mandy, beth, vik, and tom

“I could have sworn...” Viktoria looked around the bookstore picking up some books looking for one she laid out for a customer just yesterday. “Denise?” She called into the back, “Did you sell that copy of 1984 that was sitting behind the counter?” Denise confirmed she had and Vik had to suppress her eye roll. The older woman did this all the time. Why didn’t she just retire? She heard the bell over the door go off and looked towards the entrance. “Hey, you! I wasn’t expecting you to be here today.”

“No, Dad, we are fine!” Taking a road trip was a great idea when they were siting in their home planning it, but in actuality? Maybe Beth should have gotten a better car for this trip. The car was on the side of the road somewhere in between Kentucky and West Virginia on their way to New York. The car started smoking under the hood. Beth knew nothing about cars, so se immediately called her Dad. “I’ll call them. It’s okay. I can do it. Yeah, yeah, love you.” Beth hung up the phone and looked at Noah. “He wants me to call Triple A.”

“Babe?” She called through the apartment as she entered through the doorway. “I have those proofs that management wants you and the boys to look at for the new album.” She looked around the living room not seeing her string bean of a boyfriend anywhere. “Becks, are you even here?”

Tom woke blinking at the sunlight filtering through the curtains. His head pounded and his mouth felt like cotton was stuffed into it. How much did he and Tate drink last night? He groaned softly rolling over to his other side with his eyes closed. He reached out feeling Tate’s arm and pulling himself towards the other. He remembered they were in Vegas. His eyes shot open remembering something they did yesterday as well. Pulling his left hand out from under the covers, there on his ring finger shone a new ring glinting in the sunlight. He looked at Tate and couldn’t help, but laugh. “Tate, wake up.” He pushed the sleeping man next to him. “You’re my husband now. You have to do what I say. Wake up!”

Mandy lifted her brow at him wondering why he was baby crazy, but she didn’t want to push it. She just wanted to get laid. The blonde began to hum a beat as she moved her hips to start her strip tease. She moved her hands down herself to the top of her shorts. “What do you want off first? Shorts or shirt?”

Tom giggled when Tate kissed him. “You will?!” The younger male’s eyes sparkled climbing into Tate’s lap. “Tom Harrison. That has a nice ring to it.” Tom grabbed Tate’s face in his hands. “Is this crazy? Like, you really want to marry me?” Tom knew Tate was the one for him as far back as he could remember. They’ve grown up a lot together. Tom knew he would not be happy with anyone else. He leaned down kissing Tate again rubbing his thumbs on his cheeks “I love you so much, Tater Tot.”

He opened to defend himself and tell him Tom had always wanted Tate. He never stopped. He was foolish for breaking up with him, but that was the past. Tom couldn’t change the past even if he wanted to. And he didn’t want to if he even could. Tate was better and that was because Tom broke up with him. Tom was proud of that. The brunette looked at the other touching Tate’s hand on his face. “You promised you’d marry me. Let’s road trip to Vegas and get married instead. Be my husband.”

Tom thought about his feelings for Tate and did he want to love him? He chuckled at Tate’s phrasing of the question. “How can you be free of someone who occupies your thoughts constantly?” Tom looked Tate in the eyes moving his hands to take Tate’s in his own. “I’d love you with my dying breath and it has come to that sometimes.” He licked his lips then squeezed Tate’s hands. “I’m always going to want you, Tate. I love you more than anything. But..” He sighed. “I can’t have one foot in and one foot out. It’s all or nothing with you. I either have to be yours or we can’t see each other.”

As Tate confessed his love for him, Tom felt like he was weightless. He didn’t think Tate could love him after all this time. Two years is a long time to wait for someone. Especially when Tate has needs like he does. Tate loves him, but the way he was reacting made Tom nervous. “Do you want to love me in that way? I mean, I know you can’t help who you fall for, but that doesn’t mean you have to like it.”

He liked that Tate agreed to go on a vacation with him. Tom should know by now Tate would literally do anything he wanted, but he was always worried one day Tate would change his mind about him. People always did. Tom could sense the hesitation from Tate once he said he loved him. Did the other not feel the same way anymore? Did Tate change his mind? The kiss surprised Tom, but he melted into it. He loved this man more than anything. His hand gripped the front of Tate’s shirt before he slowly pulled back. “Do you love me too,” he whispered, shyly looking at the older male.

“I like that idea.” Tom looked up hopeful at Tate then excitement bubbled in his stomach. “Somewhere we can’t use our phones and that has a nice beach. I haven’t been to the beach in so long.” He reached out and cupped Tate’s face in his hand. “I don’t really mind as long as it’s with you.” He paused before continuing, “I love you.”

“I like it north too.” Tom blushed as Tate looked at him. “And I’ll be in any direction you are, so it looks like we aren’t going anywhere.” He looked down at his hands nervously picking at his skin. “When I get some time off at the hospital, do you want to go somewhere?”

Mandy went to the fridge and grabbed Becks a water bottle and grabbed herself one. If Becks was as enthusiastic as he seemed, Mandy would need one too. She went back into the living room watching Becks move his hands painfully slow to take his pants off. “What? Like a strip tease?”

“We could have twins, but I think those are happy accidents rather than planned.” Mandy smirked at Becks before kissing him softly. “I think water and practice sounds like the best of both worlds.” She moved off the couch and towards the kitchen. “I’ll get you some water. Go get prepared for me, baby.”

“That’s sexist and gross.” She stuck her tongue out at him teasingly. “Yeah, we just need some baby dolls because the babies I know are potty-trained. I’m sure one of Kevin’s kids has one.” She laughed rolling her eyes at him. “I don’t think Beth wants any babies, so I doubt that’s happening.” Mandy tucked some hair behind his ear with a small smile. “Now, we should get you a glass of water or something.”

“How do you not know when your niece is due, Becks?” Maybe people weren’t as baby crazy as Mandy sometimes, but still. “I can’t wait to hold her. I miss babies.” Mandy grinned at her boyfriend. “I do love you. I don’t think you’re a mess.” She touched his hand squeezing his fingers. “I don’t think we’re in a place for babies, but one day, I hope. For now," She bit her lower lip. "We can just practice making babies."

Mandy’s eyes widened. “You mean I’m going to be an aunt again?!” Her excitement was overwhelming as she looked at Becks. “Outraged? As if. I love babies. You know I have a million niece and nephews, right?” The blonde giggled looking at her boyfriend. “Why are you outraged?”