Bmb: Version 5-2

Disclaimer

: This is a work of fiction, and it was created solely by me as the author. Any similarities to characters, businesses, places, or things are all happenstance, though my appreciation to those who have

inspired

my works is immense.

Author's Note

: This entire series is based on the same characters, places, and general situations, but will be shared in the form of five different versions. I'm hoping you'll appreciate the various approaches as they are posted. And be aware, some versions go into certain details more than others, so remaining calm and awaiting the next installment may be necessary, but I assure you, it'll be worth it. Questions and comments are welcome. I hope everyone will be kind.

I've included a recap, and here's a hint (for those who read these notes all the way through): This part begins from Tom's POV.

Recap

: Tommy closed the back door to the main house and walked over to stand by me. "You have made some kind of huge impression on that dog, Trinity. She runs to you like you're holding her favorite treats or something."

"Nah, she just knows a good one when she sees one," I teased back. "I guess I have that effect."

"I just need to grab a few things," Tommy told me and helped me out of my coat. "Oh, I'll be right back," he said and walked to his bathroom and shut the door.

I sat on his bed and touched his comforter softly. I was thinking back to the night I'd spent there when I found myself feeling super tired. I laid back on the pillow we'd shared and smiled as I inhaled Tommy's scent. Before long, I was asleep.

I woke up wrapped up in Tommy's arms. It was dark. My shoes had been taken off and we were covered by his blankets. I smiled, jostled a bit to cuddle closer to him, and went straight back to sleep.

BMB: Version 5-2

"Trin?" I motioned at the bathroom door with the coffee cup in my hand. My arms were crossed as I usually stood, but I was smiling. It had been a difficult night with the two sick women trying to get them over the flu they'd caught, but seeing my son this happy was worth the smile this early in the morning. "What happened there?"

"I went over to bring you the stuff from the store and told her to stay here so only one of us was exposed," Tommy explained. "She laughed at that, but I didn't get what was so funny." I did. After he kissed her which I was sure they were doing now, they'd both be exposed if he'd caught it. "Anyway, Gracie ran out, and they had their little time together. I went to the bathroom, and when I got out, she was asleep. Dead to the world. I took off her shoes and got myself settled and fell asleep probably just as fast. I think we were beat."

"I see," I said smiling more than I should have.

"Dad, we've kissed," Tommy said defensively. "We've slept with clothes on. And we dance. That's it."

"While I'm thinking about it, Trin probably laughed because she knew that if you'd been exposed, once you kissed her, she'd be exposed too. I know why you thought it was safer, but that's why she laughed, son." I set my cup down next to the tray I'd brought which still held Tommy and Trin's coffees I'd picked up that morning and shook my head. "And dance?"

"The first Thursday after we closed, she noticed that I was frustrated that we couldn't do anything, and probably more that we hadn't even kissed, so she turned on her music, took me to the side of the building where no one would see us, and asked me to dance. I was just telling her this. I don't like it normally."

"I know. That's why I'm surprised."

"But we're not teenagers, and she's not some girl in the same grade waiting to stake her claim. And we're not at a wedding where it's just family, or my cousins with their dates dry humping against each other on the floor, or whatever. When we dance, I get to hold her." Tommy smiled. "I like it. I really like her, Dad."

"I know," I told him and sighed. "So, what are you plans?"

"Plans?"

"This weekend?" I asked because I thought it was clear enough. "You're working late tonight. She's hosting over a dozen people in her brand-new home. And her birthday is Friday."

"Oh, I'm staying tonight and Thursday night," Tommy answered as he looked at the door of the bathroom. He was incredibly protective of her. I loved it. Tommy was normally self-centered, or at least self-

defensive

. That was why he wouldn't even consider marriage and hadn't told a soul outside of family that he loved them. From what my mom said, Tommy was a changed man the second he'd met Trin. There hadn't been a day that I wasn't glad I'd taken the resume from that young lady from Illinois back out of the trash and reconsidered before calling for an interview.

"Does she know that?"

"She will," Tommy said with a smile he tried to hide with his coffee cup. "I won't force myself on her if that's what you're thinking. She was the one who asked to stay last night, except it was asking me to stay with her at her house."

