TITLE    : There's Much More Inside
STORYID  : theres-much-more-inside
SUMMARY  : Chapter 3 of It's What's Inside.
AUTHOR   : slow_n_gentle@lit
DATE     : 2014-01-29
CATEGORY : adult-romance
FLAGS    : h
TAGS     : |romance novella|drama|love story|


<i> Authors Note: Twenty eight years have passed since we looked in on Rob and Megan. Take time to read "It's What's Inside" and "There's More Inside" if you haven't already read them or forgot about them due to this writer's procrastination in finishing the story. </i>



~*~



"Coleman Agency. This is Rob, how may I help you?"



"This is Betty Winters. I'm trying to contact Megan Langford. I was told you may be able to help."



"May I put you on hold for a minute."



"Yes."



Rob looked over at his wife working on the computer.



"Hon, Betty Winters wants to talk to you. She asked for Megan Langford."



Megan gave him an 'I have no idea why' expression. "Hi Betty."



"Megan, it's so good to hear your voice again. How are you?"



"I'm fine. How did you find me?"



Betty chuckled. "Remember Pat, my assistant? The woman keeps everything. She used the address you gave her to send that last interview to get a phone number. I talked to a delightful little girl that gave me her mommy who didn't know a Megan Langford, but gave me this number. She said her dad knew everybody in the area. They don't know you were a movie star?"



"They didn't need to know. That was before they were born. Betty, you didn't go to all this trouble just to reminisce. What's on your mind?"



"Tonight's news will announce my retirement at the end of the month. We're taping the final shows. I want to do the last segment with you." "I've been out of the business for decades. Nobody cares anymore."



"Dear, walking away when you were so close to stardom is unforgettable. People still write wanting to know what happened to Megan Langford."



There was a long pause.



"Betty, I'm sorry but I really-" 



"They're forcing me out! The network isn't renewing my contract and my agent says no one else is interested... at any price." Her anger fading into sadness.



"I don't want to finish my career narrating an hour of asinine taped interviews. I've called in every favor I've collected.



"They're giving me the last segment of the show. I want you for the final show and we do it the old way, live. Please say yes and let me leave a winner."



Megan closed her eyes. Her friend's commanding voice had collapsed into a soft plea. She wanted to say no, but-



"Let me think about it. I need to talk it over with my husband."



"Please think yes! Let me give you my cell number. If I'm busy, Pat will answer. I hate to push, but I need your answer by the end of the week. The final show is the last Wednesday of this month."



Megan scribbled the number on a memo pad.



"I'll give you my answer as soon as possible."



"One last thing before I hang up. You were one of my first guests. I was the last person you talked with before you left the business. I want you to be the last person I interview before walking off that stage."



Megan hung up.



"You okay? Was that who I think it was?"



Rob rubbed her shoulders. She placed a hand over his.



"It's who you think. She wants me on her final show."



"That sounds like an honor. You going?"



"I don't know. We've got our children and now grandchildren to think about. I don't want to stir up that resentment again."



"Don't worry about the people of Maple Grove, they know the real Megan. What's your heart tell you to do?"



"She sounded so down. The network's pushing her out. She went out of her way to help me. I should be there for her."



"Then it's settled, you're going."



"But the kids-"



Rob continued the massage. She felt the tension slipping away as he worked his magic. Warm breath on her neck brought a smile. He kissed her cheek. "I'll call a family meeting."



Joshua glanced at his folks sitting on the love seat by the window as he continued into the kitchen with two year old Matty in his arms. Eva, his wife, sat on the couch while four year old Mason followed his father.



"Why's dad calling a meeting? Is he having heart trouble? Mom told Eva we're having a family meeting at seven, but nothing else."



Jessica, his twin sister, shook her head. "He acted fine at lunch. He told me he was calling a family meeting after I brought him home. He wouldn't say why."



Laura and her husband, Tom, looked at Jessica when she and Joshua walked into the living room and sat on the couch. Jessica shook her head.



Concern showed on every face as they filled the living room. It had to be about Dad's heart condition. A proud father's smile filled his face as he looked over his children, their spouses, the grandchildren.



"I called this meeting because of a phone call your mother received today."



He saw couples reaching to hold hands. Jessica grabbed Joshua's free hand.



A lump was found in Megan's breast two years ago. He frowned; then shook his head at the unintended scare. Waving his hand, he stood.



