Author's note: And so, we come to the end, sort of... There is first a pre-epilogue section I have now added. It was suggested by Campy, and I thought it was a good time to put it in. As to the epilogue, the future beckons, and the past is left behind, but always remembered. And there are times when one must live for the moment.
The Queen and her Healer in Consultation
Tara sat nervously in the doctor's office, waiting to be seen. She had asked for a little of Dr. Warren's time between her patients to make a request, and this was the only opportunity available. She and Kevin had both graduated and gone through registration at Dartmouth, and it was now mid-August. Kevin already had his apartment rented and furnished, only needing to fill it in with a few last minute things before beginning the semester. Similarly, Tara herself was signed up in a dorm and had her room number and the name of her roommate. Her father had taken the time to rent a small trailer and help her move into the room. She didn't need much and they did it all very quickly in one day last weekend before they came back home. Now she was set to fly back this coming weekend with Kevin to start classes. But she had one last thing to do and she needed Donna Warren for that.
The nurse appeared in the reception window and waved at her to come on in. Tara got up and went through the indicated door and followed the nurse to an office in the back. She entered and the nurse left. Dr. Warren was sitting at her desk perusing a computer screen with a patient's chart, then looked up and smiled. She closed down the chart onscreen and got up, coming to Tara and giving her a big hug, which Tara returned.
Donna let go, saying, "Tara! It's so good to see you!. Are you doing all right?"
Tara smiled and replied, "I'm doing fine, Donna, But there is something I need to get some help with."
"Sure, dear.", Donna said, "Have a seat. Tell me."
Donna went back to her chair as Tara turned and closed the door to the office, then she took a chair in front of the desk.
Donna studied her with a questioning look, "What's going on, Tara?"
Tara looked at her and fidgeted a little bit.
"Donna, I need to ask you..."
Donna sat up in her chair, concerned, "Tara, I know I've asked before, but are you having problems with the attack?"
"No!", Tara answered quickly, "No, it's not that. It's not giving me much of a problem any more. I prefer just to not think about it all. But I do need some medication, and I was hoping you could help me with that."
Donna still looked puzzled, asking, "Are you sure? I think you've been doing fine, but I do worry about any possible psychological after effects from that night."
"No, I'm not feeling stressed out that way. Mentally, I think I'm doing well, and I'm completely healthy otherwise, as far as I know. No, I just need something else."
Donna started to look worried, "What do you need?"
Tara fidgeted even more, looking away, obviously having trouble even saying it.
She looked back up at Donna with some trepidation and said, "Uh... ...birth control?..."
Donna's eyes widened at that in shock, "Oh God, Tara. Are you pregnant?"
"NO!" answered Tara, "No. No, No! I'm soooo not pregnant! Believe me!"
Donna slumped back in her chair with a sigh of relief.
"Thank God! Are you practicing safe sex then?"
Completely embarrassed and red faced, Tara was momentarily mute, unable to answer.
Dr. Warren looked at Tara sternly, "Listen, Tara. I have a bit of a problem with you two having sex to be honest. I would strongly prefer both of you to wait until you're married."
"I'm sorry, Donna."Tara replied contritely, "I wasn't sure if you felt that way. So if you don't feel like you can do this..."
Tara got up to leave, but was stopped.
"Hold up, Tara. I'm not finished."
Tara looked at Donna and sat back down.
Donna continued, "Yes, I would prefer you wait. However, I know that's not how things are these days with your generation, and I know I can't prevent it from happening either. If there's a risk, then yes, you need protection. I can accept you two being intimate... ...if you take the proper precautions. But for heaven's sake, I wish you had come to me before you started! You can't do that now without being safe!"
"I know that, Donna. Believe me, I know", said Tara, "But I can guarantee you I'm not pregnant..."
"How do you know? Are you using anything at this time?"
"It's not what you think, Donna, really, not at all.", Tara interrupted, trying to reassure her.
"How can it not be? How can you be so sure you're not pregnant if you aren't using good protection? Have you missed your..."
"Donna!", Tara said suddenly, "I'm a virgin!"
Dr. Warren looked dumbfounded, speechless.
"I... ...see. Well, that definitely is safer.", she finally answered, smiling, "That is good, so nice to hear, Tara, really. I always thought you were far too smart to take that kind of chance without getting protection first. I'm glad I was right."
Tara raised an eyebrow at that, saying, "But you just thought I had."
