Sounds like the breakthrough she needed

A nap always helps . . . a nap AND Bobby knocking on her door would be just about perfect . . . .

The spirit of Christmas is beginning to seep through the doldrums -- that's a good thing. An even better thing would be if she ran into Bobby while shopping I mean, honestly, mione...how many posts has this been and they've been a part for all but one of them I think? That has to be some sort of record for you...oh wait...maybe not...you do like to torture your readers some, don't you?

kav

Tara’s first stop on her way to the mall was at the coffee shop for a vanilla eggnog latte and a big ginger cookie for breakfast. She took a sip of the latte and turned the radio on, delighting in all the stations that were playing Christmas music. She was astounded and ashamed of herself for not being in the holiday mood sooner.

As her cookie disappeared as she drove slowly in the parking lot… she was relieved to discover that she was actually in pretty good timing to get a good spot. She sat in the car with her latte and her notepad, jotting down gift ideas for her family and her second family - the team.

She tapped her pen against her teeth and jotted down a few extra presents.

Making sure that she had her planner with addresses and her latte, she exited the car and locked it securely before heading into the mall. She knew that a few gifts she was sending back home would be able to be shipped by the store so she wanted to get those out of the way quickly and she stopped at the store she wanted, arranging to purchase gift baskets of meat, cheese, jams and jellies for her parents and the other relatives back home as well as for her sister and brother in law. She was pleased to get such a large portion of her list out of the way and thrilled to pieces at the fact that they were being shipped out with no additional charge due to a store promotion.

Armed with the rest of her list, she headed for the toy store to purchase gifts for her two nieces and nephew as well as for Tanya and Davey. From there it was on to a shop to find lovely cashmere pashmina’s for the ladies. She figured she would need to stop at the liquor store to purchase gifts for the guys… they’d never really been much for team party and gifts but over the last few years, they had been making the effort to get each other something.

A heavy gold chain caught her eye and she fingered it for a moment, wondering if it would be a terribly inappropriate gift for Bobby. It seemed so much more personal than a bottle of rum… but so much more awkward to give him. She sighed softly and added it to the things she was holding as she went in search of the pashmina’s… adding one for his mum and Donna as well as Anne Leland and Mrs. Dotson. She had been formulating a new plan today as she shopped and one of the first things on the list would be to call them all when she got home and see if anyone was planning something for Christmas Eve. As long as she could get her house in order - decorated and cleaned- then she wanted to celebrate and finally use the Christmas dishes that her mother had sent her for her first Christmas in DC.

Tara’s heart was light and there was a holiday spring in her step as she shopped.

Eight hours later….

Tara was glad to see her driveway and she got out of the car, making her way up the front walk to the front door, loaded down with purchases, her mind running through the cookies that she wanted to get started on baking tonight as long as there was time.

No matter what contortion she struck, she simply couldn’t get a glimpse of her watch. Packages and parcels, grocery bags and the little box of divine fudge she just hadn’t been able to resist and had already consumed half of got in her way, obscuring her vision and wearing her down. Patience had been lost an hour ago, her joy of all things seasonal long before that and if she heard one more jingling bell she’d…

“Steady there. Looks like you could use some help.”

The voice was male, the kind tone her undoing. She dropped everything and promptly burst into tears.

Wow, Tara bought a lot of gifts! I'm glad she went for the more personal gift for Bobby.

Speaking of Bobby....could he be the one offering her some help?

Looks like a little retail therapy as well, lol

I think Bobby would look sexy, barechest and the chain around his neck . . . yummy

Glad to know that Tara is back!!
Hope Bobby is the helper!

Tere

I'm glad that Tara got her christmas spirit back if only for a few hours of retail therapy. And I really hope that's Bobby who wants to help her... I just wish she wasn't crying.

Lindsy

“Hey now…” Bobby was instantly concerned over the sudden appearance of tears. “Tara… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Not your fault…” She snuffled, wiping her eyes and staring at the pile of stuff around her feet. She could only hope that all the alcohol bottles landed on the pashminas. Of course, not being very tall… the ground wasn’t that far away so hopefully they survived.

Otherwise … she was out over one hundred dollars for what she’d spent on alcohol for the guys.

She sighed and knelt to start putting things back in order so that she could go in. “What are you doing here Bobby?”

