"If They Don't Win It's A Shame."chap 4

Chapter 4

Andre glanced at his watch and grabbed his bible nonchalantly from the bedside table, "It's been a great visit, Mrs. Henderson."

She nodded with a sweet smile affixed on her face, "Thank you for coming Pastor."

"I'll be back tomorrow." he assured her, shaking her fragile hand before walking toward the door. As soon as he was out of the room it seemed his feet couldn't take him to the Neonatal unit fast enough. He was in a hurry to see Aria, there was no fooling himself about that. Now all he had to do was hold onto this girl, see what her story was. Find out why he felt this way about her, why she did this to his insides. He actually felt like skipping to the elevator. Strange.

When he finally made his way into the hall way which was completely covered in windows where a person could see the tiny babies inside, he could barely contain himself. Yet again he heard the soft humming which had drawn him to the NICU that first night he'd visited Mrs. Henderson. The woman in the rocking chair however was not an unnamed face, it was Aria McKenzie. He smiled and waved watching as a smile stretched across her face.

After a few minutes, she got up from the rocking chair and gently laid the tiny newborn in one of the bassinets that spanned the entire nursery. Softly she whispered departing words to the nurses and walked out into the hallway to meet him. "Hello."

"Hi yourself, you look great." he whispered.

She smiled wider and shook her head, "I'm in scrubs, I'll just duck in here and change. Be back in a few."

He watched as the door swung shut behind her, and he looked up toward the ceiling. Silently he held a conversation with the Lord about the woman and how He'd brought her into Andre's life. Was this it for him or was it just another woman? Just as he'd again asked the question to God, the door swung open.

"Are you ready?" her green eyes sparkled as she smiled at him.

"As ready as I'll ever be." he answered, linking his arm with her's and guiding her toward the parking garage where his car was.

--

The car door closed behind her and Aria watched Andre walk around the car and climb into the driver's seat.

"You okay?" he asked with a smirk.

She nodded, "Quite alright, it's been a while since I've been out. Excuse me if I get all of this wrong, please?" Nervous to look at him she glanced down at her feet.

His hand grazed her cheek and she jumped and turned toward him. With a smile, he rested his hand underneath her chin, "I'm destined to get this wrong faster than you, Aria, believe me."

She chuckled and watched as his eyes sparkled down at her, suddenly at ease she let her hand graze his. "Thank you."

Looking startled, Andre pulled his hand away and smiled at her. "Shall we?"

Nodding, she folded her hands in her lap. She was sure he was just trying to make her feel good, but it was working. Silence reigned in the car on the way to the restaraunt, and somehow Aria was okay with that. Finally they were at the restaraunt, again Andre got out of the car and walked around to open her door for her.

Together they walked into the restaraunt, the hostess seated them and handed each of them a menu. Aria perused the menu, as did Andre, slowly she came to a decision of what she'd get to eat. But, just as she lowered the menu, her eyes met someone she never thought she'd see again.

Jerry Reynolds.

Swallowing hard, she watched as he grinned and waved. Her stomach turned in revolt and she clamped her mouth shut to keep it's contents on the inside. Heart pounding in her chest as if it'd like to escape her rib cage, Aria shoved her chair back and did the only thing she could do. Run.

Sweat poured down her face in streams as she relived her past one more time. Feet clattered behind her, dirt shot up around her as her feet moved faster and faster to get toward some unseen, unknown goal. The memories played like a movie screen in her mind, it was four years ago all over again. Arms came around her middle and she screamed, knowing what came next.

"Aria? Aria? It's Andre. Why are you running?" he huffed softly as he turned her toward him.

Aria swallowed again, wiping at the tears and sweat that poured down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I had to get out of there...it was him." she felt her chest heaving as she tried to explain without revealing the exact details of her life. It had destroyed her life once, she wouldn't let it do so again. Not anything.

"If They Don't Win It's A Shame." chap 3

Chapter 3

Andre sat back in his lawn chair and listened to Aria talk, he couldn't decide if it was her voice that kept him so captivated or those expressive eyes of her's. Either way, he could listen to her for hours, and he had. She'd told him about her job as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse. She didn't have to say how much she loved it, because he could tell by the excitement in her voice. In turn, he'd told her about the church and how he loved to preach. She'd admitted that she hadn't been to church in years, and when she said it, her eyes lost their sparkle. Something had gone amiss in Aria McKenzie's life. Something that she wasn't willing to talk about. Quietly, he resolved to pray for her to regain that love she'd once had.

"Are you thirsty?" the question brought him out of his thoughts and into focusing on Aria's smiling face again as she held a can of soda out toward him.

"Yeah, thanks." he accepted the can and popped the top.

She sat quietly beside him, it seemed with more on her mind that she told him of. Checking her watch every five minutes, she finally glanced up at him. "I need to get going, my father will need help to get into bed."

He frowned, "You have to go? Can I get your number or something?"

Watching as she collected her things and turned to him he felt as if a part of him was leaving.

