Page 102 of High Density

It’s been a natural progression, nothing forced, nobody asked or announced, we’ve just let things happen organically. It feels right.

Of course, most evenings we end up doing at least some work on the house. Mostly together, but we’ve had Jackson here a few times, lending a hand. JD has shown me how to tile, and I’ve been working on the bathroom floor for days. It’s slow progress, but I’m being very careful, I don’t want to mess it up. It’s not like we’re in a hurry.

When I walk in, Ginger beelines it to the kitchen, where JD looks to be busy doing something.

“What are you doing?” I ask, after pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Making us a picnic. It’s a beautiful day and it’ll be a nice sunset. I thought we’d grab a couple of beers, sit by the creek behind my trailer.”

“I’d like that.”

Half an hour later, we’re sitting in folding chairs at the edge of the creek. I have a cold beer in hand and am watching the little red-and-white ball on JD’s fishing line bob on the water. The sun is already sliding behind the mountains, leaving a warm, golden glow over everything it touches.

“I talked to my parents.”

JD turns his head. “Yeah?”

“I told them about you.”

He covers my hand on the armrest with his own, slipping his fingers between mine.

“I may have told them I want them to meet you.”

“Yeah?” he says again.

I suddenly feel a bit awkward and start backpedaling. “I mean, you don’t have to. I?—”

“Would love to meet them. Let me know when you wanna drive up.”

I lean my head back. “Okay.”

It’s that easy.

“Exciting day,” he states a few moments later.

“It sure was. That little guy was welcomed with such love, so much joy,” I observe.

“Hmm. Dan’s a lucky bastard.”

I glance over at him. “They sure have a beautiful family.”

His eyes meet mine.

“Do you ever think about it? Making a family? Having kids?”

“I used to,” I share openly. “For the longest time it was something I reserved for later. But life got busy, and to be honest, I never really met anyone I could envision having a family with. I’d almost gotten resigned to the fact a family was probably not in the cards for me. Realizing the window to have children was closing for me was painful, so I tried not to think about it that much anymore. At least I didn’t until…”

“Until recently,” he finishes for me, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I’m not that different. I think I always wanted a family, but it was more a wish for the future.”

“Right,” I agree.

He picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles, whispering with his lips against my skin.

“I think my future caught up with me.”

Chapter Thirty-One

JD

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