Tessa and Robbie. This has been a story I have been thinking about for a long time. There are two characters in the series I have always felt I kind of neglected. Josie is one, but she has a big arc coming up, and Tessa.
If I was being honest, I know the reason why. Of all the characters I have written, the ones who are closest to me in terms of personality are Tessa and Ian. I write Tessa like I feel a lot of the time. She is a unique character in that I don’t really do that with any of the others.
Growing up, I was connected to my mother’s hip. I had such separation anxiety that it was hard for her to go or do anything without me hanging around. I still apologize to her for that and I think my cute little dog is payback. I can’t step anywhere in the house without him following.
Tessa has always had a special bond with Stephanie. I think the moment when they were trapped in the blizzard outside and almost died cemented that connection. Tessa adores her dad, but there is just something different about how she relates to her mom.
Some of the most difficult scenes I ever wrote came in “His Heart” when Tessa was really struggling with things. She and Jack had been more distant and I needed to show that struggle. Sometimes, even though we love them the best we can, our children go through things that can’t be loved away. Tessa was growing and changing and she used Jack as her anger point.
It didn’t come out of nowhere, but Tessa’s reaction to her father was a tipping point to a bigger issue with her self esteem. This was one of my favorite (heart-aching) scenes.
“Tessa wasn’t home when Bee got there. She left her a message that she was going somewhere to think and would come home with one of us later.”
“So she must be here somewhere, right?”
“Probably.”
Stephanie nodded.
“Let’s check the roof.”
Jack followed her and they rode the elevator in silence.
They walked around the roof and Stephanie froze when she saw her. Tessa was sitting on the ledge where Stephanie stood so long ago.
Jack raced over to his daughter.
“Tess? Sweetie what are you doing?”
Tessa turned and looked at them, her tears covering her face along with the surprise at seeing them.
“Mommy? Daddy? What are you doing up here?”
“Can you come down here please?” Stephanie asked.
Tessa jumped down and looked at them.
“What’s wrong? I was just thinking. Did I do something wrong? I told Bee I was here.”
Stephanie held her and shook her head.
“You should never go on the ledge, Tessie. Please don’t ever go on the ledge again.”
Jack was unnerved to say the least, seeing Tessa there, in the same spot he found Stephanie when they first met.
“There is a rail there, mom. I was safe,” Tessa said, confused by their reaction.
“Why were you up there? Why didn’t you come to find one of us?” Jack asked.
“You were both busy with Uncle Tommy. I was worried about everything so I came up here to think,” she said and refused to look at Jack.
Stephanie smoothed her daughter’s hair back.
“What are you worried about?”
She started to cry and Stephanie hugged her.
“Tessa, talk to us, please,” Jack said.
“You were mean to Aunt Brittany and I don’t understand why. I went to see you and talk to you and I saw you yelling and she was sick and I don’t understand that. You said things that made everything worse and I don’t think I want to talk to you anymore,” she said and buried her head in Stephanie’s shoulder.
Jack felt sick about this. He looked at Stephanie who mirrored his anguish.
“Tessa, daddy is only human and he was scared for Uncle Tommy. I think it’s important that you understand that.”
“But I get sick a lot, too. I don’t want daddy to yell at me if I don’t feel well.”
Jack wanted to cry.
“I would never yell at you for feeling badly, Tessie. Please look at me. Did you go on the ledge because I made you sad?”
“I want to go home,” she cried.
“Tess? Can we talk for a minute? Please?” Jack asked her.
“No. I want to go home. My tummy is upset and I don’t want to have an accident. I want to go home,” she cried.
Stephanie nodded and stood up with her.
“Okay. We’ll take you home.”
Jack went to her when Tessa moved away and held Stephanie’s hand.
“Let’s just go home,” Stephanie said to him, knowing how this killed him. “We can talk more there.”
Jack sighed and followed them out.
What had he done?
One of the best parts about writing a sequel is that I have the entire childhood of the characters to pull from. We saw Tessa’s birth and how she grew up. Seeing her now, as an adult, is bringing her life full circle. I love that. I love being able to write a ‘whole’ person, and watch them grow.
The major tipping point came for Tessa when she ran away. I have written many of the kids having problems or struggles growing up, but Tessa has been the only one who became depressed and truly cried out for help. She ran away looking for answers and found herself in a terrifying situation. It’s when much of her world changed.
Dear mom, dad and Sabrina,
I’m sorry I have always caused so many problems. I’ve been thinking a lot about this and I think it’s time for me to find someone who will help me be the person I know I can be.