"Oh..um..sure." reaching into her purse she withdrew a small tablet and pen and scribbled the numbers down. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah, I'll call." he assured her, watching as she nodded and then walked away.

His eyes followed her as she said good night to Jazzi and to the rest of his friends before leaving. He sighed and walked over to his friends, "I think I'm going to call it a night."

"You're leaving just because Aria left?" Lidia grinned at him and elbowed Jazzelle, "You were right, this one is going to work."

Andre groaned and just turned away. No use lying, it was the truth. His interest in the cook out was now gone as he thought back to Aria's sweet voice and sparkling personality. Something about that woman was different, and he didn't plan to let go of her until he was sure it wouldn't work.

--

Aria pulled the covers up over her father and kissed his forehead, "Good night, Daddy."

He smiled at her and grumbled a soft good night of his own before closing his eyes.

Sighing softly, she walked out of the room and left the door open a small crack. Her hands performed nightly routines of washing the dishes, cleaning the kitchen up, and getting ready for work but her mind spun with thoughts of Andre Harris. He was everything she'd never had in a guy, and everything she'd dreamed up. Sweet, charming, incredibly cute, and had a love for God. She wished that she had more time to date, because if she did he'd be the kind of guy she'd go for.

The phone rang shrilly in the silence of the kitchen and she rushed to grab the cordless receiver. "Hello."

"Aria?" the voice held questions.

"This is her."

"Hello, it's Andre Harris."

She involuntarily smiled at his voice and the mention of his name. "Hey Andre, how are you?"

"I'm good, I'd be better if you'd agree to go to dinner with my tomorrow."

Her breath caught in her throat, a date? "Sure.." the word rolled right off of her tongue before she thought about it.

"That'd be great, can I pick you up at six?" he sounded worried.

Aria nodded, "Six would be fine, you'll have to pick me up at the hospital though."

"Sounds fine, I have a visit to do tomorrow at the hospital anyway."

"Great." she smiled at the sound of excitement in his voice.

They talked for another half hour before Aria finally broke off the conversation because Brayden walked through the door. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Andre."

"Oh, a man?" Brayden raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

She hung up the phone and shook her head, "Where were you?"

"Out."

Groaning she watched her brother walk to his bedroom, just when she thought things were going better between the two of them they worsened. Now he wouldn't talk to her again. Something had to be done about Bray. In the mean time, she needed to finish cleaning up so she could get to sleep. Tomorrow was a big day.

--

Jazzelle tossed another soda can into the garbage bag she held, "It's okay, you really can go home if you want."

"What if I don't want to?" Rachel's friend stared into her eyes in a way she found quite disconcerting. His smile showed her that he knew exactly what he was doing to her insides.

"Um...well, I'm unsure about that." shrugging she sat on the picnic table and looked at him steadily. "Why is it you're around so much?"

"Ever think that I might find you beautiful, intelligent, and madening all at the same time?" his eyes held her's as he sat next to her on the table.

"No, I didn't." she replied hoping that he'd leave soon. This wasn't like her to feel this way, no not at all.

"Alright, I'll leave then, but you'll see more of me. Our story isn't over." he smiled at her and walked toward the gate.

Heaving a sigh of relief, she stood to her feet and finished cleaning up the yard. Their story wasn't over yet? Maybe he was right.

"If They Don't Win It's A Shame"

Chapter 2

Andre sat back in the lawn chair and stared at Jazzelle's evilly grinning face, "What is this about?" he asked.

"It's not about anything, I decided to have a cook out do you have a problem with that?" her eyes glittered mysteriously in the midday sun.

His stomach began to do flips, he was next in Jazzi's line up. Some woman he'd never seen before would show up and be all over him. Lovely. He could always bail out early, but she wouldn't let him. No, Jazzi enjoyed inflicting pain on her prey.

"Hey y'all!" Bethanie mosied into the backyard with her new boyfriend on her heels. His daughters ran in front of them diving for Jazzi first.

"Bethanie, T.C." he nodded to each of them before fixing his eyes on the gate again. If Jazzi was going to set him up he at least wanted to know what she looked like before he decided what to do.

Ten minutes later, the gate creaked open again allowing Lidia and Altan inside. Both came in with plenty of words for them and an abundance of witty insults. He still sat silent aside from saying hello, as he waited on edge. Keely and Blaze followed right on their heels. His heart pounded hard in his chest as he waited for the woman Jazzi would set him up with. What would she look like? Would her personality be half-okay? He trusted Jazzelle, but still, he wasn't sure if he trusted her completely with the matters of HIS heart.

Just as he was worrying, a movement from the back door of Jazzelle's house caught his eye. A woman was walking toward their gathering holding a bowl full of salad. Long, blonde curls spilled down her back, a worried smile was on her lips. "Here's the salad, Jazzelle." she said, her voice light and melodic.

His eyes were captivated. Her shirt was the same green as her eyes, long legs encased in denim that seemed to go on and on. Jazzi's new friend was beautiful.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Jazzi?" he asked, walking to where the two of them stood talking.

