Chapter 12
“Mmeeeoow?” asked Sugar, Tiana’s cat, as Tiana dug into the bag of cat food and pulled out a scoop.
“Yes, this is for you!” Tiana answered. She felt incredibly happy. It had only been one month since she returned home from Austin, but in that time, she felt like everything in her life had changed.
Jackson had been promoted to supervisor of the Shop and Start, and he’d recommended Tiana as shift manager. She found that she was a good leader, and enjoyed training the men and women that came in as new hires.
She realized quickly that she could make a difference in people’s lives. She knew from experience what a difference having a kind, caring, and fun manager at work could make in a person’s life.
Time and time again, she received proof that her actions had a ripple effect. When she talked to the employees she managed, they told her about extending kindness to a neighbor, or a child at home, and Tiana knew that the energy they extended was originating at the store. With me, she often thought. It all starts with me.
She’d thought of Tabor every day. At first, her regret and pain was so deep that she cried whenever she thought of him. Why didn’t he choose me? she would wonder. I’m not good enough. Her old thought patterns would start playing through her head, but she was able to stop them whenever she looked into a mirror.
I won’t do that to you again, she would think, staring into her own eyes in the reflection of the mirror. You are enough. You’re beautiful. Sexy. Smart. And you can do anything.
If he doesn’t want you, that’s his own deal.
These pep talks went a long way towards soothing the ache in her heart. She knew that Tabor was fighting his own battle, and that she could not change his decisions.
Sugar rubbed up against Tiana’s legs as she set the dish down. Her little home was flooded with evening light, and after she set the food down she walked to her sink to look out her window.
She’d hung up new curtains, which she had sewn herself. They were made with yellow material, with a white checkered pattern across it. The material was thin, and allowed the light in. The effect was best in the evening, because the window over her sink faced west. It had been one of her greatest pleasures, over the past month, to sit at her kitchen table and enjoy a cup of tea, watching the sunset and the light play over her kitchen.
That was another thing that she noticed since returning from Austin — the cleanliness of her house. It felt good to put the dishes into her little dishwasher at night, and to clean the counters. She always used to leave a thing or two out — a sticky trail of sugar or a crusty plate. It had almost been a nervous tick — as though leaving a mess met some internal need that she had. But now, she found it pleasurable to keep surfaces clean, polished, and spotless.
She leaned her weight against the sink and looked out over her little lot. The yard was small, and she’d never paid it much attention.
As she looked out, she thought of a sale at work. The nursery was selling roses. Rose bushes would look beautiful here, she thought.
Sugar had finished her meal and rubbed against Tiana’s ankles again. As Tiana looked out over her yard, imagining where the rose bushes would go, a shiny Cadillac SUV pulled up to the curb in front of her home, and paused.
Tiana looked at the SUV carefully. It didn’t look like the other cars in her neighborhood. It was far too new and expensive looking.
She stooped down and picked up Sugar.
“Come here, baby,” she said, stroking Sugar’s long white fur as she returned her gaze to the window.
As she watched, the driver’s side door opened. The car was positioned so she couldn’t see the person who exited clearly. She did see two dogs in the back seat, jumping up and down with excitement. Sugar saw this too, and tensed her body.
“I know,” Tiana whispered to her pet. “Doggies. You don’t like doggies, do you?”
Sugar’s body contracted and then sprung into action. Sugar wiggled free of Tiana’s grasp, and gracefully to the floor. The pitter patter of her paws as she escaped to hide under the bed was mixed with the sound of barking from out in the yard.
Tiana saw a man round the front of the car and open the back door. The two dogs, one white and one black, jumped out onto the sidewalk.
Tiana couldn’t take her eyes off of the man. She braced herself against the sink as her heart pitter pattered just as Sugar’s paws had done against the linoleum.
Tabor? she thought. The man turned.
Tabor.
He was as tall, muscular, and handsome as she remembered. He wore jeans and a button up shirt, and aviator sunglasses. He bent to attach leashes to the two dogs, who were busy sniffing their surroundings.
Tiana struggled to catch her breath, which had left her lungs with one big whoosh and wouldn’t seem to return. She inhaled consciously and then exhaled, trying to steady herself.
What is he doing here? she wondered.
She saw him look to the house, and then catch sight of her in the window. She wanted to wave, but her hand wouldn’t work. She was in too much shock. Tabor smiled.
Oh my god! Tiana thought.
This is happening!
Butterflies stirred up in her stomach, and happiness swelled in her chest. A month ago, she would have been mortified to allow Tabor to see her home, but over the last month, she’d become proud of it.
He’s here, at my house!
Tiana took another deep breath, and then forced her legs to walk her to the door. She opened the door, and saw Tabor on her front stoop.
“Hi,” he said, still with that silly grin on his face.
“Hi,” she responded.
A few seconds of awkward silence followed, which the dogs did not like. First one barked, and then the other.
