If Not For You

Chapter 23-Months

Sam's POV

It had been a couple days since the museum fundraiser.  The last couple of days Maeve had been expressing as interest in pottery again.  I knew she got bored around the house so I decided to surprise her.   It was early in the morning when I heard the beeping of the delivery truck backing into our driveway.  I quickly shut our bedroom door so Maeve wouldn't wake and went to open the garage.   The company carried in and placed the kiln and the pottery wheel, giving me instructions to later pass on to Maeve.  I signed the invoice and shook my head, this woman had me wrapped around her finger.  She hadn't even asked for this, and I knew I'd get an earful for buying it and 'spoiling her' after she was clear that she wanted me to stop.  I couldn't help it, I felt like she deserved the world.   I walked back into the house, going to my bedroom to get ready to go to the studio.   I was almost done getting ready when I heard Maeve's sleepy voice

"Babe?" She said, "You have to go to the studio today?"

"I do, I should be back by 3 or 4" I said as I sat next to her on the bed, "I already fed the dogs, so feel free to stay in bed as long as you want sleepy head," she smiled as I kissed her cheek.  I'd rather her find her gifts when I was gone so she couldn't punch my arm when she saw them. 

"Oh I will." She said as she snuggled into her pillow, "Don't forget about our double date tonight with Josh and Rhiannon."   Shit. I had forgotten.

"I won't, I will be back in time to change before we go out.  Where are we going again?" I asked, trying to refresh my memory

"I think to that new sushi place in town." She said sleepily,

"Ok, well have a good day, I love you," I said as I got up

"you too,"  She said, so it would cover both statements at once.  I got to the studio and saw Josh and Rhiannon sitting in one of the offices.  Rhiannon was working on sketches of clothes for the tour. 

"Hey so I heard we have a double date tonight?" I asked as I walked in, 

"Yeah, I'm guessing you forgot?"  Josh replied with a laugh

"I did," I paused, "Can we not talk about the tour tonight? I just still haven't told her.  I'm going to, I'm just trying to figure some things out first."

"I guess," Josh shrugged,

"It's getting closer and closer, the longer you wait the more pissed off she is going to be." Rhiannon said, crossing her arms. 

"I know, I know.  I just, I have my reasons and I will tell her soon." I said, Rhiannon just rolled her eyes.   She had gotten close to Maeve since the accident, and Rhiannon was fiercely loyal to her friends.  I grabbed a cup of coffee and made my way to the recording room to start working on some things.  After a few hours of working I heard my phone ring

"Hel-"

"SAMUEL KISZKA" Maeve yelled through the phone, causing me to hold it away from my ear and laugh, "I asked you to stop spoiling me!" 

"I thought of it as an investment, you can make us new dishware" I said through a smile,

"You are unbelievable," She said, but I could tell she was smiling, "That being said, thank you and I'm really excited to start working with it again, I love you,"

"You're welcome, I love you, I'll see you soon," I said before hanging up.   I finished my day at the studio and headed back to the house.   When I got home and the garage door opened Maeve was already at her pottery wheel.  She turned and gave me a big smile and wave as I pulled the car in.  I grinned as I took in the sight.  She was in overalls and a sports bra, her hair pulled back out of her face with a bandana.  She had the clay and water mixture splattered all over her.  I got out of the car and made my way over.