"Oh, I don't doubt that you have respect for her, son," I noted and stood up from where I was leaning on his counter. "And her birthday?"

"I began planning stuff as early as the first dinner we'd had when we met," Tommy answered. "I've been trying to keep it a secret. I think this whole thing has been good for me. For us at work too. I'm careful not to do or say anything that wouldn't be work appropriate. And we're not only getting the work done that we need to do, but I'm more focused too."

"Have you talked?"

"Talked? That's about all we do if we're not sleeping," Tommy informed me. "She told me about her family who died in a car accident and about things she likes. And Thursday nights? That informative discussion she claimed we'd had? Yeah, we talked about sex and the many topics under that umbrella. It was informative. That poor girl has been deprived of a real sex life. First time? Wedding night. Mostly vanilla stuff, missionary. No orgasms. I feel bad. She deserves better."

"OK, I appreciate that you're sharing with me, though not necessarily about that subject and my newest employee, Tommy," I told him as I shook my head. "I meant, have you talked about

you

yet? Does she know?"

"No," he answered quietly. "I don't know how to share that."

"If you're getting serious with her, she needs to know, Tommy," I responded and began walking to the door. "Think about it. I'll see you tomorrow if I don't see you at work. Might be stuck here taking care of my women. Man, I hope I don't get sick. That will suck," I added and raised my cup to him and left him alone.

"Well, well," I said aloud on my way back to my own house. "My son finally found himself his girl." Now I had to step up my prayers for that one. Trin had a lot of personal stuff happen over the past two years. Was she going to accept Tommy for who

he

was? Yes, I could already tell she was falling in love with him. But would she accept him for who he had been before she'd met him? Only time would tell.

I walked into the house and washed my hands thoroughly. I had to put on my gown and mask and face shield again before I checked on my mom and wife. They were miserable, but I was pretty sure all the throwing up had finally subsided. I had to take their temps, serve them their breakfast of toast and water and tea. And I had to make sure they had all the items they needed so I could go into work for a while. Man, I really didn't need to get sick.

"Good morning, ladies," I greeted them as I brought in the tray of food and drinks. "I've got updates!" I knew that would perk them right up. Any news about Tommy and Trin had their eyes opened and interests peaked. I smiled. They were going to be fine. Thank God.

* * *

I finished in the bathroom and walked out wearing one of Tommy's shirts and a pair of jeans Georgie had dropped off before she'd left for work that morning. I was thankful that we were the same size.

"Damn! That shirt never looked so good," Tommy told me and whistled. "Good morning, hot stuff," he greeted me and waved me over to stand by him. "We've got coffee."

"Dad?"

"Yeah," he answered. "He's busy worrying about 'his women,' so he went out to get some fresh air and coffee and sick teas for them. When he saw that I hadn't left last night, he added our two coffees to his order and dropped them by."

"He knows I'm here?"

"Sure, but he smiled knowing it," Tommy answered. "I caught him smiling more than once as we talked." I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his chest through his shirt. "I think he likes you."

"Do you now? Huh, I mean, don't get me wrong. I think he's great. I rather like his son though. I'm into older guys, sure, but I'm leaning towards 14 months and not 30 years." I smiled as he slid his hands down my sides and cupped my ass. When he picked me up, I yelped but still wrapped my legs around him.

"You like me a little, huh?" Tommy asked and put his lips on mine. I sniffed a laugh as he moved one hand up my back to behind my neck and held my face to his. When I tried to pull away, he pressed harder into the kiss. That had me laughing more. I finally gave in and moaned as he deepened our kiss.

Mmm

, I certainly liked this.

He let me go and held my arm until I was standing on my own. "So, what are our plans, Mr. Parker? Nice start to our day so far with that kiss."

"Like that? I have a few more of those to share today, I think."

I put my hand on his chest and reached up to put my hand on the back of his head. "Oh yeah?" I asked and pulled him down to kiss me again. We'd just begun another hot kiss when someone knocked at the door.

* * *

"Hello!" I called out in a sing-song voice as I opened my brother-in-law's door. I stepped inside slowly and found Tommy and Trin pressed up against each other. "Tommy?" They stepped away from each other and tried to look innocent.

Ah

, I remembered those days.

