Chapter 15: Bedtime Stories
. . .
''Why can't I still sleep with you?'' Lily asked sadly. She was sitting on her new bed, already wearing a pajamas. They had spent the whole day unpacking their stuff and then shopping for things for the kids' rooms, as they wanted to give them the best atmosphere possible.
After they had come back Lily spent almost the whole evening in her room, leaving it reluctantly only to eat dinner. But as bedtime approached, she suddenly didn't seem to like the idea of spending the night in it.
''Because you have your own little bed now.'' Jo told her. ''Don't you want to sleep in it?''
Lily looked at her, and then she looked at Mac who was standing next to her bed, leaning against the windowsill. She seemed indecisive.
''You have the bed linens with bunnies and carrots that you chose for yourself. You have your violet blanket. And Mr. Whiskers! He seems to like it in here, doesn't he?'' Jo asked, adjusting the gray bunny near Lily's pillow.
''I guess...'' Lily sighed.
''We'll be just across the hall. Only a few steps away.'' Jo assured her.
''But what if they come and take me?'' Lily asked quietly, plucking at the loose thread of the blanket.
''Who?'' Jo asked.
''Some bad guys.'' She answered even more quietly than before. Jo cast a glance at Mac and she sighed. ''Like they did to Rickie.'' Lily added.
''No one will come and take you. You have nothing to worry about. You're safe here.'' Jo assured her. ''I'll read you a story and then you'll try to fall asleep, OK?'' Jo told her as she opened the book, but Lily didn't answer, only glanced at Mac and gave him the look she always gave him when she wanted something. But this time, it wasn't about getting another cookie or to be able to play for 5 more minutes. This time it was more serious, as both Jo and Mac knew that she was scared by the idea of sleeping alone.
''I'll be right back.'' Mac murmured and left the room. Jo sighed, as she thought he decided to run away before giving up and letting Lily sleep in their bedroom with one of them. She looked at Lily and held the duvet for her.
''Jump in.'' She said and Lily reluctantly moved under the duvet and lay down. Jo smiled at her, but she didn't reciprocate her smile, so Jo reached out and lightly stroked her curls. Then she showed her the book that had a cute puppy on the cover.
''Who Said 'Meow'?'' She read.
When Mac came back, Jo was already in the middle of the book and Lily was struggling to keep her eyes open. As soon as he entered the room, Lily stopped listening to the story and took a curious look at what he was holding.
''What's that?'' She asked.
''You know that Jo and I catch bad guys for living?'' Mac asked.
''Yes.'' Lily nodded.
''Not do we only know how to catch them, we also know how to scare them away.'' He said. He showed Lily a small jar with some powder. ''That's a magic powder. It keeps the bad guys away. They can't even enter the room where it was used.'' He explained. He opened the jar and took some on a brush, then he shook it off on the floor near Lily's bed. She glanced at the floor.
''I can't see anything.'' She said.
''Ahh, that's why it's magic. You can only see it in special light.'' Mac said, placed the jar and the brush on the nightstand and reached for the UV lamp. Then he looked at Jo, who instantly understood. She got up, moved to the door and turned the overhead lights off. Lily shifted on the bed in order to get a better look at what Mac was doing. He bent over slightly and moved the lamp close to the carpet, making the powder glow.
''Wow...'' Lily whispered.
''Cool, huh?'' Mac asked, smiling at her and she nodded in response. He scattered around some more of the powder. ''Now you're safe.'' He told Lily.
''Thank you.'' She squealed happily and stretched her arms towards Mac. He bent over and gave her a hug. When he pulled away Lily smiled at him and then yawned widely.
''You want me to read the rest of the story to you?'' Jo asked.
''Maybe tomorrow.'' She said and turned to her side, hugging Mr. Whiskers with both her arms and closing her eyes.
''OK then.'' Jo said with a smile. She gave her a kiss and moved closer to the door where Mac was standing. She took one, last look at Lily. Her bed was lit by soft, pink light by a little heart-shaped night-light and she seemed to be already asleep.
Jo and Mac quietly left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.
''That was amazing.'' Jo told Mac with a beaming smile. ''I'd never think of the fluorescent powder.''
''I guess I have to stock us up with some.'' He said, looking inside the jar that was half empty.
