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  “Don’t look at me,” Jonah put up his hands. Rick snickered again.

  “I’m looking out for Mom,” Marianne defended herself.

  “Bullshit. You are looking out for you, just like you always do. What the hell is your problem?” Michelle nearly screamed.

  “My problem? What are you talking about? Look at J.D. with Spencer! Look! Don’t you think they need to consider this stuff! My God! Are you two completely stupid?” Marianne yelled.

  “Why don’t you just shut up, Marianne. It’s none of my business and it’s none of yours,” Michelle said angrily. She was coming dangerously close to hauling off and punching her sister.

  “The hell it isn’t! Shell….Mom is fifty-five…almost fifty-six. The last thing she needs…”

  “The last thing she needs,” a voice came upon them. “Is you three fighting over something that not one of you knows anything about,” Pearl said firmly.

  “We were just,” Marianne began.

  Pearl folded her arms across her chest. “I’d like a moment with your sister,” Pearl said to Michelle and Jonah. They both nodded and shook their heads as they walked away. Rick started to follow.

  “Where are you going?” Marianne asked her husband.

  “Going to go talk to Granny J.D.,” he tried not to laugh at his comment. Marianne bristled.

  “Are you through?” Pearl asked the younger woman.

  “What do you mean?” Marianne answered. “All I did was ask a question.”

  “No, all you did was suggest an issue to your mother that doesn’t even exist.”

  “Yet,” Marianne interjected.

  Pearl took a deep breath. “Marianne, I love you like you were my own flesh and blood,” Pearl said. Marianne braced herself. “Candy is as much my daughter as my own two children. You are a mother,” Pearl said.

  “Yes,” Marianne agreed.

  “What would you do to protect Spencer?”

  “Anything,” Marianne answered honestly.

  “Mm. Glad we agree on that. I feel the same way. And, how would you feel if Spencer tried to tell you how you and Rick should live your lives?” Pearl asked.

  “That’s ridiculous,” Marianne said.

  “Really? You seem to think you know how your mother should live hers.”

  “Grandma, she’s not…You can’t tell me….”

  “I can tell you that whatever happens with your mother and Jameson is between them.”

  “You don’t honestly think this is a good idea?” Marianne asked in disbelief.

  “I’m not certain what this is. I am certain that your mother is happy, happier than I have seen her in many years. If you really care about her, you will stop trying to undermine that.”

  “I don’t want to see her get hurt,” Marianne said softly.

  Pearl guided the younger woman to a chair off in the distance and sat down beside her. “I know,” she said softly.

  There were things that Pearl understood about this family that no one else did. She had the advantage of being able to watch them all as they grew. Michelle and Jonah had not seen a great deal of what Marianne had. What they had witnessed in their mother’s relationships, they often did not understand. It had been Marianne who found her mother crumpled on the floor after discovering Jessica’s affair. It had been Marianne who had caught her father with another woman while Candace was away in Washington. Marianne’s tactics were often brash. It made her appear self-centered. In fact, Pearl and Candace both understood that Marianne’s brazenness was often a cover for her fear and sensitivity.

  “I don’t want to see her like that again,” Marianne whispered.

  “And, you don’t want to lose her,” Pearl surmised. Marianne looked up in shock. “Oh, I know you, sweetheart. I changed your diapers. I watched you with your mother. You fool them all….even her sometimes. You don’t fool me, Spitfire,” Pearl called the younger woman by her childhood nickname. “Not one bit.”

  “You didn’t see her,” Marianne said.

  “Oh, but I did,” Pearl said. “I saw her scraped knees. I sat at her wedding. I held her hand when she went into labor…three times…”

  “I meant….”

  “I know what you meant,” Pearl interrupted Marianne. “I held her the first time she caught your father cheating on her.” Marianne winced. “I rocked her the night Jessica moved out. If you are lucky, you will get to do all those things with your children,” Pearl said. “To me, Candy is still the little girl who sat on the kitchen counter. I know she’s not, but that is who she is to me. I would do anything to protect her. I also know that she doesn’t need protection from Jameson.”

