Here's another birthday present from me to you (for my birthday) and it's another new story! It's a Ma'am story. That's right. Marcy and Sam. It's a wild ride but I kinda like it. Plus you get Finncedes and Quartie.
So enjoy and review!
NJPNJPNJP
Marcy Chang yawned as she did her breathing exercises for her early morning meditation. She was always like this when the kids went back to school. She only got to see them twice all summer and then they were off and running again.
She yawned again and opened her eyes. She should have gotten more rest the night before but she had had trouble sleeping since she was three years old. Her husband used to make her feel better but he'd been gone for three years now.
She rubbed her eyes and got up. She left the outside pool area and came inside the house to go to the kitchen. "Hey, Ms. Wanda."
Wanda Estes nodded to her. "Good morning, Dr. Marcy."
"I see none of the kids are up."
"I think they need someone to wake them up."
"Is that my job?" Marcy lifted a brow.
"One would think so."
"One would remember who signs the checks."
"I believe it's Marionette's job to awaken the children."
"Uhm hmm." Marcy went to get juice from one of the fridges.
Wanda continued cooking. "Will you eat with them?"
"No. I want to say good morning and wish Z a good day before I leave." Dogs ran into the kitchen along with other animals. Marcy noticed her oldest dog, Secret was still moving slowly. "Hey, boy. You don't feel good?"
"Old hellhound." Wanda muttered.
"Tell Ms. Wanda you're still young enough to eat her."
Wanda harrumphed.
Marcy patted his head as kids spilled into the room. "Hi, babies!"
"Mommy, I'm not a baby!" Five year old Nephtali scrunched her little face.
"Of course not, Neph." Marcy kissed her face after washing her hands. "What about your brothers and sisters?"
Six year old Tristan glared at his younger sister. "None of us are babies!"
Nine year old Christian laughed. "Z's a baby!"
"Nuh uhn!" Three year old Zasha made a face.
Twelve year old Mally smirked. "But you're the youngest."
Zasha's lips trembled. "But I don't wanna be a baby, Mally."
"Don't tease her, Mally." Mally's twin sister, Mickey sighed. "It's okay, Z. You don't have to be the baby if you don't want to."
Ten year old Riley rolled her eyes. "For that to be true, Mommy would have to have another baby. Kinda hard without Daddy."
They all looked sad for a moment.
"Mommy?" Christian's younger triplet, Cheyenne went to Marcy. "Will you ever get married again?"
"No." Marcy was confident in her answer. "Never."
"Oh." Eight year old Aisling pouted.
"Why?" The oldest triplet, Calliope asked.
"Marriage is a trap." Marcy lifted a shoulder. "I got lucky with Daddy. I'm a very unlucky person so finding that twice will not happen."
Mickey frowned. "Daddy said love was real."
"You know I love you, right?" She looked each in the eye.
They all nodded.
"Good." Marcy collected her lunch-bag and water-bottle before kissing cheeks. "I love you. I miss you. Have a good day at school. You'll do great, Z. Remember to walk with your head high, my loves!"
"Bye, Mommy!" The children yelled as she sped out.
Aisling pulled on Mickey's shirt. "We got to find Mommy a boyfriend."
Mickey's mouth rounded. "What?"
"She needs love." Calliope agreed with a whisper.
"But Mommy has us."
"We're all going to leave someday. Some of us in jail." She looked to the oldest of them (Mally) and the first single birth of them (Riley).
Mickey sighed. It was her life's mission to corral her twin. "But a boyfriend? I don't know if I'm ready to see her with someone other than Daddy."
"It's been three years." Aisling pointed out.
"Don't you remember Daddy? He was the best."
"I know. I was five when he died. I can remember back that far."
Mickey rolled her eyes. "I'll think about it."
The nine and eight year olds rolled their eyes. Mickey was so bossy. Of course she thought she got the last word. "Okay, Mickey."
