A Cup O’ Kindness

We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin auld lang syne.

(Auld Lang Syne: Robert Burns)

The direct continuation of Home For the Holidays

By Atonia Walpole

(picture creations also by Atonia)

Part 1

Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, before the sun was awake, Toni reached for Terry Thorne. He turned to her and took her in his arms.

“Have you slept at all?’ he asked her, his voice muffled against her hair.

“Some,” she said quietly. Her need for him, his nearness, his body was greater than for any sleep she might have had. She felt him against the length of her body and soon his weight and then he filled her with himself.

“Oh, you’ll have some breakfast under your belt before you leave here!” Munchie pushed Terry down in a chair and set a cup of tea in front of him. “I won’t let you go without something to eat.”

Terry smiled. He’d only wanted a cup of coffee to get him going. “Anybody else been down?”

“It’s a little early yet, not 7:30, but Jack’s been. He grabbed a cup of coffee and set off for the stables wanting to get that job done early. I’m going over to see Tom today and check if he’s able to get out again. And about that fencing, do you want him to do it or should we call out a professional?” Munchie was trying to think of everything she needed to ask him about.

“Call a professional and have them come out here and look at it. As soon as the ground is thawed enough to dig I want it done.”

“Yes sir, it will be. We won’t have that boy falling in the pool again.”

The truth was he never fell in but crawled out on the pool cover all by himself for a bit of fun. Thanks to Claire he was found before the thing dumped him into the water. Special thanks to Jack Aubrey who jumped in and saved him. This was running though his mind as a plate of toast and eggs was put before him.

“Ta, Munchie, you spoil me.”

“Ah, you need spoiling.” She gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Where is Toni? She’s not still asleep, is she?”

“No, she has Jacky in bed with her. We’ve had our morning war of the dinos.”

Munchie chuckled, poured herself a cup of tea and added to his. “I’ll look out for her and Jacky as best I can. When is your flight?”

“10:00. Jack will stay for a little while, maybe a few days after Max leaves. Just to make sure she doesn’t…that she’ll be okay.”

“I know how she is when you leave. Well, good. He’ll be good for her. You need anything else? Want some of that strawberry jelly?”

Max rolled out of bed, sitting on the side rubbing his eyes. Connie was still asleep and a quick glance in the laundry basket told him Maxi was asleep. Best to leave them alone. Sleep when you can. That was the way they were living right now. But something weighed on his mind and he had been unable to fall back asleep after Maxi’s last feeding. He eased himself up and stumbled toward the bathroom. After a quick shower to wake up and a bathrobe, he went in search of coffee.

Padding down the stairs in his slippers he knew what it was that kept him awake, the remote possibility that something would happen to Terry and the responsibility Terry had placed on him should such a thing happen. He understood his reasoning and thought he should make some arrangements himself should something happen to him. It could. One never knew. A wife and child, same situation, and they would need someone to look out for them. It would have to be Terry. He paused at the bottom step thinking about that for a moment. Why not John…?

He felt closer to Terry for some reason and John was wrapped up in his own family…would he have the time to devote to another woman and her child? That Terry had even considered the possibility…it ran down his back like a cold finger.

“G’Day, Max.” Terry was finishing up his breakfast. “You’re up early.”

“Hullo, Terry. I couldn’t get back to sleep. So, uh, when’s your flight out?”

“Ten. Is Aubrey coming to the airport, too? I know he’s got a flight out sometime this morning.”

“His is at eleven, so probably.” Max accepted a steaming mug of coffee from Munchie. “Thanks, love.”

“Will you be wanting breakfast now, Max?”

“Not yet…”

“Well, I’ll be upstairs for a bit. There’s boiled eggs in the basket and a plate of muffins if you change your mind.”

“Ta, Munchie.” Max watched her with a warm look as she went to the back stairs that led up to her rooms above the kitchen. “I’ve been thinking about what you said Christmas Eve…”

“Is it too much to ask?”

“No, no, um…I’m going to ask the same of you, should something happen to me.”

“Consider it done.”

“Just like that?”

“Is it a problem for you, Max? I’m not asking you to be her husband unless that’s something the two of you would want. Just to keep an eye out, make sure everything is taken care of, give her a shoulder.”

“I would, of course, Terry. That goes without saying. You know how I feel about her and Jacky, too. It bothers me that you would make this request now, just before leaving. Why do you feel the need for it now?”

Terry was quiet for a moment. “I’m not sure but it’s something we’ve never discussed before. It’s out there…the possibility that something could go wrong. It’s always out there. I’ve come close before. People are shooting at you, ya know?”

Jack finished up in the stables. It was good to get out and do some work. He wasn’t used to sitting about. He gave the big black a rub on his nose, clean straw down in the stalls, feed trough and water filled. Shame about the snow, he thought. He’d like to ride that black horse. Maybe he’d get the opportunity since he was going to be here for awhile.

He stuck his hands in the pockets of his down-filled jacket. He wasn’t sure Toni was going to need him at all. She seemed to be handling everything very well. But of course she had a houseful of people around her to take her mind off Terry’s leaving. It would be different after John and Max left.

