Jim watched on, envious of his son's expert manipulation of his mother and if there was any doubt that this boy was smart beyond his years he dispelled it as he pulled her face closer by wrapping his arms around her neck and kissed her tenderly. “I love you, Momma.”
Tasha was done for at that point.
“Sorry if you’re in trouble, Daddy,” the little boy said with a concerned smile in his father’s direction.
“No problem, buddy,” Jim told him with a reassuring smile.
Connor was still hugging his mother, teasing the ends of her hair between his fingers as he frowned at his dad. “Is that where I should have pleaded the fifth?” His question earned smiles from his father and uncle but they in turn earned a frown from Tasha.
“Really?” she asked her husband while she squeezed her son tightly.
She began to cover his face with kisses until he was giggling and flailing in her arms as he told her again, “I really love you, Momma.”
“I love you too, baby boy,” Tasha told him hugging him still. “Go and find Uncle Dan and see if he and Trav’ will take you riding this week,” suggested Tasha as she placed him on the ground.
“Will you come too?” asked Connor. “Nobody rides like you, Mommy,” he told her making her smile so that her face was radiating with love for her son while Jim and Bobby merely giggled at the boys innocent comment.
“I'll try, but Mommy has to go to work for a few days this week.”
Jim placed an arm around her middle, allowing his hand to rub a protective hand over her hip, then farther until it came to rest on her belly. He remembered with concern and sadness that just a year after Aimee’s birth Tasha hadaccidentallygot pregnant again. As accidentally as taking a child free holiday on a beach where you’re permanently in a bikini but have unfortunately forgotten your birth control pills, which is exactly what had happened. The same accidentally that had Tasha saying,don’t worry, I’m sure it will be okay, please, just fuck me, I need you inside of mewhilst naked in a hot tub. The holiday was cut short after two days because Tasha missed the children so much and despite her assurancesithadn’t been okay. She had got pregnant, but sadly miscarried about six weeks later leaving Tasha devastated and Jim sad, but more than anything concerned for his wife.
“How's the TV drama going, Tasha?” asked Bobby, referring to the medical drama Tasha was working on for Jim's studio and strangely enough she had been cast opposite a fellow Brit in the shape of Dean the lifeguard from a few years before.
“It's good, great and the fact that they're flexible with my schedule I still manage to get time at home with the kids,” Tasha replied making her brother-in-law smile at seeing her so happy, although being the ultimate boss’ wife might explain the show’s bosses being willing to be flexible.
Connor suddenly tugged at Jim's hand and smiled up at him. “I am really sorry if you're in trouble, Daddy.”
“No problem, buddy. Momma doesn't stay mad with Daddy for long,” he replied ruffling the little boy's dark hair.
“You think?” asked Tasha as their son ran off before she followed him in the direction of the house calling to Abby.
“You are screwed.” Grinned Bobby. “The way that boy plays Tasha is beyond brilliant.”
“Tell me about it.” Laughed Jim. “But tell me you wouldn't love her if she was your mom.”
“I get it, but I can't wait until his teenage years, when his testosterone is kicking in and he starts challenging you, but remains her little boy. If you piss him off, you'll be pissing her off more,” laughed Bobby.
“He'll play us both, I’m sure, but he's her only son, mothers and sons and you and your three daughters will soon figure that once your only son arrives.”
“Shit! We are both screwed.”
“How’s Tasha doing now? Abby was worried when the shit hit the fan back home again.” Bobby gave his brother a disbelieving shake of his head.
“She’s okay. It was all a shock but the truth is that none of them pose a threat any more. I think the fact that it all happened together knocked her on her ass and no matter what they did I still think she wanted them to show even a glimmer of decency by acknowledging it and being sorry somehow.”
“I still can’t believe the father thought he was up to dealing inside,” said Bobby with another shake of his head.
“I believe it happens, but with Liam smuggling drugs in for the father to trade it was always destined to end badly.”
“I know, but it ended with her father getting his throat cut with a shiv…that goes so far beyond badly, Jimbo.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t say I’m sorry and then for Liam to be found dead from an overdose the following day. It seemed almost poetic to me.”
“But the mother. You can’t have seen that coming, you nor Tasha.”
“No, that was a bonus.” Jim laughed, but with no amusement. “I don’t think she saw it coming either until she was arrested as the dealer since all the drugs were found in her house.”
“Do you suppose she knew the drugs had been cut with some nasty stuff that made it even more dangerous?”
