Emily was up and hugging me straight away in floods of tears. I hugged her tightly in return, kissing the top of her head. “I’m all cried out, munchkin,” I said, “I just want this all over and done with.”
“Will Caroline be moving in?” Alyssa wondered.
That made me smile. “No. I haven’t hidden our relationship from you. We care for each other deeply, but the fact she is your mother’s sister makes it awkward, no matter how much we do care. After tomorrow, we’re going to create some distance and then see how we feel later.”
“You’re obviously divorcing,” Nathan stated.
“Your mother will be served tomorrow morning. Everything has been planned. Well, not nearly everything. I wasn’t planning on having my own affair.”
“No-one would blame you for looking for love elsewhere, Daddy,” Charlotte stated.
“While true, we both took vows. ‘Forsaking all others’. Your mother trashed that long ago. But I’ve broken those same vows. Just not to the same degree.” Slumping in my chair, I added, “Part of me would like you to speak to your mother, but I’m left thinking none of you particularly want to.”
“Daddy, I’ve known about her affairs for even longer than you,” Charlotte said, “I’ve let Nate and Alyssa know what I can. Only Emily won’t know too much.”
“Mummy doesn’t like me anyway,” Emily whimpered, still cuddled into me. Hearing that, she was lifted by my son and cuddled by her four siblings, Charlotte and Alyssa in tears at hearing their youngest sibling admit such a thing. And I had no doubt they recognised it too.
“No matter what, Dad. We’re staying with you,” Charlotte said, as adamantly as she’d ever stated anything in her life.
“That’s why I’ve put up with everything until tomorrow. From tomorrow morning, our lives will change for the better.”
*****
The Present
Walking back into the house after watching her drive away, all the anger, bitterness, stress, all the weight on my shoulders, it all suddenly lifted away as I walked into the living room. The spectre of our failed marriage was gone. I’d no longer share a bed, a bedroom, a house, with a woman who quite obviously didn’t love me.
Everyone turned to look at me as I entered the dining room. Four kids all smiled. Caroline approached and kissed me softly on the lips, Jessica following rather quickly. Mary insisted I sit down, placing a plate of bacon and eggs in front of me, kissing my cheek. “Oh, kids, you’re not going to school today,” I announced, “I’m going to call them after breakfast, tell them there has been a family emergency.” I looked around the table before adding, “But you will be going on Monday. Okay?” Four smiling faces nodded in my direction. “Mary, what are your plans?”
“I’m going to spend the day with my daughters, my son-in-law and grandchildren.” She took my hand, ensuring I looked at her. “You’ll always be family, Mark. Trust me on that one.”
“Thank you, Mary. That means a lot right now.” I looked away before asking, “Caroline?”
“I’m going to get my kids after I’ve finished this coffee, hand the paperwork in, then head back here. They can enjoy a day with their cousins.”
“Good. Jess?”
“Should I go home and get an overnight bag?”
“Behave, Jess,” Mary warned.
“One thing, Mark. I’m not sure if she’ll confide in me anymore, but as I’ve let her know I’m your lawyer, she will have to contact me regarding the divorce itself. With any luck, she won’t actually contest it and it’ll go through the courts seamlessly. I’m not entirely sure she even has her own lawyer yet. Her intention was just to leave and force your hand, one way or the other.”
“Had the gall to say she still loved me when we were outside,” I muttered.
More than one of my children snorted at that. It was enough to raise a smile on my face. Finishing breakfast, the kids all headed upstairs to change out of their school uniforms. The three women headed outside, Mary returning with a small bag, asking if she could change into a swimming costume, Jessica doing the same thing. Caroline returned long enough to kiss me before grabbing her car keys, letting me know she’d be back in a couple of hours.
As it was already a warm morning, the kids headed outside to either jump into the pool or sunbathe beside it. Jessica wore a skimpy two-piece bikini that showed off her fabulous curves. Glancing my way, she walked towards me and placed a finger under my jaw. We both chuckled before she turned and sashayed outside. Show off.
“You know, I do have three beautiful daughters, at least in regards to looks,” Mary said, standing next to me. She was a petite, mature woman. Fifty-five but could easily pass for ten years younger. Would have thought the stress of her previous marriage would have left its mark on her, but the last decade since the bitter divorce had done her a world of good.
