No More Wasted Time

by Beverly Preston

  Tess slumped to the bathroom floor, clutching the bottle in her fingers. Sitting cross-legged on the cold tile, she rocked back and forth as tears streamed down her face. Her throat tightened around her painful cries.

  She looked up through wet lashes to see Tom standing in the doorway with boxes in his hands, turning whiter by the second.

  She stared up at him and then down at the cologne clasped in her hands. “I...I...I don’t know w...what to do with it.” Tess sniffled through sobs, clutching the bottle closer to her chest.

  Tom dropped the boxes and knelt in front of her. He wrapped her in his strong arms, stroking her hair as he rocked back and forth with her. When she stopped sniffling, he pulled Tess to her feet. Tom held out his hand, silently asking her to relinquish the cologne. Her fingers tightened their grip momentarily before she hesitantly set the bottle into the palm of his hand.

  Tom gently set the bottle on a silver tray alongside her perfumes. “You keep it, Tess. You hold on to anything that’s important to you.” He pulled her tight against his chest and pressed his warm lips to her temple. When she calmed down and quit shaking, he walked out to the living room, leaving her to finish.

  They loaded six boxes into the truck, dropping them off to Goodwill. When they returned, a black SUV was parked in the driveway. “I wonder who’s here?”

  “It’s ours. I bought it while you were busy. They delivered it for me.”

  Tess looked at him like he was crazy. “What? Why?”

  “We’re going to need four-wheel drive at the cabin. I figured we’d drive from Vegas to Colorado. It’s big enough so if your kids and Shayla, or any of their friends are with them, we’ll be able to go out together. And it’s a green vehicle.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  When Tom and Tess drove from Las Vegas to the cabin, they picked up Tracy and JC, who were just starting their winter break. John, Shayla and the Levi’s, all arrived the next afternoon and everyone was ready to hit the slopes.

  The picturesque, ski town was decked out for the holidays. Carolers performed in the park, wreaths adorned the light posts and white lights lit up every tree in town. Everyone took full advantage of the mountain terrain. They went skiing, snowboarding and even sledding.

  The night before Christmas Eve, after dinner, Tess and Tom gathered her kids in the living room. John, Tracy, JC and Shayla all knew they wanted to discuss something, and they all looked a bit nervous.

  JC smirked. “You’re not pregnant, Mom, are you?”

  “No! I’m not pregnant. What kind of question is that?”

  “An obvious one. Plus, I read it on the cover of a magazine at the grocery store. Apparently, you’re having twins in six months. You even have a baby bump.” John snickered patting his belly.

  Tom paced behind the couch, grinning at Tess, but probably didn’t find it funny. Her kids had no idea he couldn’t have children.

  Tom joined Tess on the couch. “Tom had a great idea of what to give all of you for Christmas,” she said.

  “Actually, we decided together,” Tom clarified, squeezing her knee.

  “We planned on giving this to you whether it was Christmas or not, the timing just worked out right. We still have gifts for you to open under the tree. This is different.”

  “You’re both acting all secretive and nervous. What is it?” JC asked.

  Tom held four envelopes in his hand. “All of you know after the wedding, we sold our story and photos. We want to give the money to the four of you. Your mom and I don’t need it and it would be a nice start for your futures.”

  They sat frozen.

  Tom held Tess' hand, “Open it! Merry Christmas.”

  Tracy was the first to say anything. “There are way too many zeros at the end of this number. This can’t be right! You made this kind of money from your wedding pictures? That’s absurd. What am I supposed to do with this?”

  Each had an account with over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in it.

  JC’s smile lit up like Christmas morning. “No freaking way! Are you serious?”

  Tears rolled down Shayla’s face through her big beautiful smile. “Are you sure? This is a lot of money. A whole lot of money. Thank you!”

  John frowned at the paperwork, shaking his head in disbelief. “I can’t accept this. This is your money, not mine.”

  “No, John, actually, it’s yours,” Tess assured.

