"It's a toss up between Van and Maddy. How was your meeting?"
"Good, very good." Melinda squeezed Emma's fingers quickly. "Hey, Maddy can I play?"
"Sure, Melinda." Maddy had quickly filled the hearts of everyone with her sweet personality, and her open affection. She was her mother's daughter, loving, honest, and beautiful."
"It's pizza time." Tia called as she entered the living room. Despite her worries about the meeting, she was doing her best to hide it from Maddy. "Miss Maddy, go wash up so we can eat."
"Okay, Tia. Van, do you want to use my soap? It's got Bugs Bunny on it." Maddy took Van by the hand.
"I would love to use your soap. Cara, can you get me some Bugs Bunny soap?
"Of course." Cara grinned good-naturedly. By week's end, Cara would find the soap just to please Van. She loved doing things like that, and Van loved her even more for it. They had weathered through most of their earlier difficulties over money.
"Cara, how's work?" Melinda asked as they all headed for the kitchen.
"Busy, very busy."
"Van said you took the sergeant's exam."
"I did."
"How did you do?"
"Good."
"How good?" Emma quizzed as she pinned Cara with a look.
"She got the second highest score." Van announced, as she carried Maddy into the kitchen on her shoulders. "She's a genius."
"Van." Cara blushed with embarrassment.
"Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"She's going to be police chief one day." Van bragged as she sat next to Maddy at the table. They all grinned as Cara hugged Van before she sat down next to her. Van was Cara's biggest fan and supporter.
"Let's eat." Emma suggested, and they all talked and ate pizza.
It was several hours later, and they were all still huddled in the living room. Maddy was playing crazy eights with Anna and Cara on the floor, oblivious of the tension and the seriousness of the evening.
"I think little Miss Maddy needs to hop in bed." Tia suggested, gently picked her up from the floor. "Say goodnight to everyone, and then I'll tuck you into bed."
"Okay, Tia." Maddy made the rounds of the room, kissing and hugging each one of the women.
"Goodnight, sweet pea." Van kissed and hugged the little girl.
Tia and Maddy held hands as they walked down the hall, as they affectionately teased each other. It brought tears to Anna's eyes as she thought of the meeting, and what Tia and Catherine were dealing with. It made her feel very lucky.
It was after nine o'clock before the key in the door caught everyone's attention. Tia rushed to open it as Catherine stepped through it, with Michael right behind her. Tia gathered Catherine to her in a tight hug, as the rest of the women watched. Anna's eyes met Michael's across the room. The silent smile that Michael had on her face made Anna's heart jump.
"It's over." Catherine blurted out. "It's over."
"What do you mean, it's over." Tia asked, looking perplexed.
"Jerry isn't going to sue for custody. He dropped the suit."
"You're kidding?" Tia grinned, holding tightly to Anna.
"No, it's all over." Catherine kissed her, as the rest of the crowd laughed.
Anna went up to Michael and stood inches from her. "You did it." She smiled as she took Michael's hand in her own.
"Catherine did it." Michael chuckled, as she pulled Anna into her arms. "But I'll take one of your heart-stopping kisses right now."
Anna didn't have to be asked twice, as she found Michael's lips with her own. All thoughts flew out of Anna's head as she kissed Michael, her mouth greedily feasting on hers. Her hands fisted in Michael's hair, as she kissed her again, while Michael's arms wrapped tightly around Anna's neck. Anna forgot where they were for a few moments, as she buried her face in Michael's neck to catch her breath.
"We'll do this again, later." Michael promised with a grin, as she hugged Anna tightly.
"Well." Van laughed, as the rest group smiled at Michael and Anna. "After that kiss I want to go home with my girlfriend and do some kissing of our own."
Anna blushed as the crowd laughed. Michael hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear. "I love the way you kiss."
"Quit teasing her, Van." Emma grinned. It was obvious to everyone there that Michael was very attracted to Anna. In fact, Emma would bet her paycheck that she was in love with Anna.
"So tell us what happened." Tia demanded, as she tugged Catherine into the living room.
Michael and Anna followed, and as Anna sat on the floor, Michael sat on the floor next to her, slipping her arm around her waist. Anna leaned against her and smiled. Michael was being extremely affectionate.
"Michael, you tell them." Catherine was sitting on Tia's lap, happiness radiating from her.
"Well, in my legal opinion, Catherine wowed them." Michael laughed, squeezing Anna affectionately. "She looked Jerry straight in the face, and told him whatever he tried, she would fight him. But she would not give up Maddy, or Tia. She told him she loved Tia, and that she was going to be with her for the rest of her life. He would just have to learn to live with it. She told him about the house you found, and what your plans were. He didn't stand a chance."
"Then, it's really over?" Tia's eyes filled with tears, overcome with emotion.