"Your mother is fine... and so am I before you jump to that conclusion. The call I'm referring to was from Betty Winters. She has a talk show. Some of you may have watched it. Anyway, she wants your mother on her show."



Questioning looks passed between the grown kids along with murmurs that Rob couldn't make out.



"Betty Winters called the house today looking for a Megan Langford," Jessica informed the group, "I gave her the office number and told her to ask dad."



Rob nodded. "Your mother is, or was Megan Langford."



Jessica frowned. "Mom's last name was Mason. I saw her birth certificate."



Heads looked from Jessica back to Rob and then Megan. She grabbed Rob's hand motioning him to sit down.



"Josh, Jess. When you were little, you heard people talking about me and asked why. I told you that I use to act before you were born. That answer was enough to satisfy your curiosity. As far as my name being Langford, it was before I married your father. I was born Megan Mason. When I started acting, I changed my name to Langford."



"Why's that lady want you mom?"



The question came from Eva, Joshua's wife.



"I was on her show a few times when I was acting. We became sort of friends. Her show is ending and she wants me to be on that final show."



Rob held up a disc. "Josh, play this." 



The disc opened with Betty Winters sitting alone without another guest. She looked into the camera.



<i>"For my last segment, I taped an interview with a good friend of mine. We've never done this before but as you will see, she had her reason for requesting it."</i>



A younger Megan appeared on the screen. Josh, Jessie and Laura looked from the TV to their mom. Alexis tugged on her mother's arm. "She looks like you," she whispered.



<i>Betty began. "She needs no introduction. Everyone will recognize my next guest, Megan Langford. As you can see we are taping this without an audience. I've only done live interviews but Megan requested this so she could be home when it aired. So Megan, what do you have to say that couldn't be said live?"</i>



Megan looked at her children frozen to the screen. Even the grandkids were unnaturally quiet. 



<i>"First off, thank you for agreeing to tape this. The reason I asked for this interview is to announce that I am leaving acting. I thought about it for some time before coming to this decision. I wanted to announce this on your show so that the man I love will know it's for real and believe me when I say he is the most important thing in my life."</i>



Rob turned. She kissed his cheek. "You still are", she whispered.



<i>Betty was visibly surprised by the statement. There was a long silence before she spoke. "Why leave the business? Many actors and actresses marry and keep on acting."</i>



Megan saw Rob was intently focused on the show, like before.



<i>"It's a demanding job that keeps you away for months at a time plus you have the tabloids constantly writing about imaginary affairs. I have been with Rob for almost five years and I want to tell him he's been the only man in my life this whole time."



"So where is he Megan? Why haven't we seen you with him?"



"I've kept our relationship a secret and asked him to do the same. I know it's been hard on him that I won't go out where people might recognize me. I think he feels I'm embarrassed of him because he doesn't look like a Hollywood actor."



Megan looked from Betty into the camera.



"Rob, I didn't keep our love a secret because I was embarrassed. I could never be embarrassed of you. I wanted it a secret to keep the jackals from my world away from you. In my world you become use to cameras constantly snapping and people writing fictitious stories about you to sell magazines. I didn't want them invading the life of the sweet, gentle man I love. Now that I'm no longer acting, I ask that they leave us alone. Rob, I'll be honored to be seen with you."</i>



He felt her hand on his scarred arm. "I forgot how emotionally intense this was."



<i>Megan turned back to look at Betty. "I have one more thing and then I'm finished." She turned back to the camera.



"Rob, you always said I was a strong willed woman, so in front of millions of people I'm asking; will you marry me?"</i>



Megan felt him start to move and squeezed his hand. The look they exchanged told Rob she'd take over.



"I'm concerned that in the coming weeks they will announce my being on her show and it will revive the animosity some people here had for me. I don't want that to spill over unto you. Your father thinks this will be a non event, like Josh announcing that Eva said yes when he proposed."



Chuckling added to Josh's red complexion until Eva softened it with a kiss. Her hand moved his to her belly, reminding him of pending fatherhood again.



Rob smiled at his son's uneasiness.



"Son, she's been in love with you since she was a young girl. I suggested she propose herself." Josh glanced at his wife. She softly smiled.



"You mean like mom did?"



Rob shot a look at his tormentor, then broke into a grin.



"Yes Laura, just like your mother had to do."



Rob stood.



"I'm sorry you had to come here for this but I'm getting too old to repeat the same story three times without messing it up. Besides, it's been awhile since we were all together."



Joshua's four year old, Mason, climbed up on Megan's lap.



