Chapter 3

He was in the bathroom brushing his teeth when she came in. Hawkeye always stripped naked when he was getting ready to go to bed and having guests in the house didn't deter him. There he was, naked in front of the mirror, door wide open.

"There are other people in this house besides your wife." Margaret shut the door when she stepped inside.

Hawkeye spit into the sink. "They don't come into our bedroom." He didn't think they ever once saw their room.

"That's beside the point." She began to strip down.

He shut the water off and turned to watch her. "Did you find out what they're doing here?"

"She kept evading the questions. Said they just wanted to come to visit."

"There's something fishy going on. They're up to something."

"I agree."

"I can smell it."

Margaret kissed him. "My own little hound dog." She grabbed her nightgown off the back of the door.

"Did you hear him compliment me?"

"Maybe he was being nice." They both looked at each other and shook their heads. "Whatever it is they want you in a good mood." They weren't really treating her any differently.

"I don't like it."

"I know." She picked up her toothbrush. "I don't even know how long they're staying."

"Wonderful. Did they have a lot of luggage?"

"Uh huh."

"How much?"

She shrugged.

"You don't think they're sick, do you?"

She shook her head. She would have known about that right away. Every time her parents had an ailment they phoned and used her as a messenger to get to her doctor husband without having to actually talk to him.

He didn't like not knowing what was going on. "Maybe they'll tell us at lunch." They had plans to eat at one of the hotel restaurants on the ocean. It was only open from April to November and was a great place to eat. Her parents loved the place.

She spit into the sink. "Maybe."

"It doesn't bother you?"

Again she shrugged. She was used to her parents keeping things hidden. "A little I guess." When she was finished with her teeth she shut the water off and turned to face him. "Let's go to bed."

He nodded. "Breakfast at eight like always?"

"That's what she said."

X X X X X X X

Hawkeye decided to go for a run before they left for lunch. Sometimes it was less stressful getting grilled by Alvin than being treated nicely. Nice wasn't normal and not normal didn't feel safe.

Running alone the edge of the water was freeing. It would have been nice if Margaret had come, but being alone was pleasant. The air was very cool and the sun was beating down on his face. It felt absolutely wonderful.

As he was walking across the back yard he could see his wife on the porch swing. She was holding what he was sure was a cup of tea. No one was around, just her, and that's the way he liked it. She stood up and when he got onto the porch. He loved how she always smiled every time she saw him. "Did you have a nice run?"

"I did." He was covered in sweat and ocean spray, but he couldn't help the urge he had to take her into his arms. He held her close and kissed her.

When she felt his tongue it surprised her, but not enough to pull away. She almost dropped the mug she had in her hand, but quickly recovered. "What was that for?"

"I just love you." He kissed her again. "Wanna shower with me?"

She nodded. Hawkeye took her hand and they walked into the kitchen. Her mother was standing there mixing ingredients for a cake. "Hey you two, we have to leave for lunch in an hour."

"We're going to start getting ready right now." Margaret sat the cup down on the counter as they passed through.

"How long will you be?" Peggy called.

"An hour." Hawkeye called back to her. Her parents didn't need entertaining; they could take care of themselves for a bit.

Margaret raced him up the stairs and to their bedroom. Hawkeye caught her just before she made it to the bed and they tumbled onto the mattress. The door was wide open but neither seemed to notice. Hawkeye's hands roamed over her body. He slid his hand under her shirt and over her chest. It was when he rolled between her legs that she realized the door was open. At first it didn't register and she moved her hand between them to push his sweatpants down some. They lived alone and could do what they wanted when they wanted in any room in their home. It was hearing her father's voice that made her push her husband off her.

"Peggy, where are my reading glasses?"

"On the bedside table. You left them there this morning."

"Are you busy?"

"You'll have to get up and get them, dear." There was bitterness in her voice. She hated when her husband wanted her to go out of her way to get something for him just because he was too lazy to do it himself.

