Incest/Taboo From the Ashes

Magnus looked down as the woman dropped her matching panties onto his lap. A mischievous smile was on her face as he looked back up.

"Why don't you keep those and meet me in the lavatory in two minutes. It'll be some time before we take off. So I'm sure you'll have time to..." Leaning in, her lips brushing along Magnus's ear. "Make me cum and make everyone here know just what kind a man you are."

Who was he to turn that down? With his divorce soon-to-be finalized he saw no harm in fulfilling the woman's request. Plus, he had to admit he enjoyed eating out a woman. Enjoyed listening to how he could make them moan, the louder the better.

"Oh god! Oh fuck yes! That's it! Right there! Eat me, you bastard!" The stewardess howled for all the passengers and crew to hear. "Oh shit! That article does not do you justice! I'm cumming!" Her moan stilled all those there as they looked towards the sounds of that wanton woman. "Oh yes! Get you some more of that hot pussy!" The wails that followed the slapping sounds kept those hundred souls quite entertained.

As Magnus walked out of the restroom. He was met with a round of cheers and applause from the crew and passengers alike. More so from the women that were on the plane. As the stewardess stumbled out of the small water closet on very unsteady legs. Tugging down her dress, feeling his cum running down her thighs as she said with rose colored cheeks to take his seat.

Okay, Magnus hadn't expected to get fucked on a plane. He'd just have to scratch that off his bucket list. He mused if he could count that as among the mile high club even if they hadn't left the ground. After all he was indeed on a plane so one out of two weren't bad, now was it?

As he walked off the plane the stewardess slipped her number into his hand as he disembarked. Whispering to him if he was ever back in Montana to call her, and next time she would make him dinner before he fucked her silly. Magnus just hoped she didn't lose her job over what they had done. Telling her he'd keep that in mind as he waved goodbye to her. With his bag and guitar case in hand Magnus headed out to the rental lot to get his car. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel as he waited for the light to turn green. Knowing he had a long hour drive back to his hometown.

Pulling into the Sunset motel quarter past midnight. Praying they had a free room, and hopefully clean. The smells of the Mississippi air caused flashes of his childhood to appear in his mind as he walked towards his room. Once he had sat his bags down and locked the door. Magnus fell face first onto the queen size bed and fell asleep with ease for the first time in a long time.

Yawning before taking a sip of his hot coffee with his guitar case in hand as the automatic doors of the hospital rolled open. His black hair was wet and pulled back into a ponytail as he raised his sunglasses as he walked into the hospital. His beard was still damp from his quick shower before he left to visit his grandmother.

"Which way are the elevators?" Magnus asked politely, as he stood at the front desk. As the blonde haired woman looked up he knew exactly who it was. "Mary Lou?"

"Yes. Do I know you?" Mary Lou asked, as she tried to guess where she knew this strange man from.

"It's me, Magnus Condon," he said, smiling warmly at his childhood friend.

"Magnus?! Oh my god! It is you! Look at you!" Mary Lou cried joyfully, jumping up from her chair. Her arms flew out wrapping him in a hug as she reached across the desk. "I heard you got married."

"I was, didn't take."

"Shame. I know some of our graduating year wouldn't mind getting their hands on you now," Mary Lou said, flashing him a knowing smile. If she wasn't married she wouldn't hesitate to see what he knew about a woman's body.

"Is that so," Magnus said, with a smirk.

"Oh yeah, you got all... hot," Mary Lou said, lightly punching him in his shoulder. "How long will you be in town?"

"Can't say," Magnus said, scratching his cheek. "I know this week and probably next week but nothing certain after that."

"You have to come have dinner with me and Scott."

"Not the Scott Parker, the arrogant jock that harassed us all the time?" Magnus asked, a little surprised as Mary Lou nodded her head.

"After his knee injury in college he had a 'Come to Jesus' moment. I was a candy striper back then. Well... I'll fill in the details over dinner. So can we? For old time sake, I'd really like to know what you've been up to."

"Sure. Let's say Saturday night..."

"The Quarterstone?!" Mary Lou inquired referring to the local high class steak house.

"Sure, I could use a good steak," Magnus said, flashing her a smile.

"It's a date! Oh, I've got to tell Scott, and get a sitter for the kids," Mary Lou muttered as she quickly wrote down her cell number.

"Kids?!" Magnus whistled when Mary Lou didn't show it.