“Must get it from their mother,” I stated.
I felt her shuffle closer to me. “Do you feel any guilt, Mark? Because if you do, you shouldn’t. I know what it’s like to find out that your spouse has committed infidelity. It destroys you at your core. I know your pain. Unfortunately for both of us, your wife learned some lessons from her father. The only difference is that most of his were either one night stands or very short term affairs. What I never understood is that it couldn’t have been the sex. That side of our relationship was never a problem. I hesitate to ask but…”
“I don’t think it was that either regarding Christine and I, but I guess I’ll never know. I’m not really interested enough to ask why. Just putting up with this bullshit for the past six months was bad enough. Haven’t touched her since the day Caroline told me.”
Stepping in front of me, she took my hands and smiled. “My other daughters provided their brother-in-law with comfort as his heart was shattered. I can’t believe she did that for so long, Mark. I’m so sorry.”
She hugged me tightly and it felt nice to be appreciated. “Thanks, Mary. Still feel a little guilt about what I’ve been doing, but at least I’ve had people in my corner.”
“Your parents know?”
“Of course. Told them the day after Caroline visited. Thought I was mad for not just kicking her out immediately, but I wanted all my ducks in a row before pulling the pin. If she’d figured it out, Caroline would have ensured it would have been a nasty fight, but I didn’t want to put my kids through it. They’ve been through enough.”
She let me go, ensuring I leaned down so she could kiss my cheek. “When it comes to court, Mark, your side will be full of people. She will have no-one except her lover.”
“Have fun with the kids. I’ll be out later, just going to sort my head out first.”
Pouring myself another coffee, I sat in the living room and reviewed the copy of the divorce agreement. I’d keep the house, sole custody of the kids, minimal child support was requested. I wanted nothing else from her. She’d got a great deal considering she’d been committing adultery for nearly a decade. I was still relieved that the kids were mine.
I was still inside when Caroline returned with my two nieces. The kids immediately changed and headed outside to the pool while Caroline sat on the couch next to me. “Still taking it all in?”
“I’m just relieved that she’s gone. It’s not over, not by a long shot, but at least step one is out of the way. I think she was in such shock this morning — the fact I knew everything, the fact you turned up to serve the papers, the fact her own mother practically disowned her on the spot — didn’t give her time to think things through. I have no doubt our phones will be blowing up come next week.”
“Want to go make love, Mark? I know what you…”
Gripping her hand tightly, her face lit up. “It’ll certainly make me feel better right now,” I said softly, “My marriage died that night you told me, Caroline. You helped get me through these last six months.”
She led me towards the bedroom, closing the door and locking it before we slowly undressed each other, our mouths rarely apart. She’d sucked on a mint or something as her breath was minty fresh. As soon as we were naked, we tumbled onto the bed, both of us eager to simply make love. She moaned softly as I slowly slid my cock inside her.
“Mark,” she whispered, “I love your cock.”
“At least someone does,” I whispered back with humour.
“I love more than just your cock, Mark,” she added, meeting my eyes.
Smiling, I kissed her softly. “I’m more than aware, gorgeous. I’ve had six months to fall out of love with my wife and finding myself caring deeply about someone else in return.”
She kissed me hard before murmuring, “Fuck me, handsome.”
Good thing everyone else was outside, as Caroline Walsh found herself fucked hard for the next half an hour or so, though only that long as I stopped fucking her so I could eat her pussy, helping her orgasm a couple of times, before I resumed fucking her so I could cum in her. Soon as I was finished, I found myself wrapped in her limbs again. Continuing to make out, we only broke apart when realising we probably should have a shower before joining the others.
Letting my side of the family know what happened, it was no surprise to anyone that, by early evening, they had all arrived, my brother and father helping me grill at the barbecue as everyone else lazed about in the pool. I allowed Charlotte to have a glass or two of wine, as she was close to eighteen as it was.
Gathering around the large picnic table, I could see everyone doing their best to distract myself and the children from what happened that morning. Out of the ashes of my marriage, it had actually brought our two families closer together.
Part of me hoped and wished that it would continue for a long time to come yet.