12 Days of Forever(37)

The door chimes and JD walks in. I nod to him and turn my attention to the paperwork sitting on the counter. I’m supposed to be going over the new memberships and making sure they’re all in order before they’re entered into the computer. The last thing I need here is for an error to mess up everything.

“What’s up, mate?”

I look up; JD looks concerned. His brows are furrowed, and he seems distracted.

“What’s going on?” I put the paperwork to one side and give him my full attention.

JD looks around, peering over both his shoulders before he leans over the counter. “I was playing with Little One outside, and my chest tightened. I didn’t think anything of it, but then it hurt to breathe.”

I lean back and try to read more from his expression. The harder I look, the more I see fear. His doctor said that he would experience times where breathing would be difficult, but he hadn’t had any issues yet. I thought he was in the clear.

“Have you called your doctor?” I ask, hoping that he has a cold or the beginning of one.

JD shakes his head. “What if he says something’s wrong?”

Sitting forward, I fold my hands together. His fears are legitimate. He had a life-threatening injury and by all accounts probably shouldn’t have survived. JD went through extensive physical therapy to rebuild his lungs and worked hard to be free of any walking devices before Eden was born. If he’s having a setback, this could kill him, so to speak.

“I think you need to call the doctor and see if you can get in. Tell him that you want an x-ray and make sure you share your concerns with him.”

JD contemplates what I’m saying and nods. “What if I need more therapy?”

I shrug nonchalantly. “If you do, we’ll do it. I can easily make adjustments in my schedule to accommodate you. But it may just be a cold, or the cold air.”

“You’re coming with us on tour, right? I know you said you would, but I just need to make sure.”

I nod. “You won’t need me, but I’ll be there.”

“All right, mate. I should probably get home. I told Jenna I was going out to buy some milk. I don’t even know if we need milk.”

“Don’t worry, JD. You look fine, other than the stress of freaking yourself out. I’ll see ya tonight, man.” JD and I man-shake by ways of a fist-bump and he takes his leave.

I can’t even imagine what kind of fear he lives with each time he thinks something could be wrong. I’m not sure what I can do to curb that fear, but I’m going to try.



My front door opens and closes quickly. I set down my half-full soda can on the counter and walk slowly into my living room. When I round the corner, I’m welcomed by the most beautiful sight, yet the most confusing.

Yvie is bent over, untying her tennis shoes. Sweatpants cover her legs and her small frame is hidden behind my way-too-big-for-her sweatshirt. By all accounts she should be dressed, and ready to head to Ralph’s to ring in the New Year. If this is her attire, I’m way overdressed.

I clear my throat and her head pops up. Her smile spreads from ear to ear and its nothing but mischievous. I can’t help but smile while I wait for her to finish taking off her shoes.

“Is there a magic dress under those sweats?”

Yvie stands, walks over to me and places her hands on my chest. “Nope,” she says. “Under these sweats you’ll find nothing but me.”

Placing my hands on her hips, I lean down and place a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Is tonight some type of costume party?”

She shakes her head and takes my face in her hands, placing a long, lingering kiss on my lips. I follow her as she pulls away, not ready to end our kiss. When I open my eyes, she’s smiling, and it hits me that this is our last night together.

“I thought we’d stay in. I got to thinking when I was packing that the last thing I want to do is go out to a bar where it’s noisy and crowded, when all I really want to do is cuddle up next to you on the couch and watch movies.”

“Yeah?” I ask, making sure that my ears aren’t deceiving me.

“Yeah. I mean unless you want to go out. I can change–”

“No, no, this is great. Fantastic even. I’d love to sit on the couch and watch movies with you.”

Yvie’s face lights up, and I try to memorize the look of excitement on her face. There are so many moments that I wish I had a camera so that when she’s gone, I can go back and look at them and bring up each memory. Some of her expressions I won’t be able to replicate over Skype.