Maggie’s Marriage
Book Two in the Cloverleaf Series
Tales from Birch Valley
By Gloria Herrmann
Maggie’s Marriage
Copyright © 2015 by Gloria Herrmann.
All rights reserved.
First Print Edition: January 2016
Limitless Publishing, LLC
Kailua, HI 96734
www.limitlesspublishing.com
Formatting: Limitless Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1-68058-422-6
ISBN-10: 1-68058-422-7
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to marriage. As a married woman, I have experienced the battles of compromise and utter frustration. I have also found my partner, my best friend, and an overall incredible human being. Marriage takes work, patience, and a tremendous amount of love. We both learned this from our parents, and only hope to set the same example for our children.
Traveling on this road toward the hopes of a successful marriage, we have enjoyed the times when it was smooth and scenic, we have encountered the bumps in the road and obstacles that life threw at us, but there is no one else I would want to share this ride with. I’m thankful to have married such a wonderful man; one who has patience, and who supports and encourages me regardless of my successes or failures, and who just gets me. I love you, Tim.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Chapter One
Maggie
Maggie Trembley clutched her queasy stomach. The pungent smell of the raw sea was not settling well with her today. She slowly sucked in the damp air through clenched teeth, trying to push past the urge to empty the contents of her stomach. She watched as her daughter got into line with the other students. The teacher tried to command the excited group of children, who were more interested in poking each other and giggling than listening to their teacher. Melanie, Maggie’s child, was trying to follow directions the best a six-year-old could, but it helped that her mother’s watchful eyes were targeted on her. Melanie’s rust-colored, bobbed hair swung right below her chin. She sent Maggie a wide smile which showed she was missing her two front teeth.
Thick, angry, gray clouds threatened to burst open on that spring day in Seattle. Maggie felt the cool ocean breeze swim lightly in the salty air, blowing through her own chestnut-colored waves. She reached back, trying to smooth her tresses, and was thankful that the majority of this field trip was indoors. It wouldn’t be the first time she or any of the residents in the city would get caught in an outrageous downpour, but who really wanted to be out in the rain? She wasn’t in the mood for it today, that much was certain.
That was one of the drawbacks of living in this wet and busy place; it was nothing like back home in Birch Valley. Sure, Birch Valley had rain, it was probably even snowing there right now, but Maggie missed that wonderful little place that, at the moment, felt so far away.
In the almost eight years she had lived in Seattle, she still wasn’t quite used to it. Recently, Maggie had been more homesick than ever before. She knew a lot of that had to do with the irritation she felt with her husband, Michael, and his constant absence at home. Michael, who was trying desperately to make partner at the law firm where he was a corporate defense attorney—the same firm where they had met and ultimately fell in love. Maggie knew there were more reasons why she missed Birch Valley, but right now, dealing with Michael never being around was ranking high on the list.
They had recently returned from a lovely weekend camping trip. Nestled deep in the woods of Birch Valley in their RV, sharing a nice time with her family, only made her longing worse. Coming back to the bright lights of the Puget Sound, the streets thick with traffic, and Michael leaving for the office only moments after they arrived home, reminded her just how lonely she was here.
The teacher announced to the children that they would be getting into different groups and were to be on their best behavior at the aquarium. Maggie smiled weakly at the teacher as she was given a handful of children to chaperone, Melanie clinging protectively next to her. The teacher passed a sheet to her and the other parents who had tagged along with the day’s itinerary. Looking over at her daughter, Maggie announced to her small group of first graders that it was time to see some fish.
The tanks were filled with colorful fish that captured the attention of the children only briefly. As she eyed the little ones, Maggie was jealous of all the energy they possessed. She tried to keep up with the children; corralling them at various exhibits proved to be very difficult and exhausting. Their lunch break was a little calmer as the little ones enjoyed their sack lunches and shared what they loved seeing.
“Mom, are you having fun?” Melanie asked, taking a good sized bite out of her ham sandwich.
Maggie was nibbling slowly on a wheat cracker; it was all that her stomach could handle. “Yes, this is such a neat place. Are you enjoying yourself sweetie?”
“Oh yes, it’s awesome. You don’t look so happy, Mom.” Melanie’s green eyes flickered with concern for a brief second.
Maggie avoided Melanie’s questioning stare, diverting her attention to the other children who were seated around them. Why did children always have to be so darn perceptive?
Maggie reached over for her daughter and pulled her close. “I’m so happy to be here with you, Mel.”
That was enough to appease her curious girl, and Maggie was thankful as another wave a nausea swept through her.
