New Love (32 page)

“Phoebe
, you look beautiful,” kissed her.

“Wow,” Phoebe said when he stopped.

Tessa smiled at her and turned back to Lucas whose eyes never left her. She looked at him and smiled. He finally saw her smiling at him.

“Like the dress
Lucas?” she whispered in his ear.

“Yes very much, I can’t wait to
undo those laces,” he bit his lower lip, “Mmm mm mm.”

Jade was voted Prom queen and Tessa was so happy. She whistled and cheered as Jade went up to rec
eive the crown stunned and giggling the whole time in disbelief. She was not even sure she would be going. Becca was first on court.

The next few weeks flew with ball, school, and finals. Graduation was here, and Alex, Tessa, Jade and
Lucas decided to have their parties together. Lucas’ father was opposed to it, but that didn’t matter to Lucas.

Lucas
and Alex both received letters from many schools. Alex was valedictorian and Lucas salutatorian. Alex chose Cornell and received a scholarship. Ryan was accepted to SUNY Cortland, and he would be playing ball there. Lucas received several acceptance letters and chose SU. Jade and Tessa both decided to start at community colleges. Tessa knew how expensive Cornell would be for her parents and wasn’t sure what she wanted to do yet, anyway. Tommy’s family also received a letter from Syracuse. He would have been attending SU and playing ball if fate had not chosen otherwise. At the end of year sports banquet, Tommy’s number sixty eight was retired. It was a lovely ceremony that his family attended.

The graduation ceremony was held outside in the football field. Alex and
Lucas both spoke. There was an empty chair draped in black in the back row. It represented, Tommy. Tessa held Jade’s hand most of the time only letting go when one of them had to wipe away their tears.

Lucas’
mom Kate had met someone finally after all these years that Lucas thought she may be with for a long time. He was one of the counselors at Tully Hill. Everything was finally looking up for Lucas, and he was happy.

Lucas
and Tessa got in his SUV to meet the family. He started to unzip his robe, and she smiled.

“You
know I was watching you all covered up on stage, and I couldn’t help but think about what might be waiting for me under that robe, you drive, I want to check it out,” Lucas smiled, and she lifted his robe and winked.

Tessa and
Lucas met their families at the lakeside restaurant to celebrate after graduation. They had a great time. Ryan and Phoebe road with Alex, Jade had been spending a little more time at Tommy’s family home. His mother very much wanted to be close to Jade. Although it pained Jade to watch her cry, she did as she was asked.

Tessa was very busy helping her Mom make salads while the men started the chicken outside.

“How are things with you and Lucas?” Maggie asked.

“Perfect Mom, I
love him so much.”

“You’
re being safe right?”

“Mom,” she said defensively.

“What Tessa? Do you think I don’t see the way you two look at each other?” she asked.

Lucas
walked in the house, they smiled at each other.

“Just like that,” she whispered, “Shall I ask him?”

Tessa laughed, “Sure,” as Lucas hugged her from behind and kissed her head.

“Good morning Mrs. Ross,”
Lucas smiled.

“Good morning
Lucas, can I ask you a question?”

Tessa’s jaw dropped.

“Sure,” he smiled.

“Have you and Te
ssa been being safe?”

Lucas’s
eyes widened and he stepped back from Tessa.

“I’
m not sure what you mean?”

“Okay then, when you and my daughter have sex are you making sure to use protection?” Maggie asked looking at him.

“Mag’s,” John gasped in shock as he walked into the room.

“Holy shit,” Tessa
looked down.

“Your mouth Tessa,” Maggie warned
. “Well Lucas?”

“Okay,” he paused, “Tess
a and I love each other and we’re both pretty smart. I’ve known from a couple weeks after I met her that I felt that way. And to answer your question of course we are.”

“Okay have you been tested for disease
Lucas?” Maggie asked.

“Mom,” Tessa
stomped her foot.

“
Jesus Mag’s! I’ll be outside…hiding,” John walked out the door.

“Tessa
its fine,” Lucas said. “Yes ma’am and Tessa went with me. I showed her the report. I’m free of all diseases, which I was pretty positive I was anyway. There was only one other person I have had sex with that I didn’t use a condom.”

Maggie wasn’t expecting that, “Well how many people have you had sex with
Lucas?”

"Mom that's enough!”

“Thirteen including your daughter,” Lucas answered looking her straight in the eyes. He watched her jaw drop, “I love Tessa and will be faithful to her, and I have been. I plan to marry her when she’s ready. I hope you believe me. I won’t lie to you. Is there anything else Mrs. Ross?”

“No
, Lucas, thank you for being honest,” Maggie walked into the other room.

Tessa looked at him and closed her eyes, he hugged her.

“I love you baby, it’ll be fine. I’m going outside to try to help… and avoid any ass kicking your father may give me.”

“I love you
Lucas.”

Maggie came out and looked at Tessa.

“Mom, do you have any more questions?”

“No
Tessa, you know your sister is saving herself for marriage right?” Tessa shook her head yes. “And Alex, oh Tessa has Alex?”

“No Mom.”

“Does he know about you,” Maggie asked.

“Well yes, but it’s not like he has encouraged me,” Tessa said defending him, “and he knows that you put me on the pill.”

“He didn’t force you did he?” Maggie asked.

“No mom!
I actually went to him the first time,” she said. “He’d turned me down before that.”

“Does it make y
ou uncomfortable?”

Tessa tried not to smile, “No.”