"Gramma, you know Big Bird?"



She smiled. "I met him a long time ago, before your dad was born."



"You know Elmo?" Five year old Jimmy asked. "Elmo!" His three year old brother, Robby, chimed in.



"Big Bird introduced me to him." Megan wrinkled her nose. "Nice, but loud."



The two laughed and ran back to Laura.



The kids and their families began drifting out of the house still stunned about their mother's hidden past. 



Tonight, Rob and Megan joined Jessica and Alexis for bedtime hot chocolate. Olivia slept peacefully in Jessica's arms.



"Jess, you've been quiet all night. You okay with me going on TV?"



"Yah. I can't believe you were a movie star. You were...mom. Paper doll, tea party, Barbie playing mom. How famous were you?"



Megan shrugged her shoulders.



"Don't let her modesty fool you," Rob interjected, "If she hadn't quit for me, she would be another Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandan, or Julia Roberts. You're mother was a great actress. Not telling her to continue acting is my sin I'm willing to bear to have her in my life."



"How about my not telling you who I was until after we were married?"



"What?" Jess suddenly perked up.



"Never mind," Megan replied. "It's a long story and we all need to go to bed."



"Gramma, did you see Miss Piggy?"



Megan's attention turned to Alexis, her oldest granddaughter.



"I saw her with Kermit filming a movie, but we weren't formally introduced. Is there a reason you want to know?"



Alexis lowered her head. "I was hoping you could get a picture for me."



"Alexis, is that what Mason wanted, a Big Bird picture?"



She nodded.



"Would Matty and Olivia like Miss Piggy?" "they're still babies, but girls. They'll like Miss Piggy."



Megan smiled. "I'll see what I can do."



Megan called the next morning.



"Betty Winters' office, may I help you?"



"This is Megan Cole-...Megan Langford. Tell Betty I'll do it."



Pat gushed. "Betty will be so happy Megan. I'll make all the arrangements. Do you need a limo to pick you up?"



"That's not necessary," thinking what a stir that would cause. "I have transportation to and from the airport." Megan paused. "I need a favor."



Pat hesitated. "What's that?"



"I really need two autographed Elmo photos, one Big Bird, and three Miss Piggy for my grandkids."



Pat chuckled. "Give me their names and I'll have them personalized. Don't hang up; Betty wants to tell you something."



"I knew you wouldn't let me down. We're doing the show in Boston. I talked to Murray and he's ecstatic. It's fitting that my show ends where it began. I forgot to ask, is your husband accompanying you? I'd love to introduce him on the show."



"No!" Megan closed her eyes trying to regain her composure. "He's the shy type."



"Bring him with you. We reserved you a suite at Boston Harbor. He can watch the show from the green room. The two of you can enjoy Boston. It'll be a change from small town life."



"That's sweet of you, but he wants to stay home."



"If he changes his mind call Pat and she'll take care of the arrangements. See you in three weeks."



Betty nodded. She and Pat hung up together.



"Did you catch the reaction about her husband? She's hiding him for some reason."



Pat spun her rolodex. "I'll have the answer before the show."



Betty placed her hands on Pat's shoulders. "Megan's only coming to repay the favor. Let her secret alone. We can both walk off that stage with our secrets intact."



~*~



Rob and Megan cuddled on the couch. Alexis and Olivia were in bed and Jessica was working in her study.



"I called Betty today and told her I'd do the show. She's doing it in Boston instead of LA."



"That's great, but you don't sound happy about it?"



"Betty wanted you to come on stage with me. I told her no, that you were too shy."



"I'd freeze if she asked me a question. Just sitting up there with all those people watching would make me a nervous wreck." He squeezed the hand he was holding. "You did the right thing. I never understood how you could be so calm with all those people watching you."



"That's not it. I knew you wouldn't do that. They got me a suite. Betty suggested you could watch the show from the green room and afterward we could enjoy Boston for a couple of days. I promised I'd be proud to be seen with you, but I don't want you to come to Boston."



"Don't want to see "Beauty and the Beast" on the tabloid covers?" The chuckle sounded forced.



"Rob, don't." Tears appeared. "That's exactly the reason. It would hurt me and the kids to see them treat you like that. Those callous bastards don't care; its business to them."



She moved away. "It's my fault you got those scars."



Rob's eyes glowed. "I don't ever want to hear you utter those words again. I chose to run into that fire again; you didn't choose to be in there."



A nervous silence followed; each not sure what to say. He pulled her close.