BE
Sam Evans blinked awake and automatically wished he hadn't. He had a raging headache and the sun in his face wasn't helping.
He sat up and took stock of his surroundings. He was outside. In the garden of someone's home. He staggered to his feet and shoved his blonde hair out of his face to wake up.
Nope. Not working.
He zigzagged around the house and reached for his phone. Luckily he still had it. He called for an Uber and waited in front of the house. Looking around, it was not a good neighborhood but what else was new?
He ignored his phone buzzing as the car pulled up. He got inside and leaned his head back. The more he ignored her, the angrier she'd be when she finally caught up to him so he finally answered.
"Hello?"
"Samuel!" Ryan Dunphy yelled.
"Ahh!" He flinched. "Lower, Ry!"
"You idiot! You got drunk again, didn't you?!"
"I wouldn't say drunk." He bit off defiantly.
"What would you call it, smartass? Because I call it stupid!"
"It was a little drinking. Leave me alone."
"This album is due in a few short weeks and you're doing nothing but partying in between your shows! This tour was to get you back on everyone's minds and get them excited for the new album! But all you're doing is acting like an ass!"
"I didn't do anything!" He defended himself.
She blew out a short breath. "Sam, I'm serious. Get your act together. The Bad Boy of Country is not a nickname that you should be earning."
"Alright, alright." He'd heard it all before but he'd try to keep his nose clean. At least until the weekend and his next show in this big, expensive city.
"Okay." She hesitated. "I care about you, Sam. I want you to be happy."
"Thank you, Ryan." He meant that but he hadn't been happy in five years. He didn't see that changing much any time soon. "Bye."
"Bye." She hung up.
He stared at his phone in deep thought until the car stopped. He looked up at the hotel he was staying in. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." The woman said.
He got out and went inside, rating her five stars for not talking to him during the ride.
"Mr. Evans!" The manager popped up in front of him, chipper for the morning. "Breakfast is still open! It's complimentary!"
"I'm fine." Sam smiled, charm oozing just like his mama taught him.
"There's plenty to do in Lincoln! I can point you in any direction!"
Where's hell? Sam upped his smile. "Where can I get a cup of coffee?"
"We have coffee here-"
"Actually I'd like a skinny, soy, half calf, double shot latte." Sam made up all those words. He just didn't want to stay in the hotel.
"Oh." The manager deflated before he perked up. "Well Puff's is a great cafe. They have specialty coffees."
"Thanks." Sam ran to the elevator and rode up to his room. Luckily he still had his key and let himself in his room without fuss.
He hurried to shower and brush before jumping in new clothes. He brushed his long hair but refused to shave. This was tour him. Tour him was natural.
He called for another Uber, hoping he'd get the girl from before but when he went downstairs, it was no luck. It was a talkative guy around his age.
Sam tuned him out and nodded every time the man's eyes locked on the rearview mirror. He was so happy when the ride was over.
He left the car and looked up at Puff's Cafe. It was a pink and white building with pink and white decorations but thankfully tasteful.
He went inside, the bell ringing above the door. He got in line and ordered a small latte. Even though he had no idea what he'd told the manager back at the hotel, he didn't like black coffee. It was way too bitter.
So he waited for his coffee and when it came, he grabbed it. He almost bought something to eat but the coffee would be okay for now.
He turned to leave when he bumped into someone. "Oh crap! I'm sorry!"
"It's okay." A voice from heaven told him. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
He looked up from making sure he didn't drop coffee on himself and stared into the most beautiful pair of dark green eyes he'd ever seen. He stammered out a "hi".
She smiled at him. "Excuse me." She side-stepped him and got in line.
He stood there looking at her for a moment like a slackjawed idiot before taking a sip of his coffee distractedly. He almost spit it out. It was black.
He happily rushed to get behind her. He smelled her discreetly. She smelled wonderful! Like apples, blueberries and moonlight. How did a girl smell like moonlight during the day, let alone at all?!
