His eyes narrow before he starts laughing.
“I do not find this argument funny.”
“Sorry.” He carries on laughing before wiping his eyes and getting himself under control. “Babe, I’m not trying to be overbearing, but dammit, I sure as hell don’t want you falling off that thing. You’re only, um, fine boned and you’d probably break more than one bone falling off.”
All the annoyance drains out of me. I’m being a bitch and I’ve no idea why.
As my eyes start to fill up, I try to blink away the moisture, but no such luck. They start to fall down my face.
Jake notices and looks panic stricken, but instead of running away, he grabs me up into a tight embrace. His hands pull me into his chest as they rub up and down on my back in a smooth caress. “I’m sorry, Elise. I never meant to upset you. The thought of you being hurt causes a pain in my chest.”
I wrap my arm around his waist. “I love you, and I appreciate that you want me to stay safe, but I don’t want to be encased in bubble wrap.” I sigh. “I also have no idea why I’m crying.”
“Babe, look at me.”
With the help of Jake’s hand beneath my chin, I raise my face to his. “I’m sorry.” He kisses me. “I think the tears are just a buildup of everything that’s been happening. I expect they might pop up every now and again for a while.” He uses his thumbs to wipe my tears away before leaning forward and kissing each eyelid and my lips. “If you need to talk to someone, please tell me, okay? I want to help you as much as I can, and I’ll always be here to hold your hand, but saying that, I understand if you want to try talking it out with a shrink or someone.”
“I really do love you.”
Jake
Well, at least I didn’t get my head bitten off for suggesting a shrink. I don’t think she’s doing that badly and this is only the third time since Tom was killed that she’s started to cry unexpectedly. At least that I know of.
I’d come back from the airport after dropping my dad and Rona, four nights ago, to find Elise in floods of tears. I think it was worse for her then because she was alone and I wasn’t with her to hold her and tell her everything would be all right.
But if it helps her to be free of Tom, once and for all, and what he was like then I’m all for it. Part of me wonders if she’s struggling because she’s with me, and doesn’t want to talk about her relationship with another man to, I don’t know, maybe, protect my feelings.
I want Elise to know that I’ll support her in any way she wants, and I hope she finally understands that.
Hearing car doors banging outside, Elise raises her head to look at me with a question in her eyes. I shrug, not having a clue who is visiting us.
“Are you okay?”
She smiles. “I’m more than okay.” She reaches up and quickly kisses me on the cheek. “Thank you.”
I’m about to reply when Anna and Beth walk into the house.
?
??What’s wrong with knocking?” I growl.
Elise laughs, patting me on my chest, and rolls her eyes before moving forward to greet my sisters.
“I’m serious. When we’re actually living here you better start knocking or you might see something you’d rather not.” I smirk as Elise blushes. I pull her in to my arms.
“Jake, really?” Anna pushes past me. “It’s starting to look like a home.” She eyes me. “You’ve done good.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“We need to talk to you,” Beth states, causing my smile to fade to a frown.
Anna clears her throat. “How do you feel about Rona and Dad having kids?”
I open my mouth to reply, but nothing comes out. That sure as hell wasn’t what I was expecting.
“Um, seriously? We’re really having this conversation?”
“Jake, we have to.” Beth removes her scarf and fiddles with it. “Rona is only a year younger than you. She might want children.”