The Swear Jar

by Osorio, Audra

  He turned to Duncan in the backseat. “Then don’t. We love you too, Dad. We’ll get to know her. We want to make sure Meara is right for you. If she is, you won’t get any problems from me or anyone else. Is that clear?” Andrew looked at Sean pointedly.

  Sean nodded. “I wanted to know you hadn’t forgotten Mom. Or us.”

  Hugging Sean, it was Duncan’s turn to tear up. “Never. On either count. Meara’s right. You do have your mother’s eyes.”

  “Do I get a hug?” asked John from his car seat.

  “Of course you do, little guy.” Duncan hugged John.

  Duncan’s trip was relatively uneventful, although he missed Meara terribly. Her trip was another story. She was nightmare-free their first night apart. He was relieved. He heard from her each day. Diana, Ben and Anne dropped Meara off at her mother’s on Thursday. Almost immediately, her mother, Kay, began her interrogation. He chuckled to know Lisa and Kay were kindred spirits. He also said a silent prayer for Anne since she had been the one to reveal his existence to Kay. Meara was holding up under scrutiny. The Swear Jar was going to have a large donation in it upon her return.

  Meara didn’t say much about her mother-in-law, Jane. The two mothers had a polite relationship, but they wore on Meara’s nerves. She started a countdown to when Diana would pick her up. He chuckled, knowing she was putting on a brave front. She missed him and wasn’t sleeping well. On Saturday afternoon, she brightened up when Diana and Anne rescued her. Her phone call from Ben’s parents’ house that night was cheerful. Now the countdown was for when she would return home to him. His heart skipped a beat. He wanted her in his arms. Christmas was going to have to be different. The separation was too much for either of them.

  “Tomorrow night, we’ll be together,” she whispered.

  “I’m not letting you out of my sight. I don’t care if I have to tie you to the bed. You’re not going anywhere for at least a day,” he growled.

  “You won’t have to tie me down. But if you do, I won’t complain, Mr. Phillips,” she giggled.

  “Not fair. There’s no privacy here. I’m outside in Andrew’s car, looking up at the stars. Lisa keeps giving me looks after you call. If I stay out here too long, she’ll send Andrew to find me. I have to know something. What are you wearing?” he asked seductively.

  She giggled again. “Now let me see. I’m barefoot, as usual. My hair is down around my shoulders. I’ve brushed it nice and soft, just the way you like it. I have a confession to make. My mother was driving me crazy on Friday, so I borrowed her car and went to the mall. I ran some errands for her. It kept you from having to bail me out for murder. While I was in the mall, I visited a lingerie shop. I had a little fun.”

  “Really?” He was intrigued.

  “I was thinking of going dominatrix.”

  He grimaced. “Not interested.”

  “I know. There is only one disciplinarian and it’s you, Mr. Phillips.”

  He nodded. “Good. So?”

  “So, I went temptress or seductress. I have a few soft, silky nightgowns and some pretty undergarments to show you. Right now, I’m wearing an embroidered, dark blue bra. It is working wonders on your favorite pillows. I’m also wearing matching panties and a dark blue cotton baby doll nightdress. It’s delightfully low cut, but demure. It’s rather short. It comes to the top of my knee, but if I stretch out on my back here on the bed, I’m afraid you can see my thighs. Or, oh my, you can see my panties if I roll over onto my tummy. I’m not sure you would approve, Mr. Phillips.” She pouted.

  He let out a long exhale. “I’ll have to give it a close inspection before I give it my seal of approval. What are you doing now?”

  “I rolled onto my back again. This bra is so soft. I feel so good in it. Your pillows are aching to be touched. See? I’m running my hands all over them and giving them a squeeze. The panties are the same material. I hope you’ll like them.”

  He hoped no one would disturb him since he was enjoying this very much. He wondered how far she would go. He wondered how far he would go. This conversation was building up tension quickly.

  “Are you alone?” he whispered.

  “Yes, I have a room to myself in the basement. Everyone else is upstairs,” she smiled.

  “Meara? Will you do something for me?” he begged.

  “Yes, Duncan. What do you want me to do?” she panted.

