Incest/Taboo From the Ashes

"Oh... umm..." Mary Lou looking away red faced. Her mind flashing back to the brawl she got into with Iona once she found out where she was staying. "I kind of kicked Iona's ass..."

"Really?!" Magnus asked, trying to keep his laughter at bay. "Why didn't you tell me, I would've brought popcorn."

"Well... it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. I was just going to tell her what kind of a person she was... then it all got out of hand."

"Well, I'll keep that in mind," Haleema said, fighting back her own chuckle.

"Although... nah, you don't want to hear it. I don't want you to be in an enclosed space with a horny Magnus," Mary Lou said, gently patting his shoulder.

"Hey now," Magnus began to pout.

"What, if you don't want your friend ragging on you, don't come to her place of work," Mary Lou said, placing her hands on her hips. "Now I should get back to work, and you have someone to meet. Trust me, you're going to love Edna. She's a delight. Just be warned, you'll get a dressing down given he's her favorite grandson."

"Thank you, for the heads up, but I aim to make sure I pass with flying colors," Haleema stated gently rubbing his bicep.

"Now see, this is the kind of woman you need," Mary Lou nodded. "Yes Mom," Magnus said, rolling his eyes.

"You better come say goodbye before you go!" Mary Lou called after him.

"Of course, Mary!"

"So a double date for our first date?" Haleema whispered low as they waited for the elevator.

"Yeah, sorry about that, I was going to tell you... but that kiss kind of just stopped me in my tracks," Magnus said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh?! Well then, I'll just have to do it more often," Haleema said, snuggling up to him. Her eyes flickering over to the doors as they rolled open.

"Mother, why won't you just move in with me. You know we have the room..."

"For the last time Fergus, I am not giving up my home," Edna said heatedly, as her voice traveled down the hallway.

"Please Edna, Fergus is only worried about you. I would hate to know what would happen to you if Mary Lou hadn't shown up when she did," Marge said, trying to make her see reason. "At least until you get better."

"Fine," Edna sighed. "But only until I'm back on my feet."

"You ready to meet the folks?" Magnus whispered he held back long enough for them to finish.

"Mmmhmm," Haleema nodded. "I'm ready, I'm not going to leave you," she said, her hand gently squeezing his arm.

Edna was first to see her grandson. Her face brightened. A loving smile touched her lips, and a mischievous light flashed in her eyes as she took note of the woman on his arm. "Hi Maggy!" Listening to his groan and the woman's giggle behind her hand at the nickname she had given him when he was five. "Come, come!" Edna said, welcoming them into the room.

"Magnus!" Marge quickly rising from her seat. A very pleased smile was on her face at the sight of her youngest son. "How have you been, I wanted to call, but I was respecting your wishes," she said, placing her hands before her. "And who is this lovely lady?"

"Yes, yes. Come we must know," Edna nodded in agreement.

"It's fine... Maggy," Haleema whispered into his ear. Listening to his sigh as she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Now you men, shoo!" Edna said, waving for her son and grandson to leave the room.

"So... your mother has told me you live in Montana now," Fergus said, trying to strike up a conversation with his son after minutes of silently staring at one another.

"Yeah," Magnus muttered; his thumb toyed with the latch of his case. "You ever think of coming back home?"

"I come back all the time when my schedule allows. I just don't see you," Magnus said, truthfully.

"I see," Fergus mumbled. His arms rested on his thighs; his thumbs tapped against each other as his fingers were interlocked. He had visited his father's grave, done a lot of soul searching and knew his mother was right. Wondering when he had become like this, he remembered the times he and Magnus would run around. The way he would always hang onto him. When was it that he started to be so hard on his own son? He never wanted that. He just wanted the best for his son. Like his own father had wanted for him. "That woman with you, she's quite stunning. Who is she?" Arching an eyebrow when his son's cheeks began to heat. "Oh, it's like that," Fergus said, he couldn't help it as a smile started to form on his lips.

"Her names Haleema, she's the lead singer of the band," Magnus stated.

"Oh? Is it anything I might have heard before?"

"No, not unless you're secretly into Death Metal," Magnus said, shooting his father a look.

"Death Metal?! What's that?" Fergus asked, confused. He was a country fan himself.

"Grandma would say its noise, but that was what I got signed onto play," Magnus said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Yeah, you were always strumming the blues. Something I think you picked up from your grandfather," Fergus said, getting a little misty eyed.

