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The sun began to shine over Elwood City as Jake began to wake from his sleep. It was Tuesday, only another start to the week that he loved. School was one of those things that did linger in his mind. It would be another moment before his dad came into his room to wake him up. Jake knew that he was responsible, even if many other things seemed to differ. He was just a kid after all. Beside that, Jake began to put his clothes on. His typical outfit, a blue and grey striped shirt with black pants. He stuffed the shirt into his pants and placed white socks to pair.
He looked at the time; 7:34 AM. He tilted his head as he blinked at the time yet again, questioning if it was correct. His dad hadn't woken him up this time? Maybe he showed enough trust in him to just let him do it on his own now? Whatever it was, Jake could ignore it for the time being. He knew his dad had many things to do to set up for the morning, especially for his puppet shows after school and all that he would do for his kids.
He took himself to the living room, looking around. His dads weren't in the living room but the light was peeking through the curtains. Then he heard it. He turned his attention to the kitchen where he heard distant sounds of chatter and laughter. And... the sound of their feet hitting the cold floor?
Jake was confused. He began to go over to the noise, wondering what his dads were doing that was causing so much noise. Then he finally saw them.
They were dancing. Arms wrapped around each other as the nonexistent music seemed to fuel their souls with the laughter that rumbled in their hearts.
.... What?
Jake waited for a moment, hoping that they would notice him and at least acknowledge what just happened. But nope, they kept going. Was his dad even willing to go to school at this rate? No way, his dad adored his job! No way he'd leave it just for some silly dancing. He knew his dads better than that.
"Daddy. Papa." Jake spoke up, catching the attention of his dads. They looked down at him, sheepishly going back to their typical morning routine. Which was mildly ruined by dads giving one small peek on the lips before separating.
"You two are soooo gross!" Jake yelled out, a pout on his face. He wanted attention too, especially after what happened. "Why were you two dancing anyway? I wanna join the fun!"
Nigel chuckled, sitting down at the table and gesturing to Jake to sit in the chair next to him. "Well, Jake, today is a very special for your papa and me." He smiled, the emotions bubbling back up.
Jake tilted his head, "Really? But it's just a Tuesday... What could today be?"
Patrick turned around, grabbing the chocolates he placed to cool overnight out of the fridge. "It's our anniversary, Jake. The day me and your father finally vowed to be together forever. Dare I say it's the best day of my life. Don't you agree, Nigel?"
Nigel smiled widely, looking up at Patrick with love in his eyes, "Of course, Pat. I wouldn't trade what you've given me for the world. Marrying you might've been the best decision I've ever made in my life." He held Patrick’s hand gracefully, wanting to put all his love into his words and actions.
Patrick laughed, a joke threatening to escape his mouth. But he held it down for now; it would be one that Jake would fail to understand. He had to keep some decorum around his child.
"Anniversary!?" Jake exclaimed, "Why haven't you told me about this before?!" He felt offended... He had lived with them for 5 years, he should be entitled to this information!
"Jake, sweetie, we did tell you. I think you were just more focused on your toys that you failed to notice." Patrick placed a plate of pancakes with a glass of milk down by Jake's side, "Hurry now. Your father and I dancing won't be an excuse for why you can't get to school on time. Don't forget, he works there." He ended that note off with a chuckle.
Nigel laughed back, finding Patrick's words endearing. Jake rolled his eyes and began to dig into his food. He had some witty comments about his dads' dance moves, but some things are better to keep to yourself. As Nigel finished up his cup of coffee, he began to grab his suitcase and put it into the car. Patrick grabbed his trays hiding chocolate sweets and went with them. Jake brushed his teeth and did his hair. He had to look at least somewhat presentable. Anniversary... How could he have not listened before and forgotten? He remembered hearing in school how important things like this were, especially to grown-ups. He had to make it up to his dads!
... But how? What's a good anniversary gift? How do you even know what to give somebody for an anniversary? It is like a birthday? Jake knows nothing about love! He's only 7 for God's sake!
Damnit. He began cycling through things that he gave wild rides in the car. That's when Jake realized he was in the car. So much time had passed he didn't even realize his school day was about to begin. He was running out of time!
Patrick had been dropped off at his work, waving off to Nigel and Jake. Jake kept up a face. He had to think of something to give his dads, and fast. He wouldn't let this day pass without letting his dads down.
