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“Are you okay?” I ask the second I get down to his level on the ground. I can see that he probably wants to say no, the way he’s harshly breathing through the pain. He still looks excited to see me through it all, and I can’t help the butterflies that erupt.
“What are you doing here?”
I laugh in a way that hopefully tells him he’s unbelievable before reaching for his hand.
“We should probably talk inside, where it’s less dangerous.”
He grins at that, despite the pain I know he’s in.
“I’m going to need a second, sweetheart.”
My mind flashes back to concern.
“That was a hard fall. Do you think you broke something?”
He nods. “I’d be surprised if that’s not what just happened. I guess we’ll know when I try to walk.”
But fuck, I really don’t want him to. I wish I was capable of carrying him so I didn’t have to see him in even more pain.
“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere,” I tell him with a patient smile.
“A—” he starts to say, but I interrupt him.
“I wish I had gone with you tonight.”
“It’s okay. I’m not rushing you to do anything you're not comfortable with.”
I just look at him, so grateful. Of course I'm not going to be comfortable, how does one face their ex in this situation, and his mother at the same time? It's a lot.
But it doesn't make me anxious enough that I'm not going push through for the man I love. I need to rip the bandage off, and start this new chapter.
I nod. “I know, but I sat at home regretting it.”
“Does that mean I can bring you over there tomorrow?”
“You want me to crash your Christmas?” I ask with a smile.
“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “What would you normally be doing?”
I shrug. “Reya’s dad is a great cook. She brings me leftovers.”
“So you usually spend it alone?” He sounds devastated at that.
“No, she always brings them to me that day. Sometimes we’ll watch a movie and make hot chocolate. Vic shows up when she can, but she has a lot of family to visit.”
Honestly, some years are worse than others, but my girls are the best. I couldn’t ask for a better family.
“How many years have you done that?”
“The last three.”
“I’m glad you have them.”
I wrap my arms around his shoulders and squeeze. The way I pull him into me somehow manages to move his ankle where it rests and I hear him let out a hiss.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I’m so dumb,” I say with my hands on my cheeks. “It’s getting too cold out here, can I help you get up?”
He grabs my wrist before I can stand. “You’re not dumb.”