Looking a bit contrite herself, Dr. Warren replied, "Yes... ... Sorry about that. It's just since Kevin is involved, I got ahead of myself with... ...assumptions. I did not feel right to approach you first, but as close as you two are, I did wonder if... I was hoping for you to reach out to me about it."
"It's okay.", Tara replied, smiling, "I can understand your reaction. I can see where that would be pretty traumatic if Kevin would be involved."
"Thank you, dear. But why do you need protection now if you've been abstaining? Kevin hasn't been pressuring you, right?"
Tara raised her hands, shaking her head emphatically, "Absolutely not! He would never do that."
Donna Warren nodded, a pensive look on her face.
"I didn't think so either. I know my son, and I am sure he would never be so forward with any girl to do anything she doesn't want, but with you, his fiancé, I wasn't sure if he was being... ...maybe a bit more playful, one might say? Young men will be young men, you know. He hasn't, uh, tried to be intimate?..."
"About boys being 'playful', yeah, I know.", answered Tara, "Believe me, I know only too well."
This brought up some brief unpleasant thoughts about Jason, but she was able to quickly tamp those down again.
"But with Kevin, it's exactly the opposite. He hasn't tried to get that physical with me since the attack. I think he's too worried how I might react, that it might trigger some bad memories that would painful, or maybe he thinks I'll just freak out if he tried to get more physical. Maybe he's really willing to wait until we're married because enough time will have passed. I don't know. But you see, he's not the worry I have. What I worry more about... ...is me."
Donna furrowed her eyes in concentration, then said, "You? You don't want to wait? I mean you've waited this long."
"I know.", said Tara, looking very worried, "But I don't think I can."
Donna looked attentively at Tara, nodding in affirmation as she asked, "Have you discussed this with Kevin"
Tara looked even more uncomfortable as she responded, "No... ...I don't know... ...I don't know if he feels we shouldn't until we're married... ...maybe he thinks he'll hurt me psychologically if he tried, that I can't respond in a good way... ... Maybe he thinks I need counseling before we try... ...I have no idea how he'll respond or what he thinks. I'm scared to bring it up."
"But maybe you should. Isn't he still affectionate? It's easy to see how much you love each other."
She went on, "Yeah... ...I mean, like we kiss, we hold each other close, a couple of times he's held my backside as we kissed, you know, and I can feel how much he wants to, but he hasn't gone any further than that, and I don't think he will anytime soon."
"You're sure?", questioned Donna.
Tara wasn't sure she should do this, but she respected Donna Warren enough to trust her with what she was about to say. She didn't feel comfortable going to her family doctor, and didn't know any other physicians other than Kevin's parents, and that was daunting enough. But she had developed a good relationship with her future mother-in-law over the last year. That, and the fact she was Kevin's mother, made Tara feel she could trust her with this. She took a deep breath and let it out before starting...
"You know how strong willed he can be. So this is how I know you can be sure.", she said, "I truly appreciate that you think I would never take that chance without having the best protection already in place, and you're right. I normally wouldn't ever take such a chance, but it almost didn't work out that way. Even though I feel I don't have to wait until marriage, that had been my intention... ...until the attack."
Donna began to look more concerned.
"I've never told anybody about this." Tara continued, "Only Kevin and I know. You see, the night of the attack, right afterward, he took me back to your house. I was a wreck, barely holding it together, and he was there, protecting me, supporting me as best he could. My cheer outfit was completely shredded. The bottoms and my underwear were gone. I was naked underneath the skirt, the top ripped almost completely off, exposing me. Once I settled down some, I told him I just needed to clean up. So he took me to the upstairs bathroom to shower, and got me some of his fencing workout clothes to wear."
"Yes, I remember you wearing them.", Donna said quietly.
Tara went on, "I took off the uniform and got into the shower and cleaned up. I was feeling a whole lot better by then. I stepped out to dry off and Kevin knocked on the door asking if I was finished. I answered that I was almost dressed and would be out in a sec. I had finished drying myself and toweled off my hair, about to put the clothes on, when a lightning bolt hit close to the house. I was still a little jittery from the attack. So when the thunder that followed the lightning bolt hit almost immediately, it scared the hell out of me. It was incredibly loud, and made me almost jump out of my skin, and I screamed. There was water on the floor from the shower, and I slipped in it. But I was able to hold on to the counter and keep from falling. There was a porcelain tissue holder which I accidentally knocked off. It crashed and broke on the floor. Kevin heard me scream, and heard the crash, and he rushed into the bathroom, worried I was hurt."
