Disclaimer: Same as always.

Chapter 14

"Yeah," Bobby said to the clerk, "I'll have 2 large Coffees, a Cream-filled Donut, Bacon & Eggs, Pancakes and an orange juice, all to go."

"That all?" The high-school student said, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.

"Yep, that's everything." She went to work when Bobby heard a familiar voice behind him. "Hey, mate! What brings you to this side of the woods?"

"Probably the same thing as you," Jonathan answered, "food."

"Yeah, I heard it was good."

"You speak the truth. They have the best donuts here, you wouldn't believe."

"That's what's Tara's counting on – that they have good food, not that I won't agree."

"As far as you know." He joked. "Women are sneaky things."

"Yep, but that's why we love them."

"Here's your food, mister." The teen said.

Bobby took the bags and said good-bye to Jon. After one more stop he made his way back home. "Honey! I'm home!" Bobby loved the way that sounded. "Tara! Chloe! I have something for you!" he heard little footsteps scurry down the stair followed by soft, slower ones. Bobby set the bags on the hall table and greeted Chloe who ran into his arms. He swung her around and Tara smiled at the him. Bobby let Chloe down and slid one hand behind Tara's back, pulling her closer to him. "Hello, beautiful" he smiled. Tara stood on her tiptoes and pecked Bobby in the lips.

"Hello, handsome."

"Eww!" Chloe squealed. "No kissing when I'm in the room." Tara and Bobby laughed. "So, Daddy, what did you get me and Mommy? Huh? Huh? What'd you get us?"

"Right this way, ladies." He opened the door for Tara and Chloe then led them to the car and opened the back door. He leaned in and pulled out a box.

"What is it, Daddy?

He set it down on the driveway and Tara stood on her knees as Chloe cautiously opened the box. Chloe gasped dramatically. "Kitties! Lookie lookie, Mommy! They're kitties!" she gave one cat to Tara and held another close to her chest. They looked as if they had only opened their eyes recently. The one Tara held had green eyes and although it was a shorthair, the fur around the face was long. Chloe's was a longhair with smooth white fur and blue eyes. "Can we keep them, Mommy? Huh, huh, can we? Can we?"

Tara smiled down at the kitten that was trying unsuccessfully to climb up her shoulder, "Of course, we can keep them. How can you say no to them?" she rubbed her nose against the kittens'. "I think I will call you…Bird."

"Mommy! You can't call a cat Bird!"

Bobby scrunched his nose, "I think she's right, Tara."

"Of course I'm right!"

Tara lifted her chin indignantly and rose to her feet, "I can name my cat whatever I want."

"Well," Chloe stood up, too, "my kitty's Mini!"

"She looks like a normal size to me." Bobby said, confused.

"No, her name is Mini!"

Tara shook her head, "Anyways, Bobby," she touched his arm, "thanks for the kittens. They're absolutely adorable."

He kissed her on the forehead, "It was my pleasure."

"Hey!" Chloe said. "Don't I get a kiss, too?"

"Maybe, if you don't scream every time you want something."

"Fine, Daddy, may I perty please have a kiss, too." Chloe asked sweetly, swaying her folded hands from side to side.

Bobby knelt down in front of her and smiled. "That was better. And yes, I'd be delighted to give you a kiss." He wrapped her tiny body in his arms and planted a big kiss on her cheek sending Chloe into a round of laughter.

"Daddy!" she tried to say in between giggles, "You're going to squish Mini!"

He pulled back and rubbed Mini's head. "There's stuff in the trunk for the kittens." He said to Tara after standing up. "I'll get it and you two can bring Mini and Bird inside."

"I'll help." Tara offered. She handed Bird to Chloe and told her to go inside. She couldn't hide her smile when she turned to Bobby and picked up a box of cat food out of the trunk. "This was really sweet, Bobby. I think it meant a lot to Chloe. Especially for me."

With a large box safely under his arm he straightened to look into Tara's eyes.

Tara sighed, "I mean, my life hasn't been the steadiest lately, and I'm sure you've noticed, but this," she struggled to find the words to express her feelings, "ugh, I can't tell you how much this really does mean to me."

With his free arm around her waist, Bobby pulled Tara close to his body, "You don't have to tell me." He bent his head until they were centimeters apart, "But, would it be inappropriate if I asked you to show me?" he said with a smile lining his voice.

Tara smirked, "No, Bobby, it wouldn't." She stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her free arm around his neck, her hand running through Bobby's hair. She kissed him lightly at first, teasing him, Tara tilted her held to move deeper into the kiss. Bobby dropped the box back into the trunk, never taking his lips away from Tara's, to her delight. He settled one hand on her hip, Tara's shirt rode up slightly and their skin touched, sending a current of pleasure coursing through their veins. Bobby held her face in his free hand, caressing her jaw line. The kiss finally broke and as they gaped into each other's eyes Tara had never felt happier in her entire life.

A/N: Thanx for the great reviews!