"What? It's good music."

"Not saying it isn't just thought that was what you would be playing," Fergus said, not bringing up the fact that he had read the article after the dressing down by his mother. He did not care for how it portrayed himself or his mother. Yet he couldn't see one lie that he spoke of, so he couldn't berate him for that.

"Yeah, but they're good people. Didn't think I would like it, glad I was wrong on that," Magnus admitted.

"That's good, a man must admit his faults," Fergus nodded. "I know your mother already spoke of this with you, so I won't rehash something that you probably don't want to talk about. You have to know I only wanted the best for you, like my father wanted for me. That was why I was so hard on you. Maybe I should have saw your talent as a gift and not some..."

"Hobby?"

"Yes," Fergus nodded. "The reason I put you at the ground floor of the company was because I knew you could handle it. I love your brother, yet sometimes he acts before he thinks. Why I kept him close to me. Running a business requires careful thought or lives could be ruined and revenue lost. It was why you always had a full paycheck even if the sight you were working at was shut down. Plus, this way the men would know your worth should something happen to us and know what kind of man you are. Maybe I did leave you there a little too long. For that I am sorry. Yet promotions are limited in our line of work. You know that, so I had to give it to the best person I knew was best for that position. Now after I see all of what you have done. I have to admit, I was wrong in pushing my way of living onto you.

You don't know how proud I am to see you succeeding in this. Granted I don't like how you speak to me or your mother, but that's on us, not you. I do want the best for you son, every father does. Mom was right, dad would have tanned my hide. Yet you didn't see how your mother has been like since you've been gone. You don't see the look of sadness and pain in her eyes every day you didn't call. She won't tell you how much it hurt her. Nonetheless, I had to see it every day, and it tore me up. Again, not bringing up the past," holding up his hands, "just stating the facts here. Not trying to get into an argument with you," Fergus said, seeing his son actually listening and not ignoring what he had said. Whether or not Magnus took it all to heart remained to be seen. "So you can see why I was so angry the other day. You didn't see how she cried once you left. Would you be pleased with someone if they made Iona cry before you learned the truth about her?"

"... No, I wouldn't have," Magnus admitted.

"So you can understand where I'm coming from."

"Yeah," Magnus said, scratching his cheek, looking off to the side. His eyes flickered to the door to his grandmother's hospital room as it began to inch open.

"Magnus," Marge stood in the doorway. A warm smile on her lips as she looked upon her son. She was quite taken by Haleema. The way she spoke about her son as they peppered her with questions made her hopeful that Magnus had found a woman that could take away the hurt that Iona had caused. "Won't you join us? Your grandmother would like to hear you play," Marge said softly, as she noted how her husband got to his feet.

"Can you still play that Lonnie Mack song?" Fergus asked, as his son got to his feet.

"Yeah, why?" Magnus asked, as his case gently bumped against his leg.

"Oh, I think it'd be a good song for that little lady," Fergus said, lightly placing his hand on his son's back as they entered the room.

"Maggy, you best keep this woman around," Edna said, from her bed as Magnus entered. "She's a keeper!" she stated lightly patting Haleema's hand as she blushed hard.

"Thank you, that means a lot to me," Haleema said, even if it was only for a short time she really liked Edna. She could even understand Marge's point of view when they were trying to help Magnus in saving his marriage. She knew he wouldn't like that, but this was the first time she had heard both sides. Haleema could see how from Magnus's view that it looked like they were taking Iona's side when in reality, they were only trying to help him the best, while wrong, way they thought they could without totally siding with Iona. Of course, they knew Iona was at fault. Yet the way Marge explained it to her, they had known Iona for so long, that she felt like a daughter to them. They just didn't want to lose her given that she herself had no family, but they didn't think Magnus would totally cut them off for their choices.

"If you can make Maggy smile like a goof, then you're more than welcome around my home," Edna said, watching her grandson blushing hard. "Isn't he just adorable," she whispered to Haleema as she nodded.

"Thank you dear," Marge said, looking up at her husband as he guided her into the chair. Her hand slipping into his as he stood beside her. Watching how her son had set his case onto the rolling table.