Bobby knelt and started to help her. “What do you mean? Am I not allowed to be at a friends house at 5 pm on a Saturday night?”

Tara raised an eyebrow at him, glancing at her watch to confirm the time. “You’re never at my house at five on a Saturday.” She said evenly. “I can only assume that you have a reason for being here, Bobby.” She felt her cheeks flush when he encountered the half eaten fudge and looked at her in amusement. “Afternoon snack.” She murmured, reaching for it.

Bobby chuckled. “You’re always good for a sweet snack.” He observed.

Tara shrugged. “I do have a pretty major sweet tooth.” She admitted. “So…once again, Bobby Manning… why are you here?”

He was caught between a rock and a hard space when she looked up with those gorgeous green eyes of hers… slightly more mossy in color than his own… which a previous girlfriend… all right, Darcy… had likened to the glint of emeralds in the jewelry store show case. “I just wanted to see if there was something I’d done that was making you avoid me.”

Tara sighed. “I’m sorry, Bobby… I …. I haven’t really been avoiding you.” She said. “At least I haven’t truly been trying to… Lucy ambushed me yesterday and the next thing I knew, I was going out on a hot date and I just …” She shrugged.

“Just what, Tara?” He asked, not budging when their hands met on one of her shopping bags. He refused to let go until she’d finished.

“I just haven’t been able to really face it.” Tara said simply. “I mean… not you… not your parents. But I’m sure that my social life is much better than it really is.” She said dryly. “Lucy tends to jump to conclusions and before I could even voice that I did NOT have a date last night and that I might just be interested in going - she was off already talking to Sue.”

“Ah… she said you had a hot date last night.” Bobby offered up.

Tara laughed bitterly. “Yeah right.” She snorted, biting her lip for a moment. “Do you have time to come in for coffee?” She asked, finally coming to a decision after studying him for a long moment. “I need to talk to you.”

The dreaded words, "I need to talk"

Yes, they must talk!!!

Tere

Talking could be good...as long as they say the right things! With these two, you just never know.

So glad it was Bobby who showed up at her door!

I bet Bobby's happy that Tara didn't really have a hot date last night.

And I hope this talk is going to be a good one. With the way things have been working out between them on this board lately, I could use some Tara/Bobby fuzzies.

Lindsy

Talking is good!

Good Job! Looking forward to more!

Talking helps mend the soul.

Bobby studied her for a moment before helping her to gather the bags that she’d dropped. “Yes, Tara… I have time for coffee.” He said casually, waiting for her.

Tara was a little taken aback that he’d agreed to coffee and fumbled her keys, dropping them in the mini snow bank that had formed on her front porch. “Sorry…” She said nervously before bending down to pick them up, fumbling them again as she searched for her front door key.

“Take your time, luv… I’ve got all the time in the world for you.”

His silky tone caressed her skin… making her feel overheated in spite of the cold and the snow. She managed a smile at him and found the right key, inserting it easily and opening the door for them. She waved him on in. “Just set the packages there on the couch…I’m going to have to wrap like mad this weekend but I suppose I can fit it in while the cookies are baking.” She rambled as she shrugged out of her coat and tossed it haphazardly towards the arm of the couch as she hurried into the kitchen to start the coffee pot.

Bobby tilted his head and watched her go. If he didn’t miss his guess… she was nervous about something… then again, the view as she left was quite extraordinary and he almost groaned out loud when his body began to react to the sight of her curvy behind encased in a pair of tight jeans. He set the packages down and shrugged out of his own coat and laid it down next to hers on the couch before following her into the kitchen.

“Um… would you believe no coffee?” Tara said sheepishly, turning to look at him. “Hot Chocolate?” She offered.

“Sure.” He nodded, glancing around her kitchen. He’d noticed that the living room had been one splash of riotous color after another but it A. suited Tara’s personality and B. worked. He smiled at her as he took a seat at the table, watching as she bustled around her kitchen to make hot chocolate for them. “I like your place.” He stated.

Tara raised her head to look at him as she combined the cocoa powder with sugar. “Thanks.” She smiled.

“It suits you.” Bobby said, glancing around at the bright and cheery kitchen… done in red and white. “Never expected you to be a red and white type of person but it really does work for you.”

