Bobby and Tara are perfect together!! I'm so glad Tara had this time with Louise!! It's always nice to know your in-laws early on!!! LOL

Kav, I don't know if my mouth is watering over your description of the lamingtons or the handsome Aussie at the bakery!!!

Joy

Tara curled up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate as Bobby knelt before her fireplace, trying to re-light the pilot light. It had gone out when a gust of wind swept the room as people were leaving. “I love your mum.” She said to him, stretching slightly.

“She loves you too.” Bobby said, looking at her as he adjusted the setting once the pilot light took hold and he came over to slide in next to her, taking her mug from her and taking a sip of it. “Pops too.” He said, bending his head to kiss her.

“And what about you?” Tara couldn’t help but ask.

“Oh… you know I do.” He said softly, caressing her cheek as she looked up at him, tucked close to his chest.

She smiled.

She’d chickened out earlier… had dashed out to the liquor store to pick up a bottle of something for his present… wanting to not give him a personal gift like a neck chain in front of their friends. She figured that he’d probably want to spend the next day mostly with his parents so maybe before he headed home tonight, they’d be able to do a little exchange of their own. She had been delighted that all the women loved their pashmina’s and the bottles of their favorite beverage to imbibe had gone over like apples with the men.

“So I suppose you’ll be going home tonight and spending the day with your parents tomorrow?” She asked looking up at him.

“No.” Bobby said, shaking his head.

“No?” Tara questioned. “What?”

“I won’t be going home tonight.” He smiled at her. “And you…” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Will be coming with me tomorrow. Mum wouldn’t have it any other way. Provided of course that you don’t have any plans for tomorrow.”

“No…” Tara smiled back at him. “I was just figuring that I’d go have Chinese for dinner tomorrow at a restaurant. I had no plans for tomorrow.”

“Good.” Bobby said. “Then we’ll go over for breakfast and opening prezzies.”

“Bobby… I don’t have any other presents for your parents.” Tara said, her eyes wide as she looked at him.

“No worries luv.” He reassured her. “They don’t expect anything from you, but knowing Mum, she’s been shopping all week for you.” He smiled.

Tara’s brow remained slightly furrowed as she pondered what he had said before she leaned in and kissed him softly. They kissed and cuddled on the couch, finishing her hot chocolate before he finally tugged her up out of his lap, turning off the fireplace and the Christmas lights on the tree and took her to bed, making love to her slowly.

Tara sighed contentedly as she lay, snuggled into Bobby’s arms the afterglow of their love making surrounding them as they fell asleep.

hmm I am sure you can find something Tara, a poem or something that they might like

Tere

I can think of one good Christmas gift she could give his Mum and Pops... although they'd have to wait a while for it to get there.

Lindsy

Perhaps this Christmas Bobby having Tara in his life is gift enough for Mum and Pops. Next year might be more appropriate to anticipate something that would take a bit more planning.

kav

Now, that's definitely a Christmas Eve to sleep and dream on!!! **sigh**

Joy

Planning Kav??? lot's of times you don't need to plan, but it still can be great!!! What a great way to spend Christmas Eve.

Rachel

Bobby awoke Christmas morning to a bright glare coming in from the window blind that Tara had left open, something or other about watching the snow fall in the moonlight from bed as they fell asleep… well, now it was sunny out and the glare was rather blinding…. And empty arms. He frowned slightly, before hearing the tippty tap tap of fingers excitedly flying across a keyboard in the other room. He yawned slightly, stretching before he got out of bed and went in search of Tara.

“Good morning.” He said softly, coming up behind her, noticing that she’d declined to pull on any of her own clothes this morning but was wearing his dress shirt from the night before, sleeves rolled up as she perched on the chair in front of her computer.

“Hi…” Tara grinned up at him. “Merry Christmas.” She said, tilting her head up for a kiss.

Bobby brushed his lips across hers. “Merry Christmas to you too… I think I’m getting a present already with how good you look in my shirt, luv.” Tara laughed softly. “What are you up to so early on Christmas morning?” He asked curiously, peering at the monitor over her shoulder.

“Presents.” Tara said. Bobby frowned. “For your parents.” She said, reaching over and picking up a stack of paper that was sitting on the printer and handing it to him.

Bobby glanced at it. “Tara this is great.” He said, glancing at it. “She’ll go bonkers over it.”

Tara laughed. “Well, I just figured a nice little calendar featuring her favorite FBI agent would be nice.” She said. “And for your Pops.” She handed him a stack of photos that had been snapped over the last week. “I know I have a picture frame here somewhere and I think I have enough time to put them into it.”

Bobby smiled at the pictures of his Mum, of he and his Mum…He and Pops… He flipped through them. “Brilliant” He said. “I like this one.” He said, showing her the one of the two of them under the mistletoe. “You had no idea that Lucy snapped that, did you?”

Tara shook her head. “Not until I started printing.” She admitted. “But I like that one too.”

