Chapter 36

Feeling someone behind her Tessa turned quickly and saw AJ watching her work. "What do you think of the painting?" she asked standing back so he'd have a clear view.

"It's beautiful. I just thought it was another one of you, but it's not, is it?" he asked looking the painting over carefully.

"No, it's my mother. I'm doing the painting for your sister," she smiled sadly and tears started to flow. "I had forgotten how beautiful she truly was. I found an old 5X7 to work with and started it when I woke up."

"You look just like her, Tessa. I see nothing of your father in you except that you're both stubborn."

"Not too bad a trait to inherit, I guess. It could have been a lot worse, I could have gotten a big nose," she tried to smile for AJ's sake. "So, I'm really going to Washington?"

"Yes, Tessa, as soon as things are tied up here we'll be on a plane," he said looking around her apartment. "You haven't packed anything."

"AJ, I promised to meet the man, not move in with him," Tessa replied picking up her paints. "I intend to travel back and forth. I need to be here to paint. Then I'll come and visit you."

"I thought you were moving to Washington, Tessa?" he asked confused.

"My work is here and I have no place to stay there, AJ. Plus I'd need to find new models," she replied putting the finishing touches on the painting.

"There will be a place provided for you to stay. The models I can't vouch for, though, Tessa. We'd get to see each other often, which I was counting on," AJ said trying to encourage her to go back and stay. She would be required to anyway, better if it was of her own free will.

"That sounds good, since I can find my own models," she leaned forward kissing him and getting a smudge of paint on his nose. "I can get movers to move everything but my paintings, and art supplies. I'll grab a few clothes and be ready to leave."

Standing behind her, he watched her put the last strokes on the painting. She had painted her mother wearing a lavender mohair sweater with a single strand of pearls, it was an amazing work and he knew that his sister, Adele would love it.

"How do I get this to your sister, Adele?" Tessa asked, leaning back into his strong body.

"We can mail it to her since we're in such a hurry to return to Washington," he suggested.

"That'll work. I've mailed paintings before. I'd still love to meet your sister one day," Tessa said quietly staring at the painting of her mother.

"I'll take you to meet her someday. She'd like that very much," he replied before turning her around and kissing her.

Pulling away she grinned up at him, "I finished your painting before I started on mother's this morning, want a peek?" Tessa asked walking over to the larger canvas and lifting the cover to reveal the painting of AJ. She was very pleased with the results but wanted to see his reaction. "What do you think, sailor?"

"I still find it hard to believe that you see me like that," he said in a hushed voice after a long pause where he just stood there and stared at the man on the canvas.

"I do and it's all mine! No one else will see it, or will ever own it, until I'm dead and gone," she relied laughing putting down the cover. "Then it will go to my estate, and I'm afraid sailor, it will be sold. Some lucky lady or gentleman will be delighted to own this one."

"Well, I'll be long gone by that time, Tessa, so it won't matter then! Are all your works this incredible?"

Laughing she sat down on the couch, "No, you should see some of my first attempts, they were horrible. They looked like some of this modern art today, nothing went where it belonged."

"I find that hard to believe!" AJ told her. "Do you have some food in this place, Tessa, or should I take us out for breakfast?" he asked as he stomach growled loudly.

"I'm sorry, I got carried away painting and forgot to eat again. Didn't sleep either. Let me put on a pot of coffee and fix us something to eat," she said jumping up and the room started spinning. She caught the arm of the couch to steady her.

To be continued…