Love doesn't have to be hard

Chapter 8: New Year's Eve

Zed's POV:

Zed called and texted Tessa several times a day. He was missing her like crazy and was happy that his flight home was today. He couldn't wait to wrap his arms around her, smell her vanilla scent, and finally kiss her.

He had missed her so much that he spent most nights drunk. He barely made it home a couple of times. The alcohol numbed the pain of missing her beautiful face. 

He had a great time with his family but was ready to be back in the same time zone as his beautiful Tessa. 

His parents drove him to the airport, and he hugged his Dad and then his Mom. "Make sure you bring that beautiful girl home when you come back in the summer. We are so excited to meet her. I love you, son; let us know when you land in Seattle."

"I will, Mom. I already told her she was coming home with me for the summer. I love you both, and I will see you in June."

He walked into the airport, checked in on the kiosk, and made his way to security. He grabbed his phone once he finished at security and sent Tessa a message.

"Just made it through security. My plane boards in thirty minutes, and I will arrive in Seattle in six and a half hours. Then you know it's a two-hour drive to your Mom's. Although I think I might be there in one and a half hours if I can push it. I can't wait to see you and kiss those sexy lips. I love you."

"Hey, baby, drive safe, and I can't wait. My bag is packed and sitting at the door. Not really, but I am ready to go home. My mom has been a pain, and I can't wait to hug you. These lips are ready and waiting for you. Get some rest on your flight. I am going to lie back down because I don't think either of us will be sleeping tonight. I love you."

He saw the message just as he made it to his gate and began boarding. He smiled and placed his carry-on in the bin above him.

Tessa's POV: 

Her time with her Mom had been rough. Her mom had put Zed down in every way possible, and she was really upset when she found out we had slept together.  

She would lay in bed, dreaming of Zed's arms around her as they slept. She was literally counting down the hours until he would be here to pick her up. 

Noah had been nice, and of course, Mom had been trying to get us back together, which was uncomfortable for both of us.

She got up, and it was already ten. She was happy when Zed messaged her before his flight, and she couldn't wait to see, hug, and kiss him. 

She took a shower and placed her stuff in her suitcase. She gathered all her clothes and threw everything in there. She rolled it downstairs and sat it by the stairs. 

Her mom rolled her eyes, "Aren't you a little early to be packed and ready to go?"

"Nope, Zed is on the plane and should arrive in about an hour or so."

"I really wished you would reconsider this relationship. I mean, for goodness sake, look at him. He has long hair, piercings on his nose and ears, and all those tattoos. Disgraceful, I raised you better than this."

"Mom, enough. I love him, and he is good to me. He takes me out on dates, opens my car door, helps me in and out of his truck, opens doors for me, brings me a Lilly every time we go out, and loves me."

"Well, Theresa, you have already let him in your pants; I just hope you don't end up pregnant. That's all he wanted was to get in your pants; I am really surprised he's still hanging around, being he already got what he wanted."

"Mom, that is not very Christian like to be condemning someone you don't even know. He is a good person, and we love each other. I am so done with you acting like you are so much better than everyone. Respect me and my relationship. I am sorry that Dad left you and your life didn't turn out the way you planned, but you raised me to be myself, and that is what I am doing, so please just let me live my own life."