Tuck Everlasting - A Mae and Jesse Tuck Story.
tuck everlasting month 2020, day 11
Summary: “Jesse, do you have the sugar?” Mae started on making a second pie; one Miles, Rose, and their tiny Thomas could take home with them at the end of the day, after finishing up in town and having dinner with the rest of them.
The small cottage in the wood was full of light and sound, laughter emerging from the open window, the smell of a baking pie wafting outwards along with it. Joy was no stranger to the Tucks, in those days, and the smells and sights were not uncommon. For the past four years, the most pure form of joy had descended upon the family. In that time, Jesse had found his calling in life, Miles had married, Angus had strengthened relationships with his family and the nearby town, and Mae had become a doting grandmother.
All was perfect and beyond compare.
“Jesse, do you have the sugar?” Mae started on making a second pie; one Miles, Rose, and their tiny Thomas could take home with them at the end of the day, after finishing up in town and having dinner with the rest of them.
Jesse didn’t respond, and Mae could hear hushed, childish laughter behind her.
More laughter. Mae turned around to see Jesse holding a two year old Thomas, the little boy licking sugar off of his tiny hands. When they saw Mae staring, both of their eyes went wide. Thomas made an endearing sound of shock and lowered his hands.
“You are a terrible influence, Jesse Tuck.”
“But you love me, Ma.” Jesse said, a smile growing on his face. Mae couldn’t help but grin at her cheeky son and Thomas looked at them both with big, brown eyes.
“Put the sugar in the pan—” Mae crossed the small kitchen, grabbing Thomas from Jesse’s hands “—I will take care of this one.”
Thomas, forever affectionate, hugged Mae as she held him in her arms. “Sorry,” he mumbled into her dress, his words still babble-like, but his comprehension and vocabulary growing with everyday.
Mae shook her head, love for the boy warming her heart. “It’s okay, Thomas. You just wanted some sugar, huh?” The little boy nodded and Mae pushed his dark hair off of his brow, trying in vain to fix his messy, curly locks. “I’m gonna put you down, now, my little duckling. It’s almost time for the first pie to be done.”
Thomas clapped his chubby hands and mumbled an “okay” as Mae set him down on the kitchen floor. Keeping an eye on her grandchild, she went over to where Jesse was mixing the filling, peeking over his shoulder to make sure he had the proper measurements.
“Maybe just a pinch more sugar, Jesse.”
“You always say that,” Jesse teased, looking at his mother, “and then it’s too sweet for Miles.”
“You’d know better than I would,” Mae relented, one hand going to pat Thomas’ head, who had just grabbed onto the back of her skirts, trying to see what the grown ups were talking about. Mae looked down at Thomas, smiling sweetly, “You’re father thinks my pies are too sweet. But you seem to like extra sugar!”
“Uncle Jesse thinks Miles is crazy.” Jesse put down the spoon he was using to mix the pie filling and crouched down to Thomas’ height, tickling him in the ribs. The two boys laughed and Mae rolled her eyes, taking the filling and spooning it into the crust she had already prepared.
“You’re more like your brother than you think, Jesse.”
“So, one day I’ll be old and hate pie, too?”
“Well,” Mae sighed, “one day you’ll grow up and have kids of your own. Then you’ll leave the extra sugar to them.”
Jesse looked at baby Thomas, who was playing with Jesse’s shoelaces and tugging on his pant leg. Thomas smiled and Jesse bopped him on the nose. “Nah”—he shook his head, his smile suddenly wistful—“I don’t think so. But I’ll be the best uncle that ever lived.”
He scooped up Thomas in his arms and lifted him high into the air, both of them laughing, their sounds of joy echoing through the house and escaping out the window, calling to the rest of the wood.