Page 52 of Until Forever

Talking comes from toward the front of the house, and I immediately recognize JJ’s chuckle, but the deep voice that follows sets me aback. Flashes of last night play in my head, and I snap my gaze to the right where I realize the bed is empty.

Jasper. Shit. Shit. Shit.

We were not supposed to fall asleep, then I remember our conversation after he made love to me.

“Oh god.”

I slept with Jasper. I slept with my son’s long-lost father and am pretty sure I agreed to let him move in here. Peeling the covers back, I slide my feet into my slippers, grab my robe, and wrap it around myself. The hall is bright, the light shining in from the window above the front door blinding me. The two are giggling about something, and then Jasper shushes him.

“Shh. We don’t want to wake Mommy,” Jasper whispers.

Approaching the end of the hall, I quietly watch them from the threshold. Jasper’s in front of the stove, whisking something in the frying pan. JJ is up on his step stool, removing three plates from the cabinet.

“Okay, buddy, put the plates on the table, then get the orange juice out the fridge,” Jasper says over his shoulder.

JJ clutches the plates to his chest and hops down. “On it.” He rushes to the table, sits the plates down, and speed-walks to the fridge. “I can’t believe Mommy is still asleep.”

“Oh, yeah. You guys don’t sleep in on the weekends?” Jasper twists to look at JJ.

“No. She always says stuff about birds getting the worms, but I think it’s because she has to do everything.”

“What do you mean?” Jasper asks, and my brows knit together.

JJ pours juice into the cups. “She does everything, and we do a lot of stuff in a day. I’m glad she’s stayed asleep.” He nods and replaces the cap on the jug.

A mixture of emotions hit me, and I hug myself, completely shocked by the things my seven-year-old just said. I do do a lot, and with no regret, because it means we’re living our lives. I just didn’t realize my kid was paying attention and I’m certainly not prepared to accept how mature he is to even understand that.

As I step into the kitchen, JJ notices me while closing the fridge after he returns the orange juice.

“Mommy, you’re awake.” He replaces the juice and turns to me.

I smile and open my arms, pulling him against my belly to hold him tight. His curls tickle my nose when I kiss the top of his head.

Jasper glances over his shoulder at me. “Hey.” He grins. “Did we wake you?”

“Good morning, and no, you didn’t.”

“Good. We were going to surprise you,” Jas admits with a shrug.

“Yeah, Mommy. We’re making you breakfast.”

For the first time since entering the room, I cast my gaze around the kitchen, noting the spread. Pancakes, bacon, grits, and Jasper carrying a pan of piping-hot eggs.

“Wow,” I say and look between them. “This is really nice of you both. Thank you.” I ruffle JJ’s hair and step closer to the table, patiently waiting for JJ to hold the chair out for me.

He places a plate in front of me then rushes to remove eating utensils from the drawer. Jasper is standing on my left, and before I can say anything, scoops a helping of eggs onto my plate.

“I hope you still like cheese in your eggs,” he says, then puts a serving on dishes for him and JJ.

“If you think I’ll ever grow out of loving cheese eggs, then you don’t know me very well,” I joke.

Jasper snickers and returns the pan to the stove then takes the seat at the head of the table at the same time as JJ plops himself between us.

“Did you do all this?” I ask.

JJ snatches two strips of bacon and two pancakes, slapping them on his plate. “No, I can’t reach the stove, Mommy. But I helped.” He pours syrup over his food, including the eggs.

“No grits, buddy?” Jasper asks.

---