  “How can you say that?” Marianne asked. “What happens when…”

  “What happens when she loses an election? What happens when she gets sick or Jameson does? What happens when, what? There is no what happens when, Marianne.”

  “I just can’t imagine that…”

  “You don’t need to. You do need to let this go. Whatever this fear you have about Jameson and your mother is. No one will ever replace you, or Spencer,” Pearl said. Marianne looked up and swallowed hard. “My kids certainly didn’t replace Candy….and their children take nothing away from any of you.”

  “It’s different,” Marianne said.

  “No, Spitfire. It isn’t.”

  “I just…”

  “You just need to apologize to your mother. Stop trying to be her mother and just tell her you love her for once.”

  “She knows that,” Marianne said.

  “Yes, she does. But that doesn’t mean she couldn’t use to hear you say it,” Pearl said. “As for the rest; I think you had better start finding a way to accept Jameson. No matter what, I don’t think she’s going anywhere. Give her a chance. You might find you like her.”

  “I’m not the enemy,” Marianne said.

  “No. Neither is Jameson,” Pearl said. She stood up, kissed Marianne on the head and smiled. “No family is perfect, Marianne. Not one. Not even this one. They change over time. Jameson is part of yours. I’d get used to it.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Jameson snuck up behind Candace just as she finished putting Spencer in his portable crib. “Worn out? Huh?” Jameson whispered, putting her arms around Candace.

  “Yeah, I envy him. Being able to just decide to sleep,” Candace said.

  “He’s a lot of fun,” Jameson said. Candace turned in Jameson’s arms and looked at her thoughtfully. “What?” Jameson asked.

  “Jameson…Do you want kids?” Candace asked hesitantly.

  Jameson wrinkled her nose in thought. “Why? Do you?”

  “I have kids,” Candace said. Jameson grinned. “Jameson, I’m serious.”

  “I love kids.”

  “I know. That’s not what I asked,” Candace pointed out.

  “Candace? Are you pregnant?” Jameson joked.

  “Jameson!” Candace snapped. “I’m serious!”

  Jameson softened her gaze. “Where did this come from?”

  “I don’t know. You love kids. I know that, but we’ve never talked about it.”

  “No. I guess not. We never talked about you having aspirations to be president either,” Jameson said.

  “Because those aren’t my aspirations,” Candace said.

  “Mm-hm. You love politics, though.”

  “Yes, but…”

  Jameson raised an eyebrow. “I love kids. Doesn’t mean I have always aspired to be a parent.”

  Candace sighed. “You don’t want kids?”

  Jameson led Candace to the queen sized bed across the room and sat her down. “If the person I was with wanted to have children; I would consider it. I don’t know that I’d be any good at it, but I would try,” Jameson said honestly. Candace let out a heavy sigh. “And, if the person I was with wanted to say, run for governor or even president one day, I’d do my best to be what she needed. I don’t know that I’d be any good at that either, but I’d try.”

  Candace smile
d. “Jameson…”

  “I heard the kids earlier,” Jameson said. “They were arguing over our imaginary progeny while my mother was making the assumption that I was about to propose to you.”

  “What?” Candace asked.

  “Mm-hm. Seems everyone knows what we are doing,” Jameson smirked. “Your children have me pregnant before my mother even got the ring on your finger,” she chuckled.

  “Your mother thinks you were going to ask me to marry you?” she asked. Jameson nodded. “Why?” Candace asked. Jameson shrugged with a gleam in her eye. “Were you?” the question slipped out.

  “Why? Do you want me to? I’m already down on my knee, so I’m half way there,” Jameson said.

  “I’m sorry,” Candace blushed. “I wasn’t trying to put you on the spot.”

  “I would marry you; if that’s what you wanted to know,” Jameson said. Candace’s jaw fell open. Jameson put two fingers under Candace’s jaw and gently closed it. “I would also follow you to the Governor’s Mansion or The White House if you wanted me to. I’d even consider one of those,” she gestured to the crib. “If you asked me to.”

  Candace smiled. “What about what you want, Jameson?”

