Page 33 of Love Under Construction

“I won’t push you away again. I’ve done a lot of work in therapy for the last few months. I can honestly say, I’m different than I was before. I’m stronger, smarter, and more self-aware. I can’t tell you it will always be perfect, but I do vow to try. And, I’d like you to come to a few sessions with me. You know, if you’re still willing to give this thing between us a try.”

“I want to say yes. I want to toss you over my shoulder, carry you upstairs and have my wicked way with you.”

“Then do it,” I toss him a saucy wink.

He smiles but doesn’t move. “It’s not that simple. I want to do this over. Do things the right way,” Jameson pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “You say you’ve changed. Let me get to know the new Liv. Forget the past and start over. There’s so much history between us, and I don’t know that we can go forward without wiping the slate clean. We’ve got a lot to work on, and there’s going to be some long distances in our near future. We’ll have no choice but to take it slow.”

“Well, Jameson Phoenix, are you trying to ask me out on a date? After we just met.” It’s lame, I know it, but if he wants a fresh start, I’ll do it for him.

A full on smirk takes over his face, and he fights back a laugh. “That depends. Are you free tomorrow night? I’d like to take you to dinner.”

Epilogue

Jameson

Three Years Later…

“Jay.” My gorgeous wife steps out of the bathroom with a towel on her head and one of my old t-shirts on.

“Hm?”

“How do you feel about building another place like The Mason Center?”

“Here? In New York, or somewhere else?”

We tied the knot last spring, on the beach in Hawaii. Since then we’ve been tossing around the idea of starting a family and maybe giving up the city life. Liv has spent the last twelve months weaning off of her anxiety meds working hard in therapy to manage her anxiety when it arises. She’s had her moments, but I’ve never been more proud of the woman standing before me.

Through it all, she’s mentioned going back to our roots at some point or at least finding another small town to settle down in. Building another place like The Mason Center, wasn’t on my radar though.

“I was thinking, back in Georgia. Maybe somewhere close to your parents. Maybe we can find a plot of land and build a house together first. Then bring some like The Mason Center to the kids near Leesburg where resources and limited. Maybe even on a smaller scale to start and expand outward. Sort of like what we did here.” She says as she makes her way over to the bed and straddles my waist.

I put my hands on her hips and hold her steady. “You want to move back home?”

“Why not? My mom has moved on and is living out in California with Devin now. And I know your parents would love to be closer to spoil their first grandchild,” Liv smiles wickedly.

“Something you need to tell me, Mrs. Phoenix?” I lift up and kiss her lips while flexing my hips against hers.

Liv’s head falls back, and she moans. “God it is still so hot when you call me that.”

I nip at her neck. “Doesn’t answer my question.”

She leans closer and looks me in the eyes. “We’re having a baby.”

“You’re serious?” I grin like a fool.

“I’m serious. We’re pregnant.”

“I guess it’s a good thing I set up some appointments with a realtor for this weekend when we go back home to visit my mom and dad.”

Liv’s face lights up. “No way! You did?”

“I did. I had a feeling that city life was getting old. And when you started talking about finding someone to take over your job at The Mason Center, I may have had a sneaky suspicion.” I confess.

“You know me all too well, Mr. Phoenix.”

I flex my hips again before rolling us over so that her body is pinned under mine. “Oh, I do. And now, I’m going to remind you just how well I know my wife.”

Our relationship may have started out unconventional, and there was a time when I wondered if I was a fool to keep trying but, if there is one thing I’ve learned from watching my parents all these years, its that love is always under construction. Just like any worthwhile project, you’ve got to put work into it to keep it up. Otherwise, it can fall apart around you. With Liv, I’m willing to put in all the hard work. What she doesn’t realize is that I’ll do all of this, a thousand times over, if it keeps that smile on her face.

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