''I think she'll get used to sleeping alone pretty quickly.'' Jo predicted. ''Come on, I'll make us some tea.'' She said, putting her arm around his shoulder with intention of leading him to the kitchen.
''I'll be right there, I want to check on Rick.'' He told her.
''OK.'' She smiled at him and walked to the kitchen.
Two mugs with steaming tea were already placed on the counter when Mac entered the kitchen.
''He's reading. I told him I'll check on him again in an hour.'' Mac said and took one of the mugs.
''How is he? Do you think he's... happy with all this?'' Jo asked with hesitation. ''I mean... you know, he doesn't talk much about how he feels or shows it, so...''
''I think he is.'' Mac assured her. ''He doesn't really like changes, so he's slightly overwhelmed, but I'm sure he's fine.''
Jo studied him for a moment, thinking how much Rick was like Mac. For her happiness was something that was very easy to be noticed. It was something that burst out of her – if she was happy, everybody knew it. For Rick and Mac, it was completely different. Happiness seemed to be a quiet calm that made all the fears and worries disappear. She smiled at the thought. She knew that she would always have a problem recognizing it, but then – there was Mac. He could tell easily when something was wrong with Rick because his way of dealing with feelings was exactly the same.
Jo give him a glance at the moment when he sniffed his tea and made a face.
''What?'' She asked with a frown.
''What kind of tea is this?'' Mac asked her as he sniffed it again. She took the other mug and looked inside.
''Mine.'' She said. ''This one is yours. Regular black tea.'' She took the mug from him and gave him the other one. ''This one is jasmine green tea.'' Mac carefully studied the contest of the mug Jo gave him. Finally, he took a cautious sip. ''Is it OK now?'' Jo asked him.
''It is.'' He nodded. ''Thank you.''
They moved to the living room and sat down on the couch. Jo tucked her feet up under her and took her mug in both of her hands. Mac took the remote control, turned the TV on and went directly to the Discovery Channel.
''Oh, look. 'Mysterious Deaths'.'' He announced happily and Jo rolled her eyes.
''Seriously? You don't get enough of those during your work hours?'' She asked.
''So what do you want to watch?'' He asked, slightly miffed. He flipped the channels quickly, hoping that there wouldn't be anything good on and they would go back to Discovery Channel.
''Wait, wait! Go back.'' Jo told him. As he did, she said, ''This one is good.''
'' 'Supernatural' ?'' Mac asked with doubt.
''Unless you're scared.'' She teased and he only gave her the look. He placed the remote control down, indicating that he wouldn't be arguing on her choice. ''Oh, and this guy is cute.'' She said and took a sip of her tea. It was Mac's turn to roll his eyes. ''Even though he could be my son...'' She added.
''I guess you're right.'' He murmured.
''Geeez, thanks.'' She huffed upon hearing him.
''What? You said it, not me.'' Mac noted, furrowing his eyebrows and trying to figure out what he did wrong.
''Well, yea... But you could always deny it.'' Jo told him.
''He seems to be, what? Twenty-something?'' Mac estimated. ''While you're...''
''OK, OK, I get it.'' Jo cut him off abruptly.
''Not to mention he looks rather dull to me.'' Mac added, as he thought it would be safer to change the subject.
''He isn't!'' Jo protested. ''I think those expressions he makes are cute.''
''I always thought that women prefer the strong and silent type. Unreadable. Mysterious. Like Cary Grant.'' Mac said slowly. Jo turned to him and eyed him for a moment, clearly amused. He sensed her eyes on himself and turned his head to meet her glance.
''Well, maybe some.'' She agreed hesitantly.
''While the others prefer the cute ones as they make their maternal instincts kick-in.'' He finished teasingly.
''You're terrible.'' Jo laughed.
''But it's true, isn't it? You'd like to take care of him.'' He teased her further, but she only smirked as he had no intention of answering that. ''While a real man would take care of you.'' He added, suddenly sounding more serious.
''Is that so?'' She asked and placed her mug down on the coffee table. She was now fully turned towards him, resting her head on her hand that she placed on the back of the couch. ''What makes you think that I need anyone to take care of me?''
''I didn't say that.'' Mac shook his head. ''It's not always about what we need, but what we want. Especially with women. Thirty pair of shoes, triple layered chocolate cake, jewelry...'' He reached out, wanting to touch the pedant of Jo's necklace, but at the very last moment, he decided it wouldn't be appropriate so he just motioned at it and withdrew his hand.
