Thomas was in his office after lunch break, making follow-up calls to owners from that morning’s surgeries, while Tabby sat across the room on the couch, studying a journal. She was humming to herself, bathed in sunlight streaming in through the window. This was their routine. It had started as a way for her to stay informed; now that they were working with different patients, it was more of a way to spend time together.
When he was done making calls, she’d look up and smile, invite him to join her, and taking her in his forelegs…
Well, that was the ideal, Thomas thought, frowning. That’s how things had been going. But the last day or two she had seemed somewhat distant. That happened sometimes, and Thomas didn’t want to face the ramifications of what it meant.
“Maybe we could do something this weekend,” he said, replacing the receiver in its cradle.
“What? Um, sure,” Tabby said distractedly, not looking up, staring but not really focusing on the diagram in front of her.
“Like that Mansion on the Precipice you’re always going on about,” Thomas continued, hoping to entice her.
“Hmm,” she said, clearly not listening.
There was an awkward silence, broken by the buzzing of Tabby’s phone, which she had left sitting on the desk.
She suddenly came to life. “Ooh, that’s probably a response to an offer I made on eCove,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “Let me see that.”
Well, if that’s what made her happy, he would humor her. Thomas, who was within reaching distance, picked up the phone and glanced at the screen. “Your offer has been…” But with a casual glance he saw that the notification was not from eCove at all, but a text message from a name that practically made him drop the phone as if it were scalding hot. “Guido Casale?!”
“What?” A shadow clouded Tabby’s face. “Give me that,” she said, jumping up from the couch and leaping across the room to snatch the phone from his hooves, and swiftly swiped the message away.
“You still talk to him?” Thomas asked, dumbfounded to learn that their correspondence had continued after she had found the Italian stallion’s friendship so discomfiting the past fall.
“Not… really,” Tabby said haltingly, tucking her phone away. “I mean, a little.”
“Oh,” said Thomas, and there was a poignant silence. “Is he bothering you?”
“No!” she said quickly, a little too quickly, Thomas thought. “It’s just an update on that magic users’ legislation. He’s keeping me posted–that’s all.”
“Oh, so you talk politics with Guido Casale?” Thomas asked, a little incredulous. Tabby never spared a thought for politics. At least around him.
Tabby did not catch the note of disbelief, or chose to ignore it. “The anti-magic league is throwing roadblocks in the way of foreigners contributing to domestic campaigns. Go figure.” She shrugged, picking up the journal that had fallen to the floor in her haste to reclaim her phone.
“Why does he care about influencing policies abroad, anyway?” Thomas asked, unsure what to do with the barrage of emotions this exchange had released.
“He has, uh, widespread interests and… stuff,” Tabby said with vagueness that would have been endearing if the topic were not so fraught with tension. “There’s like, I dunno, tax breaks or whatever.”
“Hmm,” said Thomas, narrowing his eyes. “If he gets out of line,” he said, putting a hoof on her shoulder and turning her to face him, “you’ll let me know.”
“And what could you do about it?” she murmured absentmindedly, not meeting his gaze. “Anyway, just forget about it. It’s nothing. Now, I have to get back to Elaine.” Pasting an artificially bright smile on her face, she exited the room.
She hadn’t even kissed him. It was hardly the sort of exchange he wanted to be having with his fiance, Thomas thought resentfully. Her words echoed in his mind: And what could you do about it? Indeed, what could Thomas do against the multi-millionaire business stallion? His pride injured, he stared unseeingly across the room at the chart of feline skeletal structure hanging opposite him.
* * *
And that was how Belen found him when she trotted into the room shortly after brushing past what appeared to be a cheerful Tabby in the hallway. Which was good to see; the two of them had seemed… Belen didn’t know how to put it into words, but something just felt off.
Belen felt indebted to the pair for giving her a chance at this job, and she had her heart set on a happy ending for them. They did seem to suit each other, when Tabby wasn’t in one of her distracted moods, with Thomas chasing after her, desperate for any small morsel of attention. Well, all couples had their ups and downs, she reasoned.
“You’ll marry her someday,” Belen said, eyes twinkling as she handed the x-ray she was carrying to Thomas… too late noticing that his demeanor did not match Tabby’s. Perhaps she had been mistaken.
Thomas snapped his head to attention, coming out of his thoughts as he absentmindedly took the x-ray. “Do you really think so?” he asked with a wry smile.
“Don’t you?” Belen asked with a quizzical look.
“Sometimes I feel so close to her,” Thomas said with a sigh. “Other times, I wonder if this is all just a game to her.”
“Surely not!” Belen protested, wondering what kind of lover’s quarrel she had inadvertently stepped into.