She was short, only coming to his chest but she looked like an old fashioned coke bottle with curves her cute Snoopy scrubs couldn't hide. Her hair was in a messy bun but it was full of tight curls with wavy bangs covering her eyes.
His penis instantly came to attention. He wanted to say something to her but he had no idea what. Even after all this time in the spotlight, he still wasn't good with women.
He opened his mouth but closed it a few times trying to think of what to say but the only things that came to mind were Avatar quotes and his fear of bugs.
The line moved up and she began to order. "Hey, Marie."
The Barista smiled at her. "Hey, Doc. The usual?"
"Actually it's the usual drink order but we're getting different foods. I still want my toffee cappuccino, Mari still wants her mint latte and Karen still wants her caramel macchiato. But Mar wants a donut and KayBee wants an apple strudel muffin."
"What would you like?"
The woman (apparently a doctor!) tapped her bottom lip. "Um… a cinnamon roll."
"Ooh!" Marie teased. "I see you want some sugar!"
"Are you offering?"
Sam smiled. She was naughty.
Marie laughed. "I wish I did like women! I'd chase you so hard!"
The woman grinned. "You don't have to be into women to be into me."
"You stop teasing me!"
"Who's teasing?"
Marie blushed. "What donut does Mari want?"
The woman's eyes widened. "Oh shoot! I didn't even ask! Um… get her the uh… cream long John."
"Coming right up."
The woman paid before moving over but not without winking at Marie.
Sam was so busy looking at her, he didn't realize Marie was talking to him. "Sir!"
He started. "Yes?"
"What would you like?"
"Oh! I ordered a latte and this is a black coffee."
"Ooh!" Marie frowned. "I'm so sorry! Let me take that and get you a latte!"
Sam gave up the cup. "Thanks."
"You can pick something out of the case as reimbursement."
"Ooh. Thank you." He looked through the case but he knew what he wanted. "The cinnamon roll please."
"Coming right up."
He walked over to the mysterious woman and tried not to stand so close but her smell was enticing him closer. He stared at her as she texted on her phone.
Her face was free from blemishes except for a beauty mark by her mouth, which was full and red. He knew she was wearing lipstick but he had a feeling her mouth was that hue anyway.
Her eyes were big and almond shaped but very wide with thick, black, sooty, curly, long eyelashes. Her nose was small and round and she had chubby cheeks with high cheekbones and dimples.
Her chin was small but defined enough to be strong. Her ears were small but had detached earlobes. She had three sets of earrings in, all diamonds.
He looked at her eyes and noticed she was wearing eyeliner and mascara but that seemed to be it on makeup (besides the lipstick).
He ached to capture her lips in a kiss. He just knew he'd go down in flames. But he didn't want to be a creeper or even worse, an assailant. 2018 was not the year for men to go around doing whatever they wanted with the female body.
So he stayed still and tried to think of what to say to her that wouldn't get him sued.
"Hey, Doc!" Marie called out.
The woman lifted her head. "Thanks, Marie."
"No problem. See you later. Sam? Thank you for your patience and sorry again about the mixup."
"That's okay, darlin." Sam smiled at her as he went up to the counter with the woman.
She looked at him and he shivered. She smiled slightly and he beamed at her. She took her bag of treats and the container with the coffees then nodded to him. "Have a nice day."
He just stared at her until she left then he let out a heavy breath. "You too."
She left the cafe without looking back.
His breath expelled from his body before he went to sit down. Marie said "see you later" instead of "see you tomorrow" so that meant she was coming back some time that day. Right? So he should just sit there until she came back and he could get her name and number.
So he sat down and sipped his latte, hoping she'd come back.
BE
Marcy entered the bakery. "Hey, guys!"
Mari Logan perked up as she dusted her hands. She came around the counter to embrace her friend. "Hey, Marcy! How were the kids going to school this morning?"