"Stop! You'll embarrass me," Mary Lou said, pleased that someone had taken a notice to the hard work she had put in to drop the baby weight thanks to her husband. Striking a pose, letting her scrubs show off her figure the best that they could.

"Have to say, Scott better not be the jealous type," Magnus teased his old friend.

"Oh, and why's that?" Mary Lou asked, with a knowing smirk.

"You've grown into a fine, beautiful woman," Magnus stated. Not to flirt with her, just to give his old friend a boost in her confidence.

"Why thank you," Mary Lou said, batting her eye lashes at him. "So what brings you here anyway?"

"Came to see my grandmother, I got a call yesterday that she had fallen, and I flew in last night."

"Oh?! Let me check," Mary Lou said, knowing his grandmother intimately. "They just brought her breakfast, room..."

"207," Magnus finished for her. Turning his head to where her finger directed him to the elevators.

"That's the one," Mary Lou said, looking down as her phone rang.

"That would be me, give me a call sometime, be nice to catch up when I'm not on the road," Magnus said, waving goodbye to her as he walked off.

"You better come say goodbye to me when you're done visiting," Mary Lou called after him. Arching an eyebrow at his guitar case. "What did he mean on the road?" she asked herself.

The doors rolled open an elegant brunette, wearing a light blue sun dress strolled in. Her purse hung in the nook of her elbow as Bill Condon trailed a few steps behind her. Unaware that Magnus had just rounded the corner. An air of wealth and southern charm swirled around them as they walked towards the elevators. Waving her dainty hand at Mary Lou as they passed.

"Relax Bill, I'm sure your brother will be here soon," Elle-May said, her shapely hips swayed as they rounded the corner that led to the elevator. Her hazel eyes ran down the man that stood before the metal doors. His hands resting on top of the guitar case. Instantly, she was put off by his long hair and beard. "Honestly, can't people wear something more refined?" she asked herself as her eyes ran down his chest fighting back a sneer at his t-shirt and blue jeans. "We'll just have to stay until noon, then your mother will take over," Elle-May said, looping her slender arm around her fiancé's arm. Lifting her chin at the man, silently telling him that she was far better than he was. To which Magnus paid her no attention.

Smiling inwardly when his brother continued to speak about him, even though he was standing right beside him. It would seem that with his new look even his family couldn't tell who he was. "Excellent. If Bill can't tell it's me then I should have no problem walking past my parents should they show up," Magnus said to himself. Humming to himself as he stepped onto the elevator followed by his brother and his fiancée. His fingers lightly tapping on his case as the melody played within his mind.

"Stop it Bill, don't stare," Elle-May hissed low. "You don't want to mingle with his kind."

"Well, that's just fucking rude," Magnus said to himself. Wondering what his brother saw in the woman. "That mouth of hers better be magical to put up with that attitude of hers." Keeping his smirk hidden at the ding, watching as his brother shot a glance backwards as his fiancée pulled him along. "Well, at least Bill isn't as stupid as he appeared to be." Keeping a few feet behind them, he couldn't help it when his lips lifted into what he could only guess was a sinister smile if the look on Elle-May's face was any indication. Stopping just in front of the door of room 205, he wanted to give them enough time to settle down before he made his entrance. He couldn't wait to see the look on that woman's face. Nodding to the male nurse as he walked by. Watching a cute female doctor walking down the hall her nose in the chart she was reading.

"It's okay Edna, Magnus will be here soon..."

"Why did you bring her?" Magnus heard his grandmother ask. A broad smile touched his lips when he heard that. It seemed to him she didn't like the woman as much as he did.

"Grandma please, don't start. Elle-May is just worried about you," Bill said, standing up for his fiancée.

"Sure she is," Edna grumbled.

"I am, I don't know why you make such a fuss when I'm around," Elle-May said, sitting ever so elegantly in the chair across from Bill.

"Uh-huh," Edna replied. How she wanted to see her grandbaby. She couldn't see why Bill thought it wise to marry this woman. At least to her mind the woman had her own money, so she knew she wasn't marring Bill for his own. Yet Bill was a grown man, if he wants to spend his life with this snobby woman she wasn't going to stop him; nor was she going to help him when it all came crashing down on him.

Magnus's fingers moved through his beard. Thinking it was time to save his grandmother. His fingers wrapped around the handle of his case. Lifting it off the floor, his boots thumping on the polished tile floor as he approached the door. Elle-May gasped at the sight of the ungroomed man standing in the doorway.

