Jayden fore completely, his eyes suddenly burning with tears he hadn’t expected
She wasn’t pulling away anymore. For the first time since they’d found each other again, the was choosing him–choosing trust him to let down the walls that had kept her safe for so long
Ariana’s voice
voice was muffled against his chest, barely above a whisper. “While you were gone Inlay.. I missed you. Like, really missed you
The confession hit him like a punch to the beart. Ite wrapped his arms around her so carefully, like he might lines if he held too tight, his heart breaking a little at how fragile she felt, but also soaring at her quiet admission
“That’s never happening again,” he promised, his voice rough with einction. “From now on, wherever I go, you come with me.”
She peeked up at him from his arms, and the mule that spread across her face was pure sunshine.
Prose
“Promise,” he said, pressing the softest kiss to her forehead.
All those lest years–he was going to spend the rest of his life making up for them.
After a moment, Arianna pulled back and grabbed her phone, scrolling to a photo that made her face light up with that expression be remembered from when they were kids–the one that meant she was about to ask for something.
“Jayden,” she said, tilting her head. I want to get a cat”
The picture showed a ridiculously fat orange tady with the suggest expression he’d ever seen on a felline
Jayden grinned, taking the phone to get a better look. “An orange can, huh? Did you forget about middle school when you tried to feed that stray and it scratched the hell out of you? You cried for like an hour while they gave you those rabies shots.”
Arianna’s face went bright red and she slapped a hand over his mouth. “Stop! Don’t bring that up!”
“You were so dramatic about it,” he continued, his voice n muffled by her palm. “Wailing about how you were going to die from cat scratch fever.
That
hat was like fifteen years ago! I can’t believe you remember that,” she groaned. “Besides, I’m tougher now. I don’t knymore.”
tcry over every little scratch
Jayden caught her hand and kissed her palm before pulling it away from his mouth his eyes dancing with mischief. “Sure you are, tough gun.
That seemed to settle the cat conversation, but when Arianna woke up the next morning, there was a tiny orange furball curled up on the pillow next to her head
All traces of sleepiness vanished as she sat up in excitement, accidentally startling the kitten awake. It let out a tiny, indignant mew that was more squeak than memy.
“Oh no, I’m sorry little guy,” she whispered, gently stroking its impossibly soft fur. “Go back to sleep.”
She looked up to find Jayden leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and wearing the most self satisfied expression she’d ever seen.
“Well?” he said expectantly. “I think I deserve some recognition for this miracle.”
Arianna burst out laughing. “You’re almost thirty years old and you’re still fishing for compliments Eke you’re in high school.”
but seeing him standing there, looking so proud of himself for making her happy, made berthest feel too small for her heart Last’s embrace had changed something between them–brought them closer to who they used to be.
Seeing that he was still waiting for proper Appreciation, she relled her eyes and gave him what he wanted.
“Oh my God, Jayden‘ You’re literally the most amazing person ever! How did I get so lucky?
Even as she was joking around, Jayden felt his throat tighten with emotion. This should have been their life ten years ago. This way intimary, this playful banter–it’s how they’d always been together before everything went wrong.
Almost in Love with You. Before That Cruel Summer Took Ever,
He ran a hand through his hair milli etapperated im
Ariana threw a pillow at hain, which he caught manly
The kitten had already dien lack asleep, apparently nethered by their conversation.
{{\“gn.“ Jayden said, settling on
adge of the bed to watch her gely pet the serpingar. “What are you going to name him?
“Drange,” she said without hesitation.
Jayden blinked. “Orange? That’s very literal
“What’s wrong with Orange?” she asked defensively. “It’s simple and cute.”-
Nothing’s wrong with it,” he said quickly, fighting back a umile. “It’s perfect, Easy to remember, impresible to mispronounts.”
That afternoon, all the cat supplies fayden had ordered arrived. He was in his home office dealing with patient consultations when he heard Ariana moving around in the living room, clearly trying to be quiet so she wouldn’t disturb him.
When he finished up and came out to check on her, his heart nearly stopped
She was drenched in sweat, her face paper white, struggling to carry a heavy bag of cat litter.
“Jesus Christ, Arianna!” He immediately crossed the room and took the bag from her trembling hands. “What the hell are you doing? Why didn’t you call me to help with this?
She was breathing hard, clearly exhausted from the effort. “You were working. I didn’t want to bother you.”
His heart lurched with fear and frustration. “Don’t you dare worry about bothering me. Your heart just stabilized. You can’t be doing stuff the the
