March Stephenson

Chapter 40

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

"Long story short, he was in hospital for a little over a week, one night in intensive care. The hospital didn't want to take the chance of his scorched throat getting worse overnight, so they put him on a respirator. The rest has to come from March. But I tell you what Nicky, there has got to be some sort of bravery award coming his way." He winked.

"Thank you, he never told me anything."

"He wouldn't Nicky."

I bundled my now calm son and beautiful husband into the back seat of my car and drove us all home.

The rest of the family followed, and I was feeling mean because I wanted March to myself. Mum started making something to eat and May fussed over bubs. Dad Tom and Pete were on the verandah with Rose and I spied my husband moving towards our bedroom.

"Are you having a shower March?'

"Yes Nicky, I still feel dirty."

"Do you need any help?"

"No Nick, when I get clean then you can shower with me." Makes sense, he has to be clean to shower with me.

"Sing out if you need anything."

"I will." He smiled.

I went back to give mum a hand, nothing lavish today just salads and cold meats, I don't know how Mason will take to it.

"I have some veggies on Nicky, can you do a little gravy?"

It was after I had got the doings out of the pantry I heard it, deep nonstop coughing, mum looked at me again and said.

"Is March okay?"

"I think so mum, he's yet to tell me what happened, but Ron said he spent time in the intensive care unit."

Her hand went to her throat for a second.

"And you didn't know about it?" She asked.

"No, he left that little bit of information out when he messaged me."

She picked her phone up and started scrolling through it.

"My god, what the hell?" She sat down.

"What mum?"

"He doesn't have to tell you the story is on the local page." I grabbed my phone off the table.

"What's up with March?" May asked.

"Look at the local page," Mum said.

There was an announcement from three friends, George Joel and Nudge. It was a well-written tribute to my March Stephenson.

It said that if it wasn't for March they would not be here today, and they wanted the town to know how brave and heroic March was in the midst of a desperate situation.

'We all know March for his generosity and kindnesses, but what he did for us and our families was above and beyond those friendships. The danger he placed on his shoulders saved all our lives which makes us forever grateful to him.'

'What happened?' The comments were all asking.

Mason had got himself off the couch and wandered into the bedroom. I once again picked him up and placed him on the bed where March had decided to nap. I kissed his head and told him to sleep well, then I picked his bag up. I took it out to the kitchen and went through it. In his wet bag, I found the antibiotics, I showed mum the pills and she agreed what they were.

"I should have known, I should have felt him." May was getting distressed.

"Probably the baby May, don't stress so much," I said.

"But I should have felt him."

"Not even I knew he wasn't well May. Are there any other comments mum?"

"Yes Nicky, plenty."

I looked out to the porch the boys were all reading the page.

When I pulled myself together I started reading again.

Nudge had commented by saying March had got all three of them safely to a fire truck and had almost thrown them into the cabin. Then he started the safety procedure, the hazard shields came down and he made sure they were comfortable and had plenty of water, they didn't know he was suffering also. They had gone too far into the fire and became disorientated. March found them and bundled them into a huddle then led them towards the safety of the truck. They couldn't see anything because the smoke was too thick, and when a tree fell he used his pure strength to push it out of the way. We were all treated for smoke inhalation, and March spent some time in the hospital with a scorched airway, even a night in the ICU. So if you hear him coughing you know his lungs were damaged. We all know March Stephenson for his kind heart, now I need to ask you all not to overwhelm him with any hero accolades. We also know he's a private simple sort of hero who doesn't ask for anything in return. The reason I have decided to let everyone know is to plead for your assistance to not fill his life with more emotional stuff that he has to deal with quietly on his own.'

'Well said Nudgie.'

"Not a truer word said'

'My prayers are with him and his family'

The comments were mostly the same and my tears threatened to flow as I hugged mum and May.

The boys finished off the lunch and took it to the big table. We didn't say much to each other except that May was still upset. I tried to tell her it was the baby blocking her feelings and she should accept that maybe she won't feel March's pain until after the birth. I didn't know if that was true or not, but I had to say something.

