, besides I’ve been looking forward to it.”

His relief was a wonder to behold she though as his face broke into a huge smile.

“Oh look Lizzie was about your size – before she got sick. Hang on I’ll get a few things for you.”

Before she could stop him he was off the sofa and out to his room coming back with a lovely white nightie and pair of Lizzie’s panties- which she guessed was about her size.

“There’s more and some are a bit racy but I thought those would be nice,” he told her waiting nervously for the verdict.

“They’re lovely Nick, thank you.”

She hugged him and he hugged her back wanting her to tell him she had feelings for him and wanted to stay with him and Maisy ever after but he sensed it was too soon to be asking her if she did- not that he wanted to know yet anyway.

“Oh, hey, have a shower, I’ll put a clean towel and stuff out. Go on it’ll make you feel much fresher,” he urged and she nodded giving him one of those smiles he craved.

She went to the toilet first and when she got out everything was ready in the bathroom for her. He had put out a fresh towel, facecloth and floor mat while soaps and shampoos were arranged on the vanity for her to select from.

“You’re a bit of a sweetie Nick my boy,” she thought fondly and, having made her choices, undressed then turned the shower on. He had been right, it was a lovely shower and she felt quite refreshed after it. She dried herself and put talcum on. It was Lizzie’s and it had a gorgeous fragrance. It was something she had noticed from the start; Lizzie had had amazing taste. The panties fitted perfectly and felt so nice while the nightie was perfection. She checked her figure in the mirror turning this way and that humming “I could have Danced all Night” from My Fair Lady as she did. Her eye caught one of the pretty soap dispensers and her thoughts went to Lizzie; suddenly she was feeling guilty about taking all these things of hers for granted.

She clasped her hands under her chin and closed her eyes

‘Are you sure Lizzie?” she murmured, waiting.

Somehow she felt the answer was yes.

She crept into Maisy’s room and slipped into the bed not wanting to wake her. It was only a single bed and Maisy lay on her side nearest the front edge so she crawled up from the foot end and slipped under the covers behind her then draped her arm over.

Heather and her little sister used to sleep like that; especially when Mommy and Dad had been fighting and saying horrible things and Lilly used to get so scared. Heather gave Maisy’s shoulder an affectionate rub then closed her eyes.

This was where Maisy had wanted her to be; was it where she wanted to be? Did it matter? Did she have to control everything? How happy had that left her? Maybe she should just accept that things happen; no one knows why or when or to who but they do so maybe this was one of those times and it was her good fortune that it was happening to her?

“Oh for God’s sake Heather Madison,” she told herself firmly “, stop over analyzing things. Be grateful you’re still alive and unharmed and this little girl, whom you adore and who loves you to bits wants you to sleep in her bed with her.”

That sounded nicer and, feeling better about herself, Heather fell asleep very soon after.

The light was peeping through the gap in the curtains when she woke the next morning. Maisy was still asleep which, Heather thought some what guiltily, was no surprise considering how late it was before she had gotten off to sleep.

It wasn’t long though and Maisy was awake. She had feared it was all just a dream like when Melissa Wilson had told them about getting a new pony and naming it and everything only when she woke up it was just a dream and Melissa was so upset because she wanted a pony so much and her dad had told her she was being silly and that had upset Melissa even more. He wasn’t a very nice man Mr Wilson Maisy had thought and she had turned her back on him when he got there before Daddy to pick Melissa up in the hope it might hurt his feelings so he could know how Melissa felt. But it wasn’t a dream; she was here.

‘Morning sweetheart.”

“Hi,” she managed and now she felt shy; wanting to be cuddled but not keen on speaking.

Their heads were on the same pillow and Maisy raised hers so Heather could slip her arm under and bring her even closer.

‘Sleep well Angel?” she was asked giving a nod and another smile in reply.

‘What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

“No. I just like hearing your voice.”

“Oh. Do I sound like Mommy?”

“No, different but nice, please keep talking I like hearing you.”

Heather wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to mention Harold. Harold!

‘My God!” she thought “, Harold. I didn’t think about him all night.”

Even now as she thought about him he meant nothing. Still, she talked for Maisy telling her about when she was a girl and how she and her sister used to talk together; the books she used to read, the games they played; some of which Maisy had heard of but she didn’t interrupt and say so because Mommy had said it was rude to do that and she wanted to be on her best behaviour and make a really good impression with her new Mommy.

At seven thirty Nicholas knocked gently then came in. Both heads turned to look at him, both faces smiling. He gave Maisy her good morning kiss then moved his lips a few inches further and kissed a smiling Heather on the cheek too. Both girls kissed him back too with Maisy watching fascinated as Heather kissed Daddy on the cheek.