I know I’m not smart and pretty like Bee or special to you guys like Naomi is to Uncle Tommy and Aunt Brittany. I’m not brave like Josie or strong like David. I don’t have a connection to anyone like Sara and Eden have to each other and I know you always wanted to have a son, but were stuck with me.
I am confused about a lot of things, but I think if I can figure out how to be a better daughter, maybe some of the other things will be better. I am only 12, but I know how to take care of myself. I took extra medicine so I will be okay. I packed clothes and some food so you don’t need to worry.
Pease don’t try to find me. I will come back if I can be the daughter and sister you deserve. Uncle Tommy ran away and that’s how he met daddy, so maybe I’ll find a family to help me, too.
Tess.
Having one of the worst villains I’ve ever written find her was a nasty thing to do, I know, but it was necessary for certain plots to unfold. Jack was shot (again, I know). Tessa was seriously injured and Mike was able to finally get some closure. It opened up a lot of issues for a lot of characters, and caused Tessa to have the first visible issue of her Crohns.
Giving Tessa a colostomy bag was a gamble. It’s hard enough being a 14 year old girl, but having self esteem issues already and then introducing a stoma was harsh. Like all of my characters, each and every issue they go through is for a purpose. It’s never a quick fix.
Going through challenges is what makes us who we are. I have always seen Tessa as a strong and capable young woman. She struggled, but she grew. Her relationship with her parents is strong and her love for her sister and now younger siblings is absolute.
Finding someone for Tessa took me a little while. It’s not that every kid had to have a relationship, but I did have something in mind. As with most characters, I create them far earlier than they show up in the series.
Enter Robert Franklin.
Whenever I introduce a new character, most of my readers assume they are evil or will bring something bad to the story. That’s my fault- it’s usually a correct assumption. Every good (not evil) significant other I have introduced has been connected in some way to the canvas. Jimmy’s connection was well established. Desi’s family is ingrained through both Tommy and Bill. Bryan is connected to Evan and to Jason and Amber.
But Robbie was an enigma.
He first showed up in book 26 “One More Miracle” when Tessa was invited to the dance.
Tessa ran down the stairs and her face was full of excitement.
“I got asked to the dance! Can I go?”
“Wait, what?” Jack asked her. “Who asked you?”
Sabrina hugged her sister.
“That’s so awesome! Was it Robbie?”
“Yeah. Look at what he texted,” Tessa squealed and showed her the phone.
“Oh my gosh, that’s so sweet,” Bee said and looked at the phone.
“Wait, wait, stop,” Jack said. “Who is this ‘Robbie’ and why have we never met him or heard of him before? What is going on? Who asks someone out over a text?”
Stephanie raised her eyebrows at the pitch in his voice and he crossed his arms.
“Tessie, sit and tell us about this boy please,” Stephanie said.
Tessa sat down and Biscuit crawled onto her lap.
“He’s a sophomore like me and he’s so handsome. He has brown hair and the most amazing eyes and his voice is low and romantic.”
Jack felt sick.
“That’s not what your mother meant.”
Stephanie laughed.
“I think what your dad means is where did you meet him and why haven’t we heard of him before now.”
“He worked on the fall play with me and Josie. He was so sweet when I was sick and emailed me most of my assignments. I never thought he looked at me as anything but a friend because I’m such a mess, but he said he was too shy and he was trying to get the courage to ask me out.”
“You aren’t a mess,” Stephanie said.
“Yeah, Tess. You’re amazing. We should go shopping for a dress and I can do your hair,” Bee said.
“Wait!” Jack said. “We need to meet him.”
“He wants to take me to dinner tonight. Can I go? You can meet him then,” Tessa said and looked at Jack with big green eyes.
“What’s his last name? Who are his parents?” Jack asked.
“His last name is Fredrick and he lives with his mom. His parents are divorced and his dad lives in Indiana. His mom works at the elementary school in the office.”
“If we can meet him tonight, than I’m sure you can go,” Stephanie said.
“Thank you!” Tessa beamed.
Robbie was still suspect. We didn’t know much about him and Tessa was finally getting her self esteem back a little. We were all a little worried about who this ‘Robbie’ was. None more so than Jack.
He walked to the door and opened it to a young man who he immediately disliked.
“Hi Sir, um Dr., I’m Robert here for Tessa. Can I come in?”
Jack opened the door and Robbie came in.
“I thought you went by Robbie?” Jack said as he walked into the family room.
“Oh, um, I do, but only to people who really know me.”
Tommy flashed in his mind and he smiled.
“Yeah, my best friend says the same thing.”