  John jumped up out of his seat, handing the envelope back to Tom. “I appreciate the offer, man, but I can’t take this.” He trudged outside into the snow, wearing nothing but socks on his feet.

  Tess stood to follow him, but Tom said, “Do you mind if I talk to him?”

  All three of the girls hugged Tess with squeals of delight, along with a ton of questions, especially from JC. Could she buy a car? Could she quit school? Could she go to school in Europe?

  “Well, you can’t have a car at school. Hell no, you can’t quit school, JC, and yes, if you keep your grades up your first year, you could go to school in Europe. If that’s what you truly want, but you’d have to explore all of your options first.”

  “I can study my last year in Europe?” Tracy murmured softly.

  “Absolutely,” Tess said with a huge smile.

  Shayla searched out the window for Tom and John. “Do you think I should go check on them?”

  “No. They can’t stay out there too much longer. It’s freezing cold.”

  When they came back inside John held his envelope in his hand. He didn’t look thrilled when he shook Tom’s hand. He ambled over to Tess and hugged her. “Thanks, Mom. I don’t know what to say.”

  “Thanks will work just fine, John.” She kissed his cheek.

  Tracy and JC hugged Tom, nearly tackling him on the couch. Tom asked if they wanted to watch an old movie so they headed downstairs. John plopped down on the couch next to Tess.

  “John, are you okay? He, we, thought this would be a good start for all of you. I thought it was unbelievably kind of him to even offer.”

  “Mom, he explained why the two of you gave us the money. It doesn’t make it any easier for me accept.”

  “Why? It’s not like he’s trying to buy your respect or anything.”

  “He doesn’t need to buy my respect. I already respect him.” John looked her straight in the face, studying her eyes as he asked his next question. “Are you going to try and convince me that you don’t have issues with his money? The truth, Mom.”

  “Yes, I do, and I probably always will have issues regarding his money. Tom knows I don’t love him for his money. Money doesn’t matter to me. If anything, it makes me extremely uncomfortable.”

  “That’s why he knew I wasn’t going to want to take the gift. Tom thinks I’m a lot like you. Stubborn.”

  “John, you can save it for when you’re ready to have a family. You could buy a house, but truthfully, I’m not going to be home much.”

  “It’s hard for me to take this. Dad drilled into me, into all of us, you have to work hard for your money. Nothing comes free. That’s how he had to do it. That’s how you had to do it, too, Mom. Work hard, play hard. Dad’s favorite motto.”

  “If this opportunity was given to your dad and I when we were first married, do you think he would’ve turned it down? A gift, from his family the people who loved him? No. You’re a good man, John, your dad was very proud of you.”

  “Tom’s just so freaking nice. He even offered to help invest some of it.”

  She teased. “Are you complaining because he’s too nice?”

  John grinned, nudging her shoulder. “No, I’m not. I don’t think you could’ve picked a nicer man to be with. He’s fun to hang out with and I’ve had a great time skiing with him.” John paused for a moment, “You know, I really miss Dad, but when I’m around, Tom, he fills that void a little.”

  The fire crackled and popped, filling the silence that hovered heavily in the room.

  She knew that John accepted Tom, he even liked him,
but his strong words of admiration meant the world to her. “I know you miss him. We all do.” She draped her arm around him and they headed downstairs.

  It was after midnight when they finally went to bed. “What did you tell him outside to change his mind?” she asked Tom.

  “I told him I wanted him to have the money and that I wasn’t doing it with an alternative motive behind it. I don’t need to buy their love. They either like me or they don’t.” Tom paused. “Plus, I told him I wasn’t able to have my own children and that he and his sisters kind of feel like my family now. I wanted to do this for them and it means an awful lot to me that he accepted it.”

  “You told him you couldn’t have children?” She asked in hushed surprise.

  “Yes, I did. He gave me his word it was between the two of us.” He grinned. “You guys come from a different mold than anyone I know. You’re all so honest.”