  “Masturbate for me,” he said.

  She gasped. “Yes, Duncan.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Closing his eyes, Duncan found himself aroused. As difficult as it was, he decided he would take a cold shower later that night instead of relieving his tension in the backseat of Andrew’s car. Eagerly following his instructions, Meara described what she was doing. Although she was trying to be quiet, she began to moan softly and breathe heavily. He wanted to be in bed with her, to see what she was wearing, and to see what she was doing because he told her to do it. He was thrilled with the control he had over her, the control she was willing to give him.

  Emboldened, he talked dirty to her. He encouraged her, telling her where to touch herself. He told her what he would do to her if he was with her. He explained how he would kiss her deeply, where he would put his hands, and that he would make her beg for him to take her. Her breathing became raspy and her soft moans turned into a groan. He recognized this as only the first of her orgasms. She had not completely let go. When they made love, he did whatever he had to make sure she was satisfied, no matter how many orgasms it took.

  “Again, Meara,” he said.

  She gasped. “Yes, Duncan.”

  Now more comfortable with dirty talk, he told her she was a bad girl for holding back. He would make her beg for mercy now. She inhaled sharply and moaned. He told her what he was going to do when he saw her again. He would spank her bottom until it was red, then push her down and ravish her. He was going to smother himself in her breasts and suck on her nipples until they were raw. He would bite her neck while he pushed between her thighs. He was going to dig his fingers into her buttocks and thrust wildly until they rocked in orgasm.

  Her breathing came in rasps as she said his name over and over again. Finally, she stopped breathing. She had let go. He exhaled, feeling a little discomfort from his own unresolved tension. He wondered if he should rethink the cold shower and have her reciprocate the dirty talk. Grinning, he shook his head. He was willing to wait for her. If he stayed any longer in the car, Andrew or Lisa would come looking for him. He didn’t want to embarrass himself or Meara.

  She sighed. “Please, no more. Have mercy on me, Mr. Phillips.”

  “Just for tonight. Tomorrow, I make no promises.”

  She giggled. “But sweetheart, what about you? I feel guilty.”

  “Don’t. I’m building up tension. I’ll have a great deal of it to release tomorrow. You’ll need to take a sick day for real, because after I’m done with you, you won’t be able to walk.”

  “Oh, baby, is that a promise?” she cooed.

  “You’re an evil woman. Temptress, seductress. Perfect. And yes, that’s a promise.”

  “Then I should get some sleep. I’ll need all my strength.”

  “Yes, you will. And I have to find a place to hide until my tent goes down. My face is still red from what I said to you. Talking dirty is new to me.”

  “Don’t you remember the shower at the Shore? And Halloween? You’re damn good at it. I’m still blushing. Thank you.”

  “Anytime.”

  “Oh, more promises. I like it.”

  “Until I see you tomorrow then. I love you, Meara.”

  “I love you, Duncan. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.” He hung up, waiting a few minutes before going back into the house.

  “Is everything all right with Meara, Dad?” Lisa asked, waiting for him.

  “Yes, Lisa, thank you. Meara’s fine. She’s looking forward to going home tomorrow.”

  “Will you see her on Monday?”

  “
I’ll see her before that.”

  He hadn’t told his family he was living with Meara. He wanted to take it one step at a time. There was no need to explain it all at once. He chuckled. From what his family knew, he had gone from being her friend to being her boyfriend. Soon, he would have to explain they shared homes and he intended to marry her. It sounded crazy, but for once in his life, everything made absolute sense to him.

  “Good. I’ll see you in the morning, Dad.” Lisa kissed him on the cheek.

  He took a cold shower. It was going to be a long day tomorrow. At the end of it, Meara would be back where he wanted her, in his arms. He slept soundly until his alarm went off. He bounded out of bed and got dressed quickly. Entering the living room, he was delighted to find John already awake. Lisa looked tired since John didn’t sleep so well away from home. Part of the family tradition was Lisa’s mom and aunt left bright and early for a cruise on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. His family now had the house to themselves. He kissed John and Lisa on the tops of their heads.

