Well here is the first true update in awhile, I'm sorry it took so long to get to you but I now know where I want to go with the story so, life permitting, updates will be back on schedule. I also have a novel in the works that has a similar story line to this and the barkeep but it is intended for adult audiences, if you are interested in being a beta reader send me a message and let me know. I know this is short but the coming chapters will be longer. For those of you who are celebrating the 4th, have a happy holiday. To those of you who don't have a nice day and thank you for reading.
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In the following months Aiden learned to crawl and the winter snow storms gave way to spring rains. Griffin worked more at the bar, feeling he had taken too much time away from the bar already. He had also added a few pictures to the walls of the bar that until now had been blank, one was a picture of Lily and Aiden and the other was of them as a family. More often than not Griffin would take Aiden with him to the bar while he got ready for the night and Lily would bring him home with her after she had finished her work. Lily sat on the floor handing a stuffed bear to Aiden while rain drummed steadily on the roof. Behind her the door slammed when Griffin walked in scowling.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

He didn't respond walking to the kitchen to retrieve the bottle he kept in the cupboard.

"Griffin?" Lily's voice shook.

He sighed and put the bottle back. "Why did you marry me?"

She cocked her head slightly. "Because I love you. What happened?" She took his hand in hers and sat him on the couch with her in the living room while Aiden played with blocks on the floor.

Griffin leaned back in his seat. "Marlin almost got into a fight with an out-of-towner."

"Marlin? Why?"

"Well the man noticed the pictures on the wall and asked if you were my daughter, I explained that you're my wife," he sighed again. "Then he came on with a bunch of insults, calling me a cradle robber, said I couldn't possibly make much as a barkeep and said that I don't deserve a beautiful woman like you."

She raised an eyebrow. "I hope you threw him out."

"Didn't have to. Marlin and Muffy beat me to it."

Thunder rumbled in the distance and Aiden clapped his hands laughing at the noise which earned an affectionate smile from his parents.

"Griffin?"

"Hm?" He turned to her.

She brushed a couple strands of gray hair away from his face and kissed him, hugging him tightly holding his shirt. "I love you. Now, forever, and always. You are the only one I've ever wanted," she said softly.

Even after all their time together and marrying her, his heart still leapt at the words. He hugged her, holding her against his chest. "Dance with me."

"What?"

"You heard me," he said gently, standing he took her waist in his arm and her hand in his.

She smiled up at him. "We don't have any music."

"Don't need it."

Griffin glanced down at Lily's hand in his, at their matching wedding bands. The man that had come to his bar may be younger and have more money than him but he would never have more love than he held in his arms in this moment.

They danced together effortlessly, the rain and thunder were their music and guided them around their living room now turned a dance floor. All the worries and hardships they faced in life faded away holding each other until the rain, thunder, the scent of roses and the sound of Aiden's laughter were the only things that mattered to them.