"You're right, it's better that I stay home. The family needs a happy remembrance of you on TV."



~*~



"Miss Langford, I'll escort you through the arrival gates."



Megan followed the young man to an awaiting Pat.



"Betty's tied up with last minute details, but she'll meet with you for dinner."



Megan nodded. "I need to buy a dress for the show. I don't have anything appropriate for television."



Pat smiled. "I think I can solve that problem. Tom, we need to stop at the studio."



"Yes miss Harris." 



Pat took her to the studio wardrobe. Megan selected a dress used on the local daytime soap a week ago. Wardrobe pinned it for alteration and promised to have it ready for tomorrow night. She also found slacks and a blouse for dinner. After Megan was escorted to her hotel room she called home; Alexis answered.



"Gramma?"



"Hi sweetie, is your grandpa there?"



Alexis shook her head. "He's workin'."



"Let me talk to your mom."



"Mom, it's Gramma!"



"Hi mom, how was your flight?"



"Fine. They booked me first class. Alexis said your dad's still working?"



Jessica grimaced. "He said he didn't want to leave Eva alone."



Megan knew the real reason. "Tell your dad I called. Betty's taking me out to dinner, but I'll call him as soon as I can."



"Okay mom, we love you."



"I love all of you too."



~*~



Megan forgot what celebrity status entailed until the limo pulled up to the restaurant. A valet opened the door and escorted her past the long line to Betty's table.



Betty smiled. "The flight go okay?"



Megan nodded. "Considering I haven't flown in over twenty five years, it went great. Thanks for the flowers. Before you ask, the room is wonderful. It overlooks the bay."



Betty was all smiles."That was all Pat's doing. I should be thanking you."



Why?"



"You're fans! They've been calling, emailing, twittering for tickets since the promos aired." "I've been away so long. There can't be that many."



Betty grinned. "Megan, you have no idea. Murray's added seating to the fire code max. This will be one of the largest audiences I've ever had."



Megan sipped the white wine in front of her. "I'm feeling a little nervous about this."



Betty patted her hand. "Don't worry dear, once you're on that stage, it'll all come back to you. You're a star and always will be."



~*~



Megan admired the harbor view as she dialed home.



"Hi beautiful, everything okay?"



"I'm nervous. I should have said no."



"Megan, it'll be okay," his voice soft and soothing, "just be yourself; they'll love you as much as we do. The kids decided to gather here for the show." Rob softly laughed. "I'm considering flying there for my sanity."



A little laugh slipped out. "Trade you places."



He chuckled. "Unless Betty wants paralyzed silence, it's no deal."



She was quiet for a minute. "Hon, when this dies down, we'll come here."



Rob paused knowing it would never happen. "That sounds like a great idea."



She caught the fake happiness. They still hadn't taken their delayed honeymoon.



"You sound tired Hon; you shouldn't have worked all day. I'll call you after the show. I love you."



A little smile appeared remembering the rare calls when she was on location. "Love you too."



~*~



Betty and Megan sat in the Green Room watching the taped interviews with the rest of America. Betty glanced at Megan.



"When I originally called you I was upset with the network for dumping me. Seeing this makes me thankful I'm leaving. My shows were live. I chose the guests and asked the tough questions. Now, the network not only chooses my guests, but writes the questions and emails them to the actor's publicist a week before the shows are taped. The answers are written, rehearsed, and put on a damn teleprompter. What people see now are actors acting."



Betty laid her hand on Megan's arm.



"I'm glad you agreed to do this. You have no idea what it means to me."



"Five minutes Betty." 



"Okay Pat."



Betty saw Megan tense.



"Megan, out there are your fans. They love you. We added seating to accommodate the requests. Beyond that stage are just friends you haven't met."



~*~



Rob sat next to Jessica holding Olivia with Alexis between them. The rest of the children and grandchildren were scattered around the living room staring at the TV.



"Thank you. She needs no introduction; it's the reason you're here tonight. Let me show you a little clip before we begin."



A video flashed on the three screens in the studio.



<i>Megan turned back to look at Betty. "I have one more thing and then I'm finished." She turned back to the camera.



"Rob, you always said I was a strong willed woman, so in front of millions of people I'm asking; will you marry me?"</i>



Betty turned to Megan. "Over the years, it has been the most requested answer from our viewers. Did he say Yes?"

<hr pg="2" />Megan smiled, nodding her head. "He did!"