Pete said he would work for another week at the garage, but he will have to leave at some stage, he couldn't expect Tom to do it all on his own. Rose who had been very quiet said she would help, just until they got on their feet. I know May has part-timers on her books so she will be covered.

"When do you think March will go back?"

"I can't say Pete, if the pills do their job he may be okay next week but it's the fumes that might stop him. It could go either way he may never be able to step foot in the workshop again." The coughing started again and I jumped up and went to see him. Mason had woken and they were cuddling when I got there. March smiled at me and Mase wanted up, I kissed them both and said.

"March Stephenson, don't think for one minute you are going to get away with it all. What time is your next tablet due?" He went red in the face.

"Nicky I....."

"What time March?" I sat on the bed and said gently, he looked at the bedside clock and said.

"Now."

"Good, lunch is ready when you are." I kissed his handsome face and left with our son.

I put a glass of water and a pill on the counter and ran my hand over it, the concrete was awesome, March had polished it to within a mirror finish.

So many things he did around this place, and I questioned why I was thinking that way. He could have died and I would have never had the chance to say goodbye to him. I looked around the family room and blinked the tears away. While wiping my eyes I felt comforting arms go around my waist and Rose started rocking me from side to side. Mason was taken out to the table to eat by mum. I kissed Rose and assured her I would be okay. I then made up a plate for March but when he came out I fell into his arms I couldn't hold back any longer, I had to make him feel better which would make me feel the same.

"Nicky, I was terrified I wouldn't see you and Mason again, that is what spurred me on, now we are the same, we are as one. I know what you felt out there in the cold and you know how I felt in the fire. I will talk to you about it later on, but for now, I have to take a page out of your book and be as brave as you were, and still are." I smiled and nodded on his shoulder.

"March we can argue all day about bravery, but in the end, we are not finished with each other. There is still an amazing life ahead of us and that's what I will focus on. Yes, the what-ifs are always going to be there, but standing here holding you tells me one thing, we are a winning team, and we will always win."

"Beautifully said my Nicky. I love you so much."

"Will you stop saying that, it's the answer, not the question, and it's hard to comment back, but I do love you very much also."

"Why don't you say you love my dick better or something like that?"

I started laughing and answered.

"Go and eat, and talk to your sister she didn't even feel you were in trouble, and she's upset she didn't."

"That would be the baby."

"I told her that but she doesn't believe me."

"Leave it to me." He sighed. He took his pill and walked out with his overloaded plate to the porch.

Hands were shaken Rose cried as he hugged her and dad just stared at him.

"But I didn't feel you at all when you were away."

"That would be the baby sis."

"Do you think so March?"

"I know so." He smiled at her.

"Okay then, if you say so brother."

I threw my hands in the air and nearly picked up the bowl of fruit to throw at May, but I didn't thank God, I did something worse I made a complete fool of myself.

"You think so, you fucking think so? May Beth Stephenson sometimes I could strangle you. Do you think so? What the fuck have I been telling you for the last hour, you don't believe me but you believe him, just like that." I snapped my fingers.

"Well, he is my brother Nicky he knows a lot about a lot of things."

"Fuck me," I screamed.

"Same old Nicky he hasn't changed one bit, getting upset about nothing again," Pete said.

"Nothing? nothing? come on Sunny poo time." I grabbed the dog and walked down the backyard. I could hear the laughing, and it was awesome to hear.

Sunny did his business and scratched the grass a bit then he ran up to the house, Mason was waiting for him to play. They headed for the tent and I sat down.

"Coffee anyone?" Mum said.

"I'll get it," Tom answered. I went to get the mugs, and he took the coffee pot, everyone can help themselves today. March started laughing then he coughed again.

"It will pass Nicky, I was reassured it was only my throat healing."

"Yes, and tomorrow we go to see the doctor just to get it confirmed."

"No it's okay, it will pass. Dad, what have we on this week? I'm dying to get back into it."

"Nothing son, you rest."

