The Thread Between Danny and Me

Chapter 40: What we have

I loved having Danny live with me. Most nights he was home before me and did most of the cooking. He always made sure Rojo was well exercised and did his best to keep our place tidy.

Danny also made sure to find a hobby for us to do together. Not skateboarding, since that was a hobby for our teenage selves. This time around we took up salsa dancing.

As winter warmed to spring, I tried to keep a tally of all those precious memories so I could think of them when Danny left for the season.

"Welcome home, Darlin," he said when I entered our apartment.

"Thank you. Wow, it smells so good in here."

"You say that every time you come home," he laughed.

"Well, it's true. What are you making?"

"Dumplings."

"Seriously?" I let Rojo off his leash.

"Yep! I watched a bunch of YouTube videos and figured out how to make them."

"Amazing."

"Go ahead and sit down, MJ. They're ready."

I went to the table and Danny followed with a plate of perfectly made dumplings. He also made Dan Dan noodles. I put a big helping of both on my plate.

"Oh my god," I said after I took a bite. "These are delicious. Seriously."

His ocean eyes sparkled. "I'm glad you like them."

"I love them."

The noodles were just as good.

"Hey, MJ. Can I talk to you about something?"

"What is it?"

"Well," he hesitated. "I'm seriously thinking about getting out of my baseball contract."

My mouth opened. "What? Why would you want to do that?"

A peculiar smile moved across his mouth. "Because, I want to stay here, with you."

I shook my head. "Danny. That's—"

"I've thought a lot about it, MJ. I've had a good run. I got to play baseball for my career. I'm okay with being done."

I reached across the table and gripped his hand. "You shouldn't give up your career for me."

"Maybe I'm giving it up for me," he said with another smile. "Maybe I like getting home before you and cooking dinner. Maybe I like sleeping next to you every night. Maybe I like being able to make love to you whenever the mood strikes me. Maybe I like seeing you during the workday and watching my sexy lady in her boss heels come inspect the construction site I'm working at. Maybe I'm happier than I ever dreamed."

I swallowed.

"I love you, MJ. I don't want to give you up. We have too much time to make up for, and that's on me."

I see.

I got up from my seat, went around the little table, and forced myself onto his lap. Danny put his hands on my waist. I kissed him deeply.

"So, you're okay with me getting out of it?"

I smiled tenderly at him and ran my fingers across his jaw. "I love you so much, Danny McGarry. I'm also happier than I ever dreamed. And because of that, I think it's important that you not give up just yet."

He scrunched his eyebrows.

"Back when you left for South Carolina, my heart barely handled that. I still felt insecure and I needed more time with you. But it's different now because I got that time. I'm going to miss you a crazy amount, but when you leave, I know you'll come back. My heart is settled. The thread that connects us is secure and it doesn't hurt anymore."