My alarm went off at seven thirty on the nose. Like the walking dead, I found myself in the shower, turning on the water. It took a minute before I became truly fully conscious. I continued through my morning routine: shower, blow dry hair, clothes, OJ, power bar. I checked the time, nine oh four. I hurried downstairs and to the curb where I hailed a cab.
I got out of the cab and hurried up the steps ten minutes before mass began. Early, for once. I scanned the crowd for Seeley. My heart either stopped all together or started pounding three million miles an hour—I'm not sure—as a pair of familiar, sweet, soft, and warm brown eyes met mine. They broke away for a moment as they moved to a little boy with a crazy curly mop of hair and the same beautiful eyes. They both waved to me as I hurried over and scooted past Parker to Seeley's other side.
"Hi," he said and kissed me quickly. My heart leapt just like it had the night before.
"Hi, Seeley," I said as I slipped my hand into his. I looked at Parker, cementing his face into my mind. "Hi," I said to him, "Parker, right?" he nodded with a big smile.
"Hi. Yeah. What's your name again? Daddy told me, but I forgot."
"Jay."
"Isn't that a boy's name?" Parker said innocently, not aiming to offend.
"Parker," Seeley scolded, "That's rude."
"It's okay," I said, soothing him and rubbing my thumb over the top of his hand. "It's a nickname."
"Well, then what's it short for?" Parker demanded, in a question phase, obviously.
"Jacquelynne. I think it's too long. I like Jay much better."
"Oh, is that like how dad's name is Seeley but everyone but you and mom just calls him Booth?"
"Kind of." The organ started to play and we all rose as mass began. Periodically, Parker would say something to Seeley, who would ignore him again and again until he got loud enough it elicit a sharp, hissing, "shhh!"
The whole mass, I was thanking GOD for sending me this opportunity with Seeley, it had been a long time since I'd met a halfway decent guy and I prayed he'd stick around for at least a little while. As we stood for communion, I watched Seeley move, fluid, strong. He was a big guy, not necessarily height wise, but in build. He was so muscular, with big hands and broad shoulders. As he turned into line, his head bowed, revealing a beautiful profile, a crooked nose, obviously broken a few too many times. He was so beautiful. His eyes were closed, his expression pensive. As he placed the host in his mouth, I caught a glimpse of his teeth, straight, perfect, white. His canines were a wee bit longer and pointed than all his other teeth, but not in a vampirey way, in a strong, confident, masculine way, if that makes any sense.
In short, he was as beautiful as beautiful could be, more than any actor I'd watched or high school football player I'd kissed. When we reached our pew again, I praised the Sweet Lord Jesus Christ.
"The Lord be with you," the priest called out to us.
"And also with your spirit," we said, stumbling over the new translation, 'and with your spirit' instead of 'and also with you'. The deacon dismissed us. Seeley threaded his fingers through mine and my heart pounded. I smiled to myself as Parker quizzed us on what we were doing now.
"You didn't tell him?" I asked Seeley.
"Nope. I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Church doesn't count as a date, does it?" I asked, ready for a shaky response.
"Breakfast does."
"With Parker?" he stopped, wrapped one arm around my waist, the other gingerly behind my head. He wore a slight smile as he pulled me close, planting one on me, kissing me deeply for the first time. Wow, that sure beats the sweet pecks I've gotten so far. His touch teemed with electricity.
"Ew, dad," Parker said, trying to pull him back off my unsuccessfully. A mixed message. Disgusted in the childlike sense, but so glad his father's life was joyful again. The kiss got hotter and heavier until I was convinced I would simply melt.
"Dad," Parker said, embarrassed, "People are staring."
"Shh, Parker," Seeley mumbled through my lips, toying with the long tendrils of hair in the middle of my shoulder blades. I withdrew; a smile on my lips and a sweet blush on my cheeks.
"That," Seeley whispered in my ear with his arm around my waist as we progressed to the car, "The fact that I'd do that with my eight year old son around, constitutes this a second date." Unsure of what to say next, I settled for,
"Constitutes. Good word." I stepped away from his arm and knotted my fingers in his. He loosened his tie with his left hand; his right was keeping mine warm from the biting October air.
"He's so cute, Seeley," I said, swaying into him, bumping him one step out of his path. Seeley chuckled.
"That's all Rebecca."
"Really? Because I see your very spitting image." He chuckled again, skeptically.
"You laugh," I said with my own quiet titter. Parker's small hand was poised on the back door handle, ready to escape the cool breeze. The car beeped as Seeley unlocked it with the remote, Parker scurrying into the car, calling for us to hurry up. Seeley came over, opening my door for me before walking to the driver's side and wrenching the key in the ignition, pumping up the heat and turning on my seat warmer. We all clipped in our seatbelts and settled in for the ride to the diner. Seeley undid the very top button, letting the collar relax. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed and I closed my eyes, thinking how lucky I must be.