March Stephenson

Chapter 39

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

Over the next few weeks, I cleaned up pee and poo, tapped Sunny's bum several times then put him out the back. Mason talked to his bird friends and he played with the puppy all the time, they had become inseparable. It is good he now has a friend to play with, and the birds taught him how to chirp in the mornings so we copped a lot of that. Cory and I were getting adventurous and running longer distances.

Twice Toms's car pulled up at the oval and he ran around with us, I naturally ran behind and it was a mighty fine behind if I may say so, but not as fine as Marches. May was getting quite hungry and eating weird things like most pregnant women do, she did get a little morning sickness but denied it, but March grabbing at his tummy told me differently.

"I don't think I'm going to survive this baby."

"You will big boy, if you let me screw you that will loosen you up for the birth."

"It doesn't work like that Nicky, the baby comes from the front."

"You knew that?" The stare I got was so mean I blushed.

The day of the fun run arrived and the town was on high alert, kids were up early and some of the adults had barbeque breakfasts. The serious ones were sitting at their tables having a light meal and feeding their son scrambled eggs. He knew something was up because of the change in routine. We had to be at the starting line at nine-thirty, the run takes us two towns over and then back to the football oval where a big barbeque was planned, they had raised plenty of money for their club.

Tom still hadn't told me he was running and as far as I know the town hasn't caught on that I am quite able to finish it.

"Now Nicky we have rules today."

"Yes, March what are they?"

"If you feel tired you sit beside the road and I will pick you up."

"Okay."

"No, and I mean no watching bums as you run."

"Done."

"Under no circumstances will you put winning first above your health, that is non-negotiable."

"Okay." I smiled.

"You're not listening to me are you?"

"No."

I got up and washed my dish then I grabbed Mason for a wipe down and clean clothes. He will go with March today, there won't be any cars on the road as the council has closed it off but there are plenty of back roads.

I don't need water, that's supplied and the ambos will be attending in case there are any accidents.

He had me ready by nine and I rode with him Mason and Sunny to the starting point. There were so many kids it was hard to see the adults, there were plenty of jokers dressed up, and the football teams all had their club outfits on, some fairy-type men some clowns even a Darth Vader, and a band that will follow us on the back of a truck. I booked in and got my number then I found Cory and his parents and gave him my last pet talk.

March was talking to just about everyone and I overheard him saying his back was acting up, he had disqualified himself from the run. Tom slapped me on the back and said.

"May the best man win." I laughed the whispered to him.

"Thank you for telling the town about my toe Tom, I got good odds."

"So it's not annoying you?"

"No." I smiled he blushed and didn't look too confident anymore. He knew the only way he could beat me was if I was injured.

I seated Cory and he did a splendid job of pretending he wasn't quite right.

"Did dad mark the tree kiddo?"

"Yes, all done one K from the finish line.

After kissing my husband and son I stood at the front of the pack, the kids were at the back because we didn't want them to get trampled.

"Hey Tom looking a bit fat nowadays, must all that extra man sex" Cory screamed out.

Tom nearly fainted and Cory put him off his run, I secretly grinned again.

"Hey, Jones break a leg."

"Get stuffed Cory Young." His nemesis from school I decided.

He screamed when the starter gun went off and so did the kids, I started the journey slow until I found my ideal pace. Cory on the other hand threw water-filled balloons at the other contestants.

"Take that ass ole."

I had started laughing because he copped a few back from the side of the road where loads of people were standing. It was what it is, a fun run, and plenty of runners and onlookers were having fun.

I concentrated on my breathing and pace, and there was no way that Tom could catch me. I had my special commentator and he was giving me a rundown on how far back they were. Before we got into the next town I spied March and Mason on the side of the road, he had his phone out and was taking loads of photos.

"Nicky you are leading by a K." He shouted out. I smiled but didn't lose my pace, or look back.

We made it to the turn-around point and then headed down a different road. I grabbed water and drenched myself in it, March was standing about a half mile out of town, I did grab my crotch and waved it at him. This run was easy and by the time we saw the balloons on the tree, I was tired but exhilarated.