"Maybe and maybe not." she winked at her friend and turned to smile at Andre menacingly.

"Well, fine, have it your way then." reaching around Jazzelle, he extended his hand, "I'm Andre and you are?"

The nervous smile slipped a bit and a real one took it's place, "Aria McKenzie."

"Nice to meet you, Aria."

Aria nodded, blonde curls bobbing with her head. "You as well."

"I've got to go check on those burgers.." said Jazzi, but it seemed she was in the distance, he could focus on nothing but the woman before him.

Aria still held the bowl of salad in one hand while her other was still inside of his. To be honest, it felt nice, but he relinquished his hold on her and took the bowl of salad. "Let me help."

"Okay.." her voice trailed off as she watched him set the salad on the table.

He could feel her gaze on him, and it did strange things to his heart making it dance to a quicker rhythm. Any other day he would've been sure he was having a heart attack, today with this woman standing before him staring at him it was something different.

--

Aria watched as Andre set the salad on the table, and she couldn't help but wonder about the man who hid inside the best exterior she'd seen in a while. Her cheeks were flooded with pink, as heat infused her body. She'd been caught staring, Andre peeked up at her and smiled. Knees melting, she grabbed the table, something was different about this guy.

"Are you okay?" he asked, placing his hand atop her's on the table.

She nodded, "Yes, I'm fine...warn me the next time you're going to do that."

Andre raised an eyebrow, "Do what?"

"Startle me with that smile of yours....ever thought of modeling?" she couldn't believe she was saying it.Aria clapped her free hand over her mouth, what was with her? Usually she was so shy around new people that she met.

"Modeling?" he began laughing so hard she thought he'd wet himself.

"I was being serious.." her voice trailed off as she watched him continue to laugh.

"I'm a Pastor, definitely not a model anything." he assured her with a small grin as he patted her hand.

"Model citizen maybe." said a woman who patted him on the shoulder.

Aria tried to stop staring at him and at the woman's hand on his shoulder, but she simply couldn't. "I'm sorry, I don't think I know you." she addressed the woman.

"Charity Douglas, Jazzelle's sister. And you are?" blue eyes twinkling with laughter, Charity extended her hand.

"Aria McKenzie."

"Nice to meet you, Aria. I'll leave the two of you to your discussion. Looked like you were having fun." she winked at the two of them and then turned tail.

Aria glanced helplessly at Andre, who grinned.

"You've got to excuse this bunch of matchmakers, Aria, their terrible anymore." he leaned closer, invading her space until he was but a few inches from her. "Especially Jazzi."

Coherent thought flew there was nothing around her except for the smiling man to her left. Jazzelle was right, he was a perfect match for her. If for nothing else, he made her smile and feel things she hadn't ever felt before in her life. This was one event she wouldn't be ducking out of early.

--


Jazzelle tried hard to listen in on Aria and Andre's conversation without being noticed.

"Stop that, Jazzi, you're letting the burgers burn because you're more worried about those two than anything else." said a voice from behind her.

She jumped, "You scared me." she accused Lidia, even as she smiled at her friend.

"Yes, I know. I meant to." Lidia smiled back.

The gate to the backyard opened again, revealing Mike and his girlfriend along with the man who'd haunted her dreams. "Who invited them?" she hissed to Lidia.

But, Lidia was already on her way over to greet them and Jazzi could feel her blood pressure rising. What was wrong with her being alone? When would they stop hassling her. Is this the payment received for matching them up?

When she turned her head back that way, her eyes locked with his and he smiled. Something about him didn't allow her to relinquish him from her memory. And somehow, she didn't want to either.

"If They Don't Win It's a Shame"

Chapter 1

The quiet of the hospital seemed to draw him as he walked deeper into the heart of it with one purpose in mind, to see Mrs. Henderson who'd apparently had a stroke in the middle of the night. He clipped his pager back onto his belt as he walked through the corridors watching the numbers on each door. Finally, he spotted room 223 and he quickly rapped on the door.

Janet Henderson's daughter, Pauline, answered the door and ushered him inside. "Mom, Pastor Andre is here." she whispered in the stillness of the dark room.

He smiled at Mrs. Henderson as he took the seat near her bed, "How are you, Mrs. Henderson?"

The woman stared at him with a blank look in her eyes.

"Can I pray?"he asked both women, yet only Pauline answered him with a nod.

Gently, he lay his hand on the woman's forehead and prayed for her. After he'd prayed, he sat long into the early morning hours with Pauline and Janet. Finally, Pauline noted his weariness and looked at him pointedly, "Go home and get some sleep, Pastor."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, "I'll call you in a few hours to update you, promise."

He smiled, "God bless you." After saying a quick good-bye to both mother and daughter, he made his way back down the corridor.