  “I have what I want. I have my job. I have my family. I have you.” Candace kissed Jameson gently. Jameson smiled at her lover. “I have a feeling, deep down you want to do this…make this run for governor and see where it leads,” Jameson said. Candace sighed. “I see that sparkle in your eye when it comes up,” Jameson observed. “It’s part of who you are, Candace.”

  “What about you?”

  “Well, I think it might take me some getting used to. Campaigning. Being front and center. Sharing my lover with the world more than I do already,” Jameson admitted. Candace nodded. Jameson was sure that Candace was about to interrupt and continued before she had the chance. “But, I’m pretty sure I can handle that. The thing is, I don’t really want to share you with anyone else when you come home,” Jameson said. “Don’t get me wrong. I love this. I actually am having fun this week, but it’s enough to share you with this family and with a whole nation. I don’t really feel like competing at three in the morning with a Spencer sized rival for your attention.”

  Candace smiled. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yeah. Pretty sure,” Jameson said with a wink. “We can take them on loan. That works for me.”

  “You might change your mind,” Candace said.

  “Maybe,” Jameson admitted. “Or you might, and then what?” Jameson said. Candace laughed. “You laugh now,” she said. “I don’t say it enough.”

  “Say what?” Candace asked.

  “That I love you.”

  “You say it all the time,” Candace said.

  “No. You do. The truth is, I do. I love you so much that it hurts some days. That’s the truth. Marianne is right,” Jameson said.

  “What?” Candace asked.

  “I love watching you with Spencer,” Jameson admitted. Candace smiled. “Because I love you and you love him….and that makes me love you even more.”

  “I love you too,” Candace said. “I want you to be happy.”

  “I am. Well, except when you steal all the fortune cookies.”

  “I do not!” Candace argued.

  “You so do,” Jameson laughed. “Listen, I have my hands full with the addition to this house, work, and keeping up with you. Besides, I can’t imagine being pregnant. You won’t let me climb ladders now. I wouldn’t be allowed near a step stool.”

  Candace laughed. “I’m not that bad, but I get your point.”

  “Do me a favor?” Jameson asked.

  “Anything.”

  “Just ask me. Whenever you want to know something; just ask me. I can’t promise you’ll always like my answer. I can promise it will always be the truth,” Jameson said. She held her hand out to Candace. “Now, come on. I heard something about S’mores.”

  “Jameson?”

  “Hum?”

  Candace stopped their movement suddenly. “I would do it for you too. I would try.”

  Jameson smiled. “I know.”

  ***

  “Everything okay?” Shell asked Jameson.

  “I’m not pregnant or engaged,” Jameson chuckled.

  “What?” Shell asked.

  “Neither is your mom,” Jameson said.

  “J.D.?”

  Jameson laughed and patted Michelle’s knee. “But, I think your mom might end up running a lot more than this crazy family one day,” she said.

  “I’m sorry you heard us fighting,” Michelle apologized.

  “Me too,” Jonah said, taking a seat next to his sister.

  “Eh. You’ve met my brothers. Trust me, we’ve had our share of knock downs. Don’t worry about it,” Jameson said. She caught sight of Marianne trying to avoid them. “Sit down and have a S’more,” Jameson beckoned to Marianne and Rick. Rick smiled at Jameson and nodded, leading his reluctant wife over to the group. “Pull up a piece of grass,” Jameson said. “Think I might have to call a lawn care company after this weekend,” she laughed.

  Marianne kept her eyes on the fire in front of them. Jameson handed her a stick and a marshmallow. “Thanks,” Marianne said.

  “I was just telling Shell that I am not pregnant,” Jameson raised an eyebrow.

  “J.D., I didn’t mean to upset Mom or you,” Marianne said.

  Jameson held up a hand. “Since I have you all here, let’s just put this to rest; okay?”

  Jonah looked at Jameson. “J.D. you don’t owe any of us any explanations.”

  “No, I don’t,” she agreed. “But, if it were my mom, I would worry.” Marianne looked up in surprise. “That surprises you?”

  “No,” Michelle answered for them all.

  “Well, I would. She might kill me for telling you this, but I’m going to,” Jameson said.

  “Tell us what?” Michelle asked.

