Disclaimer: Own nothing POTO. What a shame that is too. I would write a stupendous sequel, lol.
AU story Rated: M- Mature. Those that should be gone, please do so. You know the rules.
AN: Thanks to Hope for getting my chapter in line. She lectures me all the time about missed words and letters. It seems to be a very bad habit I have when I write.
Thanks to Kelsismom, Keyklee and JustBeFree for reviewing again. I know of one other reader who hasn't been able to get to a computer like she hoped, but she called me instead. My thank all of you for letting me know how my writing comes across in the story.
Now this chapter will take on Nadir and Meg's relationship. Marie seems to have her own agenda. Wait and see.
Last chapter:
Erik and Kristine were in his cabin clinging to one another fast asleep, after a rather adventurous evening.
Chapter 10 Nadir Meets Meg's Mother Marie
Earlier that same day, Meg rushed back to work after her lunch with Nadir. She slid down onto her computer chair, grabbed the computer keyboard and sat there making her copy for the film.
She buzzed Lincoln to join her while the copy uploaded again. She waited to play back what he had edited on the interview footage for her.
Lincoln's long legs strolled down the hall quickly so he could join Meg, who was at her desk. He sat down, watching her as she played with the track until it synchronized where she wanted it. One hour before news time, she had it aligned until flowed flawlessly through the segmented time. Handing it to the newsroom manager, she announced it was ready to go home.
Now that her work was complete, she could head home for the evening and her dinner plans. She turned to Lincoln and said, "Thanks for having it ready for me. Night." And she walked down the hall.
"You're welcome, night Meg," Lincoln called after her.
--
Meg parked her car outside her mother's home and made a mad dash inside. She flew up the stairs to get ready for dinner. Her mother watched Meg as she took the stairs gracefully on the fly.
Dropping her purse and work satchel on the bed, Meg stripped off her clothes. She headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She stepped under the pulsating water. It massaged her body. Oh, it felt so good.
She began to wonder how tonight would go?Would Nadir charm Marie? Would he calm her mother's anxiety? Nadir is much older than I, she thought. Was that upsetting her mother? He really was closer to her mother's age and type. No, she refused to think Nadir would be interested in her mother. Was her mother interested in him? Was that why Marie seemed so odd about everything?
These questions began to chip away at her while the water cascaded down her back and eased some of the tensions away. She finished up by washing her hair. She quickly stepped out to towel off. Everything had to go right tonight; it just had too.
When she finished in the bathroom, Meg put on a dress and heels to look special for Nadir. Tonight was not the night for wearing pants, she thought.
An hour later she had joined her mother in the kitchen. Marie had a lovely dinner prepared. The meat finished cooking in the oven, while the white wine sauce stayed warm in the double boiler. Everything else was ready. The fresh vegetables would be steamed when Nadir arrived. Dessert was simple just fresh fruit.
Time was nearing for Nadir's arrival. Meg kept looking out the window wringing her hands. She kept pacing back and forth outside the kitchen, occasionally she would go into see if her mother needed anything. Finally, the doorbell rang. She took a deep breath as she walked back into the hall and opened the door.
Nadir stepped inside, bent down, and kissed her cheek. He wanted to deepen the kiss, but opted against it until he had spoken to Meg's mother. Could he wait?
Her mother came into the living room and Meg introduced them, "Nadir Kahn, this is my mother, Marie Giry."
Nadir reached out and took Marie's hand, skimming his lips over her knuckles, kissing her hand sweetly.
It had been a long time since someone reminded her of her native country of France by kissing a lady's hand. It took her back to a simpler time and a reminder of what had been and someone she had left behind.
Marie said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Khan, won't you sit down?"
"Please, call me Nadir."
"Then will you please call me Marie?"
"I shall, Marie." Nadir handed her a bottle of Cavit Pinot Noir wine for dinner.
"This is a good choice for our dinner tonight, Nadir, thank you. I will open it to let it breathe. Dinner will be in fifteen minutes. I shall get it ready, if you will excuse me." Marie stated, heading to the kitchen. She wanted to distance herself from the couple, so she could observe them secretly from the kitchen. She wanted to know how they were as a couple.
She opened the wine to breathe, started steaming the vegetables and set out the salad. Glancing up at the clock, she knew enough time had passed so she could watch Meg and Nadir. They should be talking to one another in the living room.
