After Forever & Ever

Chapter 146

Tessa-Present

This morning waking up in my husbands arms is the best feeling in the world. I grab his left hand and twirl my finger around his paperclip ring. That will definitely be something we have to do is get him a real ring.

"Morning." He says as he slowly opens his eyes.

"Good morning husband." I reply.

I'm so happy but sad because today will be the last full day we have together and then tomorrow morning he's turning himself in....

I still feel bad he thought that I married him so he would testify. Do I admit it was a thought.....yes. But there is nothing else I wanted in this world than to be his wife.

"What do you want to do today?" I ask him.

"Umm.... well seeing as how there isn't much I can do. I guess this." He replies pointing at his ankle.

"I'm sorry...I forgot." I reply.

"It's fine." He replies and gets up and leaves the room.

He woke up kind of cold towards me and I guess I just wasn't expecting that. Seeing as how we just got married yesterday...

I leave our room and go get Emery and give her a bottle and walk around looking for Vance or Hardin.

I spot them both outside by the pool.

I walk outside and Vance turns to look at me. "Morning Tessa." Vance says to me.

"Good morning." I reply.

"Im heading into the office this afternoon but I figured we could all do dinner tonight....Hardin do you want to pick what place you want." Vance says.

"Sure." Hardin replies with a definite angry tone.

Vance gets up and grabs Emery from me and I take a seat next to Hardin near the pool.

"Are you okay?" I ask him.

"Great." He replies.

"Talk to me what's on your mind." I tell him.

"Nothing this sucks." He replies.

"I know babe but just think after this is over we have the rest of our lives." I tell him.

"Do we really though?!" He questions.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"5 years Tessa.....I haven't stayed out of trouble in 5 months let alone 5 years..." he says and I interrupt.

"Okay but it's all different now....you're different. Everything is different." I tell him.

"I'm not different Tessa. I'm really not." He tells me.

"You are. You are so strong and someone who has been through what you have would have given up. But you haven't and I know when you get out you will be absolutely fine." I tell him.

"I'm sorry....just the weight of tomorrow really got to me this morning and then being trapped in this house and I don't know..... I just got in my head." He tells me. 

"It's okay...I get it. I think these are all normal thoughts to have." I tell him.

"Are you going to stay here....while I'm gone?" He asks me.

"I thought I would....so we could visit you." I reply.

"Tessa no. I don't want you to see me in there and I don't want Emery there." He replies.

"Hardin I don't care I want to see you." I practically demand.

"Please Tess. I hate this enough as it is. I don't want you to see me there....please." He begs.