However, instead of getting right back to the exit, he ended up going past the nursery. A soft humming stopped him in his tracks. What was that? Slowly, he walked up the corridor, only to see movement inside the glass of the nursery. A woman sat in the soft light, rocking a tiny whimpering baby. However, this time instead of just humming she began to sing what sounded like an old hymn, and Andre was frozen to his spot in awe of the woman and her voice.

Blonde curls cascaded down from the top of her head to the middle of her back, he could barely make out her facial features, only enough to see the outline of her eyes, nose and mouth. Yet, somehow he could hear the beauty of her soul in only the song she sang. As he listened closer, he could hear the song she sang.

"I am weak but Thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong. I'll be satisfied as long, as I walk dear Lord close to Thee."

The words seemed to go straight from her mouth to the heavens, and Andre couldn't help but stand and watch in amazement. Something about this woman was different, yet he couldn't stay around to find out. What would he tell her? I walked by the nursery and heard you singing? Rolling his eyes at his own stupidity, he turned tail and walked back the way he'd come. He needed sleep, and right now.

--

Aria MacKenzie held the tiny baby in her arms, she swallowed against the onslaught of tears this was the hardest part of what she did. Knowing that not one of these babies was her's, and that no matter how much she did for them nothing would bring back her baby. Her world swirled around her, mixing reality with flashbacks. The crying of the baby in her arms mixed with the memories of Isaac's cries as they took him from her arms.

"Aria?" a soft voice broke into her memories bringing her back to the present.

"Yes?" she asked, hoping to cover over the fact that she'd been having yet another flashback.

"It's time for the next shift, Holly's going to bring Jacob here to his parents." smiled Kristine, her fellow nurse.

"Oh..okay." gently, she lay the baby back in his tiny bed before grabbing her things from under the desk and walking toward the exit.

Outside, the sun was already rising, somehow it felt like she'd just got to the hospital. However she'd been there for hours, and now it was time to get home. Jumping into her car, she took off toward home remembering all the things she had to do today. As soon as she pulled up in front of her home, she parked the car and jumped out. The house still stood exactly how it had for years, it had been her parents house, and when her mother had left she'd taken over. Now, Aria cared for her father, brother, herself, the house, and the dog.

As quietly as possible, Aria crept into the house and smiled at the dog who haulted at her feet wiggling all over. "Morning Fisher, what've you been up to?" she asked the excited dog.

He yipped before running toward the kitchen where her father already sat at the table. He smiled at her, despite the wheel chair and all of the pain Aria knew he was in. "Morning Dad." she kissed his forehead as she came around to grab a dozen of eggs from the refrigerator and began to crack them into a bowl. "How do eggs sound this morning?"

Her father nodded.

Heart constricted in her chest, Aria watched as he mouthed, "Sounds good."

Just as she was about to say more, her brother rounded the corner. "Morning." he growled, taking the seat next to her father's.

"Morning Braeden." she smiled as she finished making the eggs and lay a plate in front of each of them. Everyone who met her told her she worked too much, that she did too much for her family, however in all reality doing so much kept her mind off of her past. And that was a very good thing.

"That Jazzelle Douglas called for you again." grouched Braeden as he shoveled eggs into his mouth.

"Did she leave a number this time?" she asked her brother, taking a seat at the table.

He nodded, "Yeah, it's over on the cork board."

"Thanks Brae."

"Anytime." he offered with a shrug.

Her heart lept, her brother who'd recently been having trouble with everything and everyone was finally beginning to become himself again. Sure it was tough to be sixteen and have your world crashing around you, but he would come around. She had to believe that. Just like everything would work out with the guy Dr. Douglas was trying to set her up with.

--

Jazzelle walked out of the hospital with purpose, things were looking up. She'd talked to Aria MacKenzie, the nurse she'd picked out for Andre. The woman was sweet, adorable, and she was learning to completely rely on God. Something Andre, a pastor, would appreciate. Her heart felt light as she took steps toward her car, one last match to make.

Time to get home and get some sleep, and somehow wait for everything to work itself out.

"Take Me Out..Period"

Chapter 10


Bethanie shifted Shadow so that the baby lay closer to her as she fought through the crowd to get to their seats. "It's not usually so crowded down here." she shouted to T.C.

T.C was having a time holding Shiloh and trying to follow Bethanie, yet he remained a good sport, and ever patient. "It's just fine, Beth, don't worry so much."

His hand touched her back giving her goosebumps and leaving her near breathless. "Here we are." she said finally. With a wave to Charity, Alex, Altan, Lidia, Blaze, and Keely, Bethanie took her seat and waited for T.C. to follow suit. "Everyone meet T.C., Shiloh, and Shadow."

Her friends introduced themselves one by one and doted on the little girls, she couldn't help but smile. She knew they'd love them. T.C. so easily fit in everywhere. Bethanie sat back in the seat and held Shadow close to her. The little girl had gotten somewhat attached to her lately it seemed. Shadow had begun talking more as well. Just as she was thinking about the little girl, she looked up at her and smiled at Bethanie. Shiloh looked over at them and slapped Bethanie's back a few times, "I wanna sit with Miss Bethie!" she complained.