Tiana smiled and crouched down to meet the dogs. “This must be Sugar,” she said, grinning as the white dog greeted her with a lick to the face. Tiana scratched her head, behind the ears as the dog danced in a full-bodied tail wag.
The second dog barked again. “Oh!” Tiana said. “I know, I’m ignoring you, aren’t I? Sorry honey. You must be Pepper.”
The black dog wiggled with happiness and nuzzled against her.
“They wanted to meet you,” Tabor said.
Tiana pet the black dog’s smooth, warm head lovingly. She felt attached to the two right away. More than that, she wanted to stall, and ease the tension between her and Tabor. The dogs were the perfect icebreaker.
“I’ve been talking a lot about you, on our walks,” Tabor admitted. “They wanted to see who this Tiana was.”
“Well, here I am!” Tiana said to the dogs, giving each other loving scratch before standing.
“We were heading out on a walk, this afternoon,” explained Tabor. “And I knew how much they wanted to see you. So I decided to stop by your house, and see if you wanted to walk with us.”
“Stop by?” Tiana asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, okay… it wasn’t exactly that simple. I had to hire a jet and arrange for a car at the airfield.” He looked up towards the setting sun. “But at least we made it before dark.”
Tiana laughed. “You did,” she said with a smile. “I would love to go for a walk with you guys. Let me put on my sneakers. Come on in,” she offered.
Tabor wrapped the leash around the front step’s railing, and then followed Tiana inside.
Tiana motioned to the small living room and attached kitchen. “Welcome to my little slice of heaven,” she said. To her delight, pink light from outside filled the kitchen, illuminating a vase of flowers she’d placed on the kitchen table. Her home looked beautiful, feminine, and incredibly welcoming.
She felt her heart bubble with peace and a sense of happiness at showing it to Tabor. She could sense that he felt the good energy of the surroundings as well.
“Wow,” he said. “What a sweet home.”
“Thank you,” Tiana said with a smile. She walked to a row of shoes and picked up walking sneakers. She removed her sandals and slipped on the sneakers.
“I’ve lived here for years — well, Sugar and I have lived here for years.”
“Where is Sugar Two?” Tabor asked, looking around the house.
Tiana raised an eyebrow. “‘Sugar Two’ is out on the front stoop with Pepper. Sugar One is under my bed, hiding her ass from scary doggie intruders.”
Tabor laughed. “She doesn’t like dogs, hm?”
Tiana smiled. “She just doesn’t know many. I think she’ll like them if she gets to know them.”
Tabor smiled as well.
Tiana stood. “Ready?” she asked.
Tabor stepped closer to her, and Tiana felt herself become faint with attraction. This, she thought, This is what he does to me, every time. I’ve never felt it before.
“Tiana,” Tabor said, his voice hushed. “I’ve really missed you over this past month.”
Tiana tried to smile, but her emotions were too overwhelming. She felt her lip wobble, and she focused on answering so that she wouldn’t cry. “I’ve missed you too, Tabor,” she said.
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. The kiss was over before she knew just what had happened.
Then he reached for her hand and held it as the headed out the door. He didn’t let go of her as he untethered his dogs and the four of them headed off down Tiana’s street.
At first, they stuck to small talk. The sun sank below the horizon, leaving the sky a purplish pink. As they walked, little stars started to come out, one by one, in the night sky.
The street lights came on as well, and Tiana felt as if she was walking on a cloud as she walked at Tabor’s side, with her hand in his, from one pool of street light glow to the next.
They stuck to small talk for a while, each giving an update on all that had occurred since they’d last spoken.
Tiana told Tabor about her encounter with Faye, and Tabor listened with rapt attention. Tabor gave Tiana an update on his business ventures.
As they rounded a corner and saw Tiana’s home in down the block, Tabor paused. The dogs, knowing that their owner had something important to say, took seats on the sidewalk and looked up as though they were a captive audience.
Tabor held Tiana’s hand tightly and looked into her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “For how I treated you when we were leaving Austin. I was scared, Tiana. I’ve never felt like this before — what I feel when I’m with you. I didn’t know it was possible.”
Tiana looked into his eyes as he spoke. She had known that the intensity of what they had experienced had scared Tabor, but it felt good to hear him say it.
“I like you, Tiana,” Tabor said after a moment of silence. “Like, a lot. I like you… alot.”
Tiana couldn’t help but giggle. She knew that he was not good at speaking about his feelings, but the awkwardness of his statement could not be denied.
“I like you too, Tabor,” she said, feeling just like a highschooler as she said.
Tabor grinned. “Maybe we could see where this goes?” he asked. “I know I live a few states away, but I promise I’ll be a good boyfriend for you… if you let me try.”
Again Tiana felt like she was in high school as she blushed and smiled. She’d never been asked anything so formally before. She found it sweet that he as being so vulnerable.
“Yes,” she said. “I’d love to get to know you better, Tabor.”
