March Stephenson

By Maxieplus / Maxwell Dowling

Published on Dec 22, 2024

Gay

Chapter 86

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

The first loft is completed, four small bedrooms for the kids Mike's much bigger bedroom with a sitting room and ensuite was almost done at the other end. Ellen made our coffee and she talked about her beautiful kitchen, it was gorgeous.

"How do you think he's going?"

"Very well, that kid has more strength than he knows. He's out there having a ball with the guys. I can hear him laughing and joking with them."

"And the young ones?"

"They all get along which is a good thing, it's funny Nicky they never mention their mum it's like she didn't exist."

"When they were interstate she did put a lot of pressure on them. I don't think they had much of a life."

"So I heard, Mike was telling me some awful things. She's still around Nicky I saw her the other day at the supermarket."

"Where's she living?"

"I heard with the bloke she hooked up with when she was cleaning."

"I see, she didn't say anything?" She laughed.

"Yes."

"And?"

"She screamed out as I was leaving.

Bring on the lawsuit."

"And you answered?"

"Can't wait to put you in jail." She cracked up laughing.

"Nicky there's no way children's services will send them back to her. Our local page posting has seen to that. Lenny and I are very happy to have them here, they are settled and looking forward to having their very own rooms."

"Where does Mike and Bobby sleep at the moment?"

"Inside the entrance to the left until their room upstairs is finished. Then Nudge will build a proper bedroom down this end beside the kitchen for us. It will go Kitchen, laundry parents room, with another ensuite." She smiled.

"That's a lot of bedrooms."

"Mike wanted the kids to have their own spaces Nicky, they will be small but windows will be installed in each room, and they do need their own private spaces. They will have two small ensuites to share up there, this place is huge and there's plenty of space. The big hall is yet to be decided but we think chunky couches and chill-out areas with the big farmhouse table and chairs."

"It will all look nice when it's done Ellen, Mike's a lucky man."

"So are we, even though Len says we will build someday it will be sad when we have to leave here."

"Then don't go, stay here. I know Mike is expecting you to, otherwise he wouldn't have agreed to six bedrooms."

"He expects to have kids of his own to fill them up." She laughed.

"He just might achieve that dream baby."

"You know about his dream book?"

"He told me he had made one ages ago."

"He left it out one day so I read it, this is nothing new Nicky. I knew about him a few years ago so I was well prepared for his admissions."

"Poor Mike he was stressed about it."

"I got Len's mum onto it, she did all my talking. I always think it's the child's right to bring the subject up when they are comfortable, not the parents."

"When is she moving in?"

"The home arrives tomorrow, it will be installed soon after that. She said in a week or so, the buyers of her property want to move in early."

"You have taken on so much in the past few weeks Ellen, thank you."

"It's all our pleasure Nicky. I believe I am getting Tink tomorrow."

"Yes, if you feel it's too much, don't do it I can."

"No trouble, Rose needs to cut the cord at some stage."

"She does."

"Did you have any trouble?"

"Not one, he's a beautiful bubs. He came with a list of instructions but I warn you some of them are jokes."

"Typical Rose." Bobby ran in and said hello, he was placing power points in the upstairs bedroom. He laughed as he said he didn't have time to talk he would catch up with me at a later stage.

"He's very happy Nicky. I know he's going to be alright."

"Thanks to your son," I said.

"Well I must be off, people to see places to go."

"Nicky can I ask you something?'

"Of course you can."

"Is this what you meant with your slogan?" I sat down again.

"A part of it Ellen, I'm not checking up on the kids I am checking up on you. Parents need someone to talk to also,"

"And am I good to go?"

"Yes, but as the slogan goes If you need help?"

"I have all the help I need thank you. I cant wait for it all to be finished then I can start turning it into a real home. Mum will help she's so excited to come and live here."

"And Rose is a wizz with a sewing machine too." I winked. I kissed and hugged her, then I left to get back to work. I am just making sure my friends are coping, I doubt I will do any good with the kids but the adults I can help with. After parking back to work I then walked into May's new shop. Rose was standing behind the counter with a smile on her face.