Nigel parked in the lot, getting out of the car. He went over to Jake's side, offering to help him out.
"Daddyyy. I can get out by myself!" Jake wiggled his way out of the car and planted his shoes on the concrete below. Nigel chuckled at this, letting Jake go off on his own.
"Jake, I trust you with all of my being. I worry about you too at times, I am only looking out for you. You know that." Nigel replied softly.
"I know, dad. But I'm a big kid! I can do things like that on my own. I'm not a baby- or.. toddler." He laughed.
"I suppose you're right. Now, run along, I don’t need Ms. Tingley scolding me because we’re late again.”
Jake nodded and ran into the building with his backpack on his back.
Then he remembered the anniversary.
No! And he was just starting to forget worrying about it. He looked around as he went to his locker to put his backpack down. Who? Who could help him through this? He couldn't just tell the teachers, they'll just tell Nigel! Then one of the kids, but who would not only understand anniversaries but his dads as well?
Wait.
Then he finally got it.
He and Kate had been friends since he had been adopted. Nigel would always run to David when it came to parenting advice and well, Jake needed somebody to play with when he was there. Kate didn't mind the company at all. The two would always have fun with whatever toys Kate seemed to have in her room and Jake would gain newfound confidence that at least helped him talk to other kids his age. It was a win-win situation.
The clock ticked again. 8:10 AM.
Jake caught up to Kate as he eyed her in the hallway, fear was the only thing lingering in his voice, "Kate! Kate- Oh my gosh, I’m so happy you’re here.”
Kate was starting to put her backpack in her locker when she saw the fear and worry in Jake’s eyes, “Woah- Jake, what’s the matter?”
Jake grabbed Kate’s shoulders, “What do you give to people for their anniversaries?!” He yelled out.
“Jake- Shut up! You’re so loud! Why are you asking anyway? What kind of anniversary is it?”
“What- what kind?!”
“Yes? Like, is it a wedding anniversary-”
“Yes! Yes, it is!”
“Okay, that makes this a lot easier- Hey, you still haven’t told me why you need this information! And besides, we have to get to class soon. Your dad won’t be happy if you’re late. When he takes you to school.” Kate closed her locker, finally facing Jake.
“That’s the thing! It’s their anniversary today and I didn’t know until right now! I have to give them a gift- right?”” Jake’s mind continued to race.
“Hey, hey, calm down. Look, after school, I can ask Arthur. He definitely knows what to give them. He and his friends are like besties with your dads.”
Jake had a sigh of relief at that. He had talked to Arthur before when he would hang out at their house. He had heard about the multiple times that he talked about his dad and how they seemed to get along. Seemed like that class was his favorite, even though he swears up and down that they weren’t. Somebody doesn’t want to admit the truth. Jake laughed at that thought. Then he heard the bell ring and the two went off to their classroom. Ironically, his teacher was his dad himself. They must’ve had to do that on purpose. But he didn’t mind it all that much.
He sat down at his desk as his dad started with the lesson once again. Same all, same all. Jake liked to eavesdrop on his lesson plans, wanting to know what he would grasp next. What’ll be in class next. Nigel wasn’t that sneaky about it after all. He always left them in the living room at his work desk. Just out in the open. Even Patrick seemed to take glances at the plans once in a while, giving suggestions. Nigel always loved his ideas, always considering them. As if Patrick had the wise ways of a teacher himself. But that would be silly. Patrick had always worked in the chocolate shop. He said so.
Throughout as the clock ticked on the wall, he struggled to keep himself together. The fear, the worry, he had no idea what he wanted to gift them. How could he not know his own parents?! He had known them for years, not for his whole life but it sure felt like it. He stole glances at Kate who could only tell him to calm down as the worry continued to take over his mind.
9:00.
9:30.
When he was called, he needed a moment before answering it. He knew that he had to keep himself from being too obvious. He looked down at his hand, seeing the sweat dripping from them. Feeling it as he clasped his hands together.
11:00.
11:30.
Soon enough, the bell rang and it was time for recess. He hung out on the swings, claiming his anxieties. Those emotions began to wash away the more he had fun. Soon enough, a soft smile came to his face. Maybe he didn’t have to worry about what to give his dads. Maybe things were just fine the way they were. Nothing more and nothing less. He knew his dads wouldn’t be mad at him for such a little thing. He knew that.