"There must be something, or have you run my business into the ground while I was away?"

"Nothing like that March, we have three cars in, eight to come. All good my assistant is doing just fine."

"I will be in Monday morning."

"You will be resting," Dad said.

"No, I have to get back to it."

"You will be resting," May said.

"I will be resting then, and I will be back at work Tuesday."

"Wednesday, March." She patted his hand.

"Keep on trying to wind me up May. Rose are you out of roadkill yet?" She screamed with laughter and so did May, she knows the back story and she also brought smiles to the table.

The boys took Rose home they were going to have a tub, mum and dad left and Jason picked May up. He spoke to March at length, then it was just us in our tub with our boy.

March didn't want to talk about it so I made our tub as normal as possible.

"I love you Nicky." He's setting me up.

"I love your dick more, and can't wait for you to stuff it into me." He moved me to his lap and the party started, he was so horned up he had to do me twice and then thank me several times. We lounged on the sofa, I was kissing his pubes and other dangling bits and he fell asleep, our son was asleep with his mate on the rug and before I knew it I was dreaming of a very handsome mechanic I knew.

He coughed a lot during the night and I tried to ease it by giving him some of Mason's cough medicine, it helped him and he would go back to sleep only to wake again three hours later.

He didn't get up he forced himself to sleep because he knew he had a lot to catch up on.

I took Mason and Sunny out to the family room and made them some breakfast, then I sat and just about read every comment on the local page.

I was dreading opening the front door because I knew there would be a garden of flowers left there overnight. Nudge's wife Jan, had mirrored his comments and her heartfelt thank you comment brought me to tears again. There were photos of Joel and his family, George with his GTHO with a simple thank you message. Nudge was the spokesman of the trio, he said everything for the others in his posting. I did think twice about ringing Brenda to take it all down but when I thought about it, March should read this, he should know what people think of him in this town, his town.

He coughed some more and then came out to greet us, the kiss was lingering and deep and his son started crying again, it would take him a few days to settle down and get used to having him around again.

"What would you like for breakfast March?"

"Is there any of that nice ham left?"

"Yes, plenty, toasted ham cheese, and tomato sandwiches okay?"

"Yes Nicky, the best."

"Now March, today I want to take you to the doctor just for a check it won't take long."

"I will be all right, theres no need to fuss it will leave soon I was told."

"For me, just a check-up."

"All right but I have to go to work."

"I think May said Wednesday."

"Oh." He put a slight smile on his face. If he wasn't so sick he would be wearing that fruit bowl by now. I made him his sandwiches and he scoffed them down, no change there. Mason helped by having bits and pieces of it, and so did Sunny. Dropping bits of food on the floor for Sunny wasn't something March did deliberately, he did it automatically, something he had learned from a small age, feeding the family pet under the table.

I rang the doctor in the next town and made an appointment for one this afternoon, we can make a day of it. We have to go to the hardware shop and get some stakes for the doggy fence anyway.

"Shower time Mason." He picked him up and left to have a shower, I wasn't miffed he didn't ask me because I know where this is also going. If March Stephenson was the book, I was the author, I know things about things.

I used the back bathroom shower and by the time he was finished, I was dressed in my shorts and tank ready for anything he wanted to throw my way.

I dried and dressed Mason and looked at my man, he still had the towel around his hips.

"Next." I smiled. He dropped the towel and bent over the sofa giving me an awesome perve of his perfect ass, then he said.

"I love you Nicky."

"I love your ass better." I knelt and went to work on him.

He moans a lot when I do that, but I suspect he was watching the news on the TV more than concentrating on the happy family moment.

The fires were nearly under control so there will be no going back for our men. Life will go on as usual until the next time. I heard from someone later in the day March will be stopped from going to any fires for the rest of the season. He hadn't read any of the local pages until he talked to May later on.

After I placed the abundance of flowers in their buckets and vases we left to go get some of Mum's roast take out, we are going to sit in that park he found for us the day we ordered the kitchen from Bunnings. May told March about the local page and he stared at me.