"Now, come and play for me," Edna said, ignoring the slight pain in her hip as she wiggled in the bed. Smirking when Haleema quickly got to her feet as Magnus strummed the intro to Flamenco. Her heart lifted as Haleema danced around, "So he now has his own little dancer, how Paul would've been so happy to see this," she thought to herself. Her eyes got a little teary as she watched the two of them. It reminded her of how she and Paul were like in their younger years. Looking down as Marge gently squeezed her left hand. Brushing her thumb along Marge's fingers.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah." Magnus began to sing the intro to 'I found a love' by Lonnie Mack. Marge sat in surprise at the sound of her son's voice. Her eyes watched as Haleema's hands were folded like a steeple covering her nose and mouth as Magnus's fingers moved over the neck of his guitar. "I found a love, I found a love, I found a love. That I feel, whoa yeah." Marge looked up as Fergus had a warm smile on his lips. Wondering what the two of them had spoken about out in the hall.

Haleema's heart raced as Magnus leaned in as he sang. "I found a kiss." She felt her hips swaying to the notes of that blues song. She remembered him playing this song for them during his audition. She just never knew the lyrics. "I just want to tell ya that I can't resist. I found a love that I need, yeah, yeah." Her face was burning as his eyes never left her. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, it will be, that I want to say right here." Her fingers pressed lightly against her lips feeling them tremble beneath them as Magnus went into the solo. She's never had anyone sing to her before, she's always the one with the microphone in her hand; and she was quite pleased that Magnus wasn't shirking his lessons. "The way the woman walk, you set my little soul back. The way you talk, she's my heart desire and, oh, believe me. I figured I would die if sometime I would call her in the midnight hour, yeah, yeah, OOW!" The clearing of a throat overshadowed the fading tones of the song as Edna's doctor stood in the doorway.

"Ms. Brown. I would hope you brought enough to share with the rest of the patients," the mid-thirties female doctor said, as she stepped into the room.

"Nope! He's my little muse," Edna said, winking at her grandson.

"Now Ms. Brown, you know how the others are going to demand their own little show now," she said, before looking around the room. "Could you give us the room?"

"Sure. Magnus lets go get the ladies some coffee," Fergus said, nodding to the door.

"You know how I like mine," Haleema said, with a coy smirk as she lightly kissed his lips.

"Y-yeah," Magnus muttered as those velvety soft lips left his.

"You go on, I'll look after this," Haleema said, taking his guitar from him. Quite enjoying the fact that she could still his words with a simple kiss.

Magnus's face burned as Edna's, his mother's, and Haleema's giggles filled the room as the door closed behind them as his father placed his hand on his right shoulder. Feeling his father's hand squeezing it as they walked down the hallway.

"It's good to see you happy son," Fergus said, lightly patting Magnus's shoulder as they waited for the elevator. "I am sorry for our part in the Iona affair. But at least she is behind you now, and it seems that woman does have a liking for you." Magnus couldn't say a word, simply nodding his head, pondering why a simple kiss made his mind go blank. "So... have any pictures of this house of yours?" Fergus asked, slyly eyeing his son. Watching as Magnus pulled out his phone. Whistling as he scrolled through them once Magnus handed him the device. "Just look at that land, it's gorgeous. That's a very fine and very big house son," he said, handing Magnus's phone back to him. "It sits on a hundred acres, that's what your mother told me that night after your breakfast with her."

"Yeah, most of it is forested..."

"I bet you, that's some good bow hunting land," Fergus chuckled. He enjoyed a good hunt when he had the time.

"Wouldn't know, only finished the tour a little over a month ago," Magnus said, as they walked towards the cafeteria where a Starbucks kiosk had been installed.

"Ah. I understand. Still, I wouldn't mind trying my hand, when you allow it that is," Fergus said, scowling when he saw the line. "So... while we wait, what's life on the road like?"

"Well... If Brandan and George would stop hogging the only bedroom on the bus it would be awesome. Then again... I doubt I'd have all that time with Haleema. Other than that, sometimes it's draining on you. Especially if the record label booked another show in the same state. Then we're hustled on board and whisked off to the other city. Whoever thought of roadies was a godsend. I don't know how we would break down all the equipment and make it on time if it was just us. Yet if it's just the one show. Late at night, on board the bus, it's quite peaceful. I had a lot of catching up to do. Bobby Dean, he's the guy I replaced after his death, left some big shoes to fill. Nonetheless, I wouldn't change it for the world."

"Are they like... you know," Fergus said, rolling his hand.

