| "Mom, I have something important to tell you all.." Taylor began and held the phone between us so I could hear what was going on. "I'd wait unil we could be there with you but we wanted to tell you before Jess has to do her TV spot...after all, family should be the first to know.." I heard Lacey's unmistakable squeal in the background, and I covered my mouth again. Taylor smiled brightly at me and then continued talking to his mother. I could swear she wasn't breathing. "I asked Jessie to marry me today and she said yes. We are engaged, Mom." Taylor said. I giggled at the noise that came over the phone line. "Oh, honey...congratulations! I am so happy for you.." Diana said over all the girlish squeals. "Thanks, Mom..." he said and looked at me. "Is Jessie right there, Tay?" she asked. "Yeah, Mom here she is..' he handed the phone to me. "Hello?" "Oh, Jessie! I am so happy for both of you..you have to come for a visit soon so we can celebrate properly." she said. "Actually, Diana.." I grinned at Tay, "Jake and I are moving into Tulsa right after the competition next week. Jake says he needs a change, and I would love to be closer to all of you.." I told her. "Wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Congratulations, you two." Suddenly Walker was talking. I put the phone between Tay and I so we could both hear the conversation. "Thanks." we said in unison. Taylor squeezed my hand. We talked to everyone, Ike and Lacey offered their congratulations and Jessica had to have her turn. "I can't wait to see you, Jessie." She squealed. "Wow! Two weddings..that's so cool.." "Thank you sweetie. I'll see you soon okay?" "Okay. Taylor?" |
| "Yeah?" "You're the lucky one.." she told him and I grinned. "I know, Jessica. I am." he said to her and kissed my cheek. I shook my head and pointed to myself. "I am." I mouthed. Then it was Zac's turn. "Hey, bro! Congratulations! Hey Jessie? Are you insane? You said yes?" he laughed. "Shut up Zac." Tay and I said in unison again and I had to giggle. "Zac are you looking for that rematch already? My leg is 100% again..I won't go so easy on you this time." I told him. "I ain't a-skeerd a you, bring it on tough girl." he teased. "Hey Zac.." Taylor said grinning at me, "Keep your hands off my fiancee... or I might have to let her kick your ass all over the backyard this time instead of saving you.." "Oooh..what a threat you wus! Letting your woman fight your battles." he laughed. "Seriously you guys, Congratulations. I'm happy for you." "Thanks Zac." I said. Taylor took the phone and stood up. I heard bits and pieces of the rest of his conversation with Zac. He talked to Ike for a minute, then said his goodbyes and hung up. "Okay baby," Taylor said, turning to look at me. "No worries. You can say whatever you want." I stood and walked to where he was standing. "Tay?" "What babe?" he asked puting his arms around me. "I love you." "I love you too, baby." he said and rested his forehead on mine. |
| Taylor kept his promise about staying up all night, almost. We talked for hours about all kinds of things. He sat close to me on the couch and held my hand or stoked my hair, or was touching me in some way at all times. He leaned in and kissed me, wantonly. I responded to him like I always did. I never could get enough of his touch. We made love to each other throughout the rest of the night, sleeping ccasionally. We slept lightly in each other's arms until dawn. |
| I woke to Taylor's light warm caress on my belly. I was sleeping on my back and one of his arms was under my neck, his hand resting on my shoulder. His other one was caressing my stomach, softly. I let my eyes flutter open and smiled, seeing his beautiful blue eye looking down at me through his golden frame of hair. He was incredibly sexy all sleep-mussed, like that. I reached a hand up and tucked his hair behind his ear. "Morning..." I said softly. "Hi.." He traced my navel ring with his index finger, causing me to giggle. "That tickles, Tay.." "Oooh, ticklish.." he grinned. "Just a little.." He kissed my neck and let his tongue trail down my body, stopping at the ring in my bellybutton. He looked up at me and grinned. "Hey, how bad did that hurt anyway?" he asked. I laughed. "Not as bad as you think.." "What made you decide to do it, Jess?" "I did it on a stupid dare, Tay. Too many drinks and some smart ass musclehead at the 'section said I'd be too chicken to do it...so.." I shook my head and grinned. "I really shouldn't drink..." "I like it.." he purred and traced it with his tongue. "Hmmm..you do?" "Yup...maybe I'll get one to match..." he grinned. "Oh yeah, Tay." I said sarcastically. "we'll make the freaking Guinees book, too. The only couple ever stuck at the navel by entangled belly rings.." I giggled and shook my head. He threw his head back and laughed. "Well..it's not like I'd MIND.." he said, looking in my eyes again. I leaned up on my elbows and stared at him. "You're serious, aren't you?" I asked. "Yeah, I'm serious. Whatcha gonna do? Call me chicken.." he growled and tickled my bellybutton with his tongue. "Never, baby. I know better..' I told him. "Then you won't mind holding my hand..." he grinned at me again. "You want me to go WITH you? Oh my god.." I laughed. "What?" he asked. "When were you thinking of doing this?" I asked him. "How 'bout right after I ravage your body and take you out to breakfast?" he wiggled his eyebrows. "If you're serious.." I said, "and in THAT order.." |