"Nothing to do with me March," I said.

He sat and read them a tear came to his eye but he quickly brushed it away. Nothing was said until we got to the picnic ground. Mum had packed our lunch in a thermo bag it was still nice and hot, and Mason got his with plenty of gravy.

The doctor checked his throat out and deemed it just about right, the coughing was caused by some flaking which has to be expected, but it will pass in a day or two. I thanked him and then we went to the hardware shop, March knew what he wanted so stakes and chicken wire were purchased and a wooden cubby house for Mason, it would entertain him to no end when it's delivered.

I was hungry by the time we got to the park, Mason talked to the birds and Sunny ran around in circles, he wasn't happy we had to tie him up, but we didn't want him running into the forest.

"So you read all the comments, Nicky?"

"Yes March, I wanted to tell you I think you are the bravest person on this planet, but I know you won't believe me, so I think it's probably best I say nothing."

"You know how I feel Nicky, I was terrified at the time, and I only did for them what they would do for me. I wasn't the only one that was scared, we all were."

"Well, you are a hero to them March."

"I am not mad about it, but I want it to die down a bit Nick. You know me I hate being in the spotlight."

"Done and dusted, do you think Mase would like some flowers in his room?"

"Why not, he likes them."

"Good, I might stick one up my butt and you can fish it out for me." He laughed so much that he then coughed.

"Same old Nicky always trying to make me happy."

"How did blondie go in the tent?"

"He wasn't with us he had packed his camping kit, he also showered late at night I believe."

"So he's not popular then?"

"Not at all, looks aren't everything Nicky but in your case, I will make an exception." He leered at me.

"I love you, March Stephenson."

"I like fucking you, Nicky Stephenson."

I obliged over the picnic table, he looked into my eyes and grinned.

We cleaned up and went back to the truck, he drove us home and Mason was happy to play in his tent, after a while he went to sleep and I now have my man all to myself. He read more comments while I dined on him. he sometimes likes me to do that for him.

"What do you want for dinner March?"

"Mums place Nicky corned beef night."

"Did she invite us earlier?"

"Yes, and I accepted for all of us."

Someone knocked on the door and Sunny and I went to answer it.

"Faith, Ethan, it's so good to see you."

"We bought dinner for you Nicky, is March in?"

"Yes he's on the couch, come in."

Ethan picked Sunny up and walked down to the family room.

"So many beautiful flowers Nicky,"

"You can take some home with you Faith there's more in buckets on the back verandah."

"Thank you, now there's roast beef and could you do the veggies son? You can have it tonight or tomorrow it's fresh."

"Thank you we have mum tonight she is doing corned beef I believe."

"Wonderful." March had stood up and adjusted himself, I did leave him in disarray.

He shook Ethan's hand and hugged Faith, he wouldn't get upset because he knew these beautiful people loved him like a son.

I put the coffee on and placed the roast in the fridge we will have that tomorrow. He told them he was fine and they weren't to worry about him, he had been to the doctor and was given a clean bill of health. Ethan stared at him like my dad does, and I suppose they were amazed at his resilience to take anything on board. He skimmed over the fires and more importantly, asked them how they were.

"We are coping just fine March, the farm is in tip-top condition and the men are growing up." She winked at me.

"We wanted to know if you would like to stay with us for a few days, fresh air and all that."

"There is no need, Ethan, I have everything I ever wanted here, and the air is the same except yours smells like cow farts." He laughed, no coughing.

"As long as you are okay March we just wanted to check in on you." Mason had woken up and was now on Faith's lap. I took the coffee outside with a packet of biscuits, I felt mean I didn't make fresh ones.

"Do you think you will cope with the workshop March?"

"Yes I will cope, it's just a flakey throat at the moment it will pass."

"I thought you might like a job at the farm if it doesn't work out for you."

He stared at Ethan and started laughing again.

"I will be fine Ethan." He finally answered.

"Well, the offer is still on the table if you need one."

