Page 34 of Until Forever

“Mommmm.”

“Yes, baby?”

“I’m starving here, when are they coming?” he asks without looking up from his paper.

“Then let’s eat,” Jasper says with a grin.

JJ snaps his head up to see who’s talking, his eyes growing wide almost immediately. “Mr. Jasper.” He jumps up and hugs him. “What are you doing here?”

Jasper melts while tentatively letting his hand hover over JJ’s back before finally returning his embrace. “Your mom invited me to have pizza with you.”

“Really?” JJ peers up at me, and I nod.

“Cool. Okay, I’m going to eat now.” He takes off, not giving either of us a chance to respond.

“You weren’t lying about him loving pizza,” Jasper teases.

I stand and adjust my clothing. “Not at all.”

We head toward the buffet, watching as JJ loads his plate with pepperoni, sausage, and mac and cheese pizza. Jasper and I stare at each other, both of us shrugging. At least I’m not judging JJ’s food choices alone.

He beats us to the table, already into his second slice by the time we sit down. JJ scoots over, instructing Jasper to take the space beside him. I can see how much it means to Jasper, and for whatever reason, it brings a smile to my face. I know how he feels, the same emotions of joy flow through me every time I lay eyes on my kid. He’s a part of me, and even though Jasper is just meeting him, he feels it, too. A child’s love brings out the best in people.

“Mr. Jasper, I’m really glad you came to eat pizza with us. Mommy didn’t tell me, though, she kept it a surprise.”

Jas glances at me. “Yeah? She’s good with surprises.”

“She’s the best. But I don’t really like them,” JJ admits.

“Same, buddy. Surprises are wack,” Jas says, his words directed at me.

For the next few minutes we eat and converse, the two of them sharing details about themselves with one another. I’m not surprised that they seem to have a lot in common, he is his father’s son after all. But as JJ finishes up his second plate of pizza, my throat constricts.

We’ve stalled as long as possible, but now we tell JJ the truth.

“Can I get ice cream?” JJ asks and pushes his plate aside.

“In a minute, baby. We need to talk to you about something.”

He stares at me, then Jasper, and settles in his seat. I suck air into my lungs, unable to stop the sudden wave of anxiety that hits me. When I glance at Jasper, he nods, silently encouraging me.

“Do you remember when you asked me the other night who your father was?” I ask weakly, my fingers trembling, but I hide them under the table.

JJ nods and reaches for his drink to sip from the straw. I try to form the words, but they lodge themselves in my throat. Jasper turns so that he’s facing JJ, still cheering me on with his eyes.

Following my son’s lead, I swallow a gulp of soda, hoping it’ll help me some. It doesn’t, but I’m not sure anything will. The best thing to do is rip off the Band-Aid so we can all move forward.

“Well.” I sigh. “Jasper is your dad.”

JJ freezes, his spine straight and mouth agape. He darts his gaze between the two of us, and I start to panic. I knew this would be too much. But as soon as I stand to comfort him, he jumps Jasper, throwing his arms around his neck, holding on for dear life.

“You’re finally here,” JJ beams while Jasper hugs him just as tight. “I’m so happy.”

Jasper stares at me, tears brimming in his eyes. “I’m happy, too, buddy. I’m sorry it took me so long.”

CHAPTER NINE

JASPER

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