"Where is he?"

"In the office Nicky, please don't disturb him he's sleeping."

"I wasn't going to."

"Yes you were."

"Ellens excited to have him tomorrow."

"It had to be done Nicky, thank you."

"You're welcome, now I want four double chock cones and one baby strawberry one."

"Coming up my friend, and by the way May wants you to pay your account."

"But there's not much on it."

"She wants her books up to date."

"I'll tear her another one when I get to her."

We both laughed, I know May's only joking. The men grabbed one each and I passed one to Mason, I talked with Mike as he licked his and congratulated him on his new home, it is going to be awesome.

"It's all Nudge's ideas Nicky. I couldn't have imagined all that on my own."

"Well he has done well by you." I licked my ice cream slowly.

"Nicky!"

"Yes March?"

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"You know being all sexy and stuff for me."

"Was I?"

Dad and Mike started laughing again.

"Come on afternoon tea time."

"You just had it," I said.

"Not cake and coffee Nicky, I need some sort of energy food." So across the road we went and May was sitting in the last of the days sunshine. I talked to mum about Rose then decided what we were having for dinner. While she put it away I paid our food account, it was big.

"March I just paid the account."

"Hang on I will give you half." he pulled a wad of money out of his top pocket.

"And yes May I paid yours also when I was over there." She sniffed then said thank you. I will deal in cash from now on, and never give her a reason to complain. Mason was sitting on Mike's lap, half his cone had dripped down his overalls so Mike was cleaning him up.

"That's better bubs all cleaned up."

"Thank you truckie Mike."

Bobby was running up the street, he had finished work for the day and wanted to ride home with Mike. He's a very busy boy now and full of life.

"We had better do something about getting you a driver's licence Bobby."

"I can drive I have my learner's permit."

"I will take you around the block when you have the time." March offered.

"If anyone's taking him around the block boss, it will be me." Mike smiled.

"That's why I'm here can I drive home?" He looked at Mike.

"Sure you can baby."

"Great."

"I might even take you out the road for a spin."

"Cool."

"Maybe to the old water tower, it's nice and quiet out there.'" I suggested.

"Nicky?"

"Just a suggestion March." I batted my eyelashes.

I said to him when we arrived back home that it was either the clearing or the water tower, which did he prefer?

"Water tower Nicky, or Ethan's river. But not our clearing I will lock it up."

Mason had to check his farm yard out so on went the gum boots and he took his father's hand and they walked around saying hello to them all. Hank was put to bed in his stall on the way, that was after I had to wipe his mouth he had sticky ice cream still on it.

"She's very unsettled NIcky, I think she will give birth tonight."

"I hope we are around when she does."

"It's a fifty fifty thing, she may have it overnight, she may have it during the day but she will have it soon."

"Better call the vet."

"No need Nicky, and if she does, we can always take him to Faiths to watch a birth. Their flock will be doing the same."

"I hope it's twins."

"That's two feeds we will have to do."

"Doesn't she feed them?"

"Yes, but sometimes that doesn't happen she could reject them or him."

"That's sad March."

"The circle of life Nicky all we can do is hand feed and hope for the best."

"Show me."

"Show you what?"

"How you would hand feed me." He grinned.

"Later baby. Do we have some dinner?"

"Coming up." It was late that night when Sunny woke me, he was running around the place like a mad thing. I pushed the blanket off and went out to the family room to let him out. He headed down the backyard at full speed.

"What's happening Nicky?"

"I don't know, but I would hazard a guess the new bubs is being born."

"Hell, Mason's fast asleep."

"Then he will get a big surprise in the morning. Come on lets go watch."

We walked down the back, March picked Sunny up and tried to calm him down and I looked over the fence, there he was, all wet and trying to stand up already. We had missed the birth but that didn't matter, he looked healthy and strong.

"He will be up and about walking by the morning Nicky."

"Will she feed him?"

"Sure, we won't have any problems with her."

"How do you know?"

