Page 32 of Something More

“I can, can I?” He smiled as he ruffled Jack’s hair. “What else do we have to eat?”

“Spaghetti!” Jack bounced with excitement. “Mom’s making garlic bread, too.”

“Jack? Why don’t you set the table?” I called with my back to the two of them.

“Ok, Mom.” He began pulling plates from the cabinets and gathering silverware.

Hank came into the kitchen and walked up right behind me. I couldn’t see him, but I could feel his presence. “It looks really good,” he mumbled in my ear as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. He leaned down and rested his chin on my shoulder. “I think we could get really creative with those cookies later if you have some ice cream.” He pressed a kiss to the side of my neck as if what he said was nothing and then released me.

“What about Jack?” I hissed.

“He’ll be asleep.” Hank chuckled.

“Eww!” Jack made a gagging noise. “Are you and my mom like boyfriend and girlfriend?” Hank laughed as I spun around. Jack was staring at us with this blank look.

“What would you think about that?” I stammered. I sounded like a kid who just got caught by their parents, not the confident adult that I was.

Jack shrugged as he set the last plate down. “I think it’d be kinda cool. I miss having Dad around. It’d be nice to do the things we used to.” He started to come over to us. “That’s ok, right Mom? Like Hank could help me with things like Dad did.”He seemed so unsure of himself as he rocked on his heels in front of us.

“Sure, buddy. I think Dad would like that you found someone to help you with things,” I offered.

“We can do all sorts of things like fishing and talking about girls,” Hank tossed out.

“Girls. Yuck.” Jack’s nose wrinkled as his face twisted in disgust.

“You won’t feel like that in a few years.” Hank laughed.

“Not a chance.” Jack shivered as if it were the worst thing he’d ever heard.

“So, it’s ok if I hang out here more? I like spending time with your mom.” Hank leaned against the counter and watched Jack. “Like come over for meals, and to watch movies and stuff.”

“Can we have a sleepover?” Jack clapped in excitement.

Hank started coughing and I burst into laughter. “Why don’t we concentrate on dinner for now?” I changed the subject.

“Ok.” Jack bounced away into the living room and went back to watching the TV while Hank attempted to catch his breath.

“You ok?” I giggled as I pulled the pot of water off the stove and attempted to drain the pasta in the sink.

“Yeah.” He pounded on his chest. “I just wasn’t expecting that.”

“Expect the unexpected. That’s the motto of kids, and it could have been worse is the motto of little boys.”

“I have my own motto,” he mumbled as steam from the boiling water surrounded us. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

I shook my head as I dumped the pasta into a bowl and carried it over to the table. “Help yourself. I’m going to get the sauce.” I turned the heat off under the pot of sauce and carried it to the table. Once the bread came out of the oven, we sat down and served our plates. It was nice having this makeshift familydinner. Hank had settled right in, and you’d never know by the conversations between him and Jack that they weren’t father and son. The evening was filled with playful teasing and happy conversation, and the time just seemed to fly by.

After we finished, Hank helped clean up while Jack showered and got ready for bed. After I told him goodnight, Hank and I grabbed some cookies and went onto the back porch.

“This was nice.” I sighed as I leaned against the railing and looked out into the woods. It was almost dark, and the crickets were already chirping.

“It was.” Hank leaned against the railing munching on a cookie. I could feel him staring at me.

“What is it?” I glanced in his direction. He had this look as if he was deep in thought.

“This could have been our life. You and me in this house, with a kid.” He sighed. “We were supposed to be forever… remember?” He rolled his arm to the side, exposing his wrist. “We said this was forever.” I looked down at the faded ink.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I can’t change any of that. I can tell you I’m here now, and I’m all in.” I looked up at him. “All of me is all in.” I reached up and cupped his jaw. “I’m sorry we had to go through that, but it made me who I am. Our past will make us stronger.” I rose up on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I love you,” I murmured before deepening the kiss. “All of me loves you.” He wrapped his arms around me before lifting me off the ground. As if I weighed nothing, he carried me inside and down the hall to my room. The kiss continued as we fell into bed, reaffirming this was it for both of us.

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