Chapter 15: Something Good

*****The Same Afternoon*****

Dick, Mac, and Wallace walked into the Casablancas' arguing about the outcome of the sandcastle competition.

"I don't care what anyone says. Mine and Mackie's was the best. We had a basketball court in ours," Dick argued. "You'd think a basketball player would appreciate that!"

"Like basketball was played back then," Wallace scoffed. "Ours was a work of art! Thea's a genius! Ours was three tiers high. Yours was barely two!"

"Two beautifully crafted tiers, and we had a moat! You didn't!" Dick argued. "Everyone knows that sandcastles gotta have a moat!"

"I kind of liked Lily and Parker's," Mac said with a wink. She came to an abrupt stop when she saw Dick's mom getting up from the sofa.

"There you are!" Betina exclaimed. "I was worried sick! Didn't you get my calls?"

"Oh," Dick said sheepishly. "I didn't have my phone on me."

"I'll have to give you my number," Mac offered.

Dick's mom ignored her. "Where have you been? You've been gone for hours!" his mom complained.

"Chill, Mom," Dick said as he sat down in the chair. Mac perched on the arm. "I'm fine. We went to the beach."

"Oh, my God!" Betina said dramatically, her hand at her throat. "The beach? You just got out of the hospital a week ago! You almost died at the beach, remember?"

"Give me some credit, Mom. I didn't get on a board," Dick said, rolling his eyes.

"We'd never let him anyway," Wallace said. He hadn't spent much time with Dick's mom, and he wasn't sure if his presence would help or not. However, he didn't want to leave Dick without some back-up. Mac would leave rather than argue with a parent.

"Mackie knew I was going nuts sitting at the house, so we went to the beach and had a picnic. Logan and V brought Lily. It was really low key," Dick said.

Betina turned to Mac, glaring. "What's wrong with you? Keeping him out for hours? Taking him to the beach, so he'll be tempted to get back in the water! How could you be so irresponsible? Dick told me you were very smart. You should know better!"

Mac stood up slowly, trying not to overreact at the sudden attack from Dick's mother. "I know fresh air is good for him. The doctor never said he had to stay inside for weeks. And since I was there and heard the aftercare instructions, I would know."

Betina drew back like Mac had hit her. "How dare you! How dare you criticize me for not being here! You don't know anything about me!" Betina yelled angrily.

"Mom, that's enough!" Dick said angrily, never liking anyone attacking Mac. The hours at the beach, however, had wiped him out. He didn't have his normal energy to come to her defense.

"It's okay, Dick. Your mom's entitled to her opinion," Mac said reasonably.

"Well, it's that nice of you," Betina said snidely. "I'm allowed to have an opinion on my only living son! How gracious of you! Don't think I don't know who you are. I know exactly the kind of girl you are."

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Dick asked crossly.

"It means that I know your girlfriend was one of the last people to see my baby boy alive," Betina said, surprising them all. She noticed their reaction. "Yes, I know very well who you are, Cindy. Cassidy sent me several emails about you. He was crazy about you. How you couldn't have known what was going on with him is beyond me! You're supposed to be this genius. How did you not know? Now you've moved on to his brother! You're not taking care of him either!"

Mac's mouth fell open slightly in face of the onslaught of words. Dick's mom had never given any hint that she held Mac responsible for Cassidy. In fact, Mac hadn't been sure she knew about Mac's involvement with Cassidy.

Mac turned to leave, but Dick stood up and grabbed her hand. "You're not going anywhere, Mac," he said firmly. He faced his mother. The cap finally loosened on his temper. "My mother's the one who's going to leave." He gave her a pointed look, which she ignored.

"I am not going anywhere," his mom replied. "You need to take care of yourself. The doctor hasn't released you."

"None of this arguing is good for Dick," Wallace interjected, noticing how pale Dick was looking.

