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“It’s good to see you so happy. I was really worried you’d work yourself into an early grave for a while there. Thalia and Jasmine are good for you.”
Ludwig’s irritation faded back and he nodded, a soft smile curling his lips as he watched the other two from a distance.
“They are.” Then he looked at me, approval warming his eyes. “But from what I’ve heard, your new partner is equally as good for you. Is it true that you tried to put a stop to the rumors the waitresses were spreading about Oliver?”
I flushed, but nodded. “Yeah, it wasn’t fair of them to judge him like that.”
The approval grew. “And that was before you two even dated.” He didn’t say anything else, but somehow I felt like I’d passed a test I wasn’t aware I was taking. Oliver curled an arm around my waist, his chin perching on my head as he nodded.
“Yeah, it blew me away too. I was at the restaurant to take Sara out for her birthday, and suddenly I heard she’s challenging the gossip for me.”
I couldn’t see his face from our position, but the almost dreamy quality to his voice made me smile. “You’re making me sound like some kind of superhero just for being a decent person. They shouldn’t have made snap judgments about you, and I wasn’t about to let them talk about a friend of mine like that.”
And then he’d become more than just a friend to me. Idefinitelywasn’t standing for any slander to him then.
He kissed my head, warmth sweeping out in waves from the touch as he beamed. “Say what you will, Jen. I was already falling for you hard, and the minute you did that it just cemented it.”
I gave in, focusing on Ludwig as he chuckled.
“It’s a losing battle with him. Just accept the praise and move on. I gave up years ago.”
Then he looked back in the direction the women had gone and called. “Jasmine, don’t try to climb that!” He was gone in a flash, leaving Oliver and I alone again as he shook his head.
“Love that kid dearly, but man, she really needs to stop trying to climb everything. Last time I was over to visit I barely caught her when she fell off the counter. It gave Ludwig the heart attack of the century, and that isn’t even getting into the time she fell off a shelf and slammed her head into the floor. She was fine,” he hastily added when concern twisted my features, “but there was blood everywhere, and she was crying up a storm. Ludwig was ready to have a stroke.”
I wouldn’t blame him in the slightest since I would probably be just as bad.
Glancing up at Oliver, the overhead lights painting him in a soft glow, I bit my lip and looked around at the various families around us. We were still relatively new in our relationship, so the topic of kids hadn’t come up yet.
Was now a good time to ask?
He’d seemed like a natural with Jasmine and mentioned watching his niece and nephew before, but that didn’t necessarily mean he’d want kids.
The thoughts chewed at me throughout the entire grocery store, following us home. It was only when we put everything away that Oliver turned to me and said.
“Alright, I gave you time to bring it up, but you haven’t, and it’s driving me insane. What do you want to ask?”
I jumped, heat crawling over my cheeks as I sputtered. “Am Ithatobvious?”
He made a so-so gesture with his hand. “I’ve spent enough time around you that I’d like to think I can read you at least a little bit, and you’ve been quiet. On top of that, you kept staring at me but also staring through me, if that makes sense?”
I groaned, rubbing a hand over my eyes. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that.” Thinking back to the topic that’d thoroughly held my focus before, I sighed and said.
“I was just thinking about how good you were with Jasmine…”
He hummed, tipping his head curiously. “Yeah, I’m used to watching kids, thanks to babysitting for my siblings when they want to have nights on the town. I thought I mentioned that?” He trailed off, and I nodded.
“You did, but there’s a big difference between taking care of someone else’s kids and…potentially having your own.”
He froze, understanding dawning, and I hastily added on. “I’m not saying I’m ready for them! I think we’re both a little too new to the relationship for that yet, but seeing how easily you sank into it made me curious if it was a possibility for the future and-.”
I was rambling. Before I could word vomit for the rest of the day, I slapped a hand over my mouth and sighed. When I felt a bit more in control, I opened my eyes and finished. “I just want to know what your thoughts are on the topic, or if it’s too early to be considering those kinds of things. It’s fine if that’s the case, but it’s going to keep bugging me until I know.”
I met his eyes despite the urge to look away and hide. There was a careful consideration there, and after a long minute, he smiled.
“To be honest, I hadn’t considered it. I know I’m not ready for them now, but I can’t say I won't eventually. I love hanging out with the small ones, as my siblings can tell you, and…”
He trailed off, choosing his words carefully. “I can see a future with you, whether it has kids or not. So, I guess the important question here is ifyouwant them.” He stroked my cheek, the touch soothing against my frazzled nerves. “Just remember that no matter what, I’m happy. As long as you’re here, that’s all I need.”
