When the Music Ends (The Winter Rose Chronicles)

by Simone Beaudelaire

  ******

  Erin and Sean settled in quickly. It was a little strange living above his parents, and their private moments had to be kept rather quiet, but that was all right. And Erin began to play immediately with the symphony orchestra. She had been well liked there in high school, but now that she had earned her music degree, and achieved such an amazing level of ability, she had become something of a celebrity in the small community. She rather liked being a large frog in a small pond, especially since the special concert planned to welcome her back to the group was coming together so well. One of the pieces was the Albinoni Concerto for Two Oboes that she and her woodwind group had performed for her senior recital.

  Sean, for his part, was delighted to have his wife with him all the time. She was simply glowing constantly now, whether from her pregnancy, playing in the orchestra she had always loved, or just being with him, he didn’t know. Perhaps it was all three. He had taken to spoiling her, watching her closely for signs of interest in some random object and then buying it for her, just to watch her eyes light up. She would protest, of course, but she was getting much better about simply accepting his little gifts. The thanks he received later in bed were well worth any money he spent. Despite her increasing size, Erin was as passionate as ever, which pleased her husband very much.

  One day, just for fun, Sean took Erin to the grocery store. It was early June, and her concert would be the following week. With only two months left in her pregnancy, she was beginning to feel uncomfortably heavy. Thankfully it was not all that hot yet.

  Sean left his wife for a moment to use the bathroom, while she browsed the fruits and vegetables, her mouth watering at the smell of fresh new strawberries. All she had to do was glance at them and her husband would buy her a box and feed the ripe red fruits to her, kissing her after each bite. Hmmm. Maybe she should shock him and just ask for them.

  "Erin?"

  She turned towards the female voice. It was Valerie. Erin regarded her mother a little warily. They had not parted on the best of terms five years ago, and they had not spoken to or seen each other since. It was an awkward moment.

  "Mother."

  "It’s been so long. My goodness you’ve gotten fat. You almost look pregnant."

  "I am pregnant."

  "Oh Erin, didn’t I always warn you to be careful? You’re too far along to do anything about it now."

  "Do anything? Why would I do anything? I’m happy to be pregnant. It wasn’t exactly an accident."

  "What, you mean you did this to yourself on purpose?" Valerie regarded her daughter with an expression one generally reserved for unmentionable things left moldering on the sidewalk.

  "More or less. It’s not a bad thing Mom." Erin kept her tone neutral, though seeing her mother’s negative reaction to what was one of the most joyous events in her life did sting a bit.

  "It is. Once you have a baby, life is never the same afterwards."

  "I’m okay with that. So is Sean."

  "Who’s Sean?" Valerie’s eyes narrowed.

  "My husband."

  "Husband? You’re married?"

  "I sent you an invitation, Mom," Erin reminded her mother gently, "I’ve been married for a while."

  "I never got an invitation. You must not have sent it."

  "I did. Maybe it got lost somewhere. If so, I’m sorry. But it’s not a surprise, is it, that we’re married? I mean we’ve been together since I was in high school. I used to talk to him on the phone all the time. He’s Sheridan Murphy’s brother."

  Valerie shrugged. Clearly she had no idea what her daughter was talking about.

  Sean returned from the bathroom at that point. He slipped his hand into his wife’s and turned to look at Valerie.

  She gave him a rather thorough look. "Nice." She said finally, "I wish I had been informed about the wedding."

  "We sent an invitation," Sean said. "You didn’t get it?"

  "No, I never did. Where did you send it?"

  "To Motley. The last I heard you were living with Bill," Erin said.

  "With Bill? I only lived with Bill four months. I moved back to town in the middle of March four years ago."

  Erin furrowed her brow at her mother.

  "Seriously? You dumped your husband, abandoned your child, all for a love affair that only lasted half a year?"

  "Don’t you dare take that disapproving voice with me young lady," her mother said harshly. "You were glad to see me go. You couldn’t wait to move in with your little friend. Now I see why."

