“We live and learn. Hard lesson though.”
“I don’t think she’s done,” Ted said as the phone rang and her phone number was displayed.
The new outgoing message played. “Hello, this is the Martin residence. We’re busy working on our happily ever after. Leave your message after the tone,” Ted and Mia’s voice said in tandem.
“Argh, pick up, you moron. Come on, you stupid geek. Ah shit, you can go to hell!” Beth said, ending the call.
“Isn’t it a pity that we don’t have handsets to slam anymore?” Cid said.
The phone rang again. This time it was Mia.
“Hello, Minnie Mouse,” Ted said sweetly.
“Brian and I are on the south side of the hill, and we have found a veritable nursery of rabbits and chipmunks. Come and play, you won’t regret it.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I wrap up here,” he promised.
“Good,” she said and ended the call.
Ted looked at Cid. “I almost lost that.”
“You came very close. No one was more surprised than me when Mia sprouted wings and flew after you. Just before she left, she said, ‘I’m getting my husband back. He’s got some misguided comic book idea of what a man of caliber is all about. He thinks that you sacrifice what you want in order to be a hero. Well, fuck that.’ Then she runs and flies. Murphy said she nearly crashed into the hill, but she kept going.”
“She said that?”
“Yes, I think she understood what you were going through more than any of us did. Mia loves you, Ted.”
“Yes she does. And I’m going to go look at some baby bunnies. You can hold the fort, can’t you?”
“I’ll do my best,” Cid said, holding the door open for Ted.
Ted shook Cid’s hand on the way out the door. He followed the northwest trail to the hill and did his best to arrive as quietly as possible. Below him was Mia, sitting still with Brian on her lap. He was with them in seconds. He sat down behind Mia, and she leaned against him. They sat for a while watching Brian ooh and ah over the antics of the small creatures. Soon Brian tired and turned his head to Mia’s chest and fell asleep. Mia looked up at Ted.
“He’s such a gentle boy. Were you like this?” Mia asked.
“No, I was a hellion.”
“Me too.”
“I think the stork delivered the wrong kid.”
“Can we keep him?” Mia asked.
“I’m not trading this child in for one like us. We’d be crazy in hours.”
Mia chuckled softly. “I think you’re right.”
“Let’s take Brian home, put him down for a nap, and then you can tell me about your mystery date.”
Mia nodded and waited for Ted to get up. She handed Brian to him as her legs were asleep. She walked a bit drunkenly until she got the feeling back. “I’m all about the grace, about the grace…” she sang.
Ted watched the petite creature as he followed her to the farmhouse. Mia was a contradiction. Her best disguise was being herself. She was a bit clumsy and her social skills were improving but had a long way to go, but when they needed her, she changed. He’d seen her fight alongside Murphy, moving with a grace that couldn’t be choreographed. When she stood there in front of him, wings spread out to stop the car, he felt as if an archangel had come to kill him. She was small, but she was mighty. She had the biggest heart but could turn vicious when protecting the innocent. Yet, if asked, she would give it all up and just be Mrs. Theodore Martin.
“Careful, Mia, there’s a gopher hole,” he warned her and laughed as she veered out of the way and walked into a small sapling. “Come here,” he said. She did as was asked, and he picked the leaves out of her hair, planting a kiss on the new bump on her forehead. Brian slept through it all. They finally managed to make it to the farmhouse where Susan Braverman stood on the porch talking with Cid.
“I bet you forgot, didn’t you?” she said to Ted.
“Oh my god, I did. Mia, I promised Susan that she could take Brian to a Blanket to Bear party today.”
“Cool, let me gather his things,” Mia said.
“Don’t bother, I have everything I need,” Susan said. “Even the most precious outfit.”
“Take lots of pictures,” Mia said.
Ted walked Brian over to Susan’s car. They managed to get him situated in the car seat, only waking him briefly.
Mia sighed as she watched her husband. Cid put an arm around her and said, “You don’t have anything to worry about. He finally grew up and took responsibility for the situation. Beth will never be welcomed by him again.”
“This has reminded me of something too, Cid.”
“What?”
“That the greatest adventure is family. Never take them for granted. Forgive them as they will forgive you. Don’t hold on to them with an iron fist, but don’t set them adrift either.”
“You didn’t have a great example to follow.”
“Ted and you did, and I’ll depend on you guys to set me right when I veer off the path.”
“Mia, answer me truthfully,” Cid said, turning Mia so he could see her face. “Is my being here a problem? Because say the word and…”
“No, oh no, Cid, don’t even think thoughts like that. You are so dear to us. Part of the fear of losing Ted was that I would be losing you. You’re the brother I never had. Don’t leave us, Cid. We would be lost without you.”
Cid could see the sincerity in her face. Her eyes held his, and he was reluctant to blink. “Okay, I’ll stay, but while you guys are gone, I’m reinsulating your bedroom. Making it soundproof. There’s only so much a bachelor can stand to hear.”
Mia blushed. “It’s me. Sorry but…” she turned and looked over at her husband. “Better put in double insulation.”
Ted
