by Mj Fields
���Thank you, Ben,��� she said quietly.
���Tess, be good to yourself,��� Ben said quietly.
���Of course Ben, thank you.���
She hung up the phone.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. She jumped.
���You done with that?���
���Of course, it���s just not fun to hurt someone,��� she said quietly.
���Is he hurt?��� Lucas asked.
���No, he���s being Ben,��� she said, ���nice.���
���Cool.���
CHAPTER ELEVEN
They left for New Jersey early in the morning. Tessa and Jade sat in the back. Phoebe and Ryan sat in the middle, and Alex sat shotgun with Lucas.
They drove for two hours before pulling over for lunch.
���Tessa could you come with me for a minute?��� Lucas asked.
She smiled, and he took her hand.
���Or ten��� he whispered and winked.
They went outside and went to the bathroom and he kissed her and locked the door. He grinned, and she smiled back, no way she thought.
���Quick one baby?��� she shook her head yes. He reached under her skirt and smiled when he rubbed her damp bare flesh, ���And she listens.���
They walked in just in time to order. Jade looked at her and shook her head from side to side. No one else even noticed, except maybe Ryan.
They arrived at Lucas���s Dad���s just before three in the afternoon. Audrianna and the girls met them at the door; the girls ran out and hugged him. He picked them up, swung them around and kissed them. Tessa got out and watched him and smiled. Audrianna saw Tessa and she walked towards her and hugged her.
���Tessa, how are you?��� she was excited to see her.
���I���m great,��� she said watching Lucas with the girls, ���How are you?���
���Never better Tessa, thank you.���
They went inside, and Audrianna showed them to their rooms. Alex and Ryan were in one of the guest rooms and the girls in another. Lucas frowned and raised his eyebrow and shook his head no as he looked at her, she smiled.
They followed Lucas out to the tree fort with the girls, and within twenty minutes the three boys had on tiaras and pink pearl beaded necklaces. Tessa took pictures and laughed. Audrianna and Jade brought out tea and tea cups. They danced and sang, and Lucas laughed like a little boy. Tessa loved seeing him like that. Hell right about now Tessa loved seeing him period. Lucas took the girls and Audrianna inside.
���Tessa he���s amazing with them, I don���t think I have ever seen him like that,��� Jade smiled.
���God he is amazing,��� Tessa bit her lip.
���What about when you two disappear to the bathroom for fifteen minutes?��� Phoebe smiled.
���He is pretty amazing then too,��� Tessa blushed. ���But don���t tell Alex.���
���Alex is the one who pointed it out to me,��� Phoebe laughed.
���No way!��� Tessa said as her jaw dropped.
���Yes way,��� Phoebe said still laughing.
���Is he mad at me?���
���No Tessa, he loves you and Lucas,��� she said, ���he isn���t happy about it, but he knows there isn���t much he can do about it either.���
The girls came out with Princess Tiaras and dresses on. Lucas followed with a homemade king���s crown.
���Princess Tessa, will you please come forward?��� Ally said grinning.
���Prince Lucas has a question for you,��� Alexandra smiled.
���Princess Tessa, will you please accompany me to Prom?��� he winked.
She smiled, ���I���m not sure kind Prince. I would prefer to discuss this with the princesses before I can answer you. Princess Ally, Princess Alexandra, do you think that I should tell him yes or no?���
���Yes!��� they both yelled and jumped up and down.
���Even if I already have a date in mind? Are you quite sure?���
Again they jumped up and down and squealed yes.
���Well then, I guess Prince Lucas ��� I must accept,��� she smiled.
He picked her up and kissed her, ���Thank you Tessa.���
Landon returned at five that night. He walked in, and Lucas was chasing the girls around the table. He laughed, ���Nice crown, Lucas.���
���Pretty cool huh?��� Lucas snickered.
���So how long can you stay?���
���I think we have to be back Thursday night.���
They all walked in from outside. Landon watched as the kids walked through the door and his daughters jumped on Tessa.
���Wow Lucas, you didn���t tell me Tessa was coming,��� Landon smiled.
���Everything���s good Dad,��� he smiled at Tessa.
���Ok then,��� Landon patted him on the back.
It was an unusually warm night for mid- April, and they sat on the deck and ate dinner. Tessa and Phoebe helped Audrianna clean up. It was getting late, and Audrianna put the girls to bed.
���Have you filled out any college paperwork Lucas?��� Landon asked.
���Uh��� no, I haven���t,��� Lucas said realizing that the deadlines were less than a month away.
���I think you should try to squeeze that in while you���re here.���
Tessa walked out with Jade and Phoebe, and he smiled as he saw her laughing.