He stopped on the hillside and looked around. It was a nice farm, a good place to live. Far enough from the town for peace and quiet and you couldn’t see your neighbors, nice plantation of trees, which reminded him of his own at Ashgrove. He was having financial problems again and although Max had looked into it, there was nothing he could do for him except to advise on the best way to manage his money. Once he had some again he’d  take his advice.

He came in the back door and removed his boots, hung his coat on a peg, padded into the kitchen and washed his hands.

“Jack, you’re out early.”

“Yes, lending a hand with the horses. You’re up early…for you.”

Max smiled, “Couldn’t sleep.” He munched on a muffin. “Terry’s just gone up…to pack.”

Jack poured a cup of coffee remembering he’d left a mug in the stable. “Have you seen Toni this morning?”

“No, but I heard Jacky in their room when I came down. Do you feel anything…about his leaving?”

“A sense of uneasiness…yes, I do.” he sat down at the table.

“Why is that…do you think…”

“I don’t think. I believe it may have to do with the request he made of you.” Jack looked at Max.

“Hmm, could be.” But he didn’t think so.

Jack didn’t think so either but he wasn’t going to speculate. “John still abed?”

John had just told Donna about the request Terry had made of Max to look after Toni and Jacky should something happen to him.

“He’s worried about this trip. I know he is.”

“Then why is he going?” Donna asked.

“That’s a good question.” He plumped the pillows behind his back. “Because that’s who he is, he’s duty bound. It’s his job and I think he gets a certain satisfaction from it, reuniting hostages with their families. I don’t think he’s ever rescued a woman before and Dino asked for his help. He wouldn’t ever turn him down.”

“I don’t think I could stand it if it were you putting yourself in danger like that.”

“Oh, like all those years in the sheriff’s department didn’t count?”

“Nobody ever shot at you.”

“Yes, they did. You just never knew about it. Mystery wasn’t a hot bed of gunplay, though.”

“Belfast is pretty peaceful.”

“Yeah, and part-timing suits me fine. What do you think about Claire’s leading you to Jacky yesterday?”

“Max says she and Jacky have a touch of magic, that they communicate mentally. He says he’s tested Jacky and knows it’s so. I believe him because she definitely led me to him.”

“That’s almost scary, you know, second generation. Probably Maxi will be the same.”

“How strong is it between you and your brothers? You never talk about it.”

“Depends on if you tap into it, which we don’t. There are privacy issues that we respect. It’s more of a sense of things, feelings. Like I know Terry is worried about this trip and he doesn’t know exactly why. He’s usually excited about going. I can feel that sometimes like a rush of adrenalin. I’m a little concerned for him myself.”

Hearing a noise at the foot of their bed John leaned over. Claire was awake in her little cot that had been set up in their room.

“That’s right, Jacky. Take it out, take it all out.” Toni, dressed in her sweats, encouraged Jacky to unpack the bag Terry had set on the bed.

“You’re not helping.” Terry met her eyes and replaced the things in his bag.

“You’re right, I’m not. Why would I want to help you leave me?”

“I don’t want to leave you, Toni, but it’s something I have to do.” He zipped up the bag, set it on the floor and picked up Jacky. Jacky put his hands on his father’s face and looked at him seriously.

“I have to, Jacky.” Terry answered the question Jacky had just asked him without thinking it hadn’t been said aloud. “Daddy loves you, too.” He hugged him and realized Jacky had communicated with him mentally. “You know what he just did?”

“Told you something, didn’t he?” Toni rolled off the bed, came around and put her arms around both of them. “He’s his father’s son through and through. Didn’t you know that?”

“It must be frustrating for him trying to do that with people who don’t receive it.”

“Claire does. She saved his life yesterday.”

“Jack gets no credit?”

“Of course he does, but if she hadn’t led Donna to the pool…”

“This should get interesting as they get older.”

“Yeah.” Toni wrapped her arms around herself, staring at the bag on the floor full of fatigues.

“I should go look up Aubrey, see if he’s ready to go.”

“Yeah.”

“Toni…”

Toni looked up and met his eyes. “You have to come back to me. I won’t live if you don’t.”

“Don’t say things like that. I’ll be back as soon as the job’s done. You’ve got Jacky to take care of. Don’t let me down, luv.”

“I won’t…don’t let me down.” Her eyes locked with his and he sat Jacky on the bed and took her in his arms, kissing her deeply and thoroughly.

“I would never let you down. I love you Toni. Be strong for me…I need it.”

“I’ve always given you what you need. I will now.” She reluctantly slid her hands down his arms to his hands and squeezed them then let him go.

Part 2

“Leaving on a jet plane

Don’t know when I’ll be back again

Oh babe I hate to go”

Max drove Terry and Aubrey to the airpor,t half listening to the chatter between the two. Aubrey was concerned about Terry and wished him luck. Max was more than concerned. He had a growing sense of dread the closer they got to the airport. He wanted a minute with him away from Aubrey. It came when Terry set his bag up on the ramp to be checked in.

“I want to talk to you a minute.”

“Sure.” Terry laid his passport and driver's permit on the counter for the ticket agent then turned and looked at Max. “What is it?”

“I…I don’t know exactly. Are you sure you have to do this? You can’t send some of your highly trained and overqualified employees? Why is it you have to do it?”

“Because Dino asked me to and I know he wouldn’t have if he didn’t need me.” Terry shouldered his carryon bag and stepped away from the counter, sticking his boarding pass in his jacket pocket.