  “You didn’t have to tell him. I know that’s a difficult subject for you.” She couldn’t imagine the pain he carried, never being able to have children.

  “I know, but for some reason I needed him to know.”

  She observed him quietly, knowing he had more to say. He grinned again, but the sadness he’d gotten so good at hiding from everyone else didn’t work on Tess. She waited patiently for him to open up.

  “Listening to you and your kids share family stories makes me feel like I’ve been missing something. I would’ve loved being a part of your life a long time ago.”

  “You’re a part of their lives now, Tom. My job as a parent is entirely different than it used to be. It’s easier now. I get to be myself again.” She paused, trying to put herself in his shoes. “In five, ten, twenty years from now, when we’re all here at the cabin having Christmas, they’re going to be telling family stories about you, too. I know you would’ve been a great father. But just think. In a few years, you’ll get to be a grandpa.” She chuckled.

  A smile touched his lips. He ran his hand over her tummy and kissed her stomach right above her jeans. “I would’ve liked to have had children with you.”

  She lay silent, stroking her fingers through his hair, contemplating. “Tom, if you really want a child, I’m sure there are ways we could have one. I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve never thought of having any more kids. It’s not something I truly want, but if it means that much to you, I would. We could find a way. People adopt babies all the time.”

  Tom swallowed hard, turning his typically tan cheeks ashen white.

  She uttered a soft laugh. “Or you can simply enjoy being a grandpa some day. I think it’ll be nice to be a grandma years from now. You get to give them back when they’re crying or being ornery.”

  Tom stared at her in astonishment. “So you are telling me, if I want to have a baby, you would do that for me?”

  “I really wish I could do that for you, but unfortunately my body won’t have any more babies. If you really want a child than, yes, we could find a way.” Her voice cracked and her eyes dropped away from his gaze. Regret rushed through her veins like fire. It broke Tess’ heart to know she couldn’t give him a baby.

  Tom spoke softly as he lifted her chin with his finger. “I can’t believe you’d do that for me.”

  “I love you, Tom. I’d do anything for you,” she whispered sincerely.

  He rolled over and stared at the ceiling in silence. She dozed off curled up next to him and fell asleep.

  In the middle of the night, he stirred pulling her into his embrace. “I love you so much, Tess. I don’t want to have a baby. To be honest, if you and I could make our very own baby together, I would, but I’ll be perfectly happy having grandkids someday. It means so much to me that you love me enough to offer.”

  She tucked her feet between his and snuggled closer. “I think you’re just going to have to settle for three young adults instead.”

  Christmas Eve had finally arrived. The kids snowboarded all day, Lisa and Benny ran into town to get a few last minute gifts, and Tom had helped Tess wrapped presents in her room.

  Tess wanted to make Tom’s Christmas Eve memorable. Tom waited for her when she got out of the shower.

  “I have something for you,” he said with a gift in his hand.

  “Can we put presents under the tree first?”

  “We can if you’d like,” he flirted, taking her towel. “Or we could do presents later.”

  “Let’s do presents first.” Tess slipped into her silky robe and strolled toward the door.

  Tom tossed Tess’ present on the bed. They headed downstairs to put gifts under the tree and were back upstairs after midnight.

  Tom untied her robe, holding her close, placing her hand in his. Dancing with Tom had turned into one of her favorite things. Tom swayed her slowly around the room, and Tess couldn’t contain her excitement any longer. “I have something for you, too.” She went to the closet and retrieved a wrapped box.

  “Can you wear this present for me tonight?” he questioned suggestively.

  “No, that’s hanging in the closet. This is something you’ll like even more.”

  Full of intrigue, he grinned curiously. “How much more will I like it? Are we going to use this together tonight?”

  She playfully swatted at him. “No, that is not what’s in the box. You make me feel so incredible that I haven’t had an urge to get anything like that for us. But judging by your face, you have definitely thought about it.”

  He smirked sexily. “Maybe.”