Marie stepped to the swinging door that separated the rooms and her view. She pushed on the door just a touch to observe Nadir and Meg making out on the sofa. Hmm, so soon. What is he really after? We shall see. She thought. The lioness was now on guard.
Nadir had sat next to Meg on the sofa. His arm reached around her and pulled her to him for a deeper kiss. He couldn't wait any longer. My, she felt good in his arms.
It had been so long since he had been around someone for more than just work. Since he lost his wife, he hadn't really looked for anyone to be in his life, only the occasional woman when the urge proved too much to bear. He had resigned himself to the task of being single again, now it was all hopefully going to change. He bent over for another kiss. That was when Marie stepped into the living room to announce dinner. Meg was so lost in his kiss she hadn't heard her mother start to announce dinner.
"Hum, umm, dinner is served." Marie said, interrupting their kiss.
When Meg finally heard her mother's words she jumped. A blush ran down her cheeks as she reluctantly broke away from Nadir. He cleared his throat and stood taking Meg's hand in his to guide her to the dining table.
Since Meg and her mother never had the time to speak about what Nadir had told her at lunch yet, Marie wasn't aware of his back story. Their day had moved too fast for conversation.
Nadir made sure the ladies were comfortably seated around the dinner table before he sat down in his own chair.
Marie started right in asking Nadir questions. The poor man had hardly time to take a bite of his food or a drink of the wine.
He began to tell Marie what he had told Meg--he was a widower. His wife and son were victims of an illness. He continued telling Marie everything else he thought she should know about him. He even stressed there was no one else in his life since that time. Marie sat there engrossed in what he had to say. She saw great sadness in his face as he talked.
Then Nadir said, "For the first time in years, I have found someone who makes me smile and makes me want to be alive again. I never thought that would ever happen, but Meg has given me hope for the future. I would like very much to "court" your daughter.
"I know that courting is not what you do in this country anymore, but I feel this is the best way to approach this since I am older than Meg, with your permission, of course." He sat there looking at Marie.
Marie chose not to reply right away. There was a lengthy silence hanging over the dinner table. And then she spoke, "Nadir, I admire your frankness with us about your feeling towards my daughter. I am a little worried about your age difference. I wonder if you wouldn't become tired of Meg after a while. This is one worry I have."
Nadir felt he had respond before she went any further so he cut in, "I have thought about our age difference since last night and I see nothing to cause any difficulty. I want children again someday. That would be her benefit being younger than I; she would be healthier for that reason. Women, who conceive children later in life, might have the chance to develop complications for her or the baby. I couldn't bear anything happening to her or our future children."
"I feel we are suited to one another. She is intelligent, beautiful and can hold her own with anyone on any subject. Please give us this chance. I will not do anything to hurt your daughter in any way." Nadir kept his true feelings out of this discussion for the now; he would draw on them if needed.
He waited for her answer. Meg had sat through the whole conversation waiting for her mother to be the understanding, caring person she knew she was. Why would her mother object to Meg's chance at the same happiness like she once had?
Nadir, ever the gentleman, was beginning to grow impatient. Meg's mother was getting to him. Normally he was a patient man, but he wanted an answer now. They could hear the clock ticking on the wall. The room had grown morbidly silent once again.
Marie finally spoke, "I have thought about this all day, before meeting you. My only concern is Meg and how she feels about it all. We didn't have time this evening to talk at length before your arrival."
Marie continued, "Can she truly be happy and build a life with you? I wonder if she has thought about all of this and what lies ahead. Your work takes you around the world. Would you expect her to travel with you at a moment's notice? Can she live without you when it is required that you to be gone for long periods of time? Can she raise children like that alone so much of the time? Have you thought about that, Meg?"
"Mother, I haven't thought that far ahead. It has all come so fast for me to think. How can I answer questions about things that haven't happened yet? That wouldn't be fair."
"Someone wants to spend his life with me. My life with other men, so far has been a bust. I never really had a full relationship with one man. I want to love one man in my lifetime, have a family if that is possible, and of course travel. Nadir is the only man to date, who hasn't literally bedded me on the first date. That makes me feel so wonderful. He respects me for who I am not just for my warm body. I like that really I do. What we do after this declaration will only enhance our feelings for one another. I feel an inexplicable desire to be with Nadir. Please mother let me live this part of my life without regret."
