LIFE GOES ON Pt. 9—The Mother’s Day Letter RATED: Adult Situations AUTHOR: Bobbie S. EMAIL: luvleopard2@yahoo.com AUTHOR’S NOTE: Life Goes on is about relationships, old and new, and tying up loose ends. This story begins the evening that “Antarctica” ended. Too many loose ends were left undone. In the effort to tie up some of those dangling loose ends, I borrowed some familiar characters and situations from episodes from all three seasons of TG. All other characters are fictional, as well as a geographic location or two. This story takes place on Mother’s Day, 2006, a few weeks after part 8 ended. --+-- The Mother's Day Letter Mother’s day at the Nicholas Fallin household was one that would be remembered for many years to come. Nick’s Aunt Ruth was still in Pittsburgh from her Easter visit. With three special Moms present, Mona, Helen, and Ruth, Burton and Nick decided it would be a great idea to treat them to dinner on Mother’s Day. Since Mona nursed the twins, it would be easier to serve them at home than to take them out to a restaurant. While the ladies went to church, the two men went about preparing their Mother’s Day feast for the women they loved. As the twins slept in their cribs, Nick began to set the table in the formal dining room, which had seldom been used since he and Mona moved into their dream home nearly a year ago. He spred the table with the ecru lace table cloth his Aunt Liz gave him and Mona as a wedding gift. He then slipped the matching linen napkins into goldplated napkin rings. In the center of the table, he placed the fresh pink floral and tapered candle cenerpiece, that was delivered shortly after the ladies left for church. He finished the six perfect place-settings with gold-rimmed china and stemware, also wedding gifts, and the gold-plated flatware he and Mona received from his law firm for their wedding. He learned how to set a proper table in boarding school, while being taught the social rules of etiquite. No longer did he think it was stupid to know where forks and knives should and should not be placed on a table. He hoped the ladies would notice. Since his Aunt Liz would be joining them around two-thirty, he knew she would notice and comment on his beautiful table. Meanwhile Burton prepared his version of a simple holiday dinner, being mindful that Mona was nursing and could not eat foods that were too spicey. He decided on orange glazed lamb chops, green beans, herb roasted potatoes, a salad, and hot store-bought rolls. On the spur of the moment he thought it would be nice to try his hand at baking a cheese soufflé. For dessert he used his mother’s old recipe for fresh strawberry shortcakes. When Nick was finished in the dining room, he came into the kitchen where Burton gave him the task of cutting up cheese cubes and veggies for an appetizer tray and the the salad. Nick watched Burton as he measured and assembled his ingredients for the souffle’ he planned to put together and bake just before dinner was to be served. Nick asked. “Dad, have you ever made a souffle’ before, I mean, I heard those things required a lot of skill and patience.” “Yes, Son, I have and you loved it.” “When, I don’t ever recall you baking a souffle.’ I would have remembered that.” “It was when you were around five years old and it just happened to be on Mother’s Day. You and I were making dinner for your mother and it just happened to be the same menu we are having today. I think our dessert was cupcakes though. You baked those with a little help from your dad.” “Really? I don’t remember.” “Like I said you were only five. Not much older than Anne.” “There is no way you could manage to bake a souffle’ or anything else today if she was around. I can't believe that my sweet little princess has turned into a little monster just overnight, it seems.” "Well, I have to admit that it's a blessing that she's with Lulu this week-end. But, what our little princess is going through right now is called the terrible two’s, Son. All babies go through it; some earlier, some later. As a toddler, she is growing out of her baby stages and discovering new things. Bless her little heart. She doesn’t know that she is a little pain in the ass. All she knows is what she feels for that moment and that is how she responds.” “Well, she got her first spanking last Friday." Nick chuckled. "She was busy being a little ass-hole and Helen sat her in her little "naughty chair." Well, Anne was having none of that, so Mona said Anne stamped her little feet, yelled no, and flung the chair at Helen. So, Helen yelled no right back at her and swatted her little butt a couple times with the palm of her hand." “My goodness, Lulu would have a fit if she knew.” “It was Lulu who gave both her and Mona permission to spank her. Lulu has been having trouble with her, also. She agreed to do whatever Helen suggests as far as Anne’s discipine, potty training, and bottle weening goes. Helen says everyone has to stay consisent with each other to get any results.” “Well, what happened after Anne’s so-called spanking?” “Helen and Mona said Anne was a good little girl the rest of the day.” The only thing Helen hurt was her feelings, I mean what could she feel through those thick diapers. But, she cried herself to sleep when no one paid her any