t was late in the summer of '85, Jen was twenty-one now. She was young, free, and single when they crossed each other's paths at the family reunion. It was the first one she had been in about ten years.
Her family drove about eight hours to get to a small town at the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, just over the state line. Coming from the coastal area of Mississippi, she was not used to the territory; it all looked about the same, boring!
Some of the other distant family members had already arrived at the hotel , and that evening they were all meeting for dinner at a local restaurant. She rolled her eyes, not wanting to join them, but knowing all the same that she had to, because it was family, and what else was she going to eat!
It turned out to be pleasant, for the most part. The food was good, and she saw a few of her cousins that she hadn't seen in years. All of the girls huddled around a table by themselves and talked girl talk, boys and sex.
Jen did not feel the need to talk about her former boyfriend, as he had broken up with her when his family moved back to Chicago, and she didn't feel that she knew any of these girls well enough to discuss her deepest feelings about him, unlike the way they outwardly talked about their boyfriends and their formers. When asked, she told them that she had been with out one for quite a long time, because other things had kept her time occupied.
"Oh, I can only guess!" one of them sneered. She smiled and shook her head thinking Amy was such a bitch, and was not impressed by their hen cackling.
"If this is what y'all do when you get together... I prefer to be alone. My friends back home don't trash anyone like this."
She got up and left the table, going outside to get some fresh air and away from the stale chatter of the others. She was propped against the outside wall, just beyond the door when a voice came to her.
"Hey, I saw you inside, and wanted to introduce myself, but didn't get a chance." he walked up to her, hoping she wouldn't ignore him. She looked at him, smiled, and looked back across the field just beyond the parking lot. "Well, I'm Anthony." He leaned against the wall and stuck his hands in his pockets.
"I'm Jeana, but everyone calls me Jen."
"Yeah, I know, Stacy told me who you were when you got here." he looked at her, brushing his elbow to hers. "They said you're from Gulfport?"
"Long Beach, really, but close enough."
"What's it like down there?"
"Oh, I guess its ok. I get to go to the beach whenever I want to."
"That sounds cool." he shuffled his feet.
"Yeah, it's fun. I'm going to miss it while were up here."
"There's a lake and a pool out there at the park where the reunion is, it shouldn't be too bad."
"I don't know," she shrugged her shoulders looking at him, "pools can be boring if there's no one around to play with." she flashed him a quick smile.
"I'll be around, I mean, if you want to play?" he looked at her, catching her eye, seeing something there he liked.
"I think I would!" she turned to face him, propping her shoulder against the wall, entangling her fingers with his, "do you always come on to girls you don't know this way?"
"No, just you."
"Pretty bold for some one your age." she ran her hand up to his shoulder and moved in closer to him, "I didn't think they had guys like you up here."
"You'd be surprised."
"So," she was inches away from his lips, hers wet with desire to kiss him, "what kind of surprises are there here, the guys at home can be pretty boring too."
"I don't know, I guess well have to wait and find out." he put his arm around her waist drawing her closer and met her lips. Her breast pressed against his chest, and she could feel his tight stomach against hers as his arms locked behind her.
Their kiss was gently unsure as they felt a well of heat between them, but a first kiss always is a bit awkward. She pulled away, looking at him and smiled. "Sorry, but, I just wanted to taste a Georgia boy."
"If this is what all the girls are like in Mississippi, well, I think I'll move."
"No, not all of us, just me," she winked, grazing her lips to his again.
The kiss was more open this time, tongues entwined and embraces tightened. He pulled her against him as he rolled his back against the wall for leverage.
She felt his hardness press against her thorough his jeans, and wiggled a little just to make sure that was what she was feeling. He moaned into her mouth, and she kissed him harder, making his head swim. They were interrupted by voices calling her name.
She looked at him, slipping her hand down his body to his bulging manhood, "Too bad we don't have more time, I'd like to see what the rest of a Georgia boy tastes like."
He groaned in pleasure as she pressed against him, licking his lips with the tip of her tongue. When she was called again, she pulled away from him, seeing how flustered he was. "I'm sorry Anthony, I have to go. Maybe we'll see each other tomorrow?"
"Jen, you can count on it!" he pulled her back to him and kissed her again, then let her slip away. "I knew she was hot, but damn!" he opened his hand to find the chain she had been wearing around her neck, "How the hell did she do that!" and smiled as he put it around his throat.
Both of them slept restlessly. She couldn't believe that she came on to him like that, like a horny vixen, but then again, it had been a long time since Donny. What, eight months or more since he left her, and Anthony, he was hot.
Broad chest, eyes like ice, long hair, strong arms, and it felt good when he held her. And how clever had she been, slipping her chain in his hand, as if it were some prize, or perhaps, an invitation for another time.
She smiled to herself as she thought about his hardness, the feel of it though his tight jeans. Her hand made its way to her wetness, and she quietly worked herself into a tizzy, thinking about Anthony's lips, body, and manhood! Thank god she was allowed to share her hotel room with only her sister, because it would be odd to be masturbating with her parents around.
"Oh." she softly moaned, thinking of how he held her, how he smelled, how much she wanted to feel him, and fuck him. It had been too long since Donny had touched her, and the heat that was building up for Anthony only pushed her further. Damn she wished she would have asked where he lived, or maybe invited him to the hotel. Sure, how the hell would you get away with fucking him, and your sister in the room! That's ok, there was always tomorrow.
Across town, in his own room, Anthony was thinking about her. The way she kissed him was audacious, like they had known each other for years. She was confident in her self, and she wasn't afraid to show it. He stroked her chain he had placed around his neck, as he stroked himself.
He remembered how she smelled, and the color of her eyes, how her long hair felt against his arms when he wrapped them around her waist. He couldn't remember what she wore, but he sure liked the way it enhanced her breast when she pushed against him as he towered over her. They were pert and soft, bigger then any of the girls he had ever dated.
What was that she said about tasting a Georgia boy? Oh, yeah, I'd like to see what the rest of a Georgia boy tastes like. He groaned out, thinking how much he liked it when she tasted him, and how much more he wished she would, shooting off a hot load in his hand and on his belly. "Damn Jen, if only I knew where you were staying tonight!"
The first day of the reunion was typical, families trickling in from all over the place. People getting lost and having to find their way to the park, and mingling with family members of the clan.
Too many people for Jen's taste and she wandered away from the crowds, finding a quiet path that led to the lakeshore. She took off her shoes and waded at the edge of the water, wishing she were home. A voice brought her from her thoughts, and she smiled at it's sound.
"You are a hard person to find."
"Not as hard as you were last night, if I recall." She looked up and smiled at him.
"Yeah, well, that wasn't fair, you leaving me like that." He walked closer to the edge of the water, hoping she would come out.
"Well, it's not like I had the chance to do anything, I mean, it was a public place." she kicked the water up at him; he jumped back so he wouldn't get wet.
"Would you have?"
