Sean thought he'd felt nervous before but nothing compared to meeting your new girlfriend's kids and having your kids meet them. What insanity had possessed him to suggest this so soon, after only one date? But it had been a heck of a date! He and Mandy meshed, they connected, they enjoyed each other and all they did was talk, talk, talk and talk some more. He was already certain he wanted to make Mandy a permanent part of his life. But both being recently divorced, they came with baggage, baggage in the form of ex's and kids. And little did those kids know but they held their parents' future happiness in their little hands.
Pulling into the drive of what used to be his house, he stepped out of the car and made his way to the front door. He was already sweating something awful and not because it was an unusually warm September day.
"Daddy!"Jenny shouted delightedly throwing open the door and jumping into his arms.
"Oh, Jenny, I missed you, Baby," he said softly, hugging her tightly and kissing every inch of her face.
"Me too,"she said smiling brightly.
"You'd think you hadn't seen each other in weeks," came the sarcastic drawl of his ex-wife. She leaned against the door frame in a skimpy, curve-hugging, sun-dress. Only briefly glancing toward her, he couldn't help noticing she would have fit in quite well in a Vegas whore house.
"Hello, Debra," Sean said civilly still smiling at Jenny. "Get Frankie so we can go. Okay?"
"He's at Timmy's house. Is it okay if we give him and Janey a ride? Mr. Martin isn't back from Pepsi Cola,"she said.
He laughed. "Pensacola, Jenny. Pepsi cola is the drink. Pensacola is in Florida. I was hoping at 8 years old that you'd be smarter than our U.S. senators, so try to remember that."
"Okay," she said excitedly, "I got so much to tell you, Daddy!"
"So, do I, lots and lots. Go get your brother, Janey and Timmy, too." He watched her run down the block, her ponytail swaying behind her.
"What lots and lots do you have to say?"Debra asked curiously.
"I'll let you know when it concerns you, Deb. Can I have the kid's sports bags? Did they tell you they were to stay with me tonight?" he said bracingly.
"What's up with you, Sean?" she asked wonderingly. "You look different. And why do you want them to stay over tonight? The tournament won't last that long, will it?"
"It's a long drive there and back and I miss them. I don't get to have them all the time like you. I thought we'd have some fun renting a movie or something," he said evasively.
She watched him curiously then smiled flirtatiously. "Do you like my new dress?"she said switching her hips and spinning around.
He clenched his jaw tightly and looked down the block. He smiled seeing the kids coming back, Frankie in the lead.
"Well? Do you, Sean? I wore it just for you," she said teasingly.
"It's great if you want to look like a slut. I just don't believe a mother of two children ought to be seen dressed like that but that's just me," he retorted carelessly going passed her in the doorway and getting the kids' bags. He went passed her again trying to avoid brushing against her and tossed the bags into the back of his SUV.
"Hey, Dad," Frankie shouted running up to him. He threw his arms briefly around and hugged Sean.
"Hey, Buddy. How you been?" Sean asked grinning broadly.
"Is it okay if Timmy and Janey come with us? They have no other ride. Their mom's working today and...."
"I know, Jenny told me. It's okay. We got room but...listen, Frankie," Sean said lowering his voice and moving away from Debra's prying ears. He continued anxiously, "I'm giving someone else a ride. Three other people and I want you kids to be nice to them. It's important, okay?"
Frankie stared up at him frowning. "Who are they?"he asked.
"A friend and her two kids,"Sean said quietly.
"A girlfriend?"he asked astonished.
"Please, don't say anything, Frankie. Least of all to your mother. Please."
"Okay," he said, shrugging carelessly.
"Hi, Mr. Riordan, thanks for taking us," Timmy said happily.
"No problem, Timmy,"he said putting his sports bag and his sister's into the back with the others.
"Hi, Mr. Riordan. I haven't seen you in a long time," Janey said. "You look nice in your new sweat suit."
"Thank you, Janey," he said equally surprised and pleased. "These are my dress sweats. Got to impress those soccer snobs from Back Mountain."
Both girls giggled and jumped in behind the boys. He waved to Debra and jumped into the car sighing in relief.
"Everybody buckle up and make room. We're picking up two other kids and their mom. I want you all to be nice to them," Sean said as he strapped on his own seatbelt and started the car.
"Who's coming with us, Daddy?" Jenny asked.