"Yeah. They're good guys, helped me out a lot when I first got to LA. Showed me how to navigate the city, where to eat if I want the best food. Where to party, if I was inclined to do that sort of thing..."

"Well, I'll have to personally thank them for looking after my boy." Magnus looked at his father. He knew his father was old school in what he thought about homosexuals having lived through the AIDS scare in the '80s. So hearing his father say that was stunning. "So you and this Haleema, what do you expect out of that?"

"I can't say. She's my age. No kids, if you were wondering. Her parents brought her up in the catholic church..."

"That's good, although you know your mother, but I doubt she'll put much fuss over it. She seems like a good Christian girl," Fergus nodded in approval. "Mom seems taken with her, so that should tell you something; and she never said a word to you, but she got a weird vibe from Iona. I don't know why, that's just what she told me."

"Wish she'd told me," Magnus mumbled as the line moved forward.

"I know, sometimes Mom is too tight lipped. But she's an old southern gal, and you know how those are," Fergus said, gently nudging his son with his elbow.

"Yeah," Magnus nodded. Placing their orders and moving off as the baristas worked quickly to make theirs and everyone else's coffees. Magnus and his father stood at a mid-stomach high table. Fergus's fingers drummed on the table as Magnus looked around. That was when he caught Eden shyly waving at him as she sat with a few of her coworkers.

"Well, in other news, your cousin Jenny is having another baby I hear," Fergus said, relaying the family news that Magnus had missed out on since he's been gone.

"That's what her fourth?" Seeing how Eden was pointing at him drawing the gaze of the two women and one man.

"Yeah, I keep telling Drew if he can't wear a rubber since Jenny won't go onto the pill, then either get fixed or have an army of little rug rats eating him out of house and home," Fergus chuckled lightly.

"What'd he say?" Magnus asked, knowing how they lived in the back country Drew might just want that.

"I'm paraphrasing here: 'Ergus if my 'iss wants 'em youngins, by golly I'm 'ive to her. And ain't no damn doc going to touch my... Well, you get the idea," Fergus said, a warm light touched his eyes at the sound of his son's laughter.

"Yeah, that does sound like Drew alright," Magnus said, wondering if he should go see his cousin. He hadn't seen her since his and Iona's wedding. Nodding as his father went into every detail of what whichever member of his family was up to.

"Here's the kicker, you remember your Uncle wanting to start up a shrimping boat company down on the coast?" Fergus asked, realizing what he had missed with his son when he had been trying to bully Magnus into seeing his way of things.

"Yeah, didn't you tell him he was an idiot?"

"That I did, again I was wrong. Seems he's doing quite well for himself. He's even expanded his fleet or so I hear. I don't get down to the coast much these days. Been too worn out running around putting in bids seeing how the economy is starting to pick up again..."
"Condon?! I have an order for Condon!" the barista called out.

"That would be us," Fergus said, his hand lightly patting the table.

"Mmm... just the way I like it," Haleema sighed as she held her cup in both hands. "Thank you," getting in another kiss, "I think I'll keep you," she said, with a coy smile.

"So, Magnus, we've been talking, and we both agree Haleema should come to Bill's wedding with you," Marge said, smiling at her son as Haleema snuggled up to him.

"Really now, making plans without me, huh?" Magnus looked down at Haleema who shyly sipped on her latte. Noting the rouge on her cheeks as she looked away.

"Well, you made our first date a double one, I thought I'd even the playing field," Haleema teased.

"You know, if you weren't so cute..."

"What? Come on, tell?!" Haleema said, fighting to hold back her smile. Her eyes grew wide, her heart hammered against her ribs, her hands almost crushed her cup, her breath rapidly increased, her womb quivered as Magnus whispered into her ear. "Magnus!" she gasped. Playfully batting his chest with her hand. "You're bad," Haleema whispered.

"Just you wait," Magnus replied as he brought his coffee to his lips.

"So Mom, what did the doctor say?" Fergus asked, turning a blind eye to their banter. He wasn't about to be the wet blanket when it appeared Haleema was helping his son to heal. He just hoped it would last for Magnus. He could tell Magnus was taken with the woman; he would hate for her to turn out to be just like Iona.

"I finally get out of this place tomorrow," Edna said, eager to get out of that hospital bed. While she was glad and pleased with the care she had received, yet she wanted her own bed, or more precisely the guest bed in her son's home. "They're going to take another x-ray and see how much the fracture has healed. So it be either a wheelchair or a walker."