"Maybe not," Dick said. "But my mom has gone too far." He glanced back at her, his eyes stormy. "You may be my mother, but you have no right to talk to the woman I love that way! None at all!"

"Dick-" his mother began.

He cut her off. "I'm done hearing you talk," Dick replied coldly. He squeezed Mac's hand, then held up their joined hands. "This woman will be my wife someday. She will be the one to give you grandchildren. You will apologize to her, or you will not be welcomed around me again."

"You can't be serious!" Betina exclaimed in disbelief.

"Dick, that's not necessary," Mac said.

"It is necessary!" Dick said hotly, unwilling to compromise. "She all but abandoned me and Cassidy most of our lives either to nannies or to Dad. When Dad went on the lame, Cassidy begged her to let him live with her, but she didn't want the inconvenience of her son in her life! Now she wants to come back here and pretend to be my mother! She wants to pretend to care! Well, screw that! She is not going to criticize you! Not now, not ever!"

Betina was unprepared for her laid-back son's rage. She was speechless as she had never seen him really angry.

"Dick, calm down," Mac said in concern, noticing how pale he was. "Sit down."

Dick suddenly felt light-headed, so he complied. Wallace went into the kitchen to get him something to drink.

Betina said nothing while Mac fussed over him, and Wallace handed him some water. Finally, she spoke.

"You're not a parent, so you can't possibly know what's it's like to carry a child inside of you, to nurture him, love him, and lose him in the most horrific way possible," she said quietly. She held her back straight and her head high. "Do I know I failed him? Of course, I do. Do I have regrets? They keep me up at night. But don't for one moment think I didn't love him or that I don't love you now. I'm sorry I didn't say it enough." Then she kept her head up as she slowly left.

Dick didn't know how to take her words. Were they supposed to make everything suddenly okay? Should he feel bad? All he felt was exhaustion.

"Man, that was intense," Wallace said with a grimace. "You okay, buddy?"

Dick shrugged. "I'm okay," he said warily. "I just can't believe her sometimes."

"She's scared she's going to lose the only son she has left," Mac said, trying to soothe him. "I can't imagine being a parent and losing your son to suicide."

"Or raising a murdering psychopath," Wallace added. When they both looked at him, he grimaced. "Sorry!"

Dick sighed. "You're not wrong," he admitted.

"How about we get you upstairs to bed?" Mac said.

Dick agreed and got to his feet. He hated being weak. Hopefully, though, a good nap would fix him right up. He didn't even have the energy to think about how to deal with his mother.

*****The Next Day****

Mac drove Dick to his early doctor's appointment. She was tired. Sleep was elusive the night before. All she could think about was Dick's health, the fight with his mother, and then Cassidy. Old guilt resurfaced. She'd wondered more than once how she had missed all that was wrong with Cassidy. So many times when she was with Lily, the loss of Meg would hit her. Although she'd only known Meg casually, it would sometimes hit her that Cassidy was the reason she had no mother. Someday, Lily would learn that fact, and Mac hoped that would be several years down the road. Now they had enough to deal with.

A short time later, the doctor was looking at Dick's latest echo result.

"Your blood pressure was a little elevated when you came in this morning, but your echo looks good. I think you're responding well to the meds," the doctor said. "Any side effects? Nausea?"

"Not really. I'm just more tired than normal," Dick said.

"That's to be expected," the doctor said. "You had a heart attack. However mild, a heart attack puts stress on the entire body. It's normal to feel fatigue."

"So can I go back to class and stuff? I'm so sick of my house," Dick said.

"Yes, you can. However, you need to limit your physical exercise until your blood pressure stays within the normal range. You need to check it in the morning and at night. Keep a log," he said.

"Seriously?" Dick asked in consternation.

"That's not a big deal, Dick," Mac said. "I'll get an app for your phone." She'd already got one of those easy blood pressure testers.

"Yes, that's a good idea," the doctor agreed.

"How long will I be like this?" Dick asked.

