Tom and Desai are brought together by circumstance, friendship, and understanding of what each other really need from the other. A monster threatens their happiness, but they rise above to reach the pinnacle they both want and need. True love always...
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The next day was busy, with phone calls and whispers between Desai, Diana, and James as they tried to keep what they were saying between them so that Thomas would not hear it. Desai was working on the melon bowl and decided to toss blueberries, red and black raspberries, strawberries, and kiwis into the mix.
Thomas came up behind Desai and wrapped his arms around her. "How are you feeling today?"
"Oh, I'm good. As long as I keep the patches on I'm fine I can tell when they start getting low. Haven't seen much of you. I did notice that you were signing more items. I'll get those packaged up and sent out tomorrow. Did you use that special vellum paper for those personalized notes?" She slapped his hand but was too late he had already grabbed three of the melon balls laughing as he tossed them into his mouth. "Mmmm. And yes, I did. Lovely paper by the way. Very elegant."
"You are worse than the kids." She looked over to where they were in their walkers just waiting for mama to give them bites. And so were the pups. Fresh fruit was good for dogs, but she was cautious about the kiwis, the seeds could irritate their bowel.
"Oh, come on, there's plenty," he whined with a fake pout for her.
"Not working, today, daddy. We've got company coming and they like this stuff as much as you do."
He hugged her and frowned as she winced. "It's the bruise. The muscles are sore. I'll be fine," she assured him as he moved around to her side to look at her.
Moving a stray strand of hair from her face he asked, "Are you sure?"
She nodded and leaned in for a kiss. "I'm sure, love. She hit me hard, well you've seen it, I'm glad that this little girl is tough enough to stay put."
"Sissy is okay!" Catherine laughed out.
Thomas turned to look at his daughter. "Yes, sweetness, Sophia is okay."
"No!" She rolled over to where her mother was, stood, and placed a hand on Desai's abdomen. "Sissy is okay! But mama is hurt."
"You've told her you're having a girl. What if it's not?" he asked with a smirk.
"Catherine and I know it's a girl. And sweetheart," she said as she leaned down to give her daughter a kiss on her forehead, "mama is fine. Just a little sore." Desai turned and began to wash her hands as she asked Thomas to remove the large container from the refrigerator so that he could put the melon bowls in.
"What's in this? How – Desai?"
"Before you get your knickers in a knot. Mum and Da' put that in there for me last night. And to answer your question it's chicken. I'm frying up some southern-style chicken. Sophie asked me if we were having it and when I asked her about it she said they loved it the last time we were together. So I decided I would fry some up and also make deviled eggs, so I need the eggs too, darling." She caught sight of Grand-dad watching and took the opportunity to get him to help. "Da', could you get those potatoes for me and just dump them in the sink?"
