Again Southern Crossfire was my guide and editor. Without his comments this wouldn't be the story it now is. Thank you.
Disclaimer
Mind you. All mistakes are mine and this is still a figment of my imagination. So there is no connection with people, locations or otherwise, in real life.
Death of a Marriage. Part 4
Linda was sitting on Rick's lap, while Eve was on the phone with Marc. "Hi big brother. Say hello to your new little brother." She pulled Thomas in front of her phone so he could be in the picture, too.
"Hi, little brother. What shall I call you? Little brother, or Thomas? Eve and I were waiting for you. Our dad finally had the courage to ask your mother, did he?"
Thomas stammered, "I don't mind what you call me. I didn't realize that when dad adopts me, I get a brother and sister too! And a little nephew!"
Marc told Thomas, "Anyway, now you can teach Rickie how to ride a bicycle, so I don't have to. Now can I speak to your new dad please?"
Eve and Thomas handed the phone over to Rick. Marc saw Linda sitting in Rick's lap and looked at the happy couple. He smiled, Congratulations. Finally! Linda, what happened? Did you hit him on the head? We all were waiting so long to see sparks fly."
"It's a long and complicated story," said Linda. "No. Thomas triggered it. And then she told the rest of the story.
Rick told Marc and Eve that there would be a wedding, albeit a small one, in the near future, and the call ended.
Rick didn't feel like cooking so he decided they would go out to celebrate. He asked Eve about going with them, but she declined since she was going on another date with Fred
Turning to Linda, he said, "We're celebrating and it's the first occasion that I can show off my new family."
Thomas's smile went from ear to ear and Linda's eyes were moist. She asked, "I like that very much. Can I go downstairs and dress for the occasion?"
"But of course. Meanwhile, I'll make reservations."
Linda and Thomas went downstairs. Fifteen minutes later Thomas came back with a suitcase, leaving Rick looking confused. Thomas explained, "Mom told me that, from now on, she will sleep upstairs. This is her stuff. That's alright isn't it? It's what grownups do?"
Rick laughed, "Of course it is ok. And you? Do you want your room downstairs or the one up here?"
Thomas was silent for a few moments" I'll keep the room downstairs please. I like it there."
"Consider it a deal. But you have to keep it tidy by yourself from now on. Can you do that? We'll help of course."
Thomas nodded enthusiastically but was cut short when Linda floated into the room, leading Rick's jaw to drop. She was wearing a white blouse, showing just a hint of cleavage, and a skirt that ended just above the knees, showing off her tanned muscular legs. Matching half high heels completed the ensemble, with it all clinging and following Linda's curves suggestively.
What she wasn't wearing took Rick's breath away. There was no bra and Linda's firm breasts jiggled just enough to raise Rick's blood pressure considerably in a certain part of the nether region. Linda smirked, "I can see that you like it. Shall we go?"
In the noisy restaurant, they were seated at the bar because their table wasn't available yet. They were enjoying their drinks when Stephan tapped Rick on the shoulder. Rick turned and saw Stephan and Melanie standing before him. Linda smiled widely at Melanie and lifted her hand showing off her ring.
Melanie's eyes went wide and whisper-shouted, "Really? He proposed? Oh, dear, I'm so happy for you. You two deserve to be happy!"
With all of the commotion, Stephan looked at Melanie with question marks in his eyes, so Melanie happily shouted into his ear: "May I introduce you to the future Mrs Clason?"
Stephan's eyes lit up. He hugged Rick, then turned to Linda and asked, "Can I hug you too? I'm so happy for both of you."
Linda stepped into Stephan's arms and said with tears in her eyes, "Eight months ago I was a woman without a future under the yoke of a man who wanted a housekeeper and something for his relief. When I wasn't any use to him he threw us away like garbage. If Rick and hadn't taken care of me and helped me, I would probably be dead and Thomas would be alone and an orphan and now. Thank you!"
The two families decided that they would have dinner together, and it turned out to be a festive event. The next day was another working Monday so everyone went home quite early.
For the first time, both of his parents went to tell Thomas goodnight, first Linda, and a minute later, Rick followed. The boy went to sleep with a happy smile on his face.
Rick came back upstairs and found a very nervous Linda. "Sweetheart," he asked, "is something wrong? You look anxious."
First Linda tried to deny that something was bothering her, but Rick kept gently pushing her to tell him. "The two most important things between us are trust and honesty; the rest will follow from there. Whatever it is, you can tell me. One other important thing you need to know is that your life with me started today. Or if you want, the day I took you in. What happened before that is of no concern to me."
Finally Linda relented. "I'm afraid that I will disappoint you. I have been with two men, and they both just used me as they liked. You told me that you want me to make love to you, but I don't know how to do that." She whispered the words desperately, with her eyes to the ground.
"Linda. Look at me? Please look me in the eyes?" Rick asked.
Linda looked, with eyes wet from her tears, into Rick's compassion-filled face.
"How could you possibly disappoint me?" he asked her. "Making love to one another is not technique, or a trick. Yes, there is a certain amount of technique involved but it also involves the willingness of two people to teach to and to learn from each other. The rest is love and wanting to please your partner to the utmost of your ability. Whatever you can give me will be enough."
Her mouth a thin, tight line as she tried to control her emotions and prevent further tears, she slowly nodded her understanding.
Seeing this, Rick gently took her hand and led her into their bedroom. "Linda, you teased me the entire evening with those beautiful breasts jiggling behind that blouse. Can I unwrap my presents now?"