Page 19 of Rory: His to Discipline

“First babies take their own sweet time,” Maggie informed them giving Rory and Tess a quick hug.

Rory shook Nick’s hand. “How was the honeymoon? Did my sister behave herself?”

“Shut up, Rory,” Maggie responded with a blush.

Nick laughed. “It was great and she did most of the … Ugh!” he replied, cut off when Maggie’s elbow made contact with his ribs.

“Easy there, cupcake,” Rory warned with a grin. “You just got yourself a husband. You don’t want to put him out of commission yet.”

“How is Rebecca?” Tess asked, trying to change the subject before things got any more embarrassing. “Is Mason in there with her? What is the doctor saying?”

“It will be a while yet,” Maggie assured her. “Mason has been out a couple of times and he’s just about out of his mind. It’s absolutely amazing what creampuffs some of these men are. I have to say I’m enjoying it,” she giggled.

“Why is he out of his mind?” Tess asked concerned. “I do not understand. He was so happy about the baby.”

“Oh, he’s happy about that. It’s seeing Rebecca in pain that he can’t stand. What did he think it was going to be like?”

“Did they not take classes? I am sure Rebecca told me about them. She said Mason was very good on the breathing part.”

“Well, he’s not doing so great right now,” Maggie laughed. “The last time he came out he was as white as a sheet. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t need medical attention before this is over. Let’s go get a cup of coffee,” she suggested sliding her arm through Tess’s. “Do you want anything?” she asked Nick and Rory.

“Not right now,” Nick replied as Rory shook his head no. “Don’t be long, though. I’m not much use to Mason other than moral support.”

“We won’t be long.”

Maggie and Tess made their way to the cafeteria. After getting their coffee, Maggie chose a table in the back corner far enough away not to be overheard by the other customers.

“So, what’s going on?” Maggie asked, wrapping her hands around her cup and looking intently at Tess. “I heard you moved out of my parents’ house. What happened?”

“Nothing really,” Tess mumbled looking flustered. “I just felt it might be time to get my own place.”

“And have you gotten your own place?” Maggie asked.

“Not exactly, Molly let me stay in the apartment over the pub.”

Maggie’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Gee, that’s not really the way I heard it. The story I got was that you took off and no one knew where you were. I guess Rory was ready to explode. Wish I’d been there,” she grinned.

Tess fidgeted on her chair, not sure how much she should reveal.

“I can’t believe Patrick went along with it,” Maggie mused. “I would have bet he would have told Rory immediately where you were. These guys usually stick together, like there’s some unwritten code or something,” she griped, before taking a sip of her drink.

“He did not know,” Tess whispered.

“What?” Maggie sputtered loudly, almost spitting out her coffee and drawing the attention of several other patrons. “You mean Molly hid you? Oh, this just keeps getting better and better,” she laughed. “I leave town for a few days and miss everything! Something big must have happened. Molly hardly ever goes behind Patrick’s back. There must have been more to it than you just wanting to get your own place? What did my brother do to you?”

“Please, Maggie,” Tess whispered. “I do not think I can explain here. It is too embarrassing.”

“Believe me, Tess. There is nothing you could tell me that would surprise me. It was pretty obvious to me that Rory spanked you the day of the wedding. I thought when you cut your hair, you would have expected it. You know how he is, and he did warn you.”

“Oh my God,” Tess cried before clamping her hand over Maggie’s hand, panic in her eyes. “What do you mean it was obvious, to whom?”

“Relax, honey, I’m sure it wasn’t obvious to everyone. Only someone who’s been there would have noticed and I’ve been there. Not to mention I was worried you were going to try and wring Rory’s neck most of the day,” Maggie answered, patting Tess sympathetically on the arm.

“So, what did my brother do, besides that? I know he has spanked you before and yet you didn’t run. There’s more to this isn’t there, Tess?”

Tess pulled her hand back and dropped her head. Trembling slightly, she could not get the words out.

“Tess, tell me, I promise I won’t tell a soul and maybe I can help.”