“So then it’s something you enjoy.”

“Do you hone
stly want to know?”

“Yes, I want to know that you’re not
hurting or in pain,” Maggie started tearing up.

“Well pain and hurting was af
ter my lovely exam,” Tessa glared at her. “With him,” she smiled. “It’s amazing.”

“Alright I think I’
ve heard enough,” Maggie said turning away.

“Mom have you had sex with the Dr.?” Tessa asked trying to make her feel uncomfortable.

“No Tessa, I haven’t had sex in almost a year.”

“Well how do you stop doing th
at? I can’t imagine,” Tessa said shocked.

“You just do.”

“And the Doctor is alright with that?”

“Tessa I broke things off with him at Christmas time,” Maggie said, “I miss my family.”

“Then come back, Mom.”

“I don’t think I can.”

“Dad loves you; can’t you see the way he looks at you?”

“Tessa I know your
father, and he would never. I would demand counseling. I want to feel the way you do now. The passionate love forever, and he and I are way past that.”

We shall see
, Tessa thought and smiled “Okay mom,” she hugged her.

“Tessa, please don’t tell your brother or father about t
his conversation.”

“I won’t.”

~

“John, I’
m sorry,” Lucas said walking up to him nervously.

“I’
m not stupid,” John said as he basted the chicken. “Are you honestly sorry?”

“If you’re angry I’m sorry.
I love her and well, always will,” Lucas looked down.

“Alright then, make sure you do,” John said. “We have a party to get ready for boy,” he said as he smacked him on the back. “It wasn’
t the hot tub was it?”

“No
, sir we haven’t done it there yet,” Lucas said and wished he could eat his words.

Alex laughed out loud
.

John looked at Alex “Have you?”

“No Dad… although I can’t say I haven’t wanted to,” Alex smiled.

“You haven’t?”
Lucas asked.

“No
Lucas, I’ve been waiting for you,” Alex laughed.

“Well at least someone’s getting some,” John said under his breath.

The boys laughed.

Tessa walked up and tapped her father on the back, “Daddy are you mad?”

“Disappointed Tessa,” John said his face immediately changing.

“But Dad
, you just said you were happy someone was…” Alex started.

“Enough son,” John said glaring at him. “And happy was not the word I used.”

“Sorry Daddy.”

“G
ood… don’t do it again,” he looked down.

Tessa hugged him and walked away.

~

Lucas’s
family pulled in, and there was a steady pace of traffic for the rest of the day. They had a great time, dancing and laughing. Lucas and Tessa kept their distance for the first few hours. Maggie and John sat together and watched them exchange glances and smiles.

“
She loves him, Mag’s.”

“I know.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Well we can’t push he
r, she’s eighteen.”

“I told her n
ot to do it again,” he smiled.

Maggie laughed, “And what did she say?”

“Well she hugged me and didn’t say a damn word,” he laughed.

“Well
, we didn’t raise a liar,” she laughed and grabbed his hand. His body stiffened, “Oh I’m sorry,” she said and went to pull her hand away.

“Mag’s don’t be, you just caught me o
ff guard,” he squeezed her hand. “We have four wonderful kids and one pain in the ass,” he laughed, “all perfect. We need to be able to be friends, right?”

“Yes John, friends,” she whispered and looked at him.

Ben’s family pulled in. Tessa saw them getting out and smiled. She saw Lucas stare at her and she walked over to him, “We okay?”

“Well this very uncomfortable day just keeps getting mo
re uncomfortable,” she hugged him.

They watched as Ben helped a girl out of the car.
Lucas looked at Tessa to see a reaction, she smiled.

“You okay with that?”

“Absolutely! I’m glad he is happy, can we go say hi?” Tessa’s feet started moving, and he shook his head yes.

“Hey Ben,” Tessa
hugged him.

“Hello Tess,” Ben
grinned and hugged her back.

“Hello Links” he
stuck his hand out to shake Lucas’s hand.

Lucas
shook it and smiled.

Ben looked back at the tall curly haired blonde behind him.

“This is Lauren,” Ben took her hand.

“Hel
lo,” Lauren smiled politely. “Tessa right?”

“Yep,” Tessa hugged her.

Lauren looked shocked, “I uh…recognized you from the videos on Ben’s page. You have an amazing voice.”

“Thank you, and this is
Lucas my boyfriend,” Tessa smiled

“I don’t know Tess
-- check out that ring,” Ben winked. “What’s this mean?”

“When she is ready we we’ll switch hands, and then we’ll get married. W
hen she’s ready,” Lucas repeated.

“That is so sweet,” Lauren looked
a bit relieved.

Tessa and Ben both noticed and smiled at each other. They all walked toward the tents.

“You’re both coming to mine next weekend, right?” Ben looked at Lucas.

“Sure, sounds good,”
Lucas said, “Is that alright with you, Baby?” he kissed Tessa on the head.

“I’
d love that,” Tessa smiled knowing that Lucas was trying.

Ben spotted the Karaoke machine, “Links
, you going to let Tess sing with me?”

“If she wants to,”
Lucas’s smile was guarded.

Tes
sa walked up to Alex and Phoebe, “Ben’s here,” she smiled, “His girlfriend Lauren is with him, you should say hello.”

Tessa walked into the house dragging
Lucas behind her. She smiled as she passed some family and shut the kitchen door behind them. She looked at him, “We okay?”

“I don’t know
, are we?” Lucas searched her face.