Chapter 96

“What did Steph say?”

“Huh?” Kim looked at him confused while climbing into bed that evening. She was dressed in a long-sleeved pajama, even though it was way too warm for it.

“What did Steph say to you? Shortly before the ceremony started?” Jon repeated and dropped his clothes on one of the chairs in their room. He already wanted to ask her the whole day, but every time someone got in his way during the reception.

“What did she say?” he asked again while getting under the covers as well.

“Oh, it was nothing.” Kim tried to play it down.

“Nothing? Come on, you paled and looked like you wanted to run away.” Jon paused and watched her carefully.

“Did she say something mean? Tell me, I’ll make her apologize and we talk about it.” He said determined, even though he had no idea what his daughter said. He always thought her relationship with Kim was fine. Maybe he was wrong.

Kim turned to him as if he was nuts.

“Jon, wait…she wasn’t mean or anything. She just asked me a simple question. There’s no need she has to apologize. She’s a good girl.” Kim interjected softly. Jon looked at her confused.

“So, what did she say that got you so scared?” he wondered. Kim sighed and rubbed her tired eyes. He wouldn’t let go. This could get on the whole night. It was driving him crazy that he had no clue. Kim sighed.

“She…she asked me ….if we will get married soon too.” She finally admitted. Jon stared at her for a few seconds.

“Oh.” He had no idea what else to say.

His mind was spinning. On the one hand, he was very happy that his daughter wouldn’t seem to mind if Kim and him would get married; on the other hand, they never talked about marriage, they just moved in together and he doubted that right now was a good time to talk about it. They had to deal with other problems right now.

“Yeah, she kinda surprised me.” Kim said when she saw Jon’s face. He nodded.

“What did you say?” he asked into the uncomfortable silence that was forming.

“I had no idea what to say. The question was so simple, but there are hundreds of questions that need to be answered first.” She said a little desperate. Jon nodded again.

“And honestly, I’m not sure I can handle all that right now.”

“I understand.” He said.

“Really? Because I’m not sure I understand it myself.” Kim looked at him doubtful. Now Jon sighed.

“Kimi, just because Fran and Richie got married today, