Page 33 of Now and Forever

“Well, in that case, I’d rather keep it small.” A thought struck him. “Oh! Do you think Pastor Callum would marry us?”

“I’m sure he could. Are you going to be comfortable with a religious service? I don’t have a problem with that if it’s something you decide on.”

Seth chewed on his pen as he considered Daddy’s question. To him, a wedding automatically meant that a pastor or other religious official would be doing the ceremony. Yet, he was no longer surewhathe believed in. He hadn’t completely lost his faith, but felt he needed more time before he came to a conclusion on where he stood with God.

The one thing he knew for sure was he believed in love.

“Do you think your parents would mind if we hired a judge? Can you do that?”

“I’m sure you can, sweetheart. And I wasn’t raised in a religious family, so they won’t mind at all.”

“Okay, I’ll add it to the list then.” Seth scribbled down their first decision, hating the way his writing looked. He’d type what they came up with on the computer later, then email the document to Debbie. Seth idly tapped his pen on the paper. “I know we talked about next spring for the ceremony, but let’s pick a date.”

Daddy grinned. “Look at you, taking charge.” He trailed his fingers along Seth’s thigh.

Seth’s face heated. “Daddy…” He recognized Daddy’s ‘getting frisky’ signal. “Maybe we could decide the most important things first, so I at least havesomethingto send your mom.”

Daddy held up the hand he’d been tormenting Seth’s leg with. “Sorry. I’ll behave.” He waggled his eyebrows. “For now.” He finished off his drink then set down the glass. “Plus, I have something else I want to discuss.”

Seth straightened. “Oh? What is it?”

He waved his hand in the general direction of the pad. “It can wait until we finish this.”

Seth captured his bottom lip between his teeth to keep from demanding to know what it wasright now. “Uh, sure.”

Everything related to weddings flew out of his head as he tried to banish the mystery discussion from his mind. After a few silent moments, Daddy started laughing.

“Okay, change of plans. Let’s have my discussion first, then we’ll go back to the wedding list. Does that work?”

Seth grinned. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“No problem.” He smiled as he laced their fingers together and rested them on his thigh. “So, I’m curious. What do you think of this house?”

Seth blinked several times then inclined his head. “I love this house.”

“But does it feel as if it’s your house? That it belongs to you as much as it does to me?”

Seth lowered his head as he pondered. Did he? Even though Daddy had made it clear that this was Seth’s house too, that didn’t change the fact that Daddy had picked out and paid for the home.

“I guess I don’t? But, that’s okay. It doesn’t bother me.”

Daddy nodded slowly. “Maybe it’s more of my problem then.”

“You don’t like it here anymore?”

Daddy’s head fell back on the sofa cushion as he gazed up at the ceiling. “I like Eugene and it’s not too far from the vineyard. And the actual house is great.” He regarded Seth with a smile. “Plus, I have amazing memories of our beginnings here.” Daddy sighed. “I’m overthinking things.”

“Overthinking what? You brought it up for a reason. You know, you can tell me everything too, Daddy.”

Daddy squeezed their joined hands. “You’re right, baby. All right, this is actually something I’d considered even before I asked you to marry me. When I chose this house, this town, it was more about escaping an old life as opposed to starting a new one. Does that make sense?”

Daddy’s words were like a gut punch. “That does make sense. Alotof sense.” Seth puffed out a breath. “I guess if I look at it like that…” He lifted his gaze. “Are you considering getting a new house?”

He cradled Seth’s hands with both of his. “I’m consideringusgetting a new house.”

“Oh. Wow.”

The idea gave him a thrill. He’d be happy with Daddy even if they stayed where they were forever, but the thought of them picking out their very own place together was too exciting.

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