Jo had noticed his gesture and for a moment she had thought that he wanted to touch her. But he didn't. She couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed by that. She suddenly felt awkward, so she moved away a little bit and took her mug again. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw how Mac sighed deeply and turned his gaze towards TV.
''Is it me or is it a little cold in here?'' She said and slowly rubbed her own arm with her free hand. She wasn't sure if he heard her when suddenly he stood up without saying a word. It made her frown a little, but before she could even think about it, Mac was back in the living room. He handed her the yellow blanket that she placed on her bed earlier.
''Here.'' He said quietly.
''Thank you.'' Jo told him with a smile, gladly accepting the blanket. She wanted to wrap herself in it, but she hesitated. ''Umm... do you want to... share it?'' She asked.
''No, thanks. I'm good.'' He assured her. Then he glanced at the TV and saw the ending credits. ''Is it over?'' He asked with an undisguised hope. ''No more Mr Cute?''
''Nope.'' Jo said, snuggling down. ''But don't think we're gonna watch Discovery Chanel now.'' She told him and quickly grabbed the remote control before he reached for it. They watched the news and then, as a compromise, some document about politics, which was so boring that it almost lulled Jo to sleep.
Neither of them would admit it, but they both were doing everything they could to put off the going to sleep, as they were afraid that it would feel awkward. Finally Jo couldn't stop her yawing anymore, as tiredness started to take over her.
''I think I'll go to sleep...'' She said with hesitation. She glanced at Mac, but he seemed to be focus at skipping over the channels. As soon as he sensed her gaze on himself he lifted his head and looked at her.
''I'll stay a little longer.'' He told her and she nodded. Then she left the room.
He waited about an hour and only then that he decided to go to sleep as well. He took a quick shower and changed into his long pajama pants and white T-shirt. When he quietly entered the bedroom he was hoping that Jo was already asleep, but she was still awake. She was sitting on her bed, reading some magazine and putting lotion on her arms. He instantly recognized the delicate fragrance he had smelled on her the other day. She looked up at him and he smiled shyly. He got into the bed and turned the bedside lamp on. At the same time, Jo placed the bottle of lotion and the magazine on her bedside table and turned her lamp off.
''Umm... do you mind the light? I can always turn it off.'' Mac asked politely.
''Not at all.'' She said with a smile and lay down on her side.
He nodded and opened the drawer of his bedside table. He was about to take out a book, when he saw Claire's photo. He slowly reached for it and took it out. Just like every night, right before he went to sleep. It was his habit – he had to look at her, hoping that he would see her in his dreams.
''That's... your wife?'' Jo asked softly.
''Yes, that's Claire.'' He nodded, not taking his eyes off the photograph.
''She's very pretty.'' Jo said quietly. ''Especially her smile.''
''Yes, she was...'' Mac answered back in a soft voice.
He didn't know that Jo was watching him. She was lying on her side, facing him with her arm under her head. She loved the softness of Mac's features when he was talking about his late wife. The way he was saying her name, like he was caressing the word. But there was also so much pain and longing in his voice. It always made her teary to see him so mournful.
''How did you two meet?'' She asked suddenly.
''How did we meet?'' He repeated after her with evident surprise in his voice. Then he smiled. ''I saw her for the first time in a coffee shop I visited often for breakfast. She was still in college back then and she worked there during the summer.''
''What did she look like?'' Jo asked. She finally gave up to tiredness and closed her eyes.
''When I saw her for the first time? She was wearing a summer dress. Very colorful, with some floral pattern. She had freckles all over her face and her shoulders. Little kisses from the sun.'' His voice trailed off and he smiled at his memories. ''I knew that she liked me as she was blushing so much every time I entered the coffee shop. And one day, she poured the oatmeal I ordered all over me.'' He said with a chuckle and Jo smiled. She felt like a little girl that was being told a fairytale. His voice was so soft and low, laced with emotions. ''She wasn't the perfect choice for a waitress. But she was perfect for me.'' He finished. He remained silent, thinking of all those years he had spent with Claire. They shared so many sweet, precious moments.
