Chapter 63

A week passed by since Tahlia's first night in Houston and she was finally starting to feel marginally better. The doctor had been right – after the first week, it was smooth sailing. No more pain and no more damn stammering when she talked. The pressure in her chest was gone for the most part and she was up walking around, even though Taker preferred her to stay in bed. Today was Abriana's first birthday, which she was attending. Amanda had been kind enough to fix her hair, making it even and Tahlia had to admit, it was a lot easier to deal with. Did she miss her long tresses? Sometimes, but she was enjoying the short hair for the moment. Currently, she was contemplating what to wear to the birthday party and looked up when a knock sounded at her door, smiling softly at Taker.

"Hi." She had no idea he'd caught her and Gunner sleeping together, still not believing the little boy had fallen asleep with her.

"Hey darlin'."

He leaned in the doorway, been outside with Sam, decorating the barn for Abrianna's birthday. Amanda had gone all out on a party the kid wouldn't even remember, but who was he to deny her? There was even a damn pony. He was in jeans and nothing else, a fine sheen of sweat covering him. Taker had been out there hanging streamers with Sam and Gunner, balloons, and whatever else those things Amanda had bought were called. He was even barefoot, having shed his boots and socks at the back door.

"Just checking in. Need any help?" She didn't, but he was in the habit of offering these days.

Jesus, he looked delicious in just a pair of jeans. Tahlia didn't miss the sheen of sweat glistening on his body either and all she really wanted to do was offer to give him a tongue bath. Dirty thoughts were NOT doing her any favors, especially since she was standing here in just a towel, trying to decide what to wear for the birthday party. She could take her arm out of the sling temporarily to get dressed, but then had to put it right back on. No showers still, which was a bummer, but Tahlia was definitely making progress.

"Are you ever going to stop asking me that?" She retorted softly, finally deciding on a pair of blue jeans shorts and wine colored short sleeved top.

At the very least she could take a shower now instead of having tortuous sponge baths. As long as she had her special bathing sling, all was well since her regular sling couldn't get wet. Washing her short hair with one hand took some practice, but she'd gotten the hang of it along with dressing.

"How does the barn look?"

"Like a cotton candy nightmare. That woman got shades of blue, purple and pink and they all remind me of that sweet shit at fair time." Taker grunted, not much for the sticky treat. Gunner loved it, him not so much. That crap was pure sugar with some food coloring. Taker shook his head, reaching back to let his hair out of the ponytail he had been wearing, brushing it out a bit with his fingers. "All right, darlin', I'm going to go grab a shower before the party." Sweat was slowly making its way down his chest. "If you need anything…"

"Stop teasing me, Taker." Tahlia turned to face him, clutching the towel against her chest and eyed him knowingly. "You're standing there in just a pair of jeans, all sweaty, looking gorgeous and asking me coyly if I need anything from you. Acting innocent. So, to answer your question bluntly, yeah I do, but nothing you're going to give me, so just stop with the games." She felt marginally better after getting that off her chest and took a deep breath, shaking herself mentally. "And you are anything but innocent. So, you can stop being coy with me, I see right through you." Since her panties were already on, Tahlia decided to tease him right back and dropped the towel to the floor, grabbing her bra off the bed to pull on and groaned at the clasp. "Damn it, fine, yes I need your help with just this…" This was one thing she COULDN'T do on her own yet as her head dropped forward, blowing out a large breath.

Taker could only stand there with his jaw hanging on the floor. He hadn't been teasing her, had he? His mind was trying to remember what he had done while his body was busy telling him what he should be doing. Her. It took him a minute and her asking his help again, before he realized she did need help. Shaking his head, he walked over and took the bra, helping her into it and then clasping it. He had taken plenty of bras off in his time, never put one on.

"Darlin'." He rumbled, bending down so his lips were just barely skimming her uninjured shoulder blade, back in control of his mental state. "I'm not sure what just happened here, but I wasn't intentionally… being a tease."

Taker kissed the strap. He might, however, now that he knew she had been imagining things coming from him and apparently… she did still desire him. Involuntarily shivering against him, Tahlia mentally cursed herself for putting her foot in her mouth. She was frustrated about so many things and sexually was definitely near the top of the list. If he wasn't being a tease walking in here sweaty and in jeans – jeans she KNEW he didn't have anything underneath – then he DEFINITELY was being one now with that stunt.