Cory jumped out of the chair and I pushed it the rest of the way, I had planned not to slow down except to drop him off. Six hundred meters down the road he had dropped off behind me some, so I deemed it was safe when I saw someone holding up a sign that read, two K's back go, Cory, it was Jack so I slowed down to let Cory catch up. He was doing well I listened for his breathing and of course, the giggling started as the finish line came into sight. We both ran across the line together and his arms flew into the air then he ran into his dad's arms.

I was slapped on the back and a card was thrust into my hand. March grabbed me and kissed me and my son did the same, although he didn't quite know why. Sunny was sniffing around close by, March held his lead as I bent over to catch my breath. Someone was passing towels around and I wanted to see how Cory was going so I took March's hand and walked over to a beaming boy.

"Are you a winner now?"

"Yes, thank you, that was awesome."

With more water and a wipe down and I think March was ready for a nap he was so excited. I found a bench and we sat down, I shook many hands and Rose kissed me because she hadn't bet on Tom she bet on me, forever faithful that lovely friend of mine.

A few runners were coming up the road and Tom came seventh and he was well and truly stuffed.

"I told you you needed to lose some weight Tom, bloody loser." I started laughing at Cory he smiled at me and gave me two thumbs up.

Because it was unexpected that there would be two winners and of course a little controversy about Cory's "run" the organizers said we could share the prize and the sash when the trophy was presented. What man in his right mind would disqualify a kid in a wheelchair? I did hear next year there will be a separate category.

I handed the cheque and the vouchers over to Cory and Jack told him he had to share it with me. He said he had every intention to give me half but I resisted and told him to keep the lot, I still have my horse riding voucher to use.

The party started when the rest of the runners arrived in droves, the kids were already here, there were busses to collect them at every point, and they were playing kick to kick mostly on the oval.

Prizes were given in each category and the winners all had their photos taken for the local papers.

Rose had taken to rubbing Tom's shoulders and March noticed and started doing my legs, I know he had a boner, his shorts were bulging by the time he had to give up. I watched Mason and Sunny play, plenty of licking and Mase did the same back to him. I talked to many friends and had my sausage in bread, then I was coming down dramatically. I wobbled, March got us all in the car and drove us home. Mum and dad followed and she made sure I was alright, March wanted to put me to bed, but I laid on the couch and went to sleep. It was the smell of food that woke me up, and my son hitting my face. I felt much better and sat at the table to eat something. We talked about the day and March said we could go back because there will be dancing and a party at the oval tonight.

We all declined because I couldn't wait to get March into bed, running makes me randy. Mum's corned beef was delicious and Mason loved it as much as his dad did, so did Sunny as he lapped up the bits Mase dropped on the floor. We talked about the day and then March took a piece of paper and added up everyone's winnings. It was mum that won the most, the sneaky woman she was. I was surprised at the amounts and yes Cory can keep his prize money

I won enough to cover it and more.

We sat on the back verandah and had our coffee and Sunny ran around the backyard, March covered the birds up and I sat back and thanked whoever is looking out for me for this picture-perfect moment.

He held his phone in his hand all night and kept looking at it now and then. I knew what he was looking at, it was me on the winner's podium, I did look like I had a big bulge in my shorts but it was just the angle it was taken from. I had read the very sober comments about bumps and grunts, but if it places a smile on March's face then so be it.

March locked up and I placed Mase into his bed, Sunny had done one last poo and was ready to nap. I undressed and lay on my stomach, March is going to rub my legs for me again. He didn't last long because as I felt the head of his dick nudge my ass he let out a big breath and said.

"That's much better and don't think for one minute I didn't see that bulge."

"I know, you have been looking at it all night."

"Umm."

We slept well, and no baby this morning but I did hear him playing in his room, March wanted another round but I needed the toilet. I put the coffee on while he moaned for me to come back into bed. I poked my head in the bedroom and there he was standing to attention again, so what could a guy do but hover over it again?

