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We were relaxed and happy, walking off the enorhed at -out I’d apparently been hu "White Christ Christmas carols under my breath I didn’t actually re been totally focused on the concoction in front of ence forhow I’d work off--and I didn’t miss a drop

Noas totally focused on the equally yummy Hamilton in front ofhands and people-watching There were several kids playing on the edge of the little pond, and we laughed as atched the over to where ere sitting, and Jack jumped up to kick it back to them The kids shouted their thanks, and he ca as he s aboutinto it no matter how I tried to not think about it He watched hts," he said

"Thought you Brits used shillings and sixpence and whatnot," I said

"Do all Ae of British culture froot a bit from Dickens"

"Ah, yes Another reliable source for current culture"

He laughed as I kissed hiether for another moment

"Nice deflection, Grace, but what are you thinking about?" he pressed

"Honestly?"

"Yes, please," he encouraged, huggingyour family It makes me a little nervous," I replied

"Why nervous?"

"I dunno Take your pick I’e star, not to mention the fact that I’ in the air Jack was laughing though

"A Yank? Seriously, where do you coain?"

"No, this time European Vacation But seriously, Jack What if your dad doesn’t like me?"

"European Vacation," he snorted, then looked back at the group of kids playing "My dad loves any girl who can cook He always said that was one of the reasons he fell in love withShe used to make this shepherd’s pie Oh, it was the best, she would--" he started, then stopped, looking sad all of a sudden I took his hands again and wrapped hiht? Sixteen when she passed away?" I asked quietly He nodded

"I bet she’d be proud of you right now Look at everything you’ve acco his scalp the way I knew he liked He leaned into my hand, but was still quiet We soaked up the fresh air and the sounds of the city

"Grace, how co me out of my spell

"My what? My parents?"

"Yes, you never mention them Come to think of it, I don’t think you’ve ever said a word about the into my hand, which had stilled

"Myaccident It happened fast I didn’t even one She was only forty-one," I answered, closing s and toast every , without fail All these years and her breakfasts were still the first thing that caht about her That and her perfu me closer

"I’hed hollowly

"And your dad? How did he take it?"

"You’d have to ask him, if you can find hirade He left h and dry Never looked back--no letters, no phone calls, nothing," I said, my voice empty My skin prickled a bit I never talked about this stuff It made me uncomfortable, and I didn’t do uncomfortable

"He just left?"

"Yes, he just left Can we talk about so else? My dad was a deadbeat No need to discuss," I said, just as the soccer ball caain This tirily and sailing it over the lot of the ability, and I curtsied I sat down next to hiain, and we continued to watch

"Cute kids," he said, watching the the to look atup and depositingme in with his arms around me and his chin on h later on today I’ll be glad to de me to him "But really, do you want kids someday?"

"I don’t know I don’t think so I ht more seriously about it by now," I said "What about you? I mean, not now, but do you want kids so down at him

"Hmm, I don’t think so either I don’t particularly care for children--at least not in the sense that I want any of ertips, each one in turn, lavishing attention on e your ht change your ers

"Eh, I don’t have all the years in front of me like you do My choices are a little hing happily as he placed a kiss on hed a little, and he looked at me curiously

"What’s funny, love?"

"It’s funny that you’re dating a woed to find the one who doesn’t see," I said, planting a kiss on top of his head and pulling hian to walk back toward the Plaza to catch a cab