"What do you think?" she smiled, easing herself from the water to him.
"I think I jacked off three times last night because of you."
"Only three." she snickered, "damn, I must be loosing my touch." She was standing in front of him now, her hands on her hips, waiting for him to make a move.
He grabbed her hand, and yanked her to him, grasping around her waist to hold her close. She gasped a small breath of excitement and shock, his lips grinding into hers.
Her hands went around his neck and she pushed her body into his, wishing that she could get closer. The kiss was heavy and sure, not like the one the night before. This was demanding and possessive, as if he were taking ownership of her.
She liked that thought, letting him think that he was overpowering her, yet, she still had control of him, making him do her bidding. It was even between them, because he was thinking the same things about her.
She pushed into him, feeling his growth grind into her belly, wishing it were pounding into the wetness of her pussy. She moaned into his mouth, their tongues dancing in frantic lust, bodies heating, melting to each other.
Something splashed behind them and they quickly drew apart, looking away. Voices came from behind the trees, and they adjusted themselves so they didn't look obvious. She plopped down in the grass, him following her, and the sat nestled to each other, holding hands out of sight of anyone.
"Well, I see you found Jen." Stacy gloated as she walked past them.
"It wasn't that hard, I figured she would be down at the water," he looked at Jen, "figured she missed the beach, and this is the closest thing we've got." He looked at her, wanting to kiss her again. Jen looked at Stacy and smiled.
"You two better watch yourselves; kissing cousins get in trouble around here." Stacy winked as she walked away.
"Cousin huh, not just another southern boy. I should have known." Jen got up, and brushed off her backside, turning to him, "Well, is there anywhere around here that we can to go that is secluded?"
"There's a place on the other side of the lake, a small cabin, and no one is using it."
"Perfect!" she held out her hand, helping him from the ground, pulling him into her, "So, what do you say we test the limits of trouble?" His lips were on hers again, whispering yes through the softness of the kiss.
They walked around the lake, talking about where they lived, the differences in their lives, likes, and dislikes, of music, cars, and his recent graduation, finding out that he was three years younger than she was. Even so, they had a lot in common, and found comfort with each other.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the small cabin, it was a bit weathered, but still in good shape. He jarred the door, swinging it open. They sat on the porch, letting it air out before they went in.
"Not to shabby." Jen added as she looked inside, "You sure the people won't mind if we hang out here?"
"I doubt anyone will even know where here." he bumped against her shoulder.
"Why didn't you tell me you were my cousin?"
"Didn't know you were, until earlier." Anthony grinned.
"You lie!" Jen snapped.
"Does it matter?"
"No. I like the way you kiss." she looked away shyly.
"I like the way you feel." he put his arm around her, as she lay in his lap, her head resting on his chest. She ran her fingers inside of his open shirt, teasing his hard nipple, licking her lips.
"You keep that up, I'm going to shoot my load."
"Really now," she moved up to breathe in his ear, nibbling its lobe, hot breath working over to his lips, "Where would you like to be shooting it?"
"Anywhere you would let me!" he gasped as the heat of her lips caressed his.
"Your choice on which set of lips, Tony." she drew back looking at him, "it's ok if I call you Tony?"
"You can call me what ever you want! Just don't stop doing that." his breathing was heavier and felt him straining under his jeans.
"Then how about deep inside, where it's warm and supple?" she ran her tongue down his neck and to his chest, flicking his nipple with the tip of it, driving him mad.
"Fuck yes!" he arched to her, tightening his embrace.
She slid away from him, easing herself to stand, taking him with her. They walked into the small cabin, closing the door behind them. She half-expected bugs and dust, but it wasn't anything like that, it was a nice little place, clean and fresh, as if some one had recently been there. Even the full sized bed in the back of the cabin had been covered in clean sheets and blankets.
"Tony, you sure no one lives here?"
"I'm sure." he smiled, taking off his shoes, kicking them away.
"I don't want to get into trouble for being here."
"We won't, I promise." his shirt was gone and she put her hands on his chest, feeling his body. She smiled seductively as she teased him again with her fingers.
He brought her to kiss him again, managing to pull her shirt over her head, revealing her naked breast. He smiled, she shrugged, "what, its summer, and it's too hot to wear one."
"Damn!" slipped from between his lips as she dampened her kiss on them again. Her hands slipped to his jeans, making quick work of them, revealing a strong, thick masterpiece of male beauty.
She moaned into his mouth as she felt of his length and hardness before pulling away. She stripped her self of her shorts, standing naked for him, looking at his form, wanting him to take her at his will.
He stared at her, amazed at her creamy skin, the hourglass shape of her plump body, her massive breasts. He felt himself stiffen a bit more, longing to taste of her, plunge deep into her lovely depths.
"Tony," she flashed her eyes at him through veiled lashes, "show me what a Georgia boy feels like?"
The embrace was a swift one, lips to each other's, and it was if they floated towards the bed. He eased her down, closing himself over her, easing between her legs, wasting no time in finding her wetness.
In one quick flash, he delve inside of her, causing her to gasp, moaning as he withdrew. He felt so good, so hot, so long. It had been too long since she felt a man in her depths, and now, oh, she never wanted to feel another! He was thick and strong, his body scent heightened her senses, she met him at every stroke.
They found the lost kiss, and he possessed her lips like before, taunting her mouth with his tongue. Breathing lost between them becoming one motion. She whimpered as the pace quickened between them, feeling him tighten inside of her.
She tightened around him, forcing her hips up to meet him, wrapping her legs with in his. He was possessing her body and soul, he was melting into her as she tightened her slick walls around his throbbing heat, she was taking him places that he hadn't been with a woman, experiencing passion that he had only dreamt of.
She sighed into his mouth, her body building up the fury with his touch that was pushing her over the edge. She clawed into his back, breaking the kiss to breathe and cry out in satisfaction as she reached her first heated pleasure, shooting warm liquid over his body.
"Oh yes, yes, Oh god Yes!" she panted, looking at him in the eyes, hoping that he could take her over the edge again before he exploded into her.
He slowed his pace, easing back for his own pleasure as he took in the heat that extruded over him. She traced his chest, brining a wet finger to his hardened nipples again, watching the look on his face, pleased with her action. She pulled herself up, causing him to slip from her body and moved away from him.
"What are you doing?" he said in anger and frustration.
"This." she eased him on his back and slipped over him, sliding her wetness over his glistening length, a sigh of pleasure escaping her lips. She bent to him, working her hips in a small circular motion, kissing his lips and working down his neck and shoulder, kissing where she had clawed into him.
She made her way to his nipples again, flicking them with the tip of her tongue, taking them between her teeth and nipping them, pursing her lips and suckling them gently.
He bucked at her, she was sending him over the edge, and she liked it. She met his strokes, forcing herself harder on him, grinding her hips into him, making her juices running from her body, over his, down between his legs, encapsulating his swollen sack, causing him to groan in intense pleasure.