attention, and when she woke up, she wanted to hug and kiss on Helen.” “Well, now that she knows Helen means business, Anne won’t be trying to bully her again any time soon. Son, it is never too soon to train your children and teach them some respect. I watch those little brats on TV on those nanny programs and I just have to say, “What the Hell?” I mean, I don’t understand parents, crying and pleading with their kids to get them to do what they want. Who’s the damn boss? If I had kids, by golly they would know who the boss was. I mean if I’m the one paying the bills and…” “Dad, Dad, you did have a kid, and he did know who the boss was, okay?” “Oh, I’m sorry, Son. I didn’t mean to carry on so. But I just don’t understand what has happened to parenting these days. You were a good little boy; Your mother and I never had any trouble with you. You had manners, you did as you were told, and you were an excellent student.” “That is only because I knew who the boss was.” Father and son had a good laugh together, just before little Nicky’s voice screamed through the baby monitor, followed by his twin sister. ~~~ When the evening ended and Burton, Ruth, and Liz left, Helen retired to her newley decorated studio apartment over the garage. She needed to finish calling three of her other six children to thank them for her Mother’s Day gifts that her son Tommy and his new bride brought her the day before. They all were lined up on the sofa; gowns, cologne, slippers, bubble bath, earrings, a potted plant, chocolates, and homeade trinkets and cards from her grandchildren. Lulu and Anne gave her a “World’s Greatest Nanny” tee shirt. The satin lounging robe from Mona, lay draped over the foot of her bed, as it was her plan to wear it momentarily. Before calling her daughter, Dawn, she sorted through her gifts to see what she had sent her. Then she remembered the small package and envelope that Nick handed her earlier that morning. He simply requested that she open it later. It took much restraint on her part to call Dawn, and the wives of two other sons before she opened Nick’s gift. Helen sat on the side of her bed as she unwrapped the pink tissue giftwrap and ribbon; the same that Mona had used to wrap her lounging robe, and the scented candle from the kids. It was evident that Nick had wrapped the gift himself, as it appeared to have been done by someone too impatient or unskilled to do the job neatly. Helen smiled to her self. The tacky wrapping job only added to the charm of the gift. She opened the envelope, and pulled out something flat wrapped in pink tissue and a hand-written letter, that read. Helen: I made this leather bookmark for my mom for Mother’s Day back when I was nine year’s old. That was just before she and Dad got divorced and she got sick. She really made a great big fuss over it and you would have thought I had given her the Hope Diamond. Later, after I grew up and re-discovered it in some things of hers that Dad had saved, I thought “what was Mom thinking;" it is only a piece of leather and a few beads. Tacky is the best word I could find to describe it. But, mom genuinely loved it because I made it for her. This little book of poetry was one of the books Mom used to read to me. Then, when she got sick, I would read to her. Helen Steiner Rice was one of her favorite poets and she had several other books written by her. But this particular book is the one she had left the book mark in. I would like for you to have it now. I hope you will enjoy reading the poetry as much as my mom and I enjoyed reading to each other. My mother really knew how to make me and those around her feel loved and very special. When I was 12 years old, she died. After that, I never thought there would ever be anyone else in my life that I could love enough to call Mom, but I was wrong. I just want you to know that I love and appreciate you not only as my mother-in-law, but as a friend, and a mother. Thank you for being a very important part of my life and my family’s. With Love, Nick. Tears welled up in Helen’s eyes and she just cried, letting the warm tears flow. She was so touched, she could do nothing else. Often while an exhausted Mona slept, between nursing the twins, Helen and her son-in-law chatted over coffee. During one of those chats, she learned that in Nick’s rehab sessions, he learned to write down the feelings and emotions that he could not express verbally. She knew he meant every word he wrote and that it came from his heart. For him to be able to give her something that belonged to his beloved mother made her feel very close to him. Closer than she was with some of her very own sons. Helen went downstairs and entered the kitchen, where she found Nick preparing a snack for himself and Mona. She simply kissed him on the cheek and said. “I love you too, Son. ~~~~~~ Ruth came into the living room with a steaming cup of tea, for herself, and a bottle of beer and chips for Burton. It was still too early to go to bed, so she decided she would join him in watching a little television. She was about to start teasing him for watching “Desparate Housewives,” when she noticed he really was not watching TV at all. “Burton, what on earth is the matter? What’s wrong?” Burton removed his glasses and looked up at his sister