Chapter 14 Full Court Press #2
“I’d had two glasses of wine as had she,” he picked back up. “We’d walked back into the house, and as we started toward the bedroom,” he dropped his head again, shaking it back and forth.
“It’s okay, brother,” Tessa soothingly said.
He bolted upright with tears starting to fall from his eyes.
“I looked at her, then at the stairs. That’s when it hit me.
I could see Carry walking down the stairs with grace and beauty, then I remembered her modelling for Veronique in Houston.
” He wiped the tears from his eyes. “I told Erica that even though I was turned on by what she was doing, I couldn’t go forward with it.
My heart is torn in multiple directions. ”
“Greg,” Tessa cautiously began. “Did you really want to make love with Erica?”
“I don’t know, sis. I am not sure if I really did, or the alcohol was weakening my resolve because she’s genuinely sorry for the pain and I can see that she truly does love me.
” He ran his hand through his hair. “I only know one thing for certain right now, and that is what my heart truly desires is to finally have a family. I just don’t know which woman it should be with.
Erica has her qualities, and so do both Carry and Veronica. ”
“That’s not a fun position to be in, my friend. What can we do to help?” David asked with such a soft tone it was nearly unrecognizable coming from him.
“I don’t really know,” Greg replied. “How do I sort out this mess in my head and in my heart?”
“Well now, Greg,” David began as he sat back in his seat.
“You know that Tessa and I nearly destroyed our relationship at the Prom. It was her patience with me and my patience with her that allowed us to keep in touch with each other while she worked through that trauma with Jason and Philip Marsden.”
“And it was our love that kept us moving forward, together, even when we were so far apart.” Tessa smiled softly. “We knew that we’d never want anyone else to complete us,” she gently laid her hand on his knee. “So, you need to start asking yourself that question. Which one completes you?”
“Completes?” Greg asked, almost dumbfounded. “Are you saying that without one of them I’m not complete?”
“No, Greg,” David interjected as he suddenly leaned forward with both elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together extending toward Greg.
“We’re talking about how love fulfills you as a man and woman who become one, complete in each other.
It’s not that you are incomplete, but rather that your partner makes you feel complete and whole, not dependent or distracted. ”
“Hmm,” Greg said as he ran his hand through his hair. “So, not that I am incomplete as an individual,” he mused and looked directly at Tessa. “But that I stay not just me, but wholly two people who move and work as one like you and David?”
“Yes, brother. Your partner should make you feel like you are now part of something larger than yourself. She should complete you in that kind of manner, not pull you down but rather build you up and support you. Her love should be the thing that doesn’t just drive you, but calms you in the storm.
” Tessa leaned forward and kissed Greg on the cheek.
“I found that in David, and he’s found that in me.
Darren and Mary said the same thing. Now, you need to determine which of these three women will make you feel like you belong to something more than just yourself, and who will support you as you work toward your personal goals as well as your shared and common goals as a couple. ”
“It’s not just about having a family, but rather you and her will become your own.”
“So, becoming a family doesn’t require having children?” Greg asked David directly.
“Exactly, Greg. Tessa and I are our own family. We are planning to build it by adding children.” David noticed that Tessa was suddenly looking down at her phone. He nodded at her and saw the smile growing on her face, becoming impossible to miss.
“Speaking of which,” Tessa interjected as she launched herself on David, “YOU are going to be a father!” she nearly shouted.
She looked at David so filled with joy within then kissed him deeply.
She turned toward Greg, springing upon him with a tight hug.
“And you are going to become Uncle Greg,” she whispered in his ear.
She pulled back to look at both of them, nearly breathless.
“I was waiting for confirmation from the blood sample I had drawn this morning,” she said, looking down at her phone with the text message displaying – ‘Verified and confirmed – You are pregnant, Congratulations.’ “Mary just confirmed it!” She squealed with glee.
“I’m so happy! I’m going to be a mother. ”
It took a few seconds for David and Greg to process what Tessa had just announced to them.
They looked at each other then back at Tessa.
Greg blinked as he tried to wrap his mind around the concept of becoming an Uncle so quickly after their marriage just over a month ago.
David finally spoke, “Really? This isn’t a practical joke? ”
“I went to the clinic this morning because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t coming down with a bug that would prevent me from coming on this trip.
Greta said that I looked radiant and glowing.
That’s why we did the blood work.” Tessa smiled wide.
“I was hoping that it would be positive, but trusting those EPT’s just isn’t reliable enough, but the bloodwork confirmed it. ”
“I’m so happy right now, sweetheart, that I don’t know how to express it,” David said and gave Greg a slap between the shoulder blades. “Hot diggity-dog, I’m going to be a dad!” he exclaimed as the steward arrived.
“Your beverages for the flight and some light snacks,” he offered.
“Thank you so much,” Greg replied. “My sister is going to have a baby!’
“Congratulations, Mrs. Michaels. How far along are you?” the steward asked.
“About three weeks, give or take a couple of days,” Tessa happily replied.
“This is wonderful news, dear,” David replied. “It makes this trip all the more enjoyable.” He grabbed his phone then paused. “I was going to text Darren, but Mary probably already told him,” he laughed lightly.
“Knowing Mary, yeah,” Greg agreed. “Congratulations to both of you. This is a very joyous occasion indeed.”
The rest of the flight passed far lighter than it had begun.
Tessa remained nearly unable to sit still, alternating between laughing, crying and talking excitedly with David about baby names, nurseries and whether they should include Darren and Mary in selecting baby names before landing in Dallas.
Even Greg found himself smiling more genuinely than he had in weeks as he listened to them.
For a little while, the pressure sitting on his chest finally loosened.
Still, every now and then his thoughts drifted.
A family. Not just children. Not obligation or pressure, but that full sense of belonging.
Tessa’s words kept echoing quietly in the back of his mind — Which one completes you?
He looked out the cabin window as the late evening sunlight stretched across the clouds below them in brilliant shades of gold and orange.
Somewhere beneath them Texas was waiting.
Veronica’s tour and Veronique. Pimico’s expansion potential.
The Marsdens threats. Not just Veronica, but also Carry.
Erica and that kiss that shouldn’t have been.
Everything seemed to be accelerating all at once now.
“Lady and gentlemen,” the pilot announced over the cabin speakers. “We’ve begun our descent into Dallas Love Field. Local temperature is eighty-three degrees with clear skies. We should be on the ground shortly.” The fasten seat-belt sign illuminated and the steward moved toward them.
“It’s time to buckle back up,” he said firmly but politely.
“Let’s get our belts back on,” Greg directed.
“Well,” David said as he loosened his tie slightly, “time to go charm some Texas oil barons.”
“And survive Veronica’s media circus,” Greg muttered.
Tessa laughed softly and reached over, squeezing Greg’s hand.
“One storm at a time, brother.” She fastened her seatbelt and checked to ensure that David had fastened his.
Outside the window, the lights of Dallas were beginning to appear against the just darkening Texas horizon.
And for the first time since Houston, Greg wasn’t entirely certain whether the greater danger waiting below was business…
or love. “This is going to be an outstanding weekend for us and for Pimico!” Tessa announced brightly, completely unaware of where Greg’s thoughts had drifted.
“It will also give us opportunities for expansion not only with Pimico, but with The Resort’s. ”