He just hoped that wasn’t too long for JP.He was counting on being on the scooter to keep it from being too much for JP.
“It’s a beautiful day,” JP said, face raised up to the sky.
“Isn’t it?I bet it feels great to be out of the house for something not medical.”
“Absolutely.Between sleeping upstairs in a real bed and coming out just to come out, I’m feeling like I’ve been released from prison or something.”
“Good.I’m glad.Vitamin D is good for you.”He winked over as they entered the park.
“Can we run, Daddy?Please?”
“To the playground.Straight there.”He could see the whole way.“Together.”
They took off at a run, holding hands, both of them focused, their legs pumping.
“Look at them go.”JP chuckled.“So full of life.”
“They’re healthy and happy.They love this so much.”Ian was tickled for them.
“It’s good to be almost four, eh?”
“It is.It is good to be together and running in the sunshine.”Ian rested one hand on his shoulder.
JP smiled up at him.“It’s good to be with you in the sunshine too, Chou.”
“It is.I’m glad you’re starting to feel like you can come out for a while, breathe the air.”
“I’m starting to feel human again.Real.”JP rolled forward, moving with him toward the playground.
They found a place to settle in the sunshine, close enough for the kids to see them there.
“We spend a lot of time here.The babies love it.”
“You know the other parents?”JP rolled to a stop next to an empty bench.
“Some, yeah.There are a couple of great parents, a few nannies.Allison comes out a lot to get some sun.”
“Your best friend the chef?”
“Yes.She works late a ton, and she needs sun.”
“So you take care of her too?You take care of everyone, eh?And you forget about taking care of yourself.”
“I was sad, love.I made myself happy by staying busy.”
JP made a face.“I’m sorry, Chou.”
“Me too.I…I didn’t know what else to do.I was sad and stressed and tired.”
“I guess I was lucky, eh?I had hockey.”JP looked away, watching the kids play.
“I had the babies.It was hard to leave my job.Harder than I’d thought, but it was worth it.And you supported us even though you didn’t have to.”
JP’s head whipped around, giving him a stare.“Of course I did!”
“And I appreciate it!”He wasn’t sure why JP was staring like that.He was being nice.
“I’m not a total asshole.I would never leave you and those babies high and dry.”