He reached up to crush one bouncing tit in one hand, holding her hip with the other as she gyrated over him, moaning at her own actions that brought herself the pleasure she was seeking. She let loose her own spurt of hot fluid, oozing over his body, jarring him in pleasure.
There was no holding back for him, he grabbed her hips, ground her tightly onto his body and released his own flood inside of her. She threw her head back, forcing her nipples forward as they hardened, growling in ecstasy at the fire he sent through her body.
She ground into him, milking every drop she could before he slipped from her body. When she collapsed into his chest, he embraced her, drew her to his side, kissing her lightly, sealing their newfound passion.
Talk was the last thing on their mind, as they lay silently snuggled to each other. He gently kissed her, pushing her hair from her face and caressed her cheek. She ran her hand up his chest and rested it over his shoulder, drawing herself closer into him.
The damp sweat that glistened on their body chilled them, and he covered them up against the coolness of the fan that turned overhead.
Exhaustion turned to sleep, as the two lovers found comfort in the forbiddances of their love. They woke at dusk, making love again, but not as heated. It was a bonding of their souls, their hearts. Moments that would keep their love safe and alive for times ahead.
"Jen."
"No, Tony, don't say anything. I only want to feel what we have between us."
"But you know..."
"Yes, I do."
The kiss was gentle, kind, passionate, and the seal to their love.
*** Their first night of lovemaking had turned into several more, until they were caught out at the lake in a compromising position. It just so happened that Jen and Anthony had taken a blanket to a secluded place down at the edge of the water to watch the fireworks on the last night of the reunion.
She was leaving the next day and they wanted to share their last night together, not knowing if, or when, they would see each other again. They had exchanged addresses and phone numbers, but after what had been happening the last five days, they worried that it wouldn't be enough.
Anthony lay her on the blanket, pushing his body atop hers, their kiss, passion filled, intent on binding them together, holding them until they met again.
She lay naked beneath him, his lips caressing her hardened nipples, his fingers frolicking in her wetness between her silky thighs, he worked his way down her belly, stopping to tease her at the edge of her finely trimmed hair line, looking up to her before he dove into her satiny folds. He licked her gently, top to bottom, kissing and nibbling her vulva, hardened nub and the depth of her pleasure.
She quietly moaned, coaxing him with her hips and hands, as he traced her with the tip of his tongue, bringing her to buck at his face. He took all of her then, sucking and lapping at her, bringing her to the point of no return. She arched her hips, forcing up to him, pinching her hard nipples, and breathlessly whimpered as he made her comeWhen he was satisfied with his efforts, he slid up her body, his stiffness ready to penetrate her, taking her as his own one last time. Her yielding warmth engulfed him, making him whimper as he kissed her.
Moving slowing within her body, he took his time, capturing to memory every little thing about her, her breathing, her smell, her lips, everything he could take with him in those bittersweet moments.
"Jeana, I love you. I love you," he whispered to her.
She pushed up to him, her body melting to his, "I love you Anthony, I will always love you."
Their words took them over the limit of their passion and they exploded with each other, him filling her body with the youth of his seed, her body releasing itself to his in full commitment. As the fireworks exploded in the night sky, they became one, leaving part of themselves with the other.
The fireworks had stopped, leaving the lake dark and quiet, and Jen and Anthony embraced in love, passion, fear, and denial. Anthony held Jen to him, and the blanket around them, kissing her, whispering his love for her, wishing they could figure out how to stay together. Her heart was breaking, and she cried.
This was the first time he had seen her unhappy, and he gathered her close to him, brushing away her tears, and his own heartache. At the time, they didn't understand how much their love would affect their future.
They had fallen asleep, still naked under the blanket, wrapped into each other. Chaos broke out when they were discovered, and Jen was yanked away from Anthony. As he scrambled to his feet, trying to put his clothes on, Jen held the blanket to her, screaming for them to let her go. Someone gathered her clothes and pushed Anthony away as he grabbed for her.
"No Jeana! NO!" he tired to run to her, but was held back.
"Anthony! I Love you! I Love you!" she screamed back to him as she was hauled away.
He sunk down to his knees, his head in his hands, tears falling from tired eyes as his heart ripped from its chest. "Jen, I love you," he whispered hoping she could feel it in her heart when he did.
"Come on boy!" a large hand grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him from the ground. Nothing was ever said on the way back to the car, and it was never mentioned again.
Summer 2009, Jen was forty-four, divorced, and had four kids. Anthony was twenty-three, Amanda was twenty-one, Andras, was nineteen, and Antonia was eighteen. Jen's career gave her the opportunity to raise her kids in peace and still make a good living.
She purchased an old plantation home in Mississippi, which had been abandoned for many years, and had spent the better part of two years refurbishing it. Andras and Amanda were close to their grandparents, but their grandparents never thought much of Anthony or Antonia, because of the reasons behind their conception.
Still, their mother loved them all dearly; and nothing would ever change that. Anthony was her pride and joy. She saw his father in him, and her heart still ached for his love. If only she could have told him about his son. Anna being her baby, held a special place in her life.
Jen sat on the porch of the old house, looking out into the bayou that took up most of the west side of the yard, watching the sunset. She sipped along on her tea, and thought about life.
"Hey mom, I was trying to fix that old lamp in the small parlor, do you still want the library in there?" Anthony came towards her.
She looked up at him, his long dark hair and crystal blue eyes taking her breath away, just as his fathers did. "Yes, I think that will be a great place for it, but don't worry about the lamp, I'll get a new one."
"If you're sure? I know I can get it to work, it just may take a while."
She nodded her head. "Tony, come sit with me," she patted the seat of the swing next to her. He came to sit with her and she took his hand, "I've been thinking about something, and I want your opinion."
"Mom, you know I always tell you how I feel."
"Good, then tell me how you would feel if I found your father."
"I don't know." he shrugged his shoulders, "How are you going to do that? After what you tell me happened, I'm not so sure that it's possible."
"But this time Tony, I know I can, with out any interference." She looked out to the water, the sun dipped lower, "I wonder if he hates me."
"Why would he hate you mom? It wasn't your fault, I mean, a little strange because of the circumstances, but hey, I turned out ok."
She reached up and stroked his face, "Yes baby, you did." Jen took a deep breath, "I thought, if we got the house finished in time, maybe we could have a reunion here, maybe he would come."
"Do you think that's a good idea? Gran and Pop may think other wise."
"They have nothing to say, this is my home, and I think that I will invite whomever I please." she smiled at him, "honestly, I thought about contacting him and inviting him out."
"Do you think he would come, it's been a long time mom?"
"Well, we won't know unless we try." she half whispered, half spoke.
"I'm not sure mom, I mean, he doesn't even know about me."
"Tony, if you don't want to tell him who you are, then don't. And if you don't want me to tell him, I won't. Just because I named you after him, doesn't necessarily mean you're his, I mean, if you don't want to tell him, we won't say anything." She looked back across the water, "We were so young, and I never got to tell him about you, but you know what, I bet that some where deep in his heart, he knew." she looked back at her son, smiling.
