by ANDREA SMITH
"Whatever Gina," I commented shaking my head.
Jean was coming over Christmas Eve to stay with Preston while Trey and I attended the grand opening of Tristan and Gina's club.
I had just enjoyed a luxurious bubble bath while Preston napped. Trey was finishing up some work in his study where the baby slept.
I got into a clean pair of pj's and went down the hall to check on Preston and Trey. The baby was sleeping soundly her Santa Claus clutched in one hand, her other hand was up to her face where she had fallen asleep sucking on her thumb. I tucked her blanket around her.
Trey was busy on his laptop typing something back on an email. I went behind his chair and leaned over embracing him from behind.
"Whatcha doing Trey?"
"Hey sweetie," he said turning to give me a peck on the cheek.
"I'm almost done for the night. How about you and meeting in our bed in about thirty?"
"What can I say Mr. Sinclair? You are so fucking romantic," I teased.
I went back to our room and climbed into bed enjoying the feel of the freshly changed sheets. I switched the flat screen on and before I knew it I had dozed off.
I was awakened some time later when Trey crawled into bed next to me, drawing me into his warm embrace.
We had just started getting down to it when our play was interrupted by loud voices coming from the guest room. Tristan and Gina had come home. They were arguing about something.
Trey stopped what he was doing to me at the moment which had been feeling really great as their voices got louder. We both sat up straining to hear what was taking place. I was hoping they didn't wake the baby in the room next to theirs.
"I'm sorry Tristan," Gina shouted, "It just seemed to me as if you spent an inordinate amount of time training Amy. It's obvious to me that she is totally crushing on you. You seem to enjoy that."
"What the fuck are you talking about Gina? I didn't spend any more time training her in the restaurant than I did the male waiters. What the hell is really going on? Are you premenstrual or something?"
"Oh yeah - a typical guy thing to say when a female calls them out on something. Don't cloud the issue Tristan!"
"Gina," Tristan pleaded, "I swear to you on all that is precious to me that I don't feel a damn thing for Amy. I'm all about you babe. Can't you see that?"
"Oh Tristan," Gina whined, "Why in the world do you put up with my shit?"
"You know why baby. I love you."
"I love you too Tristan," she wailed.
"Jesus Christ," Trey grumbled, "I fucking knew that she somehow would wheedle her way into the family."
"Trey," I said, "I think it is very romantic."
"You would," he griped.
I crawled onto his lap and started kissing him very passionately. We were just to the point where things were progressing nicely when we heard the banging of the headboard against the wall in the guest room.
"Holy shit," Trey snarled.
"I guess we're going to need to move that bed to the fucking center of the room the way that those two go at it."
"Trey," I pleaded, "Put those two out of your mind. It's just you and me right now. I want you to make love to me."
"You're right baby," he said softly, pressing me down against the mattress and kissing me passionately. His hands roamed over me in all of the right places. My body responded to his touch like always. His lips traveled downward to my sex. His expert ministrations with his tongue brought me to my foreplay orgasm.
"My turn baby," he moaned laying back.
Just as I took his manhood into my grasp, we both heard Preston crying from her room.
"Jesus Christ - want to guess what woke her up?" Trey snapped, leaping from our bed and pulling his pj bottoms up.
He opened our door and went down the hallway coming back with Preston in his arms. I had quickly thrown my pajama bottoms on while he was gone. He handed her to me and I turned my nightstand light on.
She had soiled her diaper so I asked Trey to bring me a fresh one and some baby wipes. I got her cleaned up and changed pulling her pajama bottoms back up.
She smiled at me showing me her eye teeth.
"Hey pretty girl," I cooed to her.
"Two more days until Santa visits here bringing Preston all kinds of presents cause she has been a good girl this year."
She put her fist up to her mouth giggling.
"What does Preston want Santa to bring to her?"
She rolled onto her stomach and crawled closer to me repeating "num-num" over and over again. She had gotten a view of my still bare breasts.
"I think that mommy can accommodate that," I replied laughing.
I settled back on my side with my head propped up on my arm. She crawled over and snuggled up beside me and gently began nursing. Trey came out of the bathroom just then spotting her cuddled up against me.
"Well it looks like everyone is getting theirs tonight but me," he complained, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Don't pout honey," I chided him.
"Santa doesn't like that."
"Ho ho ho," he replied getting into the bed with us.
CHAPTER 48
Trey and I were getting ready for opening night at the club. We had dinner reservations for the first seating. Gina and Tristan had been at the club since noon. They were both in panic mode. It was cute to watch them interact.
I was nearly finished dressing. I was wearing a ruby red velvet dress with long sleeves and a plunging neckline. The dress hugged my curves and was gathered at the hip making the hemline raised on both sides. I wore 3" black velvet pumps.
Trey looked exquisite in his tailored black suit. He wore the sapphire blue tie that I had bought for him last Christmas.
He came up behind me in the bathroom as I was putting the finishing touches on my hair and make-up. His arms encircled me; his hands massaged my breasts.
"You are fairly spilling out of that dress baby," he whispered to me.
