Sweet Treats and Deadbeats

CHAPTER 20: Epilogue

Four Years Later…

Madison

“Um, it’s nice,” I said, staring at the small diamond stud in Declan’s ear. He was having a tiny midlife crisis and this was just the latest phase.

“You really like it?”

I always tried to be as encouraging to Declan as he was to me so I replied, “Yeah…it’s sexy.”

He slipped off the earring, revealing that it as only a clip-on. “You’re such a bad liar, sweetheart. I’m thirty-eight-years-old, and too old for this kind of thing.”

“Thank god,” I giggled, pulling him close for a long, deep kiss.

My tongue had barely entered his mouth when we were interrupted by loud angry cries. Groaning, I pushed Declan away so we could make our way upstairs to the nursery. It had been a while since we had some alone time with each other, but Declan was planning a weekend trip so that we could make up for lost time.

“Mama, I go pee pee,” Rebecca called out proudly, holding up her soiled blanket.

Declan had the audacity to laugh until I glared at him. “Sorry,” he whispered, before going to get the wipes.

“Next time, try to get to the potty like we showed you,” I chastised softly.

Rebecca was a beautiful baby girl. She had my lips but her hair fell a little past her shoulders in soft auburn curls. She had inherited Declan’s green eyes but hers were lighter, always full of mirth and laughter.

“Mama, I wake up now,” Ronan announced, climbing out of his race car bed.

It turned out all those people, including my husband, who had thought I was going to have twins were right. It had been a surprise in the second trimester when the doctor had discovered another heartbeat. Declan had practically run down the corridors screaming his happiness before putting me on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy. I had had to fight him just to be able to bake.

Like his sister, Ronan had auburn hair but his had no curl. It was more unruly like Declan’s. Ronan's eyes were light brown with green flecks. At three-years-old, he already had a love of sports and tried to keep up with Noah on the playground. Both of the twins had unlimited amounts of toddler energy.

Soon, Declan returned. He handed me the wipes, and whisked Ronan away to use the potty. We’d been trying to teach them for a few months, but there were still accidents. I was just looking forward to the day when we wouldn’t have to change diapers anymore.

We dressed the twins in comfy clothes and took them downstairs. The room off of the den had been child-proofed and converted into a playroom for the littlest ones. They immediately ran to their favorite toys and gadgets.

“Dada, can I have cookie?” Rebecca asked, batting her long eyelashes. She’d quickly learned that Declan was the weak parent.

“Me, too,” Ronan added. He always wanted the same thing as his sister.

Declan went to the kitchen and returned with some of the oatmeal and raisin cookies I’d baked a few days ago and small bottles of milk. The twins kissed him on the cheek before taking their snacks to their play area.

“You’re so easy,” I teased.

“Hey, one day they’re going to pick out our nursing home. Don’t blame me when you’re stuck in state care while I bask in the warm California sun.”

We were still laughing and tickling each other when the doorbell rang. Declan got up to answer and returned with Natalie and Joey. They’d just gotten married months ago and were still in that super annoying honeymoon phase. Joey was even wearing a blue shirt to match Natalie’s skirt set.

“Hey, guys. What’s up?”

Ronan and Rebecca realized that they had an audience and toddled over to their godparents. They were affectionately hugged and kissed until they demanded to be let down to go back to their toys.

“They’re so big now,” Natalie said fondly as Declan brought out the iced tea.

Joey cleared his throat. “We have something to tell you guys. We’re…”

“Going to have a baby!” Natalie exclaimed, finishing Joey’s sentence.

I stood up to hug them both. “I’m so happy for you. Have you told Ambrose? How far along are you?”

“We plan to tell him later today. I’m almost four months.”

Declan gave Joey a man hug while I talked baby care with Natalie. When I looked up, I noticed that my husband had a wistful look in his eye. I would have to make sure that my doctor upped my birth control for the month. No more diapers for me, thank you very much.

“Do you think it’s a boy or girl?” Declan asked, nudging his best friend.

