I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Talking

"Tom, baby? Are you okay?" asked Paul, once they were in the car. "Did you have a panic attack?"

"I-I-I think so." whispered Tommy. "I-I-I thought I was ready but I-I-I can't."

Paul took Tommy's hands in his and rubbed them. "It's okay, we'll take it one day at a time." "Do you feel like going back in?"

"No. I do feel like chocolate covered peanuts though." 

Paul knew where to get some without having to go back inside the mall. He told Tommy he'd be right back and ran inside. Tommy stayed in the car with his eyes closed. He dozed off for a few minutes. 

Paul came back out to find Tommy asleep. He sent Gene a text asking him to stop by and bring Eric and the twins. 

Text: I feel like Tom's depressed still. I thought the therapy would help but it seems worse. I took him shopping but he had a panic attack so we're now currently in the car. He craves chocolate lately. Come by the house in about three hours. I'll order pizza.

"Paul? " 

"I'm back. I was just sending a text to have Gene and Eric come by for pizza."

"Ooh pizza! Could you order me a chocolate chip one with olives on it? Black and green?"

Biting back a gag, Paul agreed. He now was really suspicious. He knew Tommy couldn't be pregnant again. They had barely even talked since Tommy came home, much less did anything else.

On the way home, Tommy dozed more. Paul kept the radio on low for distraction. He noticed Tommy didn't have on his wedding ring or any other jewelry. "Tom, do I need to resize your wedding ring?'

"Um, I guess so. I haven't put it back on yet."

Paul now wondered if Tommy was hiding secrets. He was acting just like Paul had when he was cheating, except Paul had kept his ring on.