The girls are getting entertained by an animated movie while the grownups are on the deck continuing their talk from earlier today.
"In a short time, I have gotten more clarity than I have in months." Paulina states while supervising the girls thru the window.
"Clean mountain air will do that. I have done my share of thinking."
Paulina walks over to the porch swing, "What's your plan when we get back home?"
"Well, I contacted a realtor a few days ago to find a place for the girls and I. She's supposed to send me listings by tomorrow. Hoping to get that settled within a day or two after we get back."
"That's good." She observes him playing with his ring finger, which bares no rings. "What are you thinking?"
"Would you check out the place… see if you, you know, like it. That it's kid safe."
"Absolutely, I would love to." Paulina provides a reassuring look.
Later in the night, the girls are in bed. Paulina and Jake return to their pool game downstairs. The covered porch lights assist in illuminating the table along with the cheesy overhead lamp.
"Have we decided what the winner gets?" Paulina inspects her pool cue.
"Nope. How about whoever wins decides our next adult activity?" Jake watches Paulina's mind race.
Paulina stutters at first. "O…Oh…Okay. Sounds good… Your turn." Her craft beer stays in the bottle. She is too preoccupied.
Jake takes a shot, but misses. "Are you okay? You seem a little off."
"Just thinking we're gonna to be heading back home soon."
"And?" He stands a few feet in front of her.
"And…" Paulina stalls and walks around him to take her shot. "Whatever happens, I just want to make sure I can stand on my own after all this..."
"I can understand that."
"Jake?" He raises his eyebrows, "I reached out to Cass, earlier, to start the papers and I called Joe this morning. He didn't answer. I had to leave a message." Paulina carefully watches Jake's expression. "I just said we have to talk when I get back."
"Does that mean you made a decision?" Jake perks up keeping the pool table between them.
Paulina leans on the cue stick. "I did. But, I need for you to give me at least a month from today. A month to get things in order. Is that fair?"
"Whatever you need, Cupcake." He looks at his watch to notate day and time, "Like what I said before, I am in no way going to push you."
Paulina grins, "I know. I just have a lot to think about."
"It gives me time too. I'm returning with children."
"You know, I don't even have my own place, my own job."
"Did you think I wouldn't understand?" Jake asks with sensitiveness. "You need to live your life, Paulina first and foremost. Just don't rush it. Don't settle."
"But, you're apart of my life, right?" She responds with no inflection in her voice. She cares about what he thinks. "We know this, you and me, isn't going to happen overnight. At least if we want to do it right."
Jake shoots the seven ball again and this times sinks it in the corner pocket. "That's just it. We… we're a team."
"Exactly." She watches him shoot the remaining solid ball in the opposite corner pocket bouncing softly off the wall. "When I think about the past few years, together and apart, there was always a place you lived… in me, and will for life." Jake walks towards her, "And now, in these days, I see your face," she reaches out to hold his face in her hands, "not just in my dreams, but right here beside me... I am just so happy."
They are a centimeters from each other. Jake cannot wait another moment longer; he kisses her with so much desire. She crashes into him. It is not a simple kiss; it is full of lust and longing. They are intoxicated with pure need.
As he kisses her neck, she breathlessly calls out his name.
"Sorry…" he leaves one more peck on her shoulder. "It won't happen again."
They both know that is not true. She snickers, "Don't promise that." She picks up her pool cue that she dropped somewhere along the way between the talking and kissing. "We better finish this game, McKinnon."
Jake is fascinated by her beautiful self, standing opposite him on the other side of the pool table. Paulina's face is blushed with her lips slightly bruised from their passionate kiss. His eyes connect with hers, "Eight ball corner pocket". He glances back at the cue ball before starring back into her blue eyes then he takes the shot.
"Well done! I guess you get to decide what we do next." Paulina starts walking up the stairs to the main floor and hollers back at Jake, "You coming?"
It is close to midnight and they find themselves facing one another in Jake's bed. This appears to be a regular routine for them: him with his black boxer briefs and her in his t-shirt.
Paulina lays a hand on his chest feeling his heartbeat under her hand.
"You stopped wearing your ring." Jake states in a soft tone running his finger along hers.
"Since I made my decision." Paulina rubs her legs together. "I want to finish my top three or at least finish one memory." She sighs as she feels his hand on her hip and recalls where she left off, "You scooted closer to me that night and you didn't know, but I felt you… all of you. I felt your breath on my neck and your hand on my hip… just like now."
"And if I remember correctly, you were wearing that short pink number." She nods as her eyelids become heavy.
"Then you said…" And before she can finish the story, Jake interrupts to say. "I've got it from here… it went something like this, 'When you wrap your arms around me, I want to hold you even tighter.'" Paulina grabs hold of his arm that's holding her hip knowing what is about to be said next. "'When you wrap your legs around me, I ache to be deeper… inside you. When you dig your heels into my back, I push harder…'"
"Oh god, Jake…" Paulina rubs her legs against each other again and closes her eyes tighter.
He continues feeling her nails dig into his arm and whispers, "I'm almost done…"
"Don't." Paulina begs. "Please, Jake. I thought I could, but I can't hear it come from your lips… not yet."
He smirks, "Okay. Later. Can you fall asleep?" He runs his hand to the side of her breast.
She nods and throws the covers off to cool off while Jake watches her eventually fall asleep.