Page 18 of Tempting Tessa

“I have always enjoyed helping people. I also love babies, so it is the perfect job for me! I get to help the moms and then get lots of baby snuggles once they are born!”

“Do you still want more kids?”

“I always thought I would have at least 2 kids, Matt and I were trying to get pregnant when he died. Since then, I haven’t really thought about it, as you are the only man I have been willing to date. Caroline and one of my sisters-in-law both set me up on dates a few years ago, but the dates didn’t end very well. I just wasn’t past all my grief from losing Matt and ready to move on. I also held a lot of guilt that I was moving on from him. It took me a long time to move my wedding ring to my right hand. But I finally realized that had the tables been turned, I would have wanted him to move on and find someone new to fall in love with.” I pause letting everything I just said sink in. “What about you, do you want kids?”

“I always figured I would settle down, get married and then have kids. I was in one serious relationship but being deployed was hard on the relationship and we ended things. Then on my second deployment I was injured and dating hasn’t been a priority until now. I was dealing with my recovery and being in and out of the hospital all the time, additional surgeries, rehab etc. Add to that the PTSD that I have worked through, I was a mess for a few years after returning.”

“That is a lot to overcome. I’m happy that you survived through all of that,” I say as I sit up some, noticing that Ty is running toward us.

“I’m starving, can I eat now?” he asks when he reaches us.

“Yep, sit down and I will get it out for you,” I tell him as I reach into the cooler and pull out his sandwich and apple slices. “Grams also packed you a juice box or a water bottle. What would you prefer?”

“Can I have the juice, please, Mom?”

“Yep, did you have fun playing?” I ask him as he starts eating his lunch.

“Yes!” he replies ecstatically. “Can I play some more after I'm done eating?” he asks, pulling out the puppy dog eyes.

“Probably for a little while longer. We need to get home early enough to get laundry going and make dinner. And you have pre-school tomorrow so you need to get to bed on time tonight. Are you excited for your last week of pre-school?”

“Yes, but I’m going to miss Ms. Rachel,” he says with a sad face.

“I know, buddy. She has been an awesome teacher this year, but I’m sure that you’ll love your kindergarten teacher in the fall,” I tell him, trying to cheer him up.

Ty finishes his lunch and runs back out to play. Jake and I just fall into an easy silence enjoying the nice weather. I am still leaning on him with his arms wrapped around me and it just feels so damn right.

“What is your work schedule like this week? How is your big job going?” I ask as I turn so I can see him better, but still be wrapped in his arms.

“Things for me in the office have slowed down as far as estimates go, since we are fully booked for the rest of the building season. I now just focus on keeping all the paperwork flowing for this commercial job. A lot goes into this type of large build, so making sure all the different sub-contractors are on the same page can be a nightmare sometimes. Thankfully, we haven’t had any major setbacks and we are still on schedule,” he replies as he reaches up to swipe some hair out of my face and tuck it behind my ear. The feel of his fingertips along the sensitive skin behind my ear and on my neck causes goose bumps to pop up where he touched.

“That sounds stressful, but it sounds like it’s helping that you are still on schedule,” I reply as I try and shake the shiver that is now making its way down my back from his touch.

“Yes, staying on schedule helps a lot. Big jobs like this can easily be off schedule from one thing and then we need to make up the time somewhere else. It just ebbs and flows,” he tells me as I start moving so I can stand up.

“I’m going to go let Ty know that he only has 5 more minutes to play. I need to get home to get some laundry done. I’ll be right back.” I go and find Ty and he’s actually just about to come back over to us as he’s worn out. Jake had folded up the blanket and picked up everything else we had out, so we all head to his truck.

“Mom, can we have spaghetti for dinner?”

“I think we can make that happen,” I tell him. No surprise there, as that is his favorite meal.

“Jake, do you like spaghetti? It’s my favorite! Can you have spaghetti with us?” Ty asks him.

Jake looks at me for clarification and I just nod my head yes and give him a small smile.

“That sounds great, Ty. I love spaghetti and would love to try your momma’s!” he says to Ty while shooting me a wink.

This man and his flirty personality.

“Mom, can I watch a movie when we get home?” Ty asks when we get into the truck.

“That sounds like a good plan, I need to do laundry. So maybe once we are home you and Jake can pick out a movie and then I will join you once I have the laundry started.”

We make our way back to my house and I get the stuff out to make dinner. I then head up to start the first load, and make my way down to find Ty and Jake watching a movie. I grab the throw blanket and curl up on the couch next to Jake. Ty moves so he is curled up on my other side. It would have made the perfect picture of the three of us. I realize I need to have a talk with Ty tonight once Jake leaves and explain to him about our relationship the best I can to a 6 year old.

The movie ends and I get up to go do more laundry and start dinner. Jake comes in and asks if he can help with anything and I have him and Ty set the table. Ty goes to play with his Legos until the food is ready and Jake comes back in to be with me while I finish up cooking.

“It smells amazing in here,” he says as he wraps his arms around me and leans down to kiss me. I lift up on my toes to meet him. His kisses are always so full of determination and passion and I can’t get enough of them or him. It’s like this man is a drug and I just keep coming back for more. The timer goes off so I leave Jake’s arms and get dinner off the stove and we get it to the table.

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