"He's trying to walk so he's healthy and she would sense that."

"Ok I believe you. What a wonderful surprise for Mason."

"He's beautiful Nicky, and you can have one guess at his name."

"Sheep?"

He started laughing. We went back to bed and March reassured me the lamb would be fine, he had to give him a supplement drink in the morning but that's about it. We slept for the next five hours then Sunny wanted out again, my son was sitting on his potty singing away when I poked my head in. It was a pee but very little, his nappy was full though. I changed and wiped him down, then I put the coffee on. It was shortly after breakfast I spotted mother and son emerge from the small shed I think she was hungry because she grazed on the lush grass. Her son bounced around her and I looked at March.

"Shall we introduce them?" He smiled.

"After you March." He took Mason from his couch and I put his warm coat on him, then we walked down the back. He screamed laughed cried and struggled but March didn't put him down just yet, they had to have a quiet talk. He was gentle as the little fella came up to him to have a sniff, then he bounced back to his mum. Mason did name him 'sheep' and I took many photos once again, another milestone in Mason's life. March fed him something and then we were good to go.

"He won't run away will he?"

"No Nicky he will stay with his mum, he knows where the food is by now."

"He will suckle on her for awhile then start on the grass."

"Did you try one?"

"Try one what."

"To get a lamb to suckle on you?"

"What?"

"I hear stories about farm boys and what they get up to."

"That's disgusting. No of course not Nicky."

"Just asking March, no need to get antsy."

"We are late, and I'm hungry come on." He walked us back inside and I started locking up the house.

Mason wouldn't stop talking about 'sheep' and when we went for breakfast he had to show everyone the photos I took. Eventually, I had to take him home he wanted to check the baby out, and he wouldn't stop pestering me. If he had his way he would have stayed home all day. But we had to get back it was nearly lunchtime. By the time we ate I was up to my neck in sheep talk so what's a good daddy got to do? I spent the afternoon watching him and 'hank' chase mum and bubs around the backyard. March did come home for ten minutes, just to check on them but he didn't have time to hang around. Around two mum went inside her house and the lamb followed.

"Come on Mase, they want to nap."

He ran up to the house leaving poor 'hank' flat on his face on the lawn. We cuddled on the couch and in no time he was mimicking his buddies, he had a nap. I did fall asleep and by the time the TV was turned up it was four, so I fished around in the freezer for something for dinner. The knock on the door alerted me to look out the bedroom window first, it's something I have done for a year now.

"Hi Nicky can I come in?"

"Sure Sam, what's up?"

He sat at the table and smiled.

"I have a problem I want you to help me with. There's been a complaint made against March and before you go off, we all know at the station it's a payback complaint."

"Okay, so what's she complaining about?" He didn't have to say who, I already guessed.

"Child abuse Nicky, she has made a statement he's been abusing her kids.

We have to follow it up and I am worried March might take it the wrong way."

"So you want to know how to settle him down?" He laughed.

"Yes, we thought you might forewarn him that we would be speaking to him."

"He will be okay Sam, he's expecting something to happen."

"She won't get any further Nicky just the statement which we will ignore. Its children's services she should be taking on not the good folk of this town. I will put the follow-up off until tomorrow. Can you speak to him and tell him everything is alright?"

"I will do that when he gets home, has she any proof?"

"No, just the complaint is enough for us to investigate, she's also made one against Lenny and Ellen, I have to go and see them now."

"What are children's services saying, do you know?"

"They are of the opinion that the only abuser of those kids was her. They want to prosecute her but will leave it until after the guardianship matter is solved."

"And will Lenny get it?"

"From everything I have been told, yes they are more than qualified, but Bobby has the right to ask for guardianship too."

"Good because the kids are happy staying there with them. Either way, I doubt Lenny and Ellen would mind who gets what so long as they all stay with them."

"So we hear. So you will talk to March?"

"Yes, why haven't you done that by now?'

"You know how he gets, he might throw us out of the garage."

"I think those days are long gone Sam."

"Got to be cautious Nicky, it's our job."

