Change of Scenery-chapter 10
by SamPast and Huggedlots
Copyright (c) 1999

 

Maggie woke up early, and decided that she would be a little helper, and went into the kitchen to set the table, and see what else she could do. Today was going to be a big day. Uncle Bob was coming over and they were going to have breakfast, and go looking at apartments for him to live in.

She said a quick prayer that all would go well, and that Uncle Bob and her Mom would fall in love and get married.......soon! She thought if she was on her best behavior, maybe that might speed things up. Heather heard something crash in the kitchen and sprang out of bed to investigate.

Running in, she saw Maggie in tears trying to clean up the broken sugar bowl. "Ohhh Mommy, I'm soo sorry, I didn't mean to, I didn't!" Maggie cried.

"Shhhhh, it's okay, sweetie, accidents happen, but please, stay still, there is broken glass,and you have no slippers on." Heather quickly reached Maggie, and lifted her up, depositing her on the counter. Then she cleaned up the mess.

Giving Maggie a big hug, Heather told her what a wonderful helper she was, and asked her what they should make for breakfast. Maggie thought a minute and decided on pancakes and sausage.

"I am not sure Uncle Bob eats sausage, honey, sooo let's just make the pancakes, and some orange juice, and coffee. How's that? But first, I think we better get dressed, don't you?" Heather asked.

Maggie giggled, thinking of Uncle Bob seeing her mom in jammies. "Sure Mom, let's get dressed."

A half hour later, Heather was back in the kitchen, working on breakfast, and both she and Maggie were singing together. Bob came to the door, and stopped to listen to the them sing before knocking on the door.

Maggie ran to open it, and flung herself into Bob's arms. Then she told him what was on the menu for breakfast. "What, no bacon?" he asked, laughing.

Bob swung her high up in the air, tickled, and kissed her tummy before depositing her back in her seat at the table. Heather smiled thinking how wonderful it felt watching Bob with Maggie, but decided to put the brakes on her feelings before she got hurt.

After breakfast they looked at the apartment ads, circling a few that looked good. Bob thought Brookville might be a good neighborhood for him. It was a little expensive, but close to Long Island University, and a good woodsy kind of neighborhood. It would only take about 30 minutes to get there. After cleaning everything up, they decided to head out.

In the car, Bob started to sing, and Maggie and Heather joined in, and before long they reached Brookville. Maggie decided that the neighborhood reminded her of where they lived up north, with a lot more room, and more houses than apartments.

Bob didn't like the first few houses they looked at, but they finally found a duplex with the upstairs for rent. The landlady was an older woman who looking at Bob, Heather, and Maggie, mistakenly thought they were a family. They had to wait a few minutes to tell her that they weren't.

"Well, the apartment sure is big enough for all of you," the woman offered with a smile. Opening up the door, she told them to take their time, and then come back for some coffee and fresh baked cookies.

After taking just a quick look, Bob decided he loved the place. There was a huge backyard with a deck with room for a barbeque, and some patio furniture. Inside, there were two bedrooms and a huge kitchen.

Walking around, Heather thought, "what if?" Then realizing how much she was jumping the gun, got mad at herself, which translated into irritation at Bob. Not knowing what has come over her, Bob realized that there had been a shift in Heather's mood.

Bob asked if she wanted to go back downstairs for coffee. She told him, "NO, you go," and walked out the patio and down the steps to the yard. Heather started walking around, kicking at the leaves. Then she decided to take a walk while Bob signed the lease.

Maggie didn't know who to stay with, but sensing Heather's mood, decided it was safer to stay with Bob, and besides, fresh cookies sounded like a plan. Not knowing how to handle Heather, Bob went downstairs with Maggie, hand in hand.

Mrs. Warner fussed over them, served Maggie cookies and milk, and got coffee for herself and Bob. Bob was a bit embarrassed by Heather's disappearance, and kept looking out the window. Mrs. Warner saw his agitation and suggested that he go for a walk with his lady friend. She would keep Maggie busy by playing a game of checkers. Missing her grandmother a bit, Maggie agreed. Bob went out the back door to find Heather.

Heather had walked into the woods, and finally sat down on a log and was crying. Bob walked a bit, heard her crying and walked to the spot where she was sitting. Gathering her in his arms, Bob began to comfort her, not having a single clue as to what the problem was.

He gently asked her, but she kept telling him she didn't know. Knowing that wasn't true, Bob jokingly asked her if he needed to spank her again, like he did Maggie, to get her to tell him. Thinking of poor Maggie's red bottom, Heather decided he just might be serious, and although embarrassed and sobbing harder, told him she didn't want to get hurt.

Now totally confused, Bob asked her what she was talking about. "I, I, I have feelings for you, and I shouldn't," she sobbed.

"Why not?" asked Bob.

"Because, we just, just, just MET!"

"Well, guess what? I have feelings for you, too!" Bob admitted.

"You do? How could you?" Heather asked incredulously.

"Hey, are you doubting the wisdom of my decisions, young lady?" Bob asked smiling gently down at her. Not seeing his smile, because her face was buried in his neck, Heather replied, "No Sir."

"Well then, I think we need to talk, don't you?" he asked. Heather just nodded, thinking how wonderful she felt just sitting there, cuddled in his arms.

"Please kiss me," she whispered in his ear.

Putting his finger under her chin, he gently turned her face to his, and settled his mouth on hers for a long, gentle kiss. Both of them came up breathless, and wanted more, but remembering Maggie, they decided that more would have to wait for the right time.

"Heather?" "Yes, Bob?"

Pulling her up to her feet, Bob held onto Heather's shoulders. "From now on, when something bothers you, NO MORE RUNNING. Is that clear, young lady?"

"I didn't run!" Heather blurted.