  Tess suspiciously eyed his box lying on the bed, wandering if there was a toy inside. Tom burst out laughing. “No. That’s not what I have for you. I think you should open your gift first.”

  “Please, can you open mine first?” She practically wiggled in her seat with anticipation.

  He conceded and proceeded to open her gift. “Are we going somewhere warm, Tess?”

  “Maybe!” she squealed.

  Inside the box, Tom found new swim trunks, a bikini, a bottle of Monoi oil, flip-flops and a bottle of Vodka for martinis, as well as reservations to stay at her new favorite place in Bora Bora, the private island he took her to their first night together.

  “Are we going back to Bora Bora for our honeymoon?” Tom grinned.

  His smile made her deliriously happy. She threw her arms around his neck, tackling him on the bed, rolling him over to sit on top of him. “Yes, we are! I checked with the woman on the phone and they didn’t have any reservations under your name. I figured you hadn’t made plans to go back yet. These were the only dates they had available.”

  “No, you’re right. I haven’t made any plans to go back there, yet.” Tom wore the most immense cocky smile.

  The grin on his face made her nervous. “Did you make other plans for us? I can change the dates, or we could go someplace else if you’d rather.”

  Tom couldn’t quit laughing. “No, it’s perfect. We leave in three weeks. Trust me. I can’t wait to go back.”

  “I didn’t book a flight, because I don’t know how you do that so…”

  “I’ll take care of the flight.”

  “Merry Christmas, Tom.”

  He held her gift. “Sit up for a second. Close your eyes, Tess. No peeking.” He kissed her fingers as he fastened something around her wrist.

  She squirmed and giggled with her eyes closed. He held her face kissing her softly. “You can open them now.”

  Tom clasped a beautiful silver watch with a royal blue face around her wrist. “I love it, I don’t have a watch.”

  “I know. You always check the time on your phone. There’s an inscription on the back.”

  No more wasted time.

  Tears stung her eyes as she smiled. “I really love it, Tom! No more wasted time. It’s perfect.”

  “It’s a dive watch. I know you wouldn’t care for a showy watch. I think you’ll get a lot of use out of it.” Tom paused for a moment. “I won’t waste one more day of my life without you, Tess.”

  Completely enamored by his wor
ds, tears pricked her eyes. What he didn’t know was that Tess also had a dive watch for him downstairs under the Christmas tree.

  “Merry Christmas, Tess. Did you say you have something hanging in the closet for me?”

  “Yes, I do, but I think I’ll just wear this tonight.” She held up her new watch. “I’ll save that for tomorrow night. It’s not very much, really.”

  “Oh, good, those are my favorite kind, the ones with not very much to them.” He tickled her side with his teeth and unshaven face. “Turn over.” He reached for the monoi oil. “Do you remember the first time I did this for you?”

  She became aroused instantly from the memories running through her mind. Tess squeaked, “Oh, yeah. I remember.” Goose bumps covered her back as oil drizzled down it.

  “You were wearing your blue bikini. My favorite.” His tongue traveled up the small of her back. “You had goose bumps all over your body, just like you do now. I wanted to touch you and taste you so badly that day, Tess.” Tom massaged her back, working his way up her inner thighs, getting so close, trying to tease her. Her passion accelerated thinking about their spa day in Bora Bora. “Do you want me to touch you?” He murmured.

  “Jesus, Tom. I’m not even sure if you need to touch me.” The words came out as a whisper.

  “Oh, I think I do.” He slid his fingers too close and she guided her hips to find them. Overly excited, Tess peaked instantaneously, moaning loudly. “Shhhh, Tess,” he whispered sweetly in her ear.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Tess saw the satisfied grin on Tom’s face. This just made it worse or better for her, knowing he enjoyed driving her to the edge only by touching her. Her eyes rolled back as she slowed down for just a moment, squeezing her legs around him, flipping him on his back. Staring down at him, she could see the lustfulness in his eyes as she teased him at first, taking in only his ridge.