Bobby leaned in and kissed her. “I’m going to go shower, if that’s all right… I’ll leave you to finish your printing and binding and framing…” He teased.

She rolled her eyes at him. “No problem.” She said. “We should be able to leave in an hour to go over for breakfast and presents.”

“Sounds like a great idea.” Bobby said, getting up to head towards the shower when she pulled him back, kissing him deeply.

“I love you, Bobby Manning.” Tara murmured against his lips.

“And I love you, Tara Williams.” He said back before kissing her again and smiling when she visibly brightened and grinned at him before she let go of him and allowed him to go shower while she finished up with her last minute presents.

Brilliant Tara . . . I know they will love it

A wonderful idea for presents!

Tere

Tara, you're a genius! Of course, we've always known that.

Lindsy

And homemade gifts are the bestest! (including the ones that require planning or not )

kav

Both Bobby's Mum and Pops are going to love Tara's presents!!!

Joy

"Today was a beautiful day." Tara said, curling up beside Bobby on the couch.

"It was." He agreed, wrapping an arm around her as they sat on his couch... his parents in their room already, leaving the 'kids' to talk quietly in front of the fire. "Mum loves her calendar and I swear she was already on the phone bragging about it."

She laughed softly. "That's fine." She told him. "I'm just glad she liked it." She reached over, caressing his cheek for a moment. "And I love what you got me." She said. She'd been completely surprised to receive a beautiful purple cashmere sweater from him. Her eyes had expressed bewilderment at first but then she realized that he and Pops had been out the day before and it was now clear that he'd done a bit of extra shopping while she'd been busy in the kitchen with Louise.

"And I appreciate what you got, just as much." Bobby responded. He understood her hesitation to give it to him in front of everyone but in the end as they ended up spending the day together, it was a perfect gift for Christmas day. He touched the chain now hanging around his neck. "I'll treasure it." He said, touching his lips to hers. "Just like I treasure you."

Tara smiled. "No burying me in the back yard though." She teased. "I do not make good buried treasure."

Bobby laughed. "No... I don't think so." He agreed. "Now... pretending that a certain part of you might be..." He mused.

"Bobby Manning!" Tara felt her cheeks pink up even though they were alone. 'Your MUM is upstairs." She hissed at him.

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah... you're right." He stole a kiss before winking at her and making her laugh again.

They fell silent, just watching the flames dance... Tara wondering if this was all just a magical illusion that she was going to wake up and find all gone the following morning. Her brow furrowed slightly.

"Penny for your thoughts." Bobby said, studying her.

It took much cajoling on his part before she finally voiced the thought that had sent her so deeply into reflection.

"Ah..." Bobby nodded. "Well... I never kiss you on your doorstep." He pointed out. "And I certainly don't think it's a mistake and I am in love with you, Tara Williams." He said.

Tara watched him.

"I will be in love with you for the rest of my life and probably will spend most of it convincing you that I didn't mean to be such a Drongo after the concert, But I was and there's no way to help that." He said softly, drawing near enough to kiss the corner of her mouth. "I have no choice but to ask you if you'd be able to put up with me for that long."

"You mean...?" Tara's eyes widened and he nodded.

"Oh yes, Bobby..." She smiled brightly at him. "I ... would be delighted to put up with you for the rest of your life." She leaned in and kissed him fully.

"Maybe we could go to Australia for our honeymoon..." He murmured against her lips.

"Next Christmas..." Tara murmured back. "When it's not snowing... and nice and warm in Australia."

He smiled. "Perfect." He proclaimed before snuggling her close as they started to discuss possibilities as the fire died down.

One kind word was going to warm the rest of their lives... not just the three long winter months. And Tara felt all warm inside at the thought. And couldn't have been happier.



~The End~

What a sweet ending!!

Mione! wonderful story, thanks for share!

Tere

That was beautiful hun. I loved it

So beautiful. From begining to end.

Lindsy

That was wonderful!

Wonderful!!!!

Lauren

I jumped up and down when he proposed!! I love the way he did it!!!

I know it's been said before, Mione, but this is truly a beautiful story from beginning to end!! You have made me totally enjoy stories about Bobby and Tara, even though I am a Jack/Sue fan!! I love every word!!!

Thanks for sharing once again!!!

Joy

I have just read this wonderful story from beginning to end and it was fantastic! I loved reading every word.

Thanks for sharing,

Sairs

Another mione classic.

A proposal with a twist. I'm delighted that she's willing to 'put up' with him for the rest of her life too!

A perfect romantic Christmas tale.

kav

Loved the ending, both romantic and humorous.

Finally caught up with your story, Mione. I loved how accepting Bobby's parents were of Tara and the time his mom spent helping Tara. A jewel of a mother-in-law! And the calendar and photos were wonderful last minute gifts that will last a lifetime! And the romance!

Lynn

Glad to see Tara found her christmas spirit. Loved Bobby's mum and pop.

Dianna

Aww what a sweet story.


Hope ~