Max fell in beside him toward the security check. “Other people need you, too.”

Terry paused and looked at him. “What is it, mate? Spit it out.”

“I don’t want you to go. I’ve got this feeling…you’ve got it, too. I know you do. Jack’s got it. You can’t do this, Terry.”

“Don’t jinx me, Max. Think positive…I am.” Terry smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder.

“Don’t…break the circle, Terry.” Max had to look away a moment. “You know what I’m trying to say.”

“Yes, I do. I’ll keep in touch.” Terry touched his forehead.

“Do that. Make sure you do.” Max still stood by him while he removed his shoes and emptied his pockets, pulled out the laptop.

“You coming with me?” Terry gave him a half grin.

“If I could I would. Take care, Terry…good care.” Terry gave him a little wave and passed through the security check.

John met Max in the entry. “Did you get him off?”

“Yeah,” Max slipped out of his coat, “he’s  in the air by now.” He looked up and met John’s gaze. “Yeah.”

“It ain’t good, Max.”

“I know, but what could we do?”

“Toni’s in the kitchen cleaning silver like mad. Donna and Connie took the kids to a movie, Jacky and Claire, too.”

“Where’s Maxi?”

“Munchie has him. Jack’s gone horseback riding. He said he had to do something.”

Max glanced at John and took a breath, heading for the kitchen.

“Bollocks! What’s that smell?”

“Silver cleaner.” Toni didn’t look up.

“Put it away. It’s horrid.”

“I’m not done.”

Max walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. “Yes, you are. It's Boxing Day. Let’s get drunk.”

“What?” She looked up

“You heard me, you, me and John. There’s a pub a few miles out.”

“I…I don’t think so.”

Max took the cloth from her hand and turned her around. “I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Max.” Her eyes filled with tears.

“No, none of that. Wash that stuff off your hands. We’ll wait for you,” he said gently. Finally getting a yes he walked out to find John in the den.

“We’re off to pub.”

“Pub?”

“Yeah, the three of us. We’re going to get her blind drunk.”

“You think that’s the answer?”

The pub wasn’t much. It was located on the corner of a street off the beaten track frequented by locals, but it was warm and it had a juke box and a few barstools waiting for them. They quickly found a seat and had drinks in front of them, supplied by a smiling bartender who exchanged names with them and set them up with shots to start with beer chasers.

“This is some serious drinking,” Toni sputtered, downing her shot and reaching for the beer glass.

“Of course it is. Nothing half way,” Max smiled and ordered another round.

“You may have to carry me out if this keeps up. I don’t do shots very well,” John said, reaching for another.

“You’ll lay where you fall, John. Either hang with us or go home.” Max gave no quarter.

“You know, I haven’t been drunk in awhile…a long while, not since Rome after you guys left. Terry and I drank a bottle of scotch in the hotel room. He holds it well.”

“He’s a professional. I’m an apprentice,” John commented.

“You don’t have to match drink for drink, John.” Max would, though. He ordered Toni a mixed drink and one for himself, leaving John to figure it out.

“Oh, fuck!” John ordered himself a mixed drink. “I’m not going to worry about what Donna thinks today. Today I’m free.”

“There you go.” Max went over and fed the juke box.

“You never have been much of a drinker but we did some wine, didn’t we, and some champagne,” Toni said.

“Yeah, we did, Toni, and some beer. New Year’s eve on the sofa watching the ball drop.”

“I made you drink champagne. You wanted a beer, remember?”

“Yeah,” John grinned, “I remember…cheese and crackers and…oh, shit, this could get heavy.”

“It did as I remember.”

“We had some good times,” he sipped his drink, “on the sofa by the fire and in the bed...whooeee!”

“Am I interrupting something?” Max slid in beside Toni.

“Just remembering…” Toni looked up at him and smiled, “days long past.”

“I don’t have any cold weather memories from the House. It was always hot…we made it hotter.”

“You didn’t need a fire in the fireplace, did ya?” John grinned.

“No…we didn’t. Dance with her, John.”

“Me…I don’t dance.”

“Everybody dances. Make him, Toni.”

Toni slid off her stool and took John’s hand. “Come on. It’s a slow song. You can do this. You did once.”

It was an awkward start but soon he got the hang of it, holding her tight against him. “You feel good,” he whispered in her ear.

“Mmm,” she purred.

“I did dance with you at our wedding. Hard to believe we married but it was a great wedding.”

“I remember it all, John. Why is it hard to believe?”

“I don’t know…a lot of water under the bridge since then.”

“But it happened. We were so in love.”

“Yeah…it’s all still there.”

“Is it?”

“It is for me. I don’t know about you.”

Toni leaned back. “It’s there. Never went away.”

“You know, I had a moment not long ago when I wished…we could go back to the house and it be like it was before. I never wanted to lose you.”

“You haven’t.”

“See, I told you,” Max smiled. “You need another drink.”

“I haven’t finished this one yet, but you’re right. I need more.” John turned his glass up.

Toni slipped off to the bathroom and Max turned back to John. “This is good for her, get her mind somewhere else besides Terry.”

“Not sure that’s possible.”

“Yes, it is. You can do it.”

“What are you trying to do here, Max?”

“Nothing.” Max picked up his drink. “Whatever you want.”