  “Why don’t you go back to sleep, Lisa? I’ll watch John. We can read. Go. Curl up with Andrew. Maybe even lock the door.” He winked at her.

  She looked shocked. “I do need to get you silk boxer shorts, don’t I?”

  He laughed. “Go before I change my mind. Don’t come back until you both have smiles on your faces.”

  “DAD!” She cried, taking off towards the bedroom. “Thank you!”

  Duncan and John were quietly reading in the living room when Sean found them. Still half asleep, Sean’s hair was mussed and he yawned loudly.

  “Hey, Dad. Hey, John. Where’s Andrew and Lisa?”

  “Having some adult time, I hope.”

  Sean stared at Duncan. “Ew. That’s a nasty image burned into my mind. I need some coffee to drown the image out. Want some?”

  “Sounds good. John and I will finish up this book and we’ll meet you in the kitchen. Lisa’s mom and aunt left earlier this morning on their cruise. We have the house to ourselves. Let’s leave Lisa and Andrew alone if we can.”

  “Again, ew. I’ll avoid that side of the house.”

  About an hour later, Andrew and Lisa joined them in the kitchen. Duncan and Sean were on their second cups of coffee. Duncan was pulling together the breakfast Lisa’s mom had set aside for them. Lisa blushed when Duncan raised his eyebrows, but Andrew was beaming. John ran over to give Duncan a picture he had been coloring with crayons.

  “I miss having a little one around. You kids grew up too fast,” Duncan said.

  Sean, Andrew and Lisa started at him blankly. He continued to make breakfast, unaware of their confused looks.

  “Does Meara have any children?” asked Lisa.

  “No, but she hasn’t hit menopause yet,” he said absentmindedly as he bustled around the kitchen. “It’s always a possibility.”

  “I’m going to be ill,” said Sean. “Dad, major TMI! I need another cup of coffee.”

  The long drive back to Duncan’s house was quite different from the drive that had started the trip. Their travels were filled with laughter and reminiscing. Sean was warming to the idea of Duncan and Meara. Duncan breathed a sigh of relief. When they arrived at his house, everyone needed to get out of the car. He was eager to see Meara, but she would be horrified if he chased them away.

  Everyone needed to use the bathroom. When he opened the door, they scattered in different directions. Pausing as she came through the door, Lisa followed him upstairs. The boys stayed downstairs. As he used his bathroom, he heard her flush in the other bathroom. There was a distant flush downstairs. The third cup of coffee had gotten to all of them. Lisa walked around the rooms on the second floor. He also heard Sean and Andrew murmuring downstairs. He braced himself.

  “Dad?” She called.

  He met her in the hall. “Yes, Lisa?”

  “Are those Meara’s shoes downstairs?”

  “Yes, those are.”

  “The bedrooms have new decorations in them. Are they Brenda’s things?”

  “Yes.”

  “DAD?” Sean called upstairs.

  “Yes, Sean?”

  “On the kitchen table, is that the squirrel-shaped napkin holder I made for Mom?”

  “Yes, Sean it is.”

  Duncan and Lisa went downstairs to the living room. John was playing happily with his teddy bear. Andrew sat on the couch watching John. Lisa went to sit next to Andrew. Standing, Sean held the napkin holder in his hands.

  “Do you want to tell us what is going on, Dad?” asked Andrew, pointing to an afghan behind him on the couch. “Mom made that for me. I thought she and Lisa had gotten rid of everything.”

  Duncan stood in front of his family. “Your mom got rid of a lot, but I kept some things to remind me of her. I hid them from her and Lisa. I stuck them in the back of a closet. I didn’t want to let them go. I wasn’t ready and I’m still not ready. There’s an afghan on my bed your mother made for me. I know your mother meant well. I know Lisa means well, but once again, I’m not a silly grandpa who needs to be coddled. I need to grieve my way. And my way includes seeing things of your mother’s. Meara made me get out all the stuff I hid and put it around the house. It’s helped a great deal.”

  “My old shop project helps you grieve? I didn’t think it was such a bad job.” Sean joked, turning the napkin holder over in his hands.

