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 (which is told from Jen's POV), and here's a hint (for those who read these notes all the way through): This part begins from Gram's POV.
Recap: Watching Tommy and Trin interacting now was crazy different, even from before their big divide. It was nice the way they got along before, but this was something else. Like, a two-ton weight had been lifted off both their sets of shoulders, and now they could be their true selves with one another. They were playful, loving, and so sweet especially when they didn't realize (or care) that anyone was watching them. I think Tommy caught me once, but he just smiled and kissed Trin on the top of her head as she pointed at her list for him to look at another idea she'd had.
While I agreed with Tommy that she could give it another few days to meet with Jeremy, Trin was headstrong and determined to go visit him since the weather had cleared up some. And so, in true Tommy fashion, he "allowed" it only if he could drive her there on his way to the gym. I knew why Trin was frustrated with it, but it wasn't worth the tension. We girls from Illinois knew how to drive in the snow. These New York boys just felt that we didn't. I rolled my eyes at Trin to share my similar feelings about Tommy's concerns which only made her feel better about it. As they made their way to the garage, I called out to her.
"Tippy!" I yelled. "Don't hesitate to insist on taking the wheel if he gets scared. Then maybe he'll believe you know a thing or two about driving in snow."
"Donuts in parking lots don't count, Jen!" Tommy taunted. "Nor does getting stuck in the ditch!"
"Not once in my life, Parker!" I argued and laughed. "I hear it's not the same perfect score on your record!"
"Get in here!" Doug complained and shook his head as he closed the door. "I told you that in confidence!"
"Well, they should have no secrets," I justified. "If she heard me, he can regale her with the story that goes along with it." I put my hands on his chest. "Meanwhile, any chance we could utilize this empty house for a little make out session by the other hot couple who resides in it most of the time?"
"Oh, hell, yes," Doug responded and bent down to pick me up off the floor and into his arms. We spent the next couple hours making good use of that couch if I say so myself. Oh, and when they got home, Trin was beaming. Turns out, because of my illumination of certain events, Tommy gave in and let Trin drive his precious truck. He was very impressed. I'm not sure if she ever told him that Mark had not only owned a truck the entire time she'd known him, but he had also ensured that she knew how to handle it in the snow. Nonetheless, it made me smile.
BMB: Version 5-5
Tommy and Trinny showed up at my house around 5:30PM on Thursday. Trinny looked so happy. It felt wonderful to see that beautiful smile on her face again. And Tommy. Oh, he was beaming. He'd finally discovered the real meaning of true love and how truly possible it was that God had even planned for him to find it right where and when he hadn't expected it.
Trinny had not only brought a dessert, but one she shared they'd made together. As I was preparing to set the food on the table, Tommy excused himself to use the washroom before dinner. He leaned in, kissed Trin sweetly, and then told her he loved her. I think we both melted. I knew I hadn't gotten used to hearing him say it to someone outside of family. Had Trinny heard it a lot or just a few times? I went ahead and asked her.
"It still catches me off guard sometimes because I'd thought about it so often, but he's making such an effort to show (and tell) me the love he's now aware that he's felt all this time. I'm loving it, Gram. And this ring? Not only is it a beautiful piece of jewelry already, but knowing the story behind it? That is just priceless. Truly, Gram. I'm so honored."
"I'm so glad that you like it," I told her and finally sat down at the table. I usually turned down help for a simple meal, but I'd begun thinking it was time to reconsider my stubborn habit. I was tired.
"Alright! Let's eat," Tommy declared and sat down between us ladies. It was when he extended his hands to both of us to hold ours to say grace that about tipped me over. "May I, Gram?"
"Please," I responded and smiled to myself.
"Lord, we thank you for this opportunity to eat together this evening, and for the hands which made this meal. We ask you to bless Gram who has been our biggest believer in the love and gifts which Trin and I were given. We ask you to watch over Gram and keep her healthy so we can keep her around for a good long while. And please continue to bless Trin and myself with the love that we have. Amen."
"Amen," I said quietly and made a quick attempt to look at Trin's face. She was admiring her fiancé as he brought her hand to his lips to kiss it quickly before letting it go. "Tommy, that was lovely," I told him. "Thank you both for coming to spend the evening with me."
"Thanks for having us," Trin answered and took her first bite. "Oh! Gram! This is delicious! Oh! This is so nice. Gram, can we make this a more regular thing? You don't always have to cook either. Maybe once or twice a month, Tommy could go pick you up to come to our house, and I could cook or whatever?"
"Oh, that would be lovely," I responded, but then I gave Tommy a head tilt. "Um," I said with a smile as I was about to put my food in my mouth, "your house?"
"Ours," Tommy answered and reached over to take Trin's hand. As she was lefthanded, she could continue to eat. It was clearly something they'd been doing for a while. Or had been before the big division earlier in the month. Thank God that was over. "Um, well, I don't know how much I should share though. It's not official or anything."
"Oh, Gram won't tell anyone, sweetheart," Trin told him and shook her head. "We can tell her what he said."
"Well, Dougie and Jen are pretty serious, so they're ready to live together as well," Tommy explained. "I plan to spend the rest of my life sleeping next to Trin, so keeping my place is silly when Dougie could live there. And..." Tommy continued but looked at Trin to make sure it was alright to continue. When she nodded, Tommy smiled. "He plans to propose around Valentine's Day."
"Oh, I knew it was happening soon," I told Tommy and waved off his shock. "Not everything has to be told to me; I see things. Besides, have you watched those two? They're very similar to you two from what Dougie has shared with me. One look at her, on a screen no less, and he knew in his heart that he'd found someone special. That it was Trinny's best friend is no shock either. We're all connected, you know. He'd have met her eventually, but how it happened, and more importantly how he made it happen with Trinny's surprise for her birthday and all? Well, what a sweet story to share down the road."
"Well, it is certainly a sweet story," Trinny agreed and smiled at me. "I couldn't have asked for anyone better for my best friend. And for our brother."
"How's that, dear?" I asked her suddenly. Their brother?
"Oh, I've been telling Dougie he's like one of my brothers since the first week we'd met," Trin explained. "I was just teasing him yesterday that he's going to go ahead and realize that he'll have to admit it one of these days that I'm his sister-in-law and not just his officemate or his brother's girlfriend. We are always teasing and playfully fighting about things. But I've watched him with Jen on several occasions, and I just love how in love they are."
"It does my heart so good to see the boys so happy with their girls," I shared.
After dinner was done, Tommy stood up after wiping his hands with his napkin once more. "Gram, why don't you and Trin go sit in the living room and talk some more," he offered. "I'll do these dishes and clean up before we have dessert. Trin brought disposable plates and forks so we won't have to dirty anymore dishes."
"Well, isn't that sweet?" I asked him and looked over at Trin. "Shall we?"
"Yeah," Trin answered and offered her elbow for me to take to walk into the living room with her. "I haven't gotten to visit with you in here since the Christmas stuff was taken down. It's lovely, though I'll always treasure the Christmas decorations because they were up when we first met."
"Yes, they were up when you met him," I teased and patted her hand when Trinny gasped. "Oh, I'm just teasing. I will always remember that first discussion we got to have before my grandson whisked you away to find your house, keep you overnight, and finally return you looking like you'd just found that there were gifts under the tree with your name on them."
"Gram!" Trin argued. "You're making me blush!"
"Oh, we've talked enough about things that make us blush, my Trinny. Don't you remember that Sunday morning when you came to tell me all about that first kiss? If I remember correctly, I said more than I probably should have about certain things I did in my past life." I covered my cheeks suddenly. "Oh! There I go again!"