Donna's eyes widened at that, but did not say anything.
"I was still naked, and I reacted, turning away and covering myself with my hands, you know, best I could. But Kevin was shocked. He thought I had said that I was already dressed. He was apologizing, trying to back out the door and he slipped on the water. He fell down on the floor, and was looking at me. And he... ...he kind of froze..."
"Yes...", Donna added, when Tara paused, getting emotional.
"It was the way he was looking at me, Donna.", She said with a slight smile, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice shaking, "I saw for the very first time that he really loved me. I'm sure of it. I could see it so clearly in his eyes... ...I could feel it, even though he had not told me yet he loved me. It... ...it made me feel completely safe. I felt I didn't have to hide anything from him. So, I stood up and faced him. I stood there, completely naked, just looking at him."
"What did he do?", asked Donna.
"That's the thing. He stood up and slowly came to me. We started to kiss and get physical. He had never kissed me that passionately before. All I knew then was I felt ready to go to bed with him right then and there. I absolutely would have done it. I didn't care if I risked getting pregnant or anything else. It was like... ...everything I ever wanted was right there in front of me... ...in him. I was ready to just rip his clothes off and take his hand and go to his bedroom. And it wasn't just for sex, Donna. I wanted so bad to, you know, to be a part of him, for us to become like one unified being, inseparable... ... merged into one soul... ...I still do..."
Tara paused again to wipe tears from her eyes as Donna listened.
"But... ...he wouldn't. He didn't try to take me to bed. Instead he stooped down and got the towel I had dried off with, then wrapped it around me. I was so surprised. I didn't think anything like that would happen, that a boy... ...any boy could resist... ... you know..."
Tara paused a moment more to collect herself again, then went on.
"But he did resist the temptation. It was then he said... ...he said it wasn't the right time. The circumstances were wrong for us to be having sex. He said that in the future, we would see. I know he wanted to. I felt it. God, he was so tense and hard as a rock..."
Donna Warren looked at Tara with compassion, her eyes glistening.
"So you see. He had the chance. If it had happened, I would not have regretted it one bit. I'm sure of that. But he was that strong. I can see now it was better that we've waited. It was better to wait until we both said and truly knew we loved each other, and got engaged. We had to get the legal stuff with Jason out of the way and behind us, finish high school... ...I had to figure out what to do with my life. But that's all done. We really know each other much better. We're past all that now, and we're going on with a new phase of our lives. Things are different, better... ...we're in a good place where... ...where we could get intimate."
Tara stopped a moment to get herself back together as she was was sniffling from her tears.
"I had thought I could completely hold back and control it, and wait until we got married, but after all this... ...I realized I can't. If I could, yes, I would wait until we were married, but I know now I don't trust myself. There are times I can barely restrain from just, you know, going for it. And I know one day, I won't stop."
Tara paused again, taking a deep breath and letting it out, swallowing her tears.
"After he covered me up with the towel, he left and closed the door. I got dressed and came downstairs and he heated some soup for me. Then he called you and Phillip and my parents to come over."
Donna's eyes were moist as well as she looked away for second, then looked back and said, "Thank you, Tara. Thank you for that. I know my son is a good man. It just warms my heart that... ...that he proved it."
"It's one of the reasons I love him so much.", she whispered emotionally.
Donna looked back up at Tara, smiling as she slowly nodded, "Yes, I see."
She sat back up in her chair and looked intently at her again, "So, you think you'll get intimate soon?"
Tara swallowed, wetting her dry mouth, "Well, our plans for marriage aren't until we become seniors. That's three years away."
"And you're sure that he won't make the first move... ...because he's afraid of what the attack might have done to your state of mind."
"I have no doubt of it. I think he's strong enough to wait until the wedding."
"But you want him to take the first step, to try and take you to bed?"
Tara became anguished, replying, "If I thought that was going to happen, it would have happened already, especially after the attack, in which case I would have been talking to you a lot sooner then this. God, I think it would have made this all so much easier if he had."
Donna furrowed her brows again, asking, "In other words, you want him to make the decision for you, even if you didn't have protection?"
Tara shook her head, "I don't think he'd do that. I think that if he made it clear he wanted to start having sex, he would ask me to get protection first, but in the heat of the moment... ...I don't know."