“I’m not sure…what I want.”

“You don’t deserve her.” Max turned his attention down the bar.

“Well, I don’t have her, so what the fuck…”

“Don’t get pissy with me. Just be good to her today, make her feel good, feel loved.”

“This must be my seat between the two best-looking blokes in the joint. I checked them out on the way back from the loo.” Toni grinned and sat back on her seat.

“Hey, you’re with us today so leave the other blokes alone,” Max smiled at her and pushed her drink to her.

“I don’t know,” she leaned back looking past Max, “the guy on the end gave me the eye as I passed.”

“What? The one with no hair?” John laughed. “Have at him, Toni.”

Toni giggled and picked up her drink. “I don’t think so. I love you guys.”

“What did Munchie say when you told her you were taking me off to get me drunk?” Toni asked Max.

“She shook her head and said she’d pray for you.”

“Oh, no! I’ll be in her bad books for awhile.”

“Your turn, Max. Go dance.”

Toni put her drink down and went into Max’s arms. They’d danced before. It was evident the way they came together. She lay her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Neither one of them had anything to say while the music played. They stole a look. Another song came on, faster this time and Max danced with her. They smiled and laughed.

John watched from the bar, drink in hand. That was something the two of them. Terry had been right but, oh, God, what a mess it would be for Max if something…

“They said they were taking  Toni off to get her drunk.  Fine thing for gentlemen to do!” Munchie stomped about the kitchen where Jack was having a cup of coffee. "I expect the wives will be happy to hear about that when they get back.”

Jack pressed his lips together to keep a straight face. “I’m sure they had Toni’s welfare in their hearts.”

“Welfare? How is getting her loaded gonna help that and her with a youngun’ to look after. Shame on them! Shame!”

“I wonder if you have any of those excellent tarts left?”

“Oh, well, yes, I do. You like them?”

“I do, madam.” Jack gave her a brilliant smile.

“Max’s car is missing. I wonder where he’s gone?” Connie took Jacky from the car seat in Donna and John’s vehicle.

“No idea. There we go, Claire.” Donna set her down and she ran around to Jacky.

“Boys, in the house! I’m sure Munchie has dinner ready for you…inside,” Donna directed her tribe.

Jack opened the door hoping to head off Munchie. “There you are!” He stepped out and picked up Jacky and Claire.

“Before you go in there is something you should know. Max and John have taken Toni out for the afternoon, something to get her mind off Terry’s leaving. They’ve gone to a tavern, I believe.”

“Oh…a tavern?”

“Yes, Donna, a tavern. Seemed the best idea for her at the time.”

“When did they leave?” Connie wanted to know.

“I’m not sure. They were gone when I returned from my ride. That was around 1:00, I believe.”

Connie checked her watch. “It’s after four.”

“John won’t be able to walk.” Donna went into the house.

Jack knew from Munchie that they had left before twelve.

“Max won’t be able to drive if he’s been drinking all afternoon.”

“Perhaps a cab?”

“Hmm? Thanks, Jack.” Jack followed Connie in with the two little ones in his arms. It didn’t bode well for John and Max.

“Connie, perhaps I should go and find them?” He raised his brows.

“You don’t drive, Jack.”

“No, but the man here does, Tom. Munchie says he’s feeling better. I’ll ask her to give him a call.” He smiled and handed her Jacky and set off for the kitchen to find Munchie.

Claire was not happy at being separated from Jacky and let out a wail as he entered the kitchen where Munchie was trying to get dinner on the children’s table.

“Munchie, I wonder if you’d mind giving Tom a call? If he could drive me to find our missing relatives?”

Munchie had a rather harried look about her. “I’ll do that for you, sir, just in a minute.”

“Thank you, madam. Now what’s wrong with you, little one? Ah, Jacky? Well, let's go find him.”

“I’ll need her back at the table!” Munchie called after him.

“Just in a minute,” he smiled over his shoulder.

Connie had Maxi in her arms in the den. “Well, It’s not the end of the world, Donna. Men do these things from time to time.”

“John doesn’t.” Donna wiped a tear.

“Well, he is today, so…let him be, Donna. This is an emotional time for them, all of them. Don’t add something else to it.”

Part 3

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

“Good Lord!” Jack Aubrey exclaimed, having found his brothers with Toni in the tavern.

“I think it’s called dirty dancing,” John giggled.

Jack’s eyes widened watching Max and Toni on the dance floor. Hoots and whistles from the bar patrons accompanied them.

“Get a room!” somebody yelled and laughed.

“I should think so. How long has this been going on?” Jack asked John.

“Hey, it’s fun. She taught me how. You should get out there, Jack.” John slapped his knee to the beat.

“You? Oh, dear God!”

The bar patrons had been feeding money into the juke box, enjoying the show that was going on. Toni was flying. All she wanted to do was dance. She was barefoot and Max’s hands had worked her top up over her low-slung jeans so that her belly button showed. He liked running his hand over her belly when she turned.

“Jack!” She let out a squeal and ran over, grabbing his hand pulling him out on the floor.

“No, Pet…no…I don’t.”

“Sure you do! I know you can move.”

“Toni, I’ve come to get you out of here.”

“Why? Havin’ good time.”

“I see you are,” he grinned.

Max left the floor and stumbled toward the barstool. “Has he come to save us?”

