🔥Through the flames🔥 -an Upstead story

Chapter 26: Balancing acts (part 2)

Hey guys I'm back with a new chapter this one is a bit heavy and emotional with a little bit of fluff sprinkled within I really hope you guys feel every emotion reading this chapter as I did writing it so without further ado here's chapter 26
—————————————————————————————————

Chapter 26: Balancing acts (part 2)
The soft glow of the table lamp bathed the living room in warm light as Hailey sat cross-legged on the floor, meticulously folding colorful slips of paper. A mason jar sat beside her, its lid off and ready to be filled. Jay was sprawled on the couch, holding their handwritten list, the corners of his mouth quirking up as he read through the ideas they'd come up with the week before.

"Okay," Jay said, scanning the paper. "Who came up with 'roller disco night'? Because that's got your name written all over it."

Hailey glanced up, smirking. "Guilty as charged. It's going to be hilarious watching you try to skate without falling on your butt."

"Bold of you to assume I'd fall," he shot back. "I've got great balance."

"You mean when you're on solid ground," she teased, tossing a folded slip into the jar. "Now, hand me the list. We've got twenty more to write out, and I'm not doing this all by myself."

Jay swung his legs over the side of the couch and joined her on the floor. "Fine. But I'm calling veto on the pottery class. I'm still not convinced that's an actual date and not an excuse to cover me in clay."

She laughed, nudging him with her knee. "It's on the list. No take-backs. Now start writing."

With an exaggerated groan, Jay grabbed a pen and began copying down items from the list. The two worked in companionable silence for a few minutes, the only sound the faint rustle of paper and the scratch of pens. Every now and then, Hailey would glance at him, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Hey," she said, holding up one of his slips. "'Camping under the stars'? This one's sweet. Didn't know you were such a romantic."

Jay shrugged, his ears reddening slightly. "It's practical. No Wi-Fi, no distractions. Just us."

"Just us," she repeated softly, tucking the slip into the jar.

When they'd finished folding the last of the ideas, Hailey screwed the lid onto the jar and shook it gently, the papers inside shifting with a satisfying rattle. She set it on the coffee table with a proud grin.

"There," she said. "The official Jay and Hailey Date Jar. Think of it as our relationship insurance policy."

Jay tilted his head. "Insurance policy?"

"Yeah," Hailey said, leaning against him. "For when life gets too crazy and we forget to make time for this—time for us."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "You're kind of a genius, you know that?"

"Tell me something I don't know," she teased, though her voice was soft.

Jay pressed a kiss to her temple, his voice quiet when he said, "I promise we'll use it. Every single one."

They sat together, the jar between them, a tangible reminder of their commitment to keep choosing each other, no matter what.

The jar sat on the coffee table, a bright centerpiece against the otherwise muted tones of the room. Hailey leaned back against the couch, her gaze shifting between the jar and Jay, who was still sitting cross-legged on the floor. He was toying with the last folded slip of paper, a pensive expression on his face.

"What's on your mind?" she asked softly.

Jay turned the slip over in his fingers before placing it into the jar. "Just thinking how long it's been since we've done anything like this," he admitted.