After Everything (Hessa Fanfic)

6

Tessa POV

'Where to, my lady?' Hardin said, putting on a funny accent as we climbed back into his car.

'Hmmm. The stream is fine.' I yawned, adjusting to lie back in the seat.

'You sound tired. Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to rest? Karen said we can go back to theirs.'

Truthfully, I was beyond exhausted. I couldn't imagine how tired Hardin must feel on even less sleep than me. At least I had opportunities to nap in the car whilst he was driving.

I wondered if the days leading up to the wedding were as sleepless for him as they were for me. I tossed and turned all night, thinking about how seeing him would play out.

'No, let's go to the stream.' I insisted.

'Are you sure? You're turning down being naked in bed together to go to the stream?'

'I'm sure.' I said firmly, closing my eyes knowing we had about a 45 minute journey there.

Nora and Landon's voices words were circling my head, their concerns and warnings playing over and over again.

You should go home and think about it. Landon had warned. I had to resist getting into bed with Hardin again first.

'Are you okay, Tess?' Hardin asked quietly as we set off.

'Yes, just tired.' I confessed. 'Sorry, I know I was harsh then. I just don't want us to get distracted when we need to talk.'

'Sure.' He agreed. 'I can't entirely promise I won't be distracted with you around though.' He smirked.

I rolled my eyes playfully before reaching forward to turn the radio on. This wasn't like my old car that had a few dials and number buttons. It was more like a giant iPad with tons of different apps.

'Woah, this is high tech.' I laughed. 'I only wanted the radio, why do they make it so complicated.'

'I forgot how much of an old woman you are with technology.' Hardin laughed.

'Don't be rude!' I laughed, playfully swatting him again.

'It's true!' He protested. 'Look how long it took you to learn how to use your iPhone.'

We laughed at the old memory of me pushing the wrong buttons and accidentally butt dialling Hardin multiple times.

'It's complicated! Siri still freaks me out. I'm sure he eavesdrops on me.'

'Siri is old news now really, they've got all this AI shit out now that would probably really creep you out. My agent was saying she's so sick of having AI generated books given to her, it's wild.'

'I know you're going to say I'm proving you right.. but what is AI?' I laughed.

'Technophobe.' Hardin teased, taking over and putting the radio on for me.

My phone vibrated next to me on the seat, I looked over to see my mother on the ID.

'My mother is calling, I'm just going to answer.' I apologised. Hardin nodded, swiping his finger down the giant iPad thing to turn the radio down.

'Hi Mother.'

'Tessa, hello. How are you?'

My mother and I had come a long way in the last two years. David was a great influence on her. Him and his sweet daughter Heather had brought out a much softer, gentler side to her.

I always enjoyed my visits to see them and loved staying with them during the school breaks. David was so sweet to us both, driving me to and from the airport and bringing delicious treats back from the bakery.