I looked at the local page and there were hundreds of more photos of dads mums and kids running and receiving their awards. No one was particularly featured but I did get a few in, especially on the podium. It's the comments that got to me mostly, this town is so beautiful and the people were just wonderful.

Today is a lazy day, Sunday was my family day and we spent it in the garden, clearing some leftover leaves and brushing dirt off our son's knees. I washed my car and March did his then we chilled in the tub for a while. No plans for dinner and no sex because I was a bit sore.

Mason and Sunny played continuously, they had become firm friends and it will stay that way for their lives together. Tom and Pete were moving today and I hoped they can make a go of their new business which reminds me. Jimmy didn't run at all yesterday, I wondered why Faith said he was.

May and Jason called in around six just as we had decided Chinese would be good tonight, she looked tired but excited and March was even more excited because he and Jase were going to meditate after dinner.

"Do you know why Jimmy didn't run May?"

"No Nick, Faith told me he was running."

"She told me too, maybe he had something else to do."

"She told me she put a hundred bucks on him to win."

"It all goes to the club anyway, I must find out tomorrow."

"Nicky, I think they are up to their old games again, Rose said they go out a lot."

"Who?"

"Tom and Peter, she said they are never home that much."

"Probably trying to stay out of her way May,"

"I don't think that is it, she loves having them there."

"I guess we will have to investigate then." I smiled.

"What time is dinner I'm starving."

"You will get fat."

"I will anyway." She laughed and rubbed her small tummy.

The boys started meditating after dinner, Mason helped and Sunny sniffed everything he could. I joined in and May watched from the verandah she was too full to participate.

We three sat for an hour and I noticed out of the corner of my eye March wasn't watching me he was watching my crotch. Jason stretched and stood up and March did the same while I followed then walked the kids back to the house.

"Next time we use the clearing March theres too many distractions here." Jason smiled.

"Sorry Jase." March blushed.

I actually didn't do too well myself because I had one eye on Mason and Sunny.

"I am a bit worried they will run off unnoticed March can we do something to keep them within eyesight?"

"I will put a wire fence up Nicky, just to keep them safe, they might decide to investigate the forest out back at some stage."

"Good idea March."

When the family left we chilled on the sofa for a while then went to bed.

Mason hadn't moaned, he loved his room very much and now Sunny is with him he loves it even more.

The next day, after we went to work, I cleaned up a bit and sorted through the washing. March will be going to the hardware shop at some stage to get more chicken wire, he wants me to go with him but I told him the kids will be a hassle.

The siren went and he took off in his truck, must be an out break somewhere.

So I went over to the shop and opened the local page.

There were comments but nothing solid.

'Wheres the fire?'

'I don't smell smoke'

'Must be small'

The comments told me nothing and Mays app didn't have any warnings on it. She sat there with Mason in her arms and flicked through her phone.

"The closest one is in New South Wales Nicky, theres a huge fire in the Blue mountains. It looks like its breaking out in four different places.

March's truck pulled up out front and a flustered man jumped out. He kissed me and ordered a pie then he sat with us.

"Whats up?" He didn't look like he was ready to talk so I left it when he didn't answer.

May got a message from someone and I opened the local page again.

'What the f**k, this is not happening.'

'I agree, what am I suppose to do?'

'Fk Fk F**k there goes my birthday party.'

'Now I'm worried'

The comments weren't very good, but no one was telling me why the siren went off. March was deep in thought his pie had arrived and Rose made a comment about him dieting, but it all fell on deaf ears.

Finally May was the one that said something.

"You have to tell him March, there isn't much time." His head snapped up and he looked at me.

"I cant find the words May."

"Then I will do it, Nicky the Blue mountains fire is totally out of control, the government has declared a national emergency. Most of the fire stations in Victoria have been called in to help. Our local team have to leave within the next six hours. There will be airport busses at the fire station and the men will be flown to the command centre in New South Wales."

"So your leaving to fight a fire in another state?"

He nodded yes then took Mason and cuddled him, hes saying goodbye.

