Chapter 24 Part 24
Maggie
Her eyes widened when she looked at the shopping bags Asher brought into the living room, and placed at her feet. Melody was crawling on the floor, and every now and then, she would babble something and continue, following Asher from the front door to the kitchen, as he brought the groceries in.
“Aww, look at these cute little jeans!” Eden’s voice had risen a few notches, as Maggie swallowed the emotion away. Asher was in the kitchen unpacking the obvious groceries he’d bought, and she felt more guilt slam into her.
She was living in his house, eating his food, using his utilities, and he’d paid her hospital bill. She’d seen the amount on the business card, and then she’d seen that exact amount deposited by A. Fitzgerald. The fact that he was now buying clothes for Melody, just showed her how bad of a mother she really was.
She couldn’t stop the tears forming in her eyes, and no matter how much she blinked, she couldn’t stop them from falling either.
“Maggie? What’s wrong?” Eden moved closer to her, putting the baby clothes to the side.
“It’s nothing. I’m sorry,” she said, but more tears were falling.
“Asher!”
He appeared from the kitchen within seconds and frowned as he looked at Maggie. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. I was unpacking the clothes, and then she just started crying,” Eden said, as she looked worriedly at her.
“Take Melody up to the main house. I’ll come get her in a bit,” Asher said. Eden nodded her head, picked Melody up, and left the house quickly.
Asher sat down next to Maggie, and wrapped his arms around her, forcing her closer to him. His hand moved up and down her back. “What’s wrong? Did Eden say something to upset you?”
Maggie shook her head, realizing she would now have to say something. Why did her stupid emotions betray her like this? He was the last person she wanted to confess this to. Her head lowered more, but she knew Asher wasn’t going anywhere.
“You bought Melody clothes,” she said softly.
“Uh…yeah. The seasons change pretty quickly here. Soon it’ll get chilly in the mornings and at night, and then one day, it’s just going to feel like winter, without any warning.”
“I can buy her clothes for her.” Maggie lifted her head, looking intently at him.
“You’re mad because I bought her clothes?” Asher’s confusion was evident, as was the frown forming on his forehead.
“I’m not mad. It’s just…you keep buying stuff for her, and it makes me feel like a crappy mom,” she said.
“I’m sorry. I never wanted you to feel like a crappy mom, because you’re not one. I like buying things for her, and the clothes weren't meant as anything other than a gift from me to her,” Asher said.
“I feel like you’re the one giving, and I’m just taking.” Maggie lowered her head again, and sniffled.
“Maggie, I like having you two here. This house was big and empty, and now it’s filled with Melody’s babbles and giggles. It feels like a home now, not just a house. I was going to wait to have this conversation with you…but I don’t want you to leave when your cast comes off. I want you to stay,” Asher said.
“What?” Maggie’s eyes searched inside of him, not sure what she was looking for. “You want us to stay with you?”
“Well, yeah, but I did think I had seven more weeks to ease you into it.” Asher chuckled, as Maggie continued to stare at him.
“Does that mean you’ll sleep next to me tonight?” Asher’s breath hitched, as he looked at her.
“Maggie Conroy, are you propositioning me?”
Maggie’s cheeks heated, and she laughed. “I am not! But I did sleep better when you were there.”
“Then I’ll see it as my personal duty to ensure that you get your beauty sleep,” Asher said, with a grin.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overreact. I just feel like I’m using you. You’re letting us stay here and eat your food…and…it’s overwhelming, because I’m not used to good things happening to me,” Maggie said, softly.
“Maybe it’s time you realized just how special you are, and that good things do happen. You deserve to be treated well, and I’m glad I get to be the person to show you that good people still exist.”
Maggie leaned her head forward, and kissed him. It was gentle, and tentative, at first, but Asher soon took control of the kiss, deepening it. His hand was on the back of her neck when a clearing throat made them break apart.
Thomas Fitzgerald stood a few feet from them, not looking very pleased. “Eden said you made Maggie cry.”
“And you brought a baseball bat?” Asher looked at his father, and Maggie started laughing.
“Would you prefer the horsewhip?”
“No, Pops, but everything is sorted out now,” Asher said.
“Good. Don’t make me whoop your ass, boy. Fitzgerald men don’t make their women cry.” Thomas turned on his heel, and walked out of Asher’s house.
Maggie covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed. “What just happened?”
“If you didn’t already know, that was my father showing you that you’re already part of this family.”
“Your father’s a special man,” Maggie said.
“Please don’t tell him that. We’ll never live it down.”
Maggie laughed louder. “Eden tattled on you.”
“And on my birthday, too.”
“Poor, Asher. Why don’t you go rest a bit so Eden and I can finish our work before we celebrate your birthday?”
“I can still work,” Asher said, kissing her forehead. “I’m not an invalid, like some people.”
“Asher Fitzgerald! When I can walk unaided again, I’m going to hurt you!” Asher laughed, as he walked out of the house, and she could hear him laugh for a few seconds more. She sent a text to Eden, started putting away the invoices, and shutting down the laptop.
They had a plan. They were going to cook and bake. She was glad that Asher had finally left. Today, she was going to learn how to make the perfect pie.