Just a Kiss

Chapter 13

Tom, Idina, and the girls got home late that night after meeting Lady Antebellum. They sat around for about an hour and a half just talking. Idina and Hilary had an instant connection due to them both being singers/performers. Hilary was also expecting her first child. Idina had told her all of her worries when she was pregnant with Dawn and told Hilary not to stress too much. She told her that everything would come naturally to her. This seem to have calmed Hilary down. They finally left after Idina noticed that Shelby and Dawn were sitting away from the adults, leaning against each other. Their eyes were droopy and Shelby yawned, trying to hide it from her mother. Shaking her head, Idina walked over to them and sat down with them. In all honesty, she was exhausted as well. It had been a long day after she and Cara had gotten back from the hospital.

"How much longer is dad going to be?" Dawn asked, yawning once more.

"I don't know, sweetheart," Idina replied tiredly as she leaned her head back against the wall. "Hopefully soon. But you know your father, he'll talk all night."

A half hour later, Tom walked over to them and they were on their way home. Both Dawn and Shelby fell asleep in the back of the Suburban. When they pulled into the driveway, Idina gently shook the girls' shoulders to wake them up. They went up to their rooms without a fuss. With a heavy sigh, Idina made her way into the house. She was greeted with Tom handing her a glass of whiskey on the rocks. She took it gratefully before kissing him softly.

"Thanks," She murmured. She moved over to the couch and sat down. "I needed this."

"I'm sorry we stayed out so long, darling," He said, sitting next to her. "I know the girls have school in the morning and it's been a long day for you."

Idina took a drink of her whiskey as she leaned forward. Tom began to rub her back soothingly which caused Idina to close her eyes. He began to knead all the knots out of her back and shoulders. Idina took another drink of her whiskey, letting out a content sigh. She set the glass on the table and leaned into Tom, resting her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head before resting his chin on top of her head. Idina's eyes closed as, once again, she sighed contently.

"Alright, you two," Cara's voice caused Idina to open her eyes. "Tom, I need to steal my sister away from you."

"Fight me," He replied, putting an arm around Idina possessively. "Because I'm not giving her up."

"She was mine first, butthead," Cara smiled, walking over to them. "She and I have things to discuss."

"We do?" Idina asked.

"We do," Cara confirmed.

Idina got up to comply with Cara's wishes only to be pulled back by Tom. Raising an eyebrow that's very similar to her sister's, Cara walked over to them. Without warning, Cara started to tickle Tom, who in return started to squirm and loosened his hold on Idina long enough for Cara to pull her sister to her. She then stuck her tongue out at Tom as a five year old would. Tom returned the gesture. Rolling her eyes, Cara dragged her sister down to her studio and locked the door.

"What's so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow morning, Cara?" Idina asked.

"Is it too much to want to spend some time with you?" The younger Menzel countered. "I know you need girl time. Sister time."

"You can read me like a book," Idina sighed and sat at her desk. "I hate it sometimes."

"I know you do." Cara sat on the couch next to the bookcase full of music. "How was everything after you told Tom?"

"He actually took it really well..." Idina admitted. "Way better than I expected."

"Good. And the girls?" The younger sister prodded.