"Hey, Rose," Tommy answered and waved me in. I'd already arranged to drop off the tables and chairs to him so that he could bring them to Trin's house. He'd promised to set them up and help her in every way possible. I not only trusted him to do exactly as I'd asked, but I was sure it would bring Tommy and Trin closer... even more than they already were. Tommy, the guy who thought marriage was for everyone else. Tommy, who'd had yet to tell a girl he loved her. Anyone who knew Tommy the way his family knew him

knew

Trin was his answer. And by

God

were we all thrilled for him.

"Trin! Hey, girl! Early start today, huh? Here's the list of whatever you'll need for tomorrow, and the folding tables and chairs are already in Tommy's truck." I handed her five pages of all that she'd need to know for the next day. Prep and cooking instructions, the shopping list, the list of all the foods and who was bringing what, including what anyone might be allergic to, a list of everyone coming, and something helpful to know about each person she was going to meet or knew already.

Tommy turned suddenly and looked like he was about to argue with me. What was his problem? Oh, the tables.

Ha!

I put up my hand. "Oh, heck no! Your dad was out there getting ready to leave for work when he stopped and loaded it all for me." I then laughed again. "Yeah, right! And break these new nails?" I looked over at Trin and pointed at Tommy with a funny look on my face.

"Boys. Am I right?" Trin asked and laughed along with me. The look on Tommy's face was priceless.

Oh!

She was going to pay for that one. I loved it! "Thanks for the list and instructions," she told me as she shuffled through all five pages of things I'd provided. "Are you going to keep your phone on? You know, just in case?"

"Sure," I told her and looked at Tommy. "But you're not going to need me. Tommy's going to be with you the whole time. Right, Tommy?" I winked at him and laughed when he had a deer in headlights look on his face.

Oops!

He hadn't told her his plans yet.

My bad!

I waved and blew Trin a kiss before running out the door.

As I walked away from the door, I heard Trin yelp and laugh. "

Ah!

Tommy! Stop! I was kidding! I was

kidding

! Tommy!" Hearing Trin laugh with Tommy and knowing why it was suddenly quiet made my heart happy and my imagination fly. I smiled all the way home. When I got there and walked into my house, I found Pat standing in the kitchen. Marissa was already at school. Where was Ben?

"

Shhh

," Pat whispered and put his finger to his mouth. "Ben's asleep." I smiled and thought about our options. Pat was home from work for the long weekend, so we had some time. I smiled wickedly and pointed at him before motioning for him to follow me. It'd been a while since we'd had some alone time. I intended to use it with my husband, the man I loved up, down, and sideways. And I hoped to show him just how much I still loved him that way shortly.

* * *

After a long make out session with Tommy which I may have caused with a certain comment about boys being boys, Tommy and I headed to the store to pick up the food I needed for Thanksgiving. Thankfully, Rose had noted that the nearly thawed out turkey was in the truck in a triple bag. I needed to bring it inside and put it in the fridge before I left for work so that when I got up to cook it in the morning, it would be ready.

We brought in all the groceries and tables and chairs and set up decorations, tablecloths, plates, silverware, and the roaster and all the seasonings and tools for the next day. I finally felt ready to leave for work and was about to grab my keys when Tommy stopped me.

"Let's go in together," Tommy suggested and took my hand in his. "Let me stay the night, huh? You're doing all this for my family. You don't have to do this alone. And tomorrow night? I want to just hold you. We'll kick them out after dinner tomorrow so I can hold you and dance with you the rest of the night until we climb into bed and rock each other's world with back rubs." He leaned in to put his mouth by my ear. "Maybe I'll even give you the really special treatment," he whispered.

"What's the occasion?" I asked softly.

"What? I can't just want to spend three nights in a row with a hot girl?" Tommy asked as if he were so innocent.

I smiled and cupped his cheek. "Come on. We're gonna be late."

We worked our night as if it were Thursday. As soon as Tommy and I walked in, Tom packed up and left for the day to go home to check on and wait on his women. I set to work in my office, and Tommy went to work in the shop.

While I worked on the latest project, Jen called me. I took the call and laughed as she asked about my Thanksgiving plans. When I shared what had happened, she burst out laughing. Dougie asked me to put it on the speakerphone. I did him one better.

