The Promise

Chapter Twenty-One

"Why, hello there, stranger!" Tom said to her, a big grin adorning his adorable face.

Bobby's tail went mad as she approached and when she sat down on the step next to Tom, the little puppy climbed onto her lap.

"Hello, sweetheart," she said, reaching up to kiss Tom on the lips.

He put a large hand on her neck, massaging it as he watched her play with Bobby. "Did you have fun today?"

"Yes! It was just what the doctor ordered," she said, sounding relaxed and peaceful.

"Good, good. I'm glad. You two needed to have some best friend bonding time."

"Definitely. I also didn't realize how tense my body was. Man, they worked out so many knots from my back! I could probably pull my leg behind my head now!" She said with a laugh.

"Oh, really? Care to test that theory?" He said with a suggestive waggle of his brow.

She pursed her lips, attempting to sound serious, but failing as she smirked at him. "Why, Mr. Hiddleston, do you think of nothing else?"

"It's awfully hard... not to," he said, moving his face towards her, just a breath away, almost close enough to kiss her.

"That's what she said," Isabella whispered and then grinned.

The sexy smirk he had on his face dissolved into a smile as he threw his head back in laughter at her joke. She soon joined him, enjoying the carefree moment as they sat together.

After they calmed down, Tom took her hand and led her inside, straight to the bedroom. That night, they made love again for the first time in two weeks. It was lazy and went on forever as they caressed and kissed each other all over. When they connected physically, Isabella saw stars in her eyes, relishing in their connection that she had missed. She felt renewed by his energy, by his kisses.

The day before they were to leave for Florida, Tom had managed to make an appointment with a very well known celebrity therapist. She was the epitome of professional and welcoming. Isabella felt comfortable the instant she walked into her office and sat down, gripping Tom's hand the whole time. For their first visit, she had Isabella just explain why they were there and got to know each other. Walking out of the office, she felt like she had taken a very important first step. She beamed up at Tom as they went home, thinking she couldn't have imagined doing this without him.

Isabella reflected back on the month's events as she sat in the rental car, getting closer to her parent's house. The flight over was more fun than the last, being able to relax and enjoy the alone time with Tom. She didn't even remember being in first-class the last time, but this time she took advantage of it and drank two glasses of champagne. Tom had briefly joked about wanting to join the mile high club and she had rolled her eyes at him, but promised she'd think about it for the return flight. She gave him an exaggerated wink and he laughed out loud, waking up the snoozing gentleman in the seat across from them.

Pulling up to the house, they walked up, her hand firmly grasped in his. They looked to one another with a smile and rang the bell. This time, when her brother answered the door, he didn't slam it in their faces. Her mother shoved the boy out the way to get to them and instantly threw her arms around Tom's waist, hugging him as she welcomed him back with much fanfare.

Isabella stood with her hands on her hips, looking cross. "Seriously? You're my mother!"

"Yes, I know who you are, but we've missed Tom! Such a good boy!" She said, squeezing his cheek.

He laughed, enjoying every second of her attention.

Lorenzo then appeared out of nowhere.

"Is that my boy? Ah, yes! You can see him from a mile away!" Lorenzo said with his booming voice as he embraced Tom.