Robbie stood and waited.
“Should I take my shoes off?”
“Why?” Jack asked.
“Because it’s the polite thing to ask,” Stephanie said as she walked in, rolling her eyes at her husband. “But no, you don’t have to,” she smiled at Robbie as she went to grab some water. “Tessa will be right down.”
“Okay, good.”
“So, Robert. Sit down,” Jack said as he sat.
“Should I move these?” Robert asked.
“Move what?”
“Um, these pictures, I think?” he asked as he looked at the grotesque images.
Stephanie walked in and looked at the couch.
“Jack, seriously?” she laughed as she picked the images up.
“What? I was doing research.”
“Is that right?” Stephanie looked apologetically at the young boy. “My husband is a heart surgeon and these are images of a procedure he’s working on.”
“Oh,” Robbie said. “That’s really cool.”
“Wait, it is?” Jack asked as he stood up.
“Yeah. I did an internship at Cleveland Clinic when my Uncle was working there. He’s with Doctors without Borders now. I got to watch a lot of really cool surgeries.”
Stephanie sat down and watched as her husband’s arrogance lessened with the adoration of the young man.
“Do you want to go into medicine?” Stephanie asked as she motioned for him to sit.
Robbie sat down and Jack sat next to Stephanie.
“I think in some way. I really like neurology, especially when people have serious problems,” his eyes opened wide as he realized his words. “I mean I don’t like it or anything. I know that’s terrible.”
Even Jack had to smile.
“We know what you mean.”
“Well I just think more has to be done to help people, that’s all.”
“You sound like you’re talking from experience,” Stephanie said.
Running his hair through his wavy brown hair, Robbie shrugged.
“Maybe a little.”
“What are you guys doing?” Tessa asked as she walked in. “He’s not a suspect or anything.”
“Not yet he isn’t,” Jack muttered.
“Tess, you look beautiful,” Robbie stood up and blushed.
Jack stood up and Stephanie poked him to help her get up and then she held onto his arm.
“Thank you,” Tessa smiled. “Should we go?”
“How are you getting there?” Jack asked. “You don’t have an Uber or anything, do you?”
Stephanie pinched his hand to tell him to back off.
“No Sir. My mom is waiting in the car. She knew you would want to meet me.”
“Oh, she should have come in,” Stephanie said.
“Mom,” Tessa said in dramatic fashion. “His mom isn’t going to come in. Can we please go?”
“You will have her back right after dinner and you will treat her with respect, right?” Jack walked over and towered over him.
“Yes Sir. Of course. I live with my mom, so I always respect women.”
“Have fun,” Stephanie said and waved out the door to Robbie’s mom.
Robbie was seen sporadically after that. Tessa was infatuated and we liked him, but there was something missing from his story. Something we needed to know about him. I decided to show more of Robbie’s story toward the end of the series. Especially when it came to Tessa misjudging his reactions.
We finally learned a little more about Robbie’s story in book 27 “No Choice”.
“I can’t believe you came by,” Tessa said as she sat down at the kitchen table with Robbie.
He was still worried because she looked so pale.
“I didn’t know what happened. I thought you could talk to me, Tess. I thought we were getting closer. You really scared me.”
She saw the concern in his face and her heart raced.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Can you tell me what’s wrong?”
She looked at her hands and felt her tears fall.
“I have some health problems. Maybe it would be best if you left.”
“Or maybe it would be best if you told me what you’re afraid to say,” he said.
“I don’t want you to be grossed out by me. I’d rather just be alone.”
“Oh, well I think that’s pretty sad. I’m your friend and I was hoping we might be more. Maybe I’m too stupid to think that. Maybe you’re right and I should leave.”
He stood up and she took a chance.
“I have Crohn’s disease. I have a lot of stomach problems and I have to use the bathroom all the time. It keeps getting worse and I need to go to Boston to see a specialist.”
“That’s it? That’s what you’re so freaked out about?” he asked as he sat back down.
“Don’t make fun of me. I’ve had a bunch of surgeries and I had to wear a bag outside my body to use the bathroom. It’s not so simple,” she said angrily.
“No, it isn’t,” he answered angrily. “But you are treating me like a jerk. You think you know everything about everyone? You think you’ll know how I would react? You don’t know anything.”
She was surprised by his outburst.
“Robbie, I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
He was quiet and she reached to touch his hand.
“What’s going on?”
“I have Epilepsy. I have seizures a lot and they have happened at school before. I thought you were someone who I could confide in and who wouldn’t judge me, but now I see that was wrong.”
