Chapter 12

"Can we get some boxes and get this food to go. I am starting to get hungry, and we have a lifetime to plan, my darling Tom."

"You bet!" he motioned for the waiter to come to the table, and told him what they wanted. He paid with his credit card and they left, "So your place or mine? Did we decide?"

"Do you mind me sleeping in your guestroom?" she asked shyly. "I would just like our first time to be special."

He smiled at her, "I would be lying if I said I didn't mind, but I understand, darling, and that is fine."

"Tom, we didn't go by my apartment and get me anything to sleep in," she whispered. "Could I sleep in one of your t-shirts and maybe a pair of your shorts?"

"Hummm you in my clothes...let me think about that!" He closed his eyes for just a moment dreaming of that picture and then with a smile said, "I think I'll have to find a way to make you pay to borrow them..."

"I'm sure we can agree on something," she smiled, laying her hand on his thigh. "But please feed me, I'm starving!"

"Just as soon as we get there!" He covered her hand with his and they were at his place twenty minutes later. Opening the car door for her he led her up the front steps.

As Tom helped Krystal out of the car she could see in the twilight his home was huge. "Tom, darling, do you live here alone?" she asked stopping and looking toward, what would soon be, her home. "It's so big!"

"Not really, just stand there while I turn on the outside lights," he smiled. "It won't give you the
full affect. You'll have to wait until morning for that. But at least you'll have an idea what your new home will look like, darling."

Inside Tom flipped on the switch flooding the outside with light. Krystal's head turned in every direction trying to take it all in. Hedges surrounded the beautiful one story red brick home with black shutters. There were flowers on both sides of the walkway. She was no gardener, but they were beautiful, one side purple and the other snow white. Tom, had promised roses, and there were rose bushes everywhere held up by some kind of white tall fences. Returning to the front porch he took her in his arms, "Do you like my little garden?"

"You did all this?" she asked turning to look up at him. "It's so beautiful."

"I'm glad you approve, it's become a hobby with me. One of several, really, but I've found that I like to make things grow!" he whispered in her ear. "Would you like to have children, Krystal?"

"With you, my love maybe four or five," she said giggling at the stunned look on his face. "Maybe we should start off one at a time."

"Good idea. Now let's go around back for another surprise," he smiled, leading her so she didn't fall. "I think you're going to like this one." Around back there was a swimming pool.

"A pool?" she exclaimed. "It's wonderful. Why a pool? The squid couldn't be away from water?"

"No, I use it for exercise as well as pleasure. Some days I don't jog, I swim. Want to go skinny-dipping, darling?" he grinned and drew her close. "I own all this land and no one would be able to see us."

"Maybe after we're married. Do you own those woods back there too?" she asked pointed way in the back of Tom's house.

"Yes, darling, I use them for hunting," he replied as he watched the look on her face. "I never take a gun, I use my camera, I'm tired of killing, I just want to observe and record them enjoying their life. Want to come with me sometime?"

"Yes, I'd love to, that is such a wonderful way to hunt, my love," she replied, kissing his cheek. "Now I want to see the inside the house."

"No skinny-dipping, shot down again. But not for long, my sweet Krystal. Soon you'll be my wife and I'll get to taste all your sweets, honey," he whispered, following behind her, anxious to see what she thought of his home.

To be continued…