“I did ask her,” Thomas said after a moment’s pause. “To marry me, I mean.”
“What did she say?” Belen asked, treading cautiously on what was clearly a sensitive topic.
“She said yes… as long as we don’t tell anyone.”
“When was that?”
“Just before Christmas,” Thomas said, beginning to pace in an agitated manner. “I rushed into it. We’d only just started going out; it was all just a rebound for her; it wasn’t even a month prior she’d been wearing someone else’s ring!” The words all came out in a rush. “Why did I ever think it was a good idea to propose? I’m going to end up losing her because of it.” He looked at Belen then, a haunted look in his eye.
“You should be talking to her about these things,” Belen advised.
“I don’t think she’d want to talk about it,” Thomas said, sitting down in his chair and crossing his forelegs. “She must be miserable. I’ve got to set her free.”
“Is that what you want? Are you sure that’s what she wants?” Belen cautioned. “It sounds like you have some fears, that may or may not be grounded in fact. You should discuss this with her before doing anything rash.”
“I think I know what she’s going to say. I’ve been so blind,” he said, looking very forlorn and vulnerable.
The only thing Belen could think of to say was the trite reply, “Don’t give up yet.”
“No,” he said resolutely. “I know what I have to do.”
“Oh, dear,” said Belen, thoroughly dismayed.
* * *
Tabby was assisting Elaine with a surgery, and Belen hovered about the area, anxious to speak to her when she was through. She had already put her hoof in her mouth once–should she continue this? But she thought Tabby deserved a heads-up before Thomas did something desperate in an attempt to fix what he perceived to be wrong.
Finally, the door to the surgery room popped open.
“Tabby, I was just going to have coffee,” Belen said, quickly stepping forward. “Why don’t you join me?”
“As long as I can drink not-coffee, sure.” Tabby turned to look behind her. “Elaine, are you coming?”
And Belen was relieved that Elaine answered, “You two go ahead. I’ve got to finish the after-care instructions. Fortunately, these interactive templates from Macrohard make things easy!”
Belen wondered at the sharp glance Tabby cast at Elaine.
“What can I say, I’m a fan of their whole Paws n’ Claws suite. I’m so glad we upgraded!” Elaine gushed. “Thomas was dragging his hooves for some reason, but he finally saw reason.”
“Yeah…” said Tabby with lackluster enthusiasm.
“They say the guy that makes it,” Elaine continued chattering, “owns his own private island! Can you imagine?”
Humming to herself, Elaine bustled about, and Tabby and Belen made their way to the break room. Nursing a warm cup of coffee in her hooves while Tabby sipped limeade, Belen wondered how she could bring this up. Tabby appreciated straightforwardness, didn’t she? Or at least, she herself was straightforward.
“I talked to Thomas,” Belen jumped in. “About you and him.”
There was a long pause as Tabby looked startled. “Oh,” she squeaked.
“He thinks you’re not happy.”
“Not happy?” Tabby set down her glass, her hoof appearing a little shaky. “No, I’m fine.”
“There’s something that’s come between you,” Belen forged ahead. At that, Tabby winced. “I also think…” Belen took a deep breath. “…that you’re crazy about each other, and you’re a great match, and you’ve got to stand up for what you have.”
Tabby stared at her, wide-eyed and speechless–not in an angry sort of way, but more puzzled and overcome.
“I’m not saying you need to marry him this instant,” Belen said earnestly. “But he needs to know where he stands with you–needs some certainty.”
Tabby finally found her voice. “I mean, I don’t want to show off, and Strawberry just lost out on her wedding…” she trailed off.
“I haven’t known Strawberry nearly as long as you,” Belen said, “but I really can’t see her holding your happiness against you. Anyway, that’s not the reason you’ve been distant. Something else is bothering you, and you won’t let him in.”
Tabby looked away.
“You don’t need to tell me what’s troubling you–but you do need to tell him.” Belen pressed Tabby’s hoof reassuringly before exiting and leaving the unicorn to her thoughts.
* * *
“Oh, I’m just so bad at this! This relationship stuff,” said Tabby to herself, wringing her hooves in a flustered manner. “I’m always messing up.”
She thought she’d been hiding her discomfiture better than that. If even Belen was aware that something was up, then what must Thomas be thinking of her behavior? It wasn’t Thomas causing the trouble, of course. It was that other guy contributing to her unsettled mind.
Thomas had known from the start that Guido had been trouble, Tabby reflected, and that she’d been in over her head. That’s why she had wanted to handle this herself, and avoid the I-told-you-so conversation.
She thought of the slim velvet-lined box in her satchel, and a shiver ran down her spine, along with a fear that she didn’t have this under control at all.