"Mom," he looked at her, lost for words, "I'm going to go put my tools up, do you want something to eat?"
"Yes. Do we still have left over pizza?"
"No, Andy ate it. But we do have chicken and potato salad left over."
"That sounds good."
He stood up, she caught his hand, "Tony, thank you."
"For what mom?"
"For understanding my heart."
"Your welcome mom." he bent down and kissed her cheek, before going back in the house.
Jen sat alone with her thoughts, watching the sun fade into night. The lightening bugs' danced through the Spanish moss filled oaks, the crickets' chirped as the dew started to set.
She had already written the letter to Anthony, as she had so many times before, but this time, she knew where he was, and it was time he knew. She stood up and stretched, the swing drifting on its own behind her, wondering of what he would think of her now.
***
Three weeks later a truck came barreling down the dirt road that came from the highway into the main drive of the grounds.
Andy was outside with his dog when he saw the dust thrown up in the air, and watched the truck maneuver down the twisted road. He laughed, thinking the driver must be crazy, considering the shape that road was in.
He watched it bank and almost miss the last turn, spending more time in the grass then on the cobblestone drive. The truck corrected itself and slowed as it jarred along the paved rock. Andy looked at the passenger as he passed, wondering who this man was, and why he was here.
The truck came to a halt in front of the main walk and sat there as it idled down before the driver shut it off. Andy walked towards the back of the truck, watching the person inside. He thought it a bit odd that this person would just sit there, thinking that maybe he was a salesman, until he saw the Georgia plates.
The man got out of the truck and stood there, looking around. He straightened his shirt and brushed his hair back, swallowing hard. He held a paper in his hand, looked at it twice and tossed it back in the seat before shutting the door. As he did, Andy approached his side.
"Hey, I bet your looking for my mom."
He turned to him, seeing a tall young man, with golden hair and his mothers smile.
"Yeah, I'm looking for Jen."
"Jen?" Andy looked at him, wrinkling his nose.
"Ah, yeah, Jeana." He looked around, wondering if he was in the right place.
"Oh, yeah, my mom. No one ever calls her Jen." he shrugged his shoulders. Looking at the man, he suddenly realized who he was. He had seen the photographs that his mom had, even though he was much older now, there was no mistaking those eyes. Tony carried the same crystal blue eyes. "I think mom's in the house somewhere, come on, I'll find her for you."
"Thanks." He followed the young man to the house and through the doors, admiring the décor, wondering about Jen, and what she looked like now.
"HEY MOM!" Andy yelled out, echoing through the halls of the large home.
"What is it! I'm in the sunroom, painting."
"There's some one here to see you." he slipped into the doorway. Jen stood there with a tank top and shorts, paintbrush marks strewn over her here and there, a smudge on her face.
"Andy, can you tell them to wait a minute while I wash up." but it was too late, Anthony had already stepped in behind Andy as she spoke. She looked at him, sucked in a quick breath; overwhelmed by emotions and embarrassment by the way she looked. It had been so many years, but his eyes pierced her, as did his smile.
"Hi Jen." his voice was as soft as ever, and it melted her heart.
"Hi Anthony." a demure tone slipped from her lips. She didn't know what to do, should she run to him, should she walk to him, offer him some tea, and spill her emotions?
"It's been a long time baby." He moved around Andy and stepped towards her, not sure what to do himself, but knowing what he wanted to do. He wanted to hold her and kiss her, make up for lost time.
Andy spoke, breaking the weighted silence, "Mom, do you want me to go get you some more tea?"
"Yes, Andy, that would be nice, and some for Anthony too, please."
"Ok, I'll be back." he said in his best Terminator voice.
Jen put her brush down and wiped her hands, then pushed a stray piece of hair from her face as she walked towards him. She started to speak but his voice came first.
"I was shocked when I got your letter," he stepped closer to her, "I couldn't believe it was from you, especially after all this time."
"It's not like I hadn't written you before. I just didn't have the nerve to send them."
"I wish you would have."
"I do too." her voice was softer than he remembered.
They stood close now, still not sure how to react, just like the first night they met. He reached up and touched her face, wiping the paint from her cheek, she smiled, feeling the heat of tears well in her eyes. "Hello Jen." he whispered, love and sorrow in his tone.
"Hi." she looked at him, hoping it wasn't a dream. He grabbed her and held her, squishing her into his body. It felt good to feel him after so many years, and he couldn't resist taking her all in.
"Jen, god I missed you!" he pulled back to look at her, not sure if he should kiss her.
"I have missed you too. But I had something to remind me of you every day." She noticed he still wore her chain around his neck, and she reached up and fondled it with her shaking fingers, "I can't believe you still have this."
"It's only come off my neck long enough to clean it. It was the only thing I had besides a note with your address and phone number on it, and a photograph that I have worn thin." his voice was almost desperate.
"I had something a bit closer to my heart that reminded me of you every day."
The phone rang somewhere in the distance and Andy hurried back to the room where he had left them. He looked as his mom, funny to see her wrapped up in the strangers arms, but held the phone out to her, "Tony wants to talk to you mom."
She felt Anthony stiffen before she eased away, and took the phone from Andy, "Hello." she nodded her head listening to the other end, "Why don't you stop and pick up something for supper from Morgan's, and I'll pay you back when you get home. We have company for dinner, and I'm sure he's going to be staying." she looked at Anthony, as if waiting for his comment.
"Well, I wasn't expecting to be run off." he smiled.
She turned her attention back to the phone, "It doesn't matter, just get enough for the six of us, Mandy will be in soon with Anna, and I don't know if she's going out tonight." Jen bobbed her head again, as if the person on the other end could see, and then said she loved him and good-bye.
Anthony suddenly felt ill, but she had told him in the letter she was divorced, and she had moved back from Florida with her kids.
"Andy, can you go put this back, and listen for Tony? I'm going to show Anthony around, and I may not hear him come in."
"Sure mom. I left Domino out, so be careful if you go outside, he may be wet again."
She sighed and rolled her eyes, "I thought the agreement was that you would put him in back yard when you weren't playing with him."
"I know but when he pulled up, I forgot." he pointed at Anthony.
"It's ok, but if he digs up the roses again, you're going to be the one to replant them!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
She turned back to Anthony, "His Great Dane," she motioned behind her with her hand, "he begged me to let him bring him, and now, it tears up my yard!"
"There's a lot of yard to tear up."
"There's a lot of dog there to tear up my yard." she giggled, "Not only that, I worry that the gators might get him. You know, I do have a few of them here, being this close to the bayou. Louisiana porch puppies, and they are as big as Domino."
"Now that, I would like to see."
"Then shall we?" she held her hand out to him, and he took it, allowing her to lead him through the house.