"But he hasn't.", Donna replied, "And if he won't initiate sex until you're married, then..."
"It'll be me. I won't be able to wait. Someday it's going to be me that, you know, I will just throw caution to the wind and jump his bones, and risk getting pregnant. But I don't know how he'll react. I just hope he doesn't freak out, or rebuff me. I don't know how that'll affect our relationship if I try it and he says no... ...again."
"I understand.", said Donna, a knowing smirk on her face. "And I'm not surprised. I'll tell you a little secret. I ended up doing pretty much the same thing with his father. I had to make the first move."
She laughed as Tara looked at her in surprise, "Oh God, really? Geez... ...before you got married?"
"Oh, no. I wasn't that brave, not in my generation. But I set the wedding date as quick as I could... less than two months. Don't tell Kevin that.", Donna said out of the side of her mouth, "It'll embarrass the hell out of him."
"Oh, for sure!", Tara said, laughing with her, "And the same with what I told you here, right? Nobody needs to know that outside of us three."
"Of course, dear! Even if it wasn't covered by doctor-patient confidentiality, I still would have kept your confidence, but you haven't told your parents?"
Tara had a look of near horror on her face, "Oh God, No! My mother, I don't know how she would take it, but my father would so have a cow! And I wouldn't tell them I'm using birth control either!"
Donna laughed again, looking at her lovingly, "I can understand your hesitation. I agree about your father, however I would suggest considering telling your mother. I believe she would be more understanding than you think. But it is up to you."
Still a little frightened at thinking how her father would react, Tara went on, "You think so?... ...Okay, I'll think about it. However, I do hope someday Kevin will take the initiative. I don't want to have to do it."
"But you will?"
"If I have to... ...I just hope I pick the right time and place."
Donna smiled confidently, "Don't worry. He'll figure it out."
"Really?"
"He may surprise you. Maybe all he needs is to know that you're ready. That might get him to take the lead."
"But I don't know how long I can hold out."
"And you're really sure you're ready to initiate sex?"
"God, yes! I want to already! I can't hold out for three years! I mean, I not going jump on him tomorrow. Like I said, it has to be the right time, the right place. But I don't think it will be long."
Donna Warren nodded slowly, a smile playing on her lips again, "Tara, dear, I believe you're overthinking this. You really should talk to him about it."
Tara nodded to herself, replying, "Okay... ...maybe... ...when I think the time is right. But I think it's best to have some protection in place if I am going to discuss it with him, because then anything could happen, you know."
"Of course. I agree. Okay, let me ask you a few questions. I think I know the answers already, but I just need to confirm. Is there any history of blood clots, breast or liver cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal bleeding?..."
"No. Not at all. I'm completely healthy."
"Regular periods?"
"Like clockwork."
"You take any kind of medicine, or drugs?..."
"Absolutely not!"
"Okay, you're not pregnant. I'll have to draw blood to confirm that, however. It's got to be on record. I can also get a test to check for cervical cancer, too. At your age, it's highly unlikely, but we need to make sure, and then give you the HPV vaccine if necessary. You don't smoke, right?"
"Oh God, no, "Tara said, "It's disgusting."
"Good.", said Dr. Warren, "What pharmacy will you use?"
Tara told her.
Then Donna said, "Okay, I need to do another general exam on you for the record. My nurse will take you to an exam room and I'll be there in a jiffy."
"Do I need to disrobe?"
"No. I don't need to go that far. Have you ever checked yourself for breast masses?"
"No."
"Okay I'll show you how to do that."
Donna Warren got up and opened the door.
"Viola? Please take Ms. Monroe here to exam three. Set up a new chart for her and get her basic data. I'll be in there in a bit."
Tara rose as well. She smiled and hugged Donna tenderly, murmuring her thanks. Donna returned it just as emotionally.
The nurse took Jill to the exam room and Donna soon did the exam. Once she finished, she called up the pharmacy and gave them the prescription. Then she walked Tara to the exit door.
They paused and faced each other, then Donna hugged Tara again, this time kissing her cheek.
"You take care of yourself.", she said lovingly, "If you have any problems with the pills... ...or problems with anything else for that matter... ...if you want, just call me."
"I will.", said Tara, smiling.
Donna pulled back and looked at her, holding Tara's hands, her eyes shining with tears.
"Dear, I'm honored that you've put this much trust in me. I will do everything I can for you. I promise. You are as much my daughter now as Kevin is my son. I love you. I want you to know that."
