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The Tessarae Inn |
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Consequences in Blue Notes
CHAPTER 21 Todd thought of Kevin’s stupid face at the meeting when Kevin learned he was outmaneuvered. Again. It was priceless! That pretender to the throne was in for a bumpy ride. He couldn’t wait to get home and tell Blair. He switched on the CD player and hit the forward button until Track 4 came on. He listened to Jake Travis and his mystery woman singing “Since I Fell For You.” The damn song had just been released today but it was already rushing up the charts so fast that some people said Travis had made a pact with the devil. But Todd knew the true story. Travis had met up with a fallen angel. When Blair’s voice joined Travis’s a shiver went down Todd’s spine. Three weeks ago he agreed to run by the mall and pick up a CD for Starr. The store was blasting music in the background from some rap group, Major Trouble, or something like that but when their cut ended the mood shifted dramatically. He recognized that it was a new song from Jake Travis but his heart almost stopped when he heard Blair’s voice. The CD wasn’t even out yet but Todd made the clerk an offer he couldn’t refuse for the store’s promotional copy. Then he walked out into the mall area and found a bench. He examined the disc carefully. The singer was only identified as a “friend.” When he read the liner notes he finally found the clue he was looking for: “To the woman in the white cashmere sweater who I wish had agreed to stay for a lifetime or two. I hope he knows how lucky he is.” Todd felt like his head was going to explode. Blair had been with Jake Travis. He’s the one who bought her that sweater. He sat in that damn mall for three hours. He could not afford to act without thinking this time. Very slowly it dawned on him what the dedication meant. Blair could have stayed with Jake Travis if she wanted to, just like she could have stayed in Creedyville. She could have stayed but she came home—to him. Now as he careened home he played the CD as he had almost everyday since he first heard that song to remind him of what he could have lost. He didn’t say anything to her for two weeks but finally he asked her about it. She didn’t hesitate. She told him how she met Travis and how the recordings were made. When he asked her about whether Travis had feelings for her she said that he thought he did but nothing happened. He believed her. Blair was with him because she wanted to be. She could have stayed but she didn’t. And it was three months and counting now since she came back and there were no signs she was unhappy. Everyday she came back to him a little bit more. When he walked into the foyer of the house all that greeted him was silence. For a minute he panicked then erased the feeling from his mind. He was learning about trust an inch at a time. He checked the parlor and the study and then heard voices coming from the kitchen and smelled something heavenly. He put his coat and briefcase on the hall chair and walked into the kitchen. The scene that greeted him made him catch his breath. Starr was at the kitchen table obviously working on homework. Jack was in his high chair laughing and playing with a stuffed toy that played music. And Blair was just taking a sheet of cookies out of the oven. “Hey,” he said walking into the room. They all turned and looked at him with smiles on their faces and he felt this surge of love so intense that he almost couldn’t move. He tossed Starr’s hair as he walked past her straight to Blair. She put the cookie sheet on the counter and stretched out her arms to indicate her surprise at him coming home so early. He walked straight into her arms and kissed her deeply bending her back slightly. Starr whooped loudly. “Wow,” said Blair when he finally released her. “Did you have a good day?” “Yes, but nothing compared to coming home to the three of you.” She kiss him lightly again then pushed him away as she turned quickly and picked up a spatula. “I’ve got to get these cookies off of there before they stick.” “Blair, you don’t cook so why are you making cookies?” “Because the school fair is tomorrow and I’m suppose to bring cookies,” said Starr. “Jason Reynolds said that all I could do was buy cookies from the bakery, but his mommy was going to bake his. So I told him my mommy could bake his mommy under the table any day of the week.” “So,” said Blair then laughed, “we have an agreement. I’m baking cookies while your daughter is doing her homework before the last minute for a change.” Todd looked over what Starr was doing then bumped her lightly to let her know he was proud of her then he picked up Jack out his highchair and sat down at the table next to Starr. Jack reached out and punched Starr and she started giggling loudly. He looked at Blair spooning out more