Tara laughed. “Well… how does it make you feel to know that it was red and white when I got this place and I’ve not managed to have enough time off to do anything about it. I just figured I’d turn it into one of my strengths… and bought dishes and linens to match.” She said, nodding at the cherry prints that adorned the towel rack. “It works very well at Christmas time.” She commented.

“Ah yes… red and white… matches candy canes and Christmas trees with great success.” Bobby teased.

Tara rolled her eyes at him and quickly finished up the hot chocolate… topping both of the Christmas tree mugs with a dollop of whipped cream and a handful of mini marshmallows and crushed candy canes before bringing them over to the table and handing him one.

“Looks great.” Bobby stated, taking a sip of his. “Tastes even better.” He said, enjoying the faint blush that appeared on her eyes.

“Thanks… family recipe… I’d share but I’d have to kill you or make you a member of the family.” Tara replied without thinking.

Bobby looked amused at her and raised an eyebrow at her, making her blush furiously when she realized what she’d said. “So… what did you want to talk about?” Bobby asked, diverting the subject and taking another sip of the hot chocolate.

Hmm interesting, I wonder how well they will talk?

I vote for make Bobby a member of Tara's family!!

Tere

Not to mention mistletoe...



Lindsy

Now there's an idea!....the making him family part, that is!

Even in the midst of her distress I have to laugh! But what on earth is a pashmina?????

And now she has Bobby right where she wants him...well right where we want her to want him. HOw about she skip the talk and scrounge up some mistletoe instead?

kav

Hi Mione…I’m catching up on your story. Great start with Tara moping about b/c Bobby is kinda gone. I’ll also BOLO for her holiday spirit. P1-15 - Now, I just had to laugh at this thought

Now, I’m very intrigued about the rodents? How did they foul up their relationship? Ah, the phrase from Mojo Gogo.
P4-54 – I’m curious, Mione, what are pashmina’s?

I loved how you used the quote there at the end. And is this Bobby offering a helping hand? I hope it is! I hope it is! I hope it is! And after getting her Christmas spirit back I think she overdid it and was so exhausted that when she saw Bobby it brought back her lonliness and unrequited love and was so emotionally drained she just lost it. Now, let’s see what drongo does to bring it back. He will do/say the right things, won’t he Mione?
P5-66 – There is just something about their coats lying next to each other which touches my heart. A foretelling of things to come between them?Did you really have to leave it there, Mione? Just as I’m caught up? I was really expecting it to be over and I wouldn’t have to wait for “the talk”! Not that I want the story to be over, you understand…after all, there is still over a month left on the challenge…just the talk over and on to delicious fuzzies for the rest the challenge period. *****we need a begging smilie that is more potent than this one*****

Now Mione, you know that I am a Jack/Sue fan, but I have to say, you have, as usual, captured my attention away from Jack/Sue and on to Bobby/Tara and I am loving this story. But I'll love it even more when we get to the fuzzies. You write them so well, I can't wait.

Lynn

I vote that she makes him a member of the family and THEN she shares the recipe . . .

Tara’s thoughts immediately scattered when he spoke. She hid behind her mug, drinking a long sip of the hot chocolate before she set the mug down and looked at him.

Bobby wondered if she knew she had a small dab of whipped cream on the tip of her nose and held himself in check to avoid leaning over and licking it off of her nose. He raised an eyebrow at her and took another sip of his hot chocolate while he waited.

She bit her lip for a moment. “I wish I could read your mind sometimes.” She blurted, her cheeks flushing as she inwardly groaned at the unorthodox opening.

Bobby’s brow furrowed. “Uh… okay.” He said, tilting his head to study her.

“I mean… not all the time.” Tara hastened to correct herself. “Just… some of the time…” Her brow furrowed.

“What part of the time did you want to read it?” He asked, curiously… finding the entire conversation turning into a source of amusement.

She sighed. “I want to read it when it comes to me.” She said, staring into her hot chocolate mug, her cheeks turning red enough to match her kitchen cupboards as she refused to look up at him.

“Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?”

“I haven’t been avoiding…” She tried to deny it. “I just…” Tara bit her lip and shrugged her shoulders slightly.

“Just what?” Bobby asked, moving his mug aside and reaching over to take hers from her as well before replacing the mug with his hand. “Tara…?”

“I want to know where I stand with you.” She stated firmly, looking up with determination into his eyes.

