I'll Come Running

Chapter 27

Rafe and Jessie slipped back down the stairs after putting Charley to bed. Jessie sighed as she took the last step off the stairs with Rafe behind her, looking at the mess in front of her. Toys everywhere, food still out on the counter, etc. but Jessie wouldn't dare complain, her house and her heart were full. Still, Rafe understood the reason for her sigh.

"What would you like me to do first? Pick up the room or help in the kitchen?" Rafe asked as he snaked his arms around Jessie and lowered his head to be next to hers. Jessie grabbed Rafe's arms in response and leaned her head into Rafe's chest.

"Why don't you just help me in the kitchen and we'll work our way through everything together. Can you start by grabbing the plates from the table?" Jessie inquired with a half smile.

"Of course I can." Rafe whispered as he planted a kiss on Jessie's cheek and pulled away.

Rafe did just that, eventually working his way into the kitchen to help load the dishwasher and wipe the counters. Once that was done, the two of them made their way into the living room to pick up Charley's toys. They both ended up on their hands and knees crawling around looking for any toys that could be hidden or lodged underneath any furniture. Eventually they both made their way around the coffee table from opposite directions, their eyes meeting thankfully before their heads collided.

As their eyes locked, no words needed to be said, a clear message being received. Rafe looked at Jessie's lips and then back to her eyes. Jessie leaned in and their lips finally crashed together. Rafe pulled Jessie closer as their lips moved in perfect sync. They eventually sat in the floor in between the coffee table and the couch making out innocently. They both were simply enjoying each other's presence. Eventually Rafe broke away, despite his desire to keep this going for hours on end.

"We need to talk." Rafe proclaimed out of breath as he held Jessie's face, both of them propped up against the couch while still sitting on the floor. Jessie tried to catch her breath also, clearly annoyed and focused on other things.

"Do we have to?" Jessie whispered, still locked on Rafe. Rafe just chuckled in response and looked down at the carpet.

"Yes... we do." He answered with a half smile of assurance as he brushed some hair away from Jessie's face. "It's nothing bad, but I just want to talk."

"Ugh come on Rafe, I just need one day where everything is perfect. Can we please just do this tomorrow?" Jessie pleaded.

"That's what I want to talk to you about... tomorrow." Rafe trailed off. "What does tomorrow look like for you?" Rafe asked. Jessie just sighed, clearly she was being roped into this conversation one way or the other.

"I don't know." Jessie stated honestly. "What does it look like for you?"

Rafe looked down at the shaggy rug they were sitting on and began to play with some loose strings of the carpet as he contemplated his answer. He wanted to be honest, but he also wasn't sure how honest he should be.

"I want you to come back with me." Rafe looked up and into Jessie's eyes with hope. He decided to just cut to the chase. Jessie was a little taken back by his boldness, but she knew this conversation was going to have to happen.

"Well, it's not that easy, Rafe. I mean, Charley and I have built a life here and we-"

"And I get that, and I would move here but... you know that all of my business is back in OBX." Rafe replied in a hushed tone, trying to show sincerity and regard for Jessie's point of view. Jessie just sighed and looked down, suddenly finding the carpet just as interesting as Rafe did.

"Yeah, I know." Jessie said sadly, never looking up as she played with the carpet. Rafe could tell he had upset Jessie, and that was definitely not his intentions. Maybe he should have waited to have this conversation tomorrow.