  "You’re wrong. Sean didn’t live with his parents. He had his own place."

  "I’m surprised you didn’t move in with him."

  Erin ignored the comment.

  "At any rate," Valerie continued, "you got what you wanted. You always were the meanest little girl. It was a relief to get away from you and your critical comments and your hard eyes." Erin tensed.

  "I beg your pardon, ma’am," Sean said, "but that just isn’t true. Erin isn’t mean at all. She’s the sweetest woman I’ve ever known."

  "You must have very low standards."

  It was such a rude thing to say that Sean was stunned into silence.

  "You can’t imagine what she said to me before she left to move in with your parents. She told me I was selfish. Erin is the selfish one. She always has been. All she cares about is playing that stupid oboe, and it’s loud and annoying. I hate it."

  "Erin is not selfish at all. Nothing could be further from the truth." He slid his arm around her and cradled her close to his side. "And as for her playing, I can’t imagine what’s wrong with you. It’s amazing."

  "It’s all right, Sean." Erin’s voice was calm and soft. "You don’t have to defend me. It doesn’t matter."

  "It does."

  "No. I know she’s never liked me. It’s fine."

  "You see," Valerie sneered, "she knows she deserves it. She’s just mean by nature."

  "If I’m mean, mother, it’s because I’ve learned from the best," Erin said, her voice hard. "But I’m not mean. If I were, I would tell you what I really think of you. I would tell you you’re a tramp who abandons a twenty year marriage in favor of a six month affair. I would say that you always were a terrible mother. I would say all those things if I were mean, but I’m not. In fact, Mom, there’s nothing wrong with me. There never has been. I’m perfectly fine. Come on honey, let’s get out of here."

  They turned and left the store, leaving Valerie, her mouth open, gawking after them. Erin had never defended herself to her mother before, but she had finally been provoked beyond caring, and the response had been swift, and vicious, and honest.

  The couple drove home in silence. Sean was slightly impressed at how strong his wife had been. Erin, as her anger wore off, began to feel a twinge of regret. She had, perhaps, gone a little too far.

  Back at the house, Erin found Mrs. Murphy watching the Food Network in the family room. It appeared that shepherd’s pie would be on the menu soon, as she was frantically scribbling down ingredients and instructions. Erin waited for the commercial before kneeling beside the chair and giving her mother-in-law a tight hug. It had all started with this woman, who had raised such an amazing son and daughter that they could see past Erin’s shyness and hurt and love her. What a wonderful woman Ellen was to put off her own righteous indignation at Sean and Erin’s choices, which really had been handled badly, and welcome Erin into the family anyway.

  "I love you Mom," Erin said softly, kissing Ellen on the cheek. Then she walked out of the room and headed upstairs.

  "What on earth was that about?" Ellen asked her son.

  "We ran into Valerie James at the store."

  "Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Is Erin all right?"

  "Yes. She finally stood up to her mother."

  "Good. You’d better go and make sure she’s handling it though."

  "Right." Sean went up to his room to check on his wife. He found Erin lying on her side on the bed. She was not crying, nor did she look ups
et. She was simply gazing off into the distance as though deep in thought. He slipped onto the bed beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist, placing his hand on her belly so he could feel their son moving. The little boy was active today, and pressed hard against his father’s touch. Sean grinned.

  "I love you," Erin told him softly.

  "I love you too. You know why, don’t you? Say it, Erin, and believe it," he urged.

  Erin looked at her husband. Her voice was calm and sure as she told him, "You love me because I’m a good girl and I deserve it."

  "That’s right. You are." He trailed his fingers down her cheek.

  "I think I should apologize to her."

  "Why? You told the truth. She is a terrible mother and there isn’t anything wrong with you."

  "I know. But I shouldn’t have called her a tramp. That wasn’t necessary."

  "So send her a card. Don’t call. I don’t want you to talk to her anymore. Nothing good can come of it."