"And I'll be there to take care of you and drive you to your physical therapy at least until you're healthy enough to return to your home," Marge said, patting her mother-in-law's forearm.

"I appreciate that dear," Edna said, patting Marge's hand. Another hour had passed as they chatted, shared family gossip, laughed before Magnus and Haleema said their goodbyes.

"Magnus! Wait! Please wait!" Marge called out as she raced to catch up to them.

"Yeah?!"

"None of us have had lunch yet, would it be okay if you, your girlfriend," smiling as she saw her son blush and Haleema smile, "your father and I grab a bite to eat?" Marge asked, her dark brown hair brushed along her chest.

"Sure..." Magnus said, seeing Haleema nodded in support.

"Thank you, baby!" Marge said, joyfully as she threw her arms around her son. It was on instinct. However, the moment she felt her son's free hand gently rubbing her back, she melted against his chest. Holding her son a little bit more tightly, before placing a kiss on his cheek. "I'll get your father and we all can ride together."

"Alright," Magnus said, arching an eyebrow at Haleema as she rubbed his arm as his mother hurriedly walked back to Edna's room. "Just what are you up to?"

"Only trying to help Magnus, nothing more," Haleema admitted. "You know how close I am to my parents. While I really want this to go the distance, but if we do happen to tie the knot. I want them, while not overly involved, but a part of our lives. I know they chose to back Iona, yet they didn't have all the facts. Once they did they corrected that and wished to tell you how wrong they were. Yet you were gone, you weren't talking to them. You can't mend a hurt if the other party doesn't talk to the other party. Please don't be mad," shyly brushing her hair behind her ear as she peered at the floor, "I really like you Magnus, I don't want you spiraling out of control like Bobby did."

"I'm not mad, just wish you'd told me first," Magnus said, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm sorry, I know I should have. Yet..." Biting her lip, pressing her forehead against his shoulder unable to utter the words that she was in love with him. She knew it was too soon to tell him that, moreover, she didn't want to push him away. It was the moment he had open the door of his motel room, the way he looked at her, that she wanted him to look at her like that forever.

"Well, shall we?" Fergus asked, once he and Marge had joined them.

Saturday night...

"Five more minutes!" Haleema's voice echoed in the bathroom as she hurried to make sure everything was in place for when they went to meet Magnus's childhood friend. She wanted to make an excellent impression on the woman. To show Mary Lou that Magnus was in good hands with her. Plus... she wanted to make that jaw of his drop. Which was why she had brought along her tight, sexy li'l red dress with her in case something like this came up. She had spent the day at a salon to get her hair done just perfectly for tonight.

"Okay, no rush. Our reservation isn't until seven thirty," Magnus called back. Remembering how she felt pressed against him when he woke up that morning. It was divine! It would seem his cock had agreed with him when he was met with the rather large morning wood as he stood in the bathroom. It took all his will not to run his hands all over that exquisite body of hers as she slept against him.

"I want this to be perfect!" Haleema mumbled as she applied her deep crimson lipstick. "It has to be perfect," she whispered as her hips shook as she tugged at the hem of her dress. Looking at herself in profile in the mirror as her strapless dress detailed her 32C breasts as the nipple tape held the dress up. Her eyes running down her flat stomach as her hands moved along it. Biting her lip as the dress was tight along her ass. Wondering how Magnus was going to fight himself from touching it while they were out. Feeling her body heat at that thought. She had felt his hard-on all night, while she wanted to roll over and slip her hand into his underwear. Haleema wanted their first night to be special -- like tonight was going to be. "Okay," her heels clicking on the tile floor of the bathroom, "I'm ready," Haleema said, appearing in the doorway of the bathroom. Not hiding the smile on her face at how Magnus's jaw dropped at the sight of her. "How do I look?" she asked, slowly spinning for him.

"Beautiful." The word left his lips without a conscious thought.

"Mmm..." Her eyes ran down his light blue dress shirt as it hugged his chest. Noting how the material of the sleeves hugged his biceps straining to contain the strength in them. A hungry, lustful light flared in her eyes as she noted the reaction she had garnered. "You just look good enough to eat," Haleema said, her sultry eyes flickered up to his face. The light curls she had done bounced against her chest as she plucked her purse from the dresser. Sliding the gold bracelet her mother had given her onto her left wrist, along with the silver chain and locket her father had given her, it was meant to remind her of her roots and to keep her grounded when they were on the road. "Now, is my handsome escort ready to join your friend for dinner?" Haleema asked, in a seductive tone.

