Everything More

by Arabelle Stevens

“He asked me to be his girlfriend, but I told him no.” Marie told her.

  “What? You’ve been crazy for that guy ever since you met him. You’ve been inseparable. Why on earth would you tell him no?” Sonja asked her.

  “I just can’t get over the age difference. I hear all the time about women who date guys twenty, thirty years younger. They’re desperate for attention, can’t get a man their own age, just hurtful.”

  “Marie, first off, why would you even want a man your age? Don’t you know that men slow down once they hit their forties? You’re in your prime right now. I’ve been there. I know. You are horny as hell most of the time, right? You hit the jackpot. You’ve got a young, ripe guy in his twenties who desires you. A guy who is also a stud, by your own definition,” explained Sonja.

  “What about all the looks we’re going to get, the snarky comments? I know what people think and it’s not good.

  “Let me ask you this. Do you know any of these people?

  “No. But what about our friends and family. People we do know. What if they treat us the same way? I just don’t know if I can handle that. I don’t want any controversy in my family and definitely not for Lucas with his. He’s just too good a man for that.”

  “That very well may happen, it might. I don’t know your family very well and I don’t know his at all. That’s something the two of you are going to have to confront together. It all comes down one to one thing, Marie.”

  “I know. How do I really feel about him.”

  “Yes. Is he special enough to be worth taking a risk? That’s not something I can answer for you. You already know that answer for yourself.”

  “He better not be playing games. I’m not going through that kind of stress, especially with someone his age,” Marie stated.

  “There’s only one way to know. Take a chance. But do it quickly. He’ll be swept off the market pretty quickly.”

  “Thanks for talking me down. I have to go now. I think Lucas and I need to have a serious, long talk. Talk to you later,” Marie said as she hung up the line.

  She text Lucas.

  Been thinking about what you asked me. Can we talk?

  Lucas responded quickly.

  Be right over.

  The doorbell rang and Marie opened the door to let Lucas in.

  “Marie, I went home and I researched what the criticisms are against an older woman/younger man relationship. I know where you’re coming from. I see why you’re nervous about it now looking from your point of view. I care about you a lot and I don’t care what anyone says about us. None of that matters. It’s only about you and me, whether we’re the same age or twenty years apart. I’m with you every step of the way,” Lucas said with much heart-felt eloquence.

  “You really mean all that?”

  “With all my heart, Babe. The age difference won’t make one difference between you and me. Trust me, you know you can,” he said.

  “There’s one thing we haven’t really discussed. I know you like me, but how do you feel about me? Really?”

  Lucas, realized that despite the obvious feelings between them, the words had never been spoken. He softened his stance, looked deeply into her eyes and said the words.

  “I thought you knew. I’m sorry I didn’t say it before now. I’m in love with you. So in love with you. It’s not a crush, not infatuation. I absolutely love you with my whole heart and soul. I know we’re not there yet, but I want a future with you.”

  She was a bit choked up. She wasn’t expecting to hear such eloquence and such vulnerability. He’d just laid all his cards on the table to her, knowing she may reject him.

  “Okay, then my answer is yes,” Marie cheerfully said to him.

  He nodded and smiled reassuringly at her.

  “So it’s official then? You’re my lady.” Marie nodded. He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently, but long.

  The kiss was reminiscent of their first make-out session on that secluded beach.

  “Whoa. You take my breath away,” Marie said. “Just like the first time you kissed me.”

  “You stopped us, though,” he said with hope.

  “I won’t stop you tonight,” she replied, looking lustily at him.

  He pulled her in close for another passionate kiss, letting his hands roam where they wanted to. She moaned with hard breaths.

  She took his hand and led him to her bedroom where they made love for most of the night.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Marie and Lucas spent the rest of summer flaunting their relationship around Sheffield Shores and beyond.

  Marie put the fear of the negative reactions of other people toward their relationship behind her, and she dove in full force to her love affair with her twenty-five-year old man.

  She released the inhibitions she’d been concerned about and openly engaged in public displays of affection.

  Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the dirty looks that Marie once feared began to appear in their small town. Everywhere they went together, there would be at least someone who would have a look on their face.

  One warm evening after an early dinner, the couple was out shopping together at a consignment store. As usual, Lucas saw the looks they were getting, this time from two younger girls who looked to be in their late teens or early twenties. The girls were openly watching Lucas and Marie, whispering and giggling with each other.

  He also saw Marie’s face. noticed the slight look of uncomfortable self-consciousness on Marie’s face

  “You know what they’re talking about, right?” Lucas whispered to Marie as he openly pointed out the two girls.

  “I don’t know. What?” Marie asked him.

  “They’re trying to figure out the last time they saw a couple as hot as us.” As he rubbed her ass in front of the girls. Their eyes popped open, they openly giggled and took off across the store.

  “Sure, we can go with that,” Marie replied, laughing.

  The couple routinely caught second looks whenever they so much as held hands. Lucas always regarded these encounters as a joke. His light-hearted and goofy attitude began to rub off on Marie and she no longer cared what others thought of her perfect romance.