"He agreed not to change any visitation or custody agreements, with a few conditions. One, he will always be treated with respect since he is Maddy's father. Two, that he be included on all major decisions affecting Maddy. And three, that he gets to meet Tia. He wants to meet the woman his daughter will he raised by."
"He sounds like a good man." Cara volunteered as the other women nodded in agreement.
"He is." Catherine turned to her girlfriend. "Tia, will you meet him?"
"Of course I will." Tia held Catherine tightly in her arms. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you and Maddy."
"Thank you." Catherine kissed Tia while the others looked on.
"Honey, I need to thank you for my family." Tia's voice broke as she spoke. She felt the tears start as she looked at Catherine.
"Catherine, Tia, we need to get out of here, and let the two of you celebrate." Melinda suggested, as she and Emma headed for the door.
"Good idea." Van pulled Cara to her feet.
"Catherine, I will have the papers ready to sign by tomorrow. I can drop them by for you to sign." Michael suggested, as she and Anna stood up.
"I think we need a celebration party." Catherine laughed, hugging the still emotional Tia. "How about a party on Sunday, can you all make it?"
"Certainly."
"I have to work at six but I'll come over earlier." Cara agreed, as she and Van headed out the front door.
"Good. Tia and I will expect you all at three. Michael, you can bring the papers to sign then."
"Okay, if you're sure about that?"
"I'm sure. You have better things to do tonight." Catherine's grin had a tinge of conspiracy to it.
"Thanks and congratulations." Michael held on to Anna's hand as they headed out the door. "Anna, before you go, can we talk a minute?"
"Sure." Anna's heart thumped in her chest, as she followed Michael to the parking lot. They stood next to Anna's car, and she waited nervously for Michael to speak.
"Are you still going out with me tomorrow night?"
"Yes." Anna watched Michael carefully.
"Are you up to a night of Irish jokes and songs?" Michael gathered Anna's hands to her, and held them tightly. "I want to introduce you to my family."
Anna's heart flipped in her chest. "Your family?"
"Yes." Michael's eyes told Anna how very nervous she was.
"I would love to meet your family." Anna smiled at her.
Michael breathed a sigh of relief. "Now, do you think you could kiss me again?"
Anna didn't get to answer as Michael's arms banded around her neck, and she kissed her hungrily. The moan that Anna responded with was swallowed up by Michael's mouth,
as she covered Anna's face with kisses. Again, and again, Michael kissed her, until she began to feel light-headed.
"You're so beautiful," Michael whispered, her fingers sliding through Anna's curls.
"You are the one who's beautiful." Anna shared, as she tried to catch her breath.
"I want you to meet my family. It's important to me."
"I want to meet them."
"Good. I'll pick you up at six then."
"Is this something I should dress up for?"
"Heavens no, we're meeting them at my Uncle Paddy's pub."
"It sounds like fun."
"It will be loud, smoky, and very Irish." Michael promised with a laugh.
"I look forward to it."
"Now, I'll let you go home, and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow might be a late night."
"Goodnight." Anna kissed Michael gently, and got in her car.
She was a little puzzled with Michael's behavior, especially tonight. One minute she would kiss her, and all coherent thought was gone. And then she sends her on her way home, alone. It was more then a little frustrating.
Michael was ready to pound her head against a wall. She wanted to make love with Anna so badly. But it was important that Anna understood how she felt. If this was going to happen, it was going to be a forever kind of thing, or nothing. Michael was too much in love with Anna to want anything less. It just wasn't easy telling her how she felt. Catherine had suggested earlier that Michael just blurt it out. Michael needed Anna to meet her family first, especially if Michael was going to ask her to be a part of it. And Michael wanted that more than anything in the world.
Chapter Twenty-Two
"So you're the colleen that has my daughter all twisted in knots." The short, stocky man with the lightning quick grin was Michael's father.
"Da." Michael groaned and rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Oh, give over, Michael. You can't hide nothing from your old Da."
"Mick." The beautiful, elegant woman standing next to him was Michael's mother. Michael looked just like her. The warning tone in her voice told Anna she wasn't a pushover. "Hello, Anna, it's nice to meet you."
"Hello Mrs. O'Reilly, it's nice to meet you." Anna almost stuttered she was so nervous.
"Heavens honey, call us Maureen and Mick." She hugged Anna gently.
"So sit." Mick practically shoved the two of them into chairs. "Paddy, a couple of pints here, for me girls."
"Coming right up, Mick."
"So, Michael tells us you're an engineer at Boeing."
"Yes, for quite awhile." Anna felt her nerves settle when Michael reached over and clasped her hand, holding it tightly in Anna's lap.
"Good for you, it's a grand company. So do you have family here and abouts?"
"My parents and grandparents are all gone, and I was an only child."
"So you just have us." Mick's eyes gleamed with affection.