“Why would you think that? I don’t care that you have Epilepsy. I mean I care because you’re important to me, but it wouldn’t make me like you any less. That’s ridiculous.”
“You thought the same about me.”
“No I didn’t,” she began and then looked at her hands. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
They were both quiet and then he reached to take her hand.
“I’m sorry you thought I would judge you. I hope I didn’t do anything to make you think that way.”
“You didn’t,” she said through her tears. “It’s just that I have a lot to handle and I don’t think this makes me very attractive. I mean, poop is gross.”
He smiled and she did the same.
“Does it just fall out as you’re walking?”
She rolled her eyes as he smiled.
“No.”
“Well then I think we can handle it.”
“Really? You aren’t grossed out?”
“By you? Never.”
“I’m sorry you have had so much to deal with, too. I can imagine it has to be scary to have seizures.”
“I have a dog at home who helps me. He can sense when a seizure is coming. It’s pretty cool.”
“Really? I’d love to meet him. What’s his name?”
“Pickles,” he said and they laughed.
They both stared at each other until Tessa looked away.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just feel so much better.”
He grinned.
“Me too.”
Meant to Be is about a lot. It heavily features Sabrina and Jimmy and Desi and David, but it’s also a starting point for an adult relationship between Robbie and Tessa. I love writing them as the people they have become. Robbie wants to be a doctor and Tessa wants to be a vet. They both have so many opportunities in front of them, but they are also dealing with significant health issues.
The following is a scene from Meant to Be. It introduces a side of Robbie we haven’t seen before.
Tessa waited by baggage claim for Robbie to arrive. He had to pack the last of his things and he was going to spend some time with his dad, and she knew that was going to be stressful. She also couldn’t wait to see him.
His dad was a high-powered sports lawyer and was away most of his life and although he says he understood things, Tess knew it bothered Robbie that his dad didn’t take more of an interest in him. Not really being into sports made their connection even harder and after Robbie’s diagnosis, his dad moved to Indiana and visits were scarce.
Tessa couldn’t imagine that. Her parents were always so involved in her life and they were incredibly successful and busy. She knew it was a matter of priorities, and Robbie wasn’t one to his dad. He went to undergrad at Purdue as a way to reconnect with his dad and in turn, his dad spent more time travelling than being home. Tessa believed that was why his mom was so overprotective. That and his health issues.
Tessa worried about him and she knew he acted like it was nothing serious, but the unexpected nature of his disease weighed heavily on him. She also knew his father’s reaction to it confirmed some of his fears.
She hated that. He was simply the best man and he worked so hard for everything he achieved. His father was a jerk for not seeing that.
She would make sure he always knew his worth.
Her phone rang and she smiled at his number.
“Are you on the ground?”
“Is this Tessa Stephens?”
Her heart raced.
“Yes, who is this?”
“We need you to come to the first aid area outside security.”
“What happened? Is Robbie okay? Can I speak with him?”
“He is okay, but he can’t talk now. The medics are with him and he’s being a bit difficult.”
“I’m on my way,” she said and raced to the escalators. She made her way through the crowds and found the first aid area.
“Excuse me, I received a call that my boyfriend was here. He just arrived on flight 546 from Indianapolis. His name is Robert Franklin.”
The attendant nodded and made a call.
“Right this way.”
Tess followed into a room and saw Robbie sitting up on a gurney.
“What happened? Are you okay?” she raced to him and held his face in her hands.
“I’m fine,” he sighed. “I told them I could walk and they refused. I told them not to bother you.”
“What happened?”
“I had a seizure right when I got off the plane,” he said angrily. “I don’t understand what happened. I am never going to get my independence back!”
She touched his cheek which as bruised.
“Did you hit your head?”
“Just my face,” he sighed. “I’m okay. I’d really like to go home. Can you tell them you’ll take me?”
“Of course,” she walked to the attendant.
“What do I need to do so we can leave?”
“He should go to the hospital,” the woman said. “We don’t know what happened.”
“Didn’t you look at his medical bracelet? He is epileptic, so this is not unexpected. I’ll make sure he is okay. Thank you.”
“He needs to sign this saying we advised him to go to the hospital.”
Tessa took the papers to him and he signed. She just wanted to get him home.
“Can you walk? Do you want me to get a wheelchair?”
“I can walk. I just need your arm.”
She helped him up and he stood for a minute.
“I’m good,” he said.
She put his arm around her and they made their way out.
“Let me take you to the car and I’ll get your bags.”
“No, I can go with you. I just need to get my stuff and go relax.”