Betty waited for the applause to die down. "Do you miss walking away from stardom?"



Megan didn't hesitate. "Not for a moment. When you find that one person that is the first thought when you wake up and the last before you fall asleep, nothing else is more important."



Betty smiled. "We'll be right back after the break."



Rob felt out of breath and breathed deeply.



Jessica touched his arm.



"Mom really looks beautiful."



He smiled. "She is. That's how you'll look in thirty years."



Jess blushed and watched the commercial.



~*~



"We're back. Megan when I called to invite you on this show a sweet little girl never heard of Megan Langford; neither did her mother. She gave me a number for her dad saying he knew everybody."



A little laugh escaped. "That was my granddaughter and daughter."



Betty's eyebrow arched. "They didn't know you were a famous actress?"



Megan shook her head. "When the twins were young-"



"Excuse me Megan, twins?"



Megan blushed. "I was blessed with twins my first pregnancy. When the twins were young, they heard people talking about me. I told them I acted before they were born. That answer was enough to satisfy their curiosity.



Betty perked up. "How many children do you have?"



Megan smiled as only a mother can. "Three and six grandchildren with one more on the way."



Betty smiled as Megan fed her the next lead in.



"Speaking of grandchildren, you asked my assistant for a special request."



The theme sound to Sesame Street began playing as Big Bird walked on stage.



"Miss Langford, Elmo and Miss Piggy wanted me to deliver these to you and I have another one for a special young man that wanted my picture."



A blushing smile appeared as she took the envelopes and hugged Big Bird.



~*~



Alexis shouted. "Gramma did it, she got us all pictures!"



Pandemonium erupted as startled two year olds Matty and Olivia cried as their older cousins jumped and cheered.



~*~



Betty smiled into the camera before turning to Megan.



"We know the man you left stardom for said yes. Tell us a little bit about him."



Megan thought for a moment before looking into the camera.



"Hon I know what I'm about to say will embarrass you, but it's the truth and I'm sure our children will agree."



She turned to Betty. "He's the man of my dreams. I said it at the start of the program, he's my first thought in the morning and the last before I fall asleep. He's the man every mother dreams of their daughter marrying; the perfect husband and father."



Betty looked out toward the audience.



"You've captured everyone's attention, care to explain."



"He has a soft, calm voice that in all our years of marriage I've never heard raised in anger." She closed her eyes for a moment. "He's has this... gentle sort of smile that says no matter what happened, it'll be okay.



"When I was pregnant with the twins and couldn't see my feet for the bulging belly, simple housework would exhaust me. Rob would come home to find me in tears with aching back, swollen legs, and no dinner. He'd rub my back, make dinner, clean the kitchen, and then cuddle with me on the couch and tell me how lucky he was to have me in his life."



Sounds of awww, and scattered applause filled the studio.



She glanced at Betty. "As a father, he's been a part of their lives from the delivery room on. He's more than a father, he's a mentor. He teaches by example. During dinner he'd tell the kids what he did wrong that day and what he learned so he wouldn't do it again."



Her mother's smile reappeared. "I can see his influence in our children's patience raising their children."



Betty waited until the applause faded.



"You're saying in twenty eight years of marriage, you've never been angry at your husband. I find that hard to believe." Megan shivered before looking at Betty. "I'm not Rob, I've been angry, but it's hard to stay angry when he lets you vent before saying a word and you realize your anger is unwarranted."



Betty raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Rising she reached for Megan's hand.



"Ladies and gentleman, I thank you for making my final show a memorable one. Megan, it's time to take our final bow and walk away with heads held high."



The applause was thunderous as they left the stage.



Betty stopped Megan beyond camera view.



"After you change, Murray's got a little celebration set up in the green room."



Megan changed and then called home.



"Hi hon."



"You were wonderful babe. The grandkids were ecstatic when you hugged Big Bird. I don't envy our kids having to put that energized bunch to bed."



"How do you feel about what I said about you."



"It's okay. The kids agreed with you."



~*~



Steven Gardner heard what Betty said about the green room. He remained in the shadows as the Langford woman went to her dressing room and the rest turned the corner for the green room.



He heard the laughter as he approached the green room. He stood near the open door trying to come up with enough flattery about the show without sounding like a kiss ass so Betty would give him a twenty minute interview for the piece of fluff that one of the papers would pick up. He heard footsteps and stepped into the shadows as the Langford woman approached.



She entered the green room to cheers.



"Thank you for making this a grand farewell", Betty said.



