She could feel his tension as her brain righted itself, and she started to push past the fog that had settled there briefly. She had fainted before when she was pregnant with Melanie, but this had hit her suddenly.
“How long have you known?” Michael asked firmly.
“Known about what?” Maggie was still a little dazed and wasn’t sure about the root of his question. She wracked her mind to recall the last bit of their conversation, before she went down like a ton of bricks. She had no idea what she had said to him.
“Maggie, about the baby?” Michael’s face was stoic, his eyes almost unforgiving as they stared into her.
“Oh, God.” Tears immediately started streaming down her cheeks.
“How long, Maggie?” He pressed further. “How long have you known you were pregnant?”
Maggie felt trapped. Did she tell him she only just found out, or that she had suspected it for almost a month? She stalled, blinking away automatic tears.
“Were you not planning on telling me?” Michael accused as he moved away from her and sat back on the chair he was in earlier.
“No, I wanted to tell you,” Maggie said as she tried to figure out how to crawl out of this mess of a hole she gotten herself into.
“Well, that’s considerate.”
“Michael, that’s not fair. Of course I was going to tell you.”
“So, you must have just found out then? Does anyone else know?” Michael asked, tapping his fingers hard against the arm of the chair, his frustration oozing from him.
“Well, I went to the doctor last week,” Maggie confirmed. Her thoughts blistered as she tried to determine if telling that was enough to satisfy his question. She had told her family. Everyone knew, except Michael.
“Maggie, did you tell everyone at home?”
A long sigh escaped Maggie. “Yes.” There was no point in denying it.
“I see.”
“I wanted to tell you, but God, Michael, it’s not like you are ever home,” Maggie said defending her reasoning.
“So, when I was home last week, and we spent the night making love, you didn’t think that maybe then might have been the perfect time, assuming that you just found out,” Michael said, in true form to his attorney persona. “I’m guessing you knew long before then. The question I have is why you would keep that from me, your husband?”
“Because honestly, Michael, you hardly act like a husband anymore. You are barely there for Melanie, and the thought of bringing another child into our life is terrifying to me.”
“Are you serious? I do everything I can to provide for this family. I can’t believe you would even say such a thing.” Michael’s brown eyes burned with an inner anger Maggie had never seen before.
“Michael, your priorities when it comes to our family are all screwed up. Melanie wanted you there at her concert, she needed that support from you. Instead, you chose work over her. You always choose work.”
Michael rubbed his jaw. “I choose work to support this family.”
“Well, I don’t think there is anything else to say. I didn’t sign up for this kind of marriage. I can’t live like this.” Maggie stared Michael down. “I won’t.”
“I think you are being a little dramatic.”
Maggie leaped from the ground and stood in front of him. “Michael, just so it’s clear, I’m going back to Birch Valley and I’m taking Melanie.”
Michael stood to face his wife. “Are you saying you want a divorce?”
“No, but I’m saying you need to get your priorities straight.”
“You are being ridiculous. I’m going to the office.” Michael brushed past her.
“Surprise, surprise. Glad to see you’re really working on those priorities,” Maggie snarled.
“Maggie, you and Melanie are all that I have in this world. Everything I do is for the two of you.”
“Can’t you see we don’t need to live in this fancy condo, or drive those expensive cars? You don’t have to work so much. We could even move back to Birch Valley.” Maggie’s voice softened as she offered her solution.
“Are you kidding me? Maggie, I have worked so hard, and I’m about to finally make it. You can’t expect me to throw that away.”
“So you would rather throw us away?” Maggie asked sadly.
Michael rolled his eyes. “There is just no winning with you. You can go back home to Birch Valley if you want, but I’m staying here, in our home, where you and our children belong.”
“Why should I stay when you aren’t ever here?”
“Then go.”
Maggie’s heart broke, her insides shriveling at the thought of leaving her husband. What made it worse was that he was willing to let her go. Standing there, Maggie watched as Michael grabbed his briefcase and keys and sailed through the door.
***
Melanie smiled as she happily waved goodbye to Maggie before skipping into the large school. Maggie watched her join the other students, feeling her heart break at the thought of having to disrupt her daughter’s life. School would be ending in June, over three months remained. Maggie knew she couldn’t wait that long to move back to Birch Valley. She knew that the fighting between her and Michael was only going to continue, and she didn’t want it to start affecting their daughter more than it already had.
Typing a text to her husband, extending a virtual olive branch, she waited to hear back from him. Her phone buzzed, he simply wrote back that he was working. Maggie exhaled sadly as her eyes absorbed his message. So that was it, he had made his choice, so she made hers.
Leaving the school parking lot, she headed in the direction for one of her favorite spots in Seattle, a quiet little park that was tucked away in an older neighborhood. The park had a fantastic view of the Sound. Located right on the sand of a cozy inlet of water, it offered her the solitude she needed right now. When Maggie arrived, not a soul was there. She headed toward the faded, green painted metal stairs that led down to the beach. An enormous, washed up log that sat alongside pieces of driftwood stood out to her. It looked like the perfect spot to sit and stare out at the salty sea water. She trudged through the thick sand, the wind tangling her long hair as it whipped all around. She wrapped her sweater tighter around her, pulling it close to her chest, and she sat and let out a huge sigh.
