Mockingbird: a Songbird Sequel

Thirty: Colt

Beau and I dropped off his friends and Travis and headed back to the farm around dinnertime the next evening. He appeared to have made up his mind to stick with Maggie, but I promised we'd all sit down and have a talk as a family. He was nervous about telling her how he was feeling, and I understood that. Wasn't exactly easy for me to talk about my feelings either. I was getting better, but I could understand his hesitance.

The second I got the truck into park, Beau went to feed the horses, and I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed to the porch in search of my wife. Before I could even see her, I could hear her sweet voice humming along to the Judds' "Love Is Alive." I didn't even open the screen door. I just stood behind it and watched her at the stove, swaying her hips, singing a few words every so often while she tended to whatever she had on the burner.

A slow smile crept over my face, watching her stir and dance and stir some more. She had on a black Henley, that was obviously mine, but the buttons were undone, causing it to dip off her shoulder a bit. I could see just a bit of a tiny pair of shorts peaking out from under the hem, but they were barley even long enough to qualify as more than underwear. It was all tan legs, and chocolate hair and a happy little melody. This woman was fucking everything. She was MY everything.

I don't think she heard me when I finally moved through the door, and I caught the screen so it wouldn't slam. She continued singing and swaying as I crept toward her, hoping the wood floor wouldn't creak its age and give me away. It didn't, and as I arrived behind her and wrapped an arm around her midsection, she didn't even jump. She just sighed happily and leaned into me.

"You're home," she grinned, tipping her head against my chest and looking up at me, batting those big doe eyes. 

"Hi baby girl," I stated before dipping my chin and pressing my lips to hers. Her spoon came to a halt as she reached up a soft hand, pressing it into my cheek and holding me there for a bit. She tasted like strawberries and happiness and pure heaven. "Mmm..." I hummed before taking another smooch. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Lennie grinned brightly. "Hungry?"

I arched a brow. "For food or..."

Her laugh swept through the room, and if I hadn't just come from outside, I could've sworn it brought the sun with it. "Dinner first."

"Fine," I groaned as she turned her attention back to the pots on the stove. I didn't release my hold around her waist as I brushed my lips against the bare shoulder on her left side. "How can I help?"

"Set the table?"

"Yes ma'am. What're we having?"

"Just pasta and meat sauce... garlic bread's in the oven..."

"Why do you taste like strawberries then?" I asked with a laugh.

"I made a strawberry pie."

My eyes rolled back into my head in anticipation. My absolute favorite, especially hers. In all of the ways you could possibly take that statement. "You're too good to me, girl."

"Oh, I am well aware," Lennie teased as I finally let go and started gathering up dishes to take to the dining room.

"What's the occasion?"

She shrugged. "Just felt like it."

I clamored around, collecting silverware, and stacking it on my plates. "Where's Mags?"

"In her room, I think," Lennie answered. "She's been kind of distant today."

I sighed. "I told Beau we'd all sit down and talk tonight," I stated. "He doesn't wanna break up with her, but... we gotta try to figure out something. Those two being together twenty-four-seven isn't good for em, either of em. And I know... there ain't a lot we can do about Maggie's... mood swings, but..."