"You've been lucky. Your heart hasn't shown any strain until now. You've stayed in good physical shape. As long as you follow my instructions, take your meds, and be mindful, you'll live a normal, healthy life," he told Dick.

Mac closed her eyes a moment in relief. Dick grinned. "So we can have sex again?"

"Dick!" Mac said in embarrassment.

"What? He's a doctor. He's knows we have sex," Dick replied, his grin widening.

The doctor smiled. "Yes, as long as you feel up to it. No porn star imitations or anything," he teased.

Mac groaned and covered her face. Dick laughed. Finally, some good news.

******Friday******

Despite the doctor's go ahead that Dick could resume his sex life, Mac had a busy week. Things she'd put off to care for him, she'd resumed. His mother was still in town, and Mac had told him not to hold a grudge on her behalf. Although it stung that her boyfriend's mom had so little regard for her, it didn't alter her world. Betina didn't matter much to Dick—at least not the way Mac's mom mattered to her. So Mac decided to put the ugly encounter out of her mind and focus on a project she had for one of her classes and a paper in another. Now that Dick could resume his responsibilities at the frat house—within reason, of course—his evenings were busy, too. He would work only half days on Saturdays at Faces for a few more weeks before increasing his workload.

Dick didn't want to admit that he wasn't at full strength. He found himself going to bed by ten o'clock each night. Since his meds didn't allow him to drink—another new sucky reality he had to endure—he had no excuse to be up. Mac was busy, and she didn't stay the night. However, it gave him time to plan his big Valentine's Day plans. Her sister Lauren's school concert was the weekend of Valentine's Day.

Mac had convinced all her friends to come and cheer her sister. Lauren hadn't shared anymore ugly encounters with the mean girls at her school. However, Mac knew from experience that when one became a target, things didn't change much from day to day. She knew, though, that her brother would've told her if something big had occurred. Mac really wanted her sister to shine at the concert, so she wanted her to have a big cheering section. Logan, Veronica, Trina, Keith, and Alicia were already seated. She watched Duncan come in with Lily and waved. She knew that Wallace and Thea were going to make an appearance. Jazmin had even promised to drag Weevil to it. Mac grinned at the thought.

Lauren was surprised when more than Mac and Dick showed up to watch her sing. It made her nervous, but she was glad to have support. Nicole and Amanda had been making snide remarks all week whenever she'd tried to practice her song in choir practice. Naturally, their behavior had called her to mess up every time. Her sister's other parents also came. Ryan came with her. She was so relieved to see him.

"I'm glad you're here," she told Ryan.

Ryan smiled and gave her a hug. "Of course, I'm here. I'm prepared to come up on stage if you freeze up!" he teased. "You can serenade me!"

"Nope. She already promised to serenade me!" Dick said with a wink. "After all, I did almost die!"

"That's so not funny, Dick!" Mac said with a glare. It was too soon to joke about such a thing. However, Dick just grinned, unrepentant.

"Good luck, Lauren," Natalie Mackenzie told her. "We're going to go get a seat."

"We're coming, too," Mac said. She squeezed her sister's hand. "Knock'em dead!"

Lauren smiled gratefully. Ryan lingered, sensing she was very nervous.

"Are you okay?" he asked in concern.

"Yeah. I mean, I think so," Lauren said. Then she grimaced. "It's just that practice all week has been pretty awful. Nicole and Amanda have made a point of messing up my concentration."

"You can't let those girls get to you," Ryan told her. "They're jealous. Amanda thinks because her sister has got a signed contract with some music producer it somehow makes her special. Even Kristen has told me how insufferable she's become."

Lauren couldn't resist being honest for once when it came to Kristen. "I'm surprised to hear that. Kristen was there at least twice when they'd insulted me. She laughed like she found their insults funny."

