A New Day

by Nancy Hopper

  "What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

  "There's … a huge wad of thousand dollar bills here!" Tim managed to convey.

  "I wouldn't have expected anything less from Lynda Smith. Welcome to the world of the high rollers, darling." She said sweetly.

  Tim rolled his eyes, and put the money in his wallet, which he could no longer fold, and hid it deep inside his coat's breast pocket. "Man! Thank you, Lord." He said incredulously. He gave Tasha a sly look. "Now, aren't you glad I talked you into going through with the wedding?" he reproved her as they went out to join the reception line.

  "You know that I am." She admitted. "I knew that if anyone could find a way to make it happen, it would be you. I knew you wouldn't just bend over, and I knew nobody but you had a chance of convincing Daddy. That's why I insisted on telling you, myself. Now, where are you taking me on our honeymoon?"

  "That is a surprise." He denied quickly.

  "Timothy," she objected. "How will I know what kind of clothes to take?"

  "You know darn well you'll buy more than you can stuff in your suitcases, when we get there. After all, you just married a wealthy man! And I ain't talking about the money in my pocket, either." He assured her, with a gleam in his eyes. She felt his adoration and basked in it, as he broke into a satisfied chuckle.

  She reached up and kissed him softly. "I think I'm in love with my husband." She sighed with sheer contentment.

  "Hold that thought until we get away from all these people." He asked with a grin. "That will be an excellent place for you to begin, when we are finally alone."

  When they drank their wedding toast, cameras flashed and images were made that would forever capture the sweetness of that moment. Not only was it a moment of celebration, hope and promise: for this couple, it was a moment of great victory.

  "To life." Timothy toasted as he raised his glass.

  Tasha smiled. "To our Lord." She added softly.

  Tim's answering smile expressed the satisfaction in his heart completely. "And, to us."

  Their flight didn't leave until the following day. Tim and Tasha had a lovely dinner together alone at an exclusive restaurant after the reception, and then retired to the honeymoon suite in the very hotel where they’d had the wedding.

  As they entered the suite, Tim smiled with satisfaction and locked the deadbolts securely behind him. He turned and looked at his wife with delight, and a very naughty anticipation in his eyes.

  She laughed almost nervously as he approached her, and was mortified to find herself blushing. How could she be nervous with Tim? Why now?

  She ducked her head, knowing why. Now, she would be his. Now she couldn’t run, whenever he got too close for comfort. Now, she would have to be totally vulnerable. But she wanted to. She really wanted to.

  She looked up into his passionate eyes steadily, and smiled. “Well, Timothy Rain. Look what you’ve done, you’ve gone and gotten yourself married. Are you certain that it won’t be a nuisance of a complication for you?”

  He chuckled as he linked his hands in the small of her back. “With you, Tasha, I am sure of nothing except that I want you. And now, you’re mine. I’m never, ever going to let you go, again.” He smiled down at her, and pulled her into his arms for a long, deep kiss.

  The assault continued, and didn’t abate one iota until Tasha found herself in bed, with a very ardent bridegroom in her arms. He was insistent, yet patient. He was kind, yet ravaging and impossible to dissuade.

  It was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to be with him, and have no restraints. No chaperon. No waiting. No problems.

  Tasha slowly came out of a deep slumber. She sighed deeply and her eyes flickered uneasily. It was broad daylight. She turned her head, and saw with a start that it was noon.

  Noon! She'd slept until noon! She turned her head and saw tanned, strong shoulders looming up on the other side of the bed. She smiled, and stretched in the soft, luxurious bed. Tim!

  She put her hand on her belly, and gasped in wonder. Tim was her lover. Tim had been there, all night. Tim had loved her, and loved her. He had caused her to feel such incredible things. Ecstasy! Being with Tim was ecstasy, pure and simple.

  Could she be pregnant? Already? It would be splendid. Wonderful. Yet -- so soon? Who could say? She had used no protection. It was something that they’d never bothered discussing. Yet, she felt sure that Tim wouldn’t ever mind a child. Still, she should ask. Her lover.

  The subject of her thoughts stirred, and sighed heavily. She let her nails rake lightly along his back until her fingers found the soft hairs at the nape of his neck. She let her lips taste the salty skin there. Her fingers slid down his long, muscled back, and over his lean hips with an eagerness that had been long suppressed.

  A deep, sleepy moan became a chuckle as her fingers caressed his skin with a lover's tender touch.

  “Tell me I’m not dreaming.” Tim drawled with a sigh.

  “You’re not dreaming.” she complied sweetly.

  “And -- we did get married. Didn’t we?” he asked suspiciously.

  “You know that we got married. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t be here, and you would still be a far more tense and unbearable male.” she whispered suggestively into his ear.

  He laughed. “I was all right long enough for a nap, but I’m afraid you’ve already roused every molecule in my body, again. I hope you weren’t planning to do anything much today.”

  Tasha laughed as he turned and rolled his eyes toward her, to await her answer.

  “Don’t you remember the agenda? We have a full schedule today.” she began primly.