"You are so scared of March Stephenson aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Bloody amateur." I laughed.

He left and I waited for March to come home. He wasn't too upset about it, just sad she had done it to him. I sat with him while he tried to make sense of it all, then I told him what Mike had said.

"Not everybody is what they seem March, she has played you there was no job or house and from what Bobby said she made him leave school early to get a job."

"So why did she pay back that money?"

"She wanted to look like she was in charge in your eyes March. She knew you would have been proud of her."

"I was Nicky, I thought everything was alright with the kids."

"It wasn't, and one day you can sit down with Bobby and he will tell you everything. That is important baby, it will ease your mind."

"Okay. Where do I go from here?"

"You can go see Sam, or you can wait for him to turn up at the garage tomorrow." He grabbed his car keys and said.

"This won't take long."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Yes, but we have Mason to think about. I won't be long." He kissed me, then left.

I got a message an hour later.

'I need help.'

I bundled Mason up and dropped him at mum's then headed for the police station. It was in chaos, cops were moving fast around the reception area and the shouting, thank God, wasn't coming from March.

"You can go straight in Nicky." The man in charge said.

"Clue me in Dexter."

"In a nutshell, we have arrested Bobby." I nearly fell through the floor. It was Mike's voice that was screaming at Sam. Lenny was trying to calm him down and March was sitting at the desk, he smiled when he saw me and I pulled up a chair to watch the show.

"Dad, he didn't do anything wrong, why was he arrested?"

"Because he caused a scene and drove without a license."

"So what? loads of people drive without them. What scene, having a go at his mother, why is that called a scene?"

"He threatened her with harm Mike, we understand completely, but the cops have a job to do."

"He wouldn't harm a fly dad, Sam you got to know that at least."

"Is Bobby alright March?" I asked him.

"I think so, they have him locked up for now."

"Sam, is there bail to be paid?"

"Yes Nicky with conditions." He smiled.

"Can we see him?"

"Give me a minute. Mike will you bloody well tone it down a bit, you don't want the whole town to know your business." Mike was distracted because Sam shouted at him. I grabbed March and followed Sam outside, as soon as the door was closed Mike was at it again. We went down the back of the station and Sam showed us into another room. He sat on the desk and said.

"She will make a complaint about her son abusing her, but witnesses have stated he didn't touch her, just verbal stuff. Sons sometimes have the habit of doing that when they are frustrated." He smiled.

"Mike's not listening to us, so he's basically asking Lenny to help him break Bobby out of here, it sounds abasive but we know it isn't."

"So what's the hold up, can sign him out?"

"He's in the back room playing cards with the boys, and we have no intention of locking him up. The driving we will ignore for now, but he has to know if he's caught again we will come down on him like a ton of bricks. The sooner he gets his licence the better."

"March I need you to finish your statement before you go, and boy Nicky I was wrong expecting March to go off his nut. Mike is another ball game, and another headache I have to deal with." He laughed.

"How did he know?"

"He was there when we turned up, Bobby heard everything and took off in Mike's car. We got a call and followed him to Rachael's place."

"And why am I here, you could have handled this yourself Mr Stephenson?" I turned to look at March, his face reddened.

"I didn't want you to deadlock the doors Nicky. I didn't know how long this would take, I was worried."

"He would have rang Joel March," Sam said as he laughed his ass off.

"See Sam that's what I meant when I told you he's changed." I looked at Sam.

He laughed again.

"Now can we have Bobby and I will pay the bail money."

"No bail money but the reports I am getting are he's losing big in that card game. I doubt he has any money on him so can pay it."

We collected a very worried Bobbins and paid his bill then walked him down to Sam's office. Everything had settled down and Mike and Lenny were now having a coffee.

"Bobby, did they hurt you, are you alright. What did they do to you?"

"Let's go home Mike, I will tell you on the way."

"But are you hurt?"

"Not in the least, but I lost a fifty bucks in a card game."

"You what?"

"I was playing cards and lost some money."

Mike's face was priceless. I could see a lot of March in him, he does confusion perfectly.