"Seriously?" Ryan asked, pissed. He liked Kristen. She was hot and had let him get to third base already. However, he couldn't stomach this kind of crap, especially since Lauren didn't deserve it. The idea that his own girlfriend was encouraging the ill treatment of one of his best friends really made him angry.

Lauren grimaced, regretting her confession. Kristen wasn't as bad as some of the girls that were interested in Ryan. He could do worse—at least Kristen made an effort to be nice most of the time. "No. Just forget it. Kristen's not too bad. You could do worse," she said, offering him a smile.

Ryan, however, knew her too well. He decided to take more than subtle stance. "How about you and me hang out this weekend?" he suggested. "Forget about all these stupid girls and their stupid jealousy."

"What do you want to do?" Lauren asked.

"The Syfy channel is showing a bunch of those cheesy horror movies you like so much tomorrow night. It's their anti-Valentine's promo," Ryan said with a grin.

Lauren realized something. "Ryan, you can't make plans with me on Valentine's weekend," she said.

"I can do whatever I want," he said stubbornly. "Valentine's isn't until Sunday."

"Yes, but traditionally date nights are tonight or tomorrow night," she pointed out.

Brad came up to them. "Dude, did you see what Amanda's wearing?" he asked with a grin. "I think her sister's new success has gone to her head. She's looking like a mini-Lady Gaga!" He obviously relished whatever she was wearing, however, by his expression.

Ryan rolled his eyes. "I just hope it doesn't start a new fad," he said. "Lauren's going for the classy Celine Dion look." Lauren was wearing a simple spaghetti strapped black dress that flattered her figure. Her dark hair blanketed her face and fell down her back. Ryan blinked a moment, realizing how pretty she really was for the first time.

Brad smiled in approval at Lauren. "Yes, she is very cute," he said. "So are you going to blow the roof off this place or what?"

"I'll try," Lauren said, blushing. Brad was so good-looking. She never could say much when he was around. Ryan thought it was hilarious and winked at her discomfort. Then he got a mischievous look in his eyes.

"So, Brad, are you free tomorrow night?" he asked.

"You know I am," Brad said, grinning. "You don't ask a girl out on V-Day weekend unless you're like in love or something. Not going to happen with me anytime soon!" His parents were high school sweethearts, who married right after graduation. He thought it was lame and was determined that he never suffer such a fate.

"We were talking about having a monster-a-thon tomorrow night at Lauren's," Ryan said. "The anti-Valentine's Day celebration."

"What? My place?" Lauren said in near panic. The thought of Brad, the guy she'd been crushing on most of her life, in her room made her feel faint.

"You have that giant big screen TV in the movie room," Ryan reminded her.

"Sounds cool," Brad said. He grinned at Lauren. "As long as you have the good kind of popcorn!"

"Just so you know, Brad's a big girl when it comes to scary movies," Ryan teased.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lauren asked, taking offense.

"It means you shouldn't be surprised if he clutches you during the scary parts!" he said with a snicker.

Brad flipped him off just as the choir director approached. "Bradley! What's wrong with you? That kind of behavior won't be tolerated! Get to your seat!" the woman scolded.

"Yes, ma'am," Brad said with contrition. He glared at Ryan as he sauntered off.

"You, too, Ryan. Lauren needs to clear her mind and focus. We begin in five minutes," the woman said.

"Yes, Mrs. Barnett," Ryan said pleasantly. "I was just wishing Lauren good luck."

"Well, hurry up and get to your seat," Mrs. Barnett ordered before turning to greet a parent.

"I'm so going to kill you!" Lauren exclaimed. "How could you invite Brad to my house Valentine's Day weekend?"

"You're not worried about singing now, are you?" Ryan asked with a smug grin on his face.

"You do realize that Kristen is going to kill me if she finds out you're ditching her to hang out with me?" Lauren pointed out.

"Don't you worry about Kristen. I'll deal with her," Ryan said. He squeezed her hand. "Now go show those catty girls what true talent looks like!"

