Part 8



"Daddy's home, Daddy's home!" Sam and Maddie cheered as Edmund entered the main room of Wildwind. "Guess what we did today, Daddy." Maddie beamed.

"Let's see," Edmund said, crouching down in front of the kids. "Did you build snowmen?"

"Nutuh." Maddie shook her head. "Dixie took us sledding and we went down a big snow hill in the park."

Edmund looked over at Dixie, who was sitting on the sofa, wearing a weak smile. "Yeah?" Edmund asked. "Sounds like fun. Were you good for Dixie?"

"Uh huh," Sam said. "We didn't bother her once, right Dixie?"

"That's right, Sammy," Dixie said.

"Yeah," Maddie added. "Even when she was talking to her friend." Dixie's eyes widened slightly as Edmund shot a quick glance at her.

"Sam, Maddie," she said. "I think Peggy made cookies and hot chocolate. Why don't you two go taste test?"

They looked up at Edmund. "How many can we try, Daddy?" Maddie asked.

"How about three each," he said as the children smiled, running out of the room. Edmund approached the sofa, sitting down beside Dixie. "I know that look," he said.

"Look?" Dixie asked. "What look?"

"What did Tad say to you?"

"Tad?"

"Don't lie to me, Dixie. I can see it in your eyes. Is he bothering you?"

"No, no Edmund." she said quickly. "Tad didn't do anything to me. He was just... passing through the park on his way to lunch. Stopped for a minute like he had something to prove." Dixie paused. "He..." she took a deep breath. "I thought I was OK, that I had gotten over what he did to me.... when he slept with Liza. But... no matter how much I tell myself it's in the past, or how many times I try to convince myself that it doesn't hurt, it's useless, because... it does hurt." A tear rolled down Dixie's cheek. "I trusted him. No matter what he did, I would turn the other cheek. Tell myself... Oh Dixie, it was only one time. Oh Dixie, it was only twice. Oh, Dixie... you're a fool'." She wiped her eyes.

"You are not a fool, Dixie," Edmund said. "You were in love with him. Love will make you do a lot of things."

"I don't think Tad knows what love is," Dixie sniffled. Edmund put his arm around her, drawing her closer to him. Dixie rested her head on his shoulder. "I don't know, maybe it's me."

"Don't say that," Edmund said. "You didn't do a thing to deserve any of what he did to you. He cheated on you, Dixie. That is not your fault. It's not. You are not the fool. Tad's the fool. He's a fool for throwing away your love. He's a fool for not seeing what... a wonderful, special person you are. A woman who is loving, and caring, and passionate." Dixie wiped her eyes again. "A woman... who deserves nothing but happiness."

"And I found it," she said softly. "I found it with you, Edmund. You gave me a reason to go on when I had none. You showed me a love that... I never thought I deserved."

"But you do, Dixie," Edmund said. "You do deserve it. I love you. And I'm going to marry you. We're going to grow old together... and we're going to be happy. And we're not going to let Tad... or anybody stand in the way of that." Dixie pursed her lips, looking up at him. A smile showed on her face. "There's that beautiful smile," Edmund grinned. He kissed her forehead as she wrapped her arms around him. "Tad's in the past." he said. "Leave him there."

"In the dust," Dixie said as she shut her eyes gently. "In the dust."