I set my coffee mug down. “Hey.” I rub my hand up and down his back. “You okay?”
“Fine.”
“You sure?”
“I don’t want to monopolize all your time or ask for too much.” He sighs, “I’m not good at this. I’m trying to be. I don’t know how to be normal. All I know how to do is be a Marine. I’m just really happy you’re here. I love you, and I’m trying to be…a regular guy. Please be patient with me.”
“I’m happy I’m here too. You’re doing just fine, soldier. I don’t what you think a normal guy is, but I want you. Only you. Every part. I’m not going anywhere, Hot Stuff.” I circle my arms around his chest from behind, burying my cheek in his back. “You’re stuck with me now.”
He twists his body around and warms me with a kiss. “What time is your meeting?”
“I texted Colton last night and told him I wasn’t making the meeting.”
“Oh…can you do that?”
“Nothing happens in those boring meetings. And before you ask…I told Colton I would accept the security. You’re officially the guarder of my body again…so do whatever you like to me.” I stroke my fingers lightly over his sexy abs. “I need to head home later for some clean clothes, and I’ll pick up my car because I have to be at the track early tomorrow morning. But I’m excited to spend the day with you guys.”
Jace pulls me in tighter against his chest, and melts me with another kiss, causing a fire low in my belly. He trails the kiss down my neck and I’m going to combust spontaneously. I run my fingers through his hair as he deepens the kiss. “Bedroom,” Jace growls. “I think we have a few minutes before…”
“Charlotte!” Kiely shrieks, forcing us to quickly pull apart. “I missed you.” She runs over and wraps her tiny arms around my waist, hugging me with all her might.
“I missed you too.” I squeeze her back.
“What am I…chopped liver?” Jace grumbles.
“Hi, Daddy.” She giggles shyly. “Daddy.” She takes a deep breath like she’s already winded, making me chuckle. “Did you give Charlotte the picture I made?”
“He did.” I smile down at her. “I loved it. Thank you.”
“It was you. Driving in your race car. Can you teach me how to drive a race car someday? ‘Cause I want to drive super fast like you. Did you and Daddy have a sleepover?” She pauses, finally taking a breath.
“Uh…”
“Okay…little speed demon.” Jace easily lifts her in the air and kisses her cheek. “Let’s get you some nourishment, so you don’t expel all that energy before the day begins.” He plops her down on the kitchen chair. “I’ll make scrambled eggs for you, and Charlotte can figure out what we’re going to do today with our little ball of energy.”
“Park!” She claps her hands together with an exuberant shout.
“We always go to the park. I was thinking about something special since Charlotte has agreed to hang out with us today.”
“Yay! Like what?” she asks curiously.
“We could go to the zoo?” I grin over at Jace to gauge his reaction. “I was checking out Google for things to do with a four-year-old last night.”
“You were?” Jace blinks rapidly at me.
“I hope that’s okay,” I say, suddenly worried I overstepped. “We can do whatever you decide.”
“What do you think, Kiely…do you like the zoo?”
“Zooooo,” Kiely sings.
“I guess it’s settled.” Jace grins. “We’re going to the zoo.”
Our day at the zoo is basked with brilliant sunshine. Fluffy white clouds fill the sky, and it’s a comfortable eighty-three degrees with a hint of a soft breeze stirring. I can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed as we stroll the paths to each exhibit holding hands.
It’s a perfect day to be in love. Thoughts of being in a happy relationship, with this wonderful man and his amazing daughter, have the butterflies in my stomach fluttering faster than the butterfly exhibit we just enjoyed.
“You’re amazing.” Jace threads his fingers through mine as we wander up to the giraffe exhibit. “Thanks for suggesting this.”
“She’s having so much fun.”
“I haven’t seen her smile this much since she moved in with me.” He loops his arm around me. “I can’t remember the last time I smiled so much. I love you.”
“I love you too, Jace.” It feels so new telling him this, but it feels…nice.
“Can I go, Daddy?” Kiely pulls on Jace’s hand, noticing a few children gathered by a feeding station where a worker is talking, and showing them how they feed the animals.
“Sure.” He nods, letting her know it’s okay.
Kiely races over to the little fenced area to get a better look at the tall creatures. We take a seat a few feet away on the wooden bench just behind her, making sure she’s still in eyesight.
Jace snatches a cold bottle of water from the small black backpack he’s carrying, and hands it to me. I put the bottle to my lips and take a long sip. “How do you feel about having kids someday?” What?
I nearly fall off the bench. “Uh…like mine and yours.” Sitting here in the warm California sun, my skin suddenly feels like it’s in a furnace, and the heat of the day is pressing down on me. Jace nods before taking a long swig from the water bottle. I grab the neck of my T-shirt. Why am I feeling so hot all of a sudden? The soft breeze blowing a few minutes ago has suddenly disappeared. “Going right for the big questions today.” I let out a nervous chuckle.
“Too soon?” He cringes. “Sorry…I was just…I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“No. You didn’t.” You so did. “It’s okay. It was just a little unexpected.” I wipe some imaginary dirt off my jean shorts. “I never really thought about having my own children, I guess. I practically raised Lilly, so I always thought that would be it for me. I’m not opposed to it…someday. I’m not sure I’d even be a good mother.”
“You’d be an amazing mother.”
I’m silent for a moment. “I…I was pregnant…once.” He stares for a moment, allowing me to gather my thoughts. “I lost my baby the day Zach died. It was early on…thank God. I guess…the stress from that day…it wasn’t meant to be.”
“I’m sorry,” he responds sadly.
“It was a long time ago.” I pick at the frayed fringe on the hem of my jean shorts. “Anyway, why the tough questions? What’s on your mind, soldier?”
“I don’t know.” He hangs his head.
“Hey.” I smooth my palm up and down his back. “Talk to me. You won’t scare me away.”
“I’m trying to figure out how we navigate all of this.” He runs his hand through his hair, glancing over to make sure Kiely is okay.
“Jace,” I sigh. “We don’t have to figure everything out our first hour of dating. I think we take things at our own pace. We always communicate with each other, and the rest will fall into place.”