Southern Heat Ch. 04

Their week was beautiful. They spent as much time in bed as they could, but also time with the children as well.

When Anthony had a chance to get Tony alone, he decided to confront Tony about his mothers’ suspicions to his love life, and addressed the issue out of the blue, “you two should be careful as well with your heart and love.”

“I do love her, and we are being careful.” Tony leaned against the porch railing, looking off into the yard.

“What do you two have planned?”

“A future together, but I don’t know how to tell mom.”

Anthony put a hand on his sons shoulder, “Tell her the truth,” something in his tone made Tony look back at him, “Son, she already knows. She has since the beginning.”

“I kind of figured as much. But why didn’t she say anything to us?”

“She trusts you’ll tell her when you’re ready, but now, she’s worried. Tony, she told me how long you two have been together. I think you owe your mother the right to tell her face to face. Anna needs to as well. After all, if you love each other, Jen shouldn’t have to worry.”

“Do you think I’m wrong dad?”

“I agree with your mom, we are the last two people to disagree with your decisions, or keep you apart. Her biggest worry is if Anna gets pregnant.”

“We’ve discussed that at length, and getting married too,” he took a deep breath, “dad, we’ve wanted to have a baby for a while now. But we agreed we would wait until, well, let’s just say, she stopped taking her pills recently and I’m hoping it happens soon.”

“You and Anna need to talk to your mom. We just want to help the two of you. We’ve been through hell without each other, and I regret that I never knew about you. I know that you and Anna are closer, but your mom needs to be there for her, unlike no one being there for your mom.”

“I don’t know how to tell her. I never have, that’s why we haven’t gone to her.”

“We’ll, it’s just going to be the four of us tonight, so I think it would be a good time to talk about it.” he propped himself against the rail and looked at Tony, “Jen and I know better than anyone what you two are going through. All she wants for you is to be happy.”

“I love Anna, dad. I want her to be my wife.”

“I know the feeling son.” Anthony relaxed a bit against the railing, “I’m inviting your mother to Georgia for a few days next month while I wrap up some things.” He looked at his son, “we have decided to get married in a few months, but I want her to come out there with me for a few days before we make the permanent decision to move in together and make it official.”

“I think that would be a good idea. After all, it’s not a decision to be made lightly, especially after all this time.” Tony glanced at his father, “I agree that it is something that should be discussed at length and planned carefully.”

***

Dinner was at a quiet, out of the way place, that had a few regular patrons, but served good cold beer and hot Cajun food. It was one of Jen’s favorite places.

They sat at a nice table at the back of the restaurant and quietly discussed Jen and Anthony’s plans for her trip to Atlanta. She mentioned taking the kids with her, but Tony turned her down, Mandy had work, and Andy was still thinking about it.

When she asked Anna, she said she didn’t know, and looked at Tony, waiting for him to say something. He saw her glance at him, and he decided that it was a good time to discuss what was going on between them, but he did not do it in a direct manner.

“I think you should go to Atlanta with mom. It will be a good trip for the both of you.” Anna drew in a breath and begin to say something to him, but he continued, not letting her, “After all, since you are starting school this fall you won’t have much time to do anything else. It will be good for you to get away and spend some time with mom.” He saw her expression change, knowing she would either explode in anger, or break down in tears, but he kept on. “Besides, I think I will be out of town that week. I have to go to Lake Charles, so you might as well go.” A little smirk crossed his lips, “That way, mom doesn’t have to worry about who’s going to babysit you while I’m gone. It may be a good opportunity for you, and me both. We spend far too much time together as it is Anna.”

“What? You never told me you were going to Louisiana! And since when did you consider being with me, babysitting, or that it took up too much of your time!”

“Well, I’ve spent every moment of my waking hours watching over you when mom’s not around. Not that I haven’t enjoyed your company, your quite fun, but I think a change of atmosphere will do us some good. Maybe, I’ll go out and party when I’m down there, try something new. It’s not like the women are falling over me here.” he held his gaze to Anna.

“Since when did you need anyone else but me!”

“I never said I did.” he leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped behind his head, confident and cool.

“But Anthony, I thought we, you said, what about…” she put her hand on her tummy, thinking about earlier that morning. He watched her intently, but his tone didn’t change.

