The Lines We Cross

Chapter 43

Reed woke up to the soft light of morning filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. He turned his head to see Kenzie and Matt still asleep beside him, their faces serene and peaceful. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he admired them, feeling an overwhelming sense of love and contentment. Gently, he reached out and caressed their cheeks, his fingers tracing soft, tender lines. As he touched them, he felt a warmth spread through his chest, a profound connection that made his heart swell with emotion.

This is what I want every day, Reed thought, his heart brimming with love and joy. He carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to wake them, and tiptoed out of the room. Today was an important day, and he had a special errand to run.

As he drove to the jeweler's, nervous excitement bubbled within him. Am I doing the right thing? he wondered, his mind flashing back to two months ago when he had flown out Matt's dad and Kenzie's dad to ask for their kids' hand in marriage.

Reed's palms were sweaty as he waited in the airport lounge, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. When he finally saw Kenzie's father, Mr. Underwood, and Matt's father, Mr. Jacobs, his nerves spiked. He waved them over, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Thank you both for coming," Reed said, his voice wavering slightly as they sat down at a small café table. "I really appreciate it."

Mr. Underwood, a stern man with sharp eyes, wasted no time. "Reed, why are we here? What's so urgent that you had to fly us out, especially when I'm here and it's not to visit my daughter or son?"

"Thank you both for coming," Reed said, his voice wavering slightly as they sat down at a small café table. "I really appreciate it."

Reed took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension. "I wanted to catch up a bit. It's been a while since we last talked."

Mr. Jacobs smiled warmly. "It has been a while, Reed. How's the NFL treating you?"

Reed relaxed a little. "It's been intense, but I love it. The season's going well, and our team is really coming together. How have you both been?"

Mr. Jacobs added with a warm smile, "We miss not having you and Matt around, Reed. My wife especially feels your absence. She cooks enough to feed an entire neighborhood, even when Lauren, her husband, and little Ben come over. The house still feels too quiet and empty without you two. She always says it's not the same without the whole family together. The long-distance must be tough on you three."

Reed sighed, his expression softening. "It is challenging, but we make it work. Matt is with me, which helps, but being without Kenzie is tough. We stay connected through calls and visits whenever we can. It's not easy, but it's worth it."

Mr. Underwood' eyes narrowed slightly. "And what about Kenzie's dreams? Are you both making sure she doesn't have to sacrifice her aspirations just to be with you?"

Reed's heart skipped a beat. "Kenzie is incredibly talented, and her dreams are important to me. We've talked about it, and Matt and I are committed to supporting her in every way possible."

Mr. Underwood leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "You say that, but actions speak louder than words. Kenzie has always dreamed of making her mark in New York, and this is a huge opportunity for her. She could be the CEO of that company very soon. Are you ready to uproot your life and move there if she doesn't get the CEO position here in Tennessee?"

Reed swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. If that's what's best for Kenzie, I'll make it happen, so will Matt. Her happiness and her dreams are just as important as ours."

Mr. Daniels didn't relent. "And what about Matt? How do you plan to balance everything without one of you feeling neglected?"

Reed took a deep breath, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't think you understand just how much they mean to me. Matt has been my rock through the toughest times, and Kenzie... she brought a new light into our lives. Being with them has made me the person I am today. I love them more than anything, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure they feel valued and cherished. We're a team, and we face everything together. They are my everything."