Lauren watched him walk off with affectionate frustration. Ryan was such a good friend, a godsend really. She'd once been very popular before her illness. Now, though, kids didn't know how to deal with a girl who'd come so close to death, a girl who could still be struck down by cancer's unforgiving strike.

However, she had no time to worry as she was motioned to the stage door.

Mac was sitting down next to Veronica and Dick with Lily in Mac's lap. This was Lily's first concert, and she was very excited.

"Are they going to sing, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"?" she asked hopefully.

"Probably not, sweetie," Mac said with a grin.

"But it's my favorite song," Lily protested.

"Mine, too," Dick said in solidarity.

Lily gave him a pleased look.

"I'm sure you'll like whatever they sing," Mac said. The curtain came up and the director came out and greeted them. The choir of about twenty high school students stood behind her.

"Where's your sister?" Lily asked.

"Whisper, Lily," Mac said quietly.

"Where's Lauren?" Lily whispered loudly, causing Dick to snicker.

"She's there on the end on the front row," Mac pointed. Veronica was politely moving over the people on their row. She'd promised Mac she'd get Lauren's special moment on camera.

"Where's Ronnie going?" Lily asked.

"To take pictures of Lauren. Now be quiet," Mac admonished as the choir began to sing. They sang three songs as a group before one of the girls stepped out to sing a solo line from the next song.

"What is she wearing?" Dick whispered, trying not laugh.

"That's Amanda Bishop, Carrie's sister," Mac said. The girl was pretty like Carrie but had more confidence and boldly went up to the mike to sing. Mac absent-mindedly noted she sang fine, but there wasn't anything special about her voice—unlike Lauren's. However, the girl's black and white large polka-dotted triangle shaped dress was too distracting. It had a circular hole cut out of the bodice with a black ribbon connecting to a spiked neck choker of sorts.

"What's that thing around her neck?" Lily asked too loudly, causing Dick to laugh.

"Quiet!" Mac told both of them. Her bio mom in front of them looked back with a frown. She elbowed Dick to get him to quit laughing.

Finally, it was time for Lauren's solo. Lauren hadn't mentioned that she'd be the final act.

"She's, like, closing out the show," Dick said in surprise. "That's a big deal, right?"

"Yes," Mac whispered. She was extremely proud but also anxious. If Lauren faltered during her song, it would stay with her a long time and make life at her school more difficult. She reached over and took Dick's hand, needing his support.

The music began to play as Lauren grabbed the mike. Slowly, she began to sing.

Every day is so wonderful
Then suddenly
It's hard to breathe
Now and then I get insecure
From all the pain
I'm so ashamed

The words rang out in the auditorium strong and clear. Mac knew the song "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera had really resonated with her sister. They had discussed what song to sing more than once. Her sister had been torn between two of Sarah McLachlan's songs before deciding on this one. She wanted to let the girls who'd been bothering her know that they wouldn't get the best of her. Her voice picked up momentum as she sang.

I am beautiful, no matter what they say,
words can't bring me down
No matter what we do, no matter what we say,
the sun will shine your way

To all your friends you're delirious
You're so consumed
In all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone
Left the puzzle undone
that's the way it is

You are beautiful
No matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
Oh no you are beautiful
In every single way
Yes words can't bring you down
Oh no so don't you bring me down today

No matter what we do
No matter what we say
The sun will shine your way
Cause you are beautiful today

Everywhere we go
The sun won't always shine
But tomorrow's another day
So keep on looking to the sky

We are beautiful
No matter what they say
Words can't bring us down
Oh no we are beautiful
In every single way
Yes words can't bring us down
Oh no so don't you bring me down today

Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today

Lauren felt the music sweep over her as she sang the words, emotion filling her voice. She wanted to turn around and sing directly to a few of the girls behind her. Instead, she half turned and glanced at Nicole and Amanda as she sang the chorus. She was three-fourths through the song when people began to clap and cheer, encouraging her further. She ended the final two lines in a soft crescendo. The room erupted into loud applause. People were on their feet, the clapping and whistles increasing. Lauren was absolutely stunned.

