The Truth About Air & Water (Truth in Lies #2) (54 page)

“Keep what up?” I ask nervously. He’s confusing me. He’s got this bemused look on his face.

“You gave up the word fuck. You proposition me with the idea of a slow F-U-C-K telling me we best get on with it because Marla and Andy and the kids will be back soon. Why don’t you say what you really mean, for once, Tally? Just say it. Or should I say it? Should I tell you that about an hour ago your daughter and I were in your bedroom getting clothes that yo
u
directed us to pack up, but then Cara had to go potty, and she disappears into this very bathroom for a few minutes and when she returns she’s holding up two pregnancy test sticks in her chubby little hands and asking me, “what are these for, Daddy?” And I was just wondering, frankly, wondering is not a strong enough description.” He runs his hands through his hair and sighs. “I was just wondering if you were going to ever
fucking tell
me that you’re pregnant because I’m pretty sure those aren’t Marla’s test sticks since that question has been asked and answered for Mrs. Masterson. Or is this between you and Sam? Because I, for one, would like to know what the fuck is going on!”

“
Language,
Prez.”

“Great and now you’re mad.
Perfect.
You know what? I can’t concentrate when you’re all wet and naked in the bathtub pretending we’re just platonic friends. And don’t think I don’t recognize the
friend-zone
with you. So if you don’t mind, I’d like you to get dressed and then come talk to me. I’ll be here another five minutes and then I’m out. Tell Cara I’ll pick her up for the zoo tomorrow morning. Have her ready by nine.”

He leaves.

He just leaves.

I spend a few more minutes in the bath, and it finally dawns on me that the water is really cold. I gingerly get out of the tub, towel myself off, and grab my bathrobe from the back of the door.

“You blew it,” I say to the girl in the mirror. “Nice job.” The girl in the mirror cries and ruins the makeup on her face as fast as it’s being applied. She combs her hair. She gives up on the rest of it and walks into the bedroom.

The place is lit up with candles flickering shadows across everything.
And Linc is here.

“I think I’m done,” I say with a nervous laugh taking a special interest in the candles all around, “with the bath.” I turn in a complete circle in wonder and look over at him.

“Really?” Linc asks.

“Really.”

“So. So far, the biggest news you have to share with me is that you and Marla have a pact going and can no longer use the word
fuck
because our kid is picking up on that.”

I nod. “Elliott too. Charlie busted Marla for it. What kind of parents are we? Of course, Marla is perfect otherwise, but I am…hopeless.” My hand goes up watering my face again as the tears betray me by coming down faster.

“How long are you going to keep this up
?" He
asks again like before.

“I think I’m done.”

“Okay. Then. Tally, why don’t you tell me what it is you
really
have to tell me that is causing you to cry as if I’m not going to notice that at all.”

“Okay.”

Six minutes go by.

The candle light flickers and casts shadows across his face. I get caught up in the nuance of all of that. Finally, I steel myself with a fresh cleansing breath while he just patiently waits for me to speak. “Well. Okay. Then,” I say uncertain but force a smile.

The corners of his mouth turn up ever so slightly at this.

“The thing is…I…
we
are pregnant. Nine weeks. I just found out two hours ago. I have to stop dancing in three weeks. I’m due to leave for Russia the day after tomorrow. I have an appointment with Dr. Eldon tomorrow morning at nine which blows the zoo plans if you want to go with me.”

He gets this joyous look and a wide smile. It is particularly distracting. I stop and take in air readying myself for the next part.

“Go on,” he says like a prompt.

“And I was wondering if you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me, as more than a friend, despite my ill-timed ability to get pregnant whenever we have clandestine sex it seems. I was hoping that you could possibly overlook my sometimes beyond cruel tendencies that could be classified as downright crazy behavior toward you these last few months as well as some past transgressions of this nature that you may not remember. I sincerely hope you just know and accept my intentions are somewhat good and might even be considered somewhat pure. It is fair to say that my fury and hurt over Trinna Danner was real enough, border
ed
nuclear. But I want you to know that I’ve forgiven you, and I sincerely hope you’ll forgive me too for my part.”

He
stop
s
smiling. He has this dazed look. He’s taken to the chair that sits near the window and stares out it.

I swallow hard.

“I guess what I’m trying to say—and not very well—is I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s actually possible, if we both really try hard and perhaps at the same time, we can find the balance to the fire between us. Restore it in fact. To before. To the big move moment,” I smile at him, “when I knew that I loved you—fell in love with you all over again—to this one when I know I love you no matter what you remember or what you’d really like to forget. In any case, to
now
, I love you, Elvis. And I’ll be your water and you can be my air, and we’ll just figure it all out as we go along into forever because we’re together. If you want.”

He holds his head between his hands and is no longer even looking at me.

“Elvis?”

He looks up at me with this little smile. “How do you want to do this? Either I strip down and get naked with you back in the bathtub like before. Or, we continue this discussion here in this bed. It’s your call.”

“My
call
. Did you say like
before
? Do you remember before?” I whisper.

“Some of it. It comes back like parts of a scene from an old movie.” He nods slowly. “Yeah, you were upset one night about pretty much everything and I gave you a bath and then I joined you.” He gets this uncertain smile.