He watched the atmosphere as the other kids played. He was always fine playing alone, even if the other teachers seemed to worry about whether he was making friends or not. Nigel would always reassure them that his boy was just shy. That’s how he was when he was a child. Never mind the whole pressure from a private school part of the equation. But this was different, at least Jake wasn’t getting psychologically abused by his teachers. Life was better that way.
Jake typically liked to have lunch with his dad. It was always nice to be around him. Sometimes he’d sit in his lap as he graded papers. Sometimes he would feed him pieces of his lunch. Nigel always made sure that Jake’s lunch was as delicious as it could be. He would watch him carefully as he ate right beside him. He adored it. How cute Jake was. That smile. That joy. Nigel always made sure to keep it forever. He loved his boy like no other.
So when he noticed he didn’t stop by his classroom like he typically would, he worried. He kept his fears down. Patrick had argued with him before on coddling the boy. To not just let him be attached to his hip. To actually do something that didn’t involve him by his side. He took a deep breath.
He knew his son and he knew him well. Jake wouldn’t do anything bad. Just be with his friends. That within itself was the best gift of all. That’s the joys of adopting a child, isn’t it? Watching them learn and grow.
You know, if only that was what was happening.
In actuality, Jake was trying to figure out what he should get his parents with the help of his classmates. Points for teamwork, I guess? It’s what he’s been wanting to teach them for months.
So here they were at the lunch tables within a debate. What does Mr. Ratburn actually like? What would he even want as a gift? He does things outside of school, right? This is Mr. Ratburn we’re talking about; what does he even like? Answer, Jake, answer! He’s got to know the answer, being his son and all. But even Jake struggled to answer that. He saw how his dad adored puppets. He had a huge collection of them in the garage. Then there were those documentary DVDs he had stored on the shelves. But he didn’t have enough pocket change for that. So what else? Well, he had an old rock guitar he doesn’t use much anymore. But, again, what is he supposed to do with that? He doesn’t see his dad even touch it anymore. He’s talked about it before; saying that it’s only a once in a while thing. A hobby he can pick back up anytime he wants to. Maybe that’s a gift within itself. Having something you care about so-
What about his papa?
Everybody seemed to put focus on his dad, about what he wanted. He loved his papa too. Maybe he would stop worrying about what his dad wanted and focus on his papa. Everybody else seemed to put a focus on his dad, and he could somewhat understand why. They don’t see Patrick as much as Jake does on a regular day-to-day basis. But they could still think about him. This is a wedding anniversary after all. So, while everybody else seemed up in arms about what Mr. Ratburn could possibly want, he focused back on what his papa would want as well. He wanted to consider them both.
He closed his eyes and began to think. What do those two have in common? Well, they both like sweets. Nigel simply can’t get enough of what Patrick creates. Makes him look a little pathetic honestly, But Jake would be a hypocrite if he said that. He also can’t resist his sweets. It’s not his fault they taste amazing. So many people compliment Patrick for that exact reason. But he knows his pa is more than that.
12:00.
Maybe that’s the problem.
As the sounds of chatter and confusion started to drown in Jake’s mind, he finally understood. He couldn’t just ask people what to get them. They would only focus on the small details. Something as minor as who they are. But they won’t understand. At least not on the level that Jake understands his dads. This is something he needs to figure out, mostly, on his own. Even if he does need a little help. His eyes turn back to Kate, the most calm despite the mountain of chaos that he’s created. The chaos in her home can’t possibly compare to what she sees at home. He respects that.
Kate looks up from her lunch, finally seeing Jake looking at her from afar. She chuckles to herself as she shakes her head in disbelief. Only Jake could accidentally create drama as well as this one. She expected nothing less of him. The most that she gave him was a thumbs up. They’d figure this out. Especially from a very noticeable person in her family. For some reason, her family had the most connections to Ratburn himself.
The one person she knew would work the most; Arthur Read.
3:00.
“Kate, did you tell Mr. Ratburn if Jake could come over? You know what happened last time you brought him without asking.” Jane stood by her computer with a look in her eyes that could only be seen from a mother.
Kate nodded her head with as much honesty as he could muster, “Yes! I did this time. He was very happy that I asked this time. But apparently, he was going to be busy doing something anyway, so it’s a win-win!”
“Oh right, he’s got that today. He told your father how excited he was for it.” Jane turned back to her work. She let the two turn along as they both ran up to the upstairs of the house. Kate laid her eyes on Arthur’s room. There he was. He would certainly know what to do!
