Affairs of the Heart

A Date?

Stevie asked Sara if she could watch Aaron and her sisters that night. Sara of course said yes.
Stevie was now getting ready and was choosing an outfit.

Stevie thought maybe she should wear a dress, but then she changed her mind. Why was she getting so dolled up for? This was just two friends having dinner together. This was not a date, or was it?

Stevie sighed as she walked out of her closet still in her robe. She sat on her bed and turned her attention to her son who was laying on her bed playing with his toy keys. Sara was right beside him playing with him and keeping him entertained.

"Mom? It's almost seven. You need to hurry." Sara said.
"I...I'm going to cancel. I don't think I should go. Your brother needs me right now." Stevie said.
"Mom, Aaron is okay at the moment. I'll have everything under control. You shouldn't cancel. Maybe it'll be good for you to just go out and get out of the house for a little while. Besides, Uncle Tom is taking you dinner. I know you'll have a good time with him. You always do." Sara said.

Sara was not blind to what Tom was feeling towards her mother. It was obvious if you looked hard enough to which Sara did. She didn't mind if Tom and her mother were to become a couple. Tom had always been a great friend to Stevie and was there since Sara was a little girl. Tom and Lindsey also a great friendship and Lindsey never felt jealous of Tom because he knew he could trust him.
Sara wanted to see her mother fall in love again and be happy; Sara thought that Tom was the answer of making that happen.

Stevie sighed again then nodded. "You're right. Tom's a great friend. I'm just going feed Aaron before I leave." She lifted Aaron into her arms and placed a kiss on his chubby cheek then she opened her robe to nurse him.

A few minutes later, Aaron had his fill and Stevie continued to get dressed; she decided to go with a long sleeve black dress.
Sara took over Aaron again.

Stevie was finally dressed and she had her makeup and hair done; she was putting on some heels when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it mom. You finished up." Sara said. "Come with me Aaron! Let's go say hi to uncle
Tom." She picked up her baby brother and walked out of Stevie's bedroom.

Sara opened the door and hugged her Uncle Tom and told him to come inside. Sara noticed Tom was in a nice suit and he had a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"Hi Uncle Tom." Sara said with a smile.
"Hi Sara." Tom replied. "Hi Aaron."
Aaron baby babbled and smiled.
"Oh! You seem much better than this afternoon." Tom said as he grabbed one of Aaron's hand and shook it gently.
"Yep! He took a nice long nap and he just finished eating, so he is one happy baby right now." Sara said with a chuckle.

Just then, Stevie walked into the room and Tom stared transfixed. He smiled wide and walked towards her. He gave her kiss on her cheek then handed her the bouquet of flowers.

"Thank you Tom. They're beautiful." Stevie said as she blushed. "I'll just put these in water, then we can go."
"Alright." Tom said.

Stevie walked to the kitchen and grabbed a vase and filled it with water. While she did this she thought to herself. What is going on with you Stevie? Tom is your best friend. You can't have these feelings towards him. Stevie looked down at her left hand; she still wore her wedding ring. Wait! Feelings? Oh god! I can't...I can't have feelings for him. I won't do that to Lindsey. Lindsey is my soulmate, the father of my children, the love of my life. I can't love Tom, not in that way.

Sara walked into the kitchen and saw Stevie crying. "Mom?"
Stevie quickly wiped her tears away. "I'm okay. I just..."
"Go freshen up mom and Arron and I will keep Tom company." Sara said as she hugged Stevie.
"Okay, thank you Sara." Stevie said.
"It's no problem mommy. I love you." Sara said.
"I love you too." Stevie said.

Stevie placed the vase of flowers on the counter then she slipped upstairs to give herself a few minutes and to freshen up her makeup.

Fifteen minutes later, Stevie walked back downstairs and said. "I'm sorry I took so long. I just..."
"It's okay Stevie. Are you ready?" Tom said as he stood up.
Stevie nodded then said goodbye to her children then she and Tom were on their way to the restaurant.

Tom had made sure he and Stevie would have some privacy and they wouldn't be bothered by the paparazzi.

Once they reached the restaurant, Tom was the perfect gentleman. He opened the door to his car for her, also he pulled the chair out for her once they reached their table.

Dinner was going well and Stevie managed to relax and enjoy her night with Tom. It was like their usual times that they have hung out.

Stevie sipped her water since she was still breastfeeding, she didn't want drink any alcohol.
Tom decided to join Stevie and not drink any alcohol as well, he too drank his own glass of water.

Stevie bit her bottom lip and said. "Thanks for dinner Tom."
"You're welcome. Maybe we can do this again sometime?" Tom said with a smile.
Stevie stayed quiet then asked. "Tom...was this...was this a date?"
"Um...it was." Tom said nervously.
Stevie looked down and Tom continued. "Listen, Stevie...I've been keeping this from you for a while now and...I'm afraid of your reaction. But Stephanie..."
Stevie looked up and looked at Tom; he had never called Stephanie before.
"I...I love you. I'm in love with you. I know you've been through hell this passed year and...I know you may not be ready for a relationship right now, but maybe...sometime in the future...?"

Stevie couldn't speak for a moment; her eyes filled with tears. She tried to keep them at bay but before she knew it, they spilt down her cheeks.

"Stevie, I'm sorry. Please don't cry." Tom said as he tried to reach for her hand but she pulled away. "I just couldn't keep these feelings inside anymore."

Tom decided to comfort her; he stood up and pulled his chair closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her and he was glad Stevie didn't push him away this time.

"I'm sorry Tom, I just...I'm not ready for a new a relationship, nor am I ever going to be ready for one. Lindsey...Lindsey is my one true love. He is my husband! I can't do that to him. I can't." Stevie said. She then stood up and tried to walk away.
"Stevie, where are you going?" Tom asked.
"I'll call a car. I have to go." Stevie sobbed.
"No! I'll take you home. You don't have to speak to me if you don't want to." Tom said with pain in his eyes. "Just...please, let me take you home.
Stevie just nodded.

Tom paid for their meal then they headed towards Tom's car. The drive home was a quiet one. Neither one of them spoke.

When Tom pulled into her driveway, he parked the car and was about to get out to open the door for Stevie but she stopped him.

"I'm so sorry Tom. I had a lovely night. I really did, and thanks for dinner once again. But, I need to be alone right now. I'll see you...I'll see around." Stevie said as she gave him a quick hug then she rushed out of the car.

Tom was stunned and didn't move. He stared ahead and said to himself. "Well Tom...you're an idiot! You may have just ruined your friendship with Stevie."