Tabby knew, of course, that Belen was right, that she owed it to Thomas to be forthright. But it didn’t make what she had to do any easier. Downing the rest of her drink, she steeled her nerves and headed in the direction of Thomas’ office.
* * *
“Tabby, we need to talk,” said Thomas at the same time she announced, “I have to tell you something.”
The two unicorns stood staring at each other for a moment.
“You first,” said Thomas at length, gesturing for her to have a seat. Instead, she adopted her usual pacing stance when she was thinking or disturbed, but remained silent. “It’s about Guido,” said Thomas flatly.
“Yes,” said Tabby.
Thomas’ heart sank. Knowing they had kept up correspondence, and that he hadn’t even known about it… could he really hold out hope at this point? Wasn’t it obvious where this was going?
“I think he has the wrong impression about me. And him,” Tabby said, abruptly turning on her heel to face Thomas.
“What impression do you want him to have?” Thomas asked carefully, not sure what direction she was taking this.
Tabby sighed deeply as she thought. “That he’s a marginal acquaintance as my mom’s business associate.”
“I thought maybe you were friends, at least,” Thomas said, feeling some flicker of hope that she didn’t sound enamored of him.
Tabby snorted. “I don’t think he’s capable of being just friends. It’s like he,” here her voice cracked, “like he owns me.”
“What has he done?” Thomas asked as heartbreak gave way to anger on her behalf.
“It wasn’t so bad at first; I mean, I could excuse it, but now…” Tabby muttered, continuing to be vague. She went back to pacing in front of the desk.
Feeling frustrated, Thomas said, “If he’s making you uncomfortable, you have to do something. What’s been going on?”
“There have been gifts, and at first they didn’t seem that bad, but now it’s like…” Tabby picked up a pen and twirled it in her hoof. “I mean, maybe I’m wrong; maybe it’s just, I dunno, cultural differences.”
“What kind of gifts?” Thomas narrowed his eyes.
“It started with books–like a signed copy of some Sasquatch medical book we had talked about–and I could explain that away.” Finally she stopped her pacing, and flopped down on the couch. “But he sends something every month, and now it’s stuff like jewelry and flowers. This came yesterday.” She pulled out a slim box.
Thomas took the box and opened it, taking a momentary look at the no doubt expensive bauble. Having dabbled in gifting jewelry to his past flirts, many of whom had high standards when it came to accessorizing, he recognized quality. Silently, he handed it back to her.
“Look, I don’t know–I’ve been sending everything back,” Tabby said in a small voice. “I thought he would get the message.”
“Did you tell him to stop?”
“Of course! I don’t want his attention.”
“It seemed like you were maybe a little attracted to him,” Thomas muttered.
“He was intriguing, and I couldn’t figure him out.” Tabby sighed. “But then I did figure him out, and I wasn’t impressed.”
“He’s harassing you. He can’t do that,” Thomas said, sitting next to her. “You need legal counsel.”
At that, Tabby started. “Legal counsel? Against Guido? He has a lot of money, not to mention prestige, at his disposal.”
“That doesn’t mean he can stalk you.”
“No.” Tabby shook her head. “I don’t want it to get out of hoof.”
“Isn’t it already out of hoof?”
“I just want it to stop.”
“Why didn’t you tell me any of this earlier?” Thomas asked in a wave of anguish and frustration.
“Because I thought I could handle it!” Tabby burst out. “Otherwise you would just have an excuse to say I told you so.”
“You have to trust me enough to tell me these things,” he said quietly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–it wasn’t–I thought–” she spluttered.
“No more secrets, okay?” He took her hoof and held it against his chest.
Looking repentant, she nodded. “What did you want to tell me?” she asked in a small voice.
“What? It’s nothing. Erm.” Thomas chastised himself to take his own admonition to not keep things from her. “I thought you were regretting this arrangement. I thought you might like to be… free.”
“Free? From you?” She drew herself up indignantly. “Why would you think that?”
“I rushed you into an engagement that you weren’t comfortable with.”
“That’s not true,” she said.
“Then why can’t we let anyone know?” Thomas gave voice to his frustration.
Tabby looked away. “I’m afraid he’s not going to like it.”
“What does he have to do with any of it?” Thomas snapped, not needing to clarify the identity of the he that she spoke of.
“I don’t trust him.” She rocked back and forth as a tactic for calming her nerves.
“Neither do I,” said Thomas, frowning, “but he doesn’t control our lives.” He gathered her in close and she relaxed in his embrace. They sat like that for a long spell, silent, just enjoying the sensation of being together.
“Let’s do it,” Tabby said, finally breaking the silence. “Let’s tell everyone tonight.”
“I want you to do it because you want to, not just to make me happy,” Thomas said, nuzzling her neck. “Are you absolutely sure?”
