They wander over to the trees and spread the blanket in the shade. They sit together and listen to the brook. Lips seek out lips and they shed clothes as they get hotter and hotter. They forget about the lovely view and the whole other world that isn't a part of them. Soon there is just the slap, slap, slap of flesh on flesh to break the afternoon stillness.
She grips his shoulders in an iron grip and squeals, "Oh Mike yes! Oh Mike!" She thrashes around wildly and settles slowly to feel him continue. "Oh God, here I go again. Mike!" She moans and thrashes around.
When they tire they go to the brook and wade in the cold water. They shiver, squeal and splash each other. It's all in good fun overlooking the Fraser River without a sole to disturb them. After a time they come dashing back to the blanket and roll together full of life. They fornicate wildly in the afternoon sun and cum over and over again.
Once more they visit the brook and wash each other then stroll drying in the sun. They don their clothes and collect their belongings. Mike packs everything away and they pull out of their Shangri-La to head to the McRae's place.
When they come in her mother gripes, "Marlene, you could comb that wild mess of hair and do change that grass stained dress." She gripes away mumbling and Mike pays no mind. When he gets a chance he asks her dad to meet them at the courthouse tomorrow so they can get the marriage license.
It's a quiet evening around the McRae household and they retire early. Mike is actually glad to get the extra rest. This is one of his three day weekends when he actually feels like he has had a weekend. He's only sorry he has displaced the boys causing them to sleep together to make room for him.
Saturday they go to the courthouse and to their surprise Marlene's mother is there and signs the authorization for her to marry along with her dad. They have their license and it's good for ninety days. Marlene is flashing her ring to all she meets especially if she knows them. Mike is mildly amused.
Mike's happy with the prospects. He does think Marlene is quite a catch as well as a woman after his own heart. If this is love he is well satisfied with it. She is better than Jackie and Grace combined in his mind. He considers himself so lucky she loves him. He's sure they can face anything together. He's impatient to start living with her.
They all meet in the mall for lunch and Marlene's penchant for fries and peanut butter becomes a conversation topic. Her mother divulges she had a craving for coal, of all things and ice cream. Her husband explains she did gnaw on coal when she was pregnant for Marlene. He also says she craved raw potatoes when Thomas was on the way.
Marlene says she's surprised that these are the only evidence she's with child. That and the morning sickness which she says she could do without. So far she doesn't think she's showing but her mother says she is. Only a mother would notice, Mike thinks.
Her mother suggests they visit their doctor on Monday for an early pregnancy test and an overall check up on the progress of her body changes prior to delivering a child. She knows more is happening inside her daughter's body than a few spells of nausea and cravings. She does admit to a few stomach cramps which hurt like the dickens but says they only happen once in a while.
With lunch out of the way they all go their separate ways. Mike and Marlene go for a drive to look at the scenery over the Fraser River from the gravel pit on Sumas Mountain and do some exercises. They enjoy another romp in the sun while it lasts and even get a bit damp late in the afternoon when a shower occurs.
When they come in for late supper Marlene's mom gives up on them and tells them to move Mike's stuff to her room. They try to be respectful and not make too much noise that night but her bed does develop a squeak she never heard before. It might have something to do with her bed never having to bear the weight of two before, although Jen has spent the night with her in the past.
Early on Sunday she is puking so Mike joins the lineup waiting for the bathroom. The boys smirk when he joins them but soon settle down and just treat him like another brother. Nancy calls them for breakfast before Mike can use the bathroom so he is late down for breakfast. Marlene is eating for two and shows it. She's starving, she says.
She eats but gets a tablespoon of peanut butter to finish. Colin goes out early to see a girl friend and Gerrard has to go out for work. Mike and Marlene settle in the living room to watch TV while her mother does dishes and her younger brother hangs around to bug them.
She comes into the living room and asks, "Marlene, are you going to church with Tommy? Why don't you take Mike and introduce him to some of our friends? You can make an excuse for your father and I by telling them he has to work."
