Book 2 Chapter 1

It was agreed Mara would move in with Frank and Anna to help keep watch on the boys. She called Judie to have her close the house up and forward all her mail.

"It sure will be lonely on this end. I won't have a partner to watch wrestling with."

"Just think. You'll have an excuse to get away for the weekend."

Mara settled in at the ranch. Everyday she waited with them to catch the bus and was there when they got off. On the weekends the boys would have her outside playing with them. Eventually it would end up her letting the boys pin her on the ground. "You give up?" Lucas would ask triumphantly. Mara would throw up her hands in mock defeat. At night she would either be reading them a story or tucking them in bed.

The boys and Mara were getting closer each day. It was not unusual for them to go to her if they had any problems such as homework. Frank and Anna watched as she became more attached to the boys with each passing day. One evening as they were watching wrestling, Mark was out to do a match. It was a physical match, blows being thrown back and forth. At one point during the match, Mark was being double-teamed, being backed into a corner. Sean hung on to Mara. "Mommy, daddy shouldn't let them do that!"

Mara put him on her lap, her arms around him. "It's okay. Look, see how your dad is now doing it back to them."

Mark won his match, slowly leaving the ring on his Titan. The boys got ready for bed. After she and Anna tucked them in, she wet out on the porch. Anna joined her. She saw Mara had tears on her cheeks.

"What is it?"

"What Sean said. It reminded me of what Francis would have been like had he not died."

Anna put an arm around her. "I know. I lost my first child a couple of years before Mark was born. It was rough at first. I was depressed for months, blaming myself for him dying. When Mark came along, it was like I had been given another chance. All the hurt I felt seemed to vanish when the nurse put Mark in my arms. But every now and then I think of what it would have been like had he lived also. I found out that you never forget. The bond you create with that child stays with you, a spot forever for them in your heart. In the little time you had with your own son, you developed that bond. He'll always be in your heart."

Frank joined them. "I think you need to know something else. Frank and I have talked quite a bit about this when you would be with the boys. We feel that your coming into Mark's and the boys' lives was a godsend. I know at first I had my misgivings, but seeing you with them every day proves it."

"That's right, Mara. Mark was hurt pretty bad. Getting custody of the boys helped, but him being with you has really helped. You've given the boys something they need; and that is a mother. A mother who cares about them."

"I have to tell you, I feel in love with them the first time I saw them. Whenever Mark would call, I would always ask how Sean and Lucas were. I guess I'm being gushy, as Lucas puts it, about it."

"Not in the least. You're what they've needed."

The phone rang. They were hesitant at first to answer, thinking the calls were starting again. Frank went in and picked up.

"Hello, son. Anna and I were out on the porch. The boys are in bed; school night."

"That's right. Dad, have you heard from Mara? I can't get a hold of her."

Frank motioned for Mara to come to the phone and gave her the receiver. "Hi."

"Mara! You're still there?"

"I decided to stay for a while longer. Judi is watching the house."

"I was calling to say we have a few days off. So I'm catching a flight early in the morning and should arrive by noon."

"The boys will love it. I can't wait to tell them."

"Don't. I want to surprise them."

"Okay, See you tomorrow."

Book 2 Chapter 2

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