So she knocked on the door, “Arthur, can we come in?”
“Kate- What is it? I’m busy studying for my classes…” Arthur sighed, opening the door to face Kate. Then he saw Jake standing right beside her, “What’s Jake doing here?”
“We have a problem! What did you give Mr. Ratburn for his anniversary?”
“Anniversary?- Oh yeah, it’s today. Well, we did do something like that once when we were in the 4th grade. But it was kinda counterintuitive. We got him a box of Patrick’s Chocolates and- well, he can get those any time. He gets them for free.” Arthur took out the business card that was left in the box, “I still have his business card. Very colorful. Tell your dad I give props to him.”
Jake gasped, “He gets those for free?!” At that point, he might as well have been losing profit. He knows his dad goes to his shop practically every day, ignoring the fact that he has to pick him up from work. Nobody wants to walk all the way downtown for their job.
“Jake, he has marriage privileges of course he gets them for free.” Kate sighed, “It’s Mr. Ratburn. If he were paying for the sweets every day, he would be broke by now.”
Jake flushed out of embarrassment. He knew Kate wasn’t wrong but it was still humiliating of her to say. He’d never say it to their faces, but he embarrasses them more of the usual amount. He loved them too much for that. Even through their moments of… weirdness.
Maybe that was the best gift of all. Just being with them.
“Though, if you want to give them something special, I’d say just think about what they like the most.” Arthur offered a smile, “I need to do my homework, but I hope you figure it out. But I don’t think you have to give them anything.”
Don’t give them anything? How ridiculous. Jake sighed. Maybe he was right…
“Hmpf, not very useful.” Kate huffed, “What was my mom talking about with Mr. Ratburn doing something after school?”
Jake looked down, a sad look in his eyes. The day was reaching its end and he still had nothing. It’s not like he had any money to spend on getting them anything anyway. But it wasn’t fair. His dads always gave him something on his special days. They always taught him to give back. But hearing Kate say that, he looked up confused.
“Yeah, what was she talking about?” His dad was doing something after school? He did do his puppet shows after school, but he knew that it wasn’t today. His dad was always so keen in his scheduling.
“Maybe a private anniversary dinner. My parents do that. And your dad did seem happy to get you off his shoulders.” Kate noted as she recalled back to the interaction with Nigel.
“Oh, then he must know I don’t have anything for him! He must hate me!” Jake hid his face into his hands as shame began to consume him. The tears began to well up in his eyes at the thought. He must be a horrible son. He wanted a way to fix this, just to make them happy again.
Fortunately to Jake’s overthinking, somebody would be able to knock it down. Kate grabbed his shoulders trying to make him relax, “Jake, calm down. That’s totally not true.” She groaned, “You might as well just get them a birdwatching guide and a $50 gift card to Lowes.” She wanted to roll her eyes. It’s annoying when Jake gets like this, but she can’t really blame him either.
“But what am I supposed to do now? When do my dads even get home? And we have homework to do- Kate…” Jake put up a sheepish smile. Homework. Oh right. For once in his life, he actually forgot he was given it despite his dad’s reputation for giving so.
Kate sighed, “Fine. But only because I’m not willing to be scolded by him again for not doing it.” She turned around and gestured to her room, “Come on, just until they want you to come home.”
“Are you sure you won’t annoy D.W.?” Jake asked worriedly.
“Pff, no. As long as we keep quiet and actually do our work. I say we’ll be fine.”
4:00.
Kate grabbed Jake’s hand as they ran along to her room. Jake made a promise to Kate, to actually do their work this time. Kate laughed as she accepted the promise with honor. They worked on whatever mountain of homework Mr. Ratburn decided to give them. Going back and forth from topics that Kate seemed to struggle with. Thanks to Jake, he seemed to have a way of being able to take those complex topics and chop them down to an understandable language. It was a special talent that she always wanted to have one day. Except without all the nerdy parts that made Jake, Jake. No offense to him, of course. But there’s a reason he gets bullied after all. Even if he has the “scary dad-teacher” rights. But those could only get him so far. Mr. Ratburn is Mr. Ratburn.
