TUESDAY TALES – FASTEN – MAGGIE’S STORY

 Hi! Welcome to my Tuesday Tales piece. We're still on Maggie's Story this week. Last week she confessed to John about something that tore her up inside. Here's the continuation of their encounter. Scroll down for the link to return to Tuesday Tales.

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            A thousand thoughts ran through Maggie’s mind during the silence that ensued after she had confessed to John –and none of them good. His gaze rested on the floor, though his hand still gripped hers. She eased away from him, toward the nightstand.

            “Guess I’ll be going now.”  She stepped back toward the door.

            John tightened his hold, drawing her closer. “Just where do you think you’re going?”

            “I understand completely. What man would want a woman as his wife who had done so, so terrible?”

            “I would,” he said quietly. “Forget about it. You’re mine and that’s that. I’m sorry you had to endure that, old girl. But never again. No one will ever mistreat you again,” his voice was soft, but firm.

            Her eyes watered.

            “And where the hell was that bloke? If it’a been me, I’d’ve taken you away so fast –punched your dad in the nose,” he said, through gritted teeth.

            “Awww. John,” she sighed, shaking her head slowly.

            “No one would ever do that to my girl. Never. Never.” He held her fast.

            “Am I your girl for ever and ever?” She asked, fastening her arms around his neck.

            “You’re my wife, Maggie. And that’s forever.”

            She smiled and snuggled into his chest.

            “Then what are we doin’ standin’ here? With the bed empty and all?” She whispered.

            He laughed, then picked her up and tossed her on the mattress. 

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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT - MORE OF MAGGIE'S STORY

Welcome! This week is picture prompt week. We're in Maggie's Story, still. Scroll down for the link back to Tuesday Tales and the excellent stories there. Thanks for stopping by. 

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Maggie slipped into John’s bed. Now that they were engaged, the Roberts’ didn’t mind them sleeping together. Plans were underway to add a door and connect the two bedrooms so they could have a sitting room.

            John slid in next to her.

            “Okay, Maggie, what did you want to tell me?”

            She picked at the trim on her new nightgown, her head bowed. Facing him was more than she could do.

            “Out with it. You’re sitting there, so pretty.” He took her hand in his.

            “It’s not that easy.”

            “Nothing you could say would make a difference. I love you, girl.”

            “Don’t be so quick to say that.”

            “Please, Maggie.”

            “Okay, then. Well. I was sent here on purpose.”

            “To find work, right?”

            “Yes and no. I’d done something at home.”

            “Done something?”

            “Disgraced my family. When I was sent here, it was clear there was no going back.”

            John was quiet. He increased the pressure on her hand.

            Maggie took a shuddering breath. She’s sworn to herself she’d never admit this to anyone. Now she was taking a big chance he wouldn’t want her anymore.

            “I’d had a beau,” she said, stopping to clear her throat.

            “Go on.”

            “Edward. Eddie he was.”

            John nodded, his eyes hooded.

            “Well, we made a mistake. We goofed.”

            Silence.

            “I got pregnant.” She stopped when she heard his intake of breath.

            “What happened to it?”

            “Me dad and mum made me get rid of it.” The sting of tears had her blinking.

            “You had an abortion?”

            Unable to say the word, she nodded.

            “Fuckin’ damn,” he said shaking his head.

            “Told ya it was bad,” she said. “He’d be about little Penn’s age by now, I imagine.”

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CALL" - MORE OF MAGGIE'S STORY

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. Maggie's Story continues this week. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. 

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“I’m coming, I’m coming,” called Anne Roberts, bustling into the kitchen, brandishing a pen. “Where do I sign?”

Her husband was hunched over, writing his name on a document. He finished, stood and looked at his wife.

“I’ve never been a witness to a marriage before. I mean not in the legal sense. I mean signing my name and all.”

“Anne, you’re cute. You signed our marriage license,” Mr. Roberts said.

“Oh, yes, that’s right. I did.” She colored a becoming shade of pink. “Where should I?”

“Right here, Missus,” John said, pointing to a line with an “x” on it.

“Very good, John. Thank you.”

The butler took Maggie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. His eyes glowed as he glanced at her.

“There you go,” Anne said, straightening up.

“Congratulations,” Mr. Roberts said, shaking John’s hand. Anne gave them each a hug.

“Here’s a little something for the wedding,” the master of the house said, slipping a check into John’s hand.