"What?" Bob asked her. He started to give her, what Heather called his 'Charlie look', and suddenly SWAT, a hard smack landed on her bottom.

"OUCHH, hey!" Heather cried.

"Now, let's try that again, shall we?" he stated.

Rubbing her bottom, Heather told him, "Okay, you win, no more running."

"Good, glad we settled that. Gee, wonder where your daughter gets it?"

They both laughed, and Heather thought she had gotten off lightly, until Bob whispered in her ear. "IF, you EVER do that again, young lady, you will be over my knee, wishing with all your beautiful heart, that you had NOT made that choice. Got it?"

"Yes, Sir," she whispered back, sure that she had found the love of her life. Now, to get HIM to see it too. Ahhhhh, hmmmmmmm.

Bob took Heather's hand, and they walked back to the house. Maggie was fully engrossed in her game of checkers, but Mrs. Warner glanced up and saw them smiling at one another. It made her feel content. Chuckling to herself, and knowing what an old matchmaker she was, she just knew there would be a wedding soon. Ohhh how she missed her husband. Being a widow sure wasn't a comfort. With her children all living so far away, she could easily see herself adopting these three.

Totally unaware of Mrs. Warner's chain of thought, Heather and Bob told Maggie that it was time to go.

"But I am not finished yet," Maggie whined.

Heather looked at Bob and he realized she was giving him the go ahead to take charge. "Now listen here, young lady, there will be NO whining, is that clear?" Bob spoke sternly.

Maggie quickly looked up and saw the stern look on Bob's face, but decided to test him anyway. "Well, it is NOT nice to interrupt me and Mrs. Warner, now is it?" Maggie sneered.

"EXCUSE ME, young lady?" Bob inquired.

In a louder voice, Maggie said, "I SAID, WE WEREN'T DONE!"

"MAGGIE!" said Heather in an outraged voice, "apologize IMMEDIATELY."

Maggie knew she was pushing, but couldn't seem to stop herself. She needed and wanted something she didn't understand. Bob too was shocked, and knew that he had to do something right then, and that it couldn't wait until they drove home.

Bob cleared his throat and said, "I think Maggie and I need to go upstairs for a few minutes. Will you both excuse us?"

Mrs. Warner knew exactly what Bob had in mind (and knowing there is no furniture upstairs) said, "Excuse me, but I think I would like to show Heather some of my roses. Why don't you two have your talk right here?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Warner," Bob said.

At this point, Maggie was scuffing her shoe on the carpet. Heather felt torn and guilty for not having set a very good example when she ran from Bob, and she feels worried and anxious.

Bob sensed Heather's confusion and walked over to her and whispered, "It will be okay, sweetie, trust me, okay?"

"Yes, I do," she whispered back to him. Bob motioned for them to leave. Heather and Mrs. Warner walked out the french patio doors closed them behind them.

"Okay, young lady, come here," Bob beckoned to her.

Maggie remained rooted to where she was, confused and not sure of why she did what she did.

Raising his voice to penetrate her thoughts, Bob commanded, "RIGHT NOW!"

Maggie looked up at him, with slow tears sliding down her face. Feeling his heart contract, Bob knew he had to get through to her.

Gently, he said, "Come here, little one."

Maggie rushed over and threw herself into his arms, and sobbed, "I am sooo sorry. I really don't know WHY I did that. I don't, I don't!"

Bob scooped her up and sat with her on the couch. "Tell me what you are feeling, little one," he requested.

"I can't, you would be mad at me," Maggie replied quietly.

Bob asked, "And why is that?"

Maggie took a deep breath and said, "Because, I just, I mean, well I want. I wish I could live here with you." With that, Maggie started to sob on his shoulder, telling him about how often she has wanted a daddy, and how everyone else has one, and how much she loves Charlie, and had wished HE were her daddy, but now that she has met Bob, she wishes he would fall in love with her mom and take care of them both forever.

Bob was surprised at how open she was with him, and felt incredibly touched. Rocking her back and forth, he told her honestly that relationships took time, and he and her mom had a long way to go before they would know for sure if it was right for them to be together for always. But that whatever happened with the two of them, he would always care for her.

"Do you really promise that, Uncle Bob?" Maggie asked incredulously.

"Yes, sweetheart, I do," Bob admitted.

"I'm sorry for the way I behaved, Uncle Bob. Are you going to spank me?" Maggie asked.

"Hmm, well, young lady, you were pretty rude, weren't you?" Bob reasoned.

"Yes, Sir," Maggie replied meekly.

"And what do naughty little girls get?" Bob asked. "A spanking."

Bob was torn between wanting to just continue hugging this poor little unhappy child, and knowing that he needed to be consistent and follow through on discipline.

"Okay, well, then, since you were sooo naughty, I guess we better get this over with." With that, he flipped her over his knee, and without pulling down her jeans, gave her about 10 medium swats on her bottom. When he stopped, he asked her, "Okay, young lady, have you learned anything?"

"Yes sir, you will not tolerate my being rude," Maggie said matter of factly.

Trying to hide a smile, Bob knew he had done the right thing by spanking her, and said, "That is correct. Anything else?"

"That you care enough to spank me, sir," Maggie declared.

Turning her over, and gathering her into his arms for a big hug, Bob told her, "That is totally correct, sweetie."

Standing her up, he swatted her bottom lightly, and said, "NOW, do not make me do that again today, okay?"

"Giggling, Maggie replied, "Yes sir."

Opening up the back patio doors, Bob called to Heather to tell her that they needed to get going. Heather, worried, looked at a smiling Maggie, and felt the tension leave her body. She was so glad Bob had come into her and her daughter's life.

Gathering their things, Bob told Mrs. Warner that he needed to go back to Chicago and pack, and he would like to move in in about two weeks if that was okay with her. Mrs. Warner, glad to see things all settled, told him that it would be fine, and she was looking forward to getting to know them all better.

