“You cried during Elf last night.”
“Buddy just wanted his dad to love him, Hayden.”
“Fair point.”
I smile, but it softens in an instant.“I don’t want us to rush into this because we’re scared of losing each other again.”His expression changes to one of concern.Good.I know he’s listening to what I’m saying.“But I also don’t want us to pretend that isn’t where we’re headed.”
Hayden exhales a slow breath, almost like he’s been holding it for years.“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“We talk.We figure it out together.”He reaches over and slides his hand into mine.Together.That word lands warm and steady inside me.
I lean against him, and his arm comes around me, tugging me into the solid warmth of his side.For a while, we just sit there beneath the tree.Two keys.One future.A cat actively murdering ribbon.
Then Hayden speaks quietly.“Can I ask you something?”
Something in his tone makes me lift my head.“Always.”
His gaze stays on the tree for a moment before shifting to mine.“Do you want kids?”
The question sits between us, terrifying and tender all at once.I don’t answer right away.I take a second, not because I don’t know.But because I understand what it costs him to ask.
Yesterday still sits between us.Emily.His father.The grief he carried for most of his life.And now here he is, asking me about a future that would require hope instead of fear.
My eyes sting.“I used to,” I admit.“A long time ago.”
His hand stills against my arm.
“Then after the first time we were together,” I swallow.“I stopped imagining a lot of things.”
Pain moves through his expression.Not defensive.Just understanding.
“But lately,” I continue, voice softening, “I’ve started imagining it again.Imagining that life with you.”
Hayden doesn’t move, his eyes staying locked on me as I continue.
“Yes,” I whisper.“I’d like a family someday.”
The emotion that crosses his face is so raw it nearly breaks me.I brush my fingers along his jaw.
“Not tomorrow though.”
A rough sound escapes him.Almost a laugh.Almost relief.“Good.”
“Probably not before breakfast either.”
“That seems reasonable.”
I smile through the ache in my chest.“Do you want kids?”I ask, because even though I think it’s relief I saw, I need to hear him say it.
Hayden looks at me for a long, quiet second.And when he answers, his voice is low and steady in the most beautiful way.“I’d have a family with you.”
I lean closer, brushing my mouth over his.“Want to practice?”
His hand slides into my hair as he kisses me back, slow and deep and full of everything neither of us has to say out loud anymore.Outside, snow keeps falling.Inside, the tree glows as Hayden lowers me beneath it.
And for the first time in a long time, we don’t feel like something we’re trying to fix.We feel like something we’re building.