Joey puffed out his chest. “You can bet I make little soldiers, whatever their gender.”

Natalie rolled her eyes at me. “Listen to them. Their work is done in a few seconds, but ours takes nine months.”

I raised my glass to her. “Yes! In fact, longer when you count in breastfeeding and recovery time.”

I was lucky my genetics were good and allowed me to pretty much bounce back with diet and exercise. There was a time when I felt like a milk cow because of all the feedings I did a day, but the girls stayed perky and were ‘better than ever’ according to Declan.

My husband sighed happily and winked at me. “p*****t,” I muttered, watching his ears turn red.

Ambrose and Noah were at Little League practice with Dean and Sophie was at the mall movies with the Newton twins. She didn’t know it, but Declan had private security to watch them just in case something happened. So far, we hadn’t had any incidents but it was better to be safe than sorry.

“So, are you still pissed about Sophie’s first dance, dude?” Joey asked, nodding at Declan.

“She is too young. There will be teenage boys at this dance and they all have one thing on their mind!”

Joey laughed. “I’m kinda hoping I don’t have a girl. I don’t think I can handle that stuff.”

“Declan is being melodramatic. Sophie is thirteen. We’ve already had all the important talks, and she knows she can come to us with anything,” I said while massaging my husband’s tense shoulders.

“Still,” he mumbled, pouting like a child.

“I dance, too, Da da,” Rebecca squealed as she twirled in a circle.

“As long as you dance alone, daddy will be just fine,” I laughed.

Sweet Treats had really grown, so we’d bought out the business next door and added a lounge upstairs. The Community College in town was thriving and there were new jobs coming to Port Townsend, which increased the population. Plus, we had travelers who came through and wanted to stop at the pastry shop they’d read about in foodie magazines.

Ryan had finished Veterinary School and promptly went to work at Dean’s practice. I missed my baker, but he sometimes moonlighted on the weekends. The new staff was great, though. We got along well and the shop’s prestige kept growing. Jimmy’s girlfriend, Vanessa, had taken Ryan’s place and added her own spice to the menu.

“The new granola cookies are selling out faster than I can make them,” Tina sighed, kissing me on the cheek as I passed.

“They’re good. I think Declan ate a whole dozen by himself.”

My best friend looked good. She’d let her strawberry blonde hair grow out and wore it long and curled down her back. Baking was truly her passion and the happiness it brought showed in her deep blue eyes.

Two years ago, Tina had gotten very sick and had to have an emergency hysterectomy. It hurt her that she and Ross wouldn’t be able to have biological children, but with time and friends she was able to bounce back. We all loved them regardless and had vowed to help in any way possible. They’d recently decided to adopt and were in the process of filling out all the necessary information and getting accepted.

“I’m so glad to see you happy, girl,” I sobbed, wrapping my arm around her waist.

“I wouldn’t have made it through it all without you all and Ross. It’s not the end of the world. There are so many children out there that need love, and we’re going to give it to them,” she said, sniffling.

“Are you making my woman cry?” Ross asked, stepping into the kitchen. He was wearing his full uniform because of some town meeting that had been held earlier. His blond hair was gelled into place and probably could have withstood a bullet or two.

I backed away, raising my hands. “I’m innocent, Sherriff.”

I watched him wrap his arms around her and kiss her neck. They whispered softly and laughed with each other while she added coconut to the baked goods. I smiled, basking in their happiness. They were strong and loved each other very much.

After grabbing a cup of herbal tea and a scone from my dad, I walked upstairs to the lounge. It was full of students but Laurie had managed to get us one of the big, comfy leather loveseats by the window.

“Hey, sis,” I greeted, giving her a one arm hug.

She closed her laptop and returned the gesture. “Sorry, lesson plans. I never knew that teaching third graders could be such hard work.”

Laurie had finished her degree at University of Washington in Seattle at the top of her class. Port Townsend Elementary was all too happy to snatch her up and offered her the job after another teacher retired. She was really great at inspiring kids and the parents loved her.