Maggie fell asleep during the ride back to Merrick, and Heather, feeling worried, started chewing her lip. Bob tried to figure out what Heather was thinking and why she was so quiet, and decided to ask directly.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Well, umm, when are you leaving?" Heather said quietly.

"Ahhh, I am flying on Wednesday. I need to pack and ship my stuff, and finish things out at the college. I have that interview at Long Island University tomorrow, but as I have told you, it is merely a formality. I talked to the Dean of the college before I came out, and he has offered me the position already. It really is more to meet the rest of the department. I start teaching in January," he replied calmly.

Heather said, "And umm, when will you be back?" She was staring at her hands, which were twisted together in her lap.

Glancing at her, Bob covered her hands with one of his, and told her, "As soon as I can. Will you help me move in?"

"You really want me to?" Heather asked.

"Of course, silly, I need all the slave labor I can get!" Bob announced, amused.

Heather giggled and punched his arm playfully.

"Hey, you better watch that, young lady," Bob told her in a mock stern voice.

"Yes Sir," Heather replied playfully, then punched him again.

"What would you like to eat? It is already past 2 and I am starved. Cookies only go so far, you know," Bob said laughing.

"I really don't know this area at all, you pick. Anything is okay with me if it isn't fast food," Heather replied.

"Okay, let's see. I know of this great Italian restaurant on the way back, want to stop there? We can have a heavy lunch, and then a light supper later tonight, maybe just the two of us?" Bob suggested.

Smiling up at him shyly, Heather responded, "I would like that."

Maggie woke up as they pulled into the parking lot and stretched.

"Hungry sweetie?" Heather asked.

"What time is it?" Maggie asked in return.

"About 2 o'clock. Why? Do you have an appointment somewhere?" Heather asked her smiling.

"Ohhh Mommmm," Maggie smiled.

The three of them laughed and chatted and ate like a real family, and Heather again felt the rightness of them being together, and got worried. Reminding herself, NOT to get too attached, she backed off a bit in the conversation. Bob, thinking she was tired, paid the check, and hustled them back to the car.

Back at the apartment, Bob and Heather made lists of everything that had to be done to get the apartment ready, and Heather agreed to help decorate. Maggie wanted to know if she could help too.

"Of course you can. Let's see now, how about you tell me what color you think we should paint the second bedroom?" Bob asked.

Thinking about it, she told him, "PINK."

Heather groaned, and told her, "Honey, Uncle Bob does NOT want to live with pink walls. You have to think masculine, I mean guy stuff."

"Ohh," looking crestfallen, and embarrassed, Maggie didn't want to say she was already thinking of it as HER room. "Then, ahh, well, any color is okay, I guess," and she ran to her bedroom.

"You two sure are moody, do you know that?" Bob observed.

Knowing full well what Maggie was thinking, but not, under pain of death, willing to tell him, she just shrugged, and said, "Hormones!" "Uh Huh.Hmmmmmph."

Just then the phone rang. It was Jennifer calling for Maggie. Heather gave the phone to Maggie, and walked back to the kitchen. A minute later, Maggie came running back to them all excited.

"Mom, guess what?" she asked.

"What?" Heather asked.

"Jenn and Robin asked me to go to this coooool new place. IT has video games, and a climbing thing and it just opened somewhere near here, and Aunt Lisa and Uncle Charlie want ME to come. Can I go, can I, can I, PLEASSSSSSE?"

Laughing, Bob said, "Well, what about ME?"

"Huh?" Maggie asked, "Ohhh, you can come, too, if you like, Uncle Bob."

Laughing harder, Bob said, "That's okay, sweetie, I was just teasing you."

Heather asked for the phone and told Jenn to put her mom on. "Hi Lisa, whats up?"

"Well, Charlie got some free tickets for the new Discovery Zone that opened up near the store and thought we would take all the girls. You and Bob are more than welcome to come with us, if that is the way you want to spend your evening," Lisa laughed.

"Ummm, no thanks. I think we will take a rain check," Heather responded.

Lisa laughed, "How about we just keep Maggie here tonight? That way you don't have to rush back from whatever your plans are," Lisa said, trying not to push. "That is, of course, if you two have plans?" Lisa was fishing now.

Laughing, Heather told her, "No we don't, but I am sure we can make some."

"Okay, drop her off around 6, okay?" Lisa requested.

"Are you sure, Lisa?" Heather asked doubtfully.

"Of course I'm sure, silly. But, ohh by the way, did I tell you? Charlie and I have this formal dinner thing to go to next weekend, so you get the twins for the night," she added.

"Sure Lisa, no problem," Heather laughed into the phone.

"Okay, see ya later," Lisa said and hung up.

Maggie was jumping up and down, and Heather pulled her over to her, and told her, "Look, I want you to behave tonight, is that understood, young lady?"

"Yes Mom, don't worry," Maggie replied.

"Yeah, well, you know what will happen if you don't, right?" Heather asked.

"Yes Mom, either Uncle Charlie or Aunt Lisa will spank me," Maggie said.

"Okay, then please think before you act, okay?" Heather reminded her.

"Okay, chill Mom!" Maggie sneered.

"Maggie!" Bob warned.

"Umm, sorry, sorry Mom. I am just soooo excited," Maggie said in a nice voice.

Turning her around, Heather gave her a light swat on her bottom, and told her to go pack. Getting far enough away not to be in reach, Maggie turned and told them NOT to waste the evening alone. Heather turned red, but Bob just laughed.

"She has a point, you know," Bob reasoned. "Sooo, what would you like to do?"

"Well," Heather replied, "I am still stuffed from lunch. Should we go look at some furniture for your new place?"