He hadn't allowed himself to recall those memories after her tragic death, as it caused him too much pain. Only now did they start to slowly come back to him and they didn't feel so bitter anymore. He used to think he wouldn't be happy ever again without her. But he was happy now, even though it was a different kind of happiness. He slowly brushed his thumb over her face and for the first time since Claire's death, he smiled back at her photo. Her smile... It wasn't something that wouldn't happen anymore. Quite the opposite – she would be smiling at him forever, as if her smile was magically captured inside the little frame.
He had always been anxious about how it would make him feel to move on, to be happy again. He used to think it would be like a betrayal, like forgetting about her. But now he understood it was completely different. Allowing himself to be happy again meant that he started to remember Claire the way he knew she would have wanted him to remember her – as a gift, not as a tragic loss.
He silently told her goodnight and carefully placed the photo inside the drawer. Then he glanced at Jo. Her eyes were closed. He didn't feel like reading anymore, so he turned off the lamp.
''Goodnight, Jo.'' He said quietly, but there was no answer. She was already asleep.
. . .
As usual, Mac woke up to the first rays of sunshine. The first thing he registered was the chirping of birds outside the window. He smiled lightly at the thought that he would be hearing this sound every morning now. He stretched himself languidly and thought about the dream he had. He was in a kitchen that he didn't recognize when someone lovingly wrapped arms around him from behind, exactly the way Claire used to do. He felt her feminine body snuggling against his back. And then he heard a whisper – her soft voice telling him how much she loved him. He hadn't had a dream like this for years. It felt so real, almost like she was back with him. He wanted to see her, to look into her eyes. But when he turned around, he didn't look into Claire's beautiful green eyes. He looked into hazel ones instead... He let out a deep sigh as it seemed that despite his efforts, the memories of his beloved wife were slowly fading away.
He stretched himself once more and opened his eyes. He looked around the room, wondering if he should get up and go for a run in order to wake up completely. But then his gaze fell on the bed next to his. He smiled as he saw how Jo was sleeping. Only then he understood why she had insisted on sleeping with two pillows, as one was beneath her head and the other was tightly cuddled to her chest. There was something feline-like about her, as she slept curled into a ball, occupying only little space on her bed.
He couldn't take his eyes off of her. During the day she was full of life, full of energy that sometimes he found it hard to keep up with her. But now she looked so peaceful. He could watch her without worrying that she might catch him while doing so. He let his gaze slowly glide over her features. For some strange reason, it felt as if he was seeing her for the first time in his life. As if he was looking at her, but not seeing before.
He had no idea how long he was watching her, when suddenly; a quiet creak of the door caught his attention. He looked in the direction from where it was coming from and he saw Lily standing in the doorway.
''Hiiii!'' She squealed happily, seeing that he was already awake. He smiled at her and before he realized, she climbed onto his bed and crawled towards him. Then she cuddled to him.
''Hi.'' He answered, smiling unconsciously. She was still warm from her sleep and she smelled like candies and bubble gum. He was amazed how such a little human being was able to make him deliriously happy. He kissed her head and she looked up at him.
''What?'' She asked as she saw his face.
''I'm just happy to see you.'' He told her truthfully.
''Why?'' She asked curiously.
''Because I love you.'' He simply answered. It was the first thing that came to his mind, yet when he heard his own voice, he froze. He hadn't spoken those words for so long. What was more, he used to think he wouldn't say them aloud ever again. Despite it all, here he was – saying them as if they were the most natural thing for him to say. He glanced at Lily, slightly anxious what she would think of him saying those words and feeling this way about her. But before he was able to look at her face, she snuggled closely to his chest.
''I love you too.'' She replied. He stroked her hair and smiled. As she felt his touch, she looked up at him and gave him a big smile. Then she yawned widely.
''Did you sleep well?'' He asked her.
''Yes.''
''No bad dreams?''
''Nope.'' She said and shook her head, sending her curls bouncing in every direction. He brushed them off her face and smiled again as he realized how ruffled they were from her sleep.
''That's good.'' He said softly.
Lily looked around. ''Your bed's bigger than mine.'' She noted.
''That's because I'm bigger than you.'' He told her and tickled her. She laughed aloud and Mac glanced at Jo, thinking that the noise Lily was making had to wake her up. But she didn't even stir. Lily followed his gaze.
''Why is Jo still sleeping?'' She asked, sounding slightly disappointed.
''She's a really heavy sleeper. It's not so easy to wake her up.'' Mac explained.
''Like Sleeping Beauty?'' Lily asked.