The remainder of the field trip went as smooth as a field trip with a pack of six-year-olds could go. There had been some mild horseplay, tattle-telling, and plenty of restroom breaks. Maggie counted the minutes until they were all rounded up to get back on the bus to the elementary school. She enjoyed spending the day with her daughter, who was now thoroughly obsessed with sea creatures thanks to a fantastic tour guide and a not-so-amused red octopus.
Melanie chattered endlessly about everything she had seen at the aquarium on the ride home.
“What should we get for dinner?” Maggie asked as she weaved through the congested Friday evening traffic. The rain had let up, but left enormous standing puddles on the narrow streets.
“Whatever you want, Mom.” Melanie was in the backseat, staring out the window.
“Fish and chips?” Maggie teased.
“Mom, that isn’t funny. I love fish, but not to eat.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “I’m just kidding, Mel. How about pizza?”
“Yay, pizza!”
Maggie shifted the car and drove toward their favorite pizza place, which was ne
ar their neighborhood.
***
After reading Melanie her favorite bedtime story twice, she finally fell asleep. Maggie turned off her light and ventured out to the living room. Their small, two-bedroom condo was dark and quiet tonight. Maggie covered her mouth as she yawned loudly; she was completely exhausted by the time they got home from the field trip and pizza dinner. She stood by the large living room window and looked out at the glittering city lights of downtown Seattle. Where was Michael? She needed to talk to him. What she had to tell him couldn’t wait much longer. She dreaded having this conversation with him, but knew she didn’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter.
When they had been on the camping trip, she felt like there was hope for their marriage. They agreed on the drive back that he would put their family first, but once they had returned things instantly went back to how they had always been. Maggie was tired of feeling like she was the solo parent raising their daughter. These lonely nights, not knowing exactly where he was or when he would crawl into bed, were driving her mad, and she had had about as much as she could take.
Then there were those itching suspicions. Was he having an affair with the young, attractive receptionist who always gave Maggie a chilly welcome when she would stop in to visit Michael for an impromptu lunch date? How about the paralegal with the legs that went on forever? Maggie knew her husband was still attracted to her, but she used to work at that firm. She wasn’t stupid; she knew the types of things that went on there. It didn’t help that Michael fit the tall, dark, and devilishly handsome type either. Maggie could recall different women at the office drooling over him right in front of her. She felt insecure, it was as simple as that. Sure, Maggie’s figure took a little hit when she was pregnant with Mel, but she tried to fight Mother Nature and gravity by going to the gym several times a week. She remembered being the young, attractive receptionist at one time, the one with the toned and tight body that all the attorneys stared at. Michael used to lavish attention on her, spoil her downright rotten, and he’d charmed his way into more than her heart. Sometimes things changed after you have a baby. She had been warned by some of the other attorney’s wives, who seemed so bitter and lonely, much like Maggie was now.
Maggie plopped down on the couch, misery quickly invading her thoughts, leaving her feeling empty. She placed her hand protectively over her belly. She had so much she needed to tell her husband.
***
Maggie’s eyes fluttered open as a moment of confusion washed over her sleepy brain. Her body was stiff from falling asleep on the couch. The room was still dark as she sat up to get her bearings. She peered over at the clock; it was almost three. Maggie stretched and pulled away from the couch and moved toward her bedroom. The bed was still made, and there was no sign of her husband. Slipping under the covers, Maggie felt tears of anger stinging behind her eyelids. Another night without Michael by her side. She was asleep again before she knew it.
“Can I have cereal for breakfast?”
Maggie could hear her daughter yelling from the kitchen. She started to rise out of bed when she felt her stomach flip flop. Maggie moved with a quickness to the adjoining bathroom and emptied last night’s dinner into the toilet. She could hear little feet scampering toward her.
“Are you sick, Mom?” Melanie’s little voice squeaked.
Wiping her mouth, Maggie managed to say, “Mommy’s okay.”
“Can I have cereal for breakfast?” Melanie repeated. Maggie could only answer by nodding her head. That was enough for Melanie, who ran off to scarf down a sugary breakfast as fast as she could.
Sitting on the cold tiled floor next to the toilet, she knew why she had been sick and she wasn’t the least bit happy about it. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, a small portion of her sang with joy at the thought of having another baby. She just wasn’t thrilled at the idea of Michael always being absent, and she wasn’t so sure she could handle two children if she ever decided to leave him. Maggie had been feeling so conflicted lately, with far too many emotions bombarding her.
Morning sickness had become a daily ritual, and Maggie was well acquainted with every porcelain crevice of her toilet. She planned on seeing her doctor this week to confirm what a cheap test from the grocery store had already told her. She didn’t even bother telling Michael her suspicion yet, and it hadn’t been difficult hiding any of her symptoms from him either. With him trying to make partner, he spent more time at his office. She wanted to discuss the pregnancy and their marriage last night, but he had never come home.