���Lucas,��� Landon snapped is fingers in front of Lucas���s face, ���Lucas this is important.���
���I know Dad��� she���s beautiful,��� Lucas said softly.
���Tessa dear could you come here for a moment?��� Landon asked. She walked over and smiled. ���Could you have a seat for a minute?���
Lucas pulled a chair next to his. He smiled; her eyes widened and wondered what this was about.
���My son needs to be able to focus on getting some college applications submitted, do you think you could push him to do that?��� Landon asked.
���Sure, I really have little experience in that, but I���ll do what I can.���
Lucas laughed.
���What?��� she asked.
He shook his head and looked down and smiled.
���Are you two alright? I mean what���s the status? I get very confused,��� Landon said dryly.
���We���re good Dad,��� Lucas said looking at Tessa, ���Very good.���
Tessa blushed and gave him a serious look.
���Tessa what are your plans after graduation?��� Landon asked.
���I am planning to go to school, close to home.��� Damn this was uncomfortable she thought as she looked down.
���And what will you do when Lucas goes away to college?��� Landon asked.
���To be honest, I never really thought about it. But I���ll be in school.���
���Dad, I haven���t discussed my ideas with Tessa yet. You think this is necessary right now?��� Lucas glared at him.
���Well, I just think it���s something you may want to think about,��� Landon responded.
���Okay well, her cousin Jade will be having Tommy���s child in November. I���m sure Tessa will be very involved in that, I plan to be as much as I can. I was actually thinking of asking Tessa, Jade, and the baby to live me,��� Lucas was very serious.
���Oh, I think we are getting ahead of ourselves here
,��� Tessa smiled.
���Why?��� Lucas asked her.
���I think that my parents might have a problem with that,��� Tessa she looked down.
���You’re graduating; it���s your choice after that.���
���Lucas, I don���t think this is the time to discuss this,��� Tessa whispered and scowled. She was aware that all eyes were on her.
���I think it���s a perfect time,��� he said again very seriously.
���Lucas, I think this is a bit premature,��� Landon began.
���You asked. I���m just telling you what I want,��� Lucas said raising his eyebrow and sitting back in his chair.
���Well, it���s really not just about you, will you please excuse me?��� She stood up and walked through the glass doors and into the house. She walked up the stairs and went into the room she would be sharing with Jade and Phoebe.
���Was that necessary?��� Lucas asked his Dad and stood up and went to find her.
He walked into the room and Tessa was sitting on the bed listening to her music. He walked over and kissed her. She looked at him.
���Why are you upset? I just told my father I wanted you to live with me baby, that doesn���t make you happy?���
���It kind of freaks me out Lucas,��� she pulled away from him.
���Why, it���s not what you want?��� Lucas asked confused.
���Well, I guess������ Tessa started.
���What do you mean you guess?��� Lucas asked defensively.
���Lucas you didn���t let me finish,��� her face saddened, ���we just got back together, and we���re fighting already.���
���No, we aren���t, we���re talking about our future,��� Lucas said adamantly.
���Ok, well, we���re going to college. Jade is having a baby. It���s a lot to think about in the two days we���ve been back together,��� Tessa said.
���What���s that supposed to mean?��� Lucas snapped.
���God Lucas, please don���t fight with me, can���t we just enjoy the next few days?��� she pleaded.
���Well, I was thinking more long term than the next few days, but if that���s what you want then fine,��� he quickly got up and walked away.
She heard his door slam, and she got up and went into his room. He was sitting on his bed. She sat next to him.
���Lucas don���t be mad at me,��� Tessa said softly.
���I���m not mad. I���m confused and maybe a bit frustrated. Ok and yes that was not the reaction I expected from you when I told my father I wanted THIS to be more,��� Lucas confessed.
She smiled at him, ���Lucas, I���m sorry. Do you love me?���
���Of course, I do, do you love me?��� he asked sarcastically.
���Yes, madly,��� she laughed. ���We need to talk about things and think through things,��� she kissed him.
���Do you want to talk now?��� Lucas asked as he looked at her.
���No, not really,��� she grinned.
���Good,��� he kissed her.
* * *
They walked onto the deck holding hands and smiling.
Landon looked at them and shook his head. Audrianna sat next to him and grabbed his hand.
���He loves her Landon.���
���He���s loved a lot of girls.���
���No, he has not, sex is not love,��� she laughed.
He smiled at her and winked. He stood up and dragged her behind him and whispered, ���No but it is lots of fun.���
They all sat around the outdoor fire pit talking and laughing. Tessa was falling asleep, and Jade already was asleep.
���I���m going to bed, goodnight Lucas,��� she said and kissed him.