“Where you stand?” He echoed.

Tara nodded. “Where I stand.” She said, drawing a measure of strength and resolve from the look in his eyes as he tried to figure out what she meant. “There would be a chance…” She said softly.

“If I hadn’t realized I was in love with Darcy.” Bobby finished solemnly. His words had haunted him for months.

He hadn’t been able to figure out just what had driven him to say that to her and in all this time, he hadn’t figured out a way to talk to her about it. It would have been far better if he’d not said anything to her that day in the park… maybe they wouldn’t be talking about this now if he’d shut up and hadn’t brought it up until after Darcy had truly dumped him. “Tara, I’m sorry about that.” He said, reaching up to cup her cheek, caressing her skin gently with one thumb, marveling at her soft skin.

“Yeah… me too.” She said softly. “But it still doesn’t tell me where I stand with you.”

Bobby studied her, leaning in closer, pulling her towards him before his lips met hers and he kissed her… just as gently as he had on her front porch… but longer. And his other hand came up to touch her other cheek as he prodded teasingly at her lips with his tongue, tasting a mixture of hot chocolate and peppermint with a dash of something faintly vanilla.

after that conversation you kiss her again . . . gees she will think you will run off and get married to darcy now, sigh

Sure hope this kiss ends better than the last one!

WOOHOO!!!

He kissed her!!

Love it!!

Tere

Oh dear. I'm not sure if he should have done that.

I'm not saying she's going to react badly but they're supposed to have a coherent conversation afterward?!

Lindsy

I could hear you sighing like Eeyore, Treenie. But I'm melting over

That's so tender...so gentle...so sweet...so...incomplete -- there's more, isn't there?

kav

Tara couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped her as her mouth fell open under his prodding… welcoming the presence of his tongue in her mouth as she kissed him back eagerly.

Her moan and the way that her arms wrapped around his neck and tried to pull him even closer to her had Bobby on the edge of his control and he had to pull away, resting his forehead against hers.

“Wow…” Tara murmured, her eyes opening to look into his.

“Do you have a clearer picture of where you stand?” He murmured, his eyes studying hers anxiously.

“I may need a little more convincing…” she murmured, a soft smile coming to her lips.

“Of what?”

She shrugged. “Oh… just some more convincing.” She smiled at him.

Bobby smiled back at her.

Tara untangled herself from around his neck. “So what now, Bobby?” She asked, reaching for her hot chocolate and taking a sip as she settled back into her chair. He looked confused. “Are we boyfriend/girlfriend.. Going steady? Going to be much much more?”

His confusion lessened and he smiled. “Whatever you’d like to call us, Luv… but I’d like you to start by having dinner with my parents and I.” He said casually, taking grasp of his hot chocolate again and drinking from it.

“I have so much to do…” She murmured, glancing around for a moment before seeming to come to her senses and she offered him a shy smile. “Just the four of us?”

“Absolutely.” Bobby nodded. “Don’t get me wrong… we love hanging out with the rest of the team, but I want tonight to be a bit more private.”

The way he said it, sent a shiver down Tara’s spine and her smile grew wider. “I should change then… and go with you.” She said softly, finishing her hot chocolate.

“Nothing too fancy, luv.” He said. “We’re casual people.” He grabbed her hand when she got up and tugged her closer. He brought her face closer and surprised Tara when he licked her nose before kissing her.

She raised an eyebrow at him when she pulled away.

“Whipped cream.” He stated, his mind helpfully adding places that he’d be delighted to lick whipped cream from. His ears turned red.

Tara smiled. “Be right back then…” She said, brushing a soft kiss to his lips before hurrying to her bedroom to figure out what to wear.

To dinner with his parents….

Ooh, that talk went very well.

Ahhh . . . lovely.

Wonderful!!

Tere

Oh yay....



Lindsy

hee hee she went from depressed and upset to panicked over dinner. DInner with his parents . . . yup nervous and yet excited too )

Amazing story to catch up to!

Poor Tara! She lost her sparkle… Though I'm glad that she found it back.

And now Bobby's improving her mood in a ... very efficient way, I may say!

Dinner with his parents looks promissing!

