No More Wasted Time (33 page)

There was a knock on their bedroom door. Tess reached down
to the end of the bed, pulling the sheet and down comforter over them.

“Are you decent? Can we come in?” JC called through the
closed door.

Panic spilled over Tom’s face, appearing unsure of what to
do, stay in bed or run for the bathroom. He tucked the covers up over his
chest.

“You can come in.” Tess laughed at Tom and shook her head.

Tracy and JC stood at the door with two cups of freshly
brewed coffee. “Hey, you two! Today’s the big day!”

Both girls danced into the room and sat on Tess' side of the
bed. Neither paid attention to Tom, who was practically hiding under the
covers.

“It’s gorgeous outside!” Tracy said.

JC started singing. “Going to the chapel and we’re gonna get
married, going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married.”

The fear in Tom’s eyes softened as he laughed out loud.

“John’s making breakfast, so you’d better get up. Let’s go,
sleepy heads. Today is your big day!”

“Thanks for the coffee,” Tom said.

“What’s he making?” Tess asked.

“Your favorite!” JC danced out the door with Tracy right
behind her.

“Banana pancakes.” Tess glanced at Tom. “Are you all right?
Don’t worry, they always knock first. You might want to try to relax. This
won’t be the last time they come talk to us while we’re in bed.”

“Seriously? It seemed a little awkward.”

“Yes, seriously. They’re used to having their dad around,
Tom. It’s not a big deal to them. They’re obviously comfortable around you.”

He nodded, mulling it over in his head. “You think they see
me differently because I’m going to be your husband? Is that what you’re
saying?”

“Yes. You’re part of their family now. My kids see you as a
good man, not Hollywood hotshot, Tom Clemmins. The same way I see you. Don’t
worry. They’re not going to call you Dad or anything, but they’re going to look
up to you in a Dad-like way. Does that make sense? It’ll get easier, Tom.”

“I guess I never looked at it that way.” A huge smile
crossed his face. “Family. I like that.”

“Good because in about seven hours, you’re going to be a big
part of one.” She kissed his cheek. “Let’s eat before I decide to stay in here
and lock the door.”

“Not until tonight when you’re Tess Clemmins.”

“I can’t wait!” She danced around the room.

After breakfast Benny, Lisa, Tommy and Kim arrived. Tom
smiled in relief, ecstatic to see Benny. Tess introduced her kids to the Levis.
John had already met Lisa, and when Tess introduced him to Benny, Benny put up
his hands as if they were going to box.

“So you’re the guy who kicked Tommy’s ass? It’s nice to
finally meet you.” Benny smirked, high-fiving John.

“I still feel horrible. Thanks for reminding me,” John
laughed, rolling his eyes.

“You feel horrible? How do you think I feel?” Tom asked.

Everybody laughed.

While Tom and Benny were outside catching up, Tess filled
Lisa in on wedding details. Tess also told her how much she appreciated Benny
doing the film for Tom.

“Tommy was going out of his mind. He only wanted to be with
you. He was so cute. I didn’t think that man would ever be able to utter the
word
love
, but once he finally admitted he was in love with you, look
out! He’s head over heels for you. Benny and I knew from the moment he showed
up at our villa with you, that you were the one.”

“Seriously?”

“Of course! We went to bed that night saying, ‘Thank God!
Finally!’ He’s such a great guy, but nobody ever seemed to fit with him. You
two are perfect for each other. How are your kids getting along with him? You
heard about my first introduction to your boy John.”

“They’re great. John likes him, and my girls do, too. It
feels like we’re a family when we’re together.”

“Wow.” Lisa’s eyes widened with a look of surprise, maybe
disbelief.

Tess clarified, “My kids are older. It would be entirely
different if they were your kid’s ages. Mine aren’t looking for a father. All
I’m saying is, it’s comfortable when we’re all together. Tom fits right in.”

Lisa understood, nodding her head.

Tess and Lisa went to find Benny and Tom. They were in the
kitchen talking. As Tess entered the room, she heard Benny telling Tom, “I
don’t think that’s a very smart decision, Tommy. You should protect yourself.
You never know what may happen in the future.”

Tess fidgeted uncomfortably, realizing she’d walked in on a
conversation about herself. As the men spotted her, a weighted silence filled
the room. She chewed on her cheek, unable to mask the uneasy look on her face.