"They didn't even say anything about school. They wanted to know about me loving someone else after Mal."
"Oh." Mari's blue eyes saddened.
"Please don't give me that look."
"It has been three years and you rarely date."
"Because men suck."
"You don't date women either."
"I don't have time to date. I have a job and a football team of kids. Besides, no person is going to knowingly date a woman with 12 kids."
"Which is why you're not going to lead with that." Karen MacDonald walked from the bathroom, drying her hands.
"I'm not going to lie about my babies."
"I never said lie. Just don't tell them about them. It's not their business and I'm sure you're not going to bring them around. You haven't before."
"I'd be damned if I introduced my kids to one night stands and not-gonna-happens."
"Good. We're just trying to get you to have fun. Not get married again. When's the last time you've had sex?"
"A week ago."
"A whole week?!" Mari gaped.
"Cute. I don't need help getting laid. I'd do it more if I wanted to but I miss having sex with Mal. I want to make love with my husband. Everything else pales in comparison."
Mari cooed. "Aww!"
Karen smiled. "I know sex with Mal was the greatest experience of your life and that sex with other people barely fed the aches but you need to keep trying until you find someone who nearly matches so you can smile again."
"I smile all the time." Marcy rolled her eyes as she went to sit at a table.
Karen and Mari followed her. "At your kids."
"I smile at you two, too so stop it."
"No, you smirk at us." Karen corrected.
"You're so annoying."
"Thank you."
"Wasn't a compliment."
"I took it as one."
"Are you aware that I don't have to be here? I'm missing breakfast with my kids. To see you."
"Stop being crabby."
"Crabby?!"
"Girls!" Mari tried to soothe them. "Please be calm."
Karen pouted. "I'm sorry, EmJay. I don't mean to dig in but I just want you happy."
"I don't believe in happiness." Marcy sighed.
"You believed in it when Mal made you happy."
"That's how I know it's a trap. He was a moron."
"Stop that!" Mari blushed.
"Oh come on!" Marcy smirked. "What's the worst that can happen? He's dead. He's not going to come back to defend his honor."
"You cannot make jokes about your pain." Mari looked at her in sympathy.
"Here we go…"
"Mari." Karen patted her hand before focusing on Marcy. "We just want you to be happy. Really happy-"
"Another person is not going to make me happy. I have to make me happy." Marcy cut in. "I keep telling you and every other idiot on this planet; no one else completes you."
"Forget that she-hero junk." Karen rolled her eyes.
"It's called empowerment and it's for everyone. You more than anybody know it's not junk, Ms. CEO."
Karen rolled her eyes again hard. "Fine. I believe in that drivel, too but I gotta man."
"I had one, too. Now I don't."
"We just want you with someone." Mari put a hand on her shoulder. "It doesn't have to be a love affair. Just a friendship with another adult."
Marcy rolled her eyes. "I saw a guy today."
"At six in the morning?" Karen shook her head. "Of course you did. What's his name?"
Marcy shrugged. "Didn't ask."
"What was your interaction with him?"
"We bumped into each other then I told him to have a good day."
"That's it?!"
"Karen!" Mari admonished.
"You said it like you hooked up in your car!" Karen was put out.
Marcy was affronted. "I will never have sex in my car!"
Karen gave her a look.
"With someone other than Mal!" She whined.
"You need to. You're becoming uptight."
"What did you just say to me?"
"You heard me. Up! tight!"
"Ohhh!" Marcy was downright offended.
"Girls! Let's remain friends!" Mari was the peacekeeper.
"I am taking my coffee and my cinnamon roll and I'm going to work!" Marcy popped up.
"Good luck with that, Ms. Boring!" Karen waved.
"Boring?!" Marcy grabbed her things and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
"Karen!" Mari glared.
"What?" Karen sipped her coffee.
"Why would you do that?!"