T.C. shot her a smile as he passed Shiloh to her as well. Her heart thudded against her ribcage in stunning reality, this was her life now. Her family and her friends. She looked up toward the designated Jazzi spy seat, sure enough there she was. However, instead of being seated as normal she was having a royal tantrum. Uh-oh was all she could breathe under her breath.

"What's wrong?" T.C. asked close to her ear.

Bethanie nearly jumped out of her skin, she was so used to being with Jazzelle in the spy seat that she'd forgotten about T.C. and the kids. Pointing toward the upper stands she smiled, "trouble in Jazzi's paradise."

"Jazzi? Why would she sit all the way up there?" he asked aloud.

"To spy on us." came the reply of Bethanie and her friends in unison.

T.C. laughed, "Oh really now? And you all know about it? Why do you let her do that?"

Lidia smiled, "Because if we didn't, we'd go crazy from all of her spy antics. It's easier to keep watch of her up there."

Charity and Bethanie nodded at Lidia's explanation.

"You'll get used to it." commented Alex with a wave of his hand.

"Okay.." T.C's voice trailed off as he shrugged.

Bethanie smiled, "It's okay, there's nothing we could do that any of my friends couldn't see." she whispered, kissing him for the whole world to see.

--

T.C. laughed as he watched the antics of Bethanie's friends and near family, they were something else, he'd decided. He'd already gotten threatened by Alex and Blaze that if he dare hurt Bethanie, they'd kill him. Charity, Lidia, and Keely had done something similar only they'd been nicer about it. Charity had also offered to watch the kids anytime he and Bethanie wanted to get out and have a break. He couldn't help but like the group of them.

"Enjoying yourself?" whispered Bethanie.

He smiled and stared into her blue eyes, "I am."

"Great." her voice was breathless.

He couldn't help but feel the same way, and then to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Instead, he kissed her cheek.

"Awww!" exclaimed Charity, who'd apparently seen what had transpire.

"Way to go, Beth!" said Keely, her eyes alight with mischief.

"I see you have a cheering section." he said to Bethanie.

She grinned, "Only the best one ever. At least this time we're here I'm not chanting 'take me out...period!'"

He chuckled, "You wouldn't."

"She would!" exclaimed all three of the females at once.

"Well seems like I got here just in time then, I'll take you out. How's tomorrow?" he winked at the three women then turned back to Bethanie.

"Tomorrow's good for me."

"Good, because you're good for me." with that, he kissed her and prayed that these kinds of moments would last forever.

--

Jazzelle hurrumphed and sat on the seat Rachel claimed was her's. This wasn't the correct seat, how could she tell? She couldn't see a lick of what was going on with any of her friends.

"Relax., Jazzi." whispered Andre in her ear.

"Can't do that, I'm afraid. Her friend there is in MY seat!" she pointed to the object of her dream's affection for the last week.

"Not a problem, we'll go sit with them, Jazzi."

"No!" she exclaimed bordering on whining. This wasn't her style, but she really was sick of Rachel and her friend showing up everywhere she went.

"Do you want the seat?" the voice caused her to stop mid-whine.

What now? She couldn't exactly push the man out of HER seat, but then again he'd offered..hadn't he? "Yes, I do. Thank you."

He chuckled, "Not a problem."

They traded seats, and she sat there staring out at her friends. "See the thing is, my friends are almost all matched up. See them?" she pointed toward the row of seats filled with couples.

"Oh, a matchmaker, eh?" he smiled at her, eyes twinkling.

She nodded slowly, "my job."

His grin only widened, "Nice."

She shrugged and focused on the matchmaking aspects. It was time to introduce Andre to his match, only she really couldn't tell him that it was her doing. He'd need to think it was his idea, men!

"So..."the man beside her just wouldn't quit.

"Listen, I'm kind of trying to watch a baseball game and monitor things..so if you wanna' chit-chat call me later. I'm busy right about now.." she fixated her eyes on the game.

Again he laughed, "So what's your number?"

"Number?" she frowned.

"Yea, I wanted to call later to 'chit-chat."

"Oh dear." she groaned.

'Take Me Out to the Ball Game," began to play over the speaker system and she worried her lower lip. Maybe Lidia was right, maybe she did need someone beside herself. She couldn't help but hope that person looked something like the one now sitting beside her. She smiled as she glanced down at Bethanie and T.C. Things were going just as planned.


See "If They Don't Win It's A Shame" for more updates on Bethanie & T.C. This is far from the end of their story.