My phone alerted me to a message, it was from Joel he wanted to know how March was. I messaged back that he was back to normal, and I thanked him for the flowers and the lovely photo of his family I had swiped.

'Can you keep him busy, I'm out the front with Nudge and we are going to pinch his old truck.'

'Why?'

"I'm going to restore it as a thank you'

'He might get mad.'

'He won't, the only reason he is hanging onto that rust bucket is he is too lazy to do something about it.'

'Okay Faith and Ethan are here at the moment, so go for it.'

"Thank you, Nick.' He even sent me a small heart. I don't know if March will be happy or mad but I do know it will end up looking like a showpiece if Joel has anything to do with it.

Nothing was heard and when I looked later on the truck had disappeared.

Our dear friends left, there wasn't a word on Hank and Jimmy so I deemed them okay. I was forced to go back to attending to my husband and then it was time for a tub.

Mason squealed and Sunny once again played in the tent, probably destroying the fluffy toys in it.

He was played with and swished around, kissed many times by his daddy, and his smiles were back, and he kissed his dad's lips nonstop. He had missed March as much as I did but between all of us. he was kept busy, especially by his fur buddy.

"It scared me, Nicky. I am really happy I can talk to you about it."

"You know you can always count on me March please don't bottle it up, talk to me about anything that bothers you. I may not be able to help but I can listen, and you already know, I know how you felt."

"I like my marriage to you Nicky, it's not like a normal marriage. My friends were surprised when I told them we talk about everything, is that a gay thing?"

"I don't know March, maybe we are more comfortable talking to each other. Some straight men don't like to talk about their feelings much, they let their wives do the talking and I recon that's where they get into trouble. When they have a problem they try to sort it out on their own. I suppose it's the way they have been brought up, gays are more relaxed and open with their sexuality and problems."

"But I'm open."

"Your one in a million March, a unique sort of gay. You wouldn't be so open if you were straight, you would have bottled the incident up and never said anything."

"Okay, maybe you are right. Where did the old truck go?" I looked at him with a surprised face.

"How the hell did you know it was taken?"

"The app on my phone alerted me that the doors were opened."

"You have it wired up?"

"Yes, Nicky I said I did the whole property that includes the garage."

"Joel and Nudge took it, Joel is going to restore it for you as a thank-you gift."

"I see, I will pay him for it then."

"No you won't March, please don't even offer, it's their way of thanking you. Let them do this for you please?"

"Feelings Nicky, they have feelings they can't talk about, but they can show them."

"Exactly what I was saying before, let them show you."

"I will then, did they pick a color?"

"They didn't say they just took the truck."

"I will have to practice my surprised look then."

"You do that." I grinned at him.

Dinner was at mum's and bloody delicious, she almost fed me every night when he was away, and short of moving in I was well looked after by her and Rose.

Dad was still looking at March and when I got the opportunity he told me he was totally in awe of him. His ability to bounce back and his strong ties with his friends. I suppose dad has a man crush now, I did put my foot in it and told dad.

"He's great in bed too dad." I got a sour stare and a comment.

"At least he's got you under his thumb." I thought about it and you know he was right about that, I am March's slave in a way. He leans on me heavily like I have all the answers, but I don't, far from it.

Mum was telling me that the shop was very busy and from what she could see, so was the garage. Dad said that people were calling about small silly things but all they wanted to know was if March was okay. The lack of calls to the house pays testament that the town was holding back on their urges to hug March.

The next morning he dressed for work, I put my foot down but he insisted he go in and try to do something. I don't know how this is going to affect his coughing but I relented and told him to wear a mask when he's around any sort of fumes. He has them and does use them sometimes, I didn't like them on him because they cover his awesome face.

I followed him up the road and parked outside the gym. It was busier than usual. I waved and said good morning to everyone then went through to the workshop. March was standing there with dad and Pete he breathed in heavily and no coughing was heard.

"How do you feel March?" Dad asked.

"Like I never left." The clapping was slow starting but became wild as the clients from the gym realized March was back at work. It became loud then as they went back to their workouts it died down, it was like a heavy sun shower. March was a little lost for words and I thanked God they didn't try a pile on, my boys do get out of hand sometimes.