  As the first day of school loomed closer, they both knew that Marie would be much busier than in the summer months. They’d had a magical summer cementing their relationship but Lucas was ready to go a step further now.

  “I love you, Marie. You know that, right?”

  “Yah, and I love you too.”

  “I’d like to do something this weekend. Something special.”

  “Okay, what did you have in mind?”

  “I’d like to introduce you to my mother this weekend.” Marie’s shock was evident.

  “Uh, are you sure you are ready for that, Hun?” she asked him.

  “Definitely. I just hope you are. It’s time, don’t you think? Especially with school starting for you. You’re going to be pretty busy soon.”

  “Let me rephrase the question. Is she ready for that? Does she know about our age difference?”

  “No, I didn’t think it was important,” he commented.

  Marie looked annoyed by hearing this and questioned Lucas further about a possible meeting with his mother for the first time.

  “Lucas, how old is your mother?” she asked him.

  “She’s fifty-two,” Lucas replied.

  “Does your mother know about us in general?”

  “I’ve told her that I have an amazing and gorgeous girlfriend now,” Lucas said with a big grin on his face.

  “Did you tell her how old I am?” Marie asked in a serious tone.

  “No, I haven’t. It’s not a big deal. Listen, she’s not going to care. Trust me,” he told her.

  “Well, for your sake I hope you’re right. I just want us to be prepared for anything. I don’t want to go into meeting your family completely blindfolded,” Marie explained to him.

  “Don’t worry, Babe, it’ll be fine. I’m not worried ab
out it. I just want her to have the chance to meet the woman I love,” Lucas said to Marie as he held and kissed her hand.

  “Okay, then let’s do this thing,” said Marie.

  “Great, I’ll make the arrangements. You might get to meet my younger brother and sister, too. They can be a pain, but they’ll grow on your over time,” he told her.

  Even though Marie agreed to Lucas’s request of meeting his family, it was easy to tell that the situation made her nervous.

  When the weekend came, Marie dressed more conservatively for this occasion than she usually did, more like a school teacher than a sexy girlfriend.

  “Wow, this is a different look for you,” Lucas joked with her.

  “The last thing I need is for your mother to think I dress like a hoochie mama,” Marie replied to Lucas’s joke.

  When they arrived at the home of Lucas’s mother, Lucas held Marie’s hand to comfort her and calm her down. Lucas could feel her heart was pounding as they sat in the driveway.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine,” Lucas said to her to keep her relaxed.

  He rang the bell and few moments later, his mother opened the door.

  “Hey Mom,” Lucas said as he gave her a hug.

  Lucas’s mother had a slender frame with dark brown-hair that came down to just below her shoulders. She was just a couple inches shorter than her son and carried herself with the same confidence her son did. Lucas stepped aside and gently pulled Marie forward.

  “Mom, this is Marie. My girlfriend.” Marie reached her hand out to shake in greeting.

  “Hi, it’s so nice to finally meet you Mrs. Anderson.” Lucas kissed Marie on the head.

  “Sorry to do this, but I need to leave you for a second to use the boys’ room.”

  “Lift the seat!” his mother shouted after him. Turning her attention back to Marie,

  “I’m so sorry. Well this isn’t awkward at all, is it? Ha ha. It’s very good to meet you as well Marie. But it’s Ms. Anderson now. I’m sure at some point Lucas mentioned his father passed away a long time ago. Come in, come sit with me,” Ms. Anderson told her.

  “He did, he mentioned that right when we first met. I’m so sorry for your loss,” Marie responded nervously.

  “Thank you, it was a very long time ago. Did your husband pass away as well? Sorry, what I meant was have you ever been married before? You appear old enough to me to have been married before.” Ms. Anderson asked her.

  “Uh, well, yes, as a matter of fact. I’ve been married one time before, but he didn’t pass away. We divorced,” Marie explained.

  “Ah, I see. Your marriage didn’t work out,” Ms. Anderson commented.

  Before the prying conversation could go any further, Lucas came out of the bathroom interrupting their conversation much to Marie’s relief.

  After lunch, they settled in the living room to chat.

  “So, tell me how you two met.”

  Lucas described how they met at the Jazz & Blues Festival, leaving out no detail of his first sight of Marie and how he was heartbroken at almost missing his chance with her.

  “And you, Marie? Tell me about yourself before my son ruined your pretty dress.”

  Marie told her the vague, general details of her early life and what she did for a living now.

  “And what are your intentions toward my son?”

  “MOM!”

  “I’m sorry, I’m just asking a question.”

  “It’s alright, Lucas. Well, I don’t have any intentions right now. We’re enjoying each other’s company, getting to know each other and taking it day by day. Just like every other new couple.”

  Lucas picked up the conversation from there and described how the last few months had been in their relationship. He made a point to focus on how happy Marie made him.

  Ms. Anderson stoically looked at Marie as Lucas talked about their times together. The look on her face did not scream out happiness and joy that her son found a woman he was crazy about and made him happy.

  When Lucas was finished, it was her turn.

  “I’m going to be very blunt here. Marie, you seem like a lovely, beautiful woman. I can see why my son is infatuated with you.

  “But here is my concern. You are clearly a good deal older than he is. You and my son are at different points in your life. You are very experienced whereas he is only just out on his own.