"His girlfriend and her kids," Frankie said excitedly.
"Frankie! What did I ask you just a minute ago?" Sean shouted exasperated, frowning at him in the rearview mirror.
"You said don't tell Mom. I won't," he replied unperturbed.
"Really, Daddy?" Jenny said eagerly. "Who is she? What's her name? How long have you been seeing her? Is she nice? Did you tell her about me? Who are her kids? Where do they go to school? What...."
"Jenny, please! We can talk about that later. Right now I have to find this address,"he said feeling more than a bit beleaguered. But their reaction was a vast deal different than he had expected and a welcome one. Perhaps it was because their mother had started dating before the divorce had been finalized. They had been expecting it but did that mean they would all miraculously get along? He couldn't bring himself to hope for that much.
As he pulled into Mandy's driveway he heard the kid's chattering suddenly increase but he was so nervous he heard none of it. "You kids stay here and I'll be right back," he said getting out and slowly going up the front steps. He had just raised his hand to knock when the door flew open.
"Hi, Mr. Riordan, what you doing here?" Justin asked.
"Justin, what are you doing here?" Sean asked bewildered. He checked the house number on the side of the house. Yes, 375 Fernwood Lane was Mandy's correct address.
Justin laughed. "I kinda live here,"he said.
"You do? Mandy is your mom?" Sean said incredulous.
"You know my mom?"Justin said.
"Well, yes. Your dad is Van, right?"
"Uh-huh, he's not coming today so you don't have to worry," Justin added conspiratorially. "Mom, hates it when he comes to the games cuz he acts like .... well, you know," he said bracingly.
Indeed Sean did know. Van Garibaldi was the most belligerent ass he'd ever come across. Not only that but it was the rumor about the soccer league he had several flings with some of the soccer moms, Debra being one of them. And that sleaze had been married to Mandy? Just thinking about it made his skin crawl.
"Hi, Mr. Riordan, what you doing here?" Christy said showing up behind her brother. "Is Jenny here? She is!" She waved enthusiastically at the car and everybody in the car waved back. They all knew each other.
Sean couldn't believe it. He had known Mandy's kids longer than he knew her, way longer. Well, at least he knew her kids and his kids were already good friends and they liked him but would it be different when they knew he and Mandy were dating?
"Sean? I thought I heard your voice," Mandy said smiling brightly.
His heart skipped a beat upon seeing her. "Mandy, hi," he said breathlessly.
"Sean?" the kids said together, looking from one to the other.
"Mom, is Mr. Riordan you're new boyfriend?" Justin asked incredulously.
"Um, yes. Do you know him?" she said, surprised.
"Mom, he's the president of the soccer club. We told you all about him like a hundred times," Justin said rolling his eyes. "We told you he's awesome."
Mandy stared at Sean astounded. "You are that Mr. Riordan?"
He nodded with a sheepish grin.
"That's way cool!" Christy said happily. She took his hand and jumped excitedly on her toes. "You'll make a great boyfriend for Mom cuz you're so nice. She's really nice, too, you know."
Sean chuckled. "Yes, I know, Christy. She's wonderful," he said beaming. It took all his strength to keep from embracing Mandy right then and there and kissing her soundly. He was in love as crazy as it was. "Are we ready to go? It's bit of a tight squeeze today. I'm carrying a couple extra kids. They couldn't get rides so... why don't you kids take your bags and toss them into the back? Frankie will help you."
"I have to get my bag, too" Mandy said and turned into the house. He followed her and just as she turned she ran into him. "Oh, I'm sorry, Sean. I didn't ..." She wasn't allowed to finish. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her thoroughly.
"Mandy, can I tell you something?" he whispered in between kisses.
"Yes, anything," she sighed kissing him back fervently.
"I'm pretty darn sure I'm in love with you, but I don't think I should tell you that yet. It's so soon, too soon. But I know how I feel. Am I crazy, Mandy?"
"Yes, absolutely insane just like me. I'm crazy for you, too, Sean. Is that okay?"she replied weakly.
"I think so."
They went to kiss again but the car horn blast made them jump.
"We better get used to that. Kids rule, you know," she said delightedly.
He grinned back and took her hand. "They're not so bad. Eventually they grow up and leave us alone. Can't wait till then!" They both laughed and ran out to the car as giddy as little kids themselves. Sometimes insanity feels real good.