"Okay, let's head to Levitz and see what they have after we drop her off," Bob replied.

Both wanted to spend time alone exploring each other, but both were too shy to admit it. So, off they went. They dropped Maggie off at Charlie and Lisa's and headed to Levitz. Bob, thinking that he was crazy, but still thinking how wonderful it was to be with Heather, and imagining that they might have a future, was really interested in Heather's tastes.

Heather walked through the rooms of furniture, and found a sale on a country kitchen and chair set. Rushing around, she found some placemats, and a vase to put in the middle of the table, and had Bob drag over a server that she saw in another set up. Rearranging it to her satisfaction, she stepped back to see Bob's reaction.

Bob was so busy looking and admiring how creative Heather was, that he had to concentrate on what she had done. Loving it, he told her, and told the clerk to write it up, as is. Next, they moved into the bedroom sets, and Heather suddenly got shy.

Sensing that, and deciding that he had had enough of shopping, Bob whispered in her ear that he would like to go back to her place. Blushing cutely with her thoughts, Heather quickly agreed. They were both rather quiet on the ride back. Heather letting them back into her apartment, was struck by how cramped it was compared to his new place. "Ah well, it is the best I can do."

Bob walked over to the couch, and reached over and took Heather into his lap. Burying his face in her hair, he told her how much he had been wanting to do that all day. Surprised, but loving it, Heather relaxed into his arms. Neither wanted to rush the moment, and sat contentedly, talking and talking, and feeling as if they had known one another forever.

Overcome with his need for her, Bob started to tease and tickle her. Heather responded by taking a pillow and hitting him with it.

"Ohh, so that is how you want to play, is it?" Bob smiled at her. Grabbing another pillow, Bob hit her with it, as she lept out of his lap. Running, Heather stayed just clear of him, but he pushed her down the hallway, and they wound up giggling on her bed.

Hmmm, pinning her down Bob told her that he thinks that they have some unfinished business to discuss. "We do?" Heather asked, confused.

"Yes dear, it seems to me that one young lady ran away today, acted very childish, and I think we need to resolve that this minute," Bob said playfully.

Heather's eyes got big. She looked up at his twinkling eyes, and knew that he was playing with her and is not angry.

"Sooo, young lady, tell me, what do naughty girls get?"

"They get spanked, sir."

"And how do they get spanked?" he asked her, in a very husky voice.

"Ummm, over your knee, sir?" she asked teasingly.

Faking a growl, he replied, "I think you ought NOT be flip with me, young lady!"

Slowly, Heather raised her arms, so that Bob had access to whatever he wanted. Leaning down to kiss her, Bob started to nuzzle her neck and gave her a very long, sensuous kiss. Then moving down, he unzipped her jeans, and rolled her over. Tugging down her pants and panties, he moved her over his knees, and started to slowly spank her.

Heather couldn't believe what she was feeling, as he slowly and sensuously spanked her. "NOW, we cannot grow in this relationship if we are not honest with each other, right?" SWAT. "Yes Sir."

I know you are scared, right?" SWAT. "Right Sir."

"Okay, then we will both talk it through, right?" SWAT. "Right Sir."