His lips kissed the back of my neck giving me goose bumps.
"I doubt if Preston will let you get past her."
"Oh Trey - you are silly," I laughed.
He got our coats for us, helping me on with mine as Jean was changing Preston's diaper in the living room.
"Don't you two look very handsome this evening," she said as Trey and I prepared to leave.
"Thank you Jean," I replied.
"We won't be too late tonight."
"Stay out just as long as you like. I haven't had enough time lately with this little one. I'm going to read her some Christmas stories by the tree."
Preston was now sitting on her lap totally content to be left with Jean. I kissed her on the cheek reminding her to be good girl.
When Trey and I got to the club we were impressed with the new signage outside.
The name 'Tristan's' was done in neon lighting in cursive style very elegantly; the rest of the sign that read 'Shady Lady Saloon & Restaurant' was done in plain printed neon lighting. Various other signs adorned the outside front façade with spotlights shining on them. One said 'Winery'; another read 'Gourmet Dining'; 'Weekend Music'. It was tastefully done and I noticed that the landscaping had been re-done professionally giving the building a more elite appearance.
We entered the club and headed toward the neon light over the double glass doors that read "Tristan's." Trey gave our name to the maître de and we were escorted to our table. The dining room had soft lighting and classical music played softly in the background. A Christmas tree with white twinkle lights was in the corner. All of the tables had red linen tablecloths. The linen napkins were all green. It had a warm holiday to feel to it.
Trey ordered a bottle of Tristan's signature wine from the Bristol winery. It was a dark red Cabernet. It was smooth and crisp. I enjoyed a couple of glasses. We ordered braised beef loin for our entre. Everything was delicious. So far we hadn't seen Tristan or Gina.
When the waiter brought us the check Trey inquired as to Tristan's wher
eabouts. The waiter said that Tristan was working the upstairs bar with Gina. There was a wedding reception earlier in the day and apparently some of the guests had stayed to party.
Trey and I headed upstairs. Tristan had the contractors remove the alcove that had been up there so it was now much more open. There were two bars now; one on each end of the mezzanine. Tristan and Gina were working the busier end of the mezzanine and Eddie was working the other bar.
Trey and I found two empty bar stools at the bar that Gina and Tristan were working. Tristan hadn't spotted us yet. He looked very elegant in his black tuxedo.
Gina had on a tight black velvet skirt with a white satin blouse under a black velvet vest. She had added a red velvet bow tie that looked very festive. She saw us immediately.
"Hey you two," she greeted us.
"How was dinner?"
"It was fantastic," I said.
"Great job, both of you."
Gina beamed and touched Tristan's arm to get his attention. He smiled when he saw us making his way over to Trey. I noticed he patted Gina's behind as he went past her.
Trey and Tristan were discussing the restaurant and winery. I turned my attention to Gina.
"So," I said leaning over the bar so that only she could hear me.
"Kinda heard Tristan's declaration of love last night, followed by the banging of the headboard."
Gina blushed and looked over quickly to make sure that Tristan was not listening.
"I know. It shocked the hell out of me," she whispered.
"I mean I knew that I loved him but I wasn't about to say it first."
"Gina then why all the shit about it not being serious and you are not going to be his 'bridge bitch' when you really were serious about him?"
"I don't know Ty - maybe I was afraid that it was just too good to be true. I mean think about it. Do I have any business falling in love so soon after the heartbreak of my divorce?"
"Gina someone recently told me something that makes sense: the heart wants what the heart wants. It's that simple."
"Yeah?" she said, "I guess that is a good way of looking at it. Uh-oh."
"What uh-oh?" I asked turning to see what she had seen.
"I think it's about to get complicated," Gina commented.
Ian had just come up the stairs to the mezzanine. He was looking around as if seeing the place for the first time. In a way he was since there had been plenty of changes.
"What's he doing here?" she said more to herself than anyone else.
"Have you seen him since the divorce?" I asked.
"Not really - but Eddie told me the other day that he split with Shelly."
"Who?"
"The skank."
Ian weaved through the crowded tables after spotting Gina behind the bar. I felt uncomfortable even acknowledging him after what he had done to her so I turned my attention back to Trey and Tristan. They were still talking unaware of the fact that Gina's ex was on his way over.
My ears were clearly tuned in to Ian's conversation with Gina.
"Hey Giner," he said in his once-charming British accent as he stood beside me at the bar.
"The place looks fantastic. I had heard you opened a restaurant for weekday dining."
"What are you doing here Ian?"
"What? I'm not permitted inside the club that I once owned? I'm a patron tonight love. My money's good here, yeah?"
"What can I get you then?"
"How about 'Sex on the Beach?"
Gina turned away to make his drink. Tristan had gone to wait on another customer and Trey finally turned to look at me. I was using my eyes to signal Trey to look behind me. I did this several times but he was clueless.
"Are you alright sweetie?"
I glared at him then finally lip synced for him to look past me. He finally got the message.
"Hey Ian," Trey greeted him, "Merry Christmas."
I could not believe that Trey was being friendly to that cheating scumbag.