It was breakfast time and he had come in with a pair of Lizzie’s slippers and her dressing gown. Heather could smell breakfast now, with the aroma freshly brewed coffee, bacon and eggs wafted down from the kitchen.

She pulled the covers right back with Maisy getting out of bed first and Heather following. She and Maisy took turns going to the toilet then they put their slippers and dressing gowns on and went out to join him at the table.

She said Grace. She hadn’t said it for years but now she just wanted to so they all held hands while she said it and for the first time in her life it actually meant something and she really was grateful. When she had finished they said Amen together.

Breakfast was most of the food Nicholas had in reserve but he wanted to do something special for Heather. Maisy, sitting and eating like a little lady, had soon had polished off the child’s sized helping Daddy had put on her plate. Heather had watched her, admiring her perfect table manners with her knife and fork placed side by side on her plate.

‘Want some more Honey?” Heather leaned over to ask her and Maisy, who was still quite hungry, nodded eagerly in reply.

She watched as Heather put some more tomatoes and some yummy little sausages and another rasher of bacon on her plate then took her knife and fork in the right hands and started cutting one of her sausages. Heather looked down affectionately at her and her glance caught Nick’s as she looked up.

“We’ll do your hair after breakfast babe,” Heather told her not wanting to get into a meaningful conversation right then, with Maisy there. Nick had looked as though he wanted to say something and she just felt she couldn’t handle it- not then. Maisy nodded delightedly of course, at last no more boring ponytails.

“I want Heather to take me to school,” she announced firmly.

“Honey I’d love to but I need to get my clothes clean,” Heather explained adding “Daddy couldn’t wash my clothes and underwear because it isn’t nice if a man touches another lady’s underwear, you know?”

Maisy thought about it and could see it would be a bit yuck so she nodded still thinking furiously and not prepared to give up on the idea of Heather taking her to school.

“Daddy Heather could wear one of Mommy’s dresses. The blue one is pretty,” she added helpfully.

Heather looked at Nicholas.

“Lizzie would approve,” he told her “, she was every bit as practical as Maisy. Would you; if it’s not too much of an imposition?”

Maisy looked up from her fork load of tomato and sausage in awe at her Daddy.

“What a big word,” she thought, wondering what it meant before getting back to her breakfast.

Heather and Maisy were excused dishes so Heather could do Maisy’s hair in plaits and put ribbons in it so it looked pretty, for once!

Daddy had gotten everything ready in her schoolbag and Maisy was adamant she didn’t want him walking to school with them. He made a mock sad face and she giggled and told he was a big silly and then she gave him a hug and a kiss. He hugged her back and looked hopefully over at Heather, who was dressed by this stage, but she didn’t come over; just a little smile and a wave then she and Maisy were out the door and on their way to the school.

He sat down, stunned, after they had left. That wasn’t at all how he had hoped it would go; in his mind he had seen Heather melting in his arms and swearing true and undying love to him but she hadn’t given him much to go on. Maybe he had imagined it; not her being there that part was real; perhaps the happily ever after part wasn’t.

Sitting there with his head in his hands wasn’t going to do him any good he decided and he looked over at Lizzie’s portrait.

‘I can’t cope on my own baby,” he told her “, we need her, and she’s the one you wanted us to have. She is isn’t she? God Lizzie, what do I do?”

There was no ghostly voice from beyond and he sat looking round the room.

“What would Lizzie do?’ he wondered “, if we had someone she wanted to impress coming over what would she do?”

He knew the answer to that because he had seen it often enough; she would make the place sparkle. She would clean it from top to bottom and have a floral arrangement on the table and have the best silver out. Well that’s what he would do, have the place look like he wanted her to be there, like he wanted to impress her.

Heather and Maisy walked slowly, hand in hand on their way to Maisy’s school. It wasn’t long before another mom with her child, a boy, was walking with them. Maisy and Srewart wanted to walk together so Stewart who was seven took Maisy’s hand and they moved a few yards ahead so they could talk. In fact Maisy talked, going nineteen to the dozen, while poor Stewart tried to figure out how to get a word in edgeways.

‘She’s so chatty today,” the lady paused.

“Heather,” Heather volunteered.

“Heather. Mary “

They nodded to each other and carried on walking.

“She’s been such a quiet little poppet since her mom, well you know.”

Heather looked down at Maisy and shook her head with a smile. She couldn’t imagine Maisy as a quiet little poppet.