  “I love your mom.” Jonah, Rick, and Michelle all laughed. Marianne listened intently, instinctively understanding that this was mostly for her benefit. “I don’t picture your mom and me changing diapers and filling bottles in the morning; unless, of course, one of you is visiting.”

  “Jonah hasn’t worn diapers in at least ten years,” Michelle cracked, receiving a swift punch from her brother. “Ow!”

  “Just remember, you two will be in Depends before me,” he reminded her.

  Jameson sniggered. Candace’s children reminded her of her own brothers. “Well, it’s good to know that you are all potty trained,” Jameson said. “I was worried there for a while.”

  Across the yard, Candace was sitting on the patio with Jameson’s parents, Pearl, Dana, and Steve. “What do you think is going on over there?” Dana pointed to where Jameson was seated by the fire, flanked by Candace’s kids.

  “Trouble,” Pearl smiled. Candace grinned along with her.

  “Yeah, you don’t need to worry about us, J.D.,” Michelle said. “I can barely get a date, so you’ll have to rely on Marianne and Rick for diaper duty.”

  Jameson nodded. “The thing is….We don’t have that planned.” Marianne looked directly at Jameson. Jameson continued without missing a beat. “If any of you have a concern or a question; you can ask me. I can’t promise you I will answer it, but I will listen and if I can, I will answer.”

  “J.D.,” Michelle said quietly.

  Jameson held up her hand. “I would like to be your friend because I know how much that would mean to your mom and because you are all a part of her. That means something to me,” Jameson said honestly. “What I won’t stand for is seeing her hurt. She doesn’t deserve that.”

  Jonah smiled at Jameson. “No, she doesn’t,” he agreed.

  “I can’t promise I will never hurt her,” Jameson added. “But, I would die before I would ever do that on purpose. That’s the best I can promise you. Now eat your S’mores,” Jameson instructed.

  “You’ve been spending way too much time with Pearl,” Michelle
laughed. Jameson chuckled.

  “For what it’s worth J.D., I think you’d make a hell of a parent,” Rick said. Marianne shot her husband a confused look. “Well, I do,” he said. Jameson nodded her appreciation.

  “Hey, if you can smack us down, a kid would be no problem,” Jonah laughed.

  “Yeah, but those diapers,” Jameson cringed. “I kinda like it when they come already potty trained. Speaking is optional. Potty trained…” The entire group laughed, even Marianne was left chuckling.

  “You sure she doesn’t want to run for office herself?” Pearl asked Candace and Maureen.

  Jameson’s mother laughed. “My daughter? She’s lucky she remembers who the president is.”

  Candace laughed. “That hasn’t stopped many before her,” she winked.

  “All I know is, if she managed a smile from Spitfire, she could charm a den of Republicans in a heartbeat,” Pearl said.

  “That’s good since she is one,” Maureen laughed.

  “A spitfire?”

  “No, a Republican,” Maureen laughed.

  “What?” the entire table erupted at once.

  “That’s like having a fish on land. There are no lesbian Republicans,” Dana said.

  “She did it when she registered just to ruffle me,” Maureen laughed. “I don’t know if she ever changed it, though.”

  Dana looked at Candace. “Ohhh…boy.”

  Candace just raised an eyebrow. “Well, that certainly is not the elephant in the room I expected,” she laughed. Maureen laughed immediately. It took the rest of the table a moment to understand Candace’s pun. When they did, the entire group fell into a fit of raucous laughter.

  “What’s wrong with them?” Jonah pointed to the patio.

  “Is Mom drinking wine, J.D.?” Michelle asked, concern coloring her voice.

  Jameson smiled watching the group at the table. “Nah, she’s just being Candace,” Jameson said.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “Mom?”

  Candace was just about to head up the stairs when she heard Marianne’s voice. “Hey, thought you went up to bed?” Candace asked. She looked at her daughter’s face and sighed. “Come on,” she grabbed Marianne’s hand and led her into the kitchen. Marianne watched as her mother filled a kettle for tea. Almost everyone had retired for the evening. Jameson and her brothers were still out back with Jonah. She startled slightly when Jonah and Jameson walked through the back door in tandem.