Taral smiled wider, her eyes just as moist, "Thanks. You've really become a second mom to me, and I love you, too."
"We'll see you later, then."
Still smiling, Tara said, "Bye", as she walked out the door.
Epilogue
The door opened to laughter as Kevin carried Tara through, quickly shutting the door and heading for the bedroom. It was early November and it was cold outside. They had already taken off their coats and Tara was carrying them when he suddenly picked her up before going into the apartment.
"Will you stop it?", she cried out laughing, "We aren't even married and you're already trying to play house!"
"Hey!", he said, "You started it! You were the one who suggested moving in together!"
"I so did not, Kevin Guberman! I said I would likely spend most of the time over here, not move in! What is with you? You're suddenly friskier!"
"Just enjoying my time with my queen, that's all. And yes, that was the way you made it sound!"
She yelped as he plopped her down on the bed, roiling over with laughter again as he landed right beside her. She tossed the coats on the floor beside her.
"I did not make it sound that way, you goof!" she said haltingly through the giggling, "I just said that with us going to pre-med classes together, it would be easier if I was able to work out of your apartment because it was actually closer to the classes! I only meant to keep a few things here so I wouldn't constantly have to go back to the dorm room!"
"You mean to keep a few things here and most of it in your dorm room so I can avoid a date with your father and his chain saw."
"Hey, he's not that bad and you know it! He and I spent a lot of time talking over the summer and we were really open about things. He knows how much I love you."
"And I love you."
"You better!", she riposted.
She giggled as he leaned over and kissed her lightly. In the dim light from the lamp on the end table, he gazed into those electric blue eyes of hers, and he could not help but continue to be amazed at his good fortune, to have landed the girl of his dreams.
Tara was thinking much the same, grateful for her incredible luck. They were on their own now, going to college. She knew they would be close and she would spend most of her time with him, but she still felt she should formally stay on campus, so she had moved into the dorm and had a roommate. Even though her parents completely trusted Kevin, they felt much happier with that arrangement. But it sure looked like she may not get to know her roommate very well...
Before they arrived at Dartmouth to begin classes, Kevin and Tara had a long talk with her parents just before graduation. They had carefully prepared themselves to tell them about coming here to begin their college careers, both now aimed at a career in medicine. Kevin knew this involved the fact that not only were they going to be going to college together, but also to medical school together. He knew he had to explain that it would be difficult to get into the same medical school that way except under one circumstance, and that was if they were married. For Kevin, it was not a question of if, but when, and although he had not yet discussed it with her, Tara had been completely sure they would find some way to go to medical school together, although she didn't know how. But Kevin knew for married couples, the match for medical school allowed for those situations, as long as both candidates were acceptable to the school on their own respective merits. However, during the long talk with her parents, Kevin wasn't able to tell them that. He hadn't asked Tara to marry him yet.
Kevin had this in mind soon after the day they spoke with them and Tara told them she intended to be a physician and that she had been accepted to Dartmouth. Nobody else, except their friends, knew about it, so the next people who had to be told were both sets of parents. They had discussed it, and decided to tell her parents first. It was one evening when Kevin came over for dinner. When they finished eating, they announced their plans. Both Mark and Jill were taken a little unawares because she had applied to Dartmouth without telling them. She had meant it to be a surprise, and it turned out they were very pleased to hear it. They agreed with her decision and were happy she had been accepted, although they questioned her closely to make sure that this was what she wanted and she was not just following Kevin's lead, but he assured them that he was just as surprised as they were, and had no hand in this, that this was something she really wanted to do. With her grades she had been able to get a scholarship. But her father reassured her that even without that, he would find a way to pay for her college if it was needed, and even medical school if necessary. No mention of their relationship was made at the time, and this concerned Jill a bit, but she let it go, sure the kids would figure that out on their own in good time.
She had no need to worry. Later on, Kevin managed to get Mark and Jill alone, and he had asked them formally for Tara's hand and for their blessing. Jill broke down and cried, hugging him dearly as Mark grinned and clapped him on the back. They were more than happy to give it. That's when he explained about the match system and how it would allow married couples to go to school together.
After nightfall, Kevin asked Tara to set up the chess board out in the front yard under the old oak tree, just like her grandfather had done. There was a nearby street light that actually gave enough illumination to let them see the board quite well, and they played a game there. Tara won the game rather handily and frowned at him, seeing he was definitely off from his usual playing prowess. He replied he was distracted that night for good reason.
