The Toy Soldiers Trilogy: Mockingbird

Chapter 13: I Love To See You Smile

Seamus POV

The house was starting to finally get quiet, and the doorbell had stopped ringing. I glanced over to the stove to see the time -ten o'clock. If anymore kids come knocking, they're going to be disappointed. It's time I chase after my own sweets, which is looking beautiful. Rebel -and yes, we are on a first name basis now- agreed to come visit, and maybe I can convince her into staying.

Victoria may not be too happy that I surprised her with some mysterious woman, but I've decided that she'll just have to adjust. I know damn well that Rebel is a good woman, and even if she'll never be Merel, she still helps fill a hole in my heart. There is, and will always be, a little cut that no one will stitch up, and I can't changed that.

Even if I'm moving on, I still miss my wife. Halloween always reminds me of her, and the smile she'd get when she would see the kids in cute little costumes. My mind started to drift off to Victoria, whom I'm concerned about at the moment. Her curfew isn't for another hour, but I worry about letting her hang around people I don't know. The last party she went to turned into a disaster! As Rebel's been telling me all night, I need to relax. She's a responsible girl. I've got to learn to let go, just like I did with September and Teddy.

Most lights were going out in the neighborhood, and the people were slowly going back home. As I looked out the shutters of the window, a soft hand rested on my shoulder. I turned towards Rebel and pulled her a little closer, into my arms.

"Did you mean what you said on Skype the other night?" She whispered in the dim lit room.

I slyly smiled at her. "I'm getting old, my dear. Refresh my memory."

Rebel giggled. "You said you wished I could stay more than a week or two."

"Oh course I meant it. I'd like to have you all to myself... forever."

I leaned in a little closer and kissed her softly. It may not be the same fireworks as kissing Merel, but it's still an amazing feeling. With one arm already wrapped around her waist, I tangled the other in her silky hair.

"Would you like to take this upstairs, beautiful?" I asked as our lips parted.

"How could I say no?" She replied with a vixen's grin.

I couldn't help but see a little bit of Merel in that smile. Is it wrong to compare the two so much? It's hard for me to control, like my mind is on autopilot to measure women up next to my wife. The longer I'm around Rebel, the more I find myself doing it, and the more I realize she's practically my lost love. I lead her upstairs, to my bedroom, feeling her palm starting to sweat in mine.

That familiar spark of bliss started to tingle down my bones every second she got closer. We fell back on the bed, Rebel kissing me as she sat in my lap. She's flexible for her age, and a real spit fire too. I could feel her hand dancing along the edge of my shirt, just like Merel used to do.

My shirt was soon on the floor, and I began to pop the buttons of her blouse when the house phone started to ring. I groaned as I quickly glanced over and saw a number I didn't know.

"It's not important." I informed her as I went back to her lips.

She placed her hands on my bare shoulders and pushed me back. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." I grinned.

I latched my index finger around the front of her bra and pulled her down with me. The warmth of her skin against mine was making me more impatient, but the best things take time. Her dainty, polished hands began to work on my belt buckle while her deep eyes ate away at my sanity.