"You found love very early in your relationship with dad and married him. I remember there was someone else in your life after dad died, but I was so young at the time, that's all I remember. Search your heart and say yes?" Meg pleaded.
Nadir reached under the table for Meg's hand and he started to squeeze it trying to reassure her. He wanted to hold her so badly. Marie was throwing questions about and it was causing anxiety for Meg. He adored Meg so much. He wanted to make it all end and Marie's answer to be yes.
Marie spoke, "My daughter just told me all I need to know and I give my permission for you to, as you say, court my daughter."
Nadir smiled and said to Marie, "Your daughter will want for nothing, be cherished and adored, but most of all loved. I guarantee that with my life." There he said it to Marie. That he would love Meg. And, it was true. He had the beginnings of love for her deep inside.
"As long as she is happy I will not interfere. If that changes you will answer to me, sir." Marie stated very sternly.
Nadir nodded with a smile and kissed Meg's cheek. Right at that moment, Meg wanted more. She would wait until later when they were alone.
Dessert was served and they talked about the upcoming film project Nadir and Erik were working on for the rest of the evening.
--
After dinner Meg and Nadir drove to a spot that looked down over the valley. It was lovely to see the lights of Telluride and all that lay beneath. Nadir asked Meg if she had any question for him that she didn't want her mother to hear.
She indicated she did. "Since I have been with other men, does that disappoint you?"
"No why would you believe that, Meg?" He asked.
"In your culture purity is prized and I am not pure." He could hear a little sadness in Meg's voice.
"It is not important to me about your life before me, Meg. You are special and nothing will change that." He was wondering what she really wanted to know by asking that question.
"I want the woman I see before me and nothing more." He leaned over to press his lips to hers. She was lost for a time, but pulled back from his lips. She rested her head on his shoulder.
Nadir wanted her to know something so he asked, "I have been drawn to you since I spilled food all over you. The time we have been spent getting to know one another has been wonderful. My heart has been taken on a fantasy ride and it will never be the same again. My next question is a little private, but if we are to be together at all someday, I must ask it. Are you protected from conceiving?" He was very matter-of-fact.
"I have been on the pill for a long time, mother made sure I was before college, as a precaution. Does that answer your question?" she asked with a sideways glance at him.
"That is good to know. I am glad you know about so many things. We can pleasure each other in the many ways you know. I am versed with knowledge of the Kama Sutra. I will teach you many different ways you can give and receive pleasure." His mouth curled into a smile as he took her mouth in his, once more, for a very long passionate kiss.
They broke away feeling the heat from their bodies and they found it hard to breathe.
Meg's thoughts drifted back to Antonio as her head rested on Nadir's shoulder. I never studied with him only enjoying his expertise a few times. I always wondered what had I missed? Kristine told me a little of what he had done to her and it sounded so fantastic. I was so busy with my own life I never took the extra time for his 'classes'. Now I get my own special class with someone who means so much more to me than Antonio had or any other man, for that matter. Nadir started to talk and his voice shook Meg's thoughts back to the present.
"Shall we begin tonight? Some pleasures can be given anywhere." He exited the car, opened the back door and sat down. Meg stepped out of the front seat to join Nadir in the back seat. Reaching up with his hand, he invited her inside with him.
Meg gave a sigh of anticipation to this, as she settled on top of him. She could feel he had already begun to fill his pants to the point of bursting. She began to draw herself over him, taking long deliberate movements with her body. Nadir moaned as he helped her glide over him.
Meg stopped to unbuckle his belt and open his pants, reaching inside she felt a well endowed Nadir. Her eyes reacted to what she had found.
Nadir brought forth a lusty deep laugh from the back of his throat at her reaction to his size. Meg sat up on her knees opening his pants wider wanting to see what she had felt was real within the folds of his pants. Meg could see by the moonlight illuminating the inside of the car, that he was huge. In all her experience, none of the men she had been with were ever built like this. Meg let a smile slip forth from her lips. This would be sheer heaven to explore.
Nadir sat there watching Meg caress him. They enjoyed watching each other. She became excited over how he reacted to her touch. Nadir slipped on a condom to be on the safe side for Meg.