"Hmm..."
"Yes?!" A smirk rose the corner of her lips as she saw Magnus's eyes darting from her to the bed even if he didn't realize it.

"I don't know if the world is ready for all that beauty," Magnus said, laying on the charm.

"Then I guess..." Her red, four inch, stiletto heels shone in the light as she sashayed over to him. Her hands feeling the rich material of his shirt beneath them as they ran up his chest. Her french-tipped nail danced along the underside of his chin as her lips were an inch away from his. "You'll have to keep the world at bay then, huh?" Haleema purred as she stared into his eyes.

"Seems a daunting task, but I'll shall try," Magnus said, his hand overlaid hers as it caressed his right cheek.

"Try not to fall, my knight," Haleema teased.

"Never my lady," Magnus whispered placing a light, lingering kiss on the palm of her hand.

Haleema's heart fluttered. Heat raced from the tips of her ears to the bottoms of her toes as she felt his lips on her skin. Feeling her nipples starting to harden as those deep blue eyes gazed at her in wanton passion. Wondering if this was how he was with his now ex-wife. "Fucking idiot," Haleema muttered in her mind. "But he's mine now, I'm not going to give him up."

"Come, we can't be late," Haleema said, taking hold of his hand and leading him out the door.

"Magnus!" Mary Lou squealed as she stood beside her husband in her sexy black dress. "Oh my god! You're gorgeous!" she said, as she held out her open arms to Haleema.

"Thank you! So are you! My god girl, I might just have to keep Magnus on a leash," Haleema teased.

"Stop!" Mary Lou giggled. "Thank you, for the spa day, it was exactly what I needed," she said, as they held each other at arm's length.

"Nonsense!" Haleema waved her off. "Think of it as payment for all the juicy gossip on Magnus," she said, her arm sliding along his waist bringing him into her. Shooting him a smirk as he looked at her and Mary Lou with a questioning look.

"Scott," Magnus nodded. Scott's sandy blond hair swayed in the light. His blue-green eyes studied him like he was trying to see the boy he had harassed when he was in high school. Magnus still could see Scott still had the bulk he once did when he was the star of the football team.

"Magnus," Scott said, returning the nod. "Those muscles look good on you," he said, holding out his hand to Magnus. It was true he was an arrogant jock back in his high school days. That was when one of the players on the opposing college team took a cheap, and illegal shot diving helmet first into his right knee forever ending his career. That was when he got reacquainted with Mary Lou. She was making the rounds as a candy striper at the hospital as he recovered. As much as he wanted to wallow in his misery Mary Lou wouldn't allow that. Scott noticed she had lost some weight since they last saw each other on their graduation.

Telling him she was working on her nursing degree while being a candy striper. As the months passed her bubbly nature and her stern but comforting words drew him out of his funk. He started to beat himself for not ever noticing how stunning she was when they were in high school. That was when he first asked her out, to which she rightly refused. Telling him that she doesn't date jerks. That only made him determined to prove to her that he wasn't. On the last day of his physical therapy he asked her out again, and to his surprise she agreed. From that day forward he never looked back.

"Thanks, heard about what happened..."

"She told you?"

"Yeah, did you sue the ass at least?" Magnus asked, with a warm smile.

"Oh yeah!" Scott chuckled. "Although I might have lost my spot in the game, I think I came out on top," he said, wrapping his arm around his wife.

"Good answer," Mary Lou said, smiling up at her husband.

"Well..." Looking at his watch, knowing they wouldn't keep their spot if they kept standing outside. "Shall we dine?"

"Yes, let's!" Haleema nodded.

"You're a... rock star?!" Scott said in disbelief, as they all sat around the table once the hostess showed them to their seats.

"Yeah, didn't Mary Lou tell you?" Magnus asked, silently enjoying this as Scoot shook his head.

"Sorry honey, I kind of wanted Magnus to drop the hammer on you. Think of it as pay back for the way you treated us during high school," Mary Lou said, patting his hand affectionately.