Her phone rang. After a brief conversation, Maggie hung up the phone. She had finished talking to her mother, who surprisingly was not at all on her side. Maggie stated her case, explained her side, but Mary remained firm that leaving Michael was not the best course of action. But in true Mary O’Brien fashion she offered for Maggie and Melanie to move in, and offered any help she could lend. She may not agree with Maggie, but she was still lending her support.
It was decided that Maggie would pack up some of her and Melanie’s belongings and move to Birch Valley by the following weekend.
***
The week carried on. Michael stayed away from their home for the most part, coming in late and leaving early. He avoided Maggie and only interacted with Melanie on the few evenings where he was home at a decent hour before their daughter’s bedtime. The chilly distance and tension was almost unbearable.
Maggie attempted several times to reach out to Michael on the morning she was leaving, hoping he would beg for her to stay and fight to change her mind. He never did. She loaded her car with several suitcases, her heart aching as she filled the trunk. Maggie was worried that this might be the end of her marriage.
Chapter Five
Melanie had been complaining all morning from the backseat; she was not at all thrilled about this new adventure they were embarking on. The drive had taken its toll on Maggie, her nerves were shot, and she silently prayed for strength.
“I don’t want to go to school in Birch Valley, Mom,” she whined.
“Mel, it might be fun. I went to that school when I was your age, so did all of your uncles,” Maggie said, hoping to reassure her child.
“Yeah, but I like my school. I want
to go back home.”
“Melanie, we’re going to go and stay with Grams for a little while.” Maggie felt awful, regret was starting to sink in as she got closer to her destination.
Why hadn’t Michael stopped her? Why couldn’t he see that all Maggie wanted was for him to be home, and that she needed him to be present in their lives? She knew how hard he worked. He didn’t have to, she wasn’t the kind of woman that expected him to hand her the world on a silver platter. She only wanted him.
The highway was fairly clear, it was midmorning, and there weren’t too many cars on the road. The sun was shining in front of them as they headed eastbound toward the thick line of trees where Birch Valley lay nestled.
Maggie cruised onto the street where her childhood home proudly sat. Pulling along the curb, she heard Melanie let out a huff.
“It will be okay, sweetie.”
“I just to want to see Grams,” Melanie said, her tone dismissive and cold, not much different from Michael’s.
Mary was standing on the porch of the Craftsman style home, wearing her favorite apron and smiling wide. Melanie fled the car and bounded up the stairs to her grandmother. Maggie watched as her mother practically scooped up Melanie.
“Daniel’s home, want him to help unload the car?” Mary offered, Melanie clinging at her round waist.
“That would be great, Mom.” Maggie unlatched the trunk and started pulling suitcases out and setting them on the street. She felt energized despite being emotionally worn out. The morning sickness had been slowly improving, and Maggie was grateful to the little one for laying off.
Daniel ran toward Maggie, a concerned look on his normally jovial face. “Hey, don’t be lifting all those suitcases.”
“Daniel, I’m not helpless. Just pregnant.”
Daniel snatched the suitcases effortlessly, his strong arms hoisting up several of the bags as he went to the house.
Maggie followed, slightly annoyed, carrying only her purse and a small bag.
Mary was standing in the entryway to greet her. “I cleared out the sewing room, and am setting that room up for Melanie. The boys set up a bed for her. You can stay in your room, I figured you might want your own space.”
“Thanks,” Maggie replied as she hugged her mother, the threat of tears stinging in her eyes.
“It’ll be okay, love,” Mary promised quietly.
“I know, Mom, it’s just so hard. He didn’t speak to me all week, he pretty much stayed away from the house, Melanie is so mad at me for moving us here,” Maggie rambled, her emotions going every which way.
“Melanie, it will be okay, but you can’t blame her for being upset. Give her time,” Mary continued. “As for Michael, same thing I suppose. He’s hurt too, and you just need to give it all some time.”
“I’m hurt too, Mom. I didn’t want this, I feel like I had to do something to try and get him to take me seriously. It’s like he doesn’t even care.”
Mary frowned. “Maggie, of course he cares. I have the water on for some tea. Why don’t you go freshen up and meet me in the kitchen?”
That was always her mother’s way of solving things: tea and some sort of scrumptious baked good. Maggie felt alone in her feelings, no one seemed to understand where she was coming from. Her husband and daughter were upset with her, her mother sure as heck didn’t agree with her, and Maggie realized there was probably only one person who might actually be on her side, and that was Liam.
“Mom, I’m thinking I might go over to Liam’s, if that’s okay. Do you mind watching Mel for a little bit?” Maggie asked.
Maggie could hear Melanie’s feet running toward her.
“Why can’t I go to Uncle Liam’s house?”
“You can a little later,” Maggie answered as she tried to reach out for Melanie.
Melanie glared at Maggie. “But I want to see him now.”
Maggie wasn’t used to her daughter acting out, it was completely out of character, but she couldn’t deny she had a great part in it.
“I need to run a couple of errands, you just stay here with Grams.”
Melanie rolled her eyes and shuffled to the living room.