"Taker…" She breathed his name out, on shaky ground with him being this close to her. Tahlia wanted to throw caution to the wind and mend what was broken between them, but his poisonous words hadn't left her since the day at the mansion. And they were what jolted her back to harsh reality. "That was out of line. Sorry. Thanks for the help."

Just like that, he was dismissed and the moment, however brief it had been, was over. Nodding, Taker stepped away from her, knowing without even seeing those expressive amber eyes just what was going through her mind. She was replaying that fight, their fight, and those words neither of them could take back. He could tell by the way her body had gone rigid, the defensive way she held herself.

"See you out there, Tahlia." He said softly, exiting the room with a sigh.

Gunner, from where he had not been spying, maybe lurking in his own room, quietly closed his door and sighed too. Those two… it had taken a little boy to break them up, so maybe it would take a little boy to put them back together.

Tearing a hand through her short blood red hair, Tahlia let out a soft growl and shook her head, hating the fact her shoulder still burned from his lips. "Damn it!"

Slipping the shorts on, Tahlia carefully removed the sling and sucked in a sharp breath when her shoulder moved a certain way, grunting. Once the top was on, she put the regular sling on and brushed her hair, which took nothing. The dark circles were gone from her eyes, thankfully, due to sleeping mostly throughout the first 4 days. Afterwards, she'd been restless and felt like she'd go out of her mind from cabin fever. This birthday party would be a nice reprieve from the bedroom since she couldn't do much more than lay in bed. Once she was dressed and slipped some sandals on her feet, Tahlia finally headed down the hallway toward the backdoor that lead to the backyard.

Taker knew better than to be in that shower for too long because Amanda would come looking for his ass. The woman was hellbent on this first birthday party being absolutely perfect, bless her. He took a very quick, very cold shower and had no sooner wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out into his bedroom when he spotted Gunner. "What the hell?"

"I've been thinking, Dad," Gunner was playing with the motorcycles on his Dad's dresser, all ready for the party. "Why don't we set Tahlia up in other rooms? She can get around pretty good now. I bet she's bored in that bedroom."

"Yeah sure, sounds good. Get out. I'm naked." He did not see the knowing smirk on his son's face.

Amanda looked up, brown eyes sparkling at the sight of Tahlia and extended her hands, proud of her handiwork in the decorations for Abriana's party. "What do you think? Is it too much?"

Taker was not lying. This really did look like cotton candy hell. Tahlia wouldn't tell her that though and smiled, nodding. "Looks great, Amanda!" The women embraced gently due to her arm and she looked around, seeing the bowls on the table for chips not filled yet. "Do you need my help with anything? I can do small tasks…"

The woman smiled warmly at Tahlia, shaking her head and snapped her fingers, pointing to the nearby chair. "You sit and relax. You're lucky Mark is letting you out of the room this soon. I had to convince him along with Gunner." Mark had told her about Gunner's sleepover with Tahlia and she found it adorable, especially the picture he'd snapped.

"He can be stubborn." Tahlia had no idea Gunner had vouched for her and made a mental note to make it up to the boy once she was fully healed. "He's a great kid." Her eyes held truth when she spoke of Gunner, having forged somewhat of a friendship with the 9-year-old over the past week. "I can't believe Abrianna is 1 already. Has it really been a year already?"

"I know, hard to believe, isn't it?"

"They grow so fast." Amanda sighed wistfully, reaching up to brush a knuckle against her eye, wiping away a tear. "Sam and I are already thinking about trying for another. We want to have them close together." She had seen how fast Gunner had grown, having been with him since birth; she just hadn't believed it would apply to her baby. "Of course, if we do, we'll have to do some add-ons…" Shaking her head, she beamed at Tahlia. "You look a lot better. I bet your glad to be the hell out of that room."

"I feel better, just sucks I can't use my arm."

Tahlia didn't mind Amanda getting emotional over her baby girl turning 1 because it was a big deal. A milestone for any mother. This was what she had given up when she gave her child away. Moments that were supposed to be cherished forever…someone else was having them with her daughter. If Taker didn't lay off with the overprotectiveness, she would use both of her good feet and one good arm to kick his ass. She looked back at the house, noticing Sam coming out carrying presents and had to fight the urge to get up to help, sighing heavily.

"And yes, I'm very happy to be out of that room."

"You ever tell anyone about this and I'll slit your throat." Taker growled, now in the kitchen, ignoring his son's teasing as he finished decorating the cake Amanda had frosted and left out for him.