"Take Me Out..Period"

Chapter 9


Bethanie smiled as she rang the doorbell to T.C.'s home, he'd invited her over for a day with his family. Unsure what that would entail, she was sort of nervous, but mostly excited to play with his adorable daughters and meet his mother.
"Come in!" called a voice from beyond the door, and she twisted the door knob to find it was open.
Slowly, she walked through the front door, "Hello?"
Two sets of feet echoed in the long hallway, and two tiny bodies flung themselves at her knees. "Miss Bethie!" added Shiloh.
Shadow smiled shyly and reached her hands up to be held.
"Hello girls." she lifted both of them off of their feet and set one on each hip. "Where's Daddy?" she asked.
"Store." supplied Shiloh, wide eyes taking in their teacher at their house.
"Oh..where's your Grandma?"
"Right-a here, dear." came a soft voice from beside her.
"Hello Mrs. James." she smiled at the woman, T.C. looked mostly like his mother she noted as she took in the woman's features.
"Please call me Vivian,love." Vivian lay a soft hand on her shoulder and smiled at the girls. "They like you, Bethanie, you're all they talk about when they get home."
By they Vivian meant Shiloh, obviously.
"I'm glad they like me, because I like them." she put in, kissing each tiny forehead.
Shiloh and Shadow nodded in unison, smiles large on their faces.
"Daddy's home!" a deep voice beckoned from the kitchen.
Both girls squirmed to get out of her arms and race for their father, she smiled and set them on their feet before following them to see T.C. She was just as anxious to see him as they were. Smiling, she rounded the corner and saw him with the girls. Her heart melted in her chest as she watched him gather them in his arms and kiss their little faces.
"Afternoon, cowboy." she smiled.
"Bethanie." he smiled back, standing and setting the grocery bag he held on the kitchen table. "So nice to see you again."
"You too."
His mother rounded the corner, "Oh stop acting like you don't know each other and hug already." she smiled at the two as she reached for the bag he'd set down.
Swiftly, as if not waiting for another request, Tucker pulled her into his arms. "Gotta' listen to my Mama." he whispered in her ear.
"Glad you did." she whispered back with a wink.
--
"A baseball game?" he held the tickets in his hand and smiled at a hopeful looking Bethanie.
"It's tradition, every game all of my friends go to the games. We sit together and have tons of fun." she supplied.
"Sounds like fun, let's do it." he couldn't resist the way she was looking at him.
"Good, I can't wait for you to meet them all. Their a great group, and I'm sure that the girls will love Cole and Ava." she reached for his hand.
He supplied his hand, rubbing his fingers over her's. "I'm sure they will. Won't you girls?" he asked, looking down to where his daughters played in the sandbox at their feet.
Shiloh nodded, "Baseball."
Shadow looked up, "Miss Bethie?"
Both adults stopped talking and looked down to where Shadow sat playing as if nothing had happened. She'd spoken!
"Yes, Shadow?" asked Bethanie, still looking shocked.
"You come baseball game?" she asked, brown eyes accessing.
Bethanie nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, "Yes, Shadow, I'm coming."
"Good." the simple word had tears rolling down Bethanie's cheeks.
T.C. smiled and rubbed at her tears, "Yes, good." he whispered.
"She talked..." Bethanie's voice wore thin as she stared into his eyes.
"To you." he completed her sentence and kissed her cheek, "Yes, she did."
"Amazing." she whispered.
"You are, incredibly so." he kissed her quickly with a smile. She was perfect for them.
--
Jazzi smiled as she grabbed her ticket to the game and shoved it in her purse. Bethanie today. Bethanie and T.C. had been going out for two weeks now, and finally they were going to a game together. They were bringing Shiloh and Shadow as well, apparently. Her smile widened as she took her steps two at a time to get to the front door faster.
With any hope she'd be at the stadium in time to take her seat far enough away to watch the couples interact. The traffic would be bad today, so she walked. Smiling at a few people, but mostly keeping to herself she hurried along. Her breath stopped in her chest as she nearly ran into Rachel and the man she'd seen in her dreams for nearly a month.
"What, no hello?" asked Rachel, her eyes accusing.
"I meant to say hello, I was just sidetracked..yes sidetracked. Hello." her eyes weren't on Rachel at all, instead they were locked with the brown eyes of her "dream man." It just so happened that was what she called him, she didn't mean anything by it. At least, she hoped she didn't.
"No harm done." Rachel smiled, "So, did you know my friend?"
"Um...no.." she whispered, frowning she cleared her throat and stole her gaze from his. He smiled at her, only making it worse. "No, but I really must run. Sorry, about that, but I've got a previous engagement."
"Ah, that really is too bad." he said, his smile appeared, and she frowned as it was all she could do to stay on her feet.
"Yes, too bad. See you all later." she said, pushing past Rachel.
"Yes, yes, goodbye!" called Rachel.
Deep breaths, Jazzelle, don't pass out. He was being friendly, that's all. She said that over and over to herself as she walked down the street toward the stadium. Only her imagination wanted to make the best of things, no. She wouldn't let that happen.

"Take Me Out...Period"

Chapter 8

Bethanie stood outside glancing at the note in her hands, it'd been attached to a dozen roses. Sighing, she realized she'd seen part of the romantic side of T.C. only to push him away. His truck pulled into the parking lot of her daycare. "Make it snappy Cowboy, I've got to get back in there." she called as he climbed out of his truck.