“Was she?” she whispered.
.
Tactfully the lady just smiled and nodded in case Maisy might pick something up from the adults’ conversation. She was nice, the lady, this Mary. They walked on in silence as Heather tried to focus on the kids but her mind was all over the place. There was something wrong with the whole thing but she didn’t know what it was exactly- well at all if she was going to be honest- and she desperately wanted someone to talk to about it.

There was no one and that was a problem: her Mom? No, she would not understand this at all; her sister, maybe but she lived in another city now and this was a face to face, share a coffee, have a hug sort of problem not a by the way in a phone call or an email. All her life she had played things close to her chest and she realized that now she had no one close. No really close friends, not one she’d want to share something like this with. So no one and that made her feel very isolated and pensive.

“Look,” Heather started “, I don’t suppose you’ve got time for a chat-after we get the kids to school? It’s just that if I don’t speak to someone I swear my head will explode.”

“Yeah Hon,” Mary touched Heather’s arm and it felt to Heather that a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

“ I figured you had things on your mind. Hey we’re nearly here, I’ll say I’m delivering both kids today and you’re my friend OK? We’ve got some big mouths ahead of us.”

It was just nice being with Mary there was something about her that made Heather sure she would understand. She left it at that for the moment and the two walked in silence watching the kids walking in front.

As Mary had warned her she was the subject of great interest which waned once Mary told her story of her “old” friend Heather coming over for a visit and a catch up.

At the gate Heather suddenly realized she couldn’t give Maisy the hug she so wanted to give her; or the kiss- not without it seeming odd that a friend of another child’s mother would be so affectionate to a child she had apparently just met.

“Oh Maisy,” she called “,hang on love I’ll just get you straightened up while Stewart’s Mom tucks his shirt in.”

She crouched down and whispered “love you doll” to her as well as giving her a quick cuddle as she made to straighten Maisy’s cardigan. Maisy gave her a delighted look back then , aware of the need for secrecy, she waved good bye to both Mary and Heather and carried on up with Stewart who was taking advantage of the pause in Maisy’s conversation to tell her about what his pet rat Oscar had done the night before.

Heather and Mary watched them all the way in to the building then turned and walked back to Mary’s place. Mary made the coffees as they stood together in the kitchen then opened the cookie jars and put a selection on a plate. Together they got it all to the coffee table and stood as Heather wondered where she should sit.

“I’m picking hugs might be in demand so I think its best if we sit together here on my glamorous overpriced leather sofa,” Mary suggested.

Heather nodded, feeling herself relaxing just that bit more.

They sat close together with Heather on the end squab and Mary right over so her leg touched Heather’s.

“I’m going to hold your hand too but, no, I’m not a lesbian so don’t stress.”

Heather smiled back at her and offered her hand.

“So, spill.”

And Heather told her- everything. It took a while by the time she had bared it all and when she had finished Mary looked at her.

“So what do you want?”

“Well, I…”

“No. What do you want, not what might please other people- what do you want?”

“It isn’t as simple as that; it’s not just what do I want like it’s there so just take it. Its do I deserve it? What have I done that lets me deserve to be Mom to this super little kid or be the wife to her amazing Dad? “

“You’re so sweet. Answer the question, deserving or not; what do you want?”

“I want to know what to do. I mean I have a career-“

‘That wants you to tuck it in at night and read stories to it and cuddle up to you? All the things careers do to bring us motherly pleasures.”

“Oh stop it,” Heather spluttered trying not to laugh “, you know what I mean, you have to have an income, well to live- things are so expensive.”

“You’d manage; you could work from home or cut back your hours, job share. I mean it’s something to think about but it’s not insurmountable. Are you afraid to commit- is that the problem?”

“No, well yes- after Harold I wonder-“

“After ‘any port in a storm’ Harold you wonder? Why? He falls well short of being a man for me; you’re well rid of that one. Nick though; does he strike you as being in anyway like Harold?”

“No. No of course not but I mean I was wrong about him…”

‘Were you? From what you were saying you suspected he might do what he did so you weren’t wrong at all you just wanted to believe he wouldn’t do it. That isn’t the same thing at all.”

“God you’re clever. Does he come to you for advice too?”

“Who? God?”

“Yes”

“Oh all the time, he’s booked for this afternoon.”

They shared a laugh (Heather crossed herself, just to be safe) while Mary got up and went to make them some brunch and brew a fresh pot.

“Hey come here Heather,” she called and Heather went back to the kitchen.

“Let me show you.”

The apartment was much roomier than Nick and Maisy’ place, the third bedroom was fitted out as an office while Mary and Thomas had a lovely big bedroom and Master Stewart’s was a good size too.