with red-rimmed eyes. He couldn’t speak a word. He just handed Ruth the piece of paper he had just read: Dad, I know it is Mother’s Day, and fathers are supposed to get their recognition next month, and you will. But, I can not think of a more appropriate opportunity to tell you that I love you and appreciate all you have done, as you played the role of mother for me, throughout the years. I never understood what you must have gone through as a single father, until I became a dad myself. Many times when we were arguing about something foolish, you would tell me that I would understand someday, when I had children. I do understand now. Then, other times you would “put a curse on me” saying, that you hoped that someday my children will put me through the same heartache and sleepless nights that I have put you through. Since Anne and the twins have been in my life, I know, firsthand, the meaning of sleepless nights. I don't think I can stand the agony of the curse of heartache, so I beg you to please remove the curse. Even I don’t deserve to go through what I have put you through. I have changed, I promise I have. If you can’t do it for me, please do it for your grandchildren. Well, anyway, I love you and I just wanted you to know that. Sincerely, Nick Burton sniffed and composed himself, then he called his son’s home. “Nick here.” “The curse is removed, Son. I love you too and I am very proud of you. I just wanted you to know that.” ~~~~~ Mona read her Mother’s Day card as she nursed little Nichole. It was addressed: To my Dearest, Beautiful, Sweet, Sexy, Wife, Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, how I love you! Hey baby. I tried to find a Mother’s Day card that would express how I feel about you. I couldn’t find one. Probably because no one can find the words to put on a card that would describe the love and admiration I have for you. Even I cannot find the words. I just know in my heart that I love you more than any word could ever describe. I have probably loved you from the first time I ever saw you. Each time I look at our little ones, I have to pinch myself and wonder what have I ever done to deserve having someone as wonderful, beautiful, loving, and kind as you to mother my children. Even before we were married, you treated Anne as your own. To you I am so grateful for all that you are in my life. It frightens me to think what my life would be like had I never met you. When I was at my lowest, I actually prayed that God would either kill me or forgive me of my dastardly deeds and give me a second chance at being a better person. I know he heard my prayer, because I met you the very next day. Since then, I have had a purpose in life and a reason to get up and start each new day. I guess what I am trying to say, Baby, is that I love you and I thank God for you. Love, Your husband, lover, and best friend, Nick After Nick checked the doors and the security system, he entered his bedroom carrying two plates of strawberry short-cake. He handed Mona a plate as he reached for little Nichole and placed her over his shoulder to burp her as he ate his dessert. When she was sufficiently burped, he placed her in her crib, undressed, and crawled into bed beside Mona. “I read your Mother’s Day letter, did you mean it?” “Did I mean what?” “You know, that you love me, that you admire me, that I am beautiful. Did you mean all that?” “If I wrote it, I guess I probably meant it.” “It’s the most beautiful gift I have ever received.” “Does that mean you didn’t like the new garden gazebo the kids and I had built for you?" “Don’t be silly, you know I love it and Mama and Aunt Ruth are going to help me choose plants for my garden this week. But for you to write me a letter, well, well, thank you. It is very special and I will keep it forever. I love you so much. This has been the happiest Mother's Day I have ever had. It has been a beautiful day all day long. I'm still at a lost for words." Mona's eyes began to mist. "So was Aunt Liz at a loss for words when we announced that we are expecting again." Mona began to giggle. " I thought she was going to choke on a strawberry. Honey, I think she was embarrassed." "Well, she will get over it. Dad certainly was happy to hear the good news." "I know. Burton seems to love children so much, I am surprised that you are an only child." "Well, he will tell you that it is because I was such a little brat, that he and Mom decided one Dennis the Menace was enough. But in reality, Mom suffered several miscarrages before I was conceived. Dad was concerned for her health and they decided that if they wanted more children they would adopt. It is just as well they didn't since they ended up in divorce." "Look on the bright side, Honey. They had their child and I am sure they had some happy moments before the divorce. If nothing, else your Mama's dream of being a Mom was fulfilled. I know she loved you very much, because her love is still evident in your heart. I only wish somehow she could see her little boy all grown up as the best father and husband in the world. She would be very proud of you just like I am proud of you." Mona kissed her husband and whispered. I love you Mr. Fallin." His eyes misted as he replied, "I love you Mrs. Fallin, Happy Mother's Day." The End.