To those whose dreams come true
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Author's Note: I recently re-read my two chapters about Amber. The heading to Ch. 02 stated it was the final chapter. I decided to change that!
Those first two are needed to fully appreciate this chapter 3, although there is probably enough background woven into this that it can stand alone. However, both Amber and Stan changed in important ways in those first two chapters. They're short. Go read them.
I realized in reading them I had left so much more to be told. I imagined how their lives might unfold, together with May's life. I thought of Amber's parents, their obvious goodness and support for Amber.
I envisioned what her hopes and dreams might have been. What might yet be.
I hope you enjoy their unfolding story.
As always, please rate this and share your comments!
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Stan
"Amber, we need to talk about our wedding. Since this is your first, do you want a big wedding?"
"My mother wants that!"
I laughed. That's how it often is!
"I get it, but what do you want?"
"I've disappointed her before. She loves May but wasn't happy with me living with my boyfriend. I knew I couldn't marry him, though. Getting pregnant at 18 was a mistake but marrying him would have been worse!
"I guess what I'm saying is, I'll do anything to please Mom this time. Is that alright with you?"
"I want you to be happy. Please don't cut corners that are important to you. Will May be your flower girl or your maid of honor?"
It was Amber's turn to laugh. "I hadn't thought of that. Wouldn't that be fun to have her as my maid of honor? It's not like she's going to throw me a bachelorette party!
"Speaking of which, I hope you aren't one of those guys who has to have a bachelor party with a stripper/whore!"
"No. Been there, done that!"
"I don't know whether to believe you or not!"
"Good. Mysterious past, before you were born!"
"Does my age worry you, Stan?"
"Not in the slightest. You have more reason to worry. I could easily die a quarter century before you, before our children are all married. Before grandchildren. If you have any hesitation, this is the time to do something about it."
Amber put her arms around me and kissed me. "I can't imagine life without you Stan. For as many years as we have together, I'm all in with you. I hope you feel the same."
"Let me answer that this way."
I bent Amber over backwards and kissed her as I held her body from falling. We kissed for about 30 seconds. When I lifted her up, she was fanning her face.
"Wow, babe! That was the sexiest kiss ever! I think you like me! You really like me!"
"Sally Fields?"
"Who?"
Amber
I long ago disposed of any doubts I had about our age difference. I've never met anyone like Stan. I guess a lot of women find older men sexy. I sure do! That's why I answered his ad, and I had a wonderful time with him that first lunch date. He asked what I wanted from seeing him, and I told him I wanted to dress up and have him treat me as a woman should be treated.
My experience with him opened my eyes! He was such a gentleman! I had never been treated that way. Of course, as we made out in the car, his kisses were amazing. His touches were like a drug to me; I had to have more! I was ready to have sex with him, but not in the back seat of a car! That would have been awful!
Stan arranged for us to have a beautiful hotel room the next morning and I had such a powerful sexual experience with Stan! It was wonderful!
Afterwards, I was in his arms as we talked. He wanted someone just like me, but his age. I didn't want someone
like
him; I wanted
him.
Stan said I should find someone my age. I understood why that made sense, but that wasn't how I felt. Then or now.
It made me cry to have found such a wonderful man but be told I needed someone younger. Someone less stable, less experienced. Less able to make love the way Stan did. Less concerned about others. I was already in a mess with someone like that!
When I say it made me cry, it really did! Stan saw my tears. I knew the only way to have him was for us to get to know each other. That's what I asked him to do. Take me seriously enough to know me.
The next few months were fun, but more importantly, Stan and I became great friends. The best friend I ever had. I was so in love, but I also knew he was still married. I didn't want to pressure him in any way. I didn't like it, but that was what I had gotten in to.
I also realized he might be a fabulous father for May!
The day he told me his divorce was final was wonderful, but it was even better when he proposed to me! Such a romantic man!
I love Stan and can't imagine a life without him! I also know what a wonderful father he will be for May! I know that now, far more than before. It was Stan who raised the issue of adoption! I'm not only happy for me, but for May. She couldn't have a better father.
