“No, he hasn't,” replied Tasha honestly. “But that will be nice, for us to spend some more time together.” She grinned.
“Maybe Lizzie could stay and see if she can't find someone a little older to pick fights with,” snapped Abby, interrupting Tasha’s conversation with her sister.
Bobby muttered a token,Abbybut she was unapologetic judging by her expression.
Tasha didn't even wait for Jim to intervene as she turned to Abby who was opposite her. “Back off, Abby. I don't know what went down with you guys last night, but you're supposed to be the adult here, so act it. If Lizzie did something awful then maybe you should have the decency to tell Jim in private and if it wasn't that awful then get over yourself and stop bitching at a child.
Abby stared at Tasha briefly before saying, “I am protecting my child.”
“No, Abby, you're holding a grudge, so like I say, if what Lizzie did was so bad speak to Jim, if not, then act your age. Oh, and I admire you protecting your child, but make no mistake if you attack Lizzie then I too will protect my child.”
Tasha could feel all eyes on her and didn't like it. She was in the middle of a potentially public scene so excused herself, leaving everyone else staring at her back.
“Nice one, Abby,” said an angry Bobby with a shake of his head.
“How is this my fault?” she protested.
“Because last night was blown out of proportion and Tasha’s right, you're holding a grudge, against a child.”
She seemed to take stock for a few seconds before turning to look at her niece. “Sorry Lizzie, but when you fight with Alexi and she feels hurt, it hurts me too.”
Lizzie looked tearful and scared by Tasha's disappearance but nodded at her aunt.
Jim stretched across and took Lizzie's hand and after kissing it he got to his feet. “I’m going to find my wife.”
“Jimbo,” called Bobby, causing his twin brother to turn and face him. “I think Momma Bear has claws.”
“So it would seem,” agreed Jim with a huge grin as he recalled how Tasha had stopped Abby's attack on his daughter and referred to her as her own child.
“Hey, there's my wife,” he said spotting her as she left the bathroom.
“Sorry, I just needed a minute, away from the table. Is Lizzie okay?” She immediately found herself wrapped in Jim's arms where he kissed her gently and tenderly.
“You are something else, honey,” he whispered against her ear before releasing her and taking her hand in his. “Let's go and play nicely, eat lunch and then we’ll lock ourselves away for the next two days, and I may have a little honeymoon surprise up my sleeve, deal?”
“Deal.” She grinned.
Chapter 13
A month later, with a short, but very satisfying honeymoon in Vegas followed by a few days in Bora Bora along with theirformalwedding reception at the vineyard, Tasha was feeling unwell. After several days of feelingunder the weather, mood swings and frequent trips to pee, so frequent she knew she needed to see a doctor for antibiotics, she made an appointment with her ob/gyn doctor, Mitch Marshall.
Jim left for work in the knowledge she had aseriouscase of cystitis that was all his fault, an accusation he’d willingly accepted with a smile. Knowing that not only was Tasha's cystitis otherwise known as honeymoon disease because frequent, vigorous sex was attributed to its cause, but also because he had never been happier in his entire life.
The sound of Jim's car pulling up outside caused Tasha's stomach to churn and her tears to threaten to overflow, again. She'd cried for most of the afternoon after returning from Mitch's office and had sent Sandra home as soon as she'd returned so she could have the house to herself to fall apart at Mitch's diagnosis.
“Hey baby,” called Jim as soon as he entered the house.
In a slight panic, Tasha rushed for the kitchen and began to potter, but actually did nothing.
“Hi,” Tasha called overly optimistically, stifling a sob as Jim leaned in and kissed the back of her neck.
“Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?” he placed a hand on her behind thinking he was happy to stay in, but also liked a date night with his new wife too. A huge grin spread across his face as it always did when he thought of Tasha full stop, but especially when he thought of her or called her his wife.
“Erm, no, not really,” stammered Tasha, still avoiding facing her husband.
“What's wrong? Jeez, Tasha I forgot you were at the doctor's office this morning. I was going to call you, but got caught up with work.” He spun her around to face him and immediately looked panic struck as he saw her emotion filled face. “Honey, what's wrong?”
“Nothing.” Tasha neither looked nor sounded convinced.
