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Reminder: I've slightly changed the mom/family info headers. (Mom's name is now listed first.)
(Bucket-List Progress: Week 18 - 39/104 = 37.5%)
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~~~ Week 18 - Wednesday ~~~
We were on our final day of work at Mrs. Dempsey's house. As we finished up task after task and I started carrying the detritus, trash, and unneeded tools to the truck, I silently grumbled that my favorite car dealership owner had never stopped by.
Just thinking about that sexy woman got my cock hard enough that I was sure I could pound a nine-inch nail through a two-by-four with it!
Our client came out when Ron arrived. Together, they looked over our work.
"As I told your employees, Mr. Reynolds," she said. "I'm delighted with their work ethic, the quality of their craftwork, and their team cohesiveness. Emily asked me if they could attend her mother's hearing the other day and - despite the fact that I told them that it was not a problem and to take their time - they worked together to still complete the project ahead of the projected schedule. They also snuck in a few extra shrubs and bushes. I assume it was their way of saying 'thank you' but - honestly - I think the additions bumped up the overall appearance of their work even more and I am beyond delighted. As I told Emily, earlier, I will be submitting a bonus with the payment check. Alissa worked tirelessly while the others were at the hearing - trying to keep the team on-pace. She is a credit to your organization and I would appreciate it greatly if she received the lion's share of that bonus. That being said, the others have contributed significantly as well and in no way should my words (regarding your newest teammate) be construed to detract from my admiration and appreciation for Emily and Sam."
Mr. Reynolds nodded his head to her.
"It's always good to hear such glowing praise about our employees," he told her. "I'm hopeful that - if you discover anything - once we leave - that needs to be addressed - that you will not hesitate to call. We sincerely appreciate your business. We pride ourselves in doing our best to make sure that our customers are delighted. Happy customers tell their friends; unhappy customers tell everyone."
Mrs. Dempsey laughed.
"You are so right! Although, I think I may have a few non-friends that I will be talking to about your services. I also know that more than a couple of them have driven by - very slowly - as your team has worked. Your work speaks for itself and I'm sure you'll get a few contracts from people who would not classify themselves as my friends."
Mr. Reynolds held out his hand. Mrs. Dempsey took it and shook it.
With that, he turned and headed for the truck.
Emily sidled up to our client and offered a hug. Mrs. Dempsey grinned and hugged her. My fiancΓ©e shoved Alissa at the woman next. Alissa timidly accepted a hug as well.
"Mr. Fowler?"
"Ma'am?" I asked.
"Are you not going to offer me a hug, young man?"
"I'm a sweaty mess, ma'am," I replied.
She took two steps to arrive in front of me and opened her arms.
I did my best to hug her without touching my clothes to hers - but she was a little more aggressive than I'd expected and I was sure some of my sweat and grime transferred to her before we separated.
"Thank you for letting us spruce the place up," I told her, "and for being so accommodating with the hearing."
She stepped back, still holding her hands on my shoulders, and looked into my eyes.
"Even if Elena hadn't suggested that I could trust you three," she said, "you thoroughly demonstrated your trustworthiness with every single portion of my project. Thank you."
I looked at the girls and then looked back at her.
"It was our pleasure," I said, offering a sincere smile.
~~~
After work, we ran to Mom's house and picked up Emily's mother - so that we could start getting the rest of her stuff removed from the house. Maggie and Alissa met us at Lena's former home.
"Congratulations on adding another mother-daughter team to your growing harem," Maggie told me.
"Who?" Emily asked.
"Sheila told me that their photographer is the business manager's daughter," Maggie replied.
"Oh ...!"Emily gasped, turning to give me a wicked smile.
"Who's the other mother-daughter pair?" Alissa asked innocently.
Emily looked at her with her mouth hanging open.
"Saturday night ...?" she asked Alissa. "I thought all of those questions that you asked were because you had finally connected Sam kissing Maggie with him spending the night with my mom ...," she told the blonde.
"What?" Alissa asked, her eyes widening a little. "I thought ... Sam didn't just keep the car that night because he got back late from taking her to dinner?"
Emily laughed and shook her head.
Lena wrapped her arms around my waist, hugged me tightly, and looked at our newest landscaper.
"Not only will this handsome young man someday be my son-in-law," she told Alissa, "but - since the first time he met me - he has almost continuously done everything possible to show me that I'm not worthless. When he first saved me from David, I was almost completely mentally destroyed. My ex-husband had convinced me that I had no value - to him or to anyone else. Sam rescued me."
Alissa nodded, glancing from me to Emily and back to Lena.
"I know the feeling," she said.
"Sam stepped between me and the man who had hit me," Lena said.
"Sam hit the man who threatened me," Alissa told her.
"I was physically bruised, mentally defeated, and emotionally despondent - and Sam wrapped himself around me like a cocoon. I willingly gave myself to him - mind, body, and soul - and I have never regretted it for a moment."
She pulled Emily into our hug.
"My daughter is a naughty minx - as you likely already know," Lena told Alissa. "I've done things with these two that no mother should admit to - and I loved every second. When I'm with them, I'm a carefree teenaged girl again."
Lena let Emily and me go and opened her arms to Alissa. The girl stepped over and hugged her.
"I'm happy to hear that you're free," Alissa told Lena. "I know what it's like to feel trapped. I'm so thankful for Jazzy and Maggie and Emily and Sam."
Lena kissed her forehead.