Author Note: With everything going on in the world at the moment, I wanted to write something a little less serious. I hope that comes through and you enjoy it. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, I really do appreciate it.
Prologue
It was a typical Sunday like any other. Mary Jacobs was grabbing the last of the towels for the pool when the doorbell rang. Not yet ready for the pool, and still dressed in her shorts and shirt, Mary stood five feet eight inches tall and had wavy brown hair that was pulled back into a messy ponytail. At thirty-nine years old, she was still proud of her figure after two children, having only a bit of weight left to lose, while her husband was still the handsome hunk he always was, lucky to have a full head of brown hair.
Her husband Mark, walked to get the door while their children, David who was eleven and Abigail who was nine rushed out to the pool. At forty-one years old, he still looked to be in his thirties and while he wasn't ripped, kept in shape with Mary, hitting their home gym daily to keep the middle-aged weight at bay. He towered over most people at six feet five inches tall, and while he seemed gigantic, his cool and calm demeanour won him lots of praise with everyone that knew him. He could be firm but fair and didn't take kindly to bad attitudes.
Upon opening the door, she smiled when he saw her, his ex-wife Rebekah Peterson and the three children. Rebekah was still the blonde girl-next-door that he knew from college. She looked tired, sure, but who wouldn't with three children. Her thick wavy hair was tussled around her pleasant face and hung over her shoulders. She was taller than Mary, at five feet ten inches, and had a bigger ass and thighs but was not quite as busty, even though she looked fabulous in anything she wore.
"Hey!" Mark said holding his arms out to hug all the children as they steamrolled into the house. Caleb who was fifteen, Stella who was thirteen and Michaela who was eight years old, gave him a hug and a kiss before rushing out to the pool where the other two were already horsing around. "Hey Becks, good to see you."
He pulled her in for a hug and the usual greeting kiss but noticed something was off when she held him that little bit longer.
"Hi Mark," Rebekah said softly. He felt her grip tighten and after a few moments longer she let him go and stood close to him, her hands still on his sides.
"Everything okay?" Mark asked seeing something was off. He could see it in her eyes and for what it was worth always could tell when looking in her eyes. With Mary it was her body language that told him the story.
"Ah, yeah, yeah," Rebekah replied gripping his waist that little bit tighter before letting go.
"Steven not coming today?" Mark asked closing the door and walking her inside.
"Nope."
Before any more could be said, Mary came rushing in with her arms out wide and scooped Rebekah up into a big hug. It was the same no matter where they were and was most definitely not a put on. While it was not the standard convention, these two women got on like a house on fire.
Mark and Mary, along with Rebekah were the best of friends. To some it was a complicated relationship, but Mark and Rebekah had once been married and had two children together. Because of Rebekah's post-natal depression after their second child, Stella, it was her that decided it was best for them not to be together anymore. There was no cheating or scandal, just an agreement that Mark didn't like but accepted. They stayed close to raise their kids and once Mark met Mary, they continued to build on their family. Rebekah moved on with another guy, Sam, and had another child, Michaela before divorcing and marrying a third time to Steven. Sam left before Michaela was born and Mark stepped up to be there when she needed someone the most. It never was quite the same as when she was married to Mark and her second husband wanted nothing to do with her, leaving Michaela without her real father.
Mark and Mary had two children of their own and over the years had combined the families so that they could all be close and have the kids grow up together.
Mark looked at Mary and gave her a look, to which Mary nodded before he left to go and hang out with the children.
"Come on, come talk to me while I get changed," Mary said dragging Rebekah to the master bedroom.
"I didn't feel like swimming today," Rebekah said as they entered the large room.
"Ah, that's why you're not dressed. No matter, you can borrow one of mine," Mary said rummaging through one of her drawers and pulling out a black one-piece swimsuit for Rebekah. She handed it to her and then pulled out a blue one for herself.
"Mary?"
"Becks... just put it on. So, no Steven today?" Mary asked stripping off down to her underwear. She was about to slip her bra off when she stopped and looked at Rebekah who was standing there trembling while holding the swimsuit. "Becks?"
In an instant the blonde broke down in tears and immediately Mary was holding her tight as she sobbed. Once she had calmed down enough, she pulled back and looked at Mary.
"He left me Mary. He's not coming back, found some younger woman," Rebekah said trying to wipe the numerous tears away. It was clear now what was going on, and Mary wasn't at all surprised given his attitude over the last six months.
"I'm sorry Becks... I'm so sorry," Mary said rubbing Rebekah's back to comfort her.
"It's okay. I guess it was coming. We started to grow apart, he was away a lot. He wanted a kid, I didn't... it's not like he didn't know that going in, you know, he knew I had my tubes tied... he was okay with it for a few years, but lately... I just," Rebekah said but took a deep breath and let out a big sigh. "I don't know. I guess I'm not that appealing anymore."
"Don't say that. Of course you are," Mary said proudly, while knowing Rebekah's self-esteem had taken a hit. "If he can't see how wonderful you are then he doesn't deserve you."
"I'm done with men. No more," Rebekah said trying to compose herself. "I've already decided that I'll wait until after the kids have left home before I even consider dating again."
"Really?" Mary asked holding her close.
"Yeah. I just keeping choosing the wrong ones. I can't keep doing that to the kids," Rebekah replied finally calmed down enough. "Shit, what is Mark going to say?"
"Mark will ask where he is to go and kick his ass," Mary said causing Rebekah to laugh. Mary joined in. "Then he is going to make sure you are okay. Probably tell me to keep you here tonight. Stay with us."
"Yeah?" Rebekah asked almost hopeful so she wouldn't have to be alone like she had been all week. "You don't think he'd get mad at me?"
"Becks... he loves you, always has. Me too," Mary replied proudly. "I think you and I will call in sick tomorrow, what do you say? Then we can hang out and have some fun."
