Part Six-
The doorbell rang and my heart plummeted. He was here and there was no backing out now. I had made a vow to myself that I would tell him. I would drop that anchor into the sea and see where it landed. Let the cards fall where they may. I would be miserable the rest of my life if I didn't take this chance. The 'what if' would eat me alive.
"Tommy! How lovely to see you." I heard mom's voice. From the corner I could see her envelop him in a hug. "Oh, forgive me, Lennon told me you go by Tom now."
He smiled at her and shook his head. "I answer to just about anything, Mrs. Davies. Being called Tommy again reminds me of when I was a child."
She beams up at him and straightens his already perfect collar. He is wearing an expensive looking suit although I know that I've seen it on him before in pictures online. He isn't known for a massive wardrobe. I smile and think of the same 4 shirts he wore during our teenage years.
"Now you know better than to call me Mrs. Davies. She's my mother in law." Mom makes a face of repulsion thinking of my Grams.
He laughs and kisses her hand. "It's lovely to see you again, Linda."
"Let me just get Lennon for..."
"Tom! How are you, my boy." Dad booms, coming in from the kitchen with a cup of tea.
"Mr. Davies. A pleasure as always." Tom takes my dad's hand and gives it a firm shake. I can tell by the impressed look on my dad's face.
"How are you, son? Glad to be back home?"
"Always glad to be in London, sir." Tom answers politely. He knew the way to win my father over was kindness. It always had been. And Tom is nothing, if not a gentleman. "I brought you a gift." He says producing a bottle of pricey wine.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that." My mother coos but eyes the bottle longingly.
"One never visits someone empty handed. Standard English gentleman protocol."
"He's not wrong." Dad grins, taking the bottle and looking it over. He shoots mom a secret smile and a wink, she blushes in response.
"I hear you are taking out our Lennon." Dad says, face going serious.
"Yes, sir. I am." Tom squares his shoulders, not to be rude but to let my father know how serious he is about this. The thump of my heart increases in speed.
"Take care of her. She's been waiting for this for..."
"Charles!" my mother scolds. I know it is time I make my appearance. Before my dad can embarrass me further. They tend to do that, no matter your age.
"Hi, Tom." I breathe, entering the room.
He looks away from my father and takes me in, a smile stretching across his handsome face.
"Lennon." He says my name like it is a precious stone, a treasure for no one but him.
I notice my mother out of the corner of my eye. She is elbowing my father in the ribs and nodding towards the sitting room. She wants us to have our privacy now.
"You look absolutely breathtaking."
I look down at my emerald green dress, the color of my eyes and my gold flats. I didn't want to risk falling on my face in heels. I push my copper hair off of my shoulders and smile at him.
"You are as handsome as I remember."
His eyes melt into mine and I can hardly catch my breath. This must be what it feels like to drown. Only I didn't want to fight my way to the surface. I wanted to keep sinking.
