Author's notes: Thanks to everyone who reviwed the last chapter, your support is truly appreciated. I hope you enjoy this little chapter.
Austin runs into the kitchen and stops dead at the sight of Teresa still packing food into a bag.
"Mom, it's time to go."
Teresa smiles down at her son.
"Tell daddy I'll be out in just two ticks."
"Come now."
Teresa's opening the fridge door.
"I've just to put the drinks in and then I'm ready."
Austin rushes forward and squeezes in front of her.
"I'll help."
Teresa laughs as she reaches in and picks up the six pack of root beer.
"Thank you Austin, you can pass me the cartons of juice."
After placing the cans in to the cooler, she takes the carton of juice Austin has in his hand and he turns around to get the next one. She puts it in the cooler, she smiles to herself as she knows she could've finished the job much quicker without her impatient sons help.
She zips closed the bag after putting in the final carton.
"I take it Daddy has Maddy dressed and in the car?"
"Yes and I brought out the blankets and the ball."
Teresa rubs her sons hair and crouches down in front of him.
"You're such a good helper. Thank you for getting the juice for me. She reaches out to hug him but he backs away.
"Mom we have to go."
He turns and runs.
Patrick moves towards her as she exits the house and takes the bag off her. He playfully lets it almost drop to the floor.
"Are you feeding everyone who attends the zoo today?"
"Another word and the elephants will have yours."
Patrick closes the trunk and looks at her with a wicked twinkle in his eyes.
"If it's the leftovers from last night I think the elephants will be throwing it back."
Teresa yanks open the driver door and jumps in.
"Hey, I thought I was driving?"
"Not anymore, you're not."
Patrick grumpily opens the passenger door and mutters
"You shouldn't punish a man for speaking the truth."
"There's always a reckoning Patrick."
"It wasn't me who burnt the dinner."
Teresa starts the car.
"No but it's you who's bringing it up today. What happened yesterday, stays in yesterday, that's the rule we live by."
"That sounds a pretty good rule. I bet I suggested it."
Teresa glances at him as she looks over her shoulder while backing out the car.
"Why, because you're so smart?"
"No, because I'm pretty certain that I needed it a lot more than you did."
He looks at her out of the corner of his eye, a smile playing on his face. His use of the past tense hit her but she recovered quickly and returned his smile with one of her own.
"I knew exactly what you were doing, but it was still a good idea. Plus I had some proviso's added."
Patrick's intrigued.
"That was very savvy. What were they?"
It's Teresa's turn to look out of the corner of her eye.
"I think I'll let you find those out for yourself."
Patrick whines:
"Now that's hardly fair Teresa…"
Teresa glances at him and his eyes are twinkling at her.
"How will I know which behaviour warrants a simple apology and which requires chocolate and flowers."
Teresa pretends to think it over, while concentrating on entering the crowded freeway.
"You'll just have to always bring flowers and chocolates to cover your bases."
"Is that right woman?"
She turns to him and breaks in to a huge smile, her eyes dancing wickedly.
"As I said, there's always a reckoning."
Just then Austin interrupts.
"Mommy are we almost there?"
Teresa turns her attention to answering her son and the traffic, where a crazy driver is weaving dangerously across all the lanes causing sudden breaking, leaving her unaware, as well as Patrick, that he's moved slightly, resting in the corner between his seat and the door, allowing him to keep her in his line of vision. He'd been enjoying their banter, it had been fun, and comfortable, but the smile she turned on him had taken his breath away, his heart had literally stopped beating for a moment. He couldn't take his eyes off her – didn't want to. If he did his world would be darker, as if a bulb had gone out.