Page 97 of Something Like Forever

“I’vealready got two grandpas,” Daisy said, her tone disapproving. “NowI’m supposed to get two more.”

Tim sat down next to her.“Then maybe I could be something else. Instead of Grandpa, youcould call me Lito.”

“Lito?”Daisy said, face scrunching up. “What’s that?”

“It’s Spanish. Lito is shortforabuelito.”

Daisy nodded. “I like thatbetter.”

“Lito?”

“No, the otherone.”

“Abuelito,” Tim said.“Okay. That’s what you can call me. And you can callBen—”

Footsteps made him turnhis head. Ben himself had just walked into the entryway, facecreased with concern. Tim stood, an apology on his lips, when Benrushed over to hug him.

“Are youokay?” they asked at the same time.

Ben pulled back, his smilefading. “I’m glad you’re home. If there’s anything you need, oranything I can do…”

“I’m tired,” Timadmitted.

Ben nodded hisunderstanding. “Go take a nap.”

“But I haven’t been aroundand—”

Ben put a hand over hismouth to stop him. “We’re fine. We’ve all missed you, but we’rebetter now just knowing that you’re here. Go rest.”

“Okay,”Tim said, looking toward the living room and the back door. Part ofhim wanted to go out there, lay down on Chinchilla’s grave, andnever get up again. But he couldn’t. Not when other people weredepending on him. He kissed Ben and thanked him. As he left theroom, Tim looked back, locked eyes with a little girl, and promisedhimself to get better. If not for his own sake, then for the peoplehe loved.

ChapterFifteen

Tim felt like a butler,constantly opening the front door, greeting the guests, anddirecting them to where they should be. He didn’t mind so much,since for the most part he was happy to see each person as theyarrived. If only his stupid mind would let go of old habits. Hekept worrying about Chinchilla slipping out the front door orgetting underfoot before remembering with a jolt that she was nolonger with them. Staying busy helped him work through this, as didall the smiling faces, which reminded him of what a specialoccasion this was.

One face in particularmade him feel better. Tim ducked into the kitchen for a drink andnoticed Jason standing at the sink, gulping down water. He spunaround when hearing Tim’s approach, resembling a skittish animal.Jason looked handsome despite his transparent panic. His suitjacket, vest, and pants were slate gray, the dress shirt white. Theonly splashes of color came from the tie around his neck and thehandkerchief stuffed into one pocket, both pale blue.

“Everything all right?” Tim asked.

“Yeah,”Jason said, glancing around the room, which wasn’t empty, so heleaned forward and whispered, “I might be freakingout.”

“Cold feet?” Tim asked,grabbing a glass for himself and filling it with water.

“Noway!” Jason said. “I’m ready to marry William. One hundred percent!I just wish we could go up to my old room, shut the door, and do itthere.”

Tim snorted. “Ibet!”

“Poor choice of words,”Jason said, chuckling himself. “I wish we could get marriedthere.”

“I getit,” Tim said with a nod. “Right now it doesn’t feel too romantic,does it?”

“No,” Jason said. “Ihaven’t seen William since yesterday. Not for more than a fewseconds. He keeps running away and saying it’s bad luck and uh…” Heglanced around again. “There are so many people here!”

“Give ita little more time,” Tim said. “Once the ceremony is over, you’llfeel relieved and will be able to relax and have fun. You’ll haveWilliam at your side then too, which will make facing the masseseasier. Just remember that we’re all here because we love you. Meespecially. I’m proud of you, Jason! You didn’t have an easy road.Relationships are hard enough to figure out without having issues.I had plenty and they tripped me up bad. You—”

“I’m no saint!” Jasonsaid. “I’ve made mistakes.”

“Youstayed true to your heart. Everything you did was in the name oflove. I’ve only known one other guy like that, and I made sure tomarry him. William is smart to do the same. Ben was the best thingto ever happen to me. At least until you came along. Remember whata jerk I was the day you showed up?”