"Maggy!" Edna said, in a shocked gasp. "Maggy! Maggy! Maggy!" she giggled as she held her arms out to him. "Come give me a kiss and a hug!" Watching how he lightly sat his case on the rolling tray. Resting her cheek on his left shoulder as she hugged him tightly. Her hands lightly rubbing his back as Magnus placed a kiss on her cheek. The tips of her fingers tickled his beard as Edna looked up lovingly at her grandson. "I like this. Seems Hollywood has been good to you."

"It has," Magnus admitted.

"Hollywood?!" Bill said, rising quickly from his seat as Magnus had moved to stand at the foot of their grandmother's hospital bed. "What in the good Lord's name are you doing in that infernal place?!" he asked, disapprovingly. Magnus didn't say a word, he just shared a wide knowing smile with his grandmother.

"Bill let's not rush to judgment now," Elle-May said, knowing the way he was dressed he must have been a day laborer. "Obviously he had to move half way across the country to take a job, since he tossed away the one your father gave him," she said, sitting straight in her chair to show her high class upbringing. Turning her head sharply as Magnus released a 'Hmpf!'

"Show them baby, I've been dying to rub their faces in it," Edna said, gleefully.

"Grandma what do you mean? Did you know where and what Magnus has been doing?" Bill asked accusingly, as he looked down at his grandmother.

"Of course, I did, and get that look out of your eyes before I smack it out of you," Edna said, in that stern grandmotherly voice.

"I think you will want to read this," Magnus said, dropping the Music Insider magazine on top of his grandmother's legs once he had retrieved it from his guitar case. He had brought it along to show his grandmother that he had officially hit it big.

"This is a joke right?" Bill asked, thinking that it was fake, and Magnus just couldn't admit that he had messed up in leaving the family business.

"No joke, Maggy is a bonafide musician," Edna said, staring lovingly at the cover as she held it in her hands.

"Gran?" Magnus rested his hands on the frame of the bed as he felt his face heat.

"Yes dear, what is it?" Edna said, setting down the magazine. Eyeing how Bill walked hurriedly out of the room and glancing to her left as Elle-May slyly pulled the magazine towards her. "I want that back!" Edna barked stopping Elle-May as she stood behind Magnus. "After I've visited with my darling grandson," she said, shooing the woman out of the room. "And do shut the door, now Maggy, what was it you were going to say?" Edna asked, as she rested her folded hands, her fingers interlocked, on her lap.

"You remember the song I made for grandpa after he passed?" Magnus asked, seeing that warm smile lifting the corners of her mouth.

"Of course, I do! You're grandpa would have been so proud to hear it!" Edna said, nodding her head vehemently.

"Well... the band... they're putting it in the new album we have been working on," Magnus said, bashfully. Looking up as his grandmother gasped, her hands covering her mouth as her eyes shivered.

"Oh Maggy! That's so wonderful!" Edna said, wiping her tear away. "Paul, bless his soul, would so love to know that you're doing so well with your music. Will you play it for me?"

"Of course, grandma," Magnus said, he was already planning to do that.

Tilting her head as to the side at the sight of the newish guitar. The polished red finish allowed the wood grain to show through. Edna thought it odd to cut scroll shapes on an electric guitar, nor did she see any of the 'pickups' as Paul once called them when he taught her about his guitar. It was too thin to be an acoustic. The one Paul had before he died made her giggle as his arm had to reach around it to play.

"Maggy? Where's Paul's guitar he gave you, and what kind is that?" Edna inquired.

"It's at home, it's too valuable to be lugging it around on an airplane so I brought this one along," Magnus said, his fingers lightly patting the instrument. "It's an acoustic-electric."

"I'm ready," Edna nodded wiggling into the mattress. "Oh baby! That was so wonderful! Did you take singing lessons?" she asked teary eyed, once Magnus had finished the song.

"Yeah, Haleema said if they were going to use the song, then I better learn to sing," Magnus said, as he rested his left arm on the neck of the guitar.

"Tell me about her, but first, you have something to make up to me for the days you've been gone," Edna said, smiling at him.

"As the lady wishes," Magnus bowed. Playing the songs he had played for her on those evenings he had free.

"I've missed that, if I could stand I would've danced," Edna sighed. "Now set that down and come and tell me about this Haleema and your other band members."