"Oh Mom, we just got comfortable here. Do I have to?"
"I think it'd be a nice idea..." She adds with a sparkle in her eye, "You can show off your ring, too."
Marlene jumps up and says, "Come on, you guys. Let's get going now." So they don't stand a chance, Marlene gets to show off her man and her ring all in one fell swoop. Poor Thomas has to follow them around and Marlene gets to boss him around. He likes to ride in the military truck though so it's not too bad for him.
Mike gets a chance to meet the priest and his wife at the Reformed Anglican Church and they hint they are available for wedding services and tells them Wednesday evening they have prayer services so they are available to meet with them after service on Wednesday or anytime Thursday.
Nancy feeds them with Marlene's help and she provides them with a light lunch. She sits down with them, "What are you planning for the wedding, dear?" She asks her daughter. "Family and a few close friends?"
"I think so but Mike doesn't have anyone. That seems an awful thing, doesn't it? What do you think, Mike?"
"I would think family and a few friends sounds good. Who did you have in mind? Oh, and I do have a brother and two sisters"
"Would they come? I had in mind Jen of course and we should invite her mother. Maybe the other Jen from school and a couple other girls from there. What did you think of the rector this morning? Should we have the ceremony at the church with them?"
"Let's talk to them Wednesday night. I think a church wedding is preferable to a civic one..." he grins, "unless you want to elope." He reflects on her other question, "I'm not sure either sister could make the trip and I doubt my brother could. He lives in New York City, whereas my sisters live near Montreal."
"Do you see them often?" Marlene is the curious one.
"I stayed a night at my sister's last week. I saw both of them. They're considering moving to Ontario."
"Isn't that funny? I never think of you as a family man. I thought I was going to have to change you." she laughs lightly.
"Mom and Dad are gone but Nancy tries to make a family home for us all. She has a strong sense of family."
"Did you hear that, Mom, he has a sister named Nancy."
"Yes dear, it's a good Scottish name."
"Who are the others?"
"Well, oldest is Terry, then Nancy, myself and Caitlin is the youngest Claymore. We always were a close knit family content amongst ourselves until we lost ma and pa. Then Terry peeled away to go work the high steel in New York City and I joined the navy. I guess their loss is what fractured us as a family. It was tragic and hard to get over."
Her mother asks, "If you don't mind my asking, whatever happened to them, Mike?"
"I still find it difficult to mention and it's been awhile now. I been in the navy for a year and a half and it was at least a year before that when Dad took Mom off to Scotland to meet the family and see the old sod. Somewhere in a mountain pass their brakes failed and they perished." He retires into a thoughtful silence and no one disturbs him.
After a time Nancy says quietly, "I did not know you were an orphan, Michael. It's a sad affair. I want you to consider us family from now on. We've lost many of our own. My father lost his first wife giving birth to my half brother, Jack, and Gerrard along with his brother Bradley are the only survivors of a family of six that came from Glasgow to Canada. We're descended from pioneers, Michael."
Sunday turns out to be a relaxed at home day for all once Gerrard comes in from work. In the evening Mike debates whether to return to Esquimalt tonight or in the morning. He decides he better go over tonight so takes a delayed departure. Marlene doesn't want him to go alone but they have little choice. He promises to see her tomorrow some time since he will be bringing a trailer to Aldergrove. They talk of a possible liaison later in the week.
Mike drives to the base on the island and the duty officer assigns him a room for the night. Monday morning he checks out his Hayes after turning in the pickup. The shops have given it a good going over so it's in tip top shape again. He puts all his gear in place and pulls around to the trailer for Aldergrove. By 10:00 AM he's boarding the ferry.
When he pulls off the ferry in Tsawwassen he uses a pay phone in the terminal to call Marlene. "Hi pretty lady, want to meet me for lunch at the mall?"
"Seven Oaks?"
