This story essentially takes place during Control ch. 4 and depicts what Mary and Shura were up to while Amber and Jessica were with Asha and Leila. The next story will be Jessica's week while Amber is out of town. Thank you everyone who has enjoyed this series and especially to everyone who has made encouraging comments that have convinced me to keep writing it.
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Mary was still buzzing as she began dressing to leave. It had been quite a day and it had barely begun. She glanced occasionally at Jessica as she lay on the floor with her eyes closing slowly and Shura dressing nearby. Mary said goodbye to Shura, but decided not to disturb Jessica. Mary quickly returned home and decided that Jessica had the right idea and went to her room for a nap.
Mary awoke several hours later to the sound of The Beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", laughing softly and not for the first time at her husband's choice of ringtones. Mary grabbed her cell from the end table where she had left it when she came in.
"Hey, baby what is it? I was taking a nap, how are the little hellions?" Her husband laughed as he responded.
"Entertaining. Well I was calling because the guys want to put together a soccer game so I thought I would give the kids another couple of hours then take them to you mom's. How's that sound?" Mary smiled she couldn't believe her luck, she thought she would be calling Shura sometime during the week and probably not meeting until the weekend.
"That sounds good. I was wondering when I would be able to meet up with someone." Her husband's tone turned serious.
"Oh, what's his name? Should I be jealous?" Mary laughed.
"First of all
her
name is Shura and secondly, Joshua Kevin Richards, we both know you don't have a jealous bone in your body." Now it was his turn to laugh.
"Fair enough. So you finally found someone. How old is she?" Mary frowned.
"How do you know what I'm going to do?" His laughter was a bit softer this time.
"Don't forget I knew you in college." Mary smiled as she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her.
"Yes, fun times. She's twenty and a college student, but quite mature." Her husband chuckled.
"Robbing the cradle as well. Alright I've gotta go, Jaime wants to ride the Ferris wheel. Have fun and tell me all about it tonight. Love you."
"You too." They hung up and Mary lay back to stretch luxuriously. Mary reached again for her phone and pressed the speed dial for Shura. She didn't have to wait long as Shura picked up almost immediately.
"Mary? What's up? I wasn't expecting you to call so soon."
"Neither was I, but my husband just called and he's going to play soccer with the guys so, he's taking the kids to my mother's. How about you, are you free Shura?" Shura's voice suggested that she was smiling as she responded.
"Nothing I would rather be doing." Mary laughed and gave Shura her address, who in turn thought a moment before responding.
"I should be there in about ten minutes." They hung up and Mary lay back to consider what she was going to with Shura when she arrived. These thoughts were soon interrupted as she realized that she had slept through her usual lunchtime. Mary quickly went to the kitchen to make herself a simple lunch while she waited for Shura. Mary was seated at the kitchen table when the doorbell rang. As she rose to answer the door she laughed at the giddiness she was feeling. Shura stood in the doorway dressed as she was earlier at Jessica's apartment. Mary smiled as she held out a hand to Shura.
"Hello Shura, come in." Shura followed mirroring the eagerness that Mary felt. "Have you eaten yet, Shura?" Shura shook her head.
"I'm fine, thanks." Mary stopped and turned to face Shura, a stern look on her face.
"Young lady that was not the question I asked. I don't like to repeat myself. Now, are you going to answer me...or will I have to take you over my knee." Shura broke into a wide grin as her expression brightened.
"Is that a promise, Miss Mary?" Mary laughed the rest of the way to the kitchen.
"Maybe if you're good and don't give me anymore lip little missy." Shura held up a hand.
"Promise. And to answer your question, no I have not had lunch yet. And before you ask, yes I would like something, but I don't want to put you out. I bow to the 'mom' power." Mary laughed as she made Shura a sandwich similar to the one she was eating and Shura sat at the table.
"'Mom' power, huh? I'm going to have to remember that for my own kids." As they ate, they talked.