  "You’re right. I’ll double check the address this time, though."

  "So are you all right?"

  "Yes. I’m fine."

  "You look a little sad."

  "Do I look like a girl who needs to be made love to?"

  Sean grinned at the old often repeated comment.

  "Yes, you do. Turn over, baby, and let me help you with that."

  That revived Erin’s smile. She rolled into Sean’s embrace, a little awkwardly with her big belly throwing her off balance, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him over to kiss her. He didn’t resist. Erin still, always, had the sweetest most kissable mouth, and Sean was no more immune to it than he had been the night of the homecoming dance. He opened his mouth on hers and she responded in kind, letting his tongue plunge between her lips. She hummed a little as he plundered her deeply, loving the heat that was rising between them.

  And now Sean was lifting her shirt over her head, unhooking her bra, revealing her breasts. They were very large now, bigger than he had ever expected, and he lifted one in his hand, testing its weight before lowering his mouth to the tender peak. Erin pressed her husband’s head closer to her, urging him to give the straining nipple a thorough tending-to, and Sean complied, tugging, sucking, nipping gently, until Erin was making soft pleasure noises with every breath. Then he released it and went directly to the other to begin again.

  When Erin’s breasts were completely stimulated and needed a little break, he pulled back and began stripping off his clothing. Erin wriggled awkwardly out of her pants and underwear, baring herself for the consummation to come shortly. But first, she wanted to give her husband back a little of the pleasure he gave her.

  "Lie down, Sean," she told him, her voice sultry and slow. He did and she crawled over to him, taking his sex in her hands and stroking it. He made a soft approving sound as she worked the large shaft. Erin could hardly wait for that thick sex to plunge into her. But first this. She lowered her face and rubbed her cheek against the sensitive head before pressing her lips to the tip. Her dexterous little tongue snaked out and she licked him. Sean groaned. Erin took her time, teasing him all over, nibbling with her lips, before she returned to the tip and opened her mouth, taking him deep inside.

  "Oh Erin," Sean moaned, "that’s amazing." He always loved for his wife to tend to him this way. She had such control of her mouth and lips and tongue from her years of playing the oboe, and that control gave her excellent skills for oral sex. And she wasn’t a bit shy about doing it.

  Erin pleasured her husband with her mouth and hands for long moments before he asked her to stop. He didn’t want to let go in her mouth, not this time. Not when Erin hadn’t had her pleasure yet.

  "Stop now, baby," he told her gently, "It’s time for me to be inside you."

  Erin gave her husband one last thorough lick before releasing his sex. In the past it had been their custom for him to be on top, but during late pregnancy, the weight of the baby was uncomfortable in that position, so Erin simply stayed where she was, kneeling, and Sean moved around behind her, parting the petals of her sex and caressing her, making sure she was ready for him. She was, wet and relaxed and eager, and Sean took her sweet invitation, pressing gently into her, groaning as that tight little passage slowly opened around him.

  Erin wanted to squeal with pleasure as Sean’s big penis slid home inside her, but she knew that her mother in law was downstairs and didn’t want to be overheard, so she held it in.

  And then he began to move, pressing inside her, pulling back and returning, making her body tighten with the pleasure of his taking. It was so good. Erin was in heaven as Sean loved her slowly, deeply, filling her. She moaned a little, softly, and then moaned again. Her peak was approaching rapidly. Sean could feel her clenching as her orgasm neared. He didn’t want her to come too fast, so he deliberately slowed his pace even more. But it was already too late. Erin was so aroused, so close, that even this lesser stimulation was overpowering. One delicate thrust pressed too deep, delving fully into her and she went up in flames, pressing her face into the pillow to muffle her ecstatic sobs as she squirmed and spasmed.

  Erin’s orgasm was so hot, so beautiful, that Sean couldn’t hold out against it. He thrust deep once, twice, and let go, giving her his own glorious peak. After a few moments, he slipped gently out of her and lowered her to the mattress on her side, joining her, face to face and pulling her as close as her belly would allow.