Slowly rubbing her bottom, Bob turned her back over and gathered her tightly in his arms, whispering in her ears, until she was all feeling, and no thought.

~~~~~~~~

Heather stretched and slowly woke up, suddenly realizing she was wrapped in Bob's arms. Remembering the night before, Heather smiled, and snuggled into Bob's warmth. Bob, still asleep, instinctively pulled Heather closer into his side.

Feeling totally happy for the first time in her life, Heather suddenly started to worry. "What if he goes to Chicago, and decides this was a mistake? What if Charlie doesn't think I am good for Bob? What if his parents don't like me, or approve? What if he decides that a wife and a child are too much to handle?"

Heather couldn't help driving herself crazy, and worried that he would now think she was a slut, slow tears began to fall.

Bob felt Heather's uneven breathing, and turned her around in his arms. "Hey, what is this honey? Are you sore? Sorry? What?"

Bob's look of tender concern made Heather cry harder. "Come on now, talk to me."

"I can't," Heather sobbed.

"Hmm, are all of our times together gonna end with me being soggy?" Bob asked.

Heather smiled up at him through her tears. "I just, well, I, kind of, well, I wondered, if YOU would think I did this with every guy I met."

Taking hold of her shoulders, Bob looked down at Heather, and shook her gently. "Listen to me, you have to STOP doubting yourself and us. Do you hear me young lady?" "Yes Sir."

Heather sighed and buried her head on his chest. "I can't help worrying."

"Well stop it," and with that, Bob smacked her hard on her bottom.

"OUCH, hey that hurt!"

"That's Right! It was supposed to," and before she could protest, he leaned down to kiss her, hard and well. "Now, I am starved, so get moving, SWAT, and get me some breakfast, woman!" SWAT.

Bob playfully pushed her out of bed, and Heather laughing, grabbed her robe and headed for the kitchen to put on coffee. Bob shook his head, wondering how he was ever going to help Heather be secure. Knowing how hurt and let down she was through all her childhood and the scars that were still there, he knew he would have to be very patient with her. Like Charlie, Bob had fallen in love at first sight, but Heather wasn't making this easy.

"Heather!" he called out, "Come here."

Hearing that authoritative sound in his voice, Heather quickly obeyed. Grabbing her around her waist, he pulled her in for a tight hug and kiss, and then settled her on his lap. "Sweetheart, I know you have had a hard time, and I realize that you have doubts about us, but we will go slow, as slow as you need, so that you have no more doubts, okay?"

Heather found him so endearing, and shook her head at him. "You don't understand. I don't want to go slow, I just thought YOU did."

Bob started to laugh, and tickled her at the same time. "Well, see what happens when you don't tell me what you think? We both misunderstand one another, young lady! And that, will earn you a spanking."

Quickly flipping her over, and moving her robe out of the way, Bob started slowly, then sped up his smacks landing first on one cheek and then the other, but keeping it light, he merely warmed her up.

"Now, tell me what doubts you have in that mind of yours!" SWAT.

Heather didn't say anything so Bob upped the ante, and SWAT, delivered a rather stinging smack. "OUCHHH, well, I,"

"Come on now, do you need more encouragement?" SWAT.

"Ohh, nooo, please, turn me over so we can really talk, Bob," Heather cried.

Complying, Bob turned her back over and snuggled her on his lap.

"Sweetie, I am scared," Heather whispered into his neck.

"Of what, hon?" Bob was honestly confused.

"Of you deciding I am not good enough for you, or that Charlie will think I am too irresponsible, or your parents won't like me. I don't know, just all kinds of stuff," Heather admitted.

"Well, young lady, they are all silly kinds of stuff, and I thank you for sharing that with me," Bob stated.

"You do?" Heather was surprised.

"Yes, I can't help you if you don't tell me. If I could, I would take you to Chicago with me. I don't like the idea of us being apart, but you have to work, and Maggie has to go to school. I will wrap up my stuff as soon as I can, and I promise to call you every single night, okay? And you will have my numbers so you can call me any time you need me. Is that a deal?" Bob asked.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Heather replied, "Deal!"

~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday morning came much too quickly, and seeing him off at the airport was really hard on Heather. Knowing that it would be, Bob had asked Charlie to invite her and Maggie over for dinner. Getting back to work, and trying to keep up a brave front, Heather saw the message that Charlie had called. Returning his call, and hearing the dinner invite, Heather refused, and told him she didn't feel like it.

"Well then, that's different," Charlie told her.

"It is?" Heather asked.

"Yes, then it isn't an invitation, it is AN ORDER, young lady," Charlie said, trying to sound serious.

"But, I need to be home tonight, Charlie," Heather explained.

Guessing what she was thinking, he told her that Bob knew where she would be and was going to call her at his house at 8:30.

"You two! Okay, I guess an order is an order. Can I bring anything?" Heather asked.

"Yes," Charlie replied, "Maggie."

Laughing, they both hung up.

After picking up Maggie at the Boys and Girls Club, Heather headed for Charlie and Lisa's house. Maggie looked pretty droopy and Heather checked to see if she felt well.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Mom, don't fuss," Maggie said fliply. Maggie, in her own mind, had decided that Bob was NOT going to come back, but didn't want to tell Heather. She thought that he had decided he didn't want to be her daddy. If her real daddy didn't want to see her or be with her, why should anyone else? It had been a very long time since she had seen or heard from him, and the hurt was deep within her heart and mind. She just figured she must not be good enough. Heather kept silent waiting for Maggie to tell her what was wrong, but Maggie was in her own little world.

At the apartment, Maggie ran off to see Robin and Jenn, and Heather went to help Lisa in the kitchen. Knocking on the twins' door, Maggie went in to see what they were doing. Unhappy and spoiling for a fight, Maggie started to tease Robin about seeing her with a boy from her class.

"Robin and Kevin sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G," Maggie sang sing-songy.

"Stop that!" Robin yelled at her. Maggie kept taunting. Jenn jumped in and all of a sudden they were fighting on the floor. Hearing the commotion, Charlie came running, and demanded to know what was going on.

"Umm nothing, Daddy, just playing," Jenn told Charlie, pleading with her eyes for the others to keep silent. The last thing they all needed was a spanking.