''Yea... something like that.''
''You should wake her up then!'' Lily said, turning her gaze to him.
''Me? Umm... Why don't you do that?'' He quickly offered, understanding the idea where Lily was going with the fairytale reference.
''OK.'' She agreed willingly. She slid off Mac's bed and walked towards Jo's. Then she climbed onto it and leaned over her to study her face. Mac almost chuckled as he imagined Jo opening her eyes right now and getting startled by Lily's face being just a few inches away from hers. Finally, Lily kissed Jo's cheek lightly. But it seemed to be too light to wake her up.
''It isn't working.'' Lily complained, looking at Mac.
''Try again.'' He advised her. She nodded and kissed Jo's cheek again and then again. After a few times Jo finally started to stir and opened her eyes slowly.
''Hi, Jo!'' Lily exclaimed upon seeing it and Jo's eyes instantly flew open. She looked confused for a moment, but then she playfully grabbed Lily and pulled her to the pillow.
''Oh, you little monster! Couldn't you wake up Mac instead of me?'' She asked with laughter.
''He was already awake and watching you when I came in here!'' Lily told her happily.
Mac's cheeks flushed with embarrassment upon hearing what Lily had just said. He felt like crawling under a rock. But fortunately, Jo didn't seem to notice.
''But he wasn't enough for you to pester, huh?'' Jo asked, trying to sound menacing, but her laughter was giving her away.
''Nope! I want both of you to be awake.'' Lily told her. ''I'm hungry!'' She added, causing Mac to roll his eyes. It seemed like one of those two was always hungry. Jo laughed and then whispered something into Lily's ear, which made her smile widely.
''Mac, Mac! Can you make pancakes, please?'' She asked and Mac glanced at Jo, narrowing his eyes, as he was sure whose idea it was. ''Pleeeeaseeee?'' Lily begged.
''Well, I don't know... It's hard work, you know?'' Mac pretended to be hesitating. ''Maybe if someone gave me a kiss, I'd change my mind...?'' He wondered aloud. Lily caught up instantly what he meant and left Jo's bed in order to get back to Mac. He pulled her up on his bed and she kissed his cheek. Then she pulled away and looked at him expectantly. ''All right.'' Mac agreed. ''I can make two pancakes for you.''
''Yaaay!'' Lily exclaimed happily.
''Only two?'' Jo asked with disappointment.
''I don't think such a small girl can eat more.'' Mac said seriously as he eyed Lily up and down.
''How about me?'' Jo asked and pouted.
''Well, I didn't see you asking so I assumed you don't want any.'' Mac teased her.
''I do!'' Jo protested. ''Pleeeaseeee?'' She asked, mimicking Lily's tone, but Mac only wrinkled his nose.
''I'm still not convinced...'' He admitted.
''Oh, you...'' Jo groaned and tossed the duvet aside. Then she got up and moved closer to his bed. She sat on the edge next to Lily. Mac's warm, masculine smell teased her nostrils as she leaned towards him. She let her lips softly brush against his cheek. She felt the rough texture of his skin and she had to fight the urge to bring her hand up to caress his cheek and feel his morning stubble against her fingers. ''How about this?'' She asked, pulling away.
''Much better.'' Mac said, trying to hide a dreamy smile that he was sure was painted all over his face.
''Why don't you two sleep together?'' Suddenly some voice asked and Mac shuddered slightly, as it was like someone asked aloud the exact question that was resounding in his head right now.
He glanced towards the door and saw Rick standing at the entrance, watching them carefully. ''Mom and dad didn't sleep together only when they argued.'' He shared his observation.
''Oh, no. We didn't argue.'' Jo assured him quickly.
''It's just much comfortable that way as... Jo kicks in her sleep.'' Mac explained, trying to keep a serious face. ''I'd be all bluish from bruises.'' He added. Jo turned to him and narrowed her eyes at him.
''And Mac snores. Like a bear.'' She bit back and he laughed at her quick thinking.
. . .
A/N Soooo here comes another chapter :) Again, it was corrected by Jess, despite the fact that she's terribly busy right now. Many thanks to you, gal pal.
Many thanks for those of you who had reviewed the last chapters – I'm really sorry that I haven't thank you 'personally', via PMs, but I had to limit my activity on the site. Anyway, all reviews and other forms of support are still appreciated :)