Benny touched Tess’ shoulder. “No disrespect, Tess. Lisa and
I love you, but I was just asking Tommy why he’s not doing any kind of a prenup
with you.”

Tom scowled at Benny, narrowing his eyes, looking more
pissed with every second of silence ticking by slowly. The tension so thick you
could cut it with a knife

Tess finally responded nonchalantly, “Hey, I asked the same
question. Actually, I’d feel better if he did, but do you see that face right
there?” She pointed to Tom. “He got pissed at me. It’s not worth arguing over.
I don’t want anything from him. Nothing monetary anyway.” She chuckled, hoping
to lighten the atmosphere.

Tom still glared at Benny.

“Tom, he’s your best friend. He’s supposed to be watching
out for your best interests. Come on. If someone you knew were getting married
like we are, you’d ask the exact same thing. So don’t be angry with him.” Tess
smiled and kissed him on the lips. “You should be happy right now. We get
married in five hours.”

Benny squeezed her shoulder. “Truly, Tess, I didn’t mean
anything by it.” He shook Tom’s hand. “I love you, Tommy. Come on, don’t be
pissed at me. I only want you to be happy man.”

“Benny, I told you, I know what I’m doing.”

Shock covered Lisa's face, and she stepped outside to check
on her kids. Benny followed behind her.

Tess reached for Tom’s hand, playing with his fingers. “He’s
simply looking out for you. If he were marrying Lisa now, you’d be telling him
the same thing.”

“You’re right. If Benny were getting married, I’d be
dragging him to his attorney’s office.”

“I don’t want to come between the two of you. You should be
thanking him for being such a good friend. If anyone should be offended, it
should be me and I’m not. So put a smile on your face. This should be one of
the happiest days of your life.”

“It is the happiest day of my life, Tess.”

Tom wasn’t over it, so she hopped up on the counter, wrapped
her legs around him, and kissed him affectionately. She didn’t want him to
think about anything else but her. It worked until her girls walked in on them.

JC giggled, rolling her eyes as she muttered under her
breath, “Great, I feel like I’m back in high school.”

“We’re going to start getting ready, Mom. Marco and Rick
should be here in about an hour.”

Tess needed to loosen up, so she went to her room and turned
on her music, loudly. She danced and sang in the shower.

Tom stood watching her with a martini in his hand. “I
thought this might help you loosen up, but I see the music beat me to it.”

“Thanks,” she said, taking a long sip of her drink.

Marco and Rick arrived to style the girls’ hair and makeup.
Marco styled Tess’ hair perfectly, sweeping her long bangs to the side and
pinning the rest back loosely in pieces. He wanted free reign over her makeup,
assuring her, “I promise, it will look even better than the premier. You’ll be
beautiful. Come on, girlfriend, you can trust me. Tom will love it, too.”

Marco accentuated her blue eyes, giving them a smoldering,
smoky look. “Marco! It’s exactly what I wanted.”

“Miss Tess, you’re a perfect canvas. I love working on you.
I usually have to work with bitchy, rich women. Not you, girlfriend. You’re
special. Any time you need something, you call me and I’ll take care of it for
you.” He air-kissed her cheeks. “You look H.O.T. Hot. He is one lucky man. Take
some pictures for me.”

“What do you mean? You and Rick are coming today, aren’t
you? You have to come.”

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely!”

“Girl, you know we love weddings. We’d love to come.”

Marco rushed out the door to tell Rick when Tom entered the
bedroom. “I invited them to the wedding, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Jesus, Tess,” He swallowed hard, looking her over. “You
look…beautiful. I mean really, really gorgeous. Damn, I’m the luckiest man in
the world.”

She blushed. “Thanks!”

Tom shut the door before untying the belt on her silky robe,
exposing her naked body underneath. Tess shuddered under the touch of his hands
fondling her breasts. He began kissing her, sucking on her bottom lip,
traveling down her neck. 

“Tom.” Tess’ heavy breathing turned into a loud sigh. “Wait.
Tom, wait.”

Tom pressed himself against her. “I want you right now. No
more waiting. I’ve waited way too long for you.” He kissed her again. Both were
on the verge of giving in when someone knocked on the door. Tom let go of her
and backed away. “Shit.”

“Just a second,” Tess answered. They smiled at each other,
neither wanting to stop. Tom rolled his eyes, heading for the cold shower that
awaited him. She tied her robe and answered the door.