He got down on one knee, pulled out a small box, and presented an engagement ring to her, asking her to marry him. Tara was stunned, thinking he was going to wait until they were well into college, but she accepted without hesitation, crying and kissing him as she did. He placed the ring on her finger and then they both went back into the house so she could show her parents. They discussed arrangements for the wedding and after Kevin finally explained the match system to Tara and how it would help them, they planned for it to be sometime at the end of their junior year so that they would be eligible. That meant that Johns Hopkins might be less likely a choice, but Kevin thought, 'Heck, Stanford or Harvard will do, as long as Tara's with me.'
These were the thoughts that went through his mind as he looked into those eyes full of the color of the sky. He thought briefly about the future, career, marriage, children...
"We've got that chem test on Monday,", she said, "You wanted to start reviewing for that tonight, right?"
"Yeah.", he replied, "That'll leave us time to go out this weekend."
"I can pull the notes and we can go through them alternately and ask each other questions."
"Yeah, that's sounds good..."
But Tara noticed he had something else on his mind. He was distracted, his attention somewhere else. She smiled mischievously.
"What're you thinking about, my valiant chess knight?", she asked coyly.
Seeing he had been preoccupied, Kevin smiled, "Sorry about that, just musing over how we got to where we are, and about the future."
"Like what?"
A thought entered his mind.
"Tara, if we have children, I want to name our son, if you think it's okay."
She stared at him, a little surprised, "Gee, Kev, aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself?"
"Maybe. But we are engaged, so I don't think that's too unreasonable."
"Yeah. Okay, but the name thing. That depends. What did you have in mind?"
"James Mallory Guberman."
She gasped softly, then she reached up and pulled him back down, tenderly kissing him.
When he came up for air again, he said, "I take it that's a yes?"
"You better believe it!", she said softly, smiling widely and then kissing him again long and passionately before adding, "And we'll name the second son after your grandfather."
"That sounds great."
She lay back down slowly with him, savoring the feel of his lips on hers as they gazed across the pillows at each other.
"I guess the only question left then,", she said, "is when."
"Yeah, we have to finish college, then medical school."
"So long?", she said achingly.
"I know.", he said in resignation.
"But other couples in medical school don't have to wait so long."
Thinking it over, he smiled at her, "You know, Tara, you're right. We don't have to wait that long. We can find a way to do it all."
"Good.", she said, "Because I've been thinking."
"Yes...?"
"I want to get married this spring. I don't want to wait."
He looked deep in her eyes, seeing how strongly she felt about this. He smiled again, rolling over to kiss her once more.
"Whenever you want to get married, Tara. I'll be there. You just tell me where and when. As far as I'm concerned, I'm married to you already. I'm here with you, going to Dartmouth, then into medicine. If this isn't heaven, I'm at least already living the honeymoon."
She giggled, the huge smile filling her face.
"My chess knight.", she sighed, "Always thinking of me."
"Chess knight, huh? Wasn't I supposed to turn into your king?"
Tara suddenly felt... ...different. She couldn't describe it, or even what exactly brought it on, but she knew exactly how she felt and what she wanted right then and there. She was still so enraptured by his suggestion to name their son, enjoying the love she felt for him just swell in that moment, and the fact he already felt married to her and living the honeymoon. He was lying there, smiling at her, so relaxed, so... ...beautiful. She gazed at him, savoring the view, getting lost in his smile... ...that incredibly gorgeous smile...
"Mmmmm," she said quietly, "That's certainly a possibility."
Raising up on one elbow, she pushed him over on his back, kissing him fiercely, running her right hand over his chest. When she rose up again, the look in her eyes was positively feral, her blond locks trailing down onto his chest and neck. She shucked off her shoes, then she reached up and undid the first button of her blouse.
Kevin's mouth opened slightly, looking a bit surprised, but he knew what she intended.
"You did say.", she said, "We would see."
Kevin didn't answer. He just gazed at her. Tara suddenly became afraid, hoping she didn't do the wrong thing. 'Oh, God...', she thought, 'Did I screw this up? Did I go too far, too fast?' Kevin's face didn't change. He just blinked... ...for about ten seconds. Then he seemed to relax, his eyes showing relief, a hint of a smile on his lips. But he still looked concerned.
He replied gently, "I did, didn't I?... ...Are you sure?"