  He sighed, and shook his head. “How many people am I going to disappoint?” he asked evenly. “We’ll write them all notes of apology whenever I get my equilibrium back.” he suggested lightly

  Tasha smiled and ran her hands up his chest, as he rolled over to collect her in his arms. “I suppose you’ve earned this.” she purred happily.

  “You had better believe it. And I intend to collect. In full.” he growled. He kissed her, and her body responded. He was perfect. Wonderful. Breathtaking. Awesome. And he was hers. All hers!

  There was a limo to take them to the airport that evening. It made Brent very nervous for them to be alone and so vulnerable, but Tim was convinced that there was no threat to Tasha’s safety, anymore. Lynda Smith had taken care of business!

  They landed in Jamaica at an ungodly hour, but of course it was a different hour in their present location, than it was at home in their own time zone. The morning sun was blazing in all her glory on the shimmering beaches of Jamaica, and it could hardly yet be called morning.

  It made no difference whatever to the honeymoon couple. They hardly noticed their surroundings, until a number of days had gone by. They were totally absorbed in one another.

  One morning, Tasha began to wonder if she shouldn’t talk to Tim about children.

  “Penny for your thoughts.” he offered softly.

  She looked up into his soft, radiant eyes full of love, and smiled. “Oh. Well, I was just thinking.” she sighed uneasily.

  “About?” he urged gently.

  “We haven’t talked much about kids, you know. I mean … more kids. I’m really sorry, Tim, we’ve just had such a whirlwind kind of relationship that I never got around to it.”

  He raised his eyebrows, and shrugged. “I’m in no hurry. I’d be satisfied with Naomi and Lucas; if that’s the way you want it. I would prefer it though, that you not do anything to jeopardize your health, if you want to use birth control.”

  Tasha grew a bit pale. “So you’d rather not? Or you want to wait?”

  He gave her a lazy smile. “I didn’t say that, at all. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to have a dozen kids in a row. Starting now. But I’m not the one who has to have them.”

  Tasha laughed incredulously. “Oh, my.” she gasped. “Well, that answers my question.” she said faintly.

  He gave her a measuring look
. “How do you feel about it?”

  She blushed. “Well, I … I would really like to have at least one with you. Maybe two or three.” she hedged cautiously.

  He grinned. “Then we’d better get busy.” he suggested. “Or have been sabotaging my efforts?” he asked with narrowed eyes.

  She laughed and shook her head. “No. No, I’ve done nothing to prevent it. That’s why I wanted to ask you, right away. But then, it may already be far too late.” she hazarded, raising an eyebrow into a delicate arch.

  Tim considered the possibility with obvious relish. “Wouldn’t that be just too bad?” he said with satisfaction.

  They called Brent, who was worried despite Tim’s assurance that everything was fine. They spent a good deal of time in their room, on the beach, and in the water. That’s all, for two full weeks.

  Brent met their returning plane at the airport with Elaine on his arm, and then those two were married that very evening in a quiet ceremony with only Tim, Tasha and the children in attendance. It was special, and sweet. Quiet and intimate. It was just what Elaine wanted.

  They flew out to Greece for their honeymoon that evening, and so Tim, Tasha, Naomi and Lucas found themselves alone in their home – but for Lucinda – for the first time.

  With a fire roaring in the fireplace, they entertained Tim’s parents, Dana and James for a few hours. Then, they were alone.

  Tim joined Tasha in Naomi’s room as Tasha was tucking her in. “Hey. How do you like your room? Has it been all right?” Tim asked lightly, crouching by the new, white canopy bed.

  “Yeah.” Naomi agreed hesitantly.

  “Is there anything that would make it better?” Tim prodded with a teasing smile.

  Naomi sighed. “You and Mommy.” she answered gravely.

  Tim raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. That’s a tall order.” he growled, scratching his head thoughtfully. “Are you telling me it’s kind of scary?”

  “Well, kind of.” Naomi admitted uneasily. "I'm not quite used to it, yet."

  Tim grinned. “If you come to bed with us for fifteen minutes, will it make the scariness go away?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” Naomi hedged.

  “Let’s try it. But then, you’re going to have to come back in here, and go to sleep in your own bed. Because if you aren’t ready to go to sleep in a bed by yourself, in a room all your own, then I'd be afraid to try you on that pretty pony out in the barn.” he warned worriedly.

  “Oh.” Naomi answered thoughtfully.

  “I think you’re a big enough girl to handle this stuff, but we’ll have to see, won’t we?” Tim asked with a steady eye.

  “I think I can, if I can just come in for a bit.” Naomi answered carefully.

  “Me, too.” Lucas added from the doorway. Standing there in his sleepers, he was so cute that Tim and Tasha simply couldn’t hold their smiles. He was holding a stuffed pony that they’d brought him home from Jamaica, and had a cowboy hat on his tawny head.

  “Okay, then. Let’s go.” Tim challenged.