“Thank you, sir. It’s official, my lady. We’re married, ceremony or no,” John chuckled.

Maggie picked at a tissue in her hand. Her eyes watered with happiness and fear.

Anne handed a bottle of champagne to her husband. He poured four glasses.

“To a long and happy life together,” he said, raising his flute.

What happens when John finds out what I’ve done?

Maggie’s stomach clenched.

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TUESDAY TALES - PROMPT "PAPER" MAGGIE'S STORY CONTINUES...

Welcome! Maggie's Story continues with an excerpt written to the prompt "paper". Don't forget to return to read the great Tuesday Tales authors. Scroll down for the link. 

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Maggie didn’t believe John was serious about marriage until the night he pulled something from his pocket, and it wasn’t a ring.

 “What’s this?” She asked as he opened an envelope.

“Marriage license. Seems we need one to get hitched in this country.”

He flattened the sheet of paper and pointed to an empty line with an “x” next to it.

“Sign here.”

“Just you wait one pretty minute, John Eldridge,” she said, bringing the document closer.

“You don’t trust me?” His eyes widened.

She shot him  skeptical look before turning her gaze  back to the writing.

“What did you think it was?” He asked.

“Dunno. Just want to make sure.”

“I’ve already signed it.”

She put the paper down as water clouded her vision. John ran his hand down her arm, his voice gentle.

“Did you think I proposed to you only for sex? I meant every word.”

“I see,” she choked out.

“What’s wrong?”

“Haven’t been too many been good to me, is all. Just makin’ sure.”

He kissed the top of her head and slipped his arm around her. “Let’s spend our days bein’ good to each other.”

She smiled up at him. “Sounds all right to me.” Maggie bent over the kitchen counter and signed her name. “There you go.”

John lowered his mouth to hers for a deep kiss. Maggie melted in his arms for a moment before she regained her senses and stepped back.

“Stop. The Missus'll be here any moment with Penn.”

“Okay, but you’re hard to resist.”

Shooting him a shy smile, she patted his chest and watched him tuck the license back in his breast pocket.

“It’s done, you know.”

“What?”

“Once you sign the paper, we’re legally married.”

“Without a proper preacher?"

“Yep. Too late to back out now, Maggie, my girl.”

"You old trickster!" She smiled up at him. 

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TUESDAY TALES - SPIDER - MAGGIE'S STORY CONTINUES... #amwriting #romance

John could stand it no longer. He never interfered in the Roberts’ conversations with their guests, but today, he had no choice. After a brief bow, he made eye contact with Anne Roberts. 

“A brief word, mum?” His brows knit.

Anne’s gaze met his. “Certainly, John. Excuse me, Edda May.”

Edda May made a face, but offered a quick nod.

John led his mistress into the pantry.

“What is it?”

“That spider is lying.”

“Mrs. Crumpton?”

“Yes, mum. I heard the whole conversation. Mrs. Crumpton offered Maggie a job. Even dangled more money in front of her. But Maggie didn’t bite.”

     “She turned it down?”

     “Yes, mum. She’s very happy here.”

     Anne smiled. “Glad to know.”

     “Yes mum. We plan to marry.”

     “Has she said ‘yes’?”

     “She has.” A shy smile curled his lips.

     “How wonderful!” Anne’s eyes lit up.

     “Are you going to give her the axe?” .

     “No, of course not. You do me a disservice, John.”

      “Begging your pardon?” His eyebrows quirked up.

      “You assume I’d believe Edda May.”           

      He nodded.

      “She’s a big, fat liar. I don’t know why she’s trying to get Maggie fired, but it won’t work. I didn’t believe a word she said. Do you know why she did this?”

      The unexpected question sent heat to his cheeks.

      “Something to do with a former attachment I had? To her maid, Gerty.”

      “Broke her heart, did you?” Anne Roberts stared at him.

      “Didn’t mean to. Just…when Maggie came along,” he stumbled over his words, and felt his blush deepen. “Well, you know how she is. Kinda special.”

      “You have good taste.”

      “So you won’t be firing Maggie?”

      “Of course not. That windbag has some nerve trying to cause trouble in my home,” Anne’s eyes fired up, she straightened her spine and pursed her lips.

      “Thank you. Maggie will be much relieved.”

      “Stick around, John. Edda May has a little surprise coming,” Anne said, heading toward the living room.

           

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