Chapter Thirty Six: Aspen Revisited

By The Pool: 6:48PM

Tam hurried down the stairs and breezed through the living room. Teddy was quick on her heels and grabbed her hand. She looked back at him to find that he was laughing at her.

"What?"

"Why are you rushing? You seem flustered?" He asked as he rubbed her arms and Tam took another deep breath. "I told you there's no reason to be nervous. It's just a party loosen up woman." He shook her a little and she chuckled.

"Asking me not to be nervous is kind of pointless, but I will try," she said as she grabbed his hand. "I think I hear my grandma in there so let's go." She pulled Ted into the pool area and scanned the area. Some of Gina's friends were sitting around the pool as well as Ava, Blane, and Phoebe. That was certainly a sight she never thought she'd see. This was one of the things she was worried about Gina's friends Sierra and Monique had really loud personalities and they made sure their opinions on matter were known by all. They were all surrounding Gina and Ben laughing and giggling. So far so good, Tamera thought as she started to make her way over to grandmother.

"There's my cuzzo, thanks for gracing us with your presence Tamera!" Gina had gotten up from Ben's lap. She had another drink in her hand and was feeling a pretty good buzz.

"I didn't know you were my time keeper Gina," Tam muttered and then looked toward Ted. "Come on I want you to meet Mama Margaret." Tam's grandma was by the grill with her son. She was shaking some seasoning on the ribs he was cooking. "Hey Mama M!" Tamera let go of Teddy's hand so that she could hug her grandmother.

"Hey pretty girl!" Her grandmother squeezed her the way only she did. "Now let me look at you, my word you're not a little girl anymore are you. You are glowing sweetheart! What has you so happy?" She pinched Tammy's cheek.

"I've just had a great day Mamma this is my friend Teddy that I've told you about." Teddy stepped up he couldn't believe how young Tam's grandmother looked. Margaret looked a lot like Tam, or Tam looked a lot like her grandmother, the only difference was that Margaret had like blue eyes like her son.

"So you're my future grandson-in law," Margaret pushed Teddy's hand away and embraced him.

"Grandma!"

"You know I hate that word Tam," Margaret said as she let go of Teddy. "I'm just teasing, but you know what I've said. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach and the way I taught you to cook, I'd be shocked if he didn't fall in love." Tamera gasped the use of the "L" word was a little intense and way too fast. Tam took a staggered breath and held head. Ted rubbed her back.

"I am quite fond of her and I love her cooking so I am forever in debt to you Miss Margaret." Ted used his charm and kissed Margaret's hand.

"Oh you've got yourself a charming Sweetie, watch out for him." Tam said nothing but she did grin a little. "Oh speaking of which did you want to help me put together some side dishes? I can show you this new redskin potato salad that I've been working on. I think you'll love it." Tamera looked back at Teddy and he smirked at her. It was almost as if she were asking permission if it were okay if she left. He nodded and then whispered to her.

"I need to talk to your dad alone anyway." He secretly popped her gently on the bottom and she left the area and went to the kitchen with her grandma. Teddy stepped up to the grill and paused for a second. He was the nervous one now. It just dawned on him that he'd never had this conversation with anyone before. He'd never asked permission to … and was that even what he was doing.

"Ted Son, you look lost," Isaac said as he glanced up at Ted. "You wanna grab that sauce right there and brush it on those ribs." Ted did as Isaac requested. Isaac looked at Christian, who immediately caught eye contact with him. Christian and Isaac had talked about this situation months ago. They knew where this was headed and they promised that they would give the other the ends up when things turned serious. This was that time. Isaac took a deep breath and the let out a chuckle. "I have been waiting for the conversation. I didn't think you'd be this timid. It's not in you nature."

"This conversation sir?" Teddy swallowed hard but tried to keep his tone even.

"Yeah you know, the conversation where you tell me that you're dating my daughter." Isaac looked over to Ted, he was frowning while he concentrating on putting barbeque sauce on the ribs. "Look, I know you treat my daughter with respect and you take care of her. Just know if that ever changes you will have to answer to me.

"Yes sir," he stammered. Isaac chuckled and then patted Ted on the back.