"Well, for goodness sakes, play quieter, I thought the three of you were killing each other," Charlie stated, shaking his head at them, and left.

Jenn went over to Maggie, and told her, "LOOK, I don't know what your problem is tonight, but you had BETTER not get US in trouble. Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it," Maggie said with a 'tough-guy' attitude.

"It's not nice to tease," Robin said.

"It's not nice to tease," Maggie repeated, snottily.

"Maggie!" Robin pleaded.

"Maggie!" Again Maggie repeated.

"Stop, I hate that game!" Robin yelled.

Jennifer whispered, "Shhh, be quiet!"

"Stop, I hate that game! Shhh, be quiet!" Maggie repeated and laughed.

Robin just looked at Maggie with daggers. Then she looked at Jennifer with a question on her face. Jennifer shrugged and said, "Just ignore her, Robin."

"Just ignore her, Robin," Maggie repeated again.

"ENOUGH, Maggie, you've had your fun. Why can't we all just play a game?" Jennifer asked.

"Okay, let's play I SPY," Maggie suggested.

"Finally, a real game. Okay, you go first, Maggie," Jenn said.

Maggie said, "Okay." She looked around the room. Finally, having settled on something she looked at the twins. "I spy, with my little eye, something that begins with the letter "d", or maybe in your case, the letter "p"," Maggie paused for effect.

Robin and Jenn looked at each other. They thought their friend had flipped her lid.

Maggie continued, "Usually babies wear them. All day and night, so they don't make a mess. And their parents have to ch-"

"Enough, Maggie. Why do you have to be so cruel tonight?" Robin asked

"That was really mean, Maggie," Jennifer said, hurt. She was very sensitive about wetting her bed and she thought Maggie was a real friend and understood. She guessed she had been wrong.

"I'm going to tell Daddy," Robin said, getting up.

"No, don't, I'm just gonna ignore her," Jenn replied. "Don't, Robin."

"You know, your uncle is a big liar!" Maggie said.

"He is not!" Robin spoke. "Why do you say that?"

Maggie responded, "He just is. He's a big, fat liar. And I don't like him! And I hope I never see him again!" Maggie shouted.

"That's it, I'm telling Daddy!" Robin said and bolted from the room.

"Well, now you've done it, Maggie, I hope it was worth it!" Jenn explained.

Robin ran into the kitchen where the three adults were hanging out and laughing. "DADDY! MOMMY! Maggie's being mean. She teased me and Jenn, and now she's saying mean things about Uncle Bob!" Robin cried.

Charlie picked Robin up to comfort her.

They all looked at Heather. "Maggie? She did? I don't know what's wrong with her. She seemed moody ever since I picked her up this afternoon," Heather admitted.

"Well, I'm going to find out what's going on!" Charlie said.

He put Robin down, took her hand, and they all walked back to the twins' bedroom. When they got there, Jennifer was sitting on her bed, and Maggie was on the floor. Charlie could tell Jenn had been crying. He went and sat down with her. She jumped into his lap and put her head on his shoulder.

"Okay, how 'bout you tell us what's going on in here? And the truth this time," Charlie said sternly.

Jennifer took her head away from his shoulder and looked at his eyes. "I, uh, Maggie was being mean, Daddy," Jenn stated.

"So I heard. Maggie, you want to tell us what's going on?" Charlie asked.

"Nothing. We were just playing a game and they didn't like it," Maggie replied with that same 'tough-guy' attitude.

"Yeah, well, when the game is insulting me and Jenn, we don't like it," Robin said.

Heather spoke up, "Maggie, what's going on with you? What did you say to Robin and Jenn?"

Jennifer waited for Maggie to speak up and when she didn't, she offered, "Maggie was making fun of me for wetting the bed."

Heather looked appalled. "MAGGIE! How could you? Robin and Jenn are your best friends!"

Jenn spoke up again, "And we just tried to ignore her but then she started insulting Uncle Bob."

Heather turned to face Maggie. "But you love Uncle Bob. Sweetie, why would you say mean things about him?"

"BECAUSE I FELT LIKE IT. NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!" Maggie shouted.

"Maggie!" Heather yelled.

Charlie, who had remained quiet throughout this exchange, finally spoke up, "Maggie, you will not speak to your mother or anyone in this house like that, do you understand me?"

Maggie just looked at Charlie and didn't say a word.

Heather asked again, "Honey, why did you insult Uncle Bob?"

"I don't have to tell you. It's your fault anyway!" Maggie blurted.

Heather sighed. She looked at Charlie with a face that said "help me." Charlie announced, "Okay, young lady, I think you and your mom need to go talk in the den."

"NO!" Maggie shouted. "I'm not going anywhere with her!"

"Maggie!" Heather pleaded.

Charlie could tell that Heather was at her wits' end. He stood up and said to Maggie, "If you don't go with your mother to the den, you'll come with me to my bedroom!"

Jennifer and Robin, who were sitting with Lisa, looked up at that last statement. They both knew what their father had in mind for their friend.

"I don't have to listen to you. YOU'RE NOT MY FATHER!" Maggie yelled and then began to cry.

Charlie looked as though someone had hit him. He felt taken aback. "No, I'm not your father, you're right. But Heather is your mother. And I don't like the way you spoke to her. Now, I want you to apologize, and then come with me to my bedroom. RIGHT NOW!"

When Maggie didn't move, Charlie got up, picked Maggie up, put her screaming over his shoulder and started to walk out of the room. He turned to Heather and said, "You come, too."

Heather followed Charlie into his bedroom, where he deposited Maggie on his bed. He spoke to Heather, "You two need to talk. Take as long as you need. This young lady needs a spanking."

"But..." Heather whispered.

"What? Heather, you can't keep relying on me to discipline your daughter. She spoke to you disrespectfully and she was mean to her friends. You can't let her get away with that," Charlie said.

Charlie turned to Maggie, "Are you going to tell your mother why you spoke to her that way?"

"NO! Why don't you just spank me and get it over with, Uncle Charlie?" Maggie requested.

"I'm not going to spank you, Maggie," Charlie said.

"You're not?" Maggie asked with disbelief.

"You're not?" Heather echoed.

"No," Charlie answered, "You are. And if Maggie here won't tell you why she's acted the way she has, then I suggest you keep spanking her until she tells you. Now, I'll be in the kitchen helping Lisa put the finishing touches on dinner. Take your time!" Charlie said, patting Heather on the arm, as he left the room.

Heather looked at the door, long after Charlie left. She realized she was finally on her own. Charlie had helped her past the amount of time he should have. She would have to take responsibility for rearing her own daughter.