“Don’t apologize. It’s just good to take a break every once in a while.”

We talked about Sophie’s upcoming dance and Cynthia’s new diabetes treatment. She also told me that Ryan and she were planning a romantic trip away later in the month. I already knew this because he’d asked Declan and I to watch Cynthia while they were gone. We had so many kids that one more didn’t really matter. I had a feeling Ryan planned to propose to Laurie.

“You’re practically glowing,” Laurie said, looking me up and down.

“Your brother treats me very well.”

She gagged. “Ewww, I don’t even want to know.”

Later, Ashley joined our little lunch party. She turned out to really be a knock out after getting the love and care she needed. I laughed as a group of college guys at a nearby table catcalled and flirted. It was good for the ego, but all of us were happily in love.

“Keep it in your pants!” Jimmy snarled, staring down the lead hooligan.

The boys apologized and almost tripped running out of the shop. Me and the girls laughed while Jimmy flexed his muscle. He looked scary, but I had never seen him actually follow through with a threat.

“So, what are you hens gossiping about?” he asked, pouring Splenda into his coffee.

“We’re talking about men with small c***s,” Ashley deadpanned, making Jimmy choke on his drink.

I high-fived my girls. Jimmy had that one coming since he insisted on crashing the party. He hung around the cafe when it was slow at his shop so that he could keep an eye on Vanessa. She was a beautiful woman and got a lot of attention.

After lunch, it was time to pick up the kids from daycare. Declan was at a meeting in Seattle to sign some paperwork for his new script. He hated going to L.A. and tried to do most of his work in state, but sometimes we packed up and went to his movie sets to meet an actor or see the dailies.

Audrey, Ronan, and Rebecca ran to the front when they saw our cars. Their teachers waved as the noise in the pick up line grew louder. Toddlers were some chatty people and never tired of hearing their own voice. We weren’t able to understand everything they said, but the general gist was that they had fun painting.

“I’ll see you later, Ashley,” I called out as she put Audrey in her SUV.

I buckled my babies up in their car seats before heading home. They sucked on juice snacks and sang along to whatever kid’s song was on the radio. I’d never gotten to fully enjoy being a carefree mother with Noah and Sophie, so it was nice to do it differently this time around the bend.

Thankfully, the kids were good and tired, so they went down for a nap easily. I used the time to go over my paperwork and sales figures. I’d finally earned my Associates degree in Business. I’d briefly entertained the thought of going for a full Bachelor’s but I didn’t want to spend any more time in a classroom. I was already successful and I’d proved that I could thrive in a higher education environment. All in all, I was happy with my accomplishments.

I was searching through a hallway closet when I felt two large hands cover my eyes. “Guess who?” he whispered, startling me.

I decided to tease him a little. “Oh god, Jimmy. We can’t do it here. What if Declan comes home and finds us naked in his bed?”

My husband spun me around so fast I almost lost my breath. “I would rip him to shreds if he touched you,” he growled, crushing his lips to mine.

Declan

“f**k yes, Declan! Same spot, baby,” Madison screamed as I rolled my hips.

I’d come home early to surprise her and that had led to us f*****g in a closet. We were parents with small children and a lot of work, meaning we didn’t get a chance to be spontaneous much but when we did…

“I want you to come on my c**k,” I whimpered, pressing down on her hard c**t.

“So close,” she moaned loudly.

I glanced down to watch my d**k slide in and out of Madison’s slick insides. We were so horny that we hadn’t even stripped all the way. My khakis were down around my ankles and her skirt was pushed up over her waist.

She pulled my hair as I leaned down to suck her n****e into my mouth. Watching her feed our children had given me a whole new appreciation for her breasts. I lavished them with attention whenever I got the chance. A few seconds later, Madison keened and tightened on me. I threw my head back and screamed as I reached my peak.

Over the years, we’d never managed to lose our insatiable s****l need for one another. Each day I looked at my wife, I saw more things to love.

“f**k that was good,” she mumbled, kissing my stubbled jaw.

