CHAPTER EIGHT
Richard’s funeral was on a Saturday. Lance and Tammy flew back to New York to pay their respects. It had been several weeks since her accident and the pain was just a dull ache now.
Melanie was handling things well. Tammy was impressed at how strong her sister could be.
By the time they left New York, Tammy was actually at peace with everything that happened.
Her family had never been closer with one another.
They were on the plane back to Billings, and as usual, the stewardesses were tripping over themselves.
Tammy was getting used to it, and what made it better was Lance’s attention was focused exclusively on her.
“Are you okay?” Lance squeezed her hand.
“Never better.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
His expression changed and Tammy tilted her head. “What’s wrong?”
“Well, with all of the activity over the past few weeks, and a wedding to plan, I’ve barely been able to get my hands on you.”
She laughed. “God, I thought you were having second thoughts.”
He shook his head. “When I make a decision, it is finite.”
“Yes, of course it is,” she said with amusement.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “I’m hard right now just thinking about it.”
Her eyes popped wide.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and took her hand. Before she knew it he’d led her down the aisle to the bathroom, pushed her inside and locked the door. “Want to be a member of the mile-high club?”
“You’re joking right?”
He pushed her against the wall. “I never joke about sex.” His fingers pulled up the hem of her skirt and tore through her lace panties.
“People will know,” she gasped against his mouth. She said it but she honestly didn’t care at the moment. He was so aggressive and spontaneous, that she was completely and instantly aroused.
“I don’t give a shit. I want you.” He kissed her aggressively while undoing his belt and the fastener of his pants.
Tammy heard the distinct sound of a zipper, but his mouth had her prisoner now.
Suddenly he gripped her thighs and hoisted her up on his hips while positioning himself perfectly to sheath him.
“Oh my God,” she moaned against his mouth as he slid into her. He was so hard, hot, and impatient. He wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted her. Nothing could possibly have turned her on more to know that she did that to him.
He smothered her mouth to muffle the shout of both of their orgasms. Then he let her slide down and touch the floor. His grin was enough to melt her insides. It was mischievous and gratified at the same time.
He pulled up his dress pants and refastened them; all the while his eyes were on her. He cocked his head as if to say ‘see what I mean?’
She breathed slow, in and out and nodded.
He chuckled, and lifted the ball of torn panties he’d kept in his hand the entire time to his nose and smelled them. “Damn. It was a waste of stimulating lingerie.”
“Well, you have to replace them,” she said coyly.
“Oh, I will.” He closed his eyes and inhaled again. Then he centered his mocha stare on her. “I meant it when I said you taste of fine wine. Your scent is salacious as fuck.”
Her eyes popped wide. He was so bold! Gosh she had so much to learn still.
He grinned at her expression, tucked the panties in his suit jacket and straightened her hair. Then he took her hand again, unlocked the door and walked her back to their seats.
The next time a stewardess came by she actually blushed for the both of them.
Tammy could have died, but she wouldn’t have changed that moment for the world. “They know.”
He nodded. “Of course they do. We weren’t quiet.”
Didn’t anything bother him? She was sure she was as crimson as a sunburn. “Have you ever done that before?” she whispered.
He shook his head. “I always wanted to though.”
“Why aren’t you embarrassed? I could die with the way they are looking at me.”
He looked up and saw two stewardesses speaking in low tones and looking toward the two of them. He suppressed a smile and returned his attention to her. “Darling, they’re looking at you with envy.”
Her head snapped up.
“Maybe you should smile and wave.”
Despite her embarrassment, she burst into laughter.
EPILOGUE
Tammy would have never expected that incident on the plane to produce a son, but it did.
After nine months to the day, two days of labor, and a refused cesarean she gave birth to an eight pound boy.
Lance was very involved in the labor and delivery and stuck by her the entire time.
Tammy knew he was doing his best to not tell the obstetrician what to do especially seeing the pain she was in.
Instead he begged her to take the surgery.
“I will not have my body cut into!” she shouted at him. “This baby will come into this world naturally,” she seethed through clenched teeth.
That took him back slightly.
She knew she was sounding a little vicious, but for God’s sake she was trying to push a bowling ball out of a marble bag.
She said that out loud before she knew it and the whole labor room erupted into laughter.
Except Lance of course. He was completely uncharacteristically frantic about her making it through this in one piece.
It was even visible in his expression. Thankfully he was so good at switching moods because he continued encouraging her despite her outburst. It was a good thing, because she was certain she made a few death threats against him as well.
She’d assisted in deliveries many times and witnessed uncharacteristic behavior from the moms to be. Now she knew! Now she knew exactly where that came from. You are just mindless with pain, exhaustion, anticipation and wonder.
After they assessed, weighed, and wrapped him in a warm blanket, did Tammy get to hold her son. “What do you want to call him?”
“I think we should name him after your father.”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Well, I think we should give him his middle name. George is so old school, and I like it, but how about something more masculine.” She grinned at his little scrunched face. “After all, he’s going to grow into a big Hartley male.”
“Anything you want.”
“I’ve always liked Austin.”
“Austin George Hartley it is then.”
She wept. “Have you ever seen something so beautiful?” she sobbed.
“Yes, his mother. She had my heart from the first day I touched her.”
Her wet eyes went to his. “Who would have thought a year ago, that all of my dreams would come true?”
“Mine too baby.”
~The End~