AN: So many people to thank!!! Everyone who reviewed with ideas and
suggestions, especially Lori, Amy, Meme, and Beth. All your ideas really
helped and got me going again. Thank you sooo much for all the support.
I'm back at it and promise I AM gonna finish this story!
Tessa was waiting at the gate when Richie's plane landed.
"Mom!" He gave her a fierce hug.
"How was your trip?" she asked, holding him at arms length to inspect him for any changes or damage.
"It was a lot of fun. We went to a Yankee exhibition game, and Central Park, and Times Square, and The Museum of Modern Art. You didn't tell me you had a sculpture there. It was really cool though, I was like 'Hey, my mom did that!' and people kept looking at me all crazy. But it was really cool. How come you never told me?"
"How much coffee did you have?" Tessa laughed.
"None. In first class, they have espresso shots. And I only had a few," he told her, oblivious to the speed at which he was talking. "Hey, I met Rachel, too. Conner's daughter, but she told me to call her Aunt Rachel, just cause. you know, it would look weird. But she's really nice. She went with us to Madison Square Garden. That place is, like, huge. Like, really huge!"
"Richie, clam down. Breathe."
"I am breathing. Do you think we can go get Buddy on the way home?"
Tessa smiled. "You can call Nathan when we get to the car and ask if it's okay."
"Okay, cool. So. how was having the whole house to yourself for the week?"
"Quiet, which is obviously not an option, now."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, that you are not allowed espresso ever again."
"How come?"
. . . . . .
The next day, Duncan came home and they all went out to dinner. Richie rambled on in great detail about his trip. He told them about all the tours Conner took him on, how much fun he had, and how excited he was to be moving there in the fall. Duncan told them about his trip and all the historical places they had gone. Richie was especially curious about the Sistine Chapel and asked a lot of questions.
"Whoa, Richie, slow down," Duncan laughed. "Why don't we let your mother get a word in and you can drill me about art later."
"There isn't much to talk about," Tessa admitted. "I worked on my art, sold some of Richie's."
"Really?"
"I have a hundred dollars with your name on it."
"Awesome!"
When they got home, Richie presented them with the presents he had gotten them. A book on all the artists in the museum with a four page write up on Tessa and her work for Tessa and a book on New York's history and development for Duncan. Also, he got a set on international teddy bears FAO Schwartz. One French, one Scottish and a slightly smaller American one.
"Corny, I know," he blushed as he pulled them out of the bag. "But. I dunno."
"Richie, they're adorable," Tessa cooed. "I love them."
"It's cute, Rich," Duncan added at Tessa insistent throat clearing.
"And for Buddy," Richie announced looking fondly at the mutt by his feet. He reached into the bag and pulled out a black studded collar. "So when he goes to New York all the big tough city dogs won't pick on him."
"When he goes? Buddy planning a trip?" Duncan asked.
"Uncle Conner said Buddy can move with me," Richie explained as he fastened the collar around the dog's neck.
"You're moving?"
"After graduation," Richie said, looking up at him.
"Why?"
"To go to school."
"I thought you weren't going to school?"
"I'm not going to college." Richie was getting annoyed. After all, he was graduating in two months. Everyone else knew his plans.
"You just said you were."
"I'm going to the art conservatory!"
"Since when?"
"Since forever!" Richie looked helplessly at Tessa. "Mom! He's impossible!"
"Richie, why don't you go finish unpacking and start your laundry," she suggested. "Duncan, can I see you in our room?"
"What?" Duncan asked innocently as Tessa closed the door behind her.
"How hard is it to remember what your son is planing on for his future?" she snapped.
"He's a teenager. They change their minds all the time. For all I know, he could have decided to become a brain surgeon by now."
"He's had the same plans for a long time and he's not changing them."
"So when did he decide to move in with Conner?"
"Months ago! He told us all about it the day Conner invited him!"
"Tessa, I'm busy. I'm sorry I can't remember every conversation that goes on in this house. But now I know."
"What's Friday?"
"The last day of the school week?"
"No."
"I don't know!"
"It's one of the deciding games for the playoffs. Richie's school has a very good chance of going to state this year."
"For art?"
"Baseball! Richie's on the varsity baseball team!"
"I know that! I helped him all last summer," Duncan snapped.
"But you don't seem to remember when you talk to him!"
"Tessa."
"What's Saturday?"
Duncan sighed. "A baseball tournament?"
"No."
"Some sort of fundraiser?"
"No."
"An anniversary?"
"The art auction!"
"Right, I knew that."
"And since you knew, you're coming, right?"
"Sure when is it?"
"At three."
"Tess."
"You're not coming?"
"I have a class."
"So cancel it!"
"We're behind as it is. If we're going to cover the material we need one more class, not one less."
Tessa set her face and glared at Duncan. "That's it. I'm calling Conner."
"To what, tell on me?"
"To take him up on his offer."
"What offer? Tess, what are you talking about?"