���See you later?��� he whispered in her ear.
She could not possibly imagine more, she was spent. She smiled.
���We���ll see,��� he stood up and took her hand and walked into the kitchen.
���Are you mad at me?��� he asked as he took her face in his hands.
���No, Lucas,��� she blushed and looked down.
���Then what���s wrong?���
���I���m pretty beat up,��� she smirked.
���Oh, oh,��� he said as it finally clicked. ���I can kiss it and make it better,��� he licked his lips slowly.
Her eyes widened, and she bit her lip as she tried not to smile.
���Sound like a plan?���
���Lucas it sounds amazing, but I really think I want to give it a rest,��� he looked hurt, ���just for tonight. Don���t be mad, please.���
He looked up at her through his long black lashes and stuck out his bottom lip, ���I���m not, I just can���t get enough of you it drives me crazy.���
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
���And that isn���t helping,��� he laughed.
* * *
Tessa walked into the girls��� room, and Jade and Phoebe were already in PJ���s.
���Again?��� Phoebe said.
���No, I don���t think that would have been possible,��� Tessa said as she changed.
���Why, how many times already?��� Jade asked.
���Four and lots of other stuff,��� she said laughing.
���In three days, girl you can do better than that,��� Jade laughed.
���How often did you guys?��� Tessa asked.
���Depends,��� she smiled, ���Once we did four times in one day.���
���How could you walk?���
Phoebe laughed, ���It gets easier, and you need a little break to heal though.���
���You and Alex?��� Tessa gasped.
Phoebe���s face fell and went pale; tears started forming in her eyes, ���No Tessa.���
���Oh,��� Tessa was confused.
���I���m going to tell you something, and I beg you not to tell anyone,��� Phoebe took a deep breath.
���Phoebe you don���t have to,��� Jade held her hand.
���No, I want to.���
She told them everything. Her parents had lots of parties, and her Dad���s friend had molested her for about five years. In her last foster family, there was a boy who had assaulted her for six months. She gave details, horrible graphic details of the abuse she took. Jade and Tessa cried and held her.
Alex walked in the door and saw them. ���What���s going on?���
Alex looked at Phoebe, who was hugging her knees and hiding her face.
���Tess, are you guys okay?���
���Yeah,��� she wiped her eyes and rubbed Phoebe���s back.
Alex walked over to Phoebe and knelt down in front of her. ���Phoebe you alright?���
She shook her head yes.
���Hey, Alex would you wait outside for just a second?��� Tessa asked.
���Phoebe do you want me to leave?��� Alex asked softly.
���Sorry, this is embarrassing,��� Phoebe whispered.
���Alex, just give her a minute,��� Tessa rubbed his shoulder.
He left confused.
���Phoebe I don���t know anyone in the whole world that is as trustworthy as my brother. Do you love him?���
���Yes and I don���t want him to hate me
,��� Phoebe closed her eyes tightly as tears continued to fall.
���Oh, Phoebe he would never, don���t you see the way he looks at you?��� Tessa hugged her. ���He���s worried about you Phoebe.���
���Will you tell him?���
���Phoebe you need to,��� Tessa said softly.
���I can���t,��� Phoebe cried.
���Yes you can, when you���re ready.���
* * *
Jade and Tessa walked out in the hall and Alex was standing with Lucas, both looking confused. Ryan walked out in his shorts.
���Everything alright?��� Ryan said rubbing his eyes as he walked past Jade on his way to the bathroom.
Jade looked at him and shook her head yes.
Alex walked into the bedroom and shut the door.
Phoebe looked at Alex, ���I���m sorry.���
���Phoebe what���s going on?��� Alex asked with genuine concern.
She told him everything as he sat and held her hands.
���I wouldn���t blame you if you wanted to stop this.���
He looked angry; he wiped her face and held her hands.
���Alex I���m sorry.���
He hugged her, ���Phoebe I���m not at all angry with you. I want to kill the people who hurt you, because their behavior warrants it��� but I���m not at all angry with you.���
She hugged him back. ���I don���t expect you to want to be with me Alex, you deserve someone like you. Someone good and not��� damaged.���
���Phoebe you���re good. You have been through so much, and I need to tell you something,��� she looked at him as he took a deep breath and swallowed. ���Phoebe, I love you.���
She just stared at him, ���You don���t have to Alex, you don���t have to say that.���
���I do. I wish I had told you before now, and I hope you aren���t put off by it,��� Alex said.
���I don���t know what to say,��� she wiped her eyes, ���Thank you?���
���You���re welcome,��� he hugged her.
Alex held her wondering what would become of them. Wishing he had told her, he loved her at a different time and praying she would be alright.