"How much time do we have?"

"Five hours Nicky, I don't want to go, I don't want to leave here."

"Then don't go."

"It will reflect badly on me, the others have families and jobs they have to leave behind, I am no different."

"Then we will cope with it, how long do you have to go for?"

"Four week rotations Nicky, then we come home to rest. There is no way of telling how long the rotations will go on for."

My heart was in my throat, this fire isn't a bush fire its a full on outbreak.

March is worried more worried than I have ever seen him since my snow incident. He isn't going to reject the job I know him better than that, and it was about that time I started praying again.

By the time he finished there was a crowd around us, they all had heard and their support was very much required, cars pulled up and husbands and fathers jumped out, they hugged some of the shoppers and there were many tears. I got up and walked across the road leaving them all to it. I walked through the work shop.

"Whats up Nicky?' Dad said, I couldn't look him in the face because my tears were plenty and I needed to let a big sob out. I leaned back on the shed door and let fly.

Moments later there was a knock, March had followed me.

"Nicky, I need you now. I need your strength and I need your humour because I am at a loss as to what to do."

"Do you want to go?" I rested my head on his shoulder.

"I don't want to leave you, but I have to go everyone else is going and probably feeling the same as me. Look at me Nicky," I lifted my head up and looked him in the eyes, he smiled.

"Nicky I love you so much it hurts for me to be away from you even for ten minutes. We will get through this together, message me baby let me know how things are here, keep me in your heart and if you do then I know you are safe."

"It isn't me I am worried about March, its you."

"Nicky there are hundreds of us being called in, they have the helicopters and planes dropping water all over the place up there. It may take months or weeks there is no way of telling."

"Please March promise me you will rest when you are told to, and please don't go off alone."

"I wont, its too dangerous to be wandering off by yourself."

"Then I wont worry, now who have they got you sleeping with?"

He smiled then he started laughing then he answered.

"I could get lucky, theres a cute blonde boy two towns over thats coming with us."

"Good, teach him everything you know then come back to us."

"I will Nicky."

"I love you March, please don't take any risks."

"Never happening Nicky."

We held onto each other for ages, I know these big fires are dangerous for the men fighting them, but March Stephenson has a good clear head on his shoulders, he will be fine.

"I have to go and pack, should I take condoms?"

"I laughed and said.

"You had better, you never know who is going to be sharing the tent with you."

I burst out laughing and although my fears were still there, I put them aside for my family.

We went home and I helped him pack and bag, he was ordered not to take his whole wardrobe just enough changes for the four weeks, like underwear and stuff. His uniform was the first thing he stashed into the bag. Then he took a photo of us with Mason and Sunny, he gently placed it on a flat surface so it wouldn't bend, he also has hundreds on his phone. The pickup point was outside the fire station, there were three busses waiting, he threw his bag in the hold and started kissing everyone goodbye. May was teary eyed and Jason gave him a lingering man hug. I didn't know a lot of the men they were mostly from the outlying areas and towns, but Ron, George, Joel, Barry, Nudge, Keith and a lot of my gym mates were saying goodbye to their families. He was holding me when I spied a pretty awesome blonde man, I tapped his shoulder and said in his ear.

"That blonde is gorgeous March." He looked around and said.

"Sadly he is also a bloody prick." His lip dropped.

"Good." I whispered.

Mason was made a fuss over and mum and dad hugged March forever, Rose was teary and hugged everyone and Tom and Pete came to wish him good luck.

I watched the busses disappear, the crowd hadn't dispersed as yet everyone was still in shock, this is a first for my little town.

Brenda made a speech, and she reassured us that the men will be back before we know it, she also said that any inquiries or shout outs for help will be handled from her office. If anyone was in desperate need for assistance they are to speak to her or her staff members. She will try and update the local page as news permits it. She also repeated this speech on the page two hours later. I got a message from March when we got in and he said they were boarding.

"Yikes, I hope theres no turbulence." He laughed.

When we all entered the house, it was silent and a deep empty feeling had come over it.