Marge and Fergus walked hurriedly through the hospital lobby having raced from his office and her from their home once Bill had sent them a group text. Her hand gripped lightly on Fergus's bicep waiting impatiently for the elevator to hurry up. She so desperately wanted to see her son. To see how he was doing, to learn all the things that had been plaguing her mind since he's been gone.

"Elle-May, could you please take your nose out of that garbage. It's not real. There is no way Magnus is a musician much less a rock star," Bill said, bitterly. Chewing on his thumb nail, his short cropped black hair hugged his scalp as he paced.

Elle-May didn't hear a word. Not with how her face burned as she read the last part of the article. "So scandalous," Elle-May whispered as her heart hammered in her ears. Peeking over the edge of the magazine, her eyes following Bill knowing she hadn't lucked out when she chose him if the article was truthful. "I don't know, it looks real to me," she muttered before looking down feeling her nipples pressing against the fabric of her dress. Her ears perked as she heard laughter coming from the room.

"Bill!" Marge marched towards her son. "Where's your brother?" she asked, as her husband was close behind her.

"Sitting with grandma," Bill said, pointing at the room.

Marge stopped in front of Elle-May as she saw her son's image on the cover. Her chin dropped knowing that her son had done something that they themselves had said couldn't be done. Now she knew where he had been. Why didn't he want to tell her? Could she blame him? She was only trying to be a good mother, not to burn his dreams; but to be practical. To make him see that it was better to have a steady job than to chase an improbable dream that may never come to pass.

"I was still reading that?!" Elle-May huffed once Marge plucked the magazine from her hands.

"Go buy another one," Marge said, pushing the door open. Her eyes fell on the man in the chair, listening to the laughter that emanated from his lips. Her eyes running down his long hair, the way the light glistened along his beard. The way those blue eyes looked at Edna. Then how his jaw set, the once humorous light in his eyes was gone as his eyes took on a hard edge as they glanced at her.

"Oh, you brought me my copy," Edna said, holding out her hand to her daughter-in-law.

"This is yours?" Marge asked, confused.

"Mmmhmm. Maggy brought it for me," Edna nodded. "I'm eager to read about his exploits."

"I see." Marge reluctantly handed it over.

"Just don't read, the last part of it," Magnus said, speaking only to his grandmother as his parents stood across from him.

"Why?! Were you a naughty boy?" Edna asked, shooting her grandson a smirk. Seeing his cheeks heat knowing that to be true. She had heard and saw the way he had spoken about this Haleema. While he wouldn't come out and say that he had feelings for this woman. She thanked Iona bitterly for that. She hated to see how jaded and closed off Magnus had become. Edna hoped this Haleema, whomever she was, would be good to him and for him.

"Hello son," Marge said, as her hands rested on the bed.

"Hello," Magnus said, indifferently.

"I see, you've become a bum of sorts," Fergus berated, his sleek, black, thinning hair was combed back. His suit sat snuggly on his shoulders. His chest puffed out to show his son what success looked like, and it wasn't someone that grew his hair out, didn't shave and lounged around in jeans and a t-shirt. "I don't approve."

"I don't care if you do or don't," Magnus said, rising from his seat. His eyes cutting hard into his father. "How I look is none of your concern. What I do with my life is none of your concern. How I live my life is equally none of your concern. I worked my tail off in that dead end job you left me in while you showered that," pointing at his brother that stood behind the window, "arrogant sod with everything. Don't be so petty when I no longer need you." Leaning down kissing his grandmother's cheek, he wasn't about to stay with them in the same room. "I have to go, I'll be back tomorrow," Magnus whispered in his grandmother's ear.

"Okay sweetheart," Edna said, lightly patting his cheek. "You better bring that intriguing woman around sometime." Lightly chuckling when Magnus's face reddened.

"Yes grandma."

"I'm not done talking to you!" Fergus growled grabbing hold of his son's left arm.

"And yet I'm done talking to you," Magnus said, darkly. "Now take your hand off of me or I'll break it."

"Fergus! You will remove your hand from my grandson right this second!" Edna barked. "I know I didn't raise you to be like this. If your famous son doesn't want to talk to you that's his right. You two made your bed, now lay in it," she said, holding up the magazine, her finger tapping Magnus's picture. "When was the last time you were ever on a cover of something that you didn't have to pay to be on?" Edna asked, rubbing her son's and daughter-in-law's faces in their son's fame. She had been waiting to do this all year long, yet she held off until she could see her grandson again.