Easing herself over him with her mouth, Meg began caressing him with a gentle rhythm and Nadir was amazed at the extent of Meg's skill. This petite woman handled him in such a manner no woman had ever done before, and he did have plenty of experiences during his travels. She would need no tips from him on this one particular subject.
Nadir felt as if he was going to pass out from the mounting pleasure Meg was giving him. His sighs became more labored and his hips rose higher. Meg increased her movements instantly bringing him to ecstasy, as he held onto her.
Recovering, Nadir sighed and stroked her face, looking deep into her eyes saying, "I have found a jewel hidden beneath this petite body. You are all mine to cherish." Nadir pulled her to him for a languishing kiss, and his tongue invaded Meg's mouth, as it danced around with hers.
Tucking things back where they belonged, now it was Nadir's turn to give her his full attention. He wanted to bring her immense pleasure beyond her wildest dreams.
Laying her down on the seat, he sat upon his knees opening her dress at the top to expose two beautiful large breasts, slightly hidden by the delicate lace of her bra. Nadir reached behind her to unhook the bra before easing it off. Once he exposed her breasts to the moonlight, her skin glowed. Nadir began to tease and caress Meg's breasts with delicate care, leaning into nip them now and then with his mouth. He knew women needed a great amount of foreplay to become properly aroused. Nadir was willing to give Meg anything.
He narrowed his gaze to meet her eyes. He moved back up to kiss her sensual lips, firm breasts and then down to her taut stomach. What he found when he moved down were her shapely dancer legs.
Meg felt her body come alive as it never had before. He was titillating her in a fashion she loved. Her breasts were very sensitive to his touch. It always made her body purr when they received special attention. It had been a while since anyone had touched them or anywhere else for that matter. She craved everything Nadir was doing.
He had finally reached her very thin, delicate underwear and it sparkled. It was adorned with rhinestones and when she moved, they caught a few strays rays of light. Removing them, Nadir found her sparkling from the moonlight in other ways.
"My you possess beautiful jewels in your hidden treasure chest." He said, very soft and fluid with his voice.
Meg was lost as he moved his fingers with care in ways that brought her the deep intensity she craved. His slightest touch made Meg wild with pent up desires as the movement of his fingers increased. He did have a very special technique used to bring Meg the point where she knew she would explode and she did. Her taut dancer's body swayed under the explosion of ecstasy she was experiencing. Nadir's hand could hardly keep up with her as her body danced across the seat of the car.
Riding the waves of pleasure was so intense that it brought Meg to tears. Never before had she experienced anything quite so erotic, it seemed to go on forever. Nadir stared in awe of his precious jewel.
He had read about reaching a woman's nirvana, her spot so sensitive, it transported a woman into the deepest pleasure, but to be so lucky to have found Meg's so soon. Meg settled down near the end. Her tears of pure ecstasy began to subside.
He lay holding her in his arms for the longest time, kissing her face and neck. Meg began to relax in his arms basking in the afterglow of their intimate time together. He wanted to hold onto her all night, but knew he should eventually take her back home.
He made sure she was fully dressed as she was when they left. He knew Marie's sharp eyes and maternal protective instincts wouldn't miss a thing. He didn't want to see what she might say or do to him if Meg didn't look good as new. Not yet anyway, later he would be able to face her.
They had not made a complete union, but to Meg it was still special. At least mother would be pleased, she thought. One could do much to satisfy each other before marriage. Even with her experience, she knew that.
They sat for an hour holding one another whispering to one another sweet things only lovers would say, before driving back to her mother's home.
Meg took great care to see that her makeup was straight, especially after crying, and then she was ready to go inside. Nadir pulled her once more into his arms and kissed her so passionately, her lips were swollen again when they parted.
Walking her to the door, he gently cupped her face in his hands and said, "My little jewel," so softly only she could hear and kissing both eyes and then her mouth. She walked inside with the most serene smile she had ever had on her face.
Her mother called to her from the living room, but Meg never heard her at all. Up the stair to her bedroom she climbed, shutting the door behind her once she was inside.
Marie just knew something had happened. She began to recall her first time with her late husband, before they were married when a slight grin fell across her face. She went back in time to another place of joy and love.
She saw that in her daughter's face tonight, the same look Marie had on her face so long ago. It pleased Marie, she knew she had said and done the right things tonight. She hoped she was guiding her in the right direction.
