* * *
"So, when are we going to tell the kids?" Maddy asked, raising a fresh
cup of aromatic coffee to her lips. They were seated at a table for two in
the Cathedral restaurant of the resort's Cloister building, amid vaulted
ceilings, picture windows and Roman columns.
"Well," he began, covering one of her hands with his, "to be honest
sweetheart, I kind of already did. I mean, when you came back into my
life-when I knew you were still a free woman, there was no way I was
ever going to let you go again. Even before we laid eyes on each other, I
knew from just hearing your voice, I was going to do everything in my
power to make you mine, forever.
"But, now as a father, I realized I also had two other very important
people to consider. So, once I saw your beautiful face again and felt
secure in your feelings for me, I began to prepare Bonnie and Brian."
"Prepare them how?" Her voice was soft as she contemplated the
changes ahead for his two innocent children. While she reveled in her
newfound happiness, Madeline wished it didn't have to come at the
expense of their parents' marriage, though its failure rested squarely on
Erin and Ken. She'd long ago done the honorable thing by staying as far
away as possible, once apprised of their legal commitment; it was only
very recently that Ken had even come to mind, thanks to Ann, and by
then, the damage had already been done. Still, at ages 10 and 5, Bonnie
and Brian could hardly be expected to understand the intricacies of an
adult world.
Maddy listened with undivided attention as he relayed the countless
hours prior to the divorce spent talking with them about first and
foremost, his unending love and continued devotion to their needs.
Rather than criticize their mother, he gently explained that while both
parents would always be there for them, it had become impossible for
either one to live together as husband and wife. When an astute Bonnie
had inquired if it had anything to do with "Mommy's surgery," it basically
broke his heart.
"Maddy, you know the kind of man I am. None of that superficial
stuff matters to me. Look, I did love Erin and I just wanted her to be
happy. That's why I never stood in her way-not that I would've been
successful at talking her out of it in the first place. She'd gotten so caught
up the scene around here, hanging out with women who undergo plastic
surgery practically as a hobby; there was no reasoning with her." She
noted the wistfulness in his voice, along with the sad truthfulness of that
statement.
"And then one day I woke up and realized I didn't even know her
anymore." They both paused while their waiter presented them with their
entrées-a Greek omelet for her and Eggs Benedict for him, each served
with a side of fresh, ripe berries and old-fashioned oatmeal.
"Looks great, huh!" Ken enthused, relieved to shift his attention to
something much more uplifting.
"Sure does," Maddy agreed, although she also acknowledged it was
quite a bit more than she could handle in one sitting.
"You just enjoy it, sweetheart," he urged her, before adding
seductively, "You did work up an appetite, you know." She blushed.
"Uh, you too," she shot back, coyly. Then after noticing that their
waiter was safely out of earshot, she focused back on their serious
discussion.
"Well, I have to admit, Bonnie and Brian seem remarkably adjusted to
the divorce, as far as I can tell. I'm sure that has a lot to do with the fact
that you continued to live there for so long. And, don't get me wrong,
Kenny, I am really excited about being a part of their lives. But I am a little
nervous about it, too. I mean, it is one thing for them to accept the
divorce; it's entirely another to accept me as their father's new wife."
"You worry too much, you know that sweetheart?" His tone was
gentle, though his words caused a somewhat defensive reaction.
"Ken! I'm serious!"
"Madeline so am I," he replied soberly. "I've had many discussions
with them about my intention to ask you to marry me, and they were
absolutely thrilled about it. They think you're awesome, just as I do."
"Really?"
He reached across the table and laid his hand on top of hers. "Really,"
he repeated, holding her gaze. "Madeline everything is going to be fine,
you'll see. I am not going to promise you that it will always be easy. I'm
not saying it won't be a big adjustment, because it definitely will. And I
know on paper, this is not what you would've preferred-a divorced guy
with two young kids. Maybe it's not fair for me, after all of these years, to
ask you to take us on. But I swear to you, I will stand beside you the
entire way; you will always have my support. No one and nothing will ever
come between us again; I won't allow it. Not after having the incredibly
good fortune of finding you again. I love you, Maddy. Don't ever doubt
that."
His earnest plea melted her heart even as she silently admitted to
some lingering insecurities where Erin was concerned. "Kenny," she
began, "I know now how much you love me, how much you've always
loved me. And I also trust that you will stand by me, no matter what. I
would never have accepted your proposal if I thought otherwise. It's just
that-well, how does Erin feel about all this, do you know? As their
mother, I am sure she has an opinion. And if I recall, she didn't like me
very much way back when, although I can hardly hold that against her.
Had I been in the same position, I probably would have reacted the same
way."
"You still remember that barbeque? Oh God, Maddy, that was a
lifetime ago! You're right, I can honestly tell you now she was less than
thrilled by your presence, but it wasn't a personal thing. I guess that
should've been my first clue to call off the wedding; even Erin could
plainly see the unresolved energy between us."
"I remember she excused herself and went to bed early," Maddy
noted. "After I left that night, I vowed never to call or see you again. I
don't why I thought I was strong enough to just-poof!-transition into
being friends, while watching you give your love and devotion to another
woman." She snapped her fingers for effect. "Seriously! What was I
thinking? I was so overwhelmed by everything-adjusting to a different
state, making new friends, trying to get my bearings-I guess my
judgment was all screwed up."
"I never should have expected you to just segue into being my buddy.
And to actually hope that you and Erin could be friends, so she could
have a social life outside of me. That really wasn't very fair to you. I'm
sorry, Madeline."
"Hey, Kenny, it's all behind us, now. And we've both forgiven each
other for the mistakes of the past. All I'm concerned about this very
moment is how to forge some kind of civil relationship with her for the
sake of our marriage and your children."
"Oh, she'll be civil to you if I have anything to say about it. Besides,
she's all caught up in her romance with a retired CEO, an older guy with
lots of cash. They're the typical Boca couple-he buys her everything she
wants and she provides him with the eye candy he needs to satisfy his
ego."
"I can't think of anything more unsatisfying," Maddy sighed.
"That's 'cause you're one in a million, sweetheart. Now stop worrying
and finish your breakfast. Today is all about celebrating, and there's a lot
more ahead!"
They toasted coffee cups to their new life together, before digging in
to the fabulous meal spread out before them.