That one statement told Anna more about Michael then anything else. Two wonderful people had raised her. Michael squeezed her hand tightly, smiling as she saw the tears fill Anna's eyes.
"So do you like ale?" Mick asked, as a large, dark-haired man with an apron around his waist, placed four mugs of beer in front of them.
"I love it." Anna flashed her eyes at him. Michael's dad reminded her of a very large leprechaun.
"Another colleen after me heart."
"Michael, give your Uncle Paddy a hug." Michael grinned, and stood up to hug the very ruddy-faced older man, with a big smile on his face. "Now, introduce me to your leannan."
"Paddy, this is Anna. Anna, this is my Uncle Paddy."
"Anna, oh, you're a breath of fresh air, an Irish gal, no doubt." Paddy grinned at her.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Call me, Paddy, and it's me pleasure." Uncle Paddy hugged Michael once more. "I approve."
"Uncle Paddy." Michael turned beet red, as he sat her down in her chair with a wink.
Anna just grinned as he lumbered off. She found Michael's hand again under the table, and threaded her fingers with Michael's. She was rapidly falling in love with her wonderful family. "What did Paddy call me?"
Michael blushed again, but answered. "It's Irish for lover."
"Oh." Anna was at a loss for words, as she too flushed with embarrassment.
By evening's end, Anna had been hugged and kissed so many times by Michael's relatives, she was no longer shy. She drank her beer, and sang Irish songs, all while holding tightly to Michael's hand. Never in her life had Anna felt more welcome, and more loved.
"You do great work, Mick." Anna ran her hand over the hand-crafted wood bar.
"That I do, lassie, and so does my Terrence." Terry was Michael's younger brother, who had followed in his father's footsteps to become a master carpenter.
"Anna, are you ready to go?" Michael was saying goodbye to her mother.
"Yes. Thank you, Mick. I had a wonderful time." Anna hugged Michael's dad as her gave her a bear hug in return.
"I'll see you again, soon. Michael, you and Anna come for dinner, your mother misses you."
"We will Da, I promise." Michael hugged her father. It was her dad who missed her. "I love you."
"Ah honey, your old Da loves you to death." Anna smiled as she watched them hug. It was obvious how close they were.
"Anna, it was a sincere pleasure." Michael's mother slid her arm through Anna's.
"I had a wonderful time."
"You have a gentle spirit, Anna, and a very loving heart. I'm glad it's you my daughter chose to love." Michael's mother smiled at a very surprised Anna. "She's like her Da, she won't tell you she loves you, unless you tell her first. She loves you, honey. I can see it in her eyes. You're the only one she's introduced to her family, and that says it all."
"I love Michael."
"Ah, honey, I know. Mick and I knew it the first few minutes we met you."
"I think I should tell Michael."
"I think that's a good idea, because if I know my daughter, she's waiting for you to."
"Thank you."
"You're more then welcome. Michael, take Anna home. She's had enough of this family for one night." Michael's mother grinned, hugging Anna one more time.
The drive home was done in silence, as Anna held tightly to Michael's hand. It wasn't until they pulled into Anna's driveway, that a word was spoken.
"I liked your family a lot." Anna turned to Michael.
"They loved you."
"You look like your mom. You're both beautiful, but you have a personality just like your dad. He's a doll."
"He is." Michael smiled in the darkness.
"Michael, why did you introduce me to your family?"
"I wanted you to meet them. I knew they would love you, but it was important that you like them."
"Why?"
"Because you're important to me."
"Michael, I love you."
Michael was caught speechless for a moment, as she stared at Anna. "You love me?"
Anna smiled at her. "I love you. Will you come inside?"
"Ah, yes." Michael was unable to put a single sentence together, as she followed Anna into the house. Anna didn't stop in the living room, she continued down the hall to her bedroom. Michael followed behind her shocked, and silent.
Anna stopped by the side of her bed and turned to Michael, still smiling. "Aren't you going to say anything?"
Michael tried to blurt the words out, her heart beat so loudly she could hear nothing else. Anna stood inches from Michael, her fingers linked with Michael's, as she watched her thoroughly flustered girlfriend.
"I love you, Michael, and I want to make love with you. I want you so much I ache."
Michael's eyes darkened as Anna's fingers traced up her arms. Michael's smile was so large and sweet, that Anna all but lost her balance, as her knees buckled.
"Oh, I want you Anna. I want you for a lifetime, and longer. I want you in my heart, my mind, and my bed. I love you. I've loved you since you
opened your door. I just needed you to catch up."
Michael's flood of words released whatever reservations the two of them had, as they kissed. There was not going to be any gentle lovemaking the first time, as they tore at each other's clothes, until they stood naked in each other's arms. Passionate heat licked at their hearts, as they strained against each other.
Love Times Four Page 23