It all still lingered in his mind as he completed his homework. The gift. What he wanted to give. But at this point? He just had given up. He knew that there would be nothing for him to pass along to his dads, even if he wanted to. He thought about the million things he could’ve given them. Maybe if he had the money. So he had to make a promise to himself. When he actually has the money, he will get them something good! He has to. It only seems right. Even as it lingered in his mind, he pushed those feelings down for the time being and focused on the work at hand. With that one promise to Kate and the promise to himself, he needed that motivation to continue in the day.
They’d understand, right? They’d have to.
Maybe he needed to focus less on what everybody seemed to believe an anniversary had to be about. At least, this kind of anniversary. If they actually wanted something in return, they would say so. But would Jake need to own them anything from what was their choice to make? Maybe. It was a domino effect after all. Them being married lead up to him being adopted by them. But that didn’t mean he actually had to owe anything simply from being born. If that were the truth, that wouldn’t be so fun. Maybe that would have an anniversary on the day he was adopted, he won’t mind that. He would probably like it actually. The day they all came together and became one. Became an actual family for each other. Jake was too young to remember that day, unlike his parents, but those warm feelings still lingered as if he did remember. He was told about the strange things about the body. Your mind may not remember, but your body will. Your body is the burden of all emotion that you feel and is a better memory source than your brain. When he is around his dads, he feels happy, whole, like someone.
Maybe that’s what they feel too when they’re near each other. Happy, whole, like someone.
Love. That’s what today is all about. right?
Jane eventually came up to her room and knocked on the door, “Jake, your father is here to pick you up.”
5:00.
Jake’s ears perked up at the comment. He tried to force down the uncomfortable feeling that had formed in his stomach. He had to do this, he had to tell the truth no matter what would happen. He had to listen to his papa on this part; to not let his emotions control him. His thoughts from before came back to him and relaxed for the moment. He waved to Kate goodbye and went into the car.
The car ride home wasn’t much, but he did see that his dads were dressed fancy. He had never seen his pa in an actual suit before until this day. Sure, he saw their wedding photos now and again, but he was always one to dress casual and not care for appearances. They asked about his day, and he didn’t have much to give towards it. He wanted the whole anniversary gift talk to happen at home. When they’re all collected and normal. But when he would look at them, he would see the laughter radiating off of them. The air in the car felt warm, but not intoxicating. It was a nice warmth. He watched out the window, watching all of the houses pass by as the sun began to set. It saw how the red-orange color sat under the clouds filling the sky with its color. He would look up and see the small bits of purple and pink shining with the blue as well. But the sounds of his dads talking never left his ears. They were happy. Cheerful. It was nice. There were times when things weren’t like that. He would see how his pa would come home; running a whole chocolate shop on your own wasn’t exactly the nicest thing in the world. He would see the stress on his face when he’d come home some days, but he’d cover it up for him. Jake wasn’t that stupid to social cues. Even on those days, the moment Jake would come up to him, he would smile. He would hold him close and let the stress of the day fade into the background.
He’d see the same happen with his dad. Once his pa sees him, it’s like everything from before disappears and he focuses on the present. Then there’s all the gross mushy stuff they do. Just thinking about it makes Jake want to put his head into his hands. The moment he looks back at them, he notices a quick kiss being given from the two of them. Jake groaned, they looked like lovesick teenagers. It was sorta cute in its own way. It was nice to see them so happy. He shouldn’t ruin the moment with some stupid gift he didn’t have. Maybe love was all that’s needed. They gave each other something and it was each other.
That’s when they finally got to their house. All three of them got out of the car and began reverting back to how they would all be in private. There were no expectations, no need of the world watching them, their nice comfortable home. It was always a rotation every time they’d come home. Nigel would relax from his strictness, Patrick could let go of his salesman persona, and Jake was always himself no matter what. He placed his backpack in his room where he always would. He heard his parents in the living bugging each other of who would shower first after the long day. It wasn’t even an argument, they seemed to be too happy to even argue as silly as that. Jake took the opportunity to just go first for the sake of everybody else.
After he got out of the shower, they seemed to have gotten everything together by now. He let out a sigh of relief. Surely the day would go back to normal. But something unexpected left one of their mouths.
“Hell, let’s just order takeout today! I’m not in the mood to cook anything,” Patrick chuckled out.
Oh wow. That’s how chill that date night made them. He would almost never do anything like that. But there’s no way he’d actually agree to it, right? He turned his head, moving his attention onto their conversation,
Nigel laughed, “I agree. What shall we get?”
