Chapter Twenty Nine: More

Teddy's Grandparent's House: 6:00PM

One Week Later…

"Are you sure they are okay with me being here?" Ted rolled his eyes and he led Tamera into the living room.

"Why would they care Tam? You met my grandmother before and my granddad knows about you. Stop acting all weird!" Ted sat down and patted the cushion beside him. She sat beside him and let out an anxious huff.

"But this was a family dinner! Maybe there's personal stuff they want to discuss, I just don't want to be in the way."

"You gave me the same excuse about Christmas!" Teddy grouched for the past few days he'd been pushing the issue hard. He wanted Tamera with him in Aspen this year. He was sure that she could convince her family to tag along. He felt like she didn't want to be around him and it stung a little bit. He almost asked her outright but he was afraid she would confirm his beliefs.

"Teddy, don't start," she murmured.

"I already did, if you won't do Christmas what about Thanksgiving? My grandma usually invites everyone over and we have a pretty amazing spread. I think you'll enjoy it." Tamera frowned and shifted away from Teddy a bit. She didn't want to tell him no, but she felt like he was pushing too hard for this.

"Teddy," she shook her head and she clamped the bridge of her nose. "Why is this so important to you?" Teddy clenched his jaw; he was getting angry he just wanted her to say yes. It should be that big of deal, he shouldn't have to fight for it. He thought she enjoyed his company and now the only time her really seemed happy to see him was when his clothes were coming off.

"Whatever Tam," he leaned back and away from her.

"Teddy don't," Tam went to respond and that's when Grace, Carrick, Ana, and Christian all joined them. They were coming from the back Teddy assumed they were discussing last minute arrangements for Thanksgiving since it was only a few days away.

"Teddy, hi sweetheart," Grace cooed her only grandson. Teddy stood up and wrapped his grandmother in a big bear hug.

"Hey grandma," he clung to her for a minute. His chest literally ached and he couldn't figure out what was going on. Ana watched the looked on Teddy's face. He looked as if he could almost cry.

"You okay Teddy?" Ana said and Ted looked up at his mother and the look he gave felt like it spoke right to her heart.

"Yeah mom." Ted switched over and gave his mother the same vice grip like hug. Christian just watched the activity he had a feeling that Teddy might pull him aside tonight. It had been a while since they'd talked and from the looks of Miss Tam she was going through it as well.

"Well hello again Miss Tamera," Carrick smiled at the young woman pouting as she sat on the couch.

"Hello, I hope I'm not intruding by being here," Tam said in a soft apologetic tone. She looked over to Teddy who was working extra hard not to look at her. Wow! She found his behavior very immature, she was angry, and she felt a little guilty.

"Of course not, as much as Teddy talks about you it only makes since for you to be involved. He told us you may be coming to our Thanksgiving party?" Tamera started to respond a couple of times but wasn't sure on what to say.

"I'm not sure it depends on what my family has planned," she explained.

"She's lying, she doesn't want to come," Ted blurted out in a rude tone. "You might as well be honest." The others stared at Teddy with a look of alarm.

"I never said that Teddy," she said calmly.

"I've asked you almost every year and you can never weasel out just for a moment. I call bull shit Tam." As he fussed he ran his hands through his hair.

"Teddy!" Grace chastised him. She couldn't believe that he was being so abrupt with her. Tamera didn't know what to say. She wanted to explain her feelings to him but she just felt like merging their families would be something really hard to do.

"I need some air!" Teddy stormed off.

"I'm going to check on him," Ana stepped in before Tamera could even stand up. Tamera felt her body start to tremble she was about to break down.

"I need the restroom," she announced. "Is it down this hall?" She asked and Grace nodded.

"I'll show you honey." Grace walked with Tamera down the hall and Tamera couldn't make it to the bathroom with before she burst into tears. Grace expected as much and that's why she walked with her. She wrapped her arms around the girl and rubbed her back. She'd raised a daughter and now had two daughter in laws. She knew what love looked like in all different forms, Tamera wasn't fooling anybody. "I know sweetheart, I know."

Tamera thought she was losing her mind; this was the second time that she burst into tears with someone over Teddy. This time it was scary she couldn't stop crying. "Shhh, now or you'll make yourself sick." Tamera tried really hard to stifle her tears. "Come on, sweetie let's go in here." Grace led the poor girl into their den. She already had her Christmas tree up. Grace liked having the tree up for at least two months because she loved what it represented, which was unity with her family. She allowed Tamera's tears to come to a complete stop before she asked any questions.

"So is this your first fight?" Grace asked as she rubbed Tamera's back.

"God no, Teddy's so temperamental I've bickered with him plenty I don't know why I'm blubbering about it now." Tamera wiped her tears and focused on the Christmas tree and its decorations of silver and gold.