Yikes! Meeting the parents right after experiencing your first kiss!!!! That's enough to make any woman nervous. Bobby will just have to make sure is extra attentitive to Tara's every need, won't he?

kav

There's nothing like a night in with Chinese food, wine, ice cream and holiday movies to cheer a person right up!! And, it appears to have definitely worked for Tara!!!

She is such a wonderful shopper - I wonder if she would help me with mine?? And, maybe help me bake cookies too???

I'm glad it was Bobby who showed up, and I'm glad he confronted her about her behavior, and I absolutely love the way he answered her question about where she stands with him!! Be still my heart!!!

I love this story, Mione!!!

Joy

Well, I certainly liked where that kiss lead. Yeah, I think I need more convincing too!
And now off to meet his parents.

Lynn

I could stand some convincing like that!

Rachel

Tara looked through her closet in an almost panic before his words truly registered.

Casual people.

Fine.

She could definitely do casual.

She sighed softly, going into the bathroom and re-doing her makup which had gotten slightly smudgy between the tears and the... well... the kisses.

Tara smiled at her reflection, noting that her eyes had renewed their holiday sparkle. Even her hair... which on the best of days gave her fits... had seemed to comply with what she wanted it to do rather than be frustrating like usual.

She hurried through her makeup before going out and deciding to leave her jeans in place, swapping the bright holiday jumper for a black scoop neck one... exchanging sneakers for loafers. The snowmen on her socks looked cheerfully up at her.

Tara added a pair of holiday earrings and went out to find Bobby in her kitchen where she'd left him... mortified to find that he was doing up the dishes from her night in the evening before. "You don't have to do that..." She blurted, her cheeks flushing.

Bobby turned and gave her a sexy little grin that sent a shiver down her spine. "I know luv..." He stated. "But I wanted to."

Tara smiled at him. "Well all right." She shrugged. "I'm ready to go if you are."

Bobby gave a low whistle. "I'll say." He commented, grinning at her before coming over to lightly brush his lips against hers. "You're gorgeous." He murmured in her ear, smiling when her cheeks pinked faintly again and they went to go grab their coats so that they could go meet up with his parents.

Could he be any more perfect?!

An man who does dishes without being asked -- it doesn't get better than that!!!!

kav

LOL I was just going to say that . . . That makes him a keeper for sure

Excellent!!

Tere

Bobby's definitely one of a kind!

Now... I'm ready for the next post!

Ooh boy! What's next? Is Bobby going to run the vacuum for her too?

That's MY kinda guy.

Lindsy

Bobby is already making himself at home - perfect!!!

Joy

Hours later... although to Tara is seemed like minutes, Bobby was walking her back up to her front door.

She glanced up at him for a moment, suddenly panicked about him kissing her on the front porch.

What if it ended up like last time after all?

Bobby glanced at her, curious about the brief moment of panic that flashed in her eyes but he chose to ignore it. "Did you have a good time tonight?" He asked.

"Oh yes." She smiled, nodding. His parents were the lovely sort of people and Tara had felt welcomed by them and was pretty sure she sw a look of approval on his mum's face when she hugged Tara and glanced at Bobby afterwards. "You know... I always knew you were the sort of boy to try and crawl into a kangaroo's pouch." She teased, amused when his ears turned red.

He rolled his eyes at her. "I hadn't factored in the story telling opportunities when I asked you to dinner. But did you really have to tell her about the time with the bank robbers when I got a black eye and a broken hand?" He complained.

Tara laughed at him. "Of course I did." She grinned at him.

He shook his head. "Well... just you wait. Next time, I'll tell stories on you." He teased, reaching for her as they reached the front porch.

"NO!" Tara blushed when she realized she'd practically screamed out the word and he recoiled, his eyes going all worried on her as he looked down at her. "What I meant was... why don't you come in for a bit." She invited, opening the door.

"I don't know..." Bobby said, earning him a raised eyebrow. "Oh all right..." He grinned before following her in.

They barely shrugged out of their coats and Tara hung hers up before he reached for her again, pulling her flush with his body as he kissed her. ... his tongue plundering her mouth as his hands reached for and tangled in her hair.

Tara moaned softly as her lips parted eagerly to welcome his tongue while they kissed.

Now this... THIS! ... was a good night kiss.

Her brain rejoiced in the sensations that flooded her as she responded with a desire and passion that was just as deep and strong as his seemed to be.