Chapter 5

When all was ready, she went to the foot of the stairs.

"Julie, Toni, call Sean, and come down to set the table for dinner. It's almost ready."

"'Okay' Mom. We'll be right there."

Dinner was eaten, almost, in silence. A subdued atmosphere hung over the table, until finally; Maggie could take it no longer.

"All right kids, that's enough. Your Dad's gone, but we still have each other, and we have to support each other all we can and every way we can. From now on, we'll remember your Dad only in happy ways. Remember the good times, and let's get on with our lives. When you get to missing him a lot, let one of the others here help you. We can be of great comfort to one another, can't we Sean, girls?"

"Sure Mom. Toni, you and Julie can always come to me to talk, if you're missing Dad, too much."

Toni and Julie glanced at each other, with a questioning look on their faces. Then a tentative smile flitted briefly at their lips, before they turned their attention back to their Mom. They found her gazing fixedly into Sean's eyes, with a slight smile on her face. The smile Sean returned had a slight secretiveness about it, which puzzled the twins a little.

"Well then, that's settled, and we can enjoy our dessert. You girls can clean up after dinner, while Sean and I go over some legal papers. 'Okay'?"

"Sure Mom. We'll take care of it."

In the den, Maggie and Sean were seated on opposite sides of a games table, the inlaid checker board covered with a profusion of papers. Their feet touched lightly under the table, even though their attention was focused entirely on their work. The work was soon done, and they went on to other subjects.

"Don't tell the girls about last night, Sean. I think they're too young to understand how we both needed the comfort, and the way we found it.""How will I explain, if they hear me call you Maggie, instead of Mom?"

"Just tell them I told you to, because you are the man of the house, now. That should satisfy them. You must set an example of masculinity for them, now that their Dad's gone. Just be understanding and strong."

"When can we get together again, Maggie. I want you, more than I've ever wanted anything, before. You've made me love you in a new, and different way, as well as the way I did before."

"We'll see how things go, and when we can make safe time available. I want it as much as you do. Maybe more. I've had it for much longer, and more regularly, than you, and I miss it every minute."