"Now that is over, dad can I go and have breakfast and then please find me a job to do."

"Yes son, and that little beauty over there is all yours, a bit of an oil change and a tune-up." March smiled and then rubbed his hands together.

"Let's go." I took Mason and Sunny over the road with my not-so-gay mechanic, his overalls looked so much better now there were plenty of peepholes in them.

May was sitting out the front in the sunshine, she almost fell over herself to get her brother's coffee and egg and bacon roll. I glared at her and she laughed.

"That would be for two then Nicky?"

"You got it right, mummy butt."

She looked behind her and now she's worried her ass is growing.

Mason had started talking to his dad again, that kid was going a hundred miles an hour, and not a breath was taken. March smiled and answered him I had no idea what he was saying. Mum and Rose arrived with our food and she asked if Mason wanted some.

"He had his scrambled eggs mum, he's eating more and more now."

"That's good to hear, and how is your patient this morning?"

"I'm good mum, back at work and raring to go."

"So everything is good then?"

"Yes mum, no coughing in the workshop I will avoid the gas pumps for now."

"I am the bearer of some good news Nicky, listen up."

"What would that be Rose?"

"The boys are solidly booked for months, they are going to do very well."

"That's good to hear Rose, you will miss them."

"I will Nicky, but I know where they live." She grinned.

"I had better tell Pete to go home then. I am grateful he has done what he did." March looked over to the garage.

"He likes working on cars March, it was a no-brainer for him," I said.

"Well he's helped me so much but now it's time he started on his own business."

It was after I had finished my breakfast burger that Jack arrived. He said good morning to everyone and then went to get something to eat. When he got back he looked at March and had to say it.

"I believe you grew some balls Stephenson and have become the town hero?"

"I'm no hero, Jack. I did nothing that the others wouldn't do for me."

"Well, congratulations you did very well."

That was it, no hugging no pats on the back.

"How is Cory?" I asked.

"He will be here later, he is on top of the world again and getting into plenty of verbal arguments at school." He smiled.

"Doesn't he ever get into trouble?"

"No, not my boy he can handle himself beautifully, now the loser here was called to the principal's office many times. At one stage I thought they had a thing going on." He laughed and pointed to March.

"Do tell all Jack," I asked.

"I'll let Stephenson tell you Nick, it might get a little too intimate here."

"March?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Nothing to tell Nicky, thanks a lot Jack, bloody loser yourself."

I walked him back to work, he was quiet but when he got through the door he started laughing.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Nothing Nicky, Jack was just shit stirring."

"And....?"

"He knows I used to look after the younger kids at school. More than once I had to tell someone I would rearrange their faces if they didn't stop the bullying. They are what they are Nicky, scared little bullies and they would run off and tell the principal. I would be called into the office and he and I would laugh about them. I never touched them, just intimidated them a little."

I kissed my hero and then went back to work, our son needed a nap and Sunny looked a little tired also.

"Well I'm off Nicky, Tom is busy today and March doesn't need me." Pete came into the gym. I stood up and hugged him then thanked him for helping out, that silent question was back again as I watched his ass leave, has he screwed Hank yet?

Another hurdle to get over and March was doing fine. I was called out to the back shed just before lunch because he wanted to test his throat out. He was all smiles when he finished me off, and dad said he didn't hear him cough once.

Lunch was a case of what to eat first. In his wisdom, he ordered a bowl of curry and one of casserole. He knew we were having Faith's roast tonight and I had teed it up with mum to put aside some veggies to go with it.

She and dad won't be joining us because she has something to do in the city after work. I found out from dad it was just accountant stuff, things to sign, things to decide on.

I followed March's decision and had a bowl of curry and my son had a small casserole, Sunny got his bowl and lapped it all up.

Rose fed Mason and I watched March and dad compete again. My husband was the loser today because he was being very cautious with his swallowing, but we both knew he was back in business.

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