Hawkeye jumped up and shut the door then grabbed her hand and pulled her into the bathroom. They'd have more privacy in there and it had been a while since they had that much fun in the shower.

With the water going it was almost impossible for anyone to hear what was going on in there. She hoped her parents didn't hear her scream when he pushed into her or again when orgasm took over her body. She doubted anyone would be able to hear the banging that went on against the shower wall or the loud moans Hawkeye let out.

Margaret sighed contently as she watched him. He was standing there with a small towel wrapped around his waist trying to shave in the fogged up bathroom mirror. Hawkeye saw her step out and turned to look at her. "Need a towel?"

"Sure."

He walked over and wrapped the towel around her and pulled her close. "How do you feel?"

"Very relaxed." If her parents weren't there she'd crawl into bed with him and nap the afternoon away. "How do you feel?"

"Incredible." Being with Margaret was never anything less.

She knew if she stayed in the same room with him much longer they'd get lost in each other again. She pulled herself away from him and went to dress in the bedroom while he finished.

X X X X X

"What took you so long?" Peggy was holding out Margaret's coat for her. "We're going to be late."

"It's a ten minute drive, Mom. We'll be fine."

"I wanted to sit next to those windows."

"We will," Hawkeye assured her. "That's why I made reservations and requested that."

"I don't understand. It doesn't take an hour to shower and get dressed." She walked through the door Hawkeye held open for everyone.

Margaret smiled at her husband. "I just took my time."

Hawkeye kissed her as she walked by him. "Oh Lord." They heard her mother groan. She just figured out what happened.

X X X X X

After they were seated for lunch and Peggy was finished oohing and awing over the view they were able to take a look at their menus. Margaret had been dying for lobster and Hawkeye was always eager to eat it. They knew what they wanted right away. Alvin looked over it and decided on the steak and lobster. Peggy could never decide what she wanted and waited until the waiter was there ready to take their orders before she finally settled on the same meal she ordered every time they ate there.

"This place is just gorgeous. I never knew Maine was so beautiful." In the year since her daughter had been married and lived in Maine they visited four times already, excluding the two weeks she spent there before the wedding.

"It's one of the reasons we love it so much." Hawkeye smiled at her and took a sip of his water. Any nice comments about his hometown made him feel proud.

Alvin flagged the waiter down and ordered a scotch. He was the only one drinking that afternoon, but he had a drink with every meal except breakfast. "Ben, how's your father doing?"

"He's doing well."

"He's got a girlfriend now," Margaret smiled. Hawkeye rolled his eyes. "His son doesn't like it much, but I think she's a lovely woman." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "She's been good for Dan."

"I'd like to meet her. Do you think they'd like to come for dinner tomorrow night?" Peggy always made large meals on Sunday evenings.

"I can ask."

"How long are you two staying this trip? I don't think Margaret told me." Hawkeye knew full well that she didn't know either.

Peggy smiled. "Oh, just a few days. We'll be back in a few weeks."

"You will?"

She nodded. "That's the plan."

Margaret and Hawkeye shared a look. "A few weeks, Mom?"

"We hope."

Something was missing. "So soon?" Margaret didn't want to make it sound like they weren't welcome. "Is there a reason?"

"Well…" She looked at her husband. Now was the perfect time to tell them. "We've been talking…"

"Your mother and I decided to move to Maine."

Hawkeye nearly choked on his water. An ice cube slid down his throat and he coughed it back up. They all looked at him and he held his hand up. "I'm okay."

"You're moving here?"

Peggy nodded. "Our family is here. We both want to be around our grandchildren when they come. It would be nice to see them grow up and I miss my daughter too."

Hawkeye pushed his chair out. "Excuse me. I need to…" He didn't finish what he was saying. He didn't have anything to finish with.

"Where are you going?" Margaret knew how he felt about her parents. They were fine in small doses and that was it.

"I just…" He held a hand to his throat to remind them of his choking episode. "I need some air."

"Let me come with you." She was by his side and took his hand. "Excuse us."