"Man, that was cool as shit!" Dick said to Mac as he clapped loudly.

Lily started to comment on his slip, but then Dick started yelling, "Encore!" His words were quickly echoed by Ryan and Logan. Then many others not in their group said it. Her voice was so surprising for someone so young. It had a rich timber to it that drew you in. However, the control and pitch were both so flawless that the notes had echoed throughout the large room.

Lauren looked a bit overwhelmed by the attention. She looked to her choir director for instruction. Mrs. Barnett came up and whispered something to her. She spoke back. Then the director hurried over to the piano guy and said something. Then she took the mike from Lauren and spoke.

"Well, we appreciate so much your enthusiasm. Thank you. Since you want it, Lauren has agreed to one more song. Then we must call it good night," she said. She handed back the mike to Lauren with a nod.

Lauren smiled. "Since it's Valentine's Day weekend, I thought I'd sing a love song. This is for my sister and her amazing boyfriend, Dick," she said. Of course, her selection also had something to do with the fact that she had to pick a song the piano player knew how to play since she hadn't prepared for an encore. Dick let out a whistle and waved. She grinned and waved back as the piano began to play.

Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger an endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower and you, it's only seed

It's the heart, afraid of breaking that never learns to dance
It's the dream, afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose

At first Mac was surprised at the Bette Midler song choice. It wasn't really a song teens today knew. However, she knew that it was one of her bio-mom's favorite songs. Then, though, she was more than a bit moved by hearing her sister sing a song that was made famous by one of the greatest female vocalists of the past fifty years. Naturally, her sister sang it so beautifully. Next to her, she heard Dick's whispered exclamation of "Holy shit!" Logan turned and added, "Totally!"

Mac was so proud of her sister and so grateful that she was able to experience this moment with her. It almost didn't happen. Should she be grateful to the horrible disease that finally brought her sister into her life? Wouldn't that make her the most awful person ever? Mac liked to think, though, she'd made a move to get to know her sister eventually. However, she knew how little she liked confrontation, so it was possible that without Lauren's cancer there would have never been a reason to get to know her sister.

She looked around and saw that everyone's eyes seemed to be glued to her sister. A few wiped tears. Of course, their mother did. Actually, both her mothers did. Jazmin at the very end of the row with Weevil seemed very affected. Weevil moved to put his arms around her.

When the song ended, the room was completely silent, not even a cough or rustle could be heard. Then Dick and Logan jumped to their feet and shouted a cheer. Mac followed, clapping proudly. Everyone was on their feet. They clapped for several minutes. It had been a long time since Neptune High actually produced a real vocalist.

When the noise died down and the director announced the concert was over, the crowd started to disperse. Lauren came off the stage and was surrounded by her family and friends. Dick picked her up in a big bear hug and twirled her around.

"Dude, you were amazing! I didn't know you could sing like that!" Dick enthused with a wide grin.

Lauren blushed but couldn't quit smiling. The night had been so amazing. Maybe the best of her life. Her parents hugged and congratulated her.

"This calls for ice cream!" her dad said. Everyone thought that sounded like a plan, and soon they all agreed on a location to meet up at.

Even Madison managed to give her a compliment. "And Carrie thinks she has talent just 'cause some producer gave her a contract. You could totally get one!" Madison informed her. Then she got out her phone to Facebook Carrie and post the video she'd recorded of her sister and the audience's reaction.

Ryan threw his arm around her, both proud and pleased at her success. Kristen came up to her and offered her an apparently sincere congratulations. Lauren thanked her politely and stepped out from beneath Ryan's arm. Then Kristen went up to Ryan and pulled him away from the crowd. Lauren mentally groaned; Kristen was soon going to hate her. Before she could worry too much, Brad approached her smiling.

