Scenes From a Soap Opera

Bonjour Newmans

Mariah and Tessa were sitting on the plane soaking up the last minutes of their honeymoon. The newlyweds had spent a wonderful, fun filled three weeks in Paris courtesy of Nick and Sharon. They would never be able to thank them enough, especially since Mariah wasn't Nick's daughter. Tessa felt Mariah kiss her neck and leaned into it. 

"What are you thinking there wife?" Mariah whispered into Tessa's ear still not believing that she could call the goddess sitting next to her her wife. 

"How lucky I am that you're my wife. About our three weeks of paradise in the City of Love. That I'm really going to miss you when I'm on tour." Tessa answered kissing her wife. Mariah got a tight smile on her face at the mention of the tour. Right before their wedding, Tessa was offered a spot on a summer tour. The Jabot executive was ecstatic for her wife even if the timing wasn't the greatest. Tessa would be back on the road after only being home for two and half weeks. The one blessing was that it was only a three month tour and she would back in her wife's arms by the middle of September. 

"I'm going to miss you like crazy while you're gone, but you'll kick so much ass." Mariah gave her wife a pep talk. "And when you get to Chicago, I'm going to be there front row screaming my head off." Mariah had used most of her vacation time for the honeymoon and couldn't accompany Tessa on the tour. 

"Maybe if you play your cards right you'll get a backstage pass. Get to live out your groupie fantasies." Tessa teased her wife with a sly grin. 

"I better." The newlyweds kissed one more time before the plane landed and made the journey home. They were so excited to see their family again. 

Sharon Rosales was nervously organizing the display on the counter of Crimson Lights. Her daughter and daughter-in-law were due home today and she wanted all the details of their Paris honeymoon. Well, maybe not all the details. 

"Mom, it's fine." Noah chuckled as Faith and Nick snickered in the background. "Sit down. They'll get here when they get here." 

"And that moment is now!" Mariah exclaimed as she and Tessa walked through the door. 

"Bonjour family!" Tessa greeted them in a terrible French accent. Sharon and Faith ran over to greet the newlyweds with giant hugs. Nick and Noah were smiling in back waiting for the girls to finish before giving hugs of their own. 

"Okay present time!" Mariah sang reaching into her bag that contained all the gifts. She handed Sharon perfume, Noah cologne, Faith a beautiful scarf, and Nick got a beret. A beret that he immediately put on much to his children's embarrassment.  

Sharon loved seeing her family so happy, this year had been hell, and it was so good to see genuine happiness. She was watching her children smile and laugh when her eyes met Nick's from across the table. He too was enjoying the scene in front of him, especially seeing Sharon so happy. They both had the same thought; this was exactly how it should be. Their children were healthy and happy, and they could be a true family.

"I'm going to get everyone a round of drinks. Everyone want their usual?" Sharon proclaimed. Nick got up to help her. 

"I actually like an herbal tea please." Tessa asked, shocking Mariah. She could feel the redhead's eyes on her. "Calm down, I'm fine. My throat's just sore probably from the flight." Mariah relaxed at that, it made sense. Traveling did take a lot out of a person. So she put that panic out of her mind. It wouldn't stay there for long.