“I see what you mean but their place only has two bedrooms and there wouldn’t be any room for me to do that.”

“They only moved to that little place when she got too sick to work Heather. Didn’t you know that?”

She continued as Heather shook her head.

‘That’ll be Nick being proud I guess. No they had a place the same size as this-close by too. Liz told me she wanted to get things right for Nick to manage once; well, you know.”

“So would he mind if we moved? You know to somewhere bigger, away from that horrible road?”

“I wouldn’t think so- besides he’s a man it isn’t his place to make such important decisions.”

They laughed together again with Heather thinking it was so easy to talk with Mary and wishing she had had a friend like her years ago.

Back on the sofa they ate their brunch and sipped their coffee. It was like halftime at the football. They finished and Mary carried the tray out to the kitchen then came back and sat down pressing against Heather’s thigh and gripping her hand with both hers.

“So?” she asked with exaggerated emphasis.

“I want them Mary. More than anything I have ever wanted before, I want them.”


“We hug here.”

Mary leaned to her and Heather fell into her arms. She wept. She was happy; she wanted to smile but these darn tears kept coming out of her eyes. Mary reached for the box of tissues to grab a few and wipe her eyes. Then she grinned at Heather and passed her the box.

“ Hoped you might say that,” Mary commented once Heather had had a good blow. She was still looking apprehensive.

“Tell you what I think,” she paused to look at Heather who nodded, anxious to hear.

“All this am I worthy stuff. No. No you’re not, nor am I but I’m here and I do the best I can and I love my husband and I love my son and I’d do anything for them and you will for Nick and Maisy. I knew that from the moment I saw you. So stop worrying about it. Oh and how do you know this is just God’s plan for Maisy? How do you know it’s not his plan for you and Nick as well?”

“Gee, hadn’t thought of that. Why don’t you ask him this afternoon?”

As they smiled at her joke her mind wandered and she thought of Nick and how she had left him with just a wave and not the kiss he was expecting and wanting.

‘Oh my goodness! Nick!” Heather blurted and she knew she had to see him.

“Oh thank you so much Mary, I don’t know what I would have done without you. I have to see Nick right away I was so awful to him. Will you excuse me please and thanks- more than I can say.”

They said their good byes and hugged then Heather was running back to Nick’s place. She pounded up the stairs two at a time and hammered on his door. He opened it and looked at her his face impassive as if he didn’t dare get his hopes up.

‘I love you,” she told him.

‘Oh!”

She pushed past him and grabbed his hand to pull him in then stretched her foot out to push the door to after him.

“I’m sorry I was such a cow before- I love you; you and Maisy. Together and I love you as my Nick and Maisy as my Maisy but I’ll share her with you and call her our Maisy if you like.”

She was bubbling and the words were tumbling out as she spoke to him but her first three had knocked him out anyway “, I love you.”

Nick watched and listened, she was wonderful, amazing, not like Lizzie, not the same as Lizzie had been but herself, an original and he found himself entranced by her. It would be a new start for him and Maisy to be with Heather. He was so lucky and he wondered as she talked if he was worthy of her. He hoped so.

Heather knew she was racing as she talked to Nick and realized from the dazed look on his face that he had been given far too much information for the male brain to handle. She stopped and led him to his bed.

“Sit, I’ll take your shoes off.”

He did as he was told and she eased his then her shoes of and they lay on the bed. She raised her head and looked pointedly at his arm; he slipped it under her neck and she snuggled in.

“Should I go a bit slower?” she said pronouncing each syllable laboriously.

“Might be an idea,” he replied doing the same.

They turned to each other and just looked happy.

“I want this to be the perfect fairy story Nick, don’t you?”

“You’re going somewhere, Lizzie used to do this-“

“All women do this you silly boy. Now, shut up and listen.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“It’s been hard for you; right?”


He shrugged,

“Yes, I guess.”

She was leading somewhere; where?

“Well I am not going to marry a man who isn’t either working or trying to get a job, OK?”

“Well yes but.”

‘No, yes buts I will get Maisy to school and get her after as well. I will sort something out so I work from home, shush, I’ll get to that, so you can work fulltime. Agreed?”

‘Agreed,” he answered thinking where ever this was going he liked it.

“This place was a refuge and that was Lizzie’s doing so you could cope after she passed on and while she was with you and not able to work. She was a sensible and practical girl Lizzie- I am too.”

He grinned at her and kissed her on the cheek- she sure was.