“Yeah,” John winked. “Damn, she’s hot.”

“I know. ‘Get a room’ sounded good.” He was out of breath and reached for his drink.

“Jack’s sober.”

“Piss on him!” Max said, turning up his glass.

“Speaking of piss.” John slid unsteadily off the stool and weaved toward the men’s room.

“Toni…?” Jack stepped back from her. She was still dancing against him. “Where are your shoes, Pet?”

“Dunno…shoes,” she grinned, twirling under his arm.

“Max, her shoes?”

“Dunno,” he repeated with a silly grin.

Jack pulled her to her seat. “She has a coat?”

“Um, coats…? Uh, on the wall there somewhere.” Max waved in the general direction.

“Whatever were you thinking?” Jack looked at Max.

“Get a room…she’s had a good time.”

“Umm, Jack.” Toni had him around the neck.

“Pet.” He held her arms, looking down around the bar for her shoes. Somebody brought them with a wide smile.

Jack slipped her boots on and pulled her shirt down with an amused look in his eye. John came back. “Oh, we gotta go? Gotta go gotta go?”

“Yes, Tom is waiting outside.”

“Somebody needs to pay the tab,” the bartender said, walking over to where they were trying to get into coats. Jack pulled out his plastic card and paid the tab.

“Wait!” Max dug in his pockets and threw a wad of bills on the bar. “Thanks for a great time.”

“Thank you. The show was hot, man.”

“Yeah, hot.” 

They walked and weaved out of the bar, Jack carrying Toni.

He put her in the back seat between Max and John and a glance back told him he’d got there just in time. She was kissing one then the other. Jack looked over at Tom, who was watching through the rearview mirror. “Watch the road. Nothing back there you need to witness.”

Once at the house Jack took Toni, carrying her straight up the stairs to her room. He’d told the other two they were on their own.

“You think we should go in?” John asked.

“Have to…it’s cold out here.”

“Gonna be killed.”

“Yeah…probably.”

“Max…that was fun.”

“It was…yeah, it was.”

“So I don’t care if I’m killed.”

Max giggled and set John off. They laughed and giggled until they had to sit down on the steps.

“Was that the door?” Connie walked out in the hall. The door was still ajar and she walked over and peeked out, hearing their laughter. Donna soon was at her side.

“Something’s funny,” she whispered.

“They’re both drunk. Let’s leave them alone to make their way inside.” She quietly closed the door and looked up the stairs. “Jack must have taken Toni up. Hope she’s okay.”

Jack was struggling with Toni, trying to get her boots off. “Pet,” he chuckled, “lie still!”

“No, I wanna dance.”

“No music.” He got one off.

“It’s in my head. I love you, Jack.”

“I love you, too, Pet.” He got the other boot off. “You should go to sleep.”

“No, I don’t wanna sleep…I want you.”

“You can’t have me.”

“Yes, I can…I know you.” She tilted her head on the pillow, feeling her jeans come off.

“I know you, too.” He bent and kissed her.

“I’m gonna take the midnight train to Georgia…,” she sang.

 Jack sat on the side of the bed and brushed her hair back out of her face.

“Gonna…take the…mid…train…” She was out and he kissed her again, covered her up and turned out the lamp.

“I can’t get up. I’m frozen to the step,” John giggled, “frozen stiff.”

“Are you still stiff?” Max asked.

“Oh, man…hot…hot...you gotta still be.”

“I’m going in.” Max reached for the column to steady himself. “I’m cold.”

“Yeah…party’s over…damn Jack, anyway.”

They got to their feet and opened the door. Max headed for the stairs and John wandered into the living room to the sofa and fell on it.

Jack passed Max on the stairs. He was concentrating on the steps as he went up and said nothing. He watched his progress for a minute and went on down the steps.

Max opened Toni’s door and staggered to the bed and fell across it, asleep before he had settled.

“Jack, is Toni okay?”  Donna asked when he came into the den.

“She’s asleep. I put her to bed. Max just went up and John is on the sofa in the living room.”

“Thanks for going after them, Jack,” Connie said.

“They had a good time. Best thing for her, really.”

Later Connie went upstairs to check on Max and, not finding him in their room, she cautiously opened Toni’s and walked in.

“Oh, Max!” She pulled off his shoes and took his glasses off and lay them on the bedside table and covered him up with a blanket she found at the foot of the bed. She looked at Toni and back at Max and quietly closed the door.

Back downstairs she cornered Jack. “Max is in Toni’s bed passed out. I left him there.”

Jack looked at her a moment. “Do you want me to get him out of there?”

“No,” she swallowed, “It wouldn’t matter anyway.”

“It matters to you.”

Connie met his eyes. “It will always be this way. I’ve accepted it. There’s nothing I can do.”

“Neither one of them is responsible tonight, remember that.”

She smiled slightly. “Thank you, Jack.”

Munchie came in with Jacky. “He’s had his bath and has come to say good night. I don’ suppose he’ll see his mum tonight?”

“Uh, no, I don’t suppose he will.” Jack took the boy in his arms and hugged him. “He’s on an airplane,” Jack answered Jacky’s unverbalized question about his Daddy. “Yes,” he took the airplane ornament off the tree and gave it to Jacky, “an airplane. And  Mummy is asleep. Night, night.”

