by Jamie Mackay
***
Morning peeked through the blinds. Jake rolled over and kissed the forehead of his beautiful bedmate.
"Good morning gorgeous," he said softly.
Tatum slowly opened her eyes and saw Jake's handsome face above her.
"Good morning," she responded as he once again kissed her forehead.
"I'm going to go make us some coffee. You stay right here."
Tatum waited, wondering whether Jake would be able to figure out how to make coffee in her kitchen. She rarely used her coffee machine, she always depended on Milligan. Finally, Jake returned, holding two steaming cups.
"Black, right?" he asked as he handed a cup to Tatum.
"Yup. Thanks."
They sat and drank their coffee, side-by-side sitting up in bed, both understanding that this would probably be the first day of the rest of their lives.
Since he had been gone for several weeks, Jake had promised Vinnie that he would help with a kitchen installation during the day. He had also promised Brady that he'd be able to help.
"I'm going to have to get up and get going soon; I still have to shower and then run home and get Brady," he said as he put his and Tatum's coffee cups on the night stand.
"But, first, I need to say a proper goodbye." Jake pulled Tatum into him once again and then, like the new lovers they were, they christened the morning.
.
Jake left with a promise to call her later that day and a reminder about his invite to his parent's house for dinner the next. It was Canadian Thanksgiving and his family would be marking the occasion with a full house of family and friends.
Tatum attended yoga as she always did on Saturday, and then she and Sam made time for breakfast. She wanted to hear about how Sam's day in court had gone. They went to Johnny's and Tatum walked in with a whole new appreciation for the tired Saskatchewan farmers and the dated ambiance. Wainwright was slowly but surely becoming home, and it somehow looked different through those eyes. Both women ordered coffee, with eggs and bacon on the way, and then Tatum didn't waste any time.
"So, how'd Thursday go?"
"Steve's an ass," Sam responded firmly.
"Why? What happened? I thought it was kind of all worked out. He basically took everything and you got out."
"Yah, I got that. But now I'm stuck with half his debt too."
"How come?"
"Judge said he acquired the debt while we were married, so it's 'ours'. Now I need to add it to what I already owe for the restaurant."
Tatum could see the anger and frustration in her friend's eyes.
"You're going to be just fine Sam. The restaurant is amazing and you'll soon have more money that you know what to do with," Tatum said reassuringly.
.
Tatum filled the rest of the day with cleaning up from the night before and waiting to hear from Jake. Finally, he called.
"Hi. It's me."
"Hi," she answered.
"I can't wait to see you again."
"Me neither."
"I was wondering what you would think about you and I taking Brady to the movie tonight? If you don't want to, please just tell me. I don't want to pressure you."
"I would love to. How about if we go to the SugarShack for some burgers first?"
"He'd like that. How about if I come and get you around five?"
"Works for me," she responded.
"Tatum?"
"Yes Jake."
"Thanks."
.
Jake and Brady picked up Tatum right on time. They both smelled fresh from the shower, having cleaned up after a long day of labor helping Vinnie. When Tatum came out to the truck, Brady politely exited the front seat, and held the door so that she could climb up.
Just like his Dad, she thought.
He obviously remembered how comfortable he had become with Tatum on their last visit. All it took was for her to say hello and he acted as if he'd known her all his life.
"See I told you he liked you," said Jake smiling, pleased at his son's obvious affection for the girl he'd chosen.
The threesome took pleasure in each other's company as they scoffed down the deep fried goodness that only a place called the SugarShack could provide. Throughout the evening Brady's acceptance of Tatum deepened, and she surprised herself when she realized that she was equally taken by him.
After the show, Tatum went with Jake to the farm and visited with Carol until Brady was ready for bed. Jake kissed him good night and then Brady requested a hug from Tatum.
"Goodnight Brady," she said as she held the young boy in her arms; his small body and sweet smell captivating her like no child had ever done before.
"Goodnight Tatum," he answered tiredly, lying back down on his pillow.
.
Once Brady was settled, Jake and Tatum left for her apartment.
"Now, for the adult part of the evening," Jake smiled and teased as Tatum sat right beside him on the truck seat.
They made love into the early morning hours and then fell asleep, holding each other like they'd never ever let go.
.
Sunday morning Jake had nowhere to be, Mrs. Mackinley had agreed to keep Brady so that he and Tatum could spend the morning together. They would be going to the farm shortly after lunch for the family evening, so her plan was that Brady could stay and help her prepare. The truth was that she would have done almost anything to keep her son interested in the young woman that was making him so happy.
Just like the day before, Tatum and Jake had coffee and then made love, completely content to remain in bed together until later in the morning. Feeling completely safe and at ease, Tatum decided to open up to Jake a bit about what was going on at work, something she hadn’t done up till then.
"I have something I wanted to tell you," started Tatum.
"You're not married are you?" Jake teased.
"No. It's about work."
"Okay?" he answered hesitantly.
"Remember I told you I thought I'd inherited Julia's office?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"Well, I found some files."
"What kind of files?"
"Old clinical files. Julia had intentionally put them where they would be unlikely to be discovered, like she was trying to hide something. Something she didn't want others to know she knew."
"Oh geez," said Jake with exasperation. "Not you too?"
"What do you mean?"
"Before Julia was killed she had all these theories about twisted stuff that happens at WMI. It almost became an obsession for her. I asked her multiple times to just give it up, but she kept wanting to always look deeper." Tatum was silent. "Look Tatum. I don't know what you're thinking, but you should just give it up. Nothing good comes from looking into things you're not meant to know."
Tatum knew that their conversation was over.
.
Thanksgiving in the States was the year's biggest family holiday. In contrast, Tatum learned that, in Canada, everyone came home for Christmas instead. Still, the afternoon and early evening event Mrs. Mackinley hosted was nothing less than a shindig. Even though nearly the middle of October, the afternoon air was still warm enough for an indoor/outdoor event and it was clear this was not the Mackinley's first time as the hosts. They had an outdoor seating area prepared with tables and outdoor heaters. Seating was provided by chairs and bales of hay strategically placed to encourage conversation. Several of Jake's uncles, aunts and cousins were gathered in the corner, playing bluegrass music on a variety of instruments, some of which Tatum had never seen before.
"Every relative in the area comes to get some of my mom's famous pumpkin pie," said Jake as an explanation for Tatum about the large number of people that had migrated to the Mackinley household. "We usually eat, drink and visit most of the day."
Tatum, Jake and Brady stuck close together and did indeed eat, drink and visit the day away. Finally, evening fell and the family helped Mrs. Mackinley clean up the kitchen and take down everythi
ng that couldn't wait until the next morning to be cleaned up. Jake and Tatum helped Brady get ready for bed and said their goodnights.
"Would you like to go for a walk," Jake asked Tatum. "It's a nice evening and there's a bit of a trail out back. It's still probably mostly lit from the patio lanterns dad hung up."
Tatum and Jake strolled hand in hand out into the almost darkness, her with his coat around her to ward off the evening chill. They walked until only the outside lights of the farm were visible. It seemed to Tatum as if the afternoon had gone on for days.
"Today was fun," she said to Jake sincerely.
"I'm glad you were here," he responded. "It's nice to have someone to share things with again."
"Yeah, it sure is," she agreed as she snuggled close into Jake's firm chest for warmth.
They stood silently for a few moments relishing the quiet, interrupted only by sounds of crickets and frogs against the stillness of the air. Finally Jake broke the silence.
"Tatum?"
"Yes."
"I love you."
"I love you too Jake," she responded as she lifted her face for the long kiss she knew she was about to receive.
