Page 75 of Exhale
Even though they had a rough start, Weston had taken to Owen much more quickly than Elliott and hung on his daddy’s every word. Elliott was more pensive and way less talkative than Weston, but Owen did his best to split his time between the two.
Jordan closed the door and placed Elliott on his feet.
“Of course you can sleep with me, but your daddy and I are going to take you guys shopping to get stuff for your new rooms.”
Not only furniture for the bedrooms, but both boys needed everything from the ground up, plus haircuts and doctors’ checkups.
“No more bunkbeds!” Weston whooped.
“Not unless you want them,” Owen said.
“No way! I always had to sleep on the top.”
Elliott giggled. “He hates coming down to go pee.”
They all laughed.
Both boys decided to share a room and were bathed and curled up together in the queen-size spare bed. The lamp had been left on and the door open so they could hear the television from the living room. They were both little troopers, and even though they hadn’t ever met Owen, Jordan could see similar mannerisms.
They hadn’t shared with the boys about Ginny’s death, but Owen planned to talk to them after he read up on how or what to tell a child about a parent’s death. Jordan was sure there were a lot of references out there.
If not, he was sure that Dave knew a psychologist who could help.
It was much later when Jordan brought up the earlier phone call between Owen and Ace.
“Ace gave you as much time as you need?” Jordan asked as they cleaned up the kitchen after dinner.
“Yeah, I may take a few months off,” Owen told him.
“So…” Jordan hedged, unsure of how to ask, but he wanted to take the time with Owen and the boys.
“You’ve got to go back?” Owen turned to him, wiping his soapy hands on the dish towel.
“Getting to know your boys would be easier if others weren’t around,” Jordan murmured, staring at the soap dripping off the pan in his hand.
Owen reached over and plucked the pan from his hand and dumped it into the water before turning him to face him.
Jordan blinked his eyes to avoid the sting. He didn’t want to embarrass himself.
“Hey…” Owen tipped his chin up with calloused fingers. “I need you here. I want you here. But I also know you love your job.”
“I do love my job, but…” It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Owen he loved him more, but he wasn’t sure they were there yet.
Owen’s next words surprised the hell out of him, and all he could do was stare, eyes wide. He probably looked in shock because he was.
“You have to know that I’ve fallen in love with you.” Owen exhaled deeply and kissed his lips. “If we get married, then you can live here and see the boys after work.”
Jordan stood mute, too afraid to move, just in case he was dreaming.
Owen smiled and kissed him again, and then grew unsure. “How does that sound…or did I move too fast?”
The big, muscled man stepped away, looking out the window.
“No!”
Jordan announced and launched forward to pull Owen around. He cupped his hands on Owen’s rough cheeks and pulled his head down for another kiss.
When they broke apart, they were both breathless.