Jacky smiled back at Jack and hugged him. “Luv,” he said.

Donna had watched this exchange and when Munchie took Jacky off to bed, she commented, “You answer things he hasn’t asked.”

“He has asked. The boy is magic.”

“So is Claire.”

“I know. She communicates with me the same way.”

“Why doesn’t she with John?”

“Perhaps he blocks it. You have to let it happen.”

“Can you…read each other’s mind?”

“Um, not exactly. I think we block each other out to prevent that. I wouldn’t want to know what John says to you before he falls asleep,” he smiled.

Donna smiled back.

Part 4

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

Connie woke at 3:00 in the morning when the side of the bed sagged a bit. She half sat up to see Max sitting there looking at her. He had the blanket she’d covered him up with around his shoulders.

“Connie…”

“Max…what?”

“I woke up in Toni’s bed. I don’t remember going in there…I’m sorry.”

Connie looked at him a minute. “You passed out. Get your clothes off and come to bed, darling.”

“You’re not mad at me?”

“I’ll think about that tomorrow.”

“It is tomorrow.”

“I still love you.”

“You’re too good for me. You deserve somebody better.”

“I’m sure you’re right but I haven’t found anybody yet.”

“I don’t remember much after Jack showed up at the pub.”

“That’s okay. He got you home.”

“I didn’t…make an ass of myself here, did I…with Toni?”

“No, Jack put Toni to bed.”

He let out a sigh. “Good…I was afraid…”

Connie smiled, “Don’t be. Nothing happened. She was asleep when Jack left her and you were when I found you where you fell on the bed.”

“You found me?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I wasn’t, obviously.”

John woke on the sofa just before daylight, freezing. No blanket had been provided for him. He got up and went up the stairs, shedding his clothes as soon as he reached their room. He snuggled up to Donna, who raised up on an elbow, glanced at him and turned over.

Toni heard John coming up the stairs. She’d been awake for awhile, alone in her bed without Terry. She couldn’t go back to sleep. A bottle of aspirin and a glass of water on her bedside table, she was trying to ease her head. She rolled over on the bed and saw something out of place…Max’s glasses. She sat up, not remembering him being in the room…but he must have been.

“Oh, God, what have I done?” She lay on her back staring at the ceiling. She threw her legs over the side of the bed, sat there for a minute and went to the bathroom and took a shower. No evidence of sex. Maybe she hadn’t. She turned round and round in the shower and found herself crying uncontrollably. She went down on her knees, ignoring the water pounding on her back. “Ter-ry.”

The sun was just coming over the trees at the back of the property. Jack was in the kitchen making a cup of coffee. He walked out into the hallway, passed the den to the living room and checked the sofa, John must have gotten up sometime in the night. He smiled a little and sipped his coffee. Still dark on this side of the house. He looked out of the front windows. John and his family would be flying out today.

He started out of the living room and stopped. The house was quiet, still asleep except for the case clock in the hallway ticking away. He tilted his head, hearing something and walked up the stairs, paused and entered Toni’s room.

He turned the water off and found a towel and wrapped her up. “What are you trying to do, Pet?” He carried her back to the bed, dripping. This was the kind of thing Terry had warned him about.

“Toni…Toni, stop this.” He took the edge of the towel and dried her face and wrapped her comforter around her and held her, rocking back and forth.

She finally quieted and a hand came out of the comforter and wrapped around Jack’s neck. “I can’t do this. I can’t fall apart. There are people here.”

“Yes, Pet, and they need you to be strong.”

“Terry needs me to be strong for him.” She raised her head. “I think I have a hangover.”

“You should have a hangover,” he pulled back and looked at her, “a well deserved one. Do you know you even tried to get me to…dirty dance with you?” he grinned.

“Did you?” she grinned back.

“No, absolutely not! Disgusting display you were putting on.”

“I had fun. Max is a good dancer. He was here in my room last night. His glasses are on the table there.”

“I seriously doubt if he was in any condition to do anything. Connie said he was passed out across the bed.”

“She was here, too?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, Jack…I am disgusting.”

“You are not. You’re wet.”

Toni got up and went into the bathroom to do something about that. She dried her hair, pulled a face in the mirror and slipped on her robe. Jack was in a chair in the bedroom looking at the book she’d bought Terry for Christmas. He looked up and smiled.

“I’m better now…thanks.”

“You know, Pet, if I were not an honorable man I would be doing dishonorable things to you. You look lovely.”

“You are the most honorable man I have ever met…and one of the biggest liars I know.” She smiled and opened her door and went to check on Jacky in his crib, hearing Jack’s laughter from the next room.

“Don’t worry, Donna, I’ll get them to the UPS office today, no problem. It will be like Christmas all over again,” Toni smiled, giving her a hug. They had decided to ship the gifts rather than try and get them on a plane.

“It’s been the best, Toni, really it has. I’m sorry Terry had to leave but it’s been great.”

“It has, a good Christmas.” Toni wrapped her sweater around her arms and watched as they loaded up in the SUV John had rented. He came back up on the porch and hugged her tightly.

“It’s been wonderful, Toni, and last night was…something to remember…what I can of it anyway,” he smiled and kissed her.

“I loved having you here and, yes, last night was something else. Have a safe trip home, sweetie.”