"Actually, you don't. I've called your staff, their going to take over for an afternoon." he smiled and her world seemed to tilt on it's axis.

"Okay, if you insist." sighing once more she let him open the door to his truck for her, and guide her inside. "So where are we off to?"

"You'll see." his smile widened, as he winked and closed her door.

The ride to the surprise location was a quiet one, she knew they were both thinking about what had gone wrong between them and just what could make it right. Finally, the truck stopped right in front of a small pond, he smiled and climbed out of the truck. Shrugging, she went along with it and got out of the truck.

Slowly, he led her to a picnic table beside the pond, "Bethanie, we need to talk. I've made some changes in my life, and you need to know about them. I'm unsure that they have anything to do with what we have between us, but you still need to know." He took her hand in his, and pressed a kiss to the top of it. "I've given God control of my life again, I no longer doubt Him. I never doubted that He existed, simply that He would give me what He'd said He would."

She felt a smile tug at her lips, "That's great, T.C."

He nodded, "I feel much better about life right now, and I wanted to make things right with you. What we had wasn't much, but I'd like to make it more."

All of a sudden her throat felt like it was closing, there wasn't enough oxygen outside, she was gasping for breath.

"Bethanie?" he questioned putting an arm around her, eyes full of concern.

"No, no, I'll be fine." she whispered hoarsely.

"Okay..so what do you say to this?" he asked.

She did her best to smile without letting tears fall, "I'd say yes. Let's see where it takes us. I know now that things will work out for the best."

He smiled, "Everything will work out, Bethanie, I promise."

--

T.C. walked back to his truck and retrieved the fishing poles, he'd heard from a pretty reliable source that the country girl liked fishing. With a smile he extended her pole toward her.

"Thanks." she smiled back.

"Anytime, Bethie." winking, he sat on the chair beside her's and bated his line. "So, any questions for me?"

"Yes! I've been dying to ask a question since I first heard about you." her eyes were wide, face serious.

Nervous now, he fidgeted with the pole, "Oh? What's that?"

"Your name..T.C, what does it stand for?"

He chuckled, "Is that it?"

"Is that it? It's a very important question! If we're going to be doing more things together, then I should know your name!" her blue eyes were twinkling with laughter.

"Tucker Callum." he supplied finally, waiting for her reaction.

"Oh it's a good name, why do you hide behind initials?" she leaned in closer to him, eyes sparkling and a smile on her face.

Just in the right position for...he grinned back at her before pressing his lips against her's. "Just because my mama always called me T.C." he answered finally.

Face flushed, she sat back in her chair, "Oh."

He grinned again, "What's your middle name?"

"Dawn." she supplied.

"Oh that's pretty, Bethanie Dawn. I like it."

"Oh yeah, Tucker Callum?"

"Don't make me kiss you again!" he winked.

"Is that a threat?"

He leaned closer he whispered against her lips, "Most definitely."

--

Jazzelle pressed the binoculars into Lidia's hand and smiled at Lidia and Charity, "See told you."

"Indeed you did, my friend, indeed you did." Lidia shook her head as she pressed the binoculars against her eyes.

"I cannot believe that you've set her up with a cowboy. Their children will be like, cowpeople!" exclaimed Charity with a laugh.

"Shhhh! It doesn't matter as long as their happy, and look at them! Their happy." said Jazzi with a mischievous smile.

"Right, well, first child that says 'howdy auntie Charity.' I'm blaming you!"

"Shut up, Chari." exclaimed Lidia, trying to monitor the couple's progress.

Jazzi smiled and turned toward the other side of the park. Come next week, Andre would be meeting the love of his life. Whether he liked it or not. "So what do you all think about Andre's upcoming romance?" she asked, handing them the folder with information on the woman she had in mind.

"Oh my, Jazzi, she looks just about perfect." said Lidia handing the binoculars to Charity.

"He'll love her." added Charity as she looked out at the couple too.

"I sure hope so..."

"Take Me Out..Period"

Chapter 7

The darkness of the sanctuary seemed to impart tranquility to Bethanie's heart. Sighing, she knelt at the altar laying her forehead against her clasped hands. "Why?" she questioned pointedly not looking toward the ceiling. Her heart was in no place to be thanking God, yet she felt quite stupid for bringing something like a crush before Him. "I know You are God, and that You know best in my life..but right now this isn't making much sense. He's adorable, a good guy, a great father, but he doesn't believe so obviously it's automatically a no." Groaning, she crossed sat on the floor before the altar, and unfolded her hands not feeling quite so holy at this moment. "I thought this was actually going to lead to something, sure enough it wasn't like we were dating, but still. I thought You gave us the desires of our hearts!"

"Bethie?" the voice was one she'd heard many times but she'd just as soon ignore Jazzi right now. She'd been meddling far too much in her life right now.

"Please go away, Jazzi. I need to be alone right now. I don't know what to do." She fixed her eyes on the ceiling hoping that her long time friend would listen to her request.

"You're questioning, right?" Jazzi took a seat next to her, completely ignoring her.