"No worries Ted, I'm sure that you treat Tam like gold no need for that look. Those are ready, take them off the grill and put them on the tray. Tell Tamera I didn't ride you too hard." Isaac laughed.

"I think she's the one that made me nervous. I don't know why she's so uneasy about me being around her family." After all the ribs were off the grill Isaac placed the T-bones on the grill.

"I can shed some light on that. Did she tell you that she has half cousins?" Ted nodded. "Well … they are ratchet! Warn your parents … they are loud and gold diggers. I will admit they are a tad embarrassing. That's probably why she's so apprehensive." Isaac explained. Ted decided to push the envelope and ask some more questions about Tamera personality from the person who knew her best.

"So do you know why she won't go to Aspen with my family for Christmas?" Ted and Isaac were walking over to the table with the trays of steaks and ribs. Christian, Ana, and Jeremiah were already sitting there talking.

"Christmas and Aspen sounds nice," Jeremiah poked his head into their conversation.

"I know I think so, but she won't say yes to going," Ted repeated. Before Teddy could get his answer Tammy and her grandmother came to the table with four large bowls of sides. Ted's eyes widened he knew that Tam wasn't going to like that he had asked her dad about this.

"Everything looks delicious," Ana said quickly hoping the compliment would throw the conversation in a different direction. She saw the look of panic on her son's face and wanted to help.

"Thanks Ana, Mamma Margaret is one of the best cooks I know. Teddy I think you're going to love this pasta salad." Tamera gave him one of the big beautiful smiles.

"I'm more concerned with ..." Teddy started grabbed for a plate.

"The steak," the both said at the same time and giggled. Tamera had the biggest grin on her face and her cheeks started to turn red.

"Yeeaahh! The food is ready!" Gina cheered and the rest of the guests made their way to the table. Chatter filled the table and pile food onto their plates. Teddy got his steak and Tam put some of the pasta on his plate.

"You want some string beans?" She whispered and Teddy nodded.

"Why aren't you making my plate?" Ben asked Gina, as he watched the way Tammy was catering to Ted.

"Because you have two very capable hands and you can do for yourself, that's why." Gina rolled her eyes and finished fixing her plate. After everyone was settled and eating Isaac asked the question that Ted had asked him.

"So, Teddy said something about you going with him to Aspen for the holidays?" Tamera choked on her lemonade. She shot a wicked glare to her so called boyfriend.

"He told you about Aspen huh? I thought he was going to take the time to talk to you about something else." Teddy rubbed her back cautiously.

"I did, it just came up in conversation," Teddy explained and Tamera shook her head in disbelief.

"Really that just came up in conversation." Tamera chuckled and then shoved Ted.

"I think you should go baby. It might be fun for you to do something different." This was Isaac's way of giving his blessing. Tamera frowned and shook her head.

"But daddy what about you? I've never spent the holidays without you it would be really weird. Teddy imagined if the shoe was on the other foot. If I had asked you to spend the holidays with my family and leave yours behind how would you feel? What would you do?" She looked at Teddy and he gave it some thought. He really hadn't put himself in her position. It would be really odd not spending the holidays without his mom and dad.

"I understand your concerns Tamera and like I said you're dad should come too and Mamma Margaret." Ted gave his big blue eyed puppy dog look.

"Oh I've never been to Aspen that sounds nice!" Margaret squealed.

"Grandma!"

"Oh snap Tammy said the G word!" Gina giggled and the others did too.

"I know she did and when she gets up I'm whooping her behind! But seriously baby you should really go to Aspen because I'm going and I would be really sad not to see my grand baby there!" Margaret gave Tamera her famous look that meant do what I say.

"Okay … I'll go." Tamera grumbled but before Teddy could get too happy she leaned in and whispered in his ear. "Once we are alone I'm going to rip you a new one!" He couldn't help but smirk at her threat.

"Oh baby bring it on," he whispered back. "Bring it on!"

Author's Notes: Hello all! I'm so sorry guys. I've been MIA for almost a week it's most definitely not like me. The holidays really had me busy. I also added some new character pictures to the website so give it a look. Also don't forget to add me on twitter if you haven't already! As always please read, review, and no flames.