Max closed the door for Donna and waved at the kids as they pulled out of the drive.

“Silence will now descend like a warm blanket,” Max said, joining her on the porch.

“Are you kidding? Jacky lives here,” she laughed and opened the door.

“I haven’t had a chance to…apologize for falling in your bed last night. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“That’s just it. You were beyond thinking. I didn’t even know you were there so you were safe enough,” she smiled and winked.

“Errrr, I’m never safe around you unless I’m comatose.”

“You’re, ah, good at dirty dancing. How did you learn that?”

“Comes natural. I’m a dirty old man.”

“Hah, nothing old about you. I’ll never be able to show my face within a mile of that place again.”

“Terry would have loved it.”

“Yes…he would have. Help me, Max…”

“I’m here, Toni…always.” He put his arm around her and walked her back to the den.

“Aroplan,” Jacky showed her. He’d slept with the tree ornament last night and still carried it around.

“Hmm, I see.” She knelt down beside him.

“Daddy.” He held it up and looked at it.

“You think he’s in there? Daddy’s in a big plane bigger than this one.” She looked up at Jack, who had been watching him for her.

“I told him that last night. He wanted to know where his Daddy was.”

Toni hugged Jacky. “We’ll have to find something fun to do today.”

“Fun?” Connie had given Max Maxi and a bottle. “I thought we had all that last night.”

“Oh, there’s more to be had.”

“You aren’t suffering at all?” Max’s eyes widened.

“I’m ignoring it, a little trick Jacky’s daddy taught me…a long time ago.”

“What kind of fun things were you thinking about?” Jack asked.

“Since Jacky’s focused on airplanes, we could take him to the aviation museum. There’s one in Richmond. Terry and I took Henry to one in London. It was quite interesting.”

Toni’s cell phone rang and she fished it out of her pocket. Terry.

“Hi, honey.” She walked out of the den into the hallway.

“Hi, luv, I’m in Miami and will be here until tomorrow when Jean Paul and company arrive. I’m okay.”

She could hear the smile. “So am I. You’ll be happy to hear your brothers dragged me out yesterday and got me drunk. I don’t even remember coming home.”

“Hey, good family! Who went?”

“Max and John. Jack came and saved us and brought us home. Tom drove.”

“Have a good time?”

“I think so, yes. Jacky thinks you’re in a tree ornament, the airplane one. He even slept with it last night.”

“Ah, bless him. Tell him I’m out now at least until tomorrow night. You’re okay?”

“I had a moment but, yes, I’m okay. John left just a little while ago. I think we might go to the aviation museum since Jacky is thinking about planes.”

“Good idea. I’ll try and call you tonight before we leave. Can’t promise anything after that but I should be online if we can get satellite reception in the hinterlands.”

“Just stay in touch as long as you can however you can…I love you.”

“I love you more. Bye, luv. Give Jacky a hug for me.”

“I will. Bye.”

She squeezed her eyes shut and then blinked…strong…she had to be.

Part 5

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Time seemed to be flying by. The week was gone and New Year’s Eve had arrived. After some discussion it was decided to just stay home. Toni was doing well with her resolve to be strong, a moment here and there, but she was able to pull herself out of it and go on to something else. Having company in the house helped.

The weather had turned and the sun had been out for three days with temperatures in the 50’s melting much of the snow. It still could be found in the woods between the house and the James River but at least the pool area was clear and already grading had begun in preparation for the new fencing that would be going in.

Jacky was delighted with his new playmates. Jack and Max kept him busy and out of trouble. More and more they communicated with him mentally, more or less teaching him how to use his ability. Other than a mother’s instinct, Toni did not have that ability and she could see frustration in Jacky sometimes when he was with her trying to convey something to her.

She had on occasion communicated with her seasons but it was not something she could do at will, only if they opened up to her. She sat on the front steps wishing Terry would open up to her. She had received two phone calls from him but e-mails had not been established yet. He rarely ever opened up that channel with her. She tossed a pebble down the walk.

Connie came out and joined her. “Munchie says a light dinner tonight and snacky things for later.”

“Oh, that’s because tomorrow she will cook a traditional New Year’s Day dinner with all the trimmings. She’s big on tradition, calls them the traditions of the house,” she winked.

“Black eyed peas, and greens…”

“Collards cooked southern style…guess I’d better load up on black eyed peas for luck. It seems I need it.”

Connie hugged her. “Ah, you always come out on top, Toni. For all the things you and Terry have been through, it always works out.”

“At what cost, Connie? I’m tired of it…just want a normal life but then we aren’t normal, are we?”

“I’m not sure what normal is, Toni. I wouldn’t know it if I met it on the street.”

“I guess you were pretty normal until you got tied up with us?”

“Normal is different for everybody. I’d buried myself in Luberon, afraid of life after a bad marriage.”

“You have a good one now.”

“Y-e-s I suppose so. I love him and Maxi.”

“What could make it better…have me disappear off the face of the earth?”

“Oh, no, Toni! What a thing to say.”

“I think if I were in your shoes…that’s what I would wish.” She reached over and laid her hand on Connie’s. “I can’t make it go away.”

“I knew how it was when I married him. He’s good to me, he loves me and gives me everything I need, Toni. I wouldn’t change him at all. He wouldn’t be the same person.”