"No I mean is this your first argument as a couple?" Graced clarified and Tam just closed her eyes. She was getting tired of telling everyone that they were just friends.

"We're not dating Mrs. Grey," Tamera politely corrected the woman who had been so nice as to give her a shoulder to lean on. Grace gave Tamera a look, and she saw that the girl was being genuine.

"Feelings can be tricky; sometimes it's hard to know when feelings shift. Sometimes friendships are upgraded to a better package." Tamera chuckled that was the most inventive way she'd ever heard someone tell her that she was wrong. For some reason, looking into Grace's warm hazel eyes and her disposition made her feel comfortable. She decided it was time to try and decipher the feelings going on within her and reach out to someone that have a little wisdom and insight into Teddy head. She couldn't do this with Ana because she was a little too close and she would probably just relay the information to Teddy, Tam didn't think Miss Grace was like that.

"I feel like Teddy inviting my family and me into your home on a holiday sends a message that I'm not ready to send. I don't know if I'll ever be ready for that really." Grace frowned as she listened to the girl who was now talking with very sad eyes.

"What message is that?" Grace asked.

"That we're more," Tamera blurted it out so she wouldn't punk out. "I'm not sure I could do that to our friendship. When lust and romance is mixed into a friendship it has the tendency to kill it. I don't want to be a notch on Teddy's belt and I don't want to be in a relationship with him, because if it doesn't work then I lose the only friend I really have. I don't want to be alone and I don't want to watch him with someone else!" She huffed.

"Let me give you something to think about. If Teddy were to bump into some girl and fall head over heels in love with her tomorrow and he came to you and told you all about it do you really think you'd be able to still be friends with him?" Tamera stopped and thought about it. She knew the answer … she was going to lose him regardless their friendship wasn't going to last. She wouldn't be able to see past the hurt and jealousy she'd feel. She ran her hand through her hair and another tear rolled down her cheek.

"What if he doesn't want me like I want him? I couldn't handle that either," Tamera confessed at a whisper. "I should feel any of this. I wish I didn't." She was starting to get emotional again.

"Sometimes life takes us down crazy roads. I personally think you're meant to be in Teddy's life and travel the road together. Everything will work itself out in the end you just have to be honest with one another. You're family is invited to our Thanksgiving dinner I really do think Teddy's right you should all come. I'm going to leave you to get yourself together. I need to check on dinner. Will you be okay?" Tamera nodded as she wiped her face again.

"Thank you Mrs. Grey you've been really helpful."

"Anytime sweetheart." Grace let the den and hummed to herself, she was already hearing wedding bells for the two.

After Teddy came back into the house he greeted his family briefly before dinner was announced. "Oh Teddy dear can you go get Tamera she's in the den," Grace instructed so of course Teddy obeyed. He found Tamera setting in the room that was only lit by the lights of the Christmas tree. She balled herself up on the couch and allowed tears to stream down her face. She had a lot on her mind and serious decisions to make. Tamera didn't like risks she was a sure thing kind of girl. She always thought Teddy being in her life as her friends was a sure thing, but know lust or whatever they were feeling was messing it up.

"Dinner's ready," Teddy said softly as he entered the room. He strode over to Tamera and she quickly tried to wipe her tears. "Grandma sent me … Tamera I'm sorry I caused a scene. I know you have your reasons for not wanting to come I won't push." Ted would've said anything to stop the waterworks. He hated, HATED, when Tamera cried.

"I know you were just angry. You have a very short fuse Teddy Grey, but I knew that already." She forced out a chuckled and he gave a little side smile.

"I still shouldn't have happened. I never want to be responsible for your tears," Ted whispered as he caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Tamera you mean too much to me for me to ever make you shed a tear." He clear blue eyes held such sincerity that it caused even more tears to flow.

"Teddy the only reason I cried is because you mean so much to me and I have having to disappoint you. I always want to make you happy." She placed her hand on the side of his face too.

"You make me happy, you just being in my life everyday makes me happy Tam … you have no idea." Ted inched closer to Tam. He needed to seal this moment to embrace the sweet tension surrounding them. "Tam … can I kiss you," he whispered as he rubbed his nose against hers.

"Yes," she breathed and just as their lips barely touched Ana opened the door.

"Oh there you two are, we were getting worried! We're all seating and waiting for you two. Mia has some good news that she can't wait to share!" Ana ushered the two out of the room and the moment was tucked away in their back pockets. As they walked back to the dining room behind Ana, Teddy grabbed Tamera hand and placed a small kiss on her fingers. Tamera felt her heart speed up dramatically. Things had most definitely changed and Tamera was pretty sure there was no changing it back.

Author's Note: Hello all! You requested length and dialogue and this chapter is chalked full of both! We aim to please, lol. Anyway, I hope you all liked the chapter! I wonder what Mia's big new is! We'll all find out next chapter. As always please read, review, and no flames.