  Duncan laughed. “I remember how proud you were to make something for her. Your mother loved that thing. It’s not a bad job at all. You’ve always been good with your hands. Andrew, that afghan took a long time for your mother to make. Love went into each stitch. You curled up with it all the time. It made your mother smile. Lisa, there’s a jewelry box upstairs you gave Brenda when you and Andrew were first dating. Brenda loved it because it was a present from her daughter. She knew you and Andrew were meant for each other.”

  “Dad, what’s gotten into you?” asked Andrew.

  “It’s Meara,” he said simply.

  “Dad,” Lisa said. “Do you have something else to tell us? Like why Meara’s shoes are here?”

  Sighing, he sat down on the couch. “Meara and I are living together. We live here part-time and at her house part-time. Until I can convince her to commit to something more permanent.”

  “What are you saying?” asked Sean. “In five months you’ve gone from friend to live-in girlfriend to fiancée?”

  “Meara doesn’t know about the fiancée part yet and I would appreciate if none of you mentioned it. I’m asking you to not even joke about it, Sean.”

  “Trust me, I’m still working on live-in girlfriend. It’s nice to see Mom’s stuff around. I thought you had put all the stuff away,” said Sean.

  Andrew chimed in. “No, Sean, it was always Mom and Lisa. If you had paid attention, you would have known. If it makes you happy to have Mom’s stuff around, then do it. I’m glad Meara was able to help you where we failed.”

  “I’m sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing for you. I’m a little hard-headed at times. I had your best interests at heart,” said Lisa.

  “Lisa, I know that. I love you. You aren’t here all the time. I need gentle reminders of Brenda,” replied Duncan.

  “If you’re at Meara’s house half the time, are there reminders of her husband there?” asked Sean.

  “Meara’s husband, Hank, is a whole other story. What I know of him, I don’t like. Meara has her reminders firmly locked away. She doesn’t need or want them around. If she’s happy, then I’m happy. The less I hear about Hank, the better, as far as I’m concerned. If she wants to talk about him, I’ll listen.”

  “Is that a snarl I hear, Dad?” Andrew asked with concern. “Is Meara all right?”

  “Meara is fine,” Duncan said, gritting his teeth.

  “If you’re going to marry her, we better get to know her,” Sean said. “She’ll be here for Christmas?”

  “Yes, from here on out, Meara will be with me for family gatherings. I’ll be meeting her mother at
Christmas. It’ll be my chance to be nervous.”

  Sean laughed. “I’m sure you’ll charm Meara’s mother. After all, you’re a Phillips man. We’re all charming and dashing.”

  “What a load of crap that is in your case, Sean.” Duncan smirked, realizing too late Sean might not appreciate the comment.

  Sean roared with laughter. “I love this new Dad. Thank you, Meara!”

  Before his family left, they made plans for Christmas. Christmas Eve was on a Saturday, so they would arrive Saturday morning. He wondered if Meara could handle both families at one time. He would need to use a great deal of Duncan magic to make it happen. After a round of hugs and kisses, he was finally home alone. As soon as Andrew’s car was out of sight, he called her.

  She answered on the first ring. “Duncan.”

  “Were you waiting by the phone? I’m sorry. They just left.”

  “They’re your family. I can wait.”

  “Can you? I can’t.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “I’ll come to you. I don’t want you getting lost.”

  “I’m already out the door. I won’t get lost.” She hung up.

  He was puzzled. She was acting strangely. He shrugged and went upstairs to unpack his bag. He could see the driveway from his bedroom. He was sorting the last of his clothes when her Jeep pulled up. She was earlier than he expected. He worried something was wrong as he heard her enter the house.

  “Duncan?” She called from the entryway, kicking off her sneakers.

  Quickly, he came downstairs. “I’m here.”

  He followed her to the kitchen. She wore a dark blue raincoat he had never seen before. She was carrying a wicker picnic basket and a large paper shopping bag. She was barefoot and her hair flowed over her shoulders. He raised an eyebrow.

  “What’s all this?” he asked.

  She put the basket on the table and the shopping bag on the floor. She threw her arms around his waist and pulled him close.

  “I missed you so much,” she said, squeezing him tightly.