Mum had brought home some leftovers for our dinner and dad was confident the garage will be in good hands, I had followed them home then took dad back to the gym to collect March's truck. When we got back Mason was looking for him and Sunny was sitting on the verandah with mum.

We didn't have to say much because we all knew what we were thinking, I held Mason and he knew something was up because he continued to look around.

Dad made the coffee and he sat and played clapping hands with him.

"Is there much work to do dad?"

"Theres a few cars booked in Nicky, I have rang Pete he will give me a hand if I need one."

"Hes good with cars dad."

"He should be, hes stripped enough of them." He started laughing that broke the ice.

"And hes driven a lot of them also Nicky, including my Mazda." She smiled.

"You knew about that?" "I will give you a tip Nicky, when you borrow someones car for the day, make sure you refill the tank." She started laughing.

"Sorry mum."

"Thats okay son it didn't worry me, I did the same when I was fifteen." I almost fell off my seat.

I flicked the porch tv on and looked for any news on the fire, no houses or towns lost so far but that could change with the wind. There was a knock at the door, it was Tom and Pete, they only called in to see if I was okay. Dad talked to Pete while mum went to organise something to eat. I stroked Masons back and Tom was reassuring me that March knew what he was doing.

"He is trained for this Nicky, I do know that the guys are told if they feel danger they are to escape. Its all different now the air traffic will be continually dumping retardant on it."

"I read what happened at Marysville a while back, it scared the hell out of me."

"We have to believe that March and the others would have learned more about fires since that dreadful week."

"Thank you Tom, but I will still worry."

"We all will Nicky, do you want us to move in with you?"

"No my friend, set your house up and we will call in to have a look. I will be fine mums only a few doors down."

"Dinners ready boys." Mum called out, she had a bowl of food for Mason and sat to feed him.

'Boy was that a quick flight, we are on the bus again and heading for the command centre. I love you Nicky and miss you.'

'I love you back March Stephenson, all is good here mum and dad have just left, now we sit and wait for some good news.'

'It will be all good baby.'

That message I got just after I put myself to bed. Mason was unsettled and him and Sunny slept with me in the big bed. How much he understood God only knows, but I did have a good talk to him about his dad. No tears just restlessness, his new routine had been thrown out of wack.

Unsurprisingly I was up at four, my baby and puppy slept on and I made coffee then sat on the back porch. I toyed with my phone after sending March a long message. I didn't want to tell him we were all very sad here, that would worry him, so I asked him a lot of questions. Mainly where he was housed and did he know which area they will be working in, If I knew that then I could concentrate on that bit on the app.

Sunny came out and I scratched his ears then he finally got it, he went onto the lawn and did a poo. He looked at me and I told him he was a good boy. He then scampered back into the bedroom, I followed because he cant quite jump up on the bed as yet.

The next four days I spent talking on the local page, and sometimes I got to talk to March when he found time to ring us. With the local page I got more information from the families of the men that went with March, they were all reporting what their men were telling them. March's news was the same, he had been put up in a motel, six to a room and the food was excellent because the residents in the town they were staying in were also doing the cooking.

He told me that there were also a hundred military tents situated on the local footy ovals and the army were helping them. The fire hadn't worsened and they had begun back burning, something I had to research. The gym was busy but as I said earlier it really does look after itself. My morning tea and lunchtime was spent with various members of my small family outside Mays and I took many photos to send to March. May sent him her dinners he sent his back, which looked pretty good.

"I got a black eye from a falling tree today, shit it hurt" And a photo of one very nasty looking black eye. On our page there were the normal ankle burns, smoke inhalation, and many complaints about being drenched from above, but no serious stuff.

"Its been four day since I have had a shower Nicky, I feel so grubby,"

"I like a little grubby March."

"Don't talk dirty to me Nick, I will explode."

"Don't the showers work at the motel?"

"No they blew up the first day, we have to use the ones at the oval."

"So go and use them."

"Umm Nicky they are communal."