I held us up until she could catch her breath and be put down. The minute her feet touched the closet floor, I collapsed. Madison sat down next to me and played in my hair. Sometimes I worried that with me being older I wouldn’t be able to satisfy all her needs, but she constantly reassured me that I was hitting her spot just right.

“Was it really good?” I asked, feeling a little insecure.

She put my hand over her thundering heart. “You’re not only in my p***y, you’re in here—where it really matters. No other man could ever satisfy me.”

I rolled over, lifting her left leg over my hip. “Say it again.”

She giggled like a schoolgirl. “p***y. Cunt. Pink taco, Beaver. v****a. Whatever we call it, it’s gushing for you.”

We didn’t leave the closet until an hour later. When we stepped out, it looked like we’d just survived a tornado. Madison’s hair and makeup was a mess, and I doubt I looked much better. With our freshly f****d faces on, we walked hand in hand to the master bathroom.

Madison put her hands down my pants and squeezed my ass. “You don’t ever have to worry about feeling old, Mr. Walsh. You always f**k me so good.”

Laughing, I chased her into the bathroom where we had some very good shower s*x. I may have been close to forty, but I still felt seventeen in her arms. She was the greatest love of my life and I truly had nothing to worry about concerning our s****l side.

“You’re not serious,” Sophie whined, looking at us skeptically.

Madison sighed. “Your father does not feel comfortable letting you go to the dance unless we chaperone. We promise to stay out of your way.”

“I didn’t promise anything. If that boy touches my baby girl, I can’t be held responsible for what happens to him.” Both Madison and Sophie groaned.

“But, Dad…”

I looked up at the beautiful girl in front of me. She was going to be a showstopper like Madison. At thirteen, she already had pronounced curves, but she was taller and leaner than her mom. Her dark hair and blue eyes set against the paleness of her skin completed the package.

The boys had started sniffing around last year when she hit puberty, and I’d been on alert ever since that day. I still didn’t understand why Madison brought Sophie clothes that clearly showed she had breasts. I would have preferred looser fit sweat suits but my wife said that was ridiculous.

“Please do this for your dad. He’s just looking out for you.”

Sophie pouted a few more minutes before finally agreeing. “Fine! I’m going to call Jason. He should know that we’ll be the laughingstock of the school this weekend.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a long sip of water. “Is Jason that tall kid with the Mohawk?”

My wife nodded. “I spoke to him last week. He’s a really nice boy, Declan.”

“They’re all nice because they have to be to get what they want. Isn’t that kid like sixteen?”

“No, he’s fourteen, only a year older than Sophie. He’s a ninth grader.”

“Oh great—a high school freshman taking my sweet and innocent daughter out to the dance. Explain to me why you’re allowing this?”

Madison crawled into my lap. “I…didn’t get to experience things like school dances and crushes. I’ve already told you about my early s****l experiences. I want Sophie to have it all. She’s a good girl; she does well in school and doesn’t give us too much trouble. This is the first boy she’s ever liked…and I just want her to be young and happy.”

I hugged her tightly. “Okay, I promise to be on my best behavior.”

Noah ran into the room and held up his mitt. “Dad, do you want to practice with me? I finished all my homework.”

“Sure, son.”

We went outside to play while Madison helped Sophie pick out a hairstyle for the upcoming dance. Noah already showed natural athleticism—he played baseball, soccer, and football. Dean said that he had the raw talent which would probably lead him to make Varsity in his high school years.

“Good arm,” I praised, catching the ball that he threw.

“I think I want to try surfing soon. Ambrose says it’s fun and he’s really good at it.”

“We’ll talk to Joey about getting you a board. I haven’t been out on the waves in years. It’ll be fun,” I said, throwing him another pitch.

Later, Neal and Evelyn came over for dinner. They’d ended up eloping a year ago after a crazy night in Vegas. Neal had remained sober for all these years and turned out to be a great granddad. The kids loved him and he was the only man around who could take on Evelyn’s mouth.