“I’ve been sure for a long time now,” she whispered, leaning in to kiss him. She rarely initiated displays of affection, and it felt divine. “I love you.”
But announcements could wait, Thomas mused. Right now was for getting caught up on quality time.
* * *
“I’m so happy for you both! Planning your wedding will take my mind off Vanguard being away!” Strawberry declared, embracing the two unicorns in turn (and hopefully putting Tabby’s fears on that count to rest, Thomas thought). They were at the ice cream shop, and had just shared their news.
“I already knew. I guessed it,” said Elaine, beaming. Belen, at her side, smiled contentedly and held her peace. “I’m going to be his attendant. Isn’t that fun? I’m planning the bachelor party,” she said with obvious pride.
“Though an engagement announcement is typically accompanied by a ring,” said Tamara with an arch look at Thomas.
“We’re working on that,” Thomas said with a warm smile at Tabby.
“You’ll need a princess cut,” said Tamara, turning to face Tabby. “It’s always been what suited me best. Rose gold, remember that, even the prongs. Don’t let them wimp out and give you white gold.”
“It’s my ring!” Tabby protested.
“I’m just telling you, I have a lifetime of experience styling this particular look. You should be grateful to have me to guide you,” Tamara chided.
“Oh my goodness, we’ll need to get on the bridal shower right away!” Strawberry looked panicked, as if this was something that needed to happen yesterday. They hadn’t even shared the date.
“Okay, Strawberry, you get to work on the shower, and I’ll tackle the ceremony and reception,” Tamara said, grabbing a napkin and hastily scribbling down notes.
“Allow me to contribute my expertise for the bachelorette party,” said Athena grandly. “I’m thinking a Shakeshoof production at the Tableau in Hayton.”
That sounded very sensible, Thomas thought, grateful that Athena’s cultured preferences would preclude some of the seedier ideas for such an event.
“Ooh, good idea!” said Tamara, nodding as she wrote. “Then we’ll hit the dive bars after.”
“Precisely,” said Athena matter-of-factly.
So much for keeping things tasteful.
“Who will your bridesmaids be?” Elaine demanded. “And the maid of honor?”
“Me, naturally,” Tamara interjected.
“You can’t just assume that,” said Tabby.
“I’m your sister, your twin sister, of course I’ll be your maid of honor,” Tamara said, looking indignant.
“I already made plans, you know,” Tabby said with a sour look at her sister.
“You? Make plans?” Tamara asked incredulously.
Tabby shot her an impatient look. “It will be a small ceremony at the ruins in the woods. You know the place. We had tea parties there. Tiny will officiate and–”
“Oh, that’s very sweet,” said Tamara patronizingly, “very pastoral, but a bit last century. No, no, here’s my vision. Festoons of roses all through the church, candles, light streaming through the stained glass, the bride makes her entrance–”
Tabby’s brow crinkled.
“Maybe you should let her–” Thomas started to say.
“No, it’s okay,” said Tabby, unexpectedly backing down.
“A release of butterflies–or bubbles? What is more eco-friendly these days? I’ll poll my subscribers.” Tamara got her phone out and typed quickly even while continuing to talk. “The veil color… antique white could work, but I think you would really stand out in ecru.”
“What flowers will be in your bouquet?” asked Sugarberry.
“What if Baby Bobbin were flower filly–no, she’s probably too old for that–maybe a junior bridesmaid. Wouldn’t that be cute!” said Elaine, clapping her hooves with delight.
The mares prattled on, making seemingly limitless plans, until the owner was turning off the lights; and even then, they didn’t get the hint.
“Perhaps we should get going,” said Thomas, gently guiding Tabby to the door.
* * *
“Are you okay with Tamara planning things?” Thomas asked on the walk home. They had taken a turn that took them away from the rest of the crew, who wisely allowed the engaged couple their privacy. Most of that evening’s attention had been focused on Tabby, despite her not being able to get a word in edgewise, and Thomas assumed she would be overwhelmed.
“Yeah… yeah, I think maybe I am,” said Tabby, sounding surprised herself.
Thomas cast her an inquisitive glance. “Why the change of heart?”
“It gives me a sense of, I don’t know, community.” Tabby shrugged. “I didn’t think I wanted that. It’s still exhausting. But it’s kind of nice. Sometimes.” She stopped in her tracks, thinking. “And maybe there’s safety in numbers,” she added softly, almost to herself.
Thomas frowned, wishing she could put that dilemma out of her mind. “You can’t let him continue to have this hold over you.” He turned her head to face him. “We’ve got this. Together.”
Not directly answering, she brightened and asked, “Movie at my place?”
Knowing that meant more time to kiss her, he readily agreed.