Tara's anxiety instantly disappeared, relief washing through her. She took a deep breath and let it out, and then undid the second button.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life.", she replied seriously, "I don't want to wait."
He smiled. His eyes softened, and he reached up and caressed her face, "Neither do I."
But then he looked uncertain, adding, "Uh, what about... ...you know."
Smiling devilishly, she undid the third button, then bent down and gently kissed his cheek, brushing her lips against his skin momentarily before facing him again, her lips less than an inch from his, and she whispered, "Your mother has already taken care of that."
Kevin's eyes opened wide at that, "Wait. What?... ...Really?"
Laughing quietly, she undid the fourth button, kissed him on the neck, and looked into his eyes once more, saying, "You see, my valiant knight has to advance to the eighth rank to be promoted."
Kevin looked up at her and slowly grinned, "Oh! So are you playing Queen's Gambit now?"
"And if I accept it, do you think the time is right?", she asked softly, undoing the last button and letting her blouse fall open to both sides.
He looked at her intensely as his arms slipped up around her underneath the blouse, pulling her closer.
"Pawn to queen four.", he said, gently giving her a quick kiss as he unhooked her bra strap.
She purred and responded, "Pawn to queen four.", then kissed him fervently, waiting for his answer.
Tara realized she really did overthink it. Kevin slowly sat up, bringing her upright to her knees with him. She moved over and sat across his thighs as he held her eyes with his own, his arms still embracing her. Tara saw his eyes change, no longer hiding his feelings, his desire completely apparent. He glided his hands over her skin to her sides, up to her shoulders and then gently slid her blouse off her arms. He kissed her gently and slowly laid back down, caressing her thighs.
"Pawn to queen bishop four.", he said confidently, still gazing at her with that beautiful smile. As she sat there, she saw how much he wanted her, and thought, 'God, he's never been as sexy to me as he is right now...'
And she had never wanted him more than that moment. Tara slipped her bra off and threw it to one side. Licking her upper lip, she quickly bent down to him again and gave him another rapturous kiss.
"Ohhhhh! Now I've got you, Guberman! Pawn takes pawn!", she gushed, lowering her body directly on top of his, kissing him even more ravenously and taking the initiative for several moments before he suddenly raised up and turned her over onto her back. She squealed in surprise but laughed contentedly as he lay on top of her.
Kevin sat up again, still gazing lovingly at her eyes as she laughed, her hair splayed out across the pillow. He smiled wider as she put her hands on his stomach. She could feel his six-pack, and it was starting to look well defined. She moved her hands under his shirt, raising it up. He raised his arms as she took it off over them, tossing it away. Then she ran her hands over his chest, appreciating the musculature he had developed with the weight training he had kept up.
Tara smiled. "I am such an idiot.', she thought, 'He really was just waiting for me to tell him I was ready.'
Still gazing at her face, he moved back, sat lightly on her knees, then unbuttoned her pants. He slowly worked them and her underwear down and off her legs. Then he sat on the side of the bed and started taking off the rest of his clothes as Tara rolled over on her side toward him, just watching with a look of anticipation, delicately biting her lip. When he finished, he looked back and just gazed at her, thinking how incredibly beautiful she was. She was perfection just in the way she laid there, as if she were a nude painted into a classical renaissance masterpiece. She put her hand on his shoulder and slowly stroked it sensually.
He laid back down beside her and softly kissed her again, making it long and deliberate. Tara sensed he was taking it slow, being careful with her, but she was not going to have any of it. Abruptly, she reached over with both hands, surprising him. She forcefully pulled him in and on top of her, guiding him between her knees, bringing him face to face. Their eyes locked onto each other... ...he so loved getting lost in those sparkling incredible blue eyes. Her expression became angelic as she smiled and tenderly caressed his cheek...
"It's your move, my valiant knight.", she said softly.
Kevin grinned and replied, "By your command, my queen."
Then Tara knew he really would transform into her king this night as he softly spoke the last word to complete the gambit his queen had accepted, and she didn't mind the result in the least as he descended passionately onto her lips yet again.
"Checkmate."
THE END
My sincerest appreciation and thanks go out to Campy for his kind indulgence of letting me use the storyline he created and taking it further along. To all of those who have read, I thank you very much for taking the time to enjoy my work. For those who have reviewed as well, I also give my sincerest appreciation and thanks for their support and comments as they often help me review and improve my writing. There is more of the Resolution universe coming, and I hope to be able to present it soon on the web site.