Sugar barked.
“And Sugar, and Pepper?” Tabor asked, jokingly.
“The whole pack,” Tiana teased.
They started walking again, the dogs leading the way with wagging tails.
As they neared Tiana’s walkway, Tiana felt a surge of happiness fill her. It felt so right to be walking with Tabor. She had no idea how they would make a long distance relationship work, but she knew that they had to try.
We can make it work, she thought. I’m good for Tabor, and he’s good for me. We are very different, but we’re falling in love. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
*****
Tiana looked around the banquet hall. It was set up in a very similar way to the reunion she’d been at five years prior, but she felt like a completely different woman. She saw the bar in the corner, just as it had been at her ten year reunion.
She felt Tabor touch her elbow. “Would you like a drink, baby?” he asked.
Tiana nodded. “Sure,” she said. “Maybe a white wine? Thanks, honey.”
He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek before heading to the bar. Tiana spent a moment looking around the room, which had been decorated with streamers and hanging lights, much like a prom might have been.
“Tiana?”
Tiana turned around at the sound of her name.
Faye was walking towards her. ‘Hi, honey!” Faye said warmly. “When did you get into town?”
Tiana smiled and opened her arms to Faye. The two hugged tightly. “Just an hour ago,” Tiana said. “Tabor had a meeting this morning, so we couldn’t fly in last night like I wanted to.”
“Well, we missed you at line dancing. You’re coming out to breakfast tomorrow?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Tiana said.
Faye reached for Tiana’s hand. “Oh my lord, honey!” Faye said, examining the engagement ring on Tiana’s finger. “This thing is huge!”
Tiana beamed. “It is, isn’t it?” she said. “I didn’t ask for anything so big, believe me.”
“I love it!” Faye said. “How many carats is that?” Faye asked.
“I’m not sure,” Tiana said humbly. “All I know is that it means I’m marrying the man of my dreams.”
“You’re such a romantic,” Faye said. “Is it Tabor Knight?”
“Yes,” Tiana said, still smiling. She couldn’t help but look down at the ring on her hand. It was six plus carats, and it truly was huge. The pink diamond sparkled on her hand, and she’d gotten a pale pink french tipped manicure to match.
The ring was worth more than a million, she knew, so she usually wore a fake stand-in when traveling or out in public. But for the reunion, she’d decided to wear the real ring. It made her feel like a million bucks.
“When is the wedding?” Faye asked.
Tabor approached, and handed Tiana her glass of wine. Then he put his arm protectively around her shoulders. Tiana had explained that she and Faye were friends now, but Tabor was less willing to forgive Faye than Tiana was.
‘No one hurts my baby’s feelings and gets away with it,’ he said, whenever the topic came up. Tiana could only explain how good it felt to forgive. Tabor was coming around to the idea of forgiveness, but it was a work in progress.
Tiana reached for his hand with her free hand, and wove her fingers through his. She knew it wasn’t easy for him to be around all of the people he’d gone to high school with, but he was doing a great job so far. She wanted him to know that she was there to support him, if he needed her. She squeezed his hand as she answered Faye’s question. “June,” she said, with a smile. “On the Pacific coast, up by Big Sur.”
“How gorgeous!” Faye exclaimed. “Are you living in California now?”
Tiana nodded. “For the last year,” she said.
“How long have you guys been together?” Faye asked, looking from Tabor to Tiana. “Ever since the last reunion?”
Tiana smiled and looked at Tabor, handing the question over to him.
“About a month after that,” Tabor said. “So it’s been almost five years now. It doesn’t feel like it though, does it baby?” Tabor turned to Tiana, a twinkle in his eye.
Tiana shook her head.
Being with Tabor made time feel completely different. She felt as if she was living out a happy dream.
She thought over the last five years. Every day had felt better than the last, and she knew that pattern would continue. At first, they had entered into a long distance relationship, filled with mini vacations all around the globe. Then, Tabor gave Tiana an Airline Pass that was good for trips to California whenever she felt the desire to go. Her weekend trips turned to week-long vacations, which turned into month-long stays. Eventually, she’d moved in with him.
Sugar One, Sugar Two, and Pepper were getting along famously.
“Are you going to become Tiana Knight?” asked Faye.
No one had asked them that yet, and Tiana couldn’t believe it, but she and Tabor hadn’t discussed whether Tiana would take his name or not. She turned to Tabor, and saw that he had a look of curiosity in his eyes.
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you?” he asked.
Tiana thought of the way it would feel to become Mrs. Knight. Her heart leapt at the thought.
She nodded, and as she did so, Tabor smiled widely.
“Yes,” she said. “I’ll be Tiana Knight.”
“Mrs. Knight,”
Tabor said, trying it out for the first time. He leaned in and kissed
her.
Tiana felt as giddy as she had the first time he had kissed
her, five years before.
The end... but wait: