Chapter 26

„Kittens and Puppies"

After spending Saturday with Tom and his kids, Sasha was on her way to Magnolia Drive, again. It seemed that she spent every single minute of her free time there. She liked being with Tom and his kids. It all felt so natural, like they would be a family. She loved to help the kids, even doing the laundry didn't bother her. For the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic she had something to do, not shooting at enemies or fighting, but living a normal life again.

When she got out of the car, Sam was running towards her with a big grin on his face.

"Sasha! Look, Dad showed me how to skateboard." He was holding his skateboard and climbed on it. Sasha could only watch him with amazement as he went down the driveway. "How can someone even stand on it without falling off?" She asked herself.

"Did you watch me, Sasha? What do you think? Was it good enough?" Sam asked her enthusiastically.

"Yeah! It was great, Sam. Well done" Sasha answered and tousled his hair. "Your dad showed it to you?" She asked him in disbelief.

Not seeing Tom coming closer to her, he answered "You don't believe my son, Miss Cooper?"

Turning around to face him, Sasha said "Not really. I didn't know you can skate."

"No? It's like riding a bike." Tom said nonchalantly. Coming nearer to her and bend his head to give her a kiss on her lips. "You wanna give it a try?"

"Nooo." Sasha couldn't believe he would ask her something like that. "No way am I going on this board. I don't trust it."

Tom chuckled "You don't trust it? Sasha, believe it or not, it is you who skate and not the board. You have to know your moves to direct it in the right direction."

"And you can do that?"

He knew she challenged him but he countered "Yes, I can. Shall I show you how to do it?" He grabbed the board and went down the driveway with such a grace that Sasha was staring at him in disbelief. "See? It isn't that bad." Seeing her indecisive he took her hand and guided her to the board. "Step on" he said in a persuasive voice. "I'm holding you, don't be afraid." Sasha looked at him one more time and stepped on the board not letting go off his hand. Tom on the other side had to forebear a laughter. He could tell that she was nervous and didn't trust herself. He steadied her with his other hand on her hip. After getting her balance, Tom moved a little bit forward so the board moved with him. His grip on her never lessened. "You have to shift your weight to the right side when you want to drive right. And the other way around." He told her and making the moves for her.

"And what do I do to stop it?"

"You have to put one of your feet backwards so that the front of the board is in the air." Tom told her. "Or, you can step down with one foot. You wanna try it again?"

Sasha nodded her head. "Okay, then I'll hold you at your waist. Don't be afraid." He told her. After doing this some times, Tom knew she can manage it all by herself. She had a perfect balance. And when they went down half of the driveway he took back his hands without Sasha's notice. She skated down the way and stopped at the end of it. Turning her head she saw Tom standing some meters away from her. "You, you let go off me?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, I knew you could do it alone." He said while coming nearer to her. "Well done, Miss Cooper." He said and claimed her mouth again. This time their kiss lasted longer.

"Ahem," Sam cleared his throat. "Well done, Sasha. But would you mind to give me back my board?"

Sasha laughed, "No, not at all, Sam. Here you go." She handed him his board back and took Tom's hand in her own going back to the house.

After lunch the family took off for a little stroll around the lake. The kids were running ahead while Tom had his arm around Sasha's shoulder, pulling her a little bit against himself. Her arm was resting around his waist. Both felt to an equal pace. Everyone who saw them from the outside would think that they were a normal couple taking a stroll with their kids.

About halfway around the lake, the kids saw a sign "Kittens and Puppies" at the edge of the lake pointing to a house nearby.

"Dad?" Sam shouted to him. "Hurry up, dad. Can we go there? Pleeeaaseee" Sam pointed at the sign and pleaded with perfect puppy eyes.

Tom looked at him skeptical and teasing him "Why should we go there?"

"Dad, they have puppies. Please let us go and see them and perhaps we can take one with us."

"Oh no, Sam. No pets. You know how much work it is." Tom said determinative.

"But daaaad." Sam tried to argue.

Not being able to say no to his son, Tom gave in "Okay, okay. Only looking."

"YES" called both kids and run away.

Sasha looked at him astonished "They have twist you around their finger. You know that, don't you?"

"You think?" Tom asked her with a smirk on his face.

"What are you up to, Admiral?"

"Well, it was my absolute intention to go this way and hoped they would see the sign." He told her. "We always had dogs and cats, so I thought about getting them one. And after me being an ass to them two days ago I thought I have to make things right with them."