"Trey - great seeing you mate," he responded cheerfully.
"Good evening Tylar."
"Hello Ian," I said very coldly not bothering to look his way.
Gina returned at that point with his drink and placed it before him. I turned my attention to Trey again leaning in to whisper to him.
"How in the hell can you be nice to that cheating bastard?"
"That is between them," Trey whispered back.
"I prefer to stay neutral."
I tuned Trey out and tuned Gina and Ian back in.
"What say you and me get together and talk later or maybe tomorrow," Ian was saying.
"I don't think so Ian."
"Ahh come on love. I was wrong. I am pleading temporary insanity for what I've done. I still love you Giner, it's always been you."
(Holy shit! This was going to get good.)
"The thing is - I don't love you anymore Ian. I love someone else."
"What the fuck? You say you have moved on already? Our divorce was just final a couple of weeks ago for Chrissake!"
Their voices were getting a bit louder and out of my peripheral vision I saw Tristan look over from the other side of the bar where he was waiting on customers.
"Why is that so fucking hard for you to believe Ian? You were the one that moved on before we had even filed for divorce."
"I can't accept that Giner. That's just a rebound relationship you've dived into for the moment. It won't last. You will be back eventually."
Gina shrugged as if she was totally unaffected by his words.
"You can think whatever you want Ian but I won't be back. I'm happier now than I have ever been."
Ian was pissed immediately.
He rose up over the bar and grabbed her arm pulling her toward him.
"I won't let you go," he hissed.
"You're trying to hurt me back, I get that. I know that you still care about me."
Ian's mistake was touching Gina. Tristan was instantly at her side; his green eyes were flashing daggers at Ian.
"Get your hands off of her now," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"Yeah? What's it to you mate?"
"She's mine," Tristan said plainly not taking his eyes off of Ian.
Ian released his grip on Gina's arm. She immediately retreated closer to Tristan who pulled her against him. Ian was looking back and forth between them.
"You are mine, right?" Tristan asked Gina softly, staring down at her.
She nodded and smiled up at him. The love between them was obvious. Ian had to be a total idiot if he didn't see it.
Tristan lowered his face to Gina's; she laced her arms around his neck as they kissed playfully and passionately.
I looked over at Ian and saw the pain in his eyes. He pulled a twenty dollar bill from his wallet and tossed it on the bar as he made a hasty exit.
Trey and I left shortly thereafter.
When we returned home Trey and I gave Jean her Christmas bonus. It was a check for $2500. She teared up telling us how much she appreciated our generosity.
She said she had left a present for Preston under the tree.
As Jean was getting her coat on she mentioned that a courier had dropped off a package earlier in the evening and that she had signed for it. She had placed it over in the corner. I looked at the return address. It was from my father.
While Trey drove Jean home I showered and got into my silk pajamas. I tiptoed into Preston's room to check on her. She was sleeping soundly in her Christmas elf pajamas. She had her 'Ho-Ho' Santa clutched in her arms.
When Trey got back we took all of the wrapped presents from our closets and put them under the tree. I saw the box that had arrived from my father.
"Go ahead and open it Tylar," Trey said, chuckling. "You know you are dying to see what's in the box."
I hoped my dad had not gone all extravagant on us for Christmas. I had sent him a framed family portrait of the three of us we had commissioned shortly after Thanksgiving.
I g
ot a knife from the kitchen to cut through the packing tape and opened the cardboard box. Inside there were three wrapped presents; one for each of us. On mine, there was an envelope attached with my name handwritten on it.
Trey had put the fireplace on and had poured us each a glass of wine. He had changed into his pajama bottoms and tee-shirt. We were sitting on the floor in front of our beautiful Christmas tree.
"Aren't you going to open it?"
"You open yours first Trey."
Trey's box was slim and fairly flat.
"I bet it's a tie," he said tearing the paper off of the box and lifting the lid.
He lifted out a folded pack of papers. He began skimming through them.
"Holy shit - this is great. The panel decided in my favor on my Motion to Consolidate."
"Let me see," I said, leaning over to look.
My father had put a handwritten note to Trey on it that read:
"Though I recused myself from the decision process, I did expedite the panel to reach a decision. Merry Christmas counselor!"
"Well congratulations, Trey," I said.
I opened the envelope that was attached to the wrapped box. It was a note from my father.
"My darling Tylar. I am pleased to give you a gift from your mother. Please find enclosed those items that the D.A. released from the metal box as not being designated as evidence. I hope this makes your Christmas very special."
I unwrapped the box and took a thick manila envelope out of the box. The envelope contained pictures of me as a baby. She had marked each one with the date and my age at the time. There were several of me and her together.
In one of the pictures I was on her lap with my arms around her protectively. I looked to be about 5 or 6 months old at the time.
She had enclosed her senior picture from high school. My God, she looked like Jennifer Aniston's twin! My baby bracelet from the hospital was in there along with a letter addressed to me.
Trey had scooted over beside me; he had an arm around me. The envelope had been opened then taped back shut.
"Sweetie, the detectives had to open that to see if there was anything that could be used as evidence."