cookie dough then at Starr and Jack for one perfect moment he recognized happiness while it was occurring not after the fact. When he went in to say goodnight to Starr he found her in an uncharacteristically reflective mood. He sat on the edge of the bed. “What’s the matter, Shorty?” Starr rolled over on her side. “I had a really good day, Daddy.” “Why is that making you sad?” “I’m not sad, I just don’t want it to end. It was perfect.” He ran his hand lightly over her forehead. “You can’t stop time but you can make a memory and keep it with you forever.” “How?” “Think about every detail of all of the good times you had today. Remember every detail you can—the colors, the smells, whether you were warm or cold… In the morning the memory will be waiting for you to pull out whenever you need it.” “You know what was the best part? It was having Mommy home. She’s not going to leave again is she?” “No. I promise you, Starr, the four of us will always be a family and your mother is never going to leave us again. Now, close your eyes.” She did. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “Paint yourself a memory.” He and Blair watched Jack sleep for few minutes then checked on Starr who was sleeping peacefully. Blair slipped her hand into his. He understood what she was saying. Watching your children sleep when you know they are happy and safe was a profound feeling. Slowly they walked out of the room and closed the door. He kissed her and then guided her to their bedroom. He watched Blair as she put lotion on her arms and legs. She was filling him in on all the funny, miraculous things Jack seemed to have accomplished today and her theory that Starr had a crush on Jason Reynolds. Not to mention that she was talking about all of them going to Creedyville for the Mud Pie Days Festivals. He had to admit that he did have some damn fond memories of Sheri’s guest bedroom. He’d have to think about Creedyville later because at the moment all he could think about was Blair. She was driving him wild without even knowing it. He walked up behind her and reached for the bottle. “Let me do that.” She turned toward him slightly confused then smiled. They walked to the bed and he put a drop of lotion in his right hand and began to rub it on her shoulder. Slowly he worked his way along her arms then her legs. After about five minutes, Blair wrapped herself around him and kissed him so deeply he lost his sense of time.
Blair’s head was lying on his chest. They had made love with such intensity and abandon that he no longer had any doubts about whether her heart was truly home. Finally, everything was right with his world. There were no lies or secrets threatening to jump out at them and they would fight any enemies they had together. Speaking of enemies, he realized this was the perfect time to tell her about Kevin. “I got you a present today.” “I don’t need anything. I have you and the children and nothing can compare to the joy that brings me.” “This might be icing on the cake.” He reached over and pulled the bill of sale out of the side table. He handed the papers to her. Blair seemed to be more interested in staying in his arms than reading the papers but he jabbed her in the ribs and made her sit up. She glanced over the papers then suddenly he felt the bed begin to shake. She was jumping up and down. “You bought the TV station!” “Yes, I did. And look on page twenty for the best part.” She flipped the pages quickly and then read. She turned toward him slowly. “It’s in my name. I’m the primary owner?” “Ten percent is in the name of the kids but you control that.” “But what about…” “I have twenty percent and the rest is yours. And here’s the cherry on top. You beat out Kevin Buchanan and he is pissed off. He’s gunning for you…us.” Blair whooped. “Bring him on. I’ll beat that wife stealing, spoiled rich boy’s ass.” They talked for hours about plans for the station and the connection to The Sun. They worked out a “war” plan. Llanview was not going to know what hit it. The Mannings were going to be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come. They were going to build a legacy and, one day, Starr and Jack would rule. Long live the Manning reign. Finally, exhausted from the excitement, Blair couldn’t keep her eyes open one second longer. He leaned over and pulled the cover over her. “Goodnight, Princess Blair,” he whispered. He watched her sleep for a long time. Starr was right. This had been the perfect day and he had painted his own memory. He sure had enough practice—for a long time memories of the good times with Blair were all that got him through. Slowly a measure of sweet fatigue descended. He slipped down under the covers and framed his body around Blair’s. “I love you, Blair. I will protect and cherish you forever.” THE END
Sequel:
Regrets
In Jade Tones
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