"Mother!"

"Don't you mother me, young man! Your father would be ashamed of how you treated your own son. I'm just glad Paul never got the chance to see this side of you. He would be disgusted! Then he would take that ass out back and tan your hide for being an idiot! Your son finally gets out from under your wing, makes something of himself on his own accord, no thanks to the two of you. And you what?! Berate him for doing it, the nerve you have!" Edna growled in a disproving motherly voice. Seeing the defeat in her son's face as his hand fell away from his son's arm. "I'll see you later baby," she said, blowing her grandson a kiss.

"Wouldn't miss it grandma," Magnus said, smiling lovingly at her as he left the room.

"Mother, must you say such words?!" Magnus heard his father ask as he stopped by his brother as he stood in front of him.

"Where are you going Magnus?" Bill asked, his eyes glancing down at his guitar case. It reminded him of his youth always seeing his brother with it in his hand, always going somewhere with it.

"Wherever I wish," Magnus said, plainly.

"Please," quickly getting to her feet, "we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Elle-May," she said, holding out her hand to him. Which Magnus only looked at it before turning his attention to his brother.

"Move."

"I can't do that Magnus," Bill said, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. Feeling the muscles in it tensing. "Not before we tell you about our wedding."

"You think I'd come to that?" Magnus asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Come on man, work with me, who was it that helped you find that lawyer? Who was there when you vented about Iona? Me. Magnus. I was there," Bill said, reminding him that he was a good brother to him. Arguably sometimes he did lord his stats with the company over his head a few times. Yet he was still there for him.

"Please, you must come," Elle-May pleaded wondering which movie star, rock star, or some other famous person would be his plus one. "Maybe we could be the bridge to help you heal the rift between you and your parents," she offered, yet she knew if they talked then that would give her access to the rich elites in Hollywood. Also, if she could, she wanted to know if it was all true. It wouldn't be the first time she had brought another man to her bed when she was dating someone else. She just hadn't done it with Bill. Elle-May knew that would be costly not only monetarily but also with her reputation given that they both ran in the same circles.

"I'll pass on that," Magnus said, looking over at her. "But I'll be there, this one time. When is it?" he asked, knowing that this will clear his debt to his brother. Then he would go about his life, only returning to see his grandmother.

"Oh excellent!" Elle-May eagerly clapped her hands.

"March sixth of next year," Bill stated.

"I'll have to check to see if we're on tour then."

"So you really are a rock star?!" Bill asked, still not believing it.

"Yeah, the magazine not proof enough for you?"

"It's not that, it's just so shocking!" Elle-May said, flashing him a smile. Feeling her face becoming flushed, as her eyes slyly ran down his body. Wondering how that beard of his would feel on her cunt.

"Here," Magnus sighed pulling out his phone. Opening up his media player and bringing up one of the videos Brandan had made while they were recording. "See. That's me in the studio," he said, tapping the screen before shutting it off.

"Well... damn," Bill muttered underneath his breath. Wondering how much he was making now. "I'm happy for you Magnus," he said, lightly patting his brother's arm.

Magnus didn't know if he could believe that. Turning his head as he heard his mother clear her throat from behind him.

"Please Magnus, can we sit down and talk before you leave?" Marge asked, as she stood a few feet away. "We were wrong, and you were right. There I said it, okay? I miss my baby. Can we please work on this?"

"Why?" Magnus asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Because I'm your mother, it makes me feel horrible knowing that my own son -- a son that I carried, breastfed, changed his diapers, taught how to read, chased him around the house when it was only us there -- doesn't want to talk to me. I thought we were doing the right thing with Iona. We believed she did love you; it wasn't until two months after you left that we found out that she was still seeing Connor, we wised up and tossed her out. We knew then she truly had no intention of repairing the damage she had caused you. But by then you had shut your phone off and your lawyer wouldn't divulge your new one to us. The first month I cried myself to sleep. Wondering if my baby boy was even alive. Then Edna would drop hints that led me to believe you still were, yet you never called. A simple phone call would have been enough for me just to let me know you were alive and okay. Alas I spent all this time worrying to death about you," Marge said, a tear hung suspended on her eyelash. "Obviously, you've been taking care of yourself. Please a cup of coffee is all I'm asking for, not for you to come to Sunday dinner. Is that too much to ask?"

