Page 11 of Rory: His to Discipline

“Well, hell,” Rory cursed violently and left the room, slamming the door behind him. In the kitchen, he slapped the letter on the table in front of his mother so hard her coffee cup trembled on its saucer.

Maeve picked up the letter and shooed Caitlin and Todd out of the kitchen. Sliding her reading glasses up farther on her nose she began to read, Colleen over one shoulder and Bridget over the other. Three sets of eyes looked accusingly at Rory as he leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. Nobody asked who ‘you know who’ was, they all knew exactly to whom Tess was referring.

“Rory O’Malley, what did you do to drive that poor wee lamb out on her own?”

“Nothing that I wouldn’t do to her right now if she were here,” Rory shot back with a growl. Well maybe not.

“Sean. Sean, come in here and speak to your son,” Maeve ordered, sticking her head out of the kitchen door.

“Why is he my son when you’re put out with him and he’s your son when he’s sportin’ a new medal or citation? Now, what is it, darlin’? Can’t a man have a moment’s peace in his own house?” Sean asked striding into the kitchen. “What’s this all about?”

Maeve stood with her hands on the table and leaned towards Rory. “Rory, what did you do to Tess?”

Rory tipped his head back and looked at the ceiling, silently counting to ten.

“Did you spank that girl?” Maeve demanded.

Colleen and Bridget stood frozen in place, both wanted to go, but morbid fascination held them. Rory getting in trouble was almost unheard of and neither wanted to miss a word of it.

“Yes,” Rory shot back. He never raised his voice but there was a danger in the calmness just the same. “I spanked her. It wasn’t the first time and I doubt it will be the last. That’s no reason for her to leave without a word to any of us.”

“Sean! Do somethin’!” Maeve insisted, stomping her foot in agitation.

“Well, just what would you like me to do about it?” he asked, beginning to feel some sympathy for Rory.

“I don’t know, but ‘tis your fault. You should have raised your sons better than to think they can just upend any woman they want over their knee.”

“You’re right, darlin’.”

“Of course, I am,” Maeve agreed primly.

“Rory, is Tess just any woman?” Sean asked, looking directly into his son’s eyes.

“No.”

“Is she your woman?” Sean asked patiently.

“Yes,” Rory answered softly. “She is my woman.”

Sean laughed and slapped his big hand down on the table as he stood. “Well, then there you have it,” he told his wife jovially.

“There I have what?” Maeve asked looking from one man to the other. She had the funny feeling she’d been bamboozled.

Sean sighed and rubbed his head. “Do I really have to explain it to you after nearly forty years of marriage?” he asked in disbelief.

“Apparently so O’Malley, ‘cause I’m sure not thinkin’ what you're thinkin’,” Maeve informed him, hands on hips.

“A good man takes care of his family. He provides for them, guides them, comforts them, and loves them. Sometimes love is not hugs and kisses, darlin’. Sometimes love is a firm hand applied to a naughty bottom, as you well know. Now, I don’t mean to be embarrassin’ you my love, but since you seem to want to talk about this in front of the children, I’ll talk. You’ve been over my own knee more than a time or two and our marriage has been better for it.”

“Sean,” Maeve gasped her face red with shame. “How could you?”

“Hush, woman. There’s no shame in submittin’ to your husband. I’m not a tyrant,” he continued looking at Bridget and then Colleen. “I love your Ma and always have. The pain of a spankin’ is nothin’ compared to the pain of watchin’ a loved one go off in the wrong direction or damage a marriage so it cannot survive.” Sean stood and pulled Maeve into his arms. “We’ve raised our family, darlin’. Given’ them the best we could. I’ve always tried to set a good example and so have you. Now, we must let them be and hope we’ve taught them right. If Rory’s lady needs a lickin’, then so be it. ‘tis not our business, do you understand?”

Maeve nodded and buried her face in her husband’s arms. Colleen and Bridget told their parents good night and slipped out of the room. This was not their business either.

Finally, Maeve raised her head, wiped her tears and turned to face her son. “Your Da’s right, Rory, ‘tis not our business and I hope you’ll be forgivin’ me for how I behaved tonight,” she told him sincerely, her voice quivering.

“I love you, Ma; I think I could forgive you about anything. I never meant for this to happen. I had no idea Tess would take off like this and I will tell you there’s more to it than just a spanking. I will make this right. She belongs to me and I intend to see she understands that.