“What’s this I hear about you going to a dance, little lady?” he asked, looking pointedly at Sophie.

She blushed. “Jason asked me and I want to go.”

“He’s a nice boy,” Madison put in for good measure.

Neal and I shared a look. We’d both once been teenage boys and knew what was on their minds. I was glad to have someone on my side. Jason may have been a good kid, but he still needed to know that Sophie was loved. No one would ever hurt my daughters the way Madison had been hurt as a teenager.

The twins didn’t want to go to sleep, so we stayed up well past ten reading and trying to get them down. Rebecca was the worst one. Ronan would start to doze off and she’d scream or laugh loudly until he woke up to play again.

“It’s time for bed now. You have to sleep so that you can meet the sunshine,” Madison said sternly as she kissed their rosy cheeks.

Both babies yawned and whispered, “Love, mama. Love, da da,” and fell asleep.

Madison and I got ready for bed in comfortable silence. We were more than comfortable with one another and had no secrets. I didn’t even flinch when I saw her pads in the cabinets anymore, because she’d pretty much feminized the whole bathroom.

I turned onto my side and watched her crawl into bed. “Do you ever think about it?”

“What?”

“Having another kid. I’ll be forty soon, and I want to have all my kids while I’m still young enough to play with them.”

She caressed my cheek. “I hadn’t really given it much thought. Do you really want another baby when the twins are almost old enough to go to the bathroom by themselves?”

I sighed. “I know it’s really your choice, but it would make me the happiest man in the world if you would just consider it. We can try in a few months after the twins next birthday.”

She was quiet, just gnawing on her bottom lip. “What if something goes wrong?”

“You delivered the twins beautifully. I don’t want to put you in danger. If you don’t want to try for more, I’ll never bring it up again.”

“Give me some time to think about it,” she whispered and yawned.

I rubbed her lower back as she laid her head on my chest. “Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you decide, I’m behind you one-hundred percent.”

“Are these kid appropriate songs?” I asked over the drone of noisy hip-hop. The teens were dancing a little too close, and some had already been sent home.

“You know the kids nowadays,” Joey murmured, taking a sip of punch. He and Natalie had also volunteered as chaperones.

Natalie and Madison were doing the worst job of being stealth as they used their smartphones to take pictures of Sophie and Jason. Our daughter kept glaring at us and hiding her face. Jason, dressed in a tux and jeans combo, gave the thumbs up sign and posed happily. He wasn’t allowed to wear a Mohawk on school premises so his blond hair had been slicked down.

“Awww, look at the corsage he gave her,” Natalie blubbered, taking yet another picture.

Madison wiped her nose on a handkerchief. “I remember when she needed me to help her walk.”

I took her paper cup and sniffed. “It’s not spiked, so I assume you’re just overly sentimental.”

An oldie song came on (from the year 2000) and I pulled Madison out on the floor for a dance. We gyrated and shook to the beat all while ignoring Sophie’s embarrassed groaning. We were younger and cooler than the other parents who were busy doing moves from the seventies.

“I had so much fun,” Madison confessed as we walked to the parking lot.

I opened the door for my baby girl and glared at the little delinquent as he shuffled in next to her. The whole drive I had my eye on him. He’d grab Sophie’s hand and whisper something to make her laugh. I gripped the steering wheel harder.

Madison had decided to open Sweet Treats for the kids and chaperones after the dance. The parking lot was already filled up with school buses and cars when we arrived. Somehow, I got distracted by Madison’s boobs just long enough for Sophie and Jason to run inside.

“Damn it,” I hissed, pounding my fist on the wheel.

“Shut up, Declan. Those kids have been good tonight. There are parents and school staff inside. Let them have a minute to themselves.”

“Remind me to punish you later.”

She licked her lips. “Oh, I will. I’ve been wanting you to get rough with me again.”

Smirking, she slid out of the car so that I was left to adjust myself. While I waited for little Declan to calm down, I called Evelyn and Neal to make sure Ronan and Rebecca were okay. They were eager to get on the phone and tell me about all the ice cream they’d had at nana and pops house. I told Neal that we’d pick them up the next day.