  "Thank you, Sean," she said sweetly, "that was just what I needed. What a wonderful husband you are."

  "It’s my pleasure, baby, believe me. I love you so much Erin."

  "I love you too."

  They kissed tenderly. So the world wasn’t perfect, Erin thought. It was full of bad mothers and tragic situations. Knowing that she was completely loved by this amazing sexy man, had been loved by him for so many years, meant a lot. If she could get and keep him, she must be a very good girl after all. Erin smiled. Life was pretty good, when you were a Murphy.

  ***Epilogue***

  August 2006

  Sean Murphy knelt in his swimming trunks a kiddie pool full of hot water on the newly refinished floor of their living room. No longer a filthy disaster area, the room now glowed with life and charm, all polished oak floors and wood framed windows, and crown molding. The walls were painted a soft white. He and Erin had picked out a sofa and loveseat in forest green brocade, which they had arranged at right angles facing the red brick fireplace. He hoped the tarp he had laid down would catch any splashes.

  He also wondered just how the hell he had ended up in such a predicament. He had pictured Erin giving birth at a hospital, with pain medication, but her artist’s soul would accept nothing less than a home delivery, especially as she had experienced no complications. Actually, the labor had been fine, if slow, starting early in the morning with a few twinges, and progressing throughout the day. The contractions had intensified, but never really gotten so bad she couldn’t handle them; that was until about ten minutes ago. The midwife, a very sweet woman named Sara with decades of experience, had decided that rather than waiting a further three hours for Erin to dilate the last centimeter, she would break her water. Then all hell had broken loose. The pain had suddenly gotten very intense, so Sara and her assistant Abby had helped Erin into the birthing tub so the hot water could help her cope. Now Abby was ladling water over Erin’s back as the contraction surged, and Sean supported her, his hands on her waist, hers around his neck, her head on his shoulder while she moaned and squirmed, trying to find a less intense position.

  Sean hated this. She was in so much pain, and there was nothing he could do for her. Only delivery would cure this.

  "Can’t we do anything?" he asked the midwife.

  "No, this is just part of it. No one can handle nine centimeter contractions well. We just have to help her endure. It won’t be long."

  The contraction faded and Erin started to sob.

  "I can’t do this," she wept.

  "You’re d
oing it," Abby said firmly, "you’re doing great. Just a few more minutes, Erin, and you’ll be able to start pushing. Your baby will be here before you know it."

  "Breathe, Erin," he told her, stroking her back gently, "Remember to breathe."

  Erin took several slow deep breaths, trying to calm herself, to relax before the next contraction could begin. There was no time. Her belly tightened painfully again and she moaned loudly. In the middle of the contraction, the sound Erin was making changed from a groan to a growl. Sean could feel her arms tensing.

  "Are you pushing Erin?" Sara asked sharply.

  "I have to," Erin panted.

  "Abby, quick, check her. We don’t want her to push unless she’s fully dilated.

  As the contraction faded, Abby gently checked Erin for dilation.

  "She’s complete, Sara, and the baby is already descending."

  "Good. That should make her feel a little better."

  "What’s happening?" Sean wanted to know.

  "We’re starting the pushing phase. This is usually easier on the mom, because it gives her something to do. Can you keep holding her?"

  "I can hold her forever," Sean said.

  "Good. Let’s have her turn though, so she’s facing me. You can hold her from behind now. Just hook your arms under hers."

  Sean nodded and helped his wife change positions just in time for another contraction. This time, she did seem more in control as she bore down, trying to bring their son into the world.

  "Good Erin. Push. You’re doing so well. He’s really coming down."

  "It burns," Erin hissed through gritted teeth.

  "I know it does. That’s your baby being delivered. Push into the burn Erin. Don’t fight against it."

  Erin pushed and then exhaled loudly, her head falling back against Sean’s shoulder.

  "It hurts," she wailed.

  "I know it hurts. Don’t stop."