“Yeah.” I lick my lips and search his face. “And you remember?”

“I think I do.” Then he frowns. “I don’t want you to take me back thinking it’s all coming back. Only bits and pieces have returned. I’m still getting headaches. I still don’t remember everything.” He sighs. “But I still…love you.””

“Elvis,” I say softly crawling across the middle of the bed. “Come here.”

He gets up, strips off his shirt and kicks off his shoes and jeans. Commando has the power.

Holy shit.

I get on my knees to meet him. We are willing bodies comprised of arms and legs. He kisses me and then we both move in on each other as the fire between us combines to make a bigger flame. No hesitation on my part and none on his. I settle down on his shaft because I’m most definitely ready for him as he is for me. We take it slow, which is its own particular brand of eroticism because I’ve missed him, and I know he’s missed me, and it takes so much discipline to come at each other slowly and not rush into the good part that will take us both over the edge. The connection between us has a memory, and it comes to life with every touch and trailing kiss of his, and I give it back to him in kind.

Love. This is love.

What else could it be?

“Let’s not talk anymore,” I say nipping his neck with my teeth and laughing. “No more talking.”

“Got it. No more talking,” he says moving even closer in on me. “Nice. We’re finally getting to number nine with
Tally’s Epic Plan
. It’s like Christmas in July.” He sighs big and plants kisses along my shoulder and laughs.

“I thought this was the peace treaty you were telling me about? These are the terms, right?” I ask with a laugh.

“It’s that too.”

“I accept,” I say airily.

“I thought you might.”

We make the most of our time in exploring number nine despite the implications of the fearsome foursome
’s
return. I tell Linc that Marla will figure it out and give us some extra time. She’s resourceful that way, my bestie.

As we finish, I settle in on his chest and listen to his heartbeat as it beats so steady against my cheek.

“Tally,” he whispers after a few minutes. “Was it always like this?
Before
?”

I lift my head and look up at his face. He looks a little anxious, a little unsure, which is funny considering we just did the deed at an epic number nine level.

“Every time is more amazing than the last. No need to look back, Elvis.”

I crawl all the way up onto his chest and settle in on him as his arms come around me. “There’s no need to look back. This is
us
moving forward. That’s all we need.”

“Okay. Then,” he says simply.

“Okay. Then.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

You're Still The One -TALLY

Did you know you only need five people to get married? Pastor Dan, the groom, the bride, Charlie and Marla. We have extras though. My parents. Marla’s parents. Charlie’s parents. Tommy and Cara and Elliott and Andy. And Davis. And Kimberley and Brad. Did you know if you request a wedding date on Thursday instead of Saturday for the little church in Half Moon Bay that Pastor Dan Reeve can fit you right in? And that a dress off the rack fits and flows just fine and if your future-father-in-law buys it and brings it to surprise you—it is its own special kind of atonement. Did you know that flowers sold and bought at a roadside stand smell wonderful and tied with a white satin ribbon look amazing and perfect?

And finally, did you know cupcakes are everyone’s favorite dessert and you can stack them as high as you want? At least, my mom can.
Of course, the best thing about cupcakes is you can steal a few (
four
) before the ceremony to appease the two hungry children whimpering in their little flower girl and ring bearer outfits that they are starving almost as much as the bride and the matron of honor. Marla and I are carefully peeling the wrapper from the last one and sharing the last bites when Charlie walks in. Never mind no guy is supposed to see the bride before the big
I do
part. He looks a little shaken and I have one of those heart stopping moments, but then bravely look at him with a raised eyebrow and a it’s-my-wedding-day-bridal look before asking, “Charlie, what’s up?”

Marla is already berating him for barging in on us. She takes her matron of honor duties very seriously.

“He wants to talk to you now, before the ceremony, before things get started.”

“Why?” I ask suddenly afraid of what Linc could possibly have to say that can’t wait until after.

“He wouldn’t say. He’s got a bad headache, and a shot of whiskey didn’t help him out.” Charlie grins but looks a little worried which causes me to worry. “He insisted I come find you. He said he has something to say, Tally, and he needs to say it
before
. That’s all he would tell me.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s acting kind of weird and he insists on talking to you first. I left him talking to Brad to come find you. They just got here from the airport. We’re almost ready but he said to go find you. So here I am.”

“Fine. Fine. I’m sure it’s nothing.” I force a brave smile and reassure the small bridal group, the cherubs, Marla and my mom as much as myself. “Groom nerves. I’m sure that’s all it is. Let me go talk to him.”

I pull up the front of my dress and gather up the train from behind and race down the other end of the hallway. Ten seconds later, I burst into the dressing room designated for the groom and his groomsmen only to find Linc standing all alone at the far window quietly gazing out of it. His arm is over his head like he’s staving off pain.
I’ll give him pain.

“This better be good, Elvis.
Seriously.
Charlie looks like he’s about to attend a funeral instead of standing up for you at this wedding. You’ve freaked him out. Just so you know we’re due to walk down the aisle in fifteen minutes. There’s got to be a very good reason why you had to see me—
the bride
—before the ceremony and mess with the whole voodoo hoodoo superstitions associated with
that
. So, let’s hear it. What could you possibly have to say to me that couldn’t wait?"