Marriage is bliss

16.9 Mae Schnautz

Autumn 1997, Oasis Springs junior high school track field

The sports event of Oasis Springs junior high school slowly came to an end. Mae had really enjoyed being on the parent's side this time, and watch Mariella win the sprint races.

"You did great, Marie!", she heard Herbert praising his daughter. "I'm proud of you!"

Mae was proud of her little girl, too.

"You should! I won!", Mariella said, cheeky as always.

Mae chuckled when she returned to them.

"Here kids, I got you some drinks!", she said, handing two glasses of fresh lemonade to her daughter and Fernandez, Mariella's best friend.

"Thank you!", the boy said politely to her.

"Fernandez, you should join a sports club too!", Herbert said. He seemed puzzled that a boy his age didn't want to join any.

"Uh... I'd rather not, Mr. Schnautz", Mariella's friend replied hesitantly.

"He's in the music club!", Mariella started to explain. "Actually he's really good on the guitar", she added.

Must be inherited, Mae thought. Fernandez was Alejandro Gonzales' son.

The one from Deep Rift.

The one Linda used to date once.

Again, this place was small.

Mae wondered if he also inherited the affinity for cheating.

She examined him carefully. 

Nah.

He looked more like the average nerd than a Mini-Casanova.

"Marie, let's go to the music room! I have to show you a new song", he said to her daughter.

"I tried to write something, but you have to keep it a secret!", he tried to whisper, but Mae had good ears.

"Awww, yes!", the girl's eyes lit up.

"They are so cute, and so full of energy!", Herbert swooned.

"Yeah...", Mae admitted, watching them leave.

In a sudden approach of exuberance, she added, "Do you think they're dating?"

She loved to mock her husband sometimes.

And it wasn't even unlikely.

The kids were thirteen already.

As expected, Herbert flipped. "What... no!", he cried out. "They're still innocent little children!"

Mae had to laugh.

Having a family was so much fun.