When I got inside, Madison was at a table talking to Natalie. I snuck upstairs and checked on Sophie. She and Jason were sitting next to each other looking at something on a tablet. He blushed every time she smiled at him.

“Losing your little girl is hard,” Will barked, slapping me on the shoulder. “Imagine if you had two going through it at the same time.

I looked over to where his girls were playing air hockey with two guys that looked even sketchier than Jason.

“I feel for you man.”

We drowned our sorrows in root beer floats as the kids mingled with each other. Soon, Madison came and sat on my lap. Taylor came to say hi and took Pastor Newton away. I wrapped my arm around Madison’s waist and leaned back in the chair.

“I guess he isn’t so bad,” I acknowledged.

She smiled. “I like him. He looks at her like she’s something special.”

“She is.”

“Boys will come and go, but she’ll always be your baby girl.”

Sophie beamed and mouthed ‘thank you’ to me, making my heart soar. “Damn right. My princess.”

“They’re so beautiful, Declan. Next time, we’ll have to bring the kids here.”

We were in Nova Scotia for a weekend getaway. A producer I’d worked with had given us his mansion for our stay. The clean, crisp wind blew our hair around our faces as we leaned over the boat. Madison’s whole face lit up when one of the dolphins did a high flip.

“I love you, Madison. I’m glad you’re having fun.”

We strolled through the local shops and bought a bunch of novelties. Madison no longer fought me tooth and nail about money, so I indulged her whenever I got the chance. We ate rich seafood dishes and drank expensive wine until we felt giddy.

“Did you ever think that having s*x with a stranger in a car would lead to this?” she asked, feeding me some lobster from her plate.

“You were never a stranger to me. My heart and soul knew you before my mind caught up with it all.”

She giggled and topped us off again. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m dreaming and I’ll wake up back in that ratty house with Tom. You made all my secret wishes become reality.”

Gently, I laid her down on the soft fur rug. We were sitting by the fireplace and the balcony doors were open so that we could hear and smell the sea. Her deep brown eyes were glittering and inviting. She’d also taken her ponytail down leaving tons of beautiful mahogany curls to frame her perfect face.

“Jesus… You’re beautiful, Madison.”

She blushed prettily. “You’re not so bad to look at yourself.”

Through moans and laughter, we managed to remove our clothes. Madison got up on her knees and pressed her chest to mine. I slipped my tongue in her mouth, licking until she cried out and pulled away.

“Crawl on top,” I commanded, letting her set the pace.

She did as told and carefully lowered herself onto my girth. I hissed as the warmth hit my hardened erection. She was as tight as ever thanks to Kegels and exercise after the twins. I reached up and kneaded her breasts as she found a rhythm that drove us wild.

“It’s…like I never existed until you loved me,” I admitted, watching her eyes blaze with hunger.

“I didn’t know this kind of love was real until I found you. That sounds corny, but it’s true.”

She rocked us both to a quiet completion. She’d asked me to be rough, and there would be time for that later, but tonight we’d needed a peaceful union. I’d had her in so many ways, and yet I felt like I could live a lifetime and never get enough.

“My beautiful, beautiful, Madison. You are my light.”

We woke up late the next day and had breakfast at a small café after calling to check on the kids. They were too busy being spoiled to miss us, but it was nice to hear their voices. I was so thankful for the family that I’d been given.

We were walking along the beach when Madison turned to me. She looked radiant in a yellow sundress with her hair down. “I want to try.”

“What?”

“I want to try for another baby with you, Declan. Life is short. I don’t want to spend it worrying or living with regrets.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, kissing the palm of her hand.

She nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll stop taking birth control after this batch wears off. Are you happy?”

I lifted her into the air and spun around. “I’m ecstatic.”

She looked deep into my eyes as I set her down. “Kiss me, Declan.”

“You never even have to ask. I love you.”

The end.