“I thought I could change Terry. He resisted but gave in and he wasn’t happy, so I let him be who he is. He never said anything but I could see it. He came up with the compromise all on his own.  I have to accept it…his being in Bolivia or wherever his work takes him. I don’t like it, but that’s the way it is.”

“I imagine so-called ‘normal’ people have to compromise and sacrifice, too…just like us.”

“Did I ever tell you I like you?”

“Was that the last of it?” Max looked around in the entryway.

Jack did a recon of the living room. “I believe it was, Max…an awful lot of decorations.”

Max blew out a breath, “And a lot of stairs to climb to the attics. Well, good…Christmas is officially over. How about a beer?”

“I could drink that.” Jack dusted his hands.

Max went back to the kitchen and stepped over the gate Toni had installed to keep Jacky in or out depending on who was looking after him. Right now it was Munchie.

“You’re too young for beer,” Max answered him verbally and stepped back over the gate with two bottles.

“In here. It's a designated smoking area per Terry.” Max opened Terry’s office.

Finding a pack of Terry’s smokes, he lit one up. “He hasn’t communicated with me. Has he you?”

“No, nothing.”

“He told me he would, damn hard-headed man.”

“I should imagine his mind is full of the forthcoming battle.” Jack walked over, looking intently at the row of computers and communication equipment. “However with this lot you would think something would come through.”

“All he has to do is open up and say, hey, I’m still here.” Max took a drag off the ciggie.

“You’ve been very worried about him, haven’t you?”

“Haven’t you?”

“I prefer not to worry until I see the need. Saves wear and tear on my worry faculties. This wouldn’t have anything to do with the conversation and request he made of you, would it?”

“It’s just that he never made such a request before. I would have stepped in whether he’d asked me to or not. I think he was worried about it but, of course, he’d never say anything…not him.”

“I believe he has your future brother-in-law with him. Have you heard anything from that sector?”

“Brother-in-law? I’m not sure it’s gone that far.”

“Aubrey seems to think it has.”

“To answer you, yes, he does but I’ve heard nothing except a tearful Penny calling Connie.”

“Dino, Mean Marine…the whole gang’s down there. Must be some important woman.”

Jack smiled. “All women are important.”

The foursome gathered in the den with the TV on, having a few drinks and snacks. Max brought the champagne from France and was ready to pop the cork when the countdown started.

5-4-3-2-1  HAPPY NEW YEAR! They shouted and Jack kissed Toni.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne.

Toni climbed in bed at 1:00, a little bubbly still and pulled her laptop on the bed just to check and see.

“Happy New Year, LUV.” She smiled a little. That’s all he could say? Oh, Terry…

She replied to his message, hoping he would get it. “Happy New Year to you and I love you.”

Although she checked regularly she never got a reply.

Max and Connie were loading up to leave on January 2.

“Toni, if you need me for anything call, please call. I’m only a flight away. Max hugged her, a little reluctant to leave her.”

“Thanks, Max…I’ll be fine.” She kissed him.

Max shook hands with Jack and, looking back at her once again, he got in the car and drove away.

“And then there were two…” Jack said and slipped his arm around her.

Jack quietly observed her for the next week. She seemed to be doing fine and he noticed Munchie was doing her part finding things for Toni to do. He finally broached the subject.

“I’m thinking about going back to London and see if I may have a ship.”

“As much as I love your company, I know you can’t stay forever,” Toni smiled.

“Yes, well, I think travel arrangements must be made.  I can stay if you prefer.”

“Oh, no, Jack, I don’t want to keep you from a ship.” She met his eyes over Jacky’s head.

“If you have any doubts, Pet…”

“Jack…”

He shrugged his shoulders. "Would you mind making my flight arrangements?”

“How did you get here?”

“Um, there was a lady I met…”

“I don’t think I want to hear this,” she grinned and handed him Jacky, who was trying to go to sleep in her arms. He snuggled up to Jack.

“Okay, I got you out of here on the next flight, tomorrow.” She made a face. “That’s too soon.”

Jack rocked a sleeping Jacky back and forth. “I think this little man is ready for his cot.”

Jack carried him up the stairs and placed him in his crib. Toni followed quietly behind him, not wanting to wake Jacky.

Jack turned and saw her and moved her through the door into her room. “I’ve not touched you, Pet.”

“I know.”

“It didn’t seem right somehow, though the desire is there.”

“Yes.”

“It still doesn’t seem right.”

“No.”

“What would you have me do?”

“Get on that plane as fast as you can.”

Jack smiled, pulled her to him and kissed her. “Ah, Toni, I love you.”

Toni smiled and caressed his cheek. “And I love you. Thank you, Jack, for being who you are.”

“A thankless job.”

“No…you’re my port in a storm.”

“You consider me a safe harbor?”

“Um…no, let me rephrase that…” she grinned.

“You are a wise woman.” He patted her behind, turned and looked at her before he left her room.

Tom took him to the airport after hugs and kisses all around. He took one of his new bags with him and a few modern clothes.

“And then there was one,” Toni said quietly to herself, watching them down the drive. She looked up at the sky. Rain coming, she thought, and went back inside.

7:30 the next morning the doorbell rang and Toni answered it. “Dino…?” She looked beyond him. He was alone. She looked into his face and slowly crumpled to the floor.

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