Magnus chewed on the inside of his cheek. Searching his mother's face for any hint of a lie. Sighing in his mind when his grandfather's words echoed in his mind. Knowing how he would be disappointed in him if he didn't give her that chance, and Magnus didn't ever want to disappoint his grandfather. Plus, the smack down his grandmother had given them was icing on the cake. Pulling out his phone, turning on his heel, pushing past his brother as he hit the call button.

"That's my number, don't abuse it." Magnus called back to his mother as he walked down the hall as he heard his mother's phone ring. "Tomorrow, seven o'clock, Greg's, get a booth. If you're one minute late I'll leave."

"I'll be there! You can count on it!" Marge shouted; a joyful smile was etched on her lips as she watched her son disappear around the corner.

"Hey!" Mary Lou greeted Magnus as she waved her arm as he approached. "It seemed like a family reunion was about to happen," she chuckled remembering how all the members of the Condon family came filing into the hospital.

"Yeah, how do those go again?" Magnus asked, his hand sliding along the surface of the desk. "A punch thrown here, some words said there, a naked cousin running around in the backyard."

"That bad huh?"

"Something like that," Magnus nodded.

"Well... maybe this will cheer you up. Scott's excited for the night out Saturday. Personally, I think he wants to see me in that sexy black dress of mine. You would think he would remember that was how we got li'l Donny," Mary Lou said, trying to lift his mood.

"I don't know Mary, if it shows off more than that does, I don't think any guy could keep his hands off of you," Magnus said, remembering how she had been self-conscious of her body image while they were in high school due to her being a tad over weight.

"Magnus! Please!" Mary Lou gasped feeling her face burning hiding it behind the curtain of her hair.

"What?! I'm sure Scott would agree with me. More so, since he's the one that gets to peel that dress off of that tantalizing body of yours," Magnus said, laughing as Mary Lou struck him lightly with the clip board.

"You're embarrassing me," Mary Lou whispered.

"What? I'm only speaking the truth. What was that guy's name you had a crush on in tenth grade? Chad something..."

"White," Mary Lou offered.

"Yeah him, I bet if he saw you now, and if you were single, it wouldn't take him more than five seconds to mutter out a 'Y-y-yes!'"

"It's not proper to tease a girl like that," Mary Lou said, puffing out her cheeks.

"Then again, trust me, you wouldn't want him now," Magnus said, knowing what the man looked like now after having stumbled across his Facebook page.

"Why's that?"

"Let's just say he ballooned, while you shrank," Magnus said, flashing her a coy smile. "I'll bet you'll turn some heads whenever they hold the next high school reunion."

"You would too mister," Mary Lou said, wagging her finger at him. "You didn't have those muscles in high school, or that rugged face. So there!" She giggled feeling like old times when they would hang out and just enjoy each other's teasing.

"Well, five years under the hot sun would do that, plus these days I have a lot of time on my hands. Had to get my left arm as big as my right, if you know what I mean," Magnus said, winking at her. Causing Mary Lou to burst out in laughter. Falling into her chair as she couldn't stop.

"God. I've missed you Magnus," Mary Lou said, wiping her tears of laughter away.

"Well, you've got my number. You should come up to Montana and spend some time there. I've got plenty of room," Magnus said, resting his elbow on the desk with his chin in his hand.

"Is that where you're living now?" Mary Lou asked, arching an eyebrow.

"There and LA, when I'm not in the recording studio. The vast space up there has really helped me deal with what happened with Iona."

"So you did end up with her?!"

"For a while," Magnus nodded.

"Oh, I've got to hear more about this! What are you doing for lunch tomorrow?"

"I got no plans."

"How about we meet up at Loren's? I don't know if I can wait for Saturday to get this juicy gossip," Mary Lou said, flashing him a bright smile.

"Sure, although..."

"What?!" Mary Lou tilted her head to the side not liking that mischievous smirk of his.

"I wonder how Scott would take it when I'm stealing his wife away," Magnus teased Mary Lou mercilessly.

"Magnus Condon you're despicable!" Mary Lou said horrified, yet her eyes held her mirth as she stared at her old friend. She knew he wouldn't try anything with her. Magnus respected her boundaries and he wasn't that kind of man. Even if she had thought about what it would have been like if he had kissed her, made love to her, tasted her hot mound. Yet she too wouldn't ever cross that line. So her daydreams would remain just that.

"Well, I should let you get back to work."