"Jen, I'm gonna put you on FaceTime," I told her and switched it to bring her cute face on my screen.

"Tippy!" she exclaimed and clapped. Dougie leaned back in his chair and looked at Jen's face on my phone. "Oh, hello."

"Jen, this is Dougie," I shared and gave the phone to Dougie to hold. "Dougie, this is my best friend, Jen."

"Hey there," Dougie greeted her, and away their conversation went. I think it was an hour and a half later that I finally got my phone back. He had even had to plug in my phone about halfway through their discussion. I'd heard him ask for her number, and they'd agreed to text back and forth. Maybe even call? I was trying not to listen in since it was their conversation, and I was busy creating place cards for the meal the next day.

I went downstairs to take a break and to see how Tommy was doing. Most of the guys were laughing and doing light work, but Tommy was busy working on a bike and focused entirely. No one was around when I got to Tommy's workstation, so I blew in his ear. He stopped working and looked up at me. I winked and nodded with my head for him to follow me.

Tommy followed me up the stairs to the breakroom. Once there, I stepped into the bathroom which was my personal restroom since there were no other girls there. Tommy followed, and I shut the door. We didn't even turn on the lights. His hands were on me and mine were wrapped around him in no time.

"I thought you could use a little break," I noted and put my mouth on his. Thank goodness for the light seeping through the crack under the door. I could just make out his face. After five minutes, (maybe ten, maybe longer?), we finally slowed down. I didn't know how long we were in there. I just knew it felt good and seemed to relax Tommy who had been too focused on a build the day before Thanksgiving.

We walked out of the restroom to find it was about time for the rest of the guys to leave. Those who were coming to dinner told us they'd see us at my house the next day. Those who weren't coming wished us a very happy Thanksgiving and told us they'd see us on Monday. When they were all gone, we went back to work. Well,

he

did. I was still busy with my place cards. I'd brought card stock to print them out and spent the next hour cutting them out and decorating them.

Finally, we were able to leave, and because we were headed to my house to go to sleep together, there was no need to do any making out at the shop before we left. He held my hand as we drove and parked in front of my house when we got there. I stayed in my seat until he came around and helped me out as he usually did.

Because everything was set up for us for the next morning, Tommy let me put the place cards on the table but refused to let me do anything else. We had the alarm set to get up to start the turkey, so there was nothing more to do. Tommy locked the front door, turned out the lights, and took me to my room.

"We've slept together twice, Tommy," I told him as if he didn't know it. "Do you mind if I wear shorts from now on? I really don't like sleeping in jeans. The only good thing about it is that I'm lying next to you while doing it."

"Ah-ha!" Tommy said with a raised finger. "I had a feeling you really liked it." He then took hold of my hips. "Wear what you want," he whispered. "I just want to feel your body next to mine."

"What's in the bag?" I asked as I dug in my drawer for my shorts and a tank top to wear to bed.

"Some stuff for the next couple nights," he answered and pointed to the bag.

Well, that made sense. "Here," I told him and pointed to a drawer in my dresser. "It's empty. Now it won't be. It's yours," I told him and walked into the bathroom to use it and change clothes. When I came out, the lights were off and soon I was picked up off the floor and carried over to my bed.

Tommy laid me down and slid his hand up my leg from my ankle to just above my knee. I closed my eyes in thanksgiving (no pun intended) that I'd remembered to shave the prior evening just before Tommy had come over. "

Mmm

, yes, definitely shorts from now on," Tommy agreed and leaned down to kiss me. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him back enthusiastically.

The alarm went off too early for my liking, and I normally consider myself a morning person. Tommy groaned and held me closer as I tried to roll over to turn off the music.

"Babe, let me go," I requested and laughed when he pulled me tighter. "Tom, it's Thanksgiving. I need to start the turkey."

"Mmm, happy Thanksgiving, Trinity," he told me with amazing clarity. "I think I already know what I'm most grateful for."

"Waking up with me had better not be the answer you give to your family, Mr. Parker," I teased.

"Aw, come on, Trinity!" he playfully complained. "It's the truth!"

"Keep thinking," I encouraged him and patted his butt as I got up to head to the bathroom. I came out shortly after I was done using it, brushing my teeth, and putting my hair up in a ponytail.