"Thanks for giving Betty her wish." Her assistant said.



"You exceeded my expectations." The male voice being Murray.



It was pretty quiet for quite a while as they ate and drank in relative silence.



"The cameras are off and the show put to bed. You held something back when I asked if you were ever angry with your husband." Betty said.



Steven started his recorder.



"Rob ran into a burning building to save the couple inside. He ended up in the hospital."



"Jesus", Murray exclaimed, "I could have gotten five more points in the ratings with that promo lead. "The real reason." Betty asked.



A sniffle. "I told him he wasn't sixteen anymore."



"Sixteen?" Betty questioned.



"He ran into a burning house when he was sixteen and saved the family. He ran in a second time when they realized their four year old daughter was still inside."



"He told you that?" Betty voice turning inquisitor.



"I was the four year old he saved."



Steven's heart pounded as visions of best seller came to mind.



Megan sobbed. "I didn't want him to come. He's scarred from here to here because of me. You know what the tabloids would do with a picture like that?"



"Oh my god." Betty exclaimed.



"Fuck!" Murray exclaimed.



"I saw his face on a billboard and knew it was him. I faked a flat tire and walked to his house. I fell in love with the soft talking man that saved me."



"Your secrets safe with me." Betty assured her.



"I need to go. I have an early flight tomorrow." 



"Jimmy's waiting by the stage entrance to take you back to the hotel. He'll take you to the airport in the morning. Keep in touch. You're still the star I remember."



"I changed your flight," Pat added, "Ticket's waiting at your hotel."



Steven ducked back into the shadows as the Langford woman left. He moved back by the door.



"What a story to finish your career," Pat said.



"The story of a lifetime. Think you can talk her into doing a special?" Murray questioned.



"Not interested," Betty replied, "it's the story of a lifetime, her and Rob's. I promised her it would remain a secret and I'm holding you to it."



He stepped back into the shadows when chairs screeched on the floor.



The three walked down the hallway. 



Betty wrapped her arms around Murray and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for doing this for me."



"Only fitting you leave where you started." Murray looked away and cleared his eyes. "Stop by if you're ever in the neighborhood. Pat, I wish you the best too."



He watched Murray turn the corner for the studio.



He followed Betty and her assistant.



Betty pulled Pat into her arms giving her a lover's kiss.



Steven smiled as his phone captured the moment.



"I need to change. You ready to go?"



Pat nodded. "I want to check the office one more time."



His soft-sole loafers were silent as he followed Pat to the office.



Pat gasped. "The shows over."



He held up his phone. "It can be a touching ending or coming out. You choose."



Pat shivered. "Whacha want?"



He grinned. Twenty minutes with Betty on a freelance piece."



Pat nodded. "I'll arrange it."



He grinned. "And Langford's address in exchange for the photo."



Her shoulders slumped. She nodded."



Betty's smile faded. The stranger smiled, but Pat's expression said otherwise.



Her smile was forced. "He wants twenty minutes. I agreed."



As Betty walked out after the interview, she saw Pat and this Steven character close together. Pat nodded and passed him something. He grinned and left.



Betty arched an eyebrow. "What was that all about?"



Pat looked at Betty and softly touched her cheek. "Saving our secret."



~*~



Rob took the cell call. "I'm at the Southwest pickup number three."



"Southwest pickup number three," Rob relayed to Jessica. "We're on our way. Be there in a few minutes."



Megan called that morning with the change to Midway airport. She was traveling business class. She didn't want to chance some Chicago station staking out the VIP lounge at O'Hare.



His eyes lit up as she came into view. Old forgotten feelings returned as the suv stopped next to Megan.



"I missed you so much."



She hugged him tight. "I missed you too."



All the children came home that night. The grandchildren hooped and hollered when they saw their name on the personalized pictures.



The children who saw their mother for the first time as the woman who gave it all away for the man she loved.



Rob glanced out the window as Megan released her hug. "There's a blue Ford Fiesta stopped out front."



Megan turned as it pulled away. "Any idea who it is?"



"Never seen it before." He shrugged. "Probably just someone who made a wrong turn." He brushed her lips and whispered, "Like a certain actress I know did many years ago."



Steven Gardner watched the celebration until the older man Langford was hugging spotted him. He left for the long drive back to Prairieview and the closet motel.



"No wonder no one found her; she's in the middle of fuckin' nowhere."



*



<i>My thanks to psyche_b_mused for her editing skills.</i> 