"She's got to get out of her funk. I know if I lost Chase, I'd be really sad, too. Probably for a lot of years but she's fading, Mar. You see it, I see it, everybody sees it."
"Yes, I see it but I'm not going to rub her face in her sadness! Her husband died! The father to her children! Her soulmate! She's known Mal for longer than she's known either of us and we met at three! That's going to take time."
"Well I don't want it to. She's our best friend and she'd already been through so much in her life that we couldn't help but this we can help. We can find her someone new. He won't replace Mal but he damn sure can put a smile back on her face."
Mari sighed. "I want that for her, too but please don't push. She fought Mal and he was her one true love."
"Well she's going to have a second true love. I guarantee that she's going to fall for someone within the year."
BE
Marcy looked into the microscope and tracked movement of the cells in the blood sample she was looking at. She wrote down her findings before cleaning up.
She turned off the music playing and she put away her glasses and lab items before getting her things together. She left her lab and went to the cafeteria to have lunch with her hospital friends but she wasn't as engaged as they thought she was.
She was busy thinking. Was Karen right? Was she boring now? She was always the life of the party (whether she wanted to be or not). Were people pitying her? Were they talking about her behind her back?
She hated pity and she hated being the subject of attention. It pissed her off to think that people were talking about how sad she still was over her deceased husband. She was but she was dealing with it.
And so what if she was still sad?! Mal had been the perfect husband and father! Yeah, they fought all the time and he was majorly jealous and a complete pushover with the kids but he'd been perfect for them.
How was she supposed to find that again? Why would she want to? Maybe she was putting Mal on a pedestal but didn't he deserve it?
Thinking about it made her want to jump the first stranger she saw. She was fun, dammit!
When lunch ended, she took her lunch-bag back to her lab then left again. She went out to Travis, her tricked out Lincoln towncar. She got in and drove to get another cappuccino. The hospital only had black and decaf coffee.
She went inside and stood in line.
BEish
Sam looked up. There she was! He internally rejoiced. He'd been waiting all morning and now she was back!
He got up and went to stand behind her. He'd practiced what to say all morning. Hopefully he didn't sound stupid. "Hi."
She said nothing.
Well he felt stupid… He tapped her back and she swung around. He jumped back. "Sorry! Sorry!"
"It's okay." She put up her hands. "I just don't like being touched."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Just wanted to talk about the long line."
She looked over her shoulder. She was third in line. She looked back. "Is this the road to hell?"
He didn't expect that and laughed.
She smiled.
He stopped laughing. Her smile was really pretty. It seemed like her mouth was magical. She already had a musical voice. "You might be funny, ma'am."
"Dear greatness, don't call me ma'am. I'm not even thirty yet."
He laughed again. She looked so serious. "I'm not thirty either."
She leaned back to encompass him in one slow, long, thorough glance. "Hmm."
He wondered what that meant but it made him feel good, like she approved. "Why, thank ya, darlin."
"Where are you from?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Tennessee, born and raised."
"I'd like to show you something. Can you follow me?"
"Uh… sure." He was greatly confused but he'd follow her anywhere.
She got out of line and walked to the door. He followed her out and down the block. She went into a store and bypassed help to go to a back room.
He realized it was a handicap bathroom as soon as he came through the portal but she whirled around and slammed the door, backing him into it.
He was completely surprised at her aggressive behavior and lifted a brow.
"Is this okay?" She asked.
He would be damned if he said no! "Uh huh."
"Are you sure?" She pressed.
He nodded. "Yeah."
She fused her mouth to his and was shocked when her lips tingled slightly. It wasn't the fireworks of Mal's kiss but it was a damn sight better than the kisses she'd been getting from other people.
His lips tingled, too. He was shocked because he'd only heard about tingling kisses. He sure didn't have them with his ex.
He shook his head to get rid of those thoughts because now was not the time to think about her. It was all about this woman lifting his shirt over his head and kissing his chest.
Yes, it was all about her.