"Yeah, sorry about that, I was a total ass back then. It took me having to get a new knee to show me what was really important," Scott said, taking his wife's hand into his.

"Don't worry about it, water under the bridge," Magnus said, flashing him a friendly smile.

"And how did you meet Magnus?" Scott asked, as he plucked his wine glass from the table.

"Oh... we were taking audition tapes due to our former guitarist's death. The guys and I stumbled upon this one's," Haleema said, gesturing to Magnus. "I lost count of the number of tapes we watched until we reached his. Some were just plan god awful, others were showboats not good for our image. I knew if they were given the spot they would simply self-destruct, and we would be back at square one. Yet Magnus, while we all knew he was skilled that was obvious even a blind man could see that, he simply played. He allowed the music to speak for him. He showed us that he was honoring our loss and telling us that our sound, that we were known for, wouldn't be lost since most guitarists like to play their own way. Then we sent him an invitation to come play for us in LA. The way he spoke during the audition it made up my mind that Magnus was the one we needed. So we worked him to the bone once he settled in LA. Then whisked him off to his very first show. You wouldn't believe how nervous he was backstage," Haleema said, laying her hand over his, her thumb brushing along the back of it. "Oh! I nearly forgot!"

"Forgot about what?" Magnus asked, setting his glass down.

"Do you happen to have your passport?" Haleema asked, with a twinkle in her eye.

"No, never been out of the country before, why?"

"Don't worry, Arty can help you with that, as for why... Our European tour starts at the end of October. It's going to be a blast!" Haleema said, longing to spend the days traveling around with him once again for four whole months. "You're going to love it!"

"Damn man, I thought I was going to live the dream and here you are actually doing it!" Scott said, raising his glass to him.

"You better send me lots of pictures and I want souvenirs!" Mary Lou pouted.

"Yes Mom," Magnus said, causing them all to burst out in laugher.

"I have to run to the little girl's room; would you mind coming?" Haleema asked, looking at Mary Lou.

"Not at all, you two play nice while we're gone," Mary Lou said, looking between the two men.

"Sorry to hear about you're ex-wife," Scott said, once his wife and Haleema was out of earshot.

"Thanks, got to say, without Iona I wouldn't be where I am. Never thought I'd say that."

"There's always a silver lining in everything. Listen, I don't want to bring up work, or try to get you to buy anything from me; but I'm also an investment banker as well as a loan officer for the bank. I don't know what your long term plans are, or if you're planning on staying with her band. Yet it doesn't hurt to have some money squirreled away in case things happen that causes you to lose the ability to do your dream job," Scott said, he said rubbing his right knee. "I promise I can set you up in some good solid investments that have some good, while low, but they're steady returns. Just think about it," he said, handing Magnus his business card. "You can reach me any time. I'll work with you if you're unsure of anything."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Magnus said, looking at the card for a few seconds before pocketing it.

"Now tell me," leaning forward, "how the hell did you get that hottie?!"

"So... what did you think of his family?" Mary Lou asked, as she checked her makeup in the mirror.

"I'm in love with Edna, she's a doll," Haleema said, batting her eyes, her folded hands rested on her chest. Smiling when Mary Lou giggled.

"Well... too bad for Magnus, huh?"

"Nah, our love will never be," Haleema said, in the best Shakespearian actor display she could achieve. "I got some real good insight yesterday..."

"And?!"

"Only made me want Magnus all the more," Haleema said, leaning forward plucking away a stray eyelash.

"Then I wish you the best of luck, now shall we go and see what the boys have gotten into?" Mary Lou asked, smiling at her new friend. Praying that she was what Magnus needed.

"Mmmhmm," Haleema nodded.

Magnus's beer shook slightly in his hand as his head turned to capture the sight of how that dress moved along Haleema's body as she walked arm in arm with Mary Lou. The way her brown eyes lustered as her hips swayed seductively. Heat rushed rapidly to his groin as those tone thighs rippled with each step. Shooting looks at the men that ogled Haleema and his friend as they approached.

"I was wondering if some fiend came and kidnapped you," Scott said, his hand ran along his wife's ass. Slyly telling the men whose eyes were lingering where they didn't belong who she was going home with.

"Oh? Did you miss me baby?" Mary Lou purred as she bent down softly kissing her husband's lips.