"Don't be a stranger, you hear! You better call me at least once a day when you leave and text me a dozen times!" Mary Lou said, as she waved goodbye to him as he walked towards the automatic doors.

"Mary? Just who were you talking to? I haven't seen you this happy except when Scott comes and whisks you away to some weekend getaway."

"Oh, a very old friend that I haven't seen in many years," Mary Lou said, looking up at her coworker. Noticing the very dark eyeliner she would always wear when she was working. Even if she wore scrubs like the rest of them. Mary Lou could guarantee that her locker was filled with her black clothes and combat boots. "Me and Magnus Condon used to go to school, middle and high, together."

"Magnus Condon of Straža Smrti?" Eden asked, with wide eyes. Softly pushing Mary out of the way when she had a puzzled look on her face, quickly opening up the web browser and typing in the band's name. Scrolling down the list of videos until she found the one she liked the most. "Him! Is that the Magnus you're talking about?" Eden asked, as her finger tapped the screen as the video played. Showing a very close up, or as close as the camera lens could zoom as Magnus stood on the stage of his first show.

"Oh my god! That's Magnus, I always knew he could play. I never knew he joined a band..." Sitting back in her chair as Eden dropped to her knees.

"Please! Please! Introduce me! I love that band!" Eden begged as she knelt on the cold tile.

"Alright, alright, no need to beg," Mary Lou chuckled. Pulling out her phone quickly hitting Magnus's number from his text.

"Come now, I've been gone for like two minutes. You can't tell me you already miss me," Magnus teased.

"No you big goof. Have you left yet?"

"No, I'm not even half way to my rental car yet," Magnus said, rolling his eyes.

"Could you wait there, a coworker of mine would like to meet you," Mary Lou said, wondering if this would always happen now that she knew she was a dear friend of a star.

"Hmm... only if you bring me some of your cookies tomorrow."

"You remembered?!"

"Of course, I do. No one forgets something that good, ever!" Magnus said, his laughter flowed over the line.

"Deal!" Mary Lou said, smiling at her friend. "Come on, he's still in the parking lot," she said, pushing herself up. It wasn't hard finding Magnus given that he was walking up the sidewalk when they had exited.

"Oh my god, it is him," Eden said, in a gasp as she took hold of Mary Lou's right arm.

"So... finally decided to take me up on my offer," Magnus teased, setting the base of the case down on the concrete as he stood it on end. Keeping his left hand on it so it wouldn't tip over and damage his three thousand dollar guitar.

"Magus! You're incorrigible!" Mary Lou said, her face heating to a ripe cherry.

"I know, it's what you love about me," Magnus said, flashing his friend a teasing smile. "So is this the person that...?"

"Hi! I'm Eden," she offered as she held out her hand as she quickly stepped forward. The Sharpie she had snatched off of Mary Lou's desk sat in her pocket wondering if he would sign it.

"Hello," Magnus said, politely.

"Eden here has been working with me for the past two years. You could have told me you got all famous!" Mary Lou said, in an accusing tone.

"I was going to when we went out to dinner Saturday," Magnus shot back. "So you been keeping this trouble maker out of, well... trouble?" he asked, chuckling at Mary Lou's huff.

"Well I never!" Mary Lou said, stomping her foot and turning her nose up at him.

"Oh, Mary is a delight, I assure you," Eden said, wondering if this banter was always like that between them.

"Oh, I know. I could tell you some stories," Magnus said, smiling wickedly as Mary Lou gasped.

"You wouldn't?!" Mary Lou asked, her embarrassment was clear as day on her face.

"I might, if those cookies aren't delicious," Magnus said, with a toothy grin.

"You're an evil man Magnus Condon," Mary Lou said, shaking her finger at him.

"Thank my soon-to-be ex-wife for that," Magnus said, turning his attention back to the woman beside his childhood friend. "So... what can I do for you?"

"Could you... perhaps sign my top?" Eden asked, reaching into her pocket, pulling out the Sharpie.

"Sure, you mind holding this for a second?" Magnus asked, as he looked at Mary Lou.

"Sure, I don't mind," Mary Lou replied. Wondering if the guitar inside was the one he went on tour with as she watch Eden stretching her scrub top tightly after she handed the Sharpie to Magnus. She watched how Eden gazed at Magnus with quivering eyes as Magnus's fingers moved over her left breast as he signed his name. Wondering if this was what it was like for him now that he had made it in Hollywood.