“Mom, Grams is on the phone,” Melanie announced from somewhere in the house. Maggie hadn’t even heard the phone ring.
She climbed off the cold tile and managed to splash some water on her face before Melanie came running into the bathroom, shoving the phone into her hand.
“Hi, Mom,” Maggie croaked, her throat still coated with lingering bile.
“Oh, sweetie, you don’t sound too good,” Mary O’Brien’s voice said soothingly over the line.
Maggie knew she had to proceed with caution. Her mother was excellent at figuring out exactly what was going on with her children.
“I think it’s just a little food poisoning,” Maggie replied carefully.
“My poor dear, well, I won’t keep you then. I just wanted to check in on you.”
“Thanks, Mom. Yeah, I think I’ll go lie down for a little while and will try to call you a later,” Maggie promised.
After saying goodbye, Maggie sought refuge in bed. Her body was exhausted, and she didn’t recall being this worn out when she discovered she was pregnant with Melanie. This baby was definitely letting her know that him or her was in there. A shadow of a smile appeared along Maggie’s mouth as she instinctively placed her hand over her stomach.
***
Maggie was busy rinsing off the remaining dishes from dinner when she heard Michael come into the kitchen.
“Sorry I missed dinner,” he apologized as he bent down to plant a kiss on Maggie’s slender neck.
She felt her back stiffen. “I’m surprised you’re home this early.”
“I know, I’m sorry about last night. I had a meeting that went on later than I expected, so I ended up just staying at my office,” Michael said, pleading, his chocolate eyes begging her for forgiveness.
Maggie loved Michael, no question about that, but she couldn’t ignore the annoyance she felt. The irritation she felt with him being gone, acting as a silent partner in their marriage, and a vacant father to their daughter, was starting to make being around him almost unbearable. On the rare occasions when he was home, things would be pleasant enough until the mounted tension and overall aggravation that had been swept under the rug surfaced.
“I heard today that they will be announcing who made partner at the end of the month. Rumor has it they are strongly considering me.” Michael’s eyes shone, a delirious grin on his lips. Maggie fought the urge to kiss him.
Maybe, once they announced who made partner at the firm, Michael would be home more, things would settle down, and maybe, just maybe, she could enjoy this pregnancy. But the nagging fear that he would only work more and be away more often, leaving her all alone, pricked at her.
“Michael, I really hope they see how hard you’ve been working, all the hours you slave away at that place.”
“I’m pretty sure they know.” Michael reached around Maggie’s tender waist, pulling her closer to him. Nuzzling her neck, he whispered, “I’ve missed you.”
Maggie wanted to let herself go and melt into her husband, but unresolved anger kept her guarded.
“You might want to go and say goodnight to Mel.”
Maggie couldn’t help the thoughts of her earlier conversation with their daughter. Melanie really missed her dad, and Maggie could only soothe her so much. She tried reassuring her daughter that things were going to get better soon and that her father loved her. What else could she possibly say?
Michael’s chocolate brown eyes flashed with
confusion. She could tell he had no idea how she felt, no clue at all. As he left the room, Maggie felt the familiar sensation of tears building up in her eyes. Crying—one the perks of pregnancy hormones.
***
“You almost ready for bed?” Michael asked, leaning against the archway leading to their living room. Maggie sat the book she had been reading down in her lap. Seeing him stand there, still in his work clothes, his navy blue tie loose around the collar of his crisp dress shirt, his gray slacks hanging perfectly on his toned legs, caused Maggie to feel pent-up desire for her husband. She hated being upset with him.
“Almost,” Maggie answered.
“Well, I’m beat, I’m going to turn in.” Michael yawned. He did look exhausted, the tiny crinkles by his eyes were heavy.
“Michael, can we talk?”
“Sure, babe, what’s wrong?” Michael’s furrowed, showing concern, and he approached the couch quickly.
Maggie swallowed hard. “I know you’re working incredibly hard to make everything wonderful for us, but I just feel like you’re never home.”
“Maggie, we’ve been through this. This is the time when I need to sacrifice in order for our lives to be perfect later.”
“I know, but it’s so hard on Mel, she misses you so much. She needs her daddy.” Maggie’s voice grew rough as she tried to swallow back the pesky tears welling up in her eyes and choking her throat.
“I don’t understand why you are so upset.” Michael’s calm tone was changing.
“You don’t understand? Michael, you’re never home, literally, we see you for a couple of minutes here and there. This isn’t what I signed up for.” Maggie felt her stomach turn sick; the contents were like a small boat being tossed around a raging sea. She begged her body to keep calm, desperately trying to push away the wave of nausea.
Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) Page 1