  They all went into the master bedroom, excitement bubbling up all around them. Tim went into the dressing room to change, while Tasha settled them in the bed. Tim crawled in with them, wearing a pair of pajama bottoms, and the children clambered eagerly over him until they were nestled in his arms. Then Tasha went in to change, and came out in cozy flannel.

  They had a really enjoyable time together, and when little eyes began to slide shut and little heads began to nod, Tasha took them off to their beds without a fuss.

  It was an easy trick to tuck them in, and kiss them goodnight. She held their little hands tenderly as they drifted away, their thoughts on their new home in Wyoming and the ponies that were rumored to be waiting for them in the barn.

  Tasha, Naomi and Lucas found life in their new home to be quite pleasing. Tim was agreeable and fun to be around, and he was warm and generous with them. The children grew robust and happy, as life on the ranch molded them into little cowpokes who loved the outdoors.

  They also skied together quite frequently; and that, if nothing else, was familiar. The children soon discovered that having Tim as a step-father was not going to diminish their relationship with their mother, and that was a great relief.

  Lucinda was as happy as a clam, too. She had a fine room to herself, and she loved her family without reservation. She’d been praying for this, since the first time she’d seen Tim Rain’s handsome face. And, it was very good for Miss Tasha. Very good, indeed.

  Tim’s next speaking engagement was in Houston, Texas. He wanted Tasha with him, and so she nervously agreed to go. He smiled at her nervousness, and chided her gently. “I know for a fact that you can do conferences. That’s the way we started, remember?”

  “Oh, I remember.” she agreed dryly.

  Still, she was very hesitant to attend with him, given all their recent publicity. What would people say? What would they think of her? Would they still treat Tim with the respect he deserved? This would be the true test.

  Tim did not seem to share her fears. He was as chipper and confident as ever.

  They were met at the airport by a smiling man who hugged Tim soundly, and treated Tasha with polite deference.

  No one mentioned anything about their fiasco with the press. Only congratulations and wishes for their happiness were spoken.

  Tasha was aware of the peoples’ intense scrutiny as they entered the conference hall, but Tim held her, and she held her head up.

  When the time came for him to speak, she looked up at him on that stage, with tears brimming in her eyes. She was thankful, and happy, and so proud of him!

  Tim looked at her, and grinned. He gave her a wink; and then closed his eyes to pray to the Father of Lights, who steadfastly sees His children through all things.

  ****************

  It seems that when it rains, it pours; life can never just 'let us be'. Some of the challenges that life throws our way are so difficult and painful, they seem insurmountable. Losing a loved one to cancer is a prime example.

  The victim exists in constant, excruciating pain. You watch in dread and disbelief as they waste away before your eyes, progressively losing bodily function, strength, cognition and hope. Finally, all involved are simply waiting for the end to come – and even wishing for it, so that the loved one can be freed from their agony. And yet, another part of you, deep inside, is screaming, “No! This cannot be happening to us! Not to this dear one! Please, God, make this go away so that we can be happy again! Please make everything all right again!”

  We are never prepared for the really big challenges of life – ones such as this. Yet, we will all go through them, and we will survive. We will all experience the loss of loved ones. We will all be badly hurt by others. We will all at some time, take blows that undermine our faith in ourselves, and God -- experiences that hurt so deeply that they challenge our very beliefs. Life is like that. We have to keep on striving, to get through such times and come out sane on the other side.

  The only way we ever truly lose, is if we don't get up again after we fall. We must continue to walk on through life, as best we can; no matter what comes to us. When we keep trying, we cannot be defeated – we will eventually find our way. And on this path, we will find joy, in the morning. Surviving painful challenges and meeting them squarely, brings forth good fruit of strength and character.

  Losing my father to cancer was devastating. Caring for him to his final day was both a blessing and a difficult experience. I know that in my future, I will face such hard things again. Right now, I'm not ready to walk through the challenges that I know my 'golden years'

  will bring. What I do know, is that in my weakness, God is strong; and He will help me come through the trials that lie ahead.

  When one can accept what is happening, one can find peace. There are situations in life where we must fight with our dying breath; and others where we must accept the most painful things imaginable. True wisdom is knowing the difference; and acti
ng accordingly. Sometimes, that takes practice.

  With Much Love, Nancy

  nancy@idahopics.com

  Other titles by Nancy Hopper:

  “Against All Odds” Link:

  http://www.amazon.com/Against-All-Odds-ebook/dp/B00A7MPYIY

  “My Heart Won't Say Goodbye” Link:

  http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Wont-Say-Goodbye-ebook/dp/B00ADDA1UI

  “Follow Your Heart” Link:

  http://www.amazon.com/Follow-Your-Heart-ebook/dp/B00BKA5V80

  “Always Tried and Proven” Link:

  http://www.amazon.com/Always-Tried-and-Proven-ebook/dp/B00C551WPU

  “A Walk In the Wilderness” Link:

  http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Wilderness-ebook/dp/B00DRNF1BU

  If you enjoyed this book, please take the time to leave a brief review at Amazon Kindle. Thank you!