FF went into fail mode again, thankfully not nearly as long as it did on Thursday. No review replies, obviously, but here is your next update. Thanks so much to everyone who is still reading this foolishness.

All the usual applies—no beta, SM own, Carlisle and Edward own me.


Chapter Forty-Eight

EPOV

I found them in the kitchen, Maggie still rambling on about everything she'd taken care of prior to Carlisle's arrival. Setting the dish on the wide island that divided the kitchen from the breakfast nook; I left them to their conversation and returned to the car to grab our bags. When I walked back inside the house, I set them by the bottom of the stairs, before returning to the kitchen.

"…and when I was at the rectory yesterday Pastor Webber mentioned that you hadn't set a time to meet with him yet. If the funeral's still going to be Monday, you need to get in touch with him. He may not have time after services tomorrow." She paused to take a breath, giving me the opening I needed to rescue Carlisle from the judgmental cow.

"Babe, I put the suitcases by the bottom of the stairs. I didn't know if you wanted to take a shower before your meeting with the pastor." There, that should take some wind out of her sails.

"Oh, well, then I'll get out of your way." She stood, her hands fluttering like seagulls that had been fed Alka-Seltzer. I coughed to cover the snort that accompanied the image, turning toward the cupboard to hide the smile on my face. "There's a chicken rice casserole in the dish, you can just pop it in the oven to reheat it for dinner. Three hundred and fifty degrees for about thirty minutes. Carlisle, dear, if you need anything, I'm right next door."

Carlisle followed her to the door, his words floating back to me, increasing my smile. "We appreciate it, Maggie. After driving all day, I don't think either one of us was looking forward to cooking. I'm sure we'll be fine, but if I need anything, I'll send Edward to get you."

The minute I heard the door click shut, I sunk to the floor, unable to contain my amusement a minute longer. Carlisle walked back in the room, shaking his head over Maggie's rudeness, to find me there. Holding my sides, tears streaming down my face, I laughed uproariously, the strain of the past few days fueling the release. When he began chuckling too, I reached for his hand to pull him down next to me. Leaning against each other, our bodies shaking, we allowed ourselves to indulge in a moment of brevity. After a few minutes, the laughter began to subside, though we continued to smother small giggles every time we looked at each other. Finally, with a sigh, Carlisle dropped his head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, baby."

"For what, Car? She is what she is. I have to say, I'm surprised, though. She's always been so nice in the past." I picked up his hand, placing a kiss on his open palm. "Maggie's opinion has no bearing on us, you made that clear to her."

"I don't know what set her off. Nan made it clear to me, from the minute I called her after you left, that she wouldn't take sides. She said she knew things were off at Christmas, but hoped we'd work it. I doubt anything she said would have spawned Maggie's animosity." He sighed again before continuing, "You don't deserve to be treated like that."

"Come here." I guided him to straddle my lap so I could look in his eyes. "Sweetheart, she can think what she wants. I love you, I loved Makenna." My arms lay across his thighs, my hands resting on the small of his back. "Even if we hadn't worked things out, I would always be here for her, and you."

Carlisle cupped my cheeks and brushed his lips across mine. "I know you would, hun, but if she gets out of hand, I will put her in her place. You are here, we are together, and I know Nan is smiling on us."

We sat that way for a few minutes, taking comfort from each other, while memories of the woman we'd both lost came to mind. The chirping of the cuckoo clock hanging in the nook reminded us that things still needed to be done. Craning my neck, I checked the time. Two o'clock. With a groan, Carlisle clambered to his feet, offering his hand to help me up.

"Why don't you go get cleaned up while I find us some lunch?" I offered, already opening the pantry cupboard. "And Car?" He paused at the archway, turning to look back at me. "Don't shave. I like the way it feels against my skin."

A throaty moan was the only reply I received.


Well, looks like Carlisle and Edward both got subtle digs in on Maggie.