Summary - Modern day AU/AU. Ennis, Jack, kids, a playground...
Warnings - none
Length - c450 words
Feedback - yes please!
Jack has been a patient bunny all week...
Friday. At the sandbox.
That’s what his last text said. Four words that have me hopping around the apartment like a crazy kid. Bobby can’t believe his luck as I let him have marshmallows, chocolate milk and Lucky Charms for breakfast. I know the sugar rush will come back to bite me later, but frankly I don’t care. I can cope with anything today.
My body is high on adrenaline as I drive to the playground. I thank the heavens that I don’t get pulled over as I swear I would test positive for something.
It’s a gorgeous day. Cold but sunny. The playground is busy but devoid of Ennis so far. That’s ok, I know he’ll be here.
I huddle on our bench and bury my hands in my jacket pockets as Bobby hits the sandbox at a run.
Ennis arrives two minutes later. I can barely contain myself. I stand up to greet him as he strides over, a coffee in each hand, his girls trailing obediently behind. My eyes eat him up.
“Hey.” He says, smiling. He puts the coffees on the bench.
“Hey yourself,” I reply.
I hold out my hand for him to shake. He grasps it tightly and pulls me into a one armed hug. I allow myself a brief second to just feel. I close my eyes and nuzzle my nose against his ear. I feel his fingertips ghost over the nape of my neck before we pull apart quickly. It’s dangerous for us to touch for too long.
He hands me a coffee and we stand side by side to watch the kids flick sand at each other.
“You good?” Ennis says in a low voice.
“I am now,” I say. I edge a touch closer. “Listen, Bobby’s not with me tonight. My ex is taking him to his Grandad’s birthday party.”
He clears his throat and takes a swallow of coffee. I see a flush grow on his cheeks which I know has nothing to do with caffeine.
I continue quietly. “You want to meet up later? Just you and me? Maybe grab a steak and a beer?”
His dark eyes tell me everything I need to know. “Definitely.”
“Shall I swing by your place and pick you up? Around seven?”
“Sounds great.”
I take another drink of coffee and feel the warmth hit my stomach. I curl my hands around the paper cup and shuffle my feet so my shoulder brushes against Ennis’. I smile at him. He smiles back. There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be right now.
****