Jen showed him the work they had done, and explained how she had acquired the property. Sheer luck as it was, the gentleman that had been her liaison for many of her contracts had the property willed to him, but he didn't like the south, and detested the area all together.
She knew the area well, and fell in love with the house after he explained to her that he had inherited it from another family member. Thinking about her being from the south, he offered it to her for a little of nothing to get it off his hands and be done with it. Yes, it was a little weathered due to time and age, but nothing that a bit of TLC wouldn't cure.
After showing him a few of the rooms as they walked to the staircase, she led him upstairs, showing him the beautiful rooms, six of them bedrooms, two very nice bathrooms, and then her room.
It was extremely large with lovely French doors that led to a balcony, and the master bath was just as luxurious. They walked out onto the balcony past her canopied king sized bed, to enjoy the view of the property.
Jen leaned over the edge of the railing and pointed out the carriage house and some other things she liked best about the yard. He came behind her and put his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him again.
She turned to face him, his lips within kissing distance, "Anthony, I'm sorry. Sorry for everything."
"What's there to be sorry for, you didn't do anything."
"Well, all these years, I mean, I should have told you..."
"Shh. No regrets, we get a fresh new start. If you want to?" there was hope in his eyes.
"You may not want me after what I've been through, and what I have to tell you." she looked so sad, just liked the night he saw her cry all those years ago.
"There's nothing that you can tell me that would make me want to turn around and leave you now. Except for the fact that you didn't want me here. And I don't think you would have written me if that were the case," he caressed her cheek, running his fingers over her lips, "besides, I didn't drive all the way from Atlanta, Jen, if I didn't want to be with you again."
"Anthony, I've never stopped loving you, but there's so much that has happened since we last saw each other, my kids, my marriages, my life."
"Baby, we have both had a life that was probably not what we wanted, or thought it would be. Yes, we were young, but now, I think we have another chance."
She smiled at him, whispering, "But we're still cousins."
"No one knows that but you and me, and we're far enough apart in bloodline that it doesn't matter. Everyone seemed to forget that back then."
"I think they were just pissed off because we spent so much time together."
He smiled, "no, I think that one person was pissed off because she wanted what you had, and I wasn't giving it to her because I fell in love with you."
Jen looked at him oddly, "Really now?" she shrugged her shoulders, "Oh well, her loss, my gain, in more than one way." she didn't care, what was done was done, now, she worried about what would happen when he found out about Tony. "Remember the first time we kissed?" her eyes sparkled at him, and she slid her arms around his neck.
"Yeah, you said you just wanted to taste a Georgia boy."
"I would like to taste that Georgia boy again."
"Baby, you can taste me how ever you like."
She smiled, "Can I taste you now?"
"I thought you would never ask."
He pulled her to him, their lips softly meeting. Neither wanted to ravage each other, they wanted to feel the love that was between them, softly and gently.
A tear slipped from Jens eye and down her cheek, trickling to where Anthony's hand held her chin. He whispered through his kiss to her how much he loved, she replied in the same manner. He held her close, taking her all in, adoring every moment with her.
"God I missed you Jen." he entangled himself in her hair, stroking her back.
"I love you Anthony, I never stopped." she cried, burying her face in his shoulder.
A noise came from the distance and she pulled away, turning to see another truck coming up the drive. Taking a shaking hand, she wiped her tearstained face and looked back at Anthony, "That will be Tony, my oldest." She smiled.
"Your oldest?"
"Yes, my oldest." There seemed to be a sigh of relief escape his lips. Jen smiled at him, "who did you think I was talking to earlier?"
"I didn't know, I really wasn't listening, ok, I was but," he stopped and took a breath, "Tony?"
"Yes, Tony." she wondered if it had dawned on him yet, but it didn't matter. She and Tony agreed that they would tell Anthony, if they felt it were the right thing to do, but now that he was here with her, she was sure that he would know when he saw Tony.
The truck rolled to a stop behind the other and Tony got out, walking around to the other side, opening the door. Domino came running up behind him, almost knocking him over.
"DAMN IT ANDY! GET YOUR DOG!" He yelled back towards the house, seeing Andy come from the doorway.
"Yeah, I'm getting the dog! Geeze!" Andy grabbed the collar and pulled him away.
"Come back here and help me get this stuff will you." Tony motioned at the truck.
Jen and Anthony watched from the balcony for a moment before they went down to greet Tony. Jen took a deep breath wondering if Anthony would understand once he was face to face with Tony, but for now, she wouldn't say anything. He followed her as she swiftly descended the staircase, and hurried out to help Tony with the food.
Buy the time they got to the landing, he was already in the kitchen unloading the bags. Andy came back by them, smiling.
"I'll get the rest mom, it's just drinks and dessert anyway."
"Thanks for helping your brother." she turned to Anthony, "If you want to wash up before dinner, there's a bathroom down the hallway there, or you're welcome to go back up to the bedroom." "That guest room looked nice, let me go get my bags and I'll be right back."
Jen put her hands on her hips, trying not to show any frustration, 'guest room my ass', she thought.
"Mom!" Tony called from the kitchen.
"Yeah, I'll be right there." she turned back to Anthony, "Let me go see what he wants. If you prefer the guest room, that's fine. I understand."
"MOM!"
He saw her look, knowing damn well he didn't want to sleep in the guest room, "Jen..."
She left him standing there, both of there feelings hurt from the misunderstanding.
Jen went into the kitchen and caught Tony's look as she did, knowing what he was going to say, but decided to let him before she mentioned anything.
"He's here isn't he?" she raised her eyebrow, a beautiful smile caressed her lips, "I saw the tags on the truck, I know its him." she heard discomfort in his voice, and reach over to him, touching his arm.
"I haven't told him anything. Just that you are my oldest. Tony, he's here, he's going to know when he sees you. You look just like him."
"No I don't mom, I look like you."
"You have his eyes, baby, there's more of your father in you than you know."
"I'm not so sure I want to now."
"It will be all right, I promise." she hugged him, reassuring them both. "Tony, I would never do anything to hurt any of you, you know that."
"I know mom. It's just, you know how we were raised. How do I come face to face with my father, not knowing what to expect."
"Don't expect anything. Just be polite, be yourself, and be understanding." she sighed as she released him, "Tony, I've always told you the truth about what happened. Now, I need to tell Anthony. But no matter what happens, you are my pride and joy, and I will never stop loving you." she kissed his cheek and returned to unpacking the food that he had brought. They set the table in the dining room and placed the food out buffet style.
Anthony walked back in the house with his bags, stopping briefly enough to take in the massive scale of the house from the foyer. Something caught his eye and he walked over, pushing the door open to the library, looking inside.
Among the many books and paintings that graced its walls, were photographs of Jen and her children. He put his bags down and walked over, glancing over the pictures.
One particular photo caught his attention and he picked it up, holding it. She looked the same in the picture as when they had been together, except her belly was bigger, and she was on the beach.