“I know what I said, and about that, well…”

That set Anna off, and Jen saw it coming, but all she could do was sit in awe of her son’s words, especially after what Anthony had mentioned to her earlier about Tony’s plans.

Jen reached under the table and took Anthony’s hand, looking at him, suddenly worried. He shook his head at her, squeezing her hand, whispering to her to wait, Tony knew what he was doing.

“Fuck you Anthony!” she threw her napkin down and turned away. He suddenly thought he had gone a little too far, especially after seeing her expression as she placed her had on her belly. “Aw, what’s wrong baby girl, mad?” his voice teased her as her pet name echoed in her ears.

“NO!” Anna snapped, pouting, tears close to escaping from her eyes.

Anthony nudged Jen, thinking now was a good time for her to intervene. She shrugged her shoulders, not sure what to do, but prayed that Anna wasn’t taking Tony seriously, hoping that Tony wasn’t serious. She started to touch Anna’s arm and Tony stopped her.

“No mom, leave the baby girl alone. She needs to overcome her fears and jealously if she’s going to be my wife.” he pulled a box from his pocket, and sat it on the table.

Jen let an intake of breath escape from her lips. Anthony felt her grasp tighten. Anna quickly glanced back at Tony. What the hell was he doing! They hadn’t even told their mom, and if he had, he sure didn’t mention it to her.

He got up, holding up the box, and walked to Anna, kneeling before her. He put his hand on her face and wiped a stray tear from her cheek, turning her to face him, and then took her hand.

“I decided to do this today after I talked to my dad. I’ve had this awhile, I was just waiting for the right time. But baby girl, after this morning, and well, you know,” he placed his hand on her abdomen, and glanced over to his parents, “I thought tonight I would ask you to be my wife, and tell mom the whole truth.” He opened the box and held it to her, “Besides, she’s known for awhile.” he smiled at Anna, taking the ring from the box, hearing her release a small gasp, “Antonia Sophia, will you marry me?” he slipped the platinum band on her finger and kissed her hand.

Anna didn’t know what to do. She was so angry with him, but elated all the same.

Jen spoke up, “Anna, answer Tony. You have my blessing, and Anthony’s.”

She looked at her mom, not sure what to do, and then looked back at Tony, throwing her arms around him, “Yes Daddy,” she whispered in his ear, “Yes, I love you, yes!”

“I guess that means yes.” Anthony looked at Jen, smiling.

Tony stood up, drawing Anna to him, and looked at his parents, “Mom, will you excuse us for a few minutes, I want to talk to Anna.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Tony took her arm, and they walked outside. After the doors closed behind them, they stood under the neon light of the restaurant, Tony holding her hands in his.

“I’m sorry baby girl, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, but I wasn’t sure how to tell mom. You know I didn’t mean any of that shit I said, I would never fuck around on you. And no, I don’t want you going to Atlanta with mom. I’ll go fucking crazy if your not home with me.”

“But, your going to be in Louisiana.” she was still wiping the tears from her eyes.

“It’s only for two days, I have to say over night. Besides I have other plans, and I’m going to tell mom and dad when we go back inside. I need moms advice.” he lifted her chin so she could see his eyes, “Anna, I know how we can become husband and wife legally. ok, not so legally, but closer then not.”

“I don’t care, I just want to be with you Daddy.” her eyes sparkled with unwept tears, and he bent down and kissed her fully, wrapping himself to her.

“I want to take you home and make love to you, I want to take you away and create a new life between us. I want you all to myself.” he kissed her softly, “I’m sorry Anna, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, or make you angry. I just didn’t know…”

“Daddy, I understand.” she ran her fingers from his cheek to his chest, “I think we need to go in and explain all of this to momma. After all, we owe it to her.”

“Yes, we do.” they kissed each other deeply and went back inside to the table.

The rest of night went smoothly as Anna and Tony sat and explained what they had planned, and why. Jen confessed, not only to suspecting their involvement, but to actually know about it for sometime. She would only say that she passed by the bedroom door one night on her way through the house right after they moved in, and it confirmed her suspicions.

Jen wasn’t so sure that Tony’s plan to marry Anna in Vegas would work, but he was right, who would question them, they had two different last names, and other information that was non-biological that separated them, so, maybe it would work. They would have to wait and see. She did mention that she wished they would have waited a little longer before trying to conceive a child, just to make sure that they were ready to accept the responsibility.