I woke up around noon, and stared at the ceiling wondering if it was real, wondering if I was really not sleeping in some cheap hotel bedroom and there were no horse shows that I was expected to be at in thirty minutes for warming up classes. I looked around my bedroom observing all the precious items that surrounded me. Little grey kitten sleeping in basket by window, three pictures placed in the best light, each of my beautiful children, an old picture of my first blue ribbon on Rainfall, and next to my my wonderful fiance Mack. Yes, it was true I was home, and yest it is true I'm engaged. I sat up and rubbed my eyes and observed the clothes that were carelessly thrown in small piles close to the bed, what time did we finally arrive back from Omaha? I wondered mentally. Then I remember four this morning, now I didn't feel so guilty about waking up late. I leaned over and kissed Mack on the cheek and the quietly got out of the bed careful to not wake him.
After I had showered and changed into some shorts and a tank top I wandered into the kitchen looking for something to eat. I grabbed a box of Kix and poured them into one of Madrians many Barbie bowls and munched on cerel. I watched TV for a little bit then went back into the bedroom to wake Mack, who to my surprise was already up and in the shower. I shrugged and decided to go find Scarlet, I had noticed that her packed little car was also in the parking lot when we got home late last night.

"I thought I'd find you here," i teased from the entrance of Millicent's stall. She jumped a bit and turned. "Hey stranger," she laughed and came over to hug me. I smiled at her. "How was Ireland?" I asked. "Oh you know, family and stuff," she replied vaguely. I nodded understandingly, "how were your shows?" I smiled "We did okay, three fourths and two firsts" I smiled. "Well that's excellent!" She gasped. "It's." I paused, "It's encouraging," I agreed. "Oh Mindy don't be so modest," She giggled. I shrugged. "So come and talk to me, we can discuss everything in the main hall," she said. I nodded a followed her. "How are the kids?" She asked. "Oh they're good, Bryan is bringing them over later" I smiled. She smiled back sympatheticaly. "So tell me about this cowboy hanging around you," scarlet teased. I began to feel myself blush, "Oh he is so....fantastic, he is my soul mate." I blushed and showed her my new engagement ring. "WHOA! Mindy when did this happen?" "Well you know we've been together for about six months and at first I found him comletely crazy and just a nuisance, but as we grew closer and I got to know him, I found out that he's my best friend, and so the other night he just sort of proposed and I was so excited and of course I said yes." I giggled for a moment. "Aww, you look happy, it's been a long time since you've been happy." she took my hand and we smiled at eachother. "I am happy, just a little nervous about the kids and what Bryan will think. Bryan just won't let go," I sighed. Scarlet nodded. "How is your family?" i smiled brightly. "Oh, Jakob is excellent, and Kyle is growing soo fast and Dahmnett is just a little ray of sunshine," I smiled at Scarlet. Hoping that my new family would finally be happy.

Later around fourish, I fed Harly and then walked back to the apartment to clean up for the kids and get supper started. Mack was reading a magazine on the couch. I watched him quietly for a few seconds and then strided over. "Hey beautiful," he put the magazine down. I sat beside him and smiled. "I love you," I smiled. "I know you do." He kissed me and then we just sat for a few heavenly minutes in peace. "What should I make the kids?" I asked. Mack shrugged, he was always nervous around the kids and Bryan, and was always careful to never get too close. "What would you like for dinner?" I asked him. "You," he winked at me. "Well you can't eat me," I laughed. He smiled, "I think we should go out to eat," He said. "Where?" "McDonalds," He groaned. "Ugh, I think not" I said and plopped back down in a chair. "there is that Pizzaria on Main Street" I said. "Yeahh, let's do that!" Mack said. I laughed and he picked me up and carried me to our bedroom and kissed me. "We can't do this," I giggled. "We have two hours," he laughed. I kissed him again. "I need to clean the house and put sheets on the kids beds," I smiled. "They won't sleep in those until tonight, and you know they'll make a mess anyway," he argued. Kissing my neck lightly, I was persuaded.

When the doorbell rang Mack and I were both showered and dressed for dinner, when Bryan brought them inside. "MOMMY!" Madrian shrieked and ran for me. I laughed and grabbed her. "OH wow, I've missed you!" I kissed her little cheeks and set her down. "Where is Sean?" I asked worriedly. "Well, he didn't really feel like Coming," Brayn said staring over my shoulder at Mack who was playing Barbie's with Madrian. "You didn't say he'd be here,' Brayn hissed. I drew in a sharp breath and led Bryan out to the hall. "Bryan, I know that you expected me to always want to come back, and I know that is why you insist the Sean doesn't ever have to come but look I did adopt him, and he's my son as much as he is yours, and I don't understand why you always make Mack look bad infront of him." "Mindy I love you, I want you home with me, this isn't the life a little girl and our sons should have to live with. You walked out on them remember, how do I know you won't do it again. You go around with guys that you hardly know and..."he tailed off. and stared at my left ring finger. "Bryan, I'm sorry, but it's over. he stared at me in shock, how could---how could have moved out so fast?" He hissed. "Bryan he treats me like I'm human, he treats me like I'm his friend." "I did that!" he protested. "No, no you didn't! I was your wife and the mother of your children, not your friend, not someone you enjoyed coming home to. I know you cheated on me Bryan, and I've never wanted to say anything before about how i'd found the bra and panties and the lipstic and the perfume...expensive perfume. Bryan I put up with it for way too long, hoping that if I won the olympics you'd love me more, praying that if I got a job you'd notice me, the truth is Bryan, you only love what you can't have," I finished and went back inside. Both Dan and Madrian were dressed in nice dinner clothes and were ready to go. I smiled at them. "I need to use the restroom and then we can leave," I smiled.

I watched from the ring as Bryan stormed to his car and sped away up the gravel road.
"Doesn't sound like that went well," Jakob commented, looking concerned, sitting atop Veritas at the far end of the paddock. Damhnatt had not wanted to go anywhere tonight and had offered to watch Kyle while Jakob and I worked his new gelding.
"Nope," I agreed, looking back to the apartments. "He came to drop off the kids with Mindy and must've seen Mack."
"Nice guy, Mack," Jakob said earnestly. "He really cares about her, in a way Bryan never really seemed to. There's more respect there and more appreciation than I ever felt with Bryan."
Jakob had always had this innate ability to just know things. He noticed tones of voice and breaks in speech that were alarmingly intuitive.
"It must be hard with kids," I mused, thinking of Kyle, who already was looking so much like his father - a fair complexion, thick dark hair coming in. But he already has my bright green eyes. I don't think any combination of dominant genes can beat those eyes out!
"Yes. There's something sort of divine there. They're the one thing in a divorce you can't split in half and divide." Jakob nudged Veritas into a walk. The two were out riding often, building up a trust. I think Veritas knew that Jakob was blind, but there was a great deal of respect there; he was eager to follow Jakob's lead.
"I can't believe you found this horse," I breathed, watching them evolve into a clean trot. "His gait, his form... they're beautiful."
Jakob and Veritas did several laps of the arena before Jakob dismounted and began cooling him out.
I sighed and headed back to the apartment to check on Damhnatt and Kyle. Damhnatt had out Kyle into his cot where he was quite peacefully sleeping. Damhnatt herself was sleepin on the couch in front of the television. I smiled and lifted her up (she was very skinny for a girl of fourteen) and took her to her bedroom - the old tiny spare room. She'd had a long few weeks.

-Scarlet