Love Found

Chapter Fourteen

(Two weeks later)

Hunter

     I watch as people start to pour out of the court room. I squirm in my chair out in the hall, waiting for Jasper to come out. I stand up when I see him.

     He finds me and runs into my open arms and balls like a child.

     I hold him close to my chest and let him cry, knowing he had to revisit so many awful and painful memories. I whisper sweet nothings in his ear. Knowing he won't calm down for awhile, I sit down and pull him onto my lap and he sobs into my chest.

     He grips my shirt and keeps crying.

     I kiss the top of his head. I rock him. I play with his hair.

     He finally stops sobbing, but tears continue to run down his red cheeks. "I-I-I'm s-"

     "Concentrate on breathing and calming down..." I whisper calmly. "You're okay...you're brave and amazing..." I close my eyes and rest my chin on the top of his head, pulling his body closer to mine.

     He soon stops crying enough to be calm. "I'm sor-r-ry..."

     "No need to be, sweetheart...you're just fine..." I make him look at me. "Do you feel any better?"

     He nods and smiles.

     "Cutie..." I whisper and ruffle his hair.

     He playfully pouts, but smiles it away.

     "The cutest person ever." I tap his nose.

     He settles back on my chest, breathing deeply.

     I manage to stand and put him on my hips. "Time to go home, beautiful."

     "Please?"

     "Jazz, no. I don't want you getting sick again."

     We were at home, trying to decide what to go out and eat since the court meeting went well. Jasper tried to pass sushi.

     "Please!"

     "Mom won't let you so, I sure as hell won't." I sigh when he pouts. "Don't do this to me..."

     "Please?"

     I walk over to him and kiss his forehead. "We can do that when you win."

     He groans when he doesn't get the answer he wants.

     "You'll be okay." I kiss his forehead again. "Now...what else do you feel like eating?"

     He blushes a little. "Can you make your chicken and rice bowls?" He asks shyly.

     I kiss his cheek. "Coming right up."

     "Teach me how to cook one day." He says when we start washing the dishes.

     "I just might do that, lovely." I smile and finish my part while he has a couple more glasses to put in the dishwasher. I quietly and patiently wait.

     He finishes loading it and starts the load. "Done."

     "Movie?"

     "Or...you could teach me more guitar..." He bites his lip and my heart melts.

     How is he so adorable? "Deal." I take his hand in mine and lead him up to my room. I slightly close the door and grab the guitar. I hand it to him as he sits in the middle of the bed and me behind him. I position his hand. "D minor..." I do it again. "E major..." I smile as he figures out g major. "Good job. Now play something."

     He thinks for a minute while I lay next to him. He plays a couple practice rhythms quietly then pauses. He plays at a normal pitch while looking at where he places his hand.

     I smile and watch, enjoying the sight of his learning.

     He stops and looks down at me. "What?"

     I shake my head and hold his gaze. I jump when my mom knocks on the door. "Mom, hi."

     "I'm gonna get some sleep...behave."

     "Eat first. There's a Chinese bowl in the fridge for you."

     "Thank you, dear."

     "Bye, Ms. Rue." Jazz says as she waves and goes downstairs.

     I hold his hand. "You're a quick learner."

     "Can you play me something?"

     I sit up and take the guitar. I start to play a song I practiced a lot in ninth grade.

     "Wow...who wrote it?"

     I smile and look up as I keep playing. I sing along a bit and then stop. "By your very own, Hunter."

     "But you were never in a band?"

     Jasper started asking questions and put the guitar away. We were on my bed, laying on our sides, facing each other, my hand on his hip.

     I nod. "Never...I just felt like writing music."

     "Is it out in America?"

     I shake my head. "Never wanted to put it out..."

     "Have you written any other songs?"

     "Two others."

     "Are you working on anymore?"

     "Yes...I've been working on it for a year and a half...no ideas have came to mind...but one has recently. I just haven't had time to sit down and write."

     "What's the idea?"

     "That's for me to know and you to find out."

Author's Note

     Sorry for another short chapter, rushing out ideas.