Maggie turned to her mother and offered her an apologetic glance. “Sorry.”
“She’ll be fine,” Mary reassured her. “Can you tell Liam to please invite Rachel to dinner tomorrow?”
“No problem, Mom.” Maggie kissed her mother and hurried out the door.
***
Maggie turned into Liam’s gravel driveway, the tiny rocks crunching under her tires. The tamarack trees were turning a brilliant green, the yellows of fall and winter almost forgotten. The pines stood proudly in their constant state of evergreen, and as Maggie got out of her car, she could see Liam’s frozen lake had just about melted, and several large Canadian geese sat like buoys in the cold water.
Liam emerged from his cabin and announced, “I thought I heard someone pull up.”
Maggie hugged Liam, who towered over her.
“You doing okay?” Liam asked.
“I guess so, I mean, not really, to be completely honest,” Maggie replied, wrapping her slender arms across her chest, a sudden chill rippling through her.
“Have you talked to him yet?”
Maggie shook her head. “Not yet, he really didn’t want much to do with me last week. Melanie is giving me some trouble now too. Oh, Liam.” The tears started before she finished.
Liam reached for his sister again. “Things will work out, Mags,” he whispered.
“I hope so.”
“You want to go to lunch?” Liam offered.
Maggie looked up at her brother. Why was food always the O’Brien solution to a problem? Her stomach growled at the invitation.
“Herrick’s?”
“Where else?” Liam grinned.
***
The bell on the weathered piece of yarn chimed as they entered; that same bell had hung over the entrance to Herrick’s ever since Liam and Maggie could remember. The diner was a popular eating spot for pretty much the entire town. The atmosphere might be dated, but the food was excellent. As usual, the place was packed, but Liam managed to find a booth near one of the large windows that let in an ample amount of sunlight.
A waitress approached and took their order, quickly returning with their beverages.
Maggie tore open a sugar packet and dumped it into her iced tea. Liam took a long sip of his cola.
“So, how are things going with you and Rachel?” Maggie inquired, looking out at the other customers in the diner.
Liam smirked. “Good, I guess. We didn’t see too much of each other this last week.”
“Yeah, sorry, probably my fault,” Maggie commented, feeling a twinge of guilt.
“Nah, usually at work Rachel tries to avoid me. Granted, it did throw us for a loop when Mom said you were moving back.”
“I know, but I didn’t know what else to do. Michael has hardly talked to me, Melanie hates me right now. I feel like Mom is so disappointed in my choice. I guess I’m a little overwhelmed.”
“Well, I’m glad you are back. I just wish things were a little different and that Michael was here too.”
“Me too,” Maggie said, her eyes filling with relentless tears.
“So, you going to have Mel start school this Monday?” Liam quickly changed the subject.
Maggie cleared her throat. “That’s the plan. She isn’t thrilled about it.”
“Well, I think once she sees me, and maybe even Rachel, she’ll be singing a different tune.”
“I sure hope so.”
The waitress arrived with two plates piled high with golden French fries and large sandwiches.
Maggie’s eyes bulged at the amount of food being placed in front of her. “Wow, have their servings always this big?”
“Yep.” Liam grabbed his enormous roast beef sandwich.
Grabbing her club sandwich, she bit off a large mouthful. “This is so good.”
Liam nodded in agreemen
t.
Maggie felt much better after lunch with her brother. They chatted about a lot of things, enjoying their meal, and sharing a number of laughs. Maggie started to feel better about her decision to move back home.
***
Arriving back to the O’Brien house, Maggie entered quietly. She could hear distant chatter emitting from the kitchen. When she peeked in, she saw her daughter and mother elbow deep in some sort of batter. The smile on Melanie’s face caught Maggie’s heart. It felt good to see her smiling. It also swarmed Maggie with guilt.
She let out a false cough. “Hey, what are you guys up to?” Maggie asked.
Mary smiled. “My girl and I decided to make a pie for dessert. She has the dough for the crust just about mastered.”
“Wow, good job, Melanie,” Maggie praised.
Melanie’s smile started to disappear when she locked eyes with Maggie. “Grams and I are having a lot of fun cooking.”
“Well, that’s good. I think you are becoming a much better cook than me.”
Mary laughed. “I tried my hardest to teach you, Maggie. You were more interested in painting or playing in the river.”
“Can you blame me? Not like I get to do any of that now,” Maggie replied.
“One of the gals from my book club mentioned that the community center is going to be offering a painting class. Maybe you should look into it,” Mary suggested as she removed clinging dough from her hands.
“Maybe, probably not the best time right now.” Maggie motioned to her daughter. Her mother seemed to understand.
“Well, something to consider eventually.”
“I guess. I’ll let you guys finish with that pie. I might go lay down for a bit,” Maggie said. To say she was exhausted would be an understatement. This pregnancy was proving to be a whole lot different than her first.
“Okay, dear, I will check on you when dinner’s ready,” Mary stated, turning her attention to her granddaughter. “Melanie, you ready to roll this dough out?”
Melanie nodded her head in excited agreement. Maggie stole a glance at her before heading to her bedroom.
Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) Page 5