He remembered that she had told him she loved the beach, so that didn't surprise him, but the rest of the picture did. He shook his head, something pulling at his heart that he didn't understand. Anthony looked up to see the other pictures that were around the one he had picked up.
In the next one, there was a cute little boy at her side and she was pregnant, again, it had been taken at the beach. Then, there was another photo with the same little boy, who looked to be about five and a little girl, she was maybe three, and Jen was pregnant again, looking as if she was ready to explode. Then there was another with Jen, pregnant, and the other three kids standing around her.
He glanced up behind those and saw a progression of the children as they aged, mostly school photographs, some with her, some together. There were a few of her holding the babies, one of her and a man with the two oldest and a newborn, it looked to have been taken at the hospital.
The last one he noticed was of Jen and her children as stood at the walk, just before the steps of the house, the dog at their feet. They were all huddled together around Jen, laughing and smiling.
He looked at each of them, starting with the youngest boy, then the two girls, who looked almost identical to Jen, then Jen, and then a man that towered over her, with his arms wrapped around her neck.
His heart lurched into his throat when he looked deeper at the man. "No, it couldn't be." he whispered to himself, looking at all of the pictures again.
He held the one in his hand up to the one with the little boy with Jen when she was pregnant again, and then moved the one of all of the kids over next to it. Realization slapped him in the face, and his heart beat fiercely in his chest. "Oh, Jeana."
"Hey, Mom was calling for you, she wondered if you got lost." Andy's voice came from behind him. "I saw your bags at the door, figured you were in here."
Anthony turned to look at him, holding the photographs. Andy saw the look on his face and walked over, taking them from his hand, and began explaining.
"Ok, so this is mom," he looked at Anthony, "Yeah, you know that already, so, this was after she moved down to Florida, she was about four or five months along with Tony, I think. And this is Tony with her when she was pregnant with Mandy. And this is her, and them, and me in her belly, and this is all of us after I was born. This one is all of us when she was going to have Anna. And this, a friend took this a few weeks ago."
"Andy, when was Tony born?"
"June tenth, eighty-six, he's twenty-three now. Mandy was born in eighty-eight, I came in ninety, and Anna was ninety-one. My dad's a real dick, but Anna's dad, he hurt mom really bad, and they weren't even a couple." Andy glanced up at him, wondering if he said too much, not really knowing what else to say, "But mom has done a good job taking care of all of us, especially Tony, since she was by herself for a long time." he swallowed hard, and pointed at another picture, "see this, that's when she first moved to Florida. Gran put her out of the house. She didn't have anywhere to go, so she packed up her car, took her money she had saved for her new car, and moved away."
He waited to see if Anthony was going to say anything then went on, "Her best friend from high school lived in Panama City Beach, so she moved in with her, and Shawn helped her with Tony. Then she met my dad, well, he's Amanda's dad too. Tony was born in Florida, so was Mandy and Anna. I was born in Alabama, mom went into labor unexpectedly, that explains the green around the gills look here at Orange beach." He held up the photograph again. "My dad divorced mom a long time ago, and well, here," he picked up a photograph of the four of them, "That's Tony, Mandy, Anna, and me. Mom took that down there by the carriage house."
Anthony took the picture and stared at it, "Why did your Gran put your mom out of the house?" he ran his fingers up the glass, swallowing back tears.
"Something about her being trash, and she didn't want trash in her house. Mom said it was because she was pregnant with Tony, and when she tired to tell his father, no one would let her. I never understood that. Why wouldn't you want anyone to know about their kid?" Andy shrugged his shoulders, "Then when she found out mom was pregnant with Anna, Gran told her it the same thing, that she was trash, and to get an abortion. She told Gran it wasn't Anna's fault, just like it wasn't Tony's, and said that at least Tony's dad loved her, unlike that sorry bastard." He thought Anthony was going to bust him for cursing, but he just looked at Andy. "Anna's father was a client that hurt mom, beat her up, and hurt her really bad. But with everything he put her though, she still love's Anna."
"He raped Jen?" the angry look was harsher than his words, "That son of a bitch!"
"Well, they wouldn't do anything to him because he's some kind of affluent foreigner who said she came on to him during their meeting, and offered her services beyond that of what he was requesting."
Anthony looked shocked. My god, his Jen, treated like that, and the result was a child that she wouldn't give up, no matter the hell she had gone through.
He looked back through the pictures again, thinking about how strong she had been. Andy's voice echoed in his ears, "But out of all of her kids, Tony is mom's rock, and he takes good care of mom, well, all of us. They sure had a few hard knocks together the first few years. It's too bad his dad didn't know, I'm sure he would have helped her out, and made things a lot easier on her." He glanced at Anthony, wondering if he understood what he was hinting at.
"Yes, I'm sure if his father knew, he would have taken very good care of both of them, and loved them more than anyone would ever know."
"Mom always told him it wasn't his dad's fault. She loved him very much, and I think she still does."
"Andras!" Jen's voice echoed through the house.
"Yeah MOM!" he looked at Anthony and put the pictures up on the shelf, turning to walk away.
"Come on, it's time to eat." her voice flowed back to him.
"Is Mandy and Anna home yet!" he yelled as he got to the door.
"No, they'll be here in a little while."
He turned back to Anthony, "I don't think it was fair of Gran to treat mom and Anna that way. Gran knew what she went through with Anna, and there was no call for her to do that to mom and Anthony. His dad never found out, because even his parents sent the letters back to her. I know, because she still has them in a box in her room." He saw Anthony's expression change, feeling sad all the sudden, "Come on, before mom has a duck."
He left the room, leaving Anthony to his thoughts.
"Oh Jen, baby, I'm so sorry, so sorry I wasn't there for you, to protect you." He put the photographs back, taking one last look at the young man that held his arms around his mother. If only he had known, things would have been different.
Anthony picked up his bags and made his way back up stairs to her bedroom. Yes, he wanted to stay with her, he would be dammed if he left her side again if he could help it. There was so much to make up for with her, and now, even more.
He put his luggage beside the chair in the master bedroom and walked into the bathroom to freshen up. He washed his hands and face, looking at himself, suddenly feeling as if he aged ten years.
He felt so good when he read her letter, and when he saw where she was, and that she wanted to see him after all this time. He remembered what she had written, her words of love and care, how she never stopped loving him, and hoped that he still cared for her. If not, she just wanted to have some closure in her life with him, and wanted him to understand that.
Why hadn't she mentioned Tony? Did she think that maybe he knew already and just didn't acknowledge his son, or maybe she just didn't think that it was something she needed to say right then, waiting to see if he contacted her. By god, he was here now, and he would love her the way he should have been since the beginning. He heard a rustling behind the door and opened it to see her standing there.
"I thought you may have fallen in." she smiled, her hands on her hips again. It was funny, he really liked it when she stood in front of him like that, her eye brow raised and the look on her face. Damn he had missed her.
"No, I took a detour, and almost ended up in the guest room."