"Don't 'Tess' me," she snapped. "Conner offered to move here and spend some time with Richie since you're too busy all the time."
"What?"
"Duncan, this is Richie we're talking about. As much as he's trying to be, he's not a normal child. He still needs two parents to fuss over him and make him feel important."
"He has two parents!"
"He has a mother and a father, yes. But one of them is never around and hasn't the slightest clue about him! He needs a decent male role model and you aren't doing that for him!"
"I am taking care of my family. I work hard and provide all I can for you two!"
"A father does more than pay for things. They spend time with their family. They go to movies, and play video games, and go to baseball games, and school functions, and pay attention when they are told something that is important to their child!"
"Tessa, I."
"No! No excuses Duncan MacLeod. I am calling Conner and he will move here before you remember this conversation! You made a commitment to that boy and you are falling dangerously short of that promise! All he wants is for you to live up to the most important promise you ever made to him!"
"And what important promise did I make him?"
"When you adopted him you promised to be his father. A REAL father!" Tessa sat on the bed and picked up the phone and started dialing.
"Tessa."
"I don't want to speak to you anymore," she spat. "Get out of this house."
"Tessa."
"OUT!"
"Fine, I'll be back later."
"If you remember where your family lives!" Tessa yelled after him.
"Where ya goin'?" Richie asked as he came down the stairs with a basket full of laundry.
"Out," Duncan told him opening the front door. "If I can't make the game, good luck Friday."
"Thanks, Mac," Richie shrugged as he walked to the laundry room.
Tessa was knocking on his door twenty minutes later.
"Come in!"
"Hello, petit. Can I talk with you?"
"Sure, what's up?" Richie scooted up against his headboard.
"Did you hear us?"
"The fight you mean? Yeah."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I kinda liked hearing you tell him off. He needed it."
"You aren't upset or nervous or curious? No questions?"
"Not really. Just, when's Uncle Conner gonna get here?"
"You heard that part, too?"
"It was my favorite part," he admitted. "So, when's he getting here?"
"He'll try to be here for your game Friday."
"Where's he staying?"
"You're ever resourceful uncle already has a town house furnished and ready for him five blocks away."
"Sounds like he was planning on it."
"He is a MacLeod."
"Apparently the MacLeod brains skipped a couple generations."
Tessa smiled. "Time for one of the few smart MacLeods to go to sleep. You have school in the morning and important tests this week."
Richie smirked as he slid under the covers. "Man, Mac doesn't pay attention and you know way too much."
"Good night, Richie."
"Good night, Mom."
AN: If anyone is reading Yes, Master is has been updated and is now in the rated 'R' section.
Tessa was waiting at the gate when Richie's plane landed.
"Mom!" He gave her a fierce hug.
"How was your trip?" she asked, holding him at arms length to inspect him for any changes or damage.
"It was a lot of fun. We went to a Yankee exhibition game, and Central Park, and Times Square, and The Museum of Modern Art. You didn't tell me you had a sculpture there. It was really cool though, I was like 'Hey, my mom did that!' and people kept looking at me all crazy. But it was really cool. How come you never told me?"
"How much coffee did you have?" Tessa laughed.
"None. In first class, they have espresso shots. And I only had a few," he told her, oblivious to the speed at which he was talking. "Hey, I met Rachel, too. Conner's daughter, but she told me to call her Aunt Rachel, just cause. you know, it would look weird. But she's really nice. She went with us to Madison Square Garden. That place is, like, huge. Like, really huge!"
"Richie, clam down. Breathe."
"I am breathing. Do you think we can go get Buddy on the way home?"
Tessa smiled. "You can call Nathan when we get to the car and ask if it's okay."
"Okay, cool. So. how was having the whole house to yourself for the week?"
"Quiet, which is obviously not an option, now."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, that you are not allowed espresso ever again."
"How come?"
. . . . . .
The next day, Duncan came home and they all went out to dinner. Richie rambled on in great detail about his trip. He told them about all the tours Conner took him on, how much fun he had, and how excited he was to be moving there in the fall. Duncan told them about his trip and all the historical places they had gone. Richie was especially curious about the Sistine Chapel and asked a lot of questions.
"Whoa, Richie, slow down," Duncan laughed. "Why don't we let your mother get a word in and you can drill me about art later."
"There isn't much to talk about," Tessa admitted. "I worked on my art, sold some of Richie's."
"Really?"
"I have a hundred dollars with your name on it."
"Awesome!"
When they got home, Richie presented them with the presents he had gotten them. A book on all the artists in the museum with a four page write up on Tessa and her work for Tessa and a book on New York's history and development for Duncan. Also, he got a set on international teddy bears FAO Schwartz. One French, one Scottish and a slightly smaller American one.
"Corny, I know," he blushed as he pulled them out of the bag. "But. I dunno."
"Richie, they're adorable," Tessa cooed. "I love them."
"It's cute, Rich," Duncan added at Tessa insistent throat clearing.
