All This Time
Chapter: 2
Rating: PG
Comfortableness. That's what it was. That's what drew Mary to Lou. And maybe unknowingly it was something that had been building for a while. She was vulnerable. More so than she would have liked to admit. Even though her split from Tom was amicable there was still a part of her that was angry. Angry at herself for failing and angry at him for not living up to his part of their vows.
Marriage was suppose to be give and take. And they knew that they might have to try a little harder than the average couple. Tom was carefree, independent, and had issues with commitment. Not that she was off the hook either. She too valued her independence. She tried not to put restraints on him, on them. They seemed like the perfect match and so they were sure that they could make things work out. At least they hoped they could. The were wrong. She wanted it all. And he knew it upon entering marriage. They agreed they could give each other the relationship they had both been seeking. Commitment with a little freedom.
They married on a snowy February day. Eight weeks later Mary had found herself unexpectedly expecting. Tom was surprisingly very supportive. He was happy and looking forward to fatherhood, easing Mary's fears. Less than a week before Christmas, their first Christmas, a cubby cheeked, blonde haired baby boy was born. Thomas was a happy baby and his father's pride and joy. Tom was so thrilled that he suggested that they have another baby as soon as possible.
When Thomas was nine months old they found out that they would welcome a second baby in the spring. Richard was born on the day before Mary's birthday in April. A beautiful dark haired baby who looked exactly like his mother. Life was perfect for the Vernon's. The family of four was settled cozily into a house right outside of the city.
Mary had decided that she would sacrifice her career, put it on hold rather, and stay at home with her children. And maybe that's where a part of her resented him. She was suddenly June Clever and he was suddenly always gone. But the reasons really didn't matter now. The marriage was over, this fact they both were sure of. There would be no reconciliation. Mary just hoped they could effectively co-parent their sons.
Mary had recently accepted a nine to five job at WJM. She was producing the Happy Homemaker starring Sue Ann Nivens. And so far she liked it. It wasn't exactly what she wanted to be doing, but it was a good start. At least until her boys got older. It was a rather quiet day on the set. Sue Ann was taping a knitting session and Mary was in her office going over a selection of commercial slots.
There was a soft knock on her office door. "Sue Ann." she called out. "I really need to finish this."
Lou pushed the office door open. "Good thing I'm not Sue Ann." he came inside and closed the door behind him.
Mary looked up from what she was doing. "Hi." she smiled. "What can I do for you?"
He was surprised at how relaxed she seemed to be. Especially after what had happened last night. He had felt something and he was sure she had felt it as well. Lou couldn't quite put his words together. "Productive day?" he finally asked.
"Not so much." she said. "Although Sue Ann hasn't been as annoying today."
"The day's not over yet."
"Hey, silver linings only." she laughed. "Or I'll send her up to the newsroom so you all can try out her new pastries."
"I like it's much better when she's down here." he said. "Are we still on for Sunday?"
"Yeah, you bet." she smiled. "Something wrong?"
"No."
"Is this about last night?"she asked. "I'm sorry I didn't to make you feel uncomfortable."
"You didn't." he said, quickly.
Mary wasn't about to tell him what she thought she may have felt. She wasn't even sure herself. And she was much too vulnerable right now mo matter how intrigued she was by their brief, platonic kiss. Her marriage had just fallen apart. She wasn't about to rebound with a friend she felt so strongly about. A fling was something you have to have with someone that didn't matter. Someone like Andy the sportscaster or Jake from accounting. And besides she wasn't even ready for anything that resembled serious or long term.
"Good." she said. "I would hate to think I put a strain on our friendship."
"It was nothing." he insisted. "Just a friendly kiss between friends." he wanted to change the subject and quickly. "Have you picked a movie yet?"
Mary smiled. "Relax." she said. "I won't make you see a sappy romance."
"Good." he smiled back. "I hate those."
~Later That Evening~
Rhoda was chopping up vegetables for the salad. "So, Mare." she started. "Did you talk to Lou today?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
Mary arched an eyebrow. "And." she repeated. "Am I missing something?"
The knife easily slid through the cucumber. "You said you kissed him.' she clarified. "And you weren't sure how you felt about it."
She opened the oven door to check on her casserole. "Well after sleeping on it I've decided that it didn't mean anything."
"Which means it meant something."
"I don't know." Mary closed the oven door. "Maybe. I just know that I'm not ready for a relationship with anyone. Tom and I have only been apart for a few months."
"But you know that the two of you are over." Rhoda tossed the cucumbers in the bowl. "The door on that has closed."
"Oh, Rhoda, it's more than closed." she told her. "It's been locked and nailed shut. There's no chance of us ever getting back together."
"If you know it's over then why not move on?"
"It's too soon."
"How long are you suppose to wait?" she questioned as mixed the salad. "Is there a set amount of time before you're allowed to be happy again? I mean you've been pretty unhappy for a while, kid. I think you've paid your dues."
"I still think it's too soon."
"You deserve to be happy." she told her. "Go find happiness."
"I'm a mom with two babies." Mary starting setting the table. "There aren't too many men out there looking for an automatic family."
"Then have a fling." she suggested. "Have a superficial, meaningless, fling. It might make you feel better."
"Funny, Sue Ann suggested the same thing."
"Bad idea." Rhoda immediately said. "Just relax for a while and take it easy. You don't need a man to complete you."
Mary smiled. "I felt something when I kissed Mr. Gr...Lou." she admitted. "Something that intrigued me."
Rhoda arched an eyebrow. "Yeah?" she questioned with a smile. "Like butterflies?"
"I don't know." she breathed out. "It was different."
"So this kiss.' she started. "What was it like?"
Mary paused in her movements of putting the plates on the table. thought about it for few moments. "Delicate."
"Delicate?"
"Yes." Mary replied. "Soft and sweet. Kind of innocent."
"And you got something from that?"
"Yeah, I did." she replied. "I'm not sure what, but I got something from it. It was a good feeling."
"Did you tell Lou this?"
"No, I blew it off." she said. "I didn't want to make a big deal out of it."
"Incase he didn't feel the same way?"
"Well...yeah." she replied. "I have two very young children, I have a lot of responsibilities. I don't want him, or anyone else, to feel obligated."
"I've seen the way Lou Grant looks at you." Rhoda told her. "And I don't think he feels obligated at all. He seems to love being with you and the boys.'
Mary couldn't help but smile. "The way he looks at me?"
"Yeah." she replied. "Like a lovesick puppy dog."
"Oh, Rhoda!"
She sat the bowl of salad on the table. "What? It's true." she said. "Ask Phyllis if you don't believe me."
"I'm not going to ask Phyllis." she said. "Because I'm not starting something up with my former boss. End of story."
"Aren't the teddy awards next week?"
"Yeah." she replied. "Why?"
"Well if you went with Lou it could be sort of like a trial run."
Mary shook her head. "I don't think so, Rhoda." she said. "Besides I already told Andy I'd go with him."
tbc...
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