Tracy stared at her in awe. “Mom! You look beautiful!”

“You look like a movie star,” JC exclaimed.

“Thanks. You two look stunning.” Both wore a beautiful azure
blue dress that resembled the color of the sea. They had their hair pulled back
in a bun, reminding Tess of a flower. Loose curls framed Tracy’s face and JC
wore a French braid weaved on both sides into her bun.

“Rick is awesome! Where’s Tom? We wanted to tell him thanks
for the hair and makeup,” JC said.

“He’s in the shower.”

“Oh! Okay then, just tell him thanks for us. We’re out of
here. Come see us when you have your dress on.”

Tess checked on John, who was already dressed in black pants
and a black shirt with a white tie hanging around his neck. Shayla sat in a
chair, talking to him.

“Son, you look so handsome in black. You remind me so much
of your dad,” Tess said, thinking of Richard for a moment. “Hey, you don’t have
to wear a tie. Tom’s not.” Tess turned to Shayla. “You look absolutely
beautiful. I love your dress.” Her long, blonde hair hung down to the middle of
her back, and Tess thought Shayla looked like she should be sitting on a
surfboard, with her golden skin, hazel eyes and beautiful white smile.

“Thanks.” Shayla squeezed Tess tightly. “Thanks for making
Tommy so happy. You’re lucky to have found each other. He deserves to finally
have somebody nice in his life.”

“You better go get dressed, Mom.” John chuckled, glancing at
her robe.

Tess smiled hugely and headed back to her room.

Tom stood in the closet getting dressed. He was barefoot
with black pants and black shirt, which was still unbuttoned. He gave her a
quick peck on her cheek. “I’m gonna go out in the other room. I can’t watch you
get dressed or we’ll never get out of here.”

“Chicken,” she said with a smile.

Tess turned on her music and slipped into a white, lace
thong and exquisite bra. Simply putting them on made her feel sexy and
confident. She laid her dress on the bed and unzipped it when her girls knocked
on the door.

“Mom, can we come in?”

“Yes.”

Tess pulled them through the door. Thirty seconds later Tom
walked in. He stopped and stared at Tess from head to toe in her panties and
bra, then noticed her girls standing in the same room, watching him inspect
their mother. Tom turned three shades of red. “I was, umm, shit, never mind, I
don’t remember what I wanted.” He turned and walked out.

Tracy, JC and Tess burst out laughing. “Okay, stop! I have
to get dressed before he comes back.” The giggles started all over again.

Tess still chuckled as she slipped into her exquisite creamy
white dress. The strapless dress had a sweetheart neckline accented with soft
pleating at the bust, and cascading layers of tulle flowed from her waist. The
delicate dress was stunning and fit Tess’ body perfectly.

Tracy switched her mom’s Ipod for her own, turning up the
volume. “Come on, Momma, you know how to do this dance. We think this song is
appropriate for today.”

Tracy and JC turned on Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”. They tried
to teach the dance to Tess earlier in the year, but Tess had been miserable then.

John chatted in the kitchen with Tom, but when he heard the
song come on in the other room, he chuckled. “Oh, I gotta go!”

Tom warned, “Last time I went in there she was in her
underwear.”

John turned and smiled. “Come on, Tom. She’s my mom. I’ve
seen her in her underwear.”

“Not these underwear, you haven’t,” he said and followed
John.

John reached the room first and started dancing with his
favorite girls. Tom stood in the doorway with a huge grin covering his face,
watching.

Benny and Lisa came to see what was going on. “Just fucking
great! They all dance like her. Even John,” Lisa huffed.

Tess grabbed Tom’s hand, dancing in front of him.

“You’ve been holding out on me Tess,” he whispered in her
ear.

JC sang to Tom, “‘If you like it then you should’ve put a
ring on it.’”

Tears ran down his cheek from laughing so hard. “I’ll never
forget this,” Tom said to Benny, shaking his head.

Benny turned to Tom. “Tommy, we are definitely coming for
Christmas.”

CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR

Everyone arrived at the dock an hour before sunset. Two
boats waited; one would take Tess and Tom to the island, and the other would
ferry the rest of the wedding party.

Tess pulled Joey aside, advising him on what kind of
pictures she wanted. Joey assured the pictures would be beautiful, explaining
he used to photograph weddings.