Wait for Me by Kris Jacen

Author:Kris Jacen [Jacen, Kris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance, military
Publisher: MLR Press
Published: 2017-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

The quiet dinner was just what they both seemed to need. Scott was watching Jeff as the tension just drained from him. He didn’t think that there was major drama in Jeff’s family, but he could be mistaken.

“Problems at home?” Scott asked.

“Huh? Problems?” Jeff tilted his head to the side like he couldn’t understand the words that Scott had said.

“You seem tense, like there was a problem and you were releasing it.”

“No problems really. I just hate when I visit before a deployment. My mom seems to shrink into herself a bit unless she’s around the nibbles. Hate that she worries so much about me.”

“The nibbles?”

“My nickname for my nieces and nephews. I used to tease Alex about having ankle biters and then Amanda had her two. Calling them nieces and nephews every time is such a mouthful so I started calling them nibblers and from there…” Jeff shrugged.

“I love that! You should submit that to Merriam-Webster. New word for the year.” Scott had to put his fork down before he dropped it. He was laughing at the term. “Do they like it?”

“Yeah, it’s our special name. They’ve even sent me cards signed ‘Your Nibbles’ with their names under it. ‘Nessa was crying a bit when I left. She doesn’t understand why I can’t come back for her birthday this year.”

“You had to explain deployment to her?”

Jeff stopped eating and reached to hold Scott’s hand. “She was too young last time I left to remember that I wasn’t around. Not that I’m there for every birthday and holiday but I’m at enough that she’s getting the concept.”

“We’ve had some basic training at the center to help children when their parent deploys but maybe I should look into a bit more. Now that I’m with you, I’m getting a closer understanding, and yeah, what we’ve got isn’t adequate.”

“It’s good that you don’t ignore what they go through. Spook and Jeannine took deployments into consideration when they planned to try to get pregnant. Spook wants to be there for at least the first year, if possible, and the way things are going, it should work for them.”

“Much more goes into a military relationship than most even dream about.”

“Yeah. Happier subjects maybe?”

“How about we finish eating, just rinse the dishes and then some quiet time? I really love just sitting on the couch with you, not even talking, just being.” Scott was focused on making some memories with Jeff.

“I love that suggestion.” Jeff’s eyes were sparkling and he had a small smile on his face. Yeah, that’s what Scott wanted to see, wanted to remember.

§ § § §

They took their wine out onto the deck after cleaning up. It was such a beautiful night. The peaceful sounds finished what the shower and dinner had started. Sitting out here with Scott was a balm that Jeff was going to keep close for the next year. He had somewhat understood what was missing in his life watching the guys, but he hadn’t truly understood like he did now.

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