Chapter 12
Joshua
“Do you need any help in the kitchen?” I asked, putting the last of the plates near the sink.
Tessy’s mom, Judy, shook her head. “No, Joshua, I’m good. It’s my time to unwind from the stress of Christmas. Why not go in there with the rest of the family.”
I glanced into the living room where everyone was drinking and laughing and then turned back to Judy.
“They’re a bit loud.”
She laughed before nodding her head to a dish towel. “Start drying. That’s why I came here. No one else tends to bother me in here.”
“This is where I finding you hiding.” I look over my shoulder at Tessy as I pick up a glass to dry it.
“Guilty. I was just telling your mom it’s a bit loud.”
She wrapped her arms around my waist, and I rubbed her hand before going back to my duty.
“You make her happy, Joshua,” Judy told me, glancing between the two of us.
“She makes me happy, ma’am.”
“You know, I remember the day that Tessy called me and said she got the job working for you. I have to be honest, I was worried. I know actors are busy people and can be really rude to their staff. I didn’t want you to dim the light that she has.
“But even all these years, you never have. You treat her with enough respect. And I appreciate that. I just don’t want you to toss her to the side when something better comes along.”
“Oh, no worries there, Judy. There is no one better in my eyes than Tessy, in every way.” I looked behind me at her, seeing her big grin.
And that was the truth.
She might not be the starlight of Hollywood, but that didn’t bother me.
Her smile outshined everyone else’s.
Her beauty couldn’t be matched.
And her personality always made me enjoy our times together.
So, to me and for me, no one would ever top her.
“Smooth answer, Joshua. Look, as long as she’s hanging over you, you aren’t going to get any work done. So, why not head outside or something and leave me to my peace.”
“Yes, Mom,” Tessy said, taking my hand and leading me down the hallway to the small library room they had. The house wasn’t big, but now that her kids were out of it, Judy had changed up some of the rooms.
“This is peaceful, right?” Tessy asked, sitting on my lap before the fire.
“It is.”
We watched the roaring flames for a few minutes, arms locked around each other, and both of us content.
“What I told your mom, Tessy, it wasn’t a lie, you know.”
“Which part?” she teased, and I couldn’t help but smile.
It was moments like this that I would forever love. The fact that we could be serious, or joke, or be playful, and it all felt so right.
“All of it. You’re it for me. I don’t know if I told you that, but it’s the truth.”
Her hands cupped my cheeks, a smile on her lips.
“You haven’t vocalized it, but there have been far more better ways for me to know.”
“Like?”
“Your kisses for one. You don’t do anything half-assed Joshua, and that includes kissing. I could feel all your feelings and all your passion through every kiss we’ve shared. I would be a total fool if I doubted what I felt from you just because you hadn’t said the words.”
“You don’t think that you’ll get jealous because of some movie role I land or some female thinks she owns me and wants a piece of me?”
“Oh, babe,” she said, shaking her head. I pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.
“What?”
“I know you tend to forget my job from time to time, but I don’t.
I’ve worked for you for years, Joshua. I know you, I know the fans, and I know how both of them are together.
I know how true you stay to your roles and how much of a method actor you are.
Do you think I would really be some raging jealous woman?
“Mind you, most of the time, I’m under your foot trying to coordinate things anyways. So, even if I was the type to not trust you, I’m more in your way than you’d think. I’m going to say that cheating on me won’t be too easy.”
“Awfully sure of yourself there, lady.”
“Well, when one is smart enough and has a goal in mind, she better come up with ways to make it happen, and then make it stick.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that, wrapping my arms around her again and pulling her closer, all so I could kiss her as deeply as I wanted.
She sighed against my lips, her arms locking around my neck as her fingers played with my hair, making me shudder in her embrace.
She really did have a hold on me and though I teased her, there would never be a woman I’d want more than her.
“I love you,” I whispered, when we finally broke apart. I brushed my nose against hers, making her smile.
“I love you too, Joshua. And as much as I’m it for you, you’re it for me. No man has been able to catch my eye since I started working for you, I hope you know that. I’m so glad I saved every dime I could to claim you.”
“That’s so sweet,” we both heard. We looked at each other, before busting out laughing, realizing that her family was on the other side of the door.
“Would you all go away and leave us in peace?” she hollered. There was a round of groans before we heard the patter of feet walking down the hallway. “Five bucks says my mom sent them to spy on us.”
“I will not bet against that, because I’m siding with you.”
She giggled before curling up in my chest.
I ran my hands over her back, listening to her hum softly.
“Merry Christmas,” I told her.
“Merry Christmas, Joshua. And thank you for the presents.”
“Thank you as well.”
What we got each other wasn’t big or flashy, but they were tokens that would always be dear to us.
She got me a snow globe that had a small town in Colorado.
And in return, she had a key to a year-round cabin that was ours there as well.
Okay, maybe mine was a little flashier, but it felt right.
“You know, I think I need to write a letter to Santa,” I told her.
She lifted her head, giving me a confused look. “For what?”
“For having him bring you to me, you know.”
She slowly shook her head, a smirk lifting up her lips. “No sir, that wasn’t Santa, so you can’t give him the credit. That was a desperate woman who wanted the man of her dreams. And the thanks, from the both of us, needs to go to The Christmas Auction.”