AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s just it, Mom.You never dated.And you should have.If you wanted to, that is.We just want you to be happy, Mom.You’ve given all of us so much.It’s because of you that we’ve all been able to find the loves of our lives.”
“No, Cal.It’s not because of me.It’s because you are all amazing men with so much to offer.That is why you attracted such amazing women.”
Cal flashed the smile that made him famous.“And why do you think we all grew up to be the men we are, Mom?”
He waited for an answer he didn’t get.Instead, Maureen shook her head and chuckled.“Thank you, Cal.It means a lot that you stopped by.”
“I just wanted to make sure you know, Mom.Mitch and Ian support you, too.Even if they have a harder time showing it.It’s only because Ian thinks he needs to be responsible for us all in some weird way, and I think Mitch is just so wrapped up in his own brand-new family that he forgets sometimes that it’s okay for the rest of us to have things going on.I think he’s worried that you’re going to run off with this guy and miss Clara’s first Christmas.”He shrugged.“I mean, it’s not like she’ll remember it.”
“I assure you that I’m not going to run off with anyone, and I will not miss Clara’s first Christmas, or your wedding.I promise.”She held her arms out for another hug right as there was another knock on the door, followed by Declan.
“Are we all ready to go?”
Maureen pulled away from her youngest son’s embrace and smiled at Declan.“I’m so ready.”
“Remember, Mom,” Cal said a few minutes later as they were loading her bag in the back of Declan’s car.“Don’t fall in love and run off with this guy.”
“No way, Mom.”Maureen was about to speak when Declan interrupted.“Fall in love if that’s what you want to do.”Cal looked like he was going to protest, but Declan focused on his mother.“A very wise woman told me once that it was never too late for love.”
Maureen smiled to herself.She’d fallen in love with Adam years ago, and she wasn’t entirely sure she’d ever stopped loving him.
“But maybe don’t run away with him, though, okay?”Declan added, making them all laugh.
ChapterEight
Present
Elise lookedtired by the time Maureen was done telling her story.She glanced at the time and realized with a shock that they’d been sitting and chatting for hours.“I’ve kept you too long,” she told Elise.“I should probably let you get to bed.”
Elise sat up straight.“Did I say I was tired?”
“No, but—”
“I haven’t finished telling you my own story.Unless, of course, you don’t want the sad details on how it ends.”
Maureen’s face twisted in concern.“Why would it be sad?A good love story should always have a happy ending.”
“Ahh.”Elise’s smile was so sad it almost broke Maureen’s heart.“That’s where most people get it wrong.There is no happily ever after.That’s a myth.I presume people tell each other that because the alternative is just too depressing.”
“Elise.”Maureen leaned forward in her chair and reached across the space between them.“I don’t understand.You and Alex…you said you were able to be together in the end.That’s a good thing.”
“It was a good thing.”She nodded.“And make no mistake, all the years before that, they were good, too.Just because we were not lovers does not mean my life and heart were not very full by having Alex and all of them in my life the way I did.”She closed her eyes for a moment.“But nothing lasts forever, Maureen.Alex and I were together.But by then we were over seventy, and life has a way of catching up to you sooner or later.”
Maureen blinked back the tears that sprang to her eyes, but Elise continued.
“We were very happy for a time.By then Susan and her new husband were running things at the family business, and I’d retired from my job as well.”There was a hint of a smile on her face.“We had a cute little cottage close to the ocean,” she continued.“We spent our days walking the beach, reading books and playing cards.We both loved to cook, and we had so much fun working our way through cookbooks, trying out new recipes.”
“It sounds lovely.”She couldn’t help but think how nice it would be to have that kind of love and companionship in her own life.Maureen’s thoughts went to Adam.Would he like to do those things with her?Would they have a chance at that kind of companionship?
She pushed the thoughts away to listen to the rest of her new friend’s story.
“You always think you’ll have time,” Elise said.“That’s a lie.It only took a few years for the cancer to take hold.”
She’d suspected it was coming, but still, Maureen gasped.“I’m sorry.”
Elise acknowledged her with a nod.“It wasn’t a kind disease.But cancer never is.”She took a shuddering breath as she recalled a memory.“In the end, I’m thankful that I was there with her.I held her hand and eased her way from this world as she took her last breath.No one else could have done it.”
“That must have been so hard.I’m so sorry, Elise.”