She walked over to where Maggie still sat on the bed, and sat with her. She turned Maggie to face her. "Sweetie, what's going on with you today? It's not like you to tease your two best friends."

"Mom, just leave me alone," Maggie blurted.

Heather responded, "NO, Maggie! I will not leave you alone. Now you tell me why you've been acting this way, right now, young lady!"

With that, Heather grabbed Maggie and pulled her over her lap. Without pulling down her pants, Heather began smacking Maggie's backside. With each smack, she lectured her naughty daughter.

"Now, I don't know why (SMACK) you've been acting like this (SMACK) tonight. You know much (SMACK) better than that. And I want to know why (SMACK) you spoke to me and Uncle Charlie (SMACK) the way you did. And I want to know why (SMACK) you teased your friends, (SMACK) and I want to know why you insulted (SMACK) Uncle Bob. (SMACK) And I want to know all this (SMACK) right (SMACK) this minute(SMACK)!" Heather commanded.

Maggie was hysterically crying. She didn't know her mother had it in her. Even though she still had her pants on, she knew this was the hardest spanking her mother had ever given her.

"Okay, Mommy, stop hitting me!" Maggie wailed.

Heather picked Maggie up and stood her in front of her. "Are you going to talk to me now?"

"Yeeees!" Maggie snapped.

Heather flipped her back over her knee and gave her five rapid spanks. "Don't speak to me like that, young lady!"

When Heather stood Maggie up again, Maggie cried, "I'm sorry, Mommy."

"That's better. Now tell me what's gotten into you," Heather ordered.

Maggie sniffled. "I don't know why I teased the twins. They just got on my nerves, that's all!"

"It doesn't sound like you're too sorry, young lady," Heather said. She pulled Maggie's pants and panties down and pulled her back over her lap.

When Maggie realized what was happening, she yelled, "NO! MOMMY! I'M SORRRRRRY!"

It was too little, too late, Heather thought. She spanked and spanked Maggie over and over again. Maggie was beyong hysterical. Finally, Maggie just laid limp over her mother's knee. She was silently sobbing. Heather knew she had had enough and stopped.

"I'm sorry, Mommy," Maggie uttered.

Heather began to rub Maggie's backside. "Tell me what you're sorry about, Maggs!"

"I'm sorry you had to spank me!" Maggie said. She looked up at Heather and saw that she was frowning. "I mean, because I was a brat, that's what I meant."

"GO ON!" Heather expressed.

"I don't know why I teased Robin and Jenn. It wasn't very nice of me," Maggie admitted.

Heather pulled Maggie up and sat her on the bed next to her. Maggie winced when her bottom touched the bed. "No, it wasn't very nice of you. And you will have a hard time apologizing to them. Especially to Jennifer. You really hurt her feelings."

Maggie looked down. "I know. I shouldn't have done it. I was just feeling very mad, Mommy!"

"What were you feeling mad about, Maggs?" Heather asked concerned.

"I was mad at you, because you made Uncle Bob go away, and now he's not coming back, and he won't be my daddy!" Maggie said very quickly.

As soon as Heather sorted out what her daughter had said, she sighed. "Oh, Maggs, is that what you thought?"

Maggie didn't trust herself to speak, so she just nodded.

Heather turned Maggie to face her. She put her finger under Maggie's chin so that she was looking right into her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't explain better, then. Uncle Bob just went back to Chicago to pack. He'll be back real soon."

"That's what he told you, but it's not true!" Maggie cried.

"What do you mean, Maggs?" Heather asked confused.

Maggie replied, "He isn't really coming back. He doesn't want me."

Heather was stunned. She recalled what Maggie had said to Charlie about him not being her father. "I don't understand, honey. Please tell me what you mean," Heather requested.

"Do I have to spell it out for you, Mom? Bob doesn't want to marry you, because then he'll be stuck with me. He doesn't want me. My real father didn't want me. No one wants me!" Maggie declared.

Heather took Maggie into her arms and said, "Oh, honey, oh, no, that's not it, really!" Heather rocked Maggie and tried to comfort her.

Outside, Charlie had heard the spanking, but now things were just too quiet. He figured he'd better check on them. He peeked his head inside his bedroom door and saw Heather rocking Maggie.

"Heather, everything all right?" Charlie asked, concerned.

Heather looked up. "No, but it will be. Thank you."

"Okay, call if you need me," Charlie responded.

"I won't, need you, I mean. Thank you for making me take the next step, Charlie. I really owe you," Heather told him.

He waved and walked back to the kitchen. "She really has grown a lot," he said to Lisa.

"Who, Maggie?" Lisa asked, surprised.

"No, I mean, Heather," Charlie answered.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Heather continued to rock and hold Maggie as she sobbed and sobbed. Afraid she might make herself sick, Heather tried to shush her but Maggie sobbed on as if all the hurt of the last nine years was breaking her heart. When she calmed down enough to listen, Heather started to talk to her about her father.

"Maggs?" Heather said.

"Snifff, yeah Mom?"

Heather continued, "Your dad is a really nice guy. He was just not ready to face my being pregnant with you. HE did the right thing, honey. He married me, and we tried, but we were soooo young, and he wanted a different kind of life. He was an athlete, and he got a scholarship to college, and I had to let him go. You and I lived with Grandma, and we saw him on his breaks, and when I could go with you to visit him at the college.

But, honey, we grew apart, and by the time you were four, your dad and I were worlds apart in our interests and lives. I couldn't hold onto him and have us all be miserable. But, sweetheart you have to hear me on this, YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF IT. Your dad isn't rejecting YOU, even though I understand how much it hurts, and how much you would love him to be part of our lives. It just is never going to happen.

You know we are divorced, and you know that he is married to someone else, right? I know your dad made promises, and that he never kept them, and if I could change that, I would. But sweetie, I can't make your dad keep his promises, and someday, he is going to regret not knowing you, because you are a pretty terrific person, and it is HIS loss.

And, you know what? It is not about ME not being good enough either, but it took me a long time to realize that. What we need to do is look ahead, not back. If and when your dad wants to be a part of your life, it will be YOUR decision if you want to let him in or not. I will never force you to. BUT, right now, he lives far away, and has his own life just as we have ours. AND, we are going to be happy."

Maggie interrupted, "BUT MOM!"

"What, honey?"