“Okay,” she said, not wanting to argue. She knew how upset he was.
They got the bags and made their way to the car, Robbie fairly quiet. She drove them back to her apartment and he followed her inside.
“Why don’t you go lie down and I’ll bring you some juice.”
He nodded and went into the bedroom.
Tessa felt terrible at how upset he seemed. She grabbed some juice and his bag of meds and went to the bedroom.
He sat there with his shirt off and was taking his shoes and pants off.
“Here, take a drink and take your meds, okay?”
He took what she gave him and she sat down next to him.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “This is not what I thought my homecoming would be like. Hell, this isn’t what I thought my life would be like. Maybe you should run. Maybe this is the final sign, you know? I will never be free of this. We haven’t actually signed the lease yet, so you can still find a place on your own.”
“You’re probably right. I’ll call and tell them we’ve changed our minds.”
“Tess,” he began.
“Isn’t that what you want? Maybe this is your excuse because of all of the issues I bring to the relationship. Maybe you want to play the martyr and make this about you when it’s really about me. It’s cool. I’ll be fine.”
She walked out of the bedroom and he picked up his shoe and threw it across the room.
“Are you okay? Did you fall?” she ran back into the room.
“No,” he smiled. “I threw my shoe.”
“Oh, well then carry on,” she said and left.
“Come back here, please.”
She walked to the doorway and leaned against the frame.
“What.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For telling the truth?”
“Do you honestly think I want to be without you?”
She shrugged.
“You don’t trust me to be here through it all. You have seizures. I have poop issues. You’re always handsome, I’m gross.”
“It’s not that simplistic and you’re never gross,” he stood up and walked to her. “Except when you put ketchup on spaghetti noodles instead of sauce.”
She crossed her arms, her stance betraying her softening demeanor.
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
He shook his head as he held her shoulders.
“I’m never doing that. But I love you. I want to be with you and I want to start our life together, but you have to look at me with your eyes wide open.”
She watched as he turned to go back and sit down. She knew what having a seizure did to him, physically.
“I see you. What am I missing? Show me,” she sat down next to him.
He looked at his hands.
“My dad told me not to start med school.”
“What? Why would he say that? What did you tell him?”
“I can’t be a surgeon if I can’t control my seizures. I can’t be in a position where my health could play a role in hurting someone else. From his perspective, I’m a liability case waiting to happen. I think he might be right.”
“Okay, step back a bit here,” she said angrily. “Your dad doesn’t know anything about you. He hasn’t bothered to see all you’ve accomplished and how you have worked your whole life to graduate top of your class and get into the school of your choice. He doesn’t know your heart and your will and he certainly has no right to tell you what you can or can’t do.”
Robbie smiled at her passion.
“He’s not wrong. I have limitations and I need to be smart about choosing a career path.”
“You can be a doctor and be epileptic.”
“Maybe, but it will make everything harder. I will need to figure out a specialty which won’t make me a hindrance.”
“When have we ever done anything the easy way?” she smiled. “And you have always said your passion was oncology. You don’t need to be a surgeon to work with patients. Please don’t let your father’s voice be the one you hear. Please don’t. I know you have concerns, and we can figure it all out together. Don’t ever let anyone talk you out of your dreams. Besides, I have a billion doctor’s in my family. Maybe you ask one of them for advice? It doesn’t have to be my dad.”
He nodded and was quiet. “Your dad’s amazing. My sucks.”
She rubbed his back and they were both lost in thought.
“This happened out of the blue. It really scared me.”
Tessa stroked his cheek as his tear fell.
“I know that. I’m so sorry.”
She hugged him and he held tightly before he stopped.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“No,” she pressed her mouth against him and he returned her passion.
“I want to live with you. I want to be a doctor. I want the life we planned.”
“Then let’s start making it happen.”
He smiled and then his eyes were wide.
“Did you talk to your parents?”
“I did. We are all good to go.”
“Really? It was that easy?”
“Yes and no. My dad said if you hurt me, he’ll kill you.”
Robbie smiled.
“I would expect nothing less.”
“You should rest. I’ll make dinner and then we can finish packing.”
He nodded and went to finish getting changed.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Calling me out on my crap. Loving me. Being an all-around amazing woman.”
She walked over as he lay down.
“That’s my job,” she smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
She watched him close his eyes and she stood for a minute before walking out.
I can’t wait to share more of Robbie and Tessa’s story with you. Meant to Be will be out August 19. Preorder your copy today!
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What are you looking forward to the most? What questions do you have? Leave me your comments and I’ll respond asap 🙂