"Wow! No wonder Amanda and Nicole are so worked up. You really showed them up!" Brad said happily.

Lauren gave him a bashful smile. "Well, I thought everyone sang great tonight. It was an amazing concert," she said modestly.

"Yes, but you were its star," he said with a knowing grin. He looked and saw his best friend looking annoyed as he talked to Kristen. "Ooh, oh, trouble in paradise!"

Lauren looked and cringed. "Kristen is going to hate me now," she said with a groan.

"Hey, we can tell her Ryan was hooking us up!" he suggested with a wink. He threw his arm around her shoulder. He liked Lauren. She wasn't like the other girls in the school. She didn't obsess over clothes or her hair and other dumb shit like that. Brad didn't find her presence irritating like some many of the 09er girls. Lauren never bored him to tears with mindless gossip about things or people he didn't care about. She was like one of the guys but prettier. However, Ryan had made it clear that none of them could trifle with her, so Brad made a point of putting her in the sister-friend category. Unlike Ryan, he had no sister, so he figured he would just borrow Ryan's adopted one.

"Are you coming, Lauren?" her mom asked.

"Yes," she said. She looked up at Brad. "We're going for ice-cream. You can come if you want."

"Cool. I'll drag Ryan's whipped ass out with me," Brad said in enjoyment.

Lauren hadn't dreamed her night would end on such a perfect note, so she just nodded and smiled before joining her family. Finally, something good had happened to her.

******The Casablancas'*****

Mac went home with Dick after spending two hours hanging with her family and friends at the ice-cream parlor. It was great celebrating Lauren, especially after the stress of the past week or so.

"That was a great night!" she said as they walked into his house.

"Yes, it was," Dick agreed. He yawned.

"Are you okay?" Mac asked in concern.

"I'm good. Just tired. Lately, I've been in bed by ten. It's past my bedtime," he said sheepishly.

Mac laughed. "Come on. I'll tuck you in," she said, taking his hand.

"I'd rather you stay in with me," he said with his old familiar lecherous grin.

"I can stay," she agreed. "But I'm not sure you're up for more than sleeping."

As they walked into his room, he pulled her close. "I think I can manage to go to first or second base with you," he announced, making her laugh.

She kissed him. Then she pulled back. "How about you let me take care of you?" she suggested as she began unbuttoning his shirt. He kicked off his shoes eagerly.

"I think I can handle that!" he agreed. He groaned in pleasure as she ran her hands down his bare chest. When she reached for his pants and began to unsnap them, he tensed in anticipation. Before unzipping, however, she pushed him back a few steps to his bed.

"I don't want you to overexert yourself," she explained. He stopped moving when the back of his knees hit his bed. She moved the pants down his legs, and he stepped out of them.

"You have too many clothes on!" he said meaningfully.

She smiled as she pushed him back on the bed still in his boxers. Then she slowly undressed herself.

"It's been too long since I've seen your beautiful, perfect breasts!" he said with a happy sigh. The thought that he could've died and never tasted them again was upsetting. However, he pushed aside the concerns that threatened to pervade the sensual scene she was setting.

"They've missed you," she said playfully. He reached out and lightly stroked them. Then he tugged on her waist, pulling her closer.

He kissed her slowly, almost reverently. Then he pulled back, brushing her hair from her face. "God, I love you so much. Don't ever leave me," he begged.

"I love you just as much," she said. "I can't imagine my life without you in it. You've got to take care of yourself and do everything the doctor says, okay?"

"I will. I'm not going anywhere," he vowed as he pulled her back in for another hungry kiss. He was positive that he needed years and years with her before he'd ever grow satisfied.

Mac let him have his kiss. Then she pulled back. "You're working too hard!" she said with a devilish grin. "Let me take care of you."

Dick's hands gripped his bedspread as she pulled down his boxers and did just that.

******Chapter End******