‘We will find a decent sized place, I have a fair amount saved anyway so we won’t have any problems while you’re trying to get your job and you’re going to focus now, aren’t you?”

She was bantering now but she was right; after Lizzie had passed he hadn’t been able to focus but now he was sure he could.

‘So that’s how I’ll work from home; one bedroom for us, one for Maisy and one as my office. Of course if the family expands we may have to revise that.”

He got a significant look then and, veteran that he was, he wisely nodded while looking serious.

“I don’t want to have sex with you until we’re married,” she eyeballed him, watching for his reaction. He looked quizzically at her.

‘Well for Maisy and out of respect for Lizzie. I feel I know Lizzie pretty well now- we have the same taste in clothes,” she added dead pan.

Now his face broke into a huge smile,

“Well your sense of humor is awfully like hers and, oh yes, I guess you’re right about the other… no you are absolutely right- bugger it.”

“Oh, did dims, Nicky junior wanting some exercise was he?”

‘Yeah and thanks for caring. Oh come here, at least you can give me a kiss.”

She kissed him passionately and hugged him as hard as she could; loving the feel of his body- even if it was through clothes- against hers.

“Are you going to stay here?” he asked hopefully.

“No, I’ll stay at my place to start with but I’m going to start looking tomorrow, Mary’s going to help me- Stewart’s Mom? Yeah, she’s going to help.”

‘What about me?”

“If I need your input I’ll ask- thank you very much,” she told him with put on firmness.

He pouted and did a little kid shrug.

“Oh, now look, don’t you worry your handsome little head about grown up stuff like this and besides…oh I just have a feeling about it darling. I will know, I just will, when I see the right one. You’ll see. Besides I’ll be over through the day and stuff and I would like her to have Saturday nights with me- just a girl thing, if that’s OK?”

‘She’d love that.”

They lay together as people who discover they’re in love do.

“Do you think it is God’s Plan?” he asked her looking up at the ceiling.

“Oh I’m sure of it. Why? Do you?”

“Yes,” He rolled over to look at her now “, when Lizzie died I lost any faith and any hope I felt I ever had but it all makes sense now.”

She looked at him understanding exactly what he meant.

“Same here, it was as if everything I’ve done, every mistake, every bad choice I made prepared me for this; showed me what I didn’t want or who I shouldn’t trust so that when I met Maisy and her Dad.”

She stopped to lean over and give him a noisy peck on the lips.

“I would know it was right. Mary asked me before how I could be sure it was just God’s plan for Maisy. She asked; how did I know it wasn’t His plan for you and me too? I’m sure it is but we had to choose, we have free will, and we have to choose and I’m so glad we did.”


He nodded; she had said what he was thinking only better than he thought he could put it.


“I wondered that too but when you took off this morning well I thought that free will thing wasn’t going to go my way but it’s when you choose isn’t it? So you hadn’t gotten to the end of the path because that’s when you choose, at the end of the path; when you’re ready.”

‘My goodness Nicholas that was profound- read it somewhere?” she was teasing but he knew by the way she looked at him that she adored him.

“No. No I didn’t. It’s true though, I just never looked up before to see it. Cuddle time now- no fidgeting.”

‘No sir,” she did a mock salute then nestled in and put her arm over his chest. She dozed off not long after. Nick did too but later. She had really put it on him about working and he wanted to work now; he wanted to show her he could stand tall, be a man once more and make Heather and Maisy proud of him as he had for Lizzie.

They woke soon after lunch time and she made them both peanut butter sandwiches as that was all there was.

“Let’s go shopping,” she told him and they went to the supermarket and stocked up courtesy of her credit card. She spent more in one shop than he would in a month and he watched in horror as the best cuts of meat went into the trolley along with fruit and vegetables he hadn’t been aware existed let alone what to do with them.

Not that he dared say anything; she had that determined look on her face and he knew the best plan was just to run with it- this was her way of showing she loved them.

They put everything away and it was time to collect Maisy. This time they would go together; never mind what the other moms might think or say, they were in love and it was time the world knew. As it turned out these were prophetic words indeed.

Maisy has kept her secret from the grownups but she had something really interesting for Show and Tell. Her mom had written the words down for her and she had taken the piece of paper in to school to prove that this pretty lady didn’t just happen to be where she was last night.

Her classmates were spellbound- even the boys- while her teacher was simply gob smacked. She had looked at Melissa Wilson with one of those “do you know anything about this?” looks on her face and poor Melissa, who didn’t, blushed and looked down at her desk

At lunch time the teacher discussed the matter with the principal and they agreed it sounded strange and that although Maisy was adamant it was true it might pay to check.