"Okay let's go home," I said.

"Not you Stephenson, you have a statement to finish."

"Awww." March protested.

"Sit down."

"I'll get the coffee," I went out to the machine and bought three cups.

"What are we going to do with her Sam?"

"Leave it to child services. I will handle things here." He winked.

March does have some wonderful friends around here, he finished his statement and then he followed me home.

"I wanted to go and see if Mike was alright."

"Tomorrow baby," I rang mum.

Bubs was long asleep and mum said she would drop him off early in the morning.

He was hungry because he hadn't had dinner so I warmed up our meals and we sat looking out into the night sky.

"Don't you have to check the lamb out?"

"No Nicky, he will be fine."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really, I think I will go and see her."

"You might escalate the problem."

"I don't know what else to do."

"Sam has sped up the guardianship hearing, she will be in children's court by next week."

"Should we go?"

"No leave it up to Lenny and Ellen, they know what they are doing."

"I hope so."

"If you want to help March, take Bobby out for driving lessons, the sooner he gets his hours up, the sooner he gets to drive on his own."

"I will then, and I will buy him a car."

"I thought you weren't going to do any of that again."

"He's a sort of son Nicky. I should be buying his first car."

"Alright but not a new one."

"I'll look on the marketplace then." That will distract him.

"Time for bed Nicky." He smiled.

"Lead the way March."

Mum was on our doorstep early, she had her own key and Mason and Sunny ran into the bedroom and were both pulled into bed with us.

"I will see you at work then you can fill me in."

"Will do mum and thank you."

"All our pleasure son."

She left and Mason was hugged then he wanted to see 'sheep' and her baby. March moaned but dressed anyway to take him down the backyard.

He was such a sweet little thing, he bounced around Mason who chased him. It was like they were playing a game. I cooked the first breakfast then showered.

"Are you going to talk to Bobby today?"

"No, I think it best if we leave it up to Lenny and Mike. I don't want to interfere in his personal space."

"Well he has to know he was very lucky last night it could have gone really bad for him."

He showered and I changed Mason, no wet nappy today and plenty of hugs and kisses. One last goodbye to 'sheep' and son then I backed my mini out of the garage. March followed me to work and I parked out the front, Mike was all over it within seconds. I handed him the keys and watched as he drove up the road. We went to have the second breakfast and dad laughed.

"You are not worried about him thrashing it?"

"I am actually, but someone has to trust him to do the right thing."

Mum came out with our rolls and sat for a minute.

"Now fill me in." I told her and dad everything that had happened, they weren't surprised just a bit concerned for Bobby.

"I understand why he did it, shes got a lot of making up to do with her kids." Mum said.

"I hope she does, no one wants to see a family break apart." March commented.

Mike came back he had a passenger, three actually. The kids and Bobby my little car looked crowded. He jumped out and ran over.

"Is it all right if I drop the kids at school then come back?"

"Yes Mike just be extra careful."

"It might take a bit longer, Lily has to be picked up too." He laughed.

"Omg, don't forget her you will never hear the end of it."

He ran back and my poor little car took its time to gather enough power to do a uturn, then it casually drove back up the street.

"What a nice boy." March said.

"Who Mike?"

"Yes hes asking for your permission now."

I laughed. When he came back he only had Bobby in the front seat they both were laughing because Lily had insisted she sit in the front, Bobby had to squeeze in the back his siblings weren't very happy.

"I feel I am continuously apologising to people. But I am sorry I upset everyone last night." Bobby said.

"Its okay Bobby, you did what you had to do and its over now. have you decided how your going to handle it in the future?"

"Yes, I am going for guardianship that way the kids get to stay with me until they are sixteen. Ellen and Lenny have enough on their plate and I feel its my responsibility to look out for them."

"Well done." march said.

"Mum and dad have agreed, but they will be supervising, any trouble and they will deal with it March. They don't think Bobbies strong enough to take on his mum at the moment."

"Lenny will see them right Mike, the only problem I see is mum lying to get them back."