"Anthony, if you really want to sleep in there, I, maybe I thought, I don't know what I thought, what I wanted." she turned away, walking to the balcony again.
He followed her closely, putting his hands on her shoulders."Jen, I don't want to be anywhere but here with you. I was only teasing you about the other room. It would break my heart if I had to be away from you even this close."
She put her arms around his waist, "Anthony, I don't want to push things too fast, its been so long, there is so much to tell you."
"Start by telling me about my son." he looked at her, she swallowed hard.
"I wasn't sure how, or if you were ready."
"When I got your letter, I was more than ready to hear about your life. Jen, baby, I'm so sorry you have had to go through so much all this time."
"Anthony, I wouldn't know where to start."
"Well, why don't you start by telling me about the letters? Andy gave me some insight, and so did the pictures, tell me about Tony, and then tell me about everything else."
"I wasn't trying to hide anything from you, I hope you understand that."
"It sounded just the opposite, from what Andy tells me. And after what happened that night, I can believe him."
"I wrote you, so many times, right after I found out, after I got to Florida, and a few months after he was born. I even sent you pictures of him." she looked at him, sadness in her expression, "he has your eyes."
"I saw his pictures in the library. God Jen, I can't apologize enough for not being there for you. If I would have known, oh baby, I'm so sorry." He held her, feeling her chest rise and fall.
"But you didn't, and it wasn't our fault that you didn't. I knew that when the letters came back, and they had a woman's handwriting on them, 'return to sender, not at this address, don't write here anymore', some of them never even came back." she watched his eyes, trying to read his feelings.
"Andy told me you're mom threw you out? How could she be so cruel!"
"Because I was evil, trash, a slut for having sex with you, and then finding out I was pregnant by you just made it all worse. She knew it was yours because Donny and I hadn't seen each other in months, and I hadn't been with anyone else sense. I told her I was going to tell you, and she told me not to ruin your life, it was bad enough that I ruined mine."
"What a bitch!" he expected some reaction from her, but nothing came of it.
"Anthony, I promised Tony I wouldn't say anything because we weren't sure if you were married, or had kids of your own, or what your life was like. But when I moved back here, and found out that you were still there, I took a chance to let you know where I was. I needed closure between us, to go on for Tony, for all of my kids. I promised our son that I wouldn't tell you until we were sure you could understand what had happened, so you wouldn't be angry about it."
"Angry! My god, I lost the most beautiful woman in the world, and my son because of someone else, there is no reason to be angry with you. Jen, god, I love you, and now, I have a son!"
"Yes, Anthony, you have a son, a beautiful, strong, smart, wonderful son."
He smiled, thinking of his reactions earlier, "When you were dropping hints earlier, talking about Tony, when he pulled up in the driveway, and you said his name, I was actually jealous before you told me he was your oldest. And then I was trying to figure out why you called him Tony."
"Because, Anthony is your son, and I wanted him to have his father's name, even if I couldn't, he was all I had left of you, of our love."
"Baby, not anymore, I'm here now, and I plan on staying, if you'll have me."
"What about your family?"
"My wife and I are divorced, my kids are grown, and my job doesn't matter."
"But Anthony, I can't expect you to..."
"Let's just spend the next few days together, and we'll go from there. Deal?"
"Deal."
Another vehicle coming into the yard distracted them, Jen looked down to see the red car pull up and stop. "That will be Mandy and Anna." she turned back to Anthony, "Well, let me introduce you to my children, and your son."
"I would like that baby, very much, but first," he gathered her up, kissing her long and hard, entwining his tongue with hers, taking all of her in, like he had before. "I love you Jen."
Tears ran down her cheeks as she kissed him. Relief and love over coming her as she felt his love once again. They broke the kiss and she snuggled into his chest as he wiped her tears away.
"I'm sorry you had to suffer with them, alone with Tony, and Anna, my god Jen, if I would have been there, if I would have known, if I..."
She placed shaking fingers to his lips, shaking her head, "Anthony, please, we can't change that now," she scanned his face with her eyes, "we can talk about that later."
"All right, but you have to promise to tell me everything, no matter how much it hurts."
"I will. I promise." they held each other close, he gently kissed her again. Voices came from below them, drawing their attention down from the balcony.
"Mom!" the younger of the two yelled.
"What? I'm old enough to have company in my room."
She laughed as she went inside.
Jen and Anthony met them at the top of the stairs after Anna and Mandy came to put their things away. She quickly introduced them and Anna gave him a cute, flirty smile, Mandy raised an eyebrow and grinned. They hurried off chattering, talking loud enough to be heard.
"Oh my god, do you really things that's Tony's dad? Mom said he looked liked him but do you really think?"
"I don't know Mandy, but he's hot! That's for sure." Anna added, glancing back.
"Mom's not gonna like you talking about him like that."
"Why not, it's the truth." and off down the hall they went.
Jen looked at Anthony, smiling, "Girls, what are you going to do?"
"I know what I want to do with my girl." He swung his arm around her, kissing her cheek.
"Soon enough lover boy!" she put her hand on his chest, "we have all night."
"Yes, baby, we do."
***
The dining room was huge, the table nicely set, Jen and Anthony sat together and waited on the children to trickle in. They chatted about little things, not getting to in-depth about anything. She promised to tell him about Anna when they had some private time, but right now, she was too happy to bring up something so sad.
Andy was the first to come in and sit down, playing his PSP until they were ready to eat. Anna and Mandy were next, sitting across from where Anthony sat, still chattering, Jen mentioning that they were only quiet when their mouths were full. Still, no Tony.
"Where is your brother?" she asked in general.
"He was in the back, I don't know mom." Andy mentioned, putting his game up, "Can we eat yet?"
"No, you know we all eat together."
"Come on mom, I'm starving!"
"Then I'll go find your brother so we can eat." she excused herself from the table and went to the sunroom.
The girls struck up a conversation with Anthony, asking where he was from, how he met their mom, why he was there, and many more questions. He politely answered them, taking in the girls features, admiring how much they looked like Jen.
They were very attractive, Anna's darker skin tone and hint of green in her eyes, set her facial features off nicely. Mandy's long hair enhanced her face and he noticed that she had mannerisms like Jen.
Andy sat back and listened, playing his game again. Anthony looked over Andy again, his pale blonde hair and highbrow made him look long and lean, he was over six feet tall, and his gray eyes were interesting, but Anthony wanted to see his son. What would he look like beyond those photographs? Her children were beautiful, and he wanted to see his son.
"If you ladies will excuse me, I'm going to go find your mother."
"Tony is in the sunroom, or on the back porch," Anna mentioned, "He goes there to sulk when he's upset."
"Thank you." he got up from the chair and found his way down the hall. Voices echoed from the distance and led him right to them. He listened before he knocked.
"Come on mom, I asked you not to tell him."
"I had to, he saw your pictures and asked. I didn't tell him in the letter, I just told him where I was. I had no idea he'd drive all the way out here to see me. And I'm not sending him away after all this time."