Maisy was thrilled to see Heather and her dad there to pick her up and after a quiet word with the Principal, who wished them every happiness and thought no more of it, they walked hand in hand back to their place. The other children were thrilled to see their moms too and did they have something to tell them.

They got home and Maisy trailed Heather to the kitchen as she prepared the all important after school snack.

“So what did he say?” she asked eagerly.

‘What did who say sweetie?”

‘Daddy. What did he say, you know to propose?”

Heather stopped, put the knife down and looked at her.

‘Nicholas Potter, front and center!” she called and unsuspecting Nick wandered out.

‘Forget something?”

He checked his fly while Maisy giggled.

“Not that. Maisy just asked what you said when you proposed.”

“Oh! No you’re right. I better do it now. Hope she says yes,” he added in a stage whisper to Maisy.

Maisy took it literally and now her heart was in her mouth as she waited. Her Daddy got down on one knee, so romantic, and held Heather’s hand.

‘Heather I love you; will you marry me?”

She clapped wildly as Heather said yes then watched in silence as her dad and future mom had one of those big kissy pashy hugs grown ups seem to like.

Heather explained that now she and Daddy were engaged they had to wait until they were married before she could move in. Maisy tried explaining that her bed was plenty big enough for Heather and her but got shot down in flames. That was a treat; girls of six slept in their own beds and got to hop in with mommy and daddy on special occasions not every night Heather told her firmly and Maisy pulled a face- yes , she was definitely a mom.

She didn’t mind, not really; Mommy hadn’t let her get away with anything and she didn’t expect Heather to be any different and in any case Mommy had told her she had to be good because that was what God expected from her.

They spent the evening together and Heather left around eight thirty after getting Maisy into bed and an after stories coffee with Nick. She got back to her place around nine thirty and it didn’t feel like home to her. Not now, home was with Nick and Maisy and she couldn’t wait to get out of the place.

Next morning at work she marched straight into the bosses office and told her she was in love and she had to work reduced hours, preferably from home and she had it all worked out and she knew it would mean less money but she didn’t care because and before she could get anymore out her boss was hugging her and telling her how wonderful that was and asking who the lucky guy was. Then it seemed everyone was in with them hanging on her every word as she told her story.

She was shooed out the door to go and find a place and though she didn’t want to rush and take the first one she saw that is what she did. It was perfect, which Mary, who had found it in the first place after quietly looking at more than twenty, already knew and normally indecisive Heather liked it from the moment she looked inside the front door.

So that was that; she gave notice where she was , took up a three year lease on the new apartment and arranged for her furniture to be moved the following morning.

Nick for his part revamped his CV and went out knocking on doors to get a job.

“So what has happened to you Mr Potter since you left your last job,” one HR Manager asked with a piercing look “, that will convince me to give you a chance here?”

He told her and she completed the new employee contract with her right hand while dabbing her eyes with the tissues in her left.

They went out to dinner that evening to celebrate although Maisy found it hard to read the menu with everything in French.

Finally after six long celibate weeks which had Nick climbing the walls it was the big day. Lilly was matron of honor and as mother of the bride her Mom was a fashion statement. Lizzie’s Mom and Dad were there and as a special favor to Heather Lizzie’s dad walked her down the aisle and gave her away.

At the reception it seemed everyone wanted to say a few words. Quite a few words it seemed to Nick but thankfully after his best man, whom he had thoughts of having shot, asked if anyone else wanted to say a few words someone piped up that he would but the groom looks to be in a hurry to go somewhere and he wouldn’t want to hold him up.
.
That brought the house down and Nick blushed bright red while Heather’s cheeks got some color in them too. However it did the trick and the formalities ended with the die hards set to dance the night away.

Maisy was taken home at this stage. She would be staying with Melissa given that Stewart said he wasn’t sure how cool it would be to have a girl at a sleep over but Maisy knew it was because he was scared she would have trained his stupid pet rat better than he could and anyway boys were so boring and she was looking forward to going over Melissa’s books on horses and pony clubs and things and Melissa’s mom was really nice and her dad wasn’t horrible like she had thought, he was very funny and had the girls in fits on the drive home.

The bride and groom left soon after Maisy had gone with seemingly endless farewells and off color references to their time ahead and then suddenly they were gone. All the noise, all the people; gone.

Heather massaged Nick’s cock through his trousers as he drove - he was rock hard.

‘Coming up to the hotel soon Hon, guess I better stop, huh?” she asked with a truly evil look on her face.

She took her hand away while he tried to think of calculus or algebra, anything to make the swelling go down. Heather had wanted to get a tantric effect of build up and ease off on him. It worked; he was now hornier now than he had ever been in his life.

They were welcomed at reception and taken up to the bridal suite. The porter very discretely backing out of the room without waiting for his gratuity and closing the door behind him to leave the newly weds on their own.

“Fuck you look amazing Missus Potter,” Nick declared eyeing her up and down.

‘Do I?” she asked delightedly.

“Think so. Hey?”

“What?”

“I’m so glad I decided to marry you.”

“What! My God! You, you, man you.”

‘Frustrated man me. Now get ‘em off and move away from the wardrobe- hands where I can see ‘em,” he did an awful Jimmy Cagney impersonation but Heather hardly noticed; he did find her hot, he did want to fuck her.

Her hands trembled as she fumbled with catches and zippers trying to appear calm while undressing. She took it all off, pausing in suspender belt and stockings to flash her bald pussy at him then grinning before turning round and bending over for the money shot.

He stood there like the King of Bloody Everything and waved his hand dismissively at the rest of her clothes. She put her fingers together as if praying and bowed in unfelt obedience to him- then the rest came off and she wore nothing apart from a happy smile.

He made to move towards her but she put her hand up.

“You’ve had your turn; now I want mine. Jacket first, on the hanger, good boy. Now take the shoes off, neatly, under the jacket. Fuck you’re slow. Trousers Nick, get the fucking trousers off, come on! Today Nicholas! Today!”

It’s hard to get your gear off when you’re laughing Nick discovered but he managed it and even without touching he had an impressive erection.

‘It’s a wonderful thing abstinence,” she said nodding cruelly.

‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” he asked and she gave him her sluttiest look then looked brazenly at his cock while licking her lips.

“Uh huh.”

“Oh fuck! Come here; I have to fuck you now.”

She went to him and felt his now rock hard cock pressing against her tummy as they crushed each other in their hug. He had been feeding on her body; the wet pussy, the swollen nipples and now she was doing her best to do pure lust but the affection showed in her eyes and he smiled.

“Lie on the bed sweetheart,” he told her and she did feeling just a bit disappointed that the headlong rush to unbridled lust had had the brakes applied but Nick was looking so affectionately and she trusted him so what next?

“I don’t want to fuck you like two dogs going at it,” he has sat on the bed and now ran his hand all over her body- she was liking that. “I want to make love with you- slower and deeper.”

An evil look came over her face as she heard the word “deeper.”

“I meant spiritually and emotionally not like that,” he told her trying not to laugh as she pouted.

‘Well gee sir, if we get the first two can we try for all three?” she asked in her cutest Cheer Leader voice.

“Hey, I’m trying to be serious here, this is an important moment-“

‘Fuck the moment and fuck me, we can do serious after. Come on honey I’m horny as fuck, get on and get in,” she demanded smacking her bald wet pussy to reinforce her request. So he did and any two dogs fucking would have been proud to own their performance.

He held off as long as he could but finally came spurting deep inside her as she arched her back to get him in as far as he could get. She climaxed a few seconds later. She wanted his penis in her and kept her legs locked over his bum so there was no escape.

‘Thank you Mister Potter,” she said politely.

‘You’re welcome Missus Potter,” he replied gallantly.

‘Love me? Glad you married me?” she asked (well its nice to be told.)

“Yes and yes, so glad.”

She turned her face a little to look deep in his eyes then closed hers and said a silent prayer of thanks to Lizzie; then she kissed him.

[ELaken-Palmer]

A very nice love story that makes one feel good for the three of them. I enjoyed reading it.

[SuperGoalie]

Great story. Well done and Good Luck!

[johnstr]

Good story well done

[Prurient Purveyer]

Thanks for the comments guys

[UKM40]

a rather nice feel good story. well done and good luck.

[Cheltenham]

Well done

I've read a few of your CAW entries and I see a vast improvement in the quality of your writings. I wish you the best in this challenge, PP

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by Cheltenham

Well done

I've read a few of your CAW entries and I see a vast improvement in the quality of your writings. I wish you the best in this challenge, PP

That's a fairly backhanded sort of a compliment isn't it?

What, are you saying my earlier ones were shit?

[Cheltenham]

Originally Posted by Prurient Purveyer

That's a fairly backhanded sort of a compliment isn't it?

What, are you saying my earlier ones were shit?

I offer a compliment and my head has been bitten clean off. It will be the last one you receive from me, I promise you that.

