Perspective

60- Did you just Bro-zone me

"Chase!" Asher calls as soon as I get out of the car.

He runs to me and hugs me tight.

"I missed you," Asher mumbles as he lifts me off the ground.

I bury my face in his neck.

"I love you," I tell him.

Asher puts me down and cups my face. "I love you too."

He starts to lean in for a kiss but my family interrupts.

"Oh no you don't," Daniel says.

"Take it inside, kiddos," Mom says.

"Y'all nasty," Chandler adds.

"Give us two minutes," I tell them, pulling my boyfriend inside our house.

"Maybe make that 2 hours," Asher corrects me.

I smirk and unlock the front door so that we can go to my room.

"I'm going to bed," Daniel announces, following us inside with a suitcase.

Asher lets go of my hand. "I'll be right back," He says, running out to the car.

He returns a moment later with two more suitcases and a backpack. My mom and brother walk behind him.

Asher helps put the bags away before walking back to me.

"Sorry. Where were we?' He asks, swinging his arm over my shoulder.

"About to go upstairs," I remind him.

"Move, I'm tired," Chandler interupts, pushing past us and heading up the stairs.

"Rude," I call as he trudges up the stairs.

"I'm tired, don't test me sis," He snaps back and goes to his room.

"I'm going to take nap too," Mom says. "You two keep it down."

"Mom," I groan as she smirks.

Asher nods his head. "Yes ma'am. I'll make sure Chase keeps it down."

"Hey!" I playfully slap his arm.

My mom shakes her head with a laugh and goes to her room. Asher and I quietly go upstairs and collapse on my bed.

"Babe, I missed you so much," Asher tells me.

"I missed you too, bro," I say, snuggling up to him.

"Wait," Asher pulls back. "Did you just bro-zone me?"

"Maybe."

"If I'm your bro, then you're my bro," Asher says, wrapping his arms around me again.

"And I love you bro," I tell him. "No homo, though."

Asher chortles at me.

Our laughter dies down and we lie there in silence.

Asher caresses my cheek gently before pressing his lips to my forehead.

"I love you," He says.

My stomach flutters. "I love you too."

"How was the reception?" He asks.

"It was fun," I tell him.

"That's good."

"How was your week?"

"Boring. I didn't have anyone to bother and kiss."

"Well, now you do."

I get up and position myself so that I'm straddling my boyfriend.

Asher has a grin on his face.

"What?" I ask.

"This position is real tempting, babygirl."

I look down. "You are nasty."

Asher grips my hips and pulls me forward. "I know."

I flick his nose and grin.

"Should we take a nap?" He asks, tucking some of my hair behind my ear.

I nod. "What should we do after that?"

"If you're up to it, we can go to Ikea."

:::

"Harper, you have to hold my hand," Asher tells his son.

"No," Harper says and holds my hand instead.

"What can I say? Kids love me more," I tease Asher.

His lips tug into a smile. "They're not the only ones."

"Let's go, Romeo," I say, walking along the path that is on the floor of the store.

Asher follows me with the stroller tucked under his arm.

"You know it's easier if you push the stroller," I tell him.

"Thanks for telling me that now," He says, stopping and unfolding the stroller.

"Mommy!" Harper calls.

I look down and see him pointing at a gray couch.

"Do you want it?" I ask.

Harper nods. Asher shakes his head. Harp pouts, but Asher doesn't budge.

"Can we please get it?" I ask Asher.

His face softens a bit. "Why?"

"Because it's my favorite color."

He blinks. "Lets keep going."

I squat down and ruffle Harper's hair. "I tried, buddy."

"You really didn't," Asher murmurs.

I shoot him a look.

"There's always a next time," Asher tells me, offering his hand.

I take his hand and stand up so that I'm face-to-face with him. After I kiss him on the cheek, I take Harper's hand in my other one.

"Baby,"Asher calls.

"What?"

"I love you."

I feel the heat rush to my face as my stomach flutters. "I love you too."

He kisses my cheek and wraps his arm around my waist.

The three of us walk around for a bit longer before stopping to look at some stuff in the kids section.

"Babe, where's Harp?" Asher asks, letting go of my hand.

I look around. Harper's nowhere in sight.

"Oh no," I moan, feeling sick. I can't believe I lost my boyfriend's son.

Asher quickly kisses my head. "It's okay. We'll find him."

We split up and search the entire section.

"I'm sorry, Ash," I apologize when neither of us find him.

"Hey, it's not your fault."

"Yes it is. He's gone."

"He's only two and can't go anywhere, I'm sure he's nearby."

I glance over at the tents and spot a small shadow.

"You don't think—" Asher starts as I open the little flap.

Harper's curled up on the floor, asleep.

Asher and I lock eyes and burst out laughing.

I'm going to miss these two so much.

•••

Thanks for reading :)

~M