Take Me, Tom Pt. 18-20 by Boo96,Boo96

“Love you,” I said, not whispering.

I put the phone in my pocket and walked into the kitchen to check out any looming disaster areas. Surprisingly, there were none. Tom had galvanized the troops perfectly. Chloe had set the table outside. David was pouring juices and helping Tom flip pancakes.

Tom finally looked at what I was wearing and broke out in a broad grin. I recognized that glint in his eye.

“What? Me?” I mouthed, and winked at him.

I could see him mouth the word, “Bitch,” and smile.

I love my life, I thought.

I walked over to Tom, at the stove, and wrapped my arms around his waist. “How’s it going, buster?”

“How does it smell?” he said, turning his head and kissing me on the lips. Chastely, but a kiss nonetheless. “We’re doing a great job, aren’t we?” Tom asked the kids.

I hugged him tighter then let go, going over to help Chloe. “We’ll have an extra one so make plenty, Tom…I mean, Uncle Tom,” I blurted out, then kicked myself. Again. “Aunt Emily is on her way, kids!” I told the kids, smiling.

“Goody!” they both yelped. “I haven’t seen her forever,” Chloe said.

“Well, she misses you both so thought she would come over for breakfast and spend the day with us. Is that fine?” I asked the kids, but also looked at Tom’s for his reaction.

Tom turned towards me whilst multitasking the breakfast, and smiled at me. I walked over to him, and leaning on him, quietly said, “Thank you, Tom.” He only smiled and kissed me again.

I slapped his bum and continued with my supervising breakfast. This felt good, if not unusual. I had nothing to do!

The kids gobbled down Uncle Tom’s pancakes, telling me, in no uncertain terms, that his were better than mine. It was his turn to poke his tongue out at me.

We were still eating when the doorbell rang.

“That must be, Em,” I said. The kids were excited, so I let them open the door for her. There was a cacophony of laughter, loud voices and little shrieks. David and Chloe escorted her into the kitchen, one hand on each of hers.

“Aunty Em is here,” Chloe giggled.

“I can see, sweetheart!” I replied. I rose from my chair and embraced her, holding her close and hoping she wouldn’t start sobbing. She held my head in her soft hands and kissed me. It was only a quick kiss, but even so. “I’m so glad you’re here, Em. This is where you belong. Now, sit! Tom? Pancakes!” I laughed.

Tom stood up, and with hesitation, walked over to Em, slowly embracing her and holding her tight. They held each other longer than we had, her head resting on his shoulder. Em lifted her head and sweetly kissed Tom on the lips. It was so tender and precious.

“Go. Sit. Blueberry pancakes?” he asked.

“Yes! Please! Thank you, Chrissie. And you, Tom,” she sighed, as I saw her visibly relax.

“Are you sure Chrissie didn’t make these?” Em asked him. “They’re delicious!”

“Behave, Em,” I told her. “You upset the chef and you’re in trouble!”

“Oops,” she laughed. “They’re great, Tom. Thank you.”

The five of us laughed, talked and had a wonderful breakfast, although it was quickly turning into brunch. The sun was up and a lovely breeze in the garden settled all of us.

“Tell you what, you guys feel like heading to the lake? You guys up for that? It will give Emily and you a chance to catch up. I’ll take care of the kids, okay” Tom asked me. “When we get back, I’ll throw some fish or whatever we have on the barbeque?”

I turned to my friend, who desperately needed to talk, and raised my eyebrow.

“That sounds wonderful, Tom. Thank you,” Em said to Tom.

We all scurried around, the kids running for their shoes as Em and I slapped together some snacks for everyone. I looked at Tom and mouthed, “Thank you.” Surprisingly, we were out the door in ten minutes.

Tom said he would drive, which was fine with me. David sat in the front with him and I was gladly relegated to the backseat with Chloe and Em. Windows rolled down and crappy music on the radio, we headed for the woods. Em and I surreptitiously held hands, both of us aware Chloe was next to us. We needed this connection, that’s all there was to it.

David and Chloe were all wound up, pestering Em with question after question. She took it in stride and laughed. We arrived at the woods in no time. Tom graciously grabbed the backpack again. I grabbed the blankets and a towel. I looked at the blanket and the memories of our day came flooding back. I lifted it and showed Tom. He smiled his killer smile at me.

“We’ll go ahead of you slowpokes, okay. Catch up when you can,” Tom said to us both. Tom was wonderful, almost reading my mind.

I waited ’til Tom and the kids were far ahead of us, and subtly took Em’s hand. She turned to me and smiled a knowing look. The trail was empty as we walked slowly along, Em loosening up as we went along.

I could see Em wanted to cry after holding it all in. I put my arms around her and hugged her. Not a word was spoken because none were needed. I held her as I felt her shiver, the tears finally coming. I lifted her head from my shoulder and tenderly wiped away the tears. I held her face as I gently kissed her.

“Over here. C’mon,” I said, motioning to a fallen log. “Sit.”

Em sat down and I pulled her to me, her head, again, resting on my slight shoulder. “What’s going on, sweetie,” I asked, holding her hand.

“He’s…he’s been seeing someone for at least the last year. I shouldn’t have looked at his phone, but I couldn’t take it anymore. Oh, Chrissie. What am I going to do?” she sobbed.

“Shhh….shhh, relax, Em. Just take a deep breath. You’ll be fine. We’ll sort this out, okay? Does he know you’re here?” I asked.

“Yeah. I think so. I just sort of called out to him as I left. I don’t know if he heard me or not but…”

“Okay, okay…just…just relax. So, what do you want to do? Any ideas?”

“I’ve…I’ve been thinking about that for months, Chrissie. I…I think I want out. I really do. We just don’t work anymore, you know? He pays no attention to me, barely so, even if we’re in public. It’s all a charade, Chrissie. It’s all a joke,” she sighed, the tears still flowing.

“Well, I say you do nothing right now. Let it simmer, and then confront him and see where that takes you. It needs to be addressed. I can tell you that from experience,” I said, with a little laugh.

“I know but…Would you just…hold me, Chrissie? I need you to hold me…” she asked, sounding so vulnerable.

“Come, Em. I’ll always hold you. You know that,” I said, holding her, my fingers brushing her dirty-blonde hair. Em had one hand on my bare thigh. Damn these short cutoffs. Her fingers felt too good!

“I’m just so…I don’t know what I am, Chrissie. I don’t want him, so why am I so unhappy?” she sniffed.

“Hey. Hey, it’s normal. Your life is changing and so much of it is out of your control. You’ll get through this. We’ll get through this, okay? Together!” I replied, softly kissing her head. My hand never stopped stroking her, almost petting her. I shouldn’t have done it, I know, but I lifted her head and delicately kissed her beautiful lips. Em returned my kiss with a desire and need of someone who was near emotionally drained. Her hand was stroking my thigh, causing me to spread my legs. I needed to stop this. I wasn’t being fair.

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