"Then theres that, she has to learn she cant bully her kids into doing stuff they don't want to." I tapped Bobbys ring finger.

"I got it last night its awesome isn't it?"

"Its beautiful, congratulations." I hugged him then Mike.

"It's only early days yet but I have plans." Mike beamed.

"And Bobby?" March said.

"I like his plan."

"You do need to go and see Sam at some stage to apologise, but you can take your time with that. Now how far are you with getting your licence?" I needed to know.

"Nearly there, mums old boyfriend was giving me lessons before we came back here. Maybe another week or two and I will be legal."

Hes a stunning kid, all that dark hair and the greenest of eyes, somehow it all sat right with his square jaw. He was a little bit like my March.

Don't go there Nicky. March isn't his father, but he could be.

"I will buy you your first car Bobbins, Mike can take you around the car yards."

"No Uncle March thats too much, Mike and I can share his."

"But I want to."

Bobby wen quiet for a bit then he straightened up.

"Uncle March you have done so much for my family already, please understand what I am about to say."

"Okay Bobby, I will listen."

"Mike and I are in love, he has brought so many wonderful things into my life. Just the schoolhouse is a massive gift from his and your friends. Do you have any idea what that does for young people starting out, that's unheard of."

"I know but its really only cost his gran money."

"Yes I understand that, but if I get a car we want to buy it together. Mike needs a better car, so he will be first, and I will drive his old one. If we continually get stuff for nothing then we won't value it as much as we should. We need to buy our own stuff and appreciate what we have by working and saving, then we will value things more, including our relationship. Does that make any sense to everybody?"

"Perfect sense Bobby, you want to do it on your own and thats fine. There has to be a cut off point at some stage. You are both working so Mike and March can keep a look out for a good reliable car for Mike." I said and I did understand.

"March?"

"I understand but I wanted to buy you your first car." "I want to buy him his first car too March."

"I will keep an eye out then. When did you get all grown up Bobbins?"

"I watched you. I grew up ages ago but was kept stunted for a while." He laughed.

"So Mike is first." "Or we share his car." Bobby said again.

"Okay, its doing my head in, you share Mikes car and he can still drive the lend car, is Lenny looking for one?"

"Hes got one, Marks old one we just have to get it going." Mike smiled.

"I will help then." March folded his arms and sat back.

"I will allow that Uncle March but no more freebies." Bobby did the same as March, and no, he isn't his father.

"I suppose we had better start work." dad said.

"Can I drive Bobby home?"

"Yes Mike, but don't thrash it."

He laughed as they both squeezed themselves into my gorgeous little car.

"You do understand that you have done enough in their eyes March?"

"Yes Nicky, but I could do more."

"Rose."

"Whats Rose got to do with anything?'

"She's cutting the cord, and I think you will find Bobbies doing the same.

They are starting out with a huge gift, they want to do stuff together but if you and your friends continue to do things, they will feel more guilty."

"I get it Nicky but I just wanted to help."

"Come on big boy let me rummage in your overalls for a bit."

Dad sat Mason in a car and we headed for our little shed within a large shed. The day was sunny and the night was wet, Mason cried because he though little 'sheep' would be lonely out the back. Once again the tent came out and he settled in with Sunny. March was scrolling through his phone, and every now and then he would ask me if we needed something or other. I would automatically say no. That was until he screamed again.

"Look Nicky, the perfect car for Mike. Its a tradies truck with a lock box and everything."

"Send it to Mike he may go and have a look at it." "But?"

"Give me the phone."

He passed it over and I sent it to Mike.

"Done."

"Thank you."

"You can rely on me March Stephenson." I grinned.

"I know."

He kept scrolling I hope I don't have to send Mike a ton of for sale ads. Mason had gone to sleep so I carefully undressed him and put him to bed.

We sat up and did naked TV watching until March couldn't hold back anymore, I went horse riding on the couch and tried so hard to last longer but it wants to be. We crawled into bed and snuggled up.

Donations are gratefully accepted at NIFTY

Next: Chapter 87


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