Nadir had better be a good match for her daughter. She wouldn't have to worry too much longer about Meg finding the right man, she hopefully had found him. That pleased Marie to know he would cherish her, just like her own dear husband Reggie had done, before he died.
And so did …how could Meg remember him? She was so little at the time, Marie thought. Enough, you silly woman. You can't bring back the past by dreaming. Nothing will bring Reggie back. I can't go back and recapture the other love I left behind either. Marie shook those thoughts from her mind.
--
Saturday morning Meg rose early to the most beautiful day she had seen in months. The sun filled her room with the most brilliant light. It was as if angels had turned the sun on high.
She stepped out of the bed and threw open a window. She leaned out to smell the air. It was crisp, clear and fresh. She felt so alive.
Up the driveway came a van from the local flower shop. It was making a delivery to her mother's home. The driver took out what looked like three dozen pink roses in a crystal vase from the back of the van. It was the biggest arrangement she had ever seen. She grabbed her dressing gown and reached the front door as the bell rang.
Meg pulled open the door to greet the deliveryman who said, "Flowers for Meg Giry."
"I am Meg Giry, thank you very much!" She bubbled.
"This is the biggest order I have ever delivered, enjoy them Miss Giry." He said with a smile.
"I will, I will, thank you," trying to shut the door behind her without dropping the vase.
"Mother, come see what just arrived for me!" Meg screams of delight were heard drifting up the stairs.
Marie came running into the hall, "Wha... Oh My God, where did these come from?" she exclaimed hurrying down the stairs to help her daughter with the vase. They set the arrangement down on the entry table.
Meg was looking at all the roses, when she spotted a card. Her hands were shaking as she pulled the card out to read. It said:
To My Little Jewel,
You sparkle with all the riches of the world for me,
with deep affection and new found love.
Nadir
Marie pulled Meg close, comforting her while she cried tears of joy.
Marie's eyes began to tear, remembering years ago, a similar thing happened to her, but the flowers were orchids and the card said: You danced into my heart, with all my Love, G L.
Her husband Reggie was before, GL was a few years after Reggie's death.
She felt GL's career was just as important as her own. But, she assumed for him to be saddled with a small child wasn't good. The demands of his position required he change jobs at a moments notice. Marie was afraid she and Meg would hold him back and the same fate might apply to her. Her job had her traveling around the world whenever the opera took to the road.
GL's future was very promising and so was hers. Unbeknownst to GL, Marie made the decision to disappear from his life. It would hurt him, just as much as it would hurt her. She never told him where she was going or ever contacted him once she had settled in the states. To this day, she hoped he had found someone else to marry and was able to have the life he was destined to have. Her life had almost everything she wanted, except one.
Both Meg and Marie sighed looking over at the flowers.
"I shall teach you how to press a flower for your memory book and we will take a digital photo of the arrangement, so you can add that too," her mother said with deep affection, remembering the flowers she once pressed as a keepsake.
They carried the huge vase into the living room, finding a cool corner to keep them fresher that way. Meg just stood and stared at the roses.
Pink was her favorite color, how did he know? She wouldn't even ask Nadir. Some secrets were meant to be kept. She would just enjoy the wonderful thought of it all.
Meg went to get her breakfast. When she had made it, Meg filled a tray and went to the living room to stare at her beautiful arrangement.
She sat on the sofa to eat in quiet contemplation, remembering their encounter after they left Marie's house. A sly knowing smile crept on her face remembering all that she and Nadir had done.
Marie knew in her heart Nadir was starting to teach her daughter things that would make her a wonderful lover and wife someday. Before Nadir, Marie knew her daughter had considered sex recreational fun. Not much more. Now she had been given something more—a gift. It was the gift of learning what love was. She could see it in Meg's eyes. This man had known love once and was finding it again with her daughter after so many lonely years.
But he still needed watching. Not until Meg was married would Marie fully trust any man fully with her daughter. Meg had been her whole life after all. That was why she worked so hard all those years and gave up so much in the end.
The chance she had left behind was not going to be sacrificed, so someone could hurt her daughter. It couldn't be, not that kind of pain. Marie had let her heart break when she had walked away from her only other love--GL. I can't remember. It hurts too much, she thought. She wiped away the tears and straightened her dress. No looking back. Life never retreats, it only moves forward.
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