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Stan
We had dinner with Michael and Anne, Amber's parents. I felt a little awkward at first, because the three of us are about the same age. Anne took that issue head-on and took it off the table:
"Stan, I want you to know how much we appreciate you. I've never seen Amber so happy and personally, I'm thrilled she fell in love with someone as wonderful as you. I'm guessing you came here worried about being Mike's age -- I won't confess to my age! -- but to us, that's a non-issue. Please don't give it another thought, ok? Amber loves you and you are wonderful to her. That's all that matters to us."
I sure like Anne! I looked at Amber. She was smiling and squeezed my hand.
"Thanks, Anne. You've raised an incredible daughter. We became best friends, even though I had some initial worries about the age difference. The heart wants what the heart wants, and Amber made it clear, even before I was in a position to say it, that she loved me.
"So, thanks for having a wonderful daughter. And granddaughter! I love May!"
Mike picked up on that: "Amber tells us you would like to adopt May. Was that your idea or hers?"
"Mine. I asked her about that right after we got engaged. I know enough about May's father to be confident he will release his parental rights."
"I hope he does, Stan. As her grandfather, I've worried about her a lot. I'll sleep better with you as her father. Thanks for wanting that!"
Amber finally spoke up! "Can I say something? The first time I met Stan I knew he would be wonderful for May. I just had to convince him!"
She kissed me on the cheek and squeezed my hand.
"Anne, tell me what you'd like to see in a wedding for Amber. She's your oldest and this is her first marriage. You must have some wishes."
"I do, but at the top of my wish list is a happy marriage! I have confidence in you, Stan. Please don't ever disappoint me.
"If I had my way, it would be a big traditional wedding. That may not be your first choice, but Amber is my oldest child and my only daughter."
At that point, Mike chimed in. "I feel the same way. Fathers and their daughters, you know. I want to be able to walk her down the aisle and do the traditional dance with her. All that stuff that makes having a daughter special."
It quickly became a tag-team session. All this while, Amber was just listening, holding my hand, and smiling. Her eyes glistened with a hint of tears.
"Amber, what do you want?"
"Mom, ... I've disappointed you in the past, I know. You and Dad have been loving and supportive. I couldn't have asked for better parents. I think our wedding will be as much for you as it is for us. To me it will be a celebration of love, your love and Stan's."
Ok, anyone could have predicted the tears that followed that! I was a little more surprised at how many were mine.
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Stan
Wedding plans moved forward. Anne took charge but was wonderfully careful to consult with Amber about everything.
Amber and I had a funny moment soon. Anne wanted to print announcements and wanted to include the traditional mention of the gift registry. Well, we aren't a traditional pair of 20-somethings, with no money, no housewares, nothing. I had a home--although that also soon became a topic of discussion--so we didn't need a crock pot, placemats or hand towels!
Amber and I talked back and forth about the gift registry. We finally decided on something completely unique. We called Anne to tell her, and she was laughing, telling us it was perfect.
Here's how the announcement read:
Michael and Anne Fletcher,
together with their granddaughter, May Fletcher,
Are pleased to announce the wedding of their daughter,
and May's mother,
Amber Fletcher
to
Stanley M. Robison.
The wedding will be held in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, located on Third Street,
at 11 am, on the 21st day of September 2011,
A reception will follow that evening from 7 pm until 9 pm, in the Fletcher barn.
(Call for directions if needed)
Gift Registry (at Target): In order to secure May's consent to this marriage, May was allowed to select all items in the gift registry, for herself!
All gifts should therefore be addressed to May Elizabeth Fletcher (she is 9 years old).
Amber and I had a lot of fun explaining that to May and then sitting at the computer while she picked out things! We did manage to steer her to a few clothes. She also wanted a soccer ball and a basketball. Complete with uniforms!
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Stan
Right after our dinner with Mike & Anne, Amber and I sat at my house one evening. She and May were still living with her parents. Amber was working and that made possible safe and loving day care.
"Stan, I have a request. I don't know how you will feel about this. I'd like to do something symbolic. You know how much I love sex with you! You send me into orbit in ways I never knew existed.
"I would like to abstain from sex this last month. It may seem silly to you, but I want our wedding night to be more than just another night between the sheets."
"I like that idea. We can do that!"
"Are you sure? Please be honest, Stan. I don't want you to just agree to make me happy!"
"Amber, I love you with all my heart. You know that. I love the idea of a symbol. Also, I think it will be hot when we have our wedding night! It'll mean more to us."
"We can still kiss, though. I'd have a really hard time not kissing you, Stan!"