"Oh, thank you!" Eden said, taking hold of Magnus's hands. "I'm just so glad the band didn't break up after Bobby's tragic death," she said, stepping closer to him.

"Yeah, they still are torn up about it," Magnus stated. Wondering why the woman was getting so close.

"If you ever come back to town, please come see me. I'll do anything you want..."

"Eden!" Mary Lou said, in a shocked gasp.

"What?! Haven't you ever wanted to fuck a rock star before?" Eden said, not being coy when she rubbed Magnus's hands along her breasts.

"I'm a happily married woman, I'll have you know!" Mary Lou said, not letting on that the thought had crossed her mind while he was visiting his grandmother.

"Well..." He had to leave; he had felt his cock growing in his pants as Eden allowed him to feel the curvature of her breasts. "I got to go, and you ladies have lives to save..."

"Please, keep me in your thoughts..." Eden smiled devilishly at Magnus as she blatantly cupped his growing cock. Giving it a gentle squeeze before Mary Lou pulled her away.

"What's gotten into you?! I'll see you tomorrow Magnus," Mary Lou said, over her shoulder trying not to notice the bulge in his pants.

Marge squirmed in her seat as her eyes scanned the parking lot of Greg's as she waited for her son. She had arrived a good ten minutes early. She knew Magnus wasn't lying to her when he said he would leave if she was a minute late. She knew this was probably the only chance she had to mend the rift between her and her son. Fergus was too set in his ways; his pride wouldn't allow his good sense to see that berating Magnus would only end in forever alienating their son. Marge didn't want to go through the later years in life knowing that her son was out there and yet unable to see or talk to her son. That was something she couldn't do. She couldn't go through her life regretting that she had the chance to make it right and didn't take it. The ten months of worry and silence were far too much for her to take.

"Ma'am? Can I get you something?" the waitress asked as she stood at the end of the table. Her ticket book in her hand, her pen held between her fingers waiting for the woman to make her order.

"Could you wait, my son should be here soon," Marge said, looking up at the woman with pleading eyes.

"I'm sorry you have to order something, coffee it a good choice," the woman said, giving Marge a sly wink. "Then the boss can't complain about a booth going to waste."

"Then I'll have a cup of coffee," Marge said, smiling at the woman. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Not a problem hon," the woman smiled as she tucked her ticket book into her apron. "I remember when my son left town, I was on pins and needles until he finally came home," she said, lightly patting Marge's shoulder.

Marge's hands wrapped around the white mug, it's warmth seeping into her skin as the minutes ticked by. Her eyes always on the parking lot. Chewing on her lower lip as she glanced at the clock that sat on the wall on the other side of the diner. Knowing that only three minutes remained. Sitting straighter in her seat as she saw the set of headlights as it pulled into the parking lot. Her heart raced hoping that it was Magnus and that he hadn't blown her off. Her eyes growing in brightness as she saw her son stepping out of the car. Following after him as he walked towards the entrance door. The bell jingled over the door as Magnus entered. How she wanted to leap out of her seat and run over to him and wrap him in her arms. However, she knew Magnus would walk back out the door if she did that. So she stamped that urge down, yet she did smile lovingly at her son as he approached.

"Thank you, for coming Magnus," Marge said, offering him the seat across from her.

"You have until I'm done eating to say what you have to say," Magnus said, waving to the waitress.

"I understand," Marge said, knowing that was the best she was going to get. "Then I guess I should start then," she said, with a small smile. Knowing the waiters and waitresses were all busy at the moment which would give her more time with her son. "How have you been? Where are you living now?"

"Fine... well not fine, I've had to deal with a cheating wife, parents that sided with a two-timing woman," Magnus said, seeing his mother wince. "A divorce that I never wanted to go through and pray that I never have to do so again. I hate what Iona's done to me. I hate feeling like this..."

"Oh baby, I'm so sorry. I swear to you, we were only trying to save it. We thought we were doing the right thing. Iona had us all fooled. The moment I found out, that she was still stringing you along and seeing that man. I flew into a rage! How she ran out of the house like a rat fleeing a sinking ship. When she finally showed up to get her things she hid in that man's car as your father stood there, stern faced, as these strapping young black men loaded up the small U-Haul. I know we've done some things, things that now, in hindsight, I am ashamed of," Marge said, reaching across the table, her hand covering his.​