Oh my god.
Jake went back to his room to put his clothes on before reacting to those comments. Maybe this is the best time to tell them about the whole gift drama. He has never seen them this calm before. Like yeah, there are times but this a completely new level of calm! Kate is going to love to hear this tomorrow, she won’t even believe her!
Jake finally got his clothes back on, just a casual shirt and pants. After that, they seemed to make up their minds on who would actually shower. He saw Nigel pass by as he eyed Patrick on the phone ordering food. Nigel could’ve done it on his own, but Patrick was definitely more experienced in these types of things.
He really was worrying about nothing, was he.
At that moment, all his fears seemed to dissolve into nothing. Man, what the hell. He sat down on the couch as Patrick put down the phone.
“Oh- There you are, Jake. You’re fine with Chinese food tonight, right? We’ve been getting so carried away today…”
Jake laughed, “Nothing I say would stop you.”
Patrick nodded, he agreed with that, “You know not to disagree with me.”
Jake giggled in response; it was always a one and off joke with them about Patrick’s secret power. Nobody could disagree with his force. That’s why he makes the experimental chocolates, nobody ever told him no.
“Your dad should be getting out of the shower in a couple minutes. Don’t let him, but I have some leftover chocolates for him tonight.” Patrick whispered to Jake with a wink.
Jake agreed with a thumbs up, but in the back of mind he was simply asking “When do you not?”
The night came and went as the food came. Patrick grabbed it and set up the table calling the two over. As they all ate their food, a calm silence fell over the three. They had talked the most that they could over the day. Was it a good time to bring it up? It was so relaxing… No worries about stock, no need to talk about lesson plans, and Jake technically had nothing to worry about.
He sighed, “Are you supposed to give gifts on anniversaries?”
The two of them looked up, surprised at the question.
Nigel spoke up, “Well, it depends on the situation. Why do you ask, Jake?”
Jake gulped, “Well- I- …” The words got stuck in his throat, he had to say it. It would make him feel better.
Instead, they all came out in a blurb, “I wanted to give you two something because today is a special day for you- but- but then it seemed like nobody was any help so I was thinking, well maybe I could give something that would be meaning but I couldn’t think of anything at all and the whole day I was worrying on if I was doing the right thing I just- I didn’t want to disappoint…” He took a deep breath, “Especially because I didn’t know until today.” He scrunched up into himself, looking down, “I’m sorry.”
Patrick grabbed Jake’s hand gently, looking at him, “Jake, we never expected anything from you. You’re just a kid, you forget things like this. You’re not supposed to have an amazing memory. So you didn’t listen one time, do you think we’re going to get mad at you for something as little as that?”
Nigel joined in, his voice soft, “And even if you had an extraordinary memory, we would not have expected something from you either way.”
Jake didn’t want to look up. He could feel the tears start to sting his eyes, “I wanted… to find something the two of you would like… Everybody only focused on you, dad. What you would’ve wanted. But.. But I didn’t want it to only be about you. I wanted it to be about papa too.”
Patrick felt his heart warm up at those words, “You saying that only shows how thoughtful you are.” He moved his hand up to caress Jake’s hair, “Something the both of us would love… Jake, we already have you. That’s the best gift of all.”
Nigel smiled, “When you’re here telling us this, how could we be angry at you? You truly are the best gift of all. Possibly of our lives worth, wouldn’t you agree, Pat?”
Patrick laughed, “Sure, Nigel. No physical possession could ever match up to you,” He placed a gentle kiss on Jake's head as he wrapped an arm around his body. He held him close, making sure he knew his words came from the soul. They were the truth.
Jake cuddled himself up into Patrick’s body, feeling the warmth that he gave him, “Thank you, papa.” He felt Nigel get up and hold him too.
Patrick looked down at Jake, making sure he could understand him, “You don’t owe us anything. And if you want to give us something, let it be from your kindness. Not because you need to. Okay?” He ruffled his hair, making his point clear.
Nigel wiped the tear at the edge of Jake’s eye, his voice soft of a whisper, “We would never force you into anything you don’t want to do. Your actions will always be yours.”
Jake only nodded as a soft smile came up to his face. This embrace, he’d love to be in it forever.
Those words were true.
No expectation, no need to please.
Just love.
That’s how family is supposed to be.
And Jake loved it. He wouldn’t trade this feeling for the world.
8:00.