[ejls]

This was so tender and so loving. I'm a sucker for a love story, I know that. I can't think of anything about the story that I didn't like. Now, was it perfectly written? No, it was not. But to me, the story, the feelings I feel, are much more important. I smiled. From the moment Maisy waived, I smiled.

Thank you so much for writing this romance.

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by ejls

This was so tender and so loving. I'm a sucker for a love story, I know that. I can't think of anything about the story that I didn't like. Now, was it perfectly written? No, it was not. But to me, the story, the feelings I feel, are much more important. I smiled. From the moment Maisy waived, I smiled.

Thank you so much for writing this romance.

And thank you for your kind words.

[ejls]

bump

[Wee Hector]

bump

[Twistedsister]

Pound

[wantsomefun]

ejls got it right.

This story made me smile. Was it a bit Pollyanna? Sure! Cut out the cumshot at the end, and you have a Disney movie.

To me, this is a good thing. Maisy was adorable, both wise and childish. Heather was a bundle of emotions, as was Nick. You set up a myriad of situations and problems these two faced, both alone and together, and solved them all with love.

The way you used the pic to introduce the setting of your story was quite clever. You took a dark, somber, pic and created a crisis out of it. Being something of a Don Quoxite fan myself, I appreciated Nick's selfless action to save Heather's dignity, or maybe her life. This scenario has been done a million times before. Damsel in distress rescued by brave hero, love, fuck. It's a great premise for a story.

Adding Maisy, centering a lot of the story on her, is what made it special.

Bravo.

[darthel0101]

Well written, indeed.

[Hornycountryboy]

Very lovely story! I absolutely loved the characters, and Maisy kept putting a smile on my face.

Not much more I can say that hasn't already been said. It was a great story, and I wish you luck!

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by Hornycountryboy

Very lovely story! I absolutely loved the characters, and Maisy kept putting a smile on my face.

Not much more I can say that hasn't already been said. It was a great story, and I wish you luck!

Thanks Horny.

While I was writing this, and rewriting as you do, the working title was The pretty lady God sent or Maisy's new Mommy and I decided against those because they were too cute. At the end of the Path is a real read discourager I think so maybe I should have gone for cute.

The real hero of the story though isn't Maisy or Heather or Nick its Lizzie, Maisy's late mother.

This all happens because of her- and the Big Guy if you're that way inclined.

[ejls]

[Daddycums]

Beautiful story! I thought I had already made up my mind for my vote in CAW 11, but you've definitely made me reconsider.

The story was, in a word, emotional. It ran the gamut of emotions from bitterness, sadness, and loneliness all the way to joy, love, and happiness. I especially like how you altered your style just a little when switching to Maisy's point of view. It read almost like a children's book at that point, definitely a childlike (but not childish) writing style. I don't know if I'm really explaining myself there, but that's the best way I can think of to describe it.

All of the characters in the story are likable (except the ones that aren't supposed to be), and it really makes the reader root for them and hope they end up together.

The sex scene at the end was completely unnecessary, but I'm glad you added it because by about halfway through the story I was hoping there would be some sex just so that I wouldn't have to disqualify it from my vote in the contest (as I've mentioned on the threads for several other CAW stories).

Now I only have one story left to read, and so far this is tied with one other for my favorite. So even if I don't vote for your story, you can be assured that it's at least my third favorite of all the stories.

[Hornycountryboy]

Bump

[Hornycountryboy]

Bump

[ahorsewithnoname]

bump

[ahorsewithnoname]

motherfucking bump to get these stories to the top and JoeFuckheadDirty (and his little troll pornvision) below

[Wee Hector]

bump

[Hornycountryboy]

All aboard the bump train! Choo choo!

[Dizzyworks673]

Going for a ride on the crazy bump train!

[DoyleGentry]

bump

[darthel0101]

bump

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[Dizzyworks673]

Bump

[ahorsewithnoname]

Last weekend of voting bump!

[curiousscouser]

A lovely sweet tale PP. I couldn't help wondering why he didn't just call a taxi to take her home in order to avoid the thugs, but since that would have made the story far less interesting I realise your way is much better!

A perfect romance to lose myself in this afternoon, thankyou

[Empress Lainie]

This story did it for me....tears and all!
And me too old to ever have such a happy ending!

[Prurient Purveyer]

Originally Posted by curiousscouser

A lovely sweet tale PP. I couldn't help wondering why he didn't just call a taxi to take her home in order to avoid the thugs, but since that would have made the story far less interesting I realise your way is much better!

A perfect romance to lose myself in this afternoon, thankyou

Um yes, well there were a few options but would you have wanted Maisy to be disappointed?

Course not

[Hornycountryboy]

One last push!