"Ew! My eyes, my eyes!" Magnus teasingly joked as their heads turned towards him. He honestly never thought in his wildest dreams that they would ever get together. Still, he was happy for her, was it wrong that he enjoyed teasing his childhood friend mercilessly? His heart stilled in his chest as Haleema turned his chin towards her.

"Now Magnus, are you saying kissing is bad?" Haleema asked, her hot breath flowed over his skin as her lips were a hairsbreadth from his.

"N-no," Magnus answered weakly as he felt himself melting in those warm brown pools.

"Good," Haleema whispered before she slowly, yet passionately kissed those taunting lips of his. Her eyes quivered as she sucked on his lower lip as she pulled away. "Now I'm starving, what's good here?" she asked Mary Lou, as she took her seat across from her. All the while loving how Magnus gazed at her with that blank lustful look.

"So when are you leaving?" Mary Lou asked, once their dinner was nearly over.

"Probably, by the end of next week, since grandma seems to be doing alright," Magnus said, leaning back in his seat finishing his beer.

"You going to stay for that long too?" Mary Lou asked, looking at Haleema who nodded. "Then you two have to come over Tuesday night, you have to let me cook you two dinner before you leave," she said, looking to her husband who simply shrugged.

"We'll have to get Mom to look after the kids..."

"Nonsense, I'd love to meet them. You're wife has been a good friend to me since I got to town," Haleema said, shooting Magnus a mischievous look. "I don't want the two of you going out of your way just for us."

"You sure, Matt and Donny can be a handful," Scott said, as he looked over at the stunning woman. Not that he would cheat on his wife, he was just stunned that Magnus, the skinny boy he had picked on in high school had the attention of such a beautiful woman.

"I'm quite sure," Haleema said, her hand squeezed Magnus's as she nodded.

"I hope you like catfish," Mary Lou said, knowing exactly what she was going to make Tuesday night since she would have the day off. Plus, she wanted to give Magnus a taste of home before he left once again. Not knowing when the next time they would meet again.

"Love it! Mom would always make it every Saturday night," Haleema said, with a bright smile.

"Excellent! See Magnus she is definitely a keeper," Mary Lou teased as she nudged his arm. The ladies giggled when Magnus could only mutter a 'Uh-huh'.

"Well, the night is still young, and we have the sitter until eleven. Do you guys feel like doing something?" Scott asked, looking at the time on his phone.

"Is The Blue Gill still around?" Magnus asked, inferring about his favorite blues club he went to during the last months of his marriage.

"Yeah, last time I drove passed it," Mary Lou said, with a warm smile.

"A blues man, huh?" Scott inquired with a coy smirk.

"To my bones," Magnus nodded. "You okay with that?" he asked, as looked at Haleema.

"Of course, I'd love to go," Haleema said, she wanted to know everything about Magnus. Wanted to spend every second with him when there weren't hordes of fans surrounding them.

"Excellent! Let me just..."

"Oh no, I got this one," Magnus said, taking the ticket book from Scott and placing his card into it and handing it to their waiter. "You can get the cover charge for the club," he said, shooting Scott a competitive smirk.

"Men," Mary Lou said, rolling her eyes, yet with a smile on her face.

"You all want to ride together, or shall we take separate cars?" Scott asked, once they were outside.

Magnus looked at Haleema a warm smile spread along his lips as her fingers interweaved with his. "How about we meet you two there," he said, knowing it would give him time to tease her on the way to the club and on the way to the motel.

"You better not do anything untoward to that young lady," Mary Lou teased with a mischievous smirk.

"Who me?! I would never!" Magnus said, feigning hurt. "Okay, maybe just a little." Watching how Haleema's cheeks rapidly heated.

All four of them were laughing as they exited the Blue Gill around ten o'clock. Haleema held on to Magnus as the night air lifted her hair. Noticing the twinkle in Mary Lou's eyes as she stared up at her husband. Feeling her body heat as she recounted how Magnus held her tightly as they danced. Remembering the sound of her gasp as he cupped her ass. How her body melted into his as he did that. She had waited all night for that simple touch. Feeling the heat between her legs growing as she gazed upon Magnus's face as he chatted with Mary Lou and Scott. The way she had seen Scott slyly shooting his wife looks she knew their night wasn't over, far from it, neither was hers. She had to admit this was one of the most perfect dates she's ever been on. Resting her cheek on Magnus's shoulder, smiling back at Mary Lou, as her hands cupped Scott's.​