"Yes, but Jazzi, I thought this was it. I thought God's grand plan was to use you to introduce me to someone as great as T.C. To end up with him..and now? He's not even saved, Jazzi. He doesn't even remotely believe in God.."her voice wore thin as she expressed her worst fears and worries all at once.

"The question is do you believe, Bethanie?" her friend's hazel eyes pierced her's and seemed to burn with passion.

"Of course I do, you know that!" she couldn't even believe Jazzi would dare ask something.

"Then why do you put it past His reach, Bethie, this problem isn't bigger than God. It's something He can handle. Do you believe?"

All of the weeks of prayer, worry, and doubt collapsed in one heavy burden on her heart. Tears began to pour down her face and she laid her head on the altar.

Jazzi rubbed her back gently, "It'll be okay."

--

T.C. walked up and down the driveway in front of Jazzelle's apartment. Where could she be? He checked his watch again, it'd been an hour now and still no sign of her. Groaning, he rubbed his forehead, maybe he should just leave. Taking a seat on the stairs leading to her porch, T.C. felt alone for the first time in a month. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a car came up the driveway. No, it wasn't Jazzi's car. Who was it?

Straining to see, he watched as the car parked in the driveway and a woman climbed out.

"Just who are you?" she questioned as she slammed the door of her car.

"T.C. James, ma'am. Who are you?"

"Lidia. Jazzelle's friend...what're you doing here?" she moved toward him a few inches but halted awaiting his answer.

"Waiting for Jazzelle. I'm having a rough time with Bethanie, that lil' lady has me twisted up, she sure does. I can't see straight anymore. That's just what's happened this week!" he stopped suddenly as he realized he was giving Lidia more information than she probably wanted.

"Okay, for starters, the name is Lidia, not lil' lady. Secondly, I'm not Oprah. Jazzelle might listen to your problems and give you advice, but that isn't my department. I'm primarily on the imagination committee around here.

He sat staring at her, she was something that was for sure. "Oh..perhaps you could 'imagine' up what time Jazzi would be home?"

A smile stretched her lips, "Sure I can, she said she'd be home around three. She was at the church with Bethanie."

"Oh." he looked down at his hands, why had he asked? Church. Another thing he didn't do.

"Something wrong?" seemingly Miss. Non-Oprah had some advice coming, and if it was a first and last time he didn't want to miss it.

"Yes, she wants me to believe in God. Do you know how hard that is, Lidia? I can't have a relationship with Bethanie because I don't believe in God." he buried his face in his hands and awaited her advice.

"Why don't you believe in God?" she asked, her eyes locked on his.

"So much has gone wrong in my life, Lidia. My wife died, my girls are without a mother, my mother who's helped me raise those babies had a stroke last year. Why? If there is a God, He sure doesn't care about me!" he felt the anger at God boiling up inside of him.

"So whenever things don't go your way you pull away, is that it? How about with your horses, if they don't win a race do you get rid of them?"

He frowned, "I don't race my horses."

"Stick with the imaginary scenario!"

"Okay, okay, no I wouldn't get rid of them. I love them." His frown deepend as he said the words and heard them with his own ears.

"Then maybe you need to reconsider what you feel for God, T.C." she smiled and patted his shoulder, "Get over yourself, talk to God, and then to Bethanie. Things will work out right, I know that." With that she walked past him up into the house and left him to think.

Sighing, he looked up toward the sky, "I'm going to give this another try. I want to have you in my life, God. I know that I've been selfish, made mistakes, but I want another chance. I know you give many chances, my mom has told me that too many times to count. I'm going to need a little help with this and with Bethanie. Please show me the way."

--

Lidia smiled as she looked out the window and saw T.C. get up and climb into his truck. Finally the big cowboy would leave, find Bethanie, and talk. Hopefully. The back door to Jazzi's apartment creaked open. "Hello?" she called, turning the corner.

Jazzi stood in the doorway with a smug smile on her face, "Nice lecture, Oprah."

"Shut up!"

"Make me!" Jazzi stuck her tongue out at her.

"So, what do you think about T.C. and Bethanie, will they get back together?" she asked her friend as she took a seat at the kitchen table.

Jazzelle nodded, "They've made progress. Really, they have. I know it doesn't look like it quite yet, but it will. And when it does, it's time to move onto Andre."

"Right, Andre, but what about you?" Lidia smiled at her friend knowing Jazzi would once again turn down any rights to matchmaking.

"Don't worry about me, Lid, I'll be fine. Just fine."

"Exactly, but will you be happy?" leaving her friend with those words, she stood and walked to the refridgerator pulling out a bottled water.

"One session of advice and she's turned into Dr. Phil. Geez." Jazzi shook her head.

"You aren't much better my friend, you aren't much better." Lidia smiled handing Jazzi a bottle of water as well.

"Oh well, are you ready to get started on that book we talked about?" her friend stood and started walking toward her office.

"Um-hum...and nice change of subject by the way."

"I thought so!"