Falling in Love Backwards

Growing together

It was a beautiful April afternoon and despite the chill in the air the sun was out. Everything was green with new spring growth. Kade had planned a picnic in the park as it was such a nice day, and we both had the day off.

Kade had found work with a local construction company, building houses. His work kept him busy most days, but he still found time to stop at the house to see Luna and I almost every night.

We had been dating since January, only a few months, but it felt like so much longer. I guess that's what happens when you fall in love with a childhood friend.

"Kade, I've been thinking. . ."

"What about?" He was playing with Luna, she had recently learned to push herself up on her arms, so he was laying in front of her to be at her level.

"I can see it's taking a toll on you to come by the house every night and then going back home. So I was wondering. . ."

Kade stopped to look at me, I smiled shyly before continuing.

"Would you like to, maybe, move in with us? That way you can see Luna every day, and you wouldn't have to kill yourself driving back and forth." I was babbling at this point, nervous that he would say no.

"Paige." He sat up, pulling Luna to him.

"Kade."

"You beat me to the punch. I was going to ask you about moving in when we went out on Saturday." He laughed. I felt all the tension leave my body in a single breath and I laughed as well.

I couldn't have been happier in that moment if I had tried. Everything was falling into place.

***

Kade moved in the following Saturday. It wasn't hard to fit in his few belongings; a bedside table, an arm chair, a dresser, and his clothes. Truthfully Luna had more things than he did.

"Is this all you have?" I asked carrying a box into the bedroom and setting it on our bed.

We had been affectionate, but had yet to do more than kiss. I was still leery about being intimate in that way.

"Yeah, I never had much or needed much as a single man. Now I've got my girls and I couldn't ask for more." Kade said carrying Luna and setting on the bed.

"Well, I'll go and feed Luna while you unpack, then we can find something for dinner." I took Luna and left to fix her bottle.

When Kade found me later I was rocking Luna to sleep in her room. He stood in the doorway watching.

"What?" I asked quietly, trying not to wake her.

"This moment, right now, is a memory I'll cherish forever. My two favorite girls." He smiled, and moved into the room. He bent to kiss Luna softly on the head.

I smiled at the sweet gesture and at his earlier words. I handed him Luna to put her in her crib.

He took my hand and I let him guide me back to the living room. It was getting dark and I knew that he wanted to talk, but I just wasn't ready yet.

"Well I should make dinner now." I stated turning towards the kitchen. I felt more than heard Kade follow behind me. He had this larger than life presence that made it difficult to ignore him.

"Dinner sounds nice." He came up behind me as I pulled out a knife and board. His arms snaked around my waist as I chopped potatoes and vegetables for a stew. It was still cold in the evenings and I needed some warming up.

"I can't cook like this." I muttered reaching over to fill a pot with water.

"But look at you doing it anyway." I didn't have to look at him to know that he was grinning at me. Sarcastic ass.

"You know what I mean." I elbowed him gently in the ribs, and moved to set the water on to start boiling. Quickly adding the potatoes, I started chopping other vegetables to add as well. All of this while Kade clung to me, his warm breath on my neck as he watched.

"Will there be a protein of sorts in this?" He asked, eyeing the simmering stew dubiously.

"Yes." I laughed, sprinkling in the seasonings before trying and failing to turn around to reach into the fridge. I ended up facing Kade, still in his arms.

"Hi there." His breath caressed my face, warming me more than the stew ever could.

"Hi." My gaze dropped from his eyes to his mouth and back up to find that he was staring hungrily at my lips. My breath faltered, and his lips were on mine in an instant. I couldn't say who kissed who first but suddenly he was stealing my breath as his own, my back pressed firmly against the fridge.

His tongue dominated my own, and I couldn't have, wouldn't have, stopped his oral assault on my mouth for anything. His hands migrated to cup my bottom as my own found his hair. I pulled him closer still, almost desperately, and I would have let him take me right there in the kitchen.

The pot on the stove had come to a boil and was violently sloshing water over the edge. It hissed as it hit the hot burner, loud enough to draw me away from the spell his mouth was weaving over me.

I pulled away thankful for small favors.

He grinned crookedly and kissed my forehead once before leaving me to finish cooking in peace. I let my mind wonder as I finished adding the meat and seasonings, and left it to simmer.

I found Kade next to the fireplace. He was staring into the leaping flames, his expression thoughtful.

"What's got you so pensive?" I curled up on the couch, pulling the throw across my lap.

"Wondering how I got so lucky." He chuckled lightly and sat next to me, wrapping an arm around me.

If you ask me that's a pretty good place to be. In the warm embrace of someone you love, in the house you share together.