"Fine, then I'll go. I'll go to David's or something. Mom, I'm not ready to meet him."
"Tony, he wants to see you. What, do you think he's a monster that will hurt you?"
"Why not, Jack was, and..."
She cut him off, "Anthony isn't like them, and I'm not defending Jack, but he is your sister and brothers father. I'm sorry he was a bad choice, but I didn't know that when I married him."
"How can you trust him after all this time? Damn it mom, he didn't want anything to do with me before. What makes it any different now!"
"Because now he knows about you, he didn't then, and you know it Anthony! You have seen all the letters, and you know what happened. I have told you the truth about your father since you were old enough to understand!"
"Then why wait this long? Huh mom? Because now you're older, you're lonely? Gran can't lead you around by the nose, telling you what to do, holding your children's welfare over your head because of past mistakes, like the one you made with Enrique?"
She broke down in tears, "Damn it Anthony! He beat me up, he almost killed me! He was expecting favors that were not part of the client agreement. And your grandmother hated me because it was all my fault, saying I led him on, once a whore always a whore. You know why she said that? She said that because I didn't marry her first pick! That's why she liked Jack, because he was her pick, and Jack about killed me too! Your father was the only man who ever loved me, and ever cared for me!"
"Fine! But I don't want him here now!"
"I don't care! I love Anthony. I never stopped." she was sobbing harder, almost hysterically, "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have you baby. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what I would be doing, I may even be dead."
"You don't know that mom! Hell, I could have belonged to any man you slept with!"
"That's enough!" a deep voice jolted them. Jen looked up to see Anthony standing in the doorway. She got up and ran to him, he swept her into his arms telling her it was all right. Tony stood up, facing him. "Don't ever talk to your mother like that!"
"What, now you think you can come in here and boss us all around!"
"No, but I won't let you hurt Jen like that, there's no reason for you to act that way."
"Oh, so now you're going to be my dad! I don't think so."
"No, I wanted to get to know my son for the man I was told he had grown into, not the spoiled child I see upsetting his mother." Anthony's ice blue eyes cut through Tony as he looked over his son.
He was tall and buff, dark shoulder length hair, crystal blue eyes, sharp features, it was almost like looking into the mirror, only twenty years younger. He tightened his grip around Jen and whispered to her, she nodded as he looked back at Tony.
"I didn't know. I didn't know until I saw your pictures. Your mom kept her promise to you, until I asked. Your brother is the one who spilled the beans when I was looking at the pictures. Damn it son, if I would have known you were alive, I would have been there for you, and her."
"It doesn't matter now, you know. So, hi dad, I'm Anthony, my grandmother hates me, so it's all my fault, and I've been dreaming of this moment all of my life, but now I'm here to fuck it up, because all of the sudden, I don't want it to happen."
"Why? Because you're afraid I'll take your mother away?"
Tony took a few steps back, damn this guy was good. The shocked look on his face gave him away. Anthony looked at Jen, kissing her lightly and walked her to the couch, sitting down with her.
"Tony, I'm not going to take your mom away from you. If anything, I want to be here with her. No, I can't make up for all the time lost, but I can make a difference with what we have to come. Don't you understand, I love her, I always have."
"Then why didn't you try and find her?"
"I did, but like your grandparents, my mother and father kept me from her. Their reason, because it was wrong for us to be in love, because we're cousins, but they were the pot calling the kettle black, because they were closer kin than Jen and I are. But that's not the point." he took a deep breath looking at Jen again.
"Tony, the only reason that I wasn't here sooner is because I had to make arrangements for vacation time. I have five days and then I have to go back and take care of things, and if your mother wants me to come back, I will."
She looked at him, tears still wetting her cheeks. He ran his thumb up, brushing them away. "Jen, I love you, stop crying, it's going to be all right." Anthony saw Tony out of the corner of his eye, watching his expression changed, something calmed in him. Maybe he realized that he was telling the truth. He kept talking to Jen, "Come on baby, you know I hate it when you cry. Our last night we ever saw each other, you cried then, and you know how much it hurt me."
Tony crossed the room and got Jen a tissue, walking back to hand it to her. "Here mom." he held it out, looking at them both. She took it and buried herself back into Anthony's shoulder.
Anthony and Tony stared at each other for a minute before he put his hand on his mom's arm. "Mom, I'm sorry. I just wasn't ready. I don't know mom. I'm scared."
"Tony, I'm not a monster."
"You don't understand. I've seen what mom has gone through and I don't want to see that again." Jen took his hand, pulling it to her chest.
"Tony, I told you," she sniffled, "I told you your dad was different."
"I'm not going to hurt her." he gently moved her so she would look at him, "I love you're mother, more than anyone will ever know." She mouthed her love for him, smiling.
"Promise me you'll keep her safe, take care of her, and never hurt her."
"Listen to this kid, you would think I was asking for your hand in marriage?" he shifted his head, smiling, then nodded, "Hum, that's not a bad idea."
"Anthony, we can't, I mean, how could we?"
"No one knows but us baby." he kissed her softly, hoping for the best.
"Let's talk about it later, ok?"
"Yes Jen, we will."
"Mom," Tony cleared his throat, "dad, I'm sorry, I just, it was so unexpected, and I just didn't know how to react, and I'm still not so sure."
"How about one step at a time, son?" Anthony smiled at him.
"Yes, I think that would be good." he stood up, Anthony following him.
"Hello son, I'm Anthony, your father. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Your mother has told me a lot about you, but I would like to get to know more, if you don't mind."
"Hi dad, it's nice to finally meet you. Mom has told me a lot about you. I'm sure there's plenty she doesn't know though." he held out his hand and Anthony shook it, then drew him into a tight hug. Jen sat watching them, feeling a tremendous weight lifted from her soul.
Jen took time to compose herself and wash her face, Tony and Anthony spent some time talking before they went back to the dining room.
"Well it's about time!" Andy whined, "Can we eat now."
"Yes, we can all eat." Jen said, holding Anthony's had as she sat down, then he sat next to her. Tony sat beside him, and his sisters stared at them.
"See, I told you Mandy, he looked just like him."
"Oh gross, you think your brothers hot!"
"Hell yes I do! My big brother is very hot!" Anna smiled, "His dad's not too shabby either!"
"Anna!" Jen snapped.
"Thank you Anna, it's a pleasure to be noticed." He smiled, winking at Jen who just shook her head.
Dinner went on, constant noise from talking about Anthony, and the children's lives. Jen didn't say much about her own, deciding that when she and Anthony were alone, she would tell him what he needed to know.
Anna was excited about starting college in the area, and she was getting her new car before school started. Andy was starting a new job the following week and Mandy had a job at a local restaurant, she really liked.
Tony didn't say much at first, but when asked, he told his dad that he worked for a local contractor who supplied service and equipment for the oil derricks, and he liked the job because he was outside a lot.
Dessert came and went, and the kids scattered off in different directions.