"And for Buddy," Richie announced looking fondly at the mutt by his feet. He reached into the bag and pulled out a black studded collar. "So when he goes to New York all the big tough city dogs won't pick on him."
"When he goes? Buddy planning a trip?" Duncan asked.
"Uncle Conner said Buddy can move with me," Richie explained as he fastened the collar around the dog's neck.
"You're moving?"
"After graduation," Richie said, looking up at him.
"Why?"
"To go to school."
"I thought you weren't going to school?"
"I'm not going to college." Richie was getting annoyed. After all, he was graduating in two months. Everyone else knew his plans.
"You just said you were."
"I'm going to the art conservatory!"
"Since when?"
"Since forever!" Richie looked helplessly at Tessa. "Mom! He's impossible!"
"Richie, why don't you go finish unpacking and start your laundry," she suggested. "Duncan, can I see you in our room?"
"What?" Duncan asked innocently as Tessa closed the door behind her.
"How hard is it to remember what your son is planing on for his future?" she snapped.
"He's a teenager. They change their minds all the time. For all I know, he could have decided to become a brain surgeon by now."
"He's had the same plans for a long time and he's not changing them."
"So when did he decide to move in with Conner?"
"Months ago! He told us all about it the day Conner invited him!"
"Tessa, I'm busy. I'm sorry I can't remember every conversation that goes on in this house. But now I know."
"What's Friday?"
"The last day of the school week?"
"No."
"I don't know!"
"It's one of the deciding games for the playoffs. Richie's school has a very good chance of going to state this year."
"For art?"
"Baseball! Richie's on the varsity baseball team!"
"I know that! I helped him all last summer," Duncan snapped.
"But you don't seem to remember when you talk to him!"
"Tessa."
"What's Saturday?"
Duncan sighed. "A baseball tournament?"
"No."
"Some sort of fundraiser?"
"No."
"An anniversary?"
"The art auction!"
"Right, I knew that."
"And since you knew, you're coming, right?"
"Sure when is it?"
"At three."
"Tess."
"You're not coming?"
"I have a class."
"So cancel it!"
"We're behind as it is. If we're going to cover the material we need one more class, not one less."
Tessa set her face and glared at Duncan. "That's it. I'm calling Conner."
"To what, tell on me?"
"To take him up on his offer."
"What offer? Tess, what are you talking about?"
"Don't 'Tess' me," she snapped. "Conner offered to move here and spend some time with Richie since you're too busy all the time."
"What?"
"Duncan, this is Richie we're talking about. As much as he's trying to be, he's not a normal child. He still needs two parents to fuss over him and make him feel important."
"He has two parents!"
"He has a mother and a father, yes. But one of them is never around and hasn't the slightest clue about him! He needs a decent male role model and you aren't doing that for him!"
"I am taking care of my family. I work hard and provide all I can for you two!"
"A father does more than pay for things. They spend time with their family. They go to movies, and play video games, and go to baseball games, and school functions, and pay attention when they are told something that is important to their child!"
"Tessa, I."
"No! No excuses Duncan MacLeod. I am calling Conner and he will move here before you remember this conversation! You made a commitment to that boy and you are falling dangerously short of that promise! All he wants is for you to live up to the most important promise you ever made to him!"
"And what important promise did I make him?"
"When you adopted him you promised to be his father. A REAL father!" Tessa sat on the bed and picked up the phone and started dialing.
"Tessa."
"I don't want to speak to you anymore," she spat. "Get out of this house."
"Tessa."
"OUT!"
"Fine, I'll be back later."
"If you remember where your family lives!" Tessa yelled after him.
"Where ya goin'?" Richie asked as he came down the stairs with a basket full of laundry.
"Out," Duncan told him opening the front door. "If I can't make the game, good luck Friday."
"Thanks, Mac," Richie shrugged as he walked to the laundry room.
Tessa was knocking on his door twenty minutes later.
"Come in!"
"Hello, petit. Can I talk with you?"
"Sure, what's up?" Richie scooted up against his headboard.
"Did you hear us?"
"The fight you mean? Yeah."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I kinda liked hearing you tell him off. He needed it."
"You aren't upset or nervous or curious? No questions?"
"Not really. Just, when's Uncle Conner gonna get here?"
"You heard that part, too?"
"It was my favorite part," he admitted. "So, when's he getting here?"
"He'll try to be here for your game Friday."
"Where's he staying?"
"You're ever resourceful uncle already has a town house furnished and ready for him five blocks away."
"Sounds like he was planning on it."
"He is a MacLeod."
"Apparently the MacLeod brains skipped a couple generations."
Tessa smiled. "Time for one of the few smart MacLeods to go to sleep. You have school in the morning and important tests this week."
Richie smirked as he slid under the covers. "Man, Mac doesn't pay attention and you know way too much."
"Good night, Richie."
"Good night, Mom."
AN: If anyone is reading Yes, Master is has been updated and is now in the rated 'R' section.