Rogue

“Now? It's so soon, Charles … it's only been two months.”

“Two and a half,” he corrected. “I think we both know it's right.” She thought that too, but even if it was, it was too early for her kids. She knew that for sure. She couldn't tell them she was marrying him. Not yet. They'd go nuts.

“I think the children need more time,” she said gently. “And we do too. Forever is a long time, and neither of us wants to make a mistake. We've done that before.”

“We don't want to wait forever either. I want to live with you,” he said softly, “as your husband.” It was what so many women wanted, a man who offered marriage in months, and meant it. And she knew Charles did. But she had to mean it too, and she wasn't ready. “What do you want to do?”

She was thinking quickly. She was surprised to realize that she didn't want to turn him down, but she wasn't ready to marry him yet either. She had to be sure. “I'd like to wait to tell the children till June. That's six months from when we started. That's respectable. They'll be out of school then, and if it throws them for a loop, they can deal with it over the summer. It's too soon to tell them now.”

He looked mildly disappointed, but he was aware that she hadn't turned him down, and that pleased him immeasurably. He had been nervous about it. “And get married when?” He held his breath, waiting for the answer.

“August? That would give them two months to get used to the idea. Enough to adjust, but not enough time to really stew about it. And that's a good time for us too, before they go back to school.”

“Does everything in your life revolve around your kids, Maxine? Isn't anything just about you, or us?”

“I guess not,” she said apologetically. “But it's important that they feel comfortable about this, or it'll be harder for us,” especially for him if they objected. She was afraid they still might, even in June. They weren't going to be thrilled about it, she knew. They had just barely accepted him, and it didn't even occur to them that she might remarry. They had stopped worrying about that in the beginning, when she reassured them that she wouldn't, and she had believed it then. And now she was going to turn everything upside down with this announcement. “I want my kids to be happy too.”

“They will be eventually, once they get used to the idea,” he said firmly. “I guess I can live with a wedding in August, and telling them in June. I was hoping we could tell people right away.” He smiled at her. “This is very exciting. But I'm willing to wait!” He pulled her close to him then, and he could feel her heart beating. She was feeling skittish and scared and excited all at once. She loved him, but this was so different from what she had had with Blake. But then again, she and Charles were older and this made more sense. Charles was the kind of solid, reliable man she had always wanted, not a madman like Blake, however charming he was, that you could never count on. Charles was no rogue, he was a man. And this felt right, even if it was surprising. She had been shocked when he asked.

This all seemed so soon to Maxine, but she agreed with him. At their age, they knew what worked and what they wanted. Why waste more time?

“I love you,” she whispered, and he kissed her.

“I love you too,” he said afterward. “Where do you want to get married?”

“What about my house in Southampton?” It came to her when he asked the question. “It's big enough for all of us to stay there, and we can tent the garden.” Between the two of them, they knew a fair amount of people.

“That sounds perfect.” They had gone out there for the weekend twice, and he loved it. Suddenly he looked worried. “Do we have to take the children on the honeymoon with us?” he asked, and she laughed, and shook her head.

“No, we don't.” And then she had a thought. “Maybe Blake would lend us his boat. It would be perfect for a honeymoon.” Charles frowned as she said it.

“I don't want to spend my honeymoon on your ex-husband's boat,” he said firmly, “no matter how big it is. You're my wife now, not his.” He had been jealous of Blake from the first, and Maxine backed off immediately.

“I'm sorry. That was stupid of me.”

“Maybe Venice,” he said dreamily. He had always loved it. She didn't suggest that they borrow Blake's palazzo there. Charles had obviously forgotten that he had one.

“Or Paris. That might be romantic.” It was one of the few cities where Blake didn't have a house.

“We'll figure it out. We have until June to make plans.” He wanted to get her an engagement ring too, and he wanted her to help pick it out. But now she couldn't wear it till June, since they wouldn't tell the children until then. He was sorry about that. But it would be August before they knew it, he realized. In six months, she would be Mrs. Charles West. He loved it. And so did she. Maxine West. It had a nice sound.