"How could he NOT love me? NOT want me, NOT even ever want to see me?" Maggie asked confused.

Heather sighed, and realized that Maggie hadn't really taken in a word she had said. She was too wrapped up in her own pain. Heather just held Maggie, and told her, "Because he is a selfish, immature man, who has no clue what he is missing. Honey, that doesn't mean that all men are like that, or that you are unlovable. AND, thinking that about yourself, will only make YOU unhappy. Can you even try to understand that?"

Maggie was so exhausted at this point that she was half asleep when the phone rang. Hearing a knock on the door, Heather called, "Come in". Charlie stuck his head in, and said, "Bob is on the phone and wants to talk to both of you, do you want to take the call?"

Maggie blinked and looked at Charlie as if she couldn't believe it. "Can I talk first, Mom, can I?"

Charlie smiled at Heather and quietly left again. "Sure sweetie, pick up this extension."

"Uncle Bob?"

"Hi Maggs, how are you? Are you being good, young lady?" Bob asked.

"Well, ummm, ahhhh," Maggie tried.

Bob laughed and said, "Hmmm, I guess not, huh?"

"I tried, Uncle Bob, are you mad at me?" Maggie asked quietly.

Bob answered, "No sweetie, what I am is really missing you, and your mom, too." "You do?" asked Maggie.

"Of course, silly girl, what did you think, that I wouldn't?" Bob asked.

"Well, IIIII, Ahhhhh, guess so," Maggie said in almost a whisper.

"Ahhh, I see, baby." Bob, realizing what was happening, said, "Maggie, I want you to listen to me, okay? First of all, get a pen and paper. Okay? Now write down my phone number. I want you to call me, if you need to talk, okay?"

"You do?" asked Maggie quizzically.

Bob answered, "Yes, I do. I would much rather have you call and talk things out, then to get into trouble, okay?" Teasing her a little, he said, "I don't want the first thing I have to do when I get back is to spank you, okay?"

"Ohhh, Uncle Bob, Mommy already did that tonight," Maggie admitted.

Bob was surprised. "She did?"

"Yes Sir," Maggie answered.

"Well then, whatever it was, it's over with, so we don't have to talk about it, unless there's something you want to tell me, okay?" Bob offered.

"Thanks, Uncle Bob, I uhh, don't really want to have to tell you," Maggie replied.

"Then you don't have to. Is there anything you want to ask me?" Bob asked, sensing that there was something.

"Well, ahh," very quietly Maggie asked, "Are you really coming back?"

Bob sighed. He answered, "Ohhhh sweetheart, have you been worrying about that? Honey, I promise not to be away a minute longer than I have to, and by tommorow night when I call, I will have more of an idea of how long it's going to take. Then, I promise, I will tell you EXACTLY when I will be back. Deal?"

"Deal," Maggie replied, although still hesitatant. She had heard these things before, and was afraid to trust.

"Well, I would like to talk to your Mom for a bit if that's okay with you, Maggs," Bob asked her. "But Maggs?"

"Yes Sir?" Maggie asked.

"I do miss you, very very much, and I am not just telling you that. It's the truth, cross my heart," Bob uttered.

"I miss you a lot too, Uncle Bob. Here's Mom." Handing Heather the phone, Maggie told her she would go see if dinner was almost ready.

Grateful for the privacy, Heather told her what a good idea that was. After she closed the door, Heather quickly filled Bob in on what had happened, and the reasons behind it.

"Heather, I know how important follow through is, and I promise not to let her down. But our relationship is not just about Maggie, even though she is an important part of it. I miss you more than I ever imagined I would, sweetheart, and I want to get back as soon as I can," Bob stated.

Hearing those words, Heather started to cry.

"Hon? Are you crying?" Bob asked, concerned.

"Yes, I am," Heather answered.

"Why?" "Because I'm happy," she joyfully answered.

"Ohh, well that makes sense," he replied and laughed. "Okay, here is an idea. How about you and Maggie go out to my new place some time this week, and ask Mrs. Warner if you could measure the windows? That way, you two will have something positive to do, instead of sitting and moping."

"Yes Sir," Heather replied laughing.

Bob said, "Okay, I'd better go. You have the number here at my apartment. If you punch in star 88, it will automatically page me. IF ANYTHING comes up and you need me, I want you to do that, got it?"

"Yes Sir," Heather replied happily.

"Okay, now, no more crying, okay? I will be back soon. And, we have a LOT to talk about when I do," Bob informed Heather.

"We do?" Heather asked cautiously.

"Yes, we do. I will call tommorow night, or you can call here if you need me. Now, go eat dinner. I hear it is almost ready, sweetie," Bob said.

"Okay, night hon," Bob said.

"G'night, sweetie," Heather answered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At first everyone was a bit cautious at dinner, but Heather's mood, greatly improved, joked and helped everyone relax.

"Okay, I would like to explain some things to everyone. First of all, Jenn, Robin, Maggie has something to say to you both," Heather began. Looking sternly at Maggie, she said, "Go on!"

Maggie looked at her friends and said, "I am really sorry, truly. I was feeling a lot of anger at my dad, and I took it out on you two. That was mean, and unfair, and you two are my best friends, and I hope you both can forgive me."

"Mad at your dad?" Robin asked.

Maggie looked to Heather for help. Heather said, "Okay, I will explain," and she told everyone about how Maggie's dad had let her down so many times, and that it was hard for her to trust again. Robin and Jenn forgot all about their hurt feelings as they felt sympathy for their friend.

Maggie declared, "My dad has lied soooo many times, that I just thought, well, i just thought, that," Maggie couldn't finish, so Heather told them that Maggie thought that Bob wouldn't come back.

"Ahhh Maggie, of course he will. He promised," Lisa explained.

"Well, adults have promised things before, and they didn't do it," Maggie defended her feelings.

"Well, I guess in some ways, you will have to trust, and wait, and see that he WILL keep his promise," Charlie told her.

"Okay, now everyone, finish eating before all this gets cold," Lisa said. "Thanks for making dinner, Lisa," Heather told her.

A short time after dinner, Heather decided to take Maggie home. She was definitely exhausted from all the emotions, and wanted to get her to bed.

~~~~~~~~~~

That night after Charlie and Lisa tucked the twins into bed, Robin and Jennifer were talking quietly.

"It's so sad," Robin whispered.

"What is?" Jenn whispered back.

Robin answered, "Maggie. Can you imagine not having Daddy? Jenn, really, imagine not having any Daddy."

Jennifer thought about it. "No, I can't imagine."

to be continued...

to previous part                                            to next part