"And you think getting them a puppy is making things right?"

"No, not what you think. I get it, I reacted the worst way I could. But they love pets and they are good kids. And I like to give them something they appreciate."

"Tom Chandler, you astonish me more and more." Sasha said to him and couldn't hold back a huge grin.

"Oh I hope so, Miss Cooper. I hope so." Tom replied and claimed her lips, pressing her against him.

Coming nearer to the farm Tom could see his kids playing with a lot of Golden Retriever puppies. They looked happy and this sight made him happy too. He went to an older looking couple who watched the kids and the puppies.

"Hello, my name is Tom Chandler. I've called you yesterday."

"Yes, Mr. Chandler, I remember. My name is Susan King and this is George, my husband. It is so nice to meet you." She stretched out her hand. "Your kids still don't know about our deal?"

"No, they don't."

She nodded then. "Hey guys, you wanna see our little kittens?"

Ashley's eyes shone brighter than before. "I would love to see them."

Sam on the other hand said dismissive "No, not for me. I want to stay here and play with the puppies." Pointing to the little puppy which licked his hands and his face he asked "What is his name?"

"Oh, this is Pepper. He is the firstborn." George said.

Susan guided Ashley and Sasha to the place where the kittens lived. Stepping into the room, both of them melted away immediately.

After a while Tom wanted to look after his girls. So he said "Sam, do you mind when I look after your sister?"

"No, not at all. Daaaad, can I keep Pepper?" Sam asked.

"Sam, I told you that we are only looking and not getting any pet." Tom argued back.

"Yes, I know, but..." Sam looked at him with watery eyes and a look on his face that could melt your heart in an instant. Tom had to try to stay strong and not to give away his surprise. "No, Sam. Sorry." Tom turned around and went after his girls.

Getting into the room he saw Ashley with a little kitten playing on the floor. It was black with the exception of two white foot. Ashley looked happy and was so concentrated that she hadn't notice him. Nearby Sasha was talking to Susan and was holding a little red colored kitten. "Hey," she greeted Tom with a bright smile and bright shining blue eyes.

"Hey, it seems you two are happy to be here." He said coming nearer to them and putting his arm around her shoulder. "And this is?" he asked while pointing to the little kitten.

"This? This is Henry." And pointing to Ashley's kitten "And that there is Socks."

Ashley getting aware of her father looked up and pleaded with the same expression on her face like her brother "Daaaad? I know you told us that we can only look at the kittens, but is it possible that we can have one?"

And just like some minutes ago Tom had to fight back the urge to give in. "No, Ash, I'm sorry. But no pets."

After persuading the kids to go home Tom exchanged a conspiratorial look with Susan. They said their goodbyes and on the way back home the kids didn't stop talking about Pepper and Socks.

"Dad, Socks was sooooo cute. She purred and played with me the whole time." Ashley explained him. "And Susan said that I can come back and play with the kittens if it is okay with you." She looked at him with pleading eyes.

Tom sighed. "If you learn enough for school and doing the other things we agreed to yesterday then it is fine with me. But if your marks getting worse, then you aren't allowed to visit the kittens." Tom told her.

"And am I allowed to go see the puppies, Dad?" Sam asked hopefully.

"Yes, you are. But under the same conditions like your sister."

"That's fine with me, dad. As long as I can see and play with Pepper." Sam said.

Coming back to the house the kids went upstairs and left Sasha and Tom alone. "So, when do you tell them that they get their pets?"

"I don't know. Perhaps later? As a reward not interrupting their father doing things with his girlfriend." Tom shrugged his shoulders and getting nearer to her.

"What?" Sasha asked him and trying to hold him back. But she wasn't quick enough and he grabbed her around her waist and drew her nearer to him. He bend his head and kissed her. She wasn't prepared for this. This feeling to be in his arms. The feeling to be save and to be loved again. She melted into his arms and her hands snaked around his neck. She felt his tongue against her lips and she granted him access. His hands slipped under her shirt and roamed up and down her back. He guided her backwards into the living room. When the back of her knees touched the sofa they collapsed onto it. Tom was about to lift her shirt and let his tongue slid over her belly when a knock on the door interrupted them.

Sighing loudly he stood up "Damn it." And turning to Sasha he ordered "Don't move, I'm back in a minute."

Tom went to the door and saw George standing in front of him "Hi there."