"Oh, your too shy?"

"Yes Nicky, my body is only for you to see."

"Go late at night then."

"I am always too tired, it really is a madhouse here. Emergencies everywhere."

"Do you want me to come and save you big boy?"

"Please don't do that, people will talk."

These talks were few and far between, I gave up trying to put Mason on the phone, he would cry when he heard his dads voice. Its not fair on him. I noticed more and more Pete was working in the garage, dad and him laughed a lot during the day and March's overalls fit Pete like a glove.

Faith and mum kept me in food, and I didn't stop going to mums for dinner I went on as usual praying they get that fire under control.

Brenda would update the page as news came to hand, and I did go help some residents who had troubles, a twisted ankle here, a fallen tree there, nothing too major. A video call came in around lunchtime the following week, I got to see my March's face on screen, he was so beautiful even with a nasty black eye.

"I am in the hospital tent."

"What happened?' "Smoke inhalation, Nicky." He started coughing.

"Don't you have a mask for that?"

"Yes Nicky but I cant see properly with it on."

"I'll kick your bum if you take it off again."

"We got stuck in the thick of it, and I couldn't see, so I took it off. Then I really couldn't see, I was taken to the hospital tent. At least I now get to have a shower in private." He laughed and coughed.

"Any news of the fire March, is it nearly under control?" "Yes Nicky, the worst of it has burnt itself out, we are expecting more men soon then maybe they will send us home."

"I hope they will March, we all miss you guys so much."

"How is my boy?"

I panned the phone around the table and showed him Mason.

"Look Mase daddy." He looked at the screen then his hands went out and he screamed to hold it. He put his nose on the screen so I held it back while they had a talk, and a bit of a catch up on newsworthy items. I like these sort of calls, now he can face time Mason which is better than a voice over the phone.

Mum, dad, Rose, Faith and May all talked to him, I could hear the coughing then he started wheezing, so I took the phone off May and looked at him. He smiled at me and said.

"Sorry I got to go, I love you all."

"Well look after yourself, I love you." He hung up.

I posted on the local page that March was in the hospital for smoke inhalation, the messages like always were encouraging.

Another week passed and very few messages were sent, I understood and I didn't hound him because I knew he would be either busy or tired.

It was a distressing time but I had to act normal around Mason, his life went on as it has been. He missed his dad and slept with me just about every night. It was something I didn't want to do because we would have to start from fresh when March got back and he probably will want him sleeping with us. Whatever the consequences we will get it done together.

At the end of the fourth week the announcement was mad by Brenda, the men were coming home the fire was under control again. March did message me that he was on his way, and some of the men who were into posting on our page were commenting, not March he doesn't do social media all that well. They way he looks at it he can read but not comment, he didn't want anyone to know his business.

The day came and we dressed to impress, Mason knew something was different and I didn't want to tell him because he would get over excited.

Everyone was there to meet the busses, the excitement had filled the town to almost frenzy point. The first bus arrived and squeals were heard from the kids, tears from family members and full on clapping and cheers from all that were waiting.

Second bus then the third where I saw March was hanging out the window.

"Look Mase, Daddies home." He was quiet for a few seconds then he joined in the squealing. My man jumped off the bus and headed our way, he got caught up in the crowd of well wishers and hugged a few friends on the way. Masons legs were moving at a hundred times a minute and his arms were stretched out. March looked me in the eyes he couldn't resist and full on kissed me. He then took Mason and they moulded into each others arms, the crying started shortly after. We tried to settle him down as May and the rest of our family wanted to hug March.

The coughing also started and he put his hand over his mouth several times.

I looked at mum she frowned so I looked for answers by searching Ron out. He was still hugging his wife and boys and when he noticed me he hugged me also, which was nice.

"Welcome back, what happened to March?"

"What do you mean haven't you seen him yet?"

"No in the hospital what happened?"

"Hasn't he told you?"

"No just that he had smoke inhalation."

"You have to talk to him Nicky, its not my place to tell you." "Then make it your place Ron." I said firmly.

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