He had picked up a lot of talents over the years, playing Daddy and Mommy when he was home. Gunner had always thought Amanda was the one doing that fine frosting and decoration on his birthday cakes. The surprise on his son's face was almost worth it.

"You can make roses out of frosting… I don't know if that's awesome or sissy."

"Hurry up, Julia Childs, people are starting to arrive." Sam hissed jokingly.

"Hey Tal, you mind moving this balloon out of the way?" Sam knew it was something she could do and smiled after she did, winking. "Thanks." He dropped a kiss on Amanda's lips and wiped a tear from her eye, murmuring something in her ear only she could hear and laughed when she smacked him in response.

Tahlia laughed at their antics.

Gunner came next, carefully carrying the cake, a girl about his age at his side chattering in his ear. He wasn't amused and it showed. Girls were gross. His Dad was coming as well, escorting people down the pathway to his Martha Stewart is from hell inspired barn.

"Here." He set the cake down on the table, eyeballing the gold writing on it and the gold scallops and loops, the pink and purple roses… his Dad… was a woman. "Help me…" He mouthed to Tahlia when the girl took his hand and began tugging. "Suzie… not right now…" He was turning red.

That's what he got for calling his old man a sissy. "Son, why don't you show Suzie the ponies, huh?" He suggested with a grin.

"...fine."

Holding her hands up in a 'sorry buddy' gesture, Tahlia watched the little girl drag him off and felt bad for Gunner. There was nothing she could do though. He was Taker's son, not hers. Then her eyes turned to Taker and she had to learn how breathe all over again. Skintight blue jeans and matching jean sleeveless top with the top 3 buttons undone, tucked in neatly, his auburn hair pulled back in a tight braid with a navy-blue banana covering the entire portion of his head instead of just his forehead. She looked away, trying to focus on something else and nodded when Amanda informed her the snacks had been set out.

"Thanks hon." Standing, she walked toward the table with the vegetables and dip, making herself a plate slowly.

Amanda showed off Abrianna in her cute little party dress before it got ruined. "Oh Mark…" She sighed when she finally made it to the table, taking in the cake. "You've really outdone yourself this time…"

Taker chatted with some friends and keeping an eye on all the little ones. He was so glad Sam had set up a play area. He could only imagine these babies and toddlers loose on his property and shook his head, glancing at Tahlia.

"Oh dear, what happened?" A sweet older woman with gray hair and kind bright blue eyes asked, gaining Tahlia's attention.

"Accident." Who was this old woman talking to her? Tahlia didn't know anyone here, feeling very out of place, but managed to keep a smile on her face. "I'm sorry – you are?"

"Gladdis, dear. I'm that beautiful baby girl's grandmother." She gestured to Amanda holding a babbling, happy Abrianna.

"Oh, you're Amanda's mother, then?"

"Yes dear, and you must be Tahlia." Amanda had told her a great deal about this young lady and what she'd done for Mark. "Did I pronounce your name right?"

"Yes." Tahlia had taken a shine to this older woman and sat down with her, after being invited to join her table. "It's nice to meet you, Gladdis." They shook hands.

"Pleasure is all mine, dear. Now eat up, you are skin and bones." Gladdis demanded, waving her fork with a smile of her own. "How long have you known Marcus?"

"2 years, just about."

"And you two work together? You are a wrestler, then?"

"Yes." Tahlia didn't mind being grilled by Gladdis. "I know it's not the ideal profession for a woman, but I do love it."

Gladdis waved her off dismissively. "As long as it makes you happy, dear." She had noticed Tahlia and Mark stealing glances at each other, which is why she wanted to introduce herself to the woman.

Amanda's mother was a nosy old broad when she wanted to be, that was probably where Amanda had gotten it. Taker's eyes widened when he seen who else was coming up the path, laden with presents and wide smiles. He had forgotten Amanda and Sam had invited them.

"Grandma, Grandpa!" Gunner took the opportunity to break free of Suzie and went running to his grandparents.

"Now, those are Jodie's parents." Gladdis said, filling Tahlia in as they watched. "You know who Jodie was, right?" At Tahlia's nod, she smiled gently. "We all knew each other. We all lived in the same neighborhood for years. So, it's like one giant family." One that Amanda had been hoping Tahlia would join. Apparently, it seemed Tahlia and Mark were 'destined'. Her daughter was such a romantic and she could see it happening.

Taker joined his son in greeting the pair, wondering what the level of awkward would be when it came time to introduce Tahlia.

And just how did he introduce her?