  “I see that you make my son happy. For now. But what about when he wants to get serious. Where do you two see this relationship going?”

  Lucas looked at his mother in disbelief.

  “What are you talking about, Mom?”

  “Son. I wasn’t born yesterday,” she told him. Turning her attention towards Marie,

  “Look Marie, you are probably a very lovely person. But you are obviously quite a bit older than my son. This concerns me.”

  “Mom, yes, we have an age difference. But she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Lucas said to his mother.

  “How far did you look for someone your own age, Lucas? You couldn’t have looked very far. You’re dating a woman who is significantly older, recently divorced, and likely looking for a rebound,” she replied. Lucas was in shock at his mother’s words.

  “I didn’t have to look anywhere to find Marie. I told you how we met. It was fate. I believe in that kind of thing,” Lucas said as he smiled softly looking at Marie.

  “Sweetie, I’m only looking out for your best interests and Marie’s as well, believe it or not. You are both better off with someone your own age in the long run,” she protested to both of them.

  “Our happiness is the only thing you need to worry about and let us deal with the rest.”

  “What if this gets serious? Have you thought about that? Marriage? Long term, wasted years possibly. What if you want children someday? I know I want grandchildren. Is she even still in her child-bearing years? Would it even be safe for the baby at this point in her life? Or her? Have you thought about any of these things? Have you discussed them? I’m sorry, I’m speaking from experience and from love for my son,” she said to Lucas.

  Hearing that last statement about childbirth was the last straw that Marie could take in the conversation and she stood up.

  “Please excuse me. I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting this. I should go,” she said as she walked towards the door.

  “Marie, wait. Wait for me,” as he shot his mother a glaring look of anger.

  “It’s not my fault that neither of you is thinking rationally,” she told him.

  “Marie, here. Take the keys, start the car, I’ll be right out.” He kissed her on the head. “I’m so sorry. I love you.” She smiled at him. “I’ll be right there.” He waited until she was in the car, air conditioning on, and sound-proofed. He then turned on his mother.

  “You don’t get it, Mom. She doesn’t care about our age difference any more than I do, that’s not what made her upset. Marie couldn’t get pregnant while she was married. They tried, she wanted it, it didn’t happen. That’s the reason her douchebag husband left her,” he explained to his mom.

  “I chased HER. She was worried about our age difference in the beginning, but not now. SHE’S the one to be protected here, not me. And I can promise you, she’s still of child bearing age, not that it’s any of your business. And even if the day comes that she isn’t, there are a LOT of kids out in the world who need loving homes and good parents. You had no right hurting her like that. I know you love me, but you had no right. I’m very disappointed in you.”

  “Oh my God, that’s terrible. Sweetie, I didn’t know. I had no idea. I was only trying to be the voice of reason. You two are so clearly caught up in passion, I just wanted to bring you both down to earth and be honest. That’s all. Please forgive me for that comment,” she said with a different tone in her voice. “I have to speak with her. I need to apologize. I can’t let her think I’m a hurtful person. All I care about is your happiness.”

  “No, forget it. We’re leaving,
” he said abrasively.

  He got in the car with a watery-eyed Marie, his mother watching from the doorway wearing a sad and horrified expression at her own rudeness.

  “I can’t believe my mother said that crap,” Lucas told her.

  “Lucas, I don’t want there to be tension between you and your mother, not because of me.”

  Lucas then wrapped his arms around Marie and said, “Baby, I don’t care if she is my mother. If she can’t accept our relationship, then that’s her problem. I love you and I want to be with you!”

  He kissed her sweetly.

  “Don’t worry about my mother. I’ll call her later after she stews on a few things I told her. She’ll come around. Or she won’t. It doesn’t matter.”

  “That’s your mother.”

  “That’s right. And you’re the woman I love. I want you two to be friends, but it isn’t necessary. Not to me.” He put the car in reverse.

  “My turn to meet your parents now.” Marie looked at him with a look of horror.

  “Oh God.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  “Come on, Lucas! We’re going to be late!” Marie yelled to the bathroom.

  “Hey, don’t rush me. I’m nervous. Should I shave clean so I look groomed and tidy, or leave the razor stubble so I look older?”

  “Oh my God, who cares. Let’s just go. My father is a stickler about punctuality.”

  “Okay, just let me shave. I want to look like I have some respect.”

  “Yes, that’s good. Shave fast. I’ll be in the car.” She headed out the door. “Oh my God, we’re going to be late. This will be the foreshadow of things to come.”

  Lucas was right behind her with his electric razor.

  “You drive, I’ll shave in the car.”

  “Fine.”

  They drove over to Boston, where her parents lived, to meet them at their favorite, upscale restaurant.

  “So do I look alright? I mean, what would your impression be if you were meeting me for the first time?”

  “I’d think you take too long to get ready.”

  “Seriously.

  “You’re fine. They won’t care what you look like. I promise. We’re here.”

  Marie pulled right up to the valet parking like she’d done it a million times before. Lucas felt quite out of his element. Affluence was a world he knew nothing about, but clearly, Marie was well-trained.