I'm Staying With You
KAYSEN*
I stopped in the hallway to peer in on Cora and Tanner, and tears sprung to my eyes at hearing what Cora had asked Tanner. He answered in a way that made my heart skip a beat, and I had to run to the bathroom to breathe, calm myself down and wipe away my tears.
Tanner is so good with Cora, and I could tell that he put his heart and soul into everything I asked of him. More so, I could see through his actions that he does indeed love me. I couldn't ask for more.
I walked back out to the Living Room and watched Cora and Tanner continue with their tea party. It was the cutest sight I had ever seen. Man, I love this man with all of my being.
"Kaysen, hurry up the food is going to get cold," Momma called out to me as I was brought back to reality.
"Tanner, what would you like to drink? We have sweet tea, water, juice, and coke," I said as I walked over and put my hand through his thick dark brown locks.
Tanner caught my hand and kissed the back of my hand.
"Sweet tea would be great, babe," Tanner said as he started to rise from his spot on the floor.
"Come on, Cora baby, let's go eat," Tanner said as he bent down to pick Cora up.
"Mommy, I want milk, please," Cora said as we made our way to the kitchen.
"Mommy already has your milk ready for you, baby. Would you mind putting Cora in her high chair for me, Tanner?" I asked as I poured tea into Tanner's glass.
***
"So Tanner, you are the first man Kaysen has brought home since she and Michael were dating; are we going to have the pleasure of seeing you more often?" My mom asked Tanner after sitting in silence and eating our food for fifteen minutes.
I wanted to curl up into a tiny ball and die. Of all the things my mother could have busted the silence with, it was that, my God. I glanced over at Tanner, who didn't seem fazed by the question my mom had spouted out, out of the blue.
Tanner finished his bite of food and glanced over at my mother.
"We have only known each other for a short amount of time, Mrs. Richardson, but I love your daughter. Get used to seeing me around here quite often," Tanner said and took another bite of his food.
"That makes me so happy to hear that. I thought Kaysen was going to, well, never mind. I'm glad you are here Tanner, take care of my babies, will you," my mom said.
"Mom, do we have to have this conversation at the dinner table?" I asked as I glared at my mother.
"Yes, because I am only forty-three years old, and I have a granddaughter who needs a father. Your dad is only forty-five years old," my mom said.
"Mom, it's not like I got pregnant out of wedlock. I was married before I ever had been with a man. We should not be having this conversation around Cora," I said as I stood and ran to my room.
I'm so embarrassed I can't breathe, and I'm about to throw up. Thank goodness I had some water in my room to take my anti-nausea medication. I had been doing so well up until now. This was all too much; how could my mother do that in front of Tanner and Cora.
***TANNER***
I'm brought back to the conversation Kaysen and I had when we had our second night together when I asked her to stay with me until I fell asleep. Kaysen had said then that she had had problems that morning when she arrived home and that night before going to work.
People wonder why I don't do the whole church thing. Sure I believe in God, but what was going down before me. I couldn't see someone claiming to be a man of God and being so critical, especially of their child.
"Your daughter is the most amazing woman I have ever known. The most amazing human being I have ever known. I will not tolerate you putting Kaysen down like that. The pot roast was amazing; I'll do what I can to bring Kaysen back," I said as I stood up from the table and made my way to Kaysen's room.
I stopped at the door and heard Kaysen crying. I couldn't stand it, and I be damned if I ever made her cry. I didn't knock; I just walked in, and Kaysen looked up at me. She was curled up into a ball; the pain was written all over her face.
"I'm sorry, Tanner, that was uncalled for; I'm so embarrassed," Kaysen said as she rolled over so I couldn't see her face.
I crawled up behind her on the bed and placed my hand on her belly.
"Try to relax, baby; the stress isn't good for you and the babies. Don't worry about me; I'm not going anywhere. I love you, Kaysen," I said as I rubbed Kaysen's back with my other hand.
"You don't want to tuck tail and run?" Kaysen asked.
"Hell no, I want to save you and Cora from your parents," I whispered in Kaysen's ear.
Kaysen giggled for the first time in a while, and my heart warmed.
"Let's go back in there and eat; our babies need nourishment, and I'm confident your parents won't say anything else to upset you," I said as I turned Kaysen towards me and kissed her.
Kaysen looked deeply into my eyes, "I love you, Tanner; perhaps you have saved me just as much as I have saved you," Kaysen said as she reciprocated my kiss.
How I wish I could make love to Kaysen right now; I burned with desire for her. I stood up and held my hand out to her.
***
Kaysen and I walked back out to the kitchen, and we all ate in silence. Somehow we made it through that whole scene without Cora getting upset at all. She was busy eating her carrots, potatoes, and roast. I could tell I would never have to worry about Cora being malnutritioned, with her cute chubby cheeks and the way she gobbled up her food.
***
We all had our dinner, and I helped Clark with the dishes in silence. Maybe I overstepped, I don't know, but I had to protect Kaysen. Her parents didn't know that Kaysen was pregnant but what happened tonight was uncalled for.
I played tea party with Cora for thirty minutes or so before it was time for Kaysen and me to put her to bed.
"If you will get her changed and everything, I'll tuck Cora in," I whispered into Kaysen's ear.
Kaysen smiled widely and then beckoned Cora to follow her. Cora gave her grandparents hugs and kisses, and then we went down the hall. I waited in Kaysen's room until it was time to lay Cora down.
***
I hugged Cora tightly and laid her down. I sang twinkle twinkle little star to her, and Jesus loves me, and Cora fell asleep soundly. I kissed Cora on the forehead and retreated from her room. Kaysen was waiting outside for me.
"That was amazing, thank you, Tanner," Kaysen said as she brought me in for a kiss.
"Anything for my girls, I'm going to stay with you tonight. I don't care how your mom reacts," I said as I pushed Kaysen against the wall.
"Ok, I'm at the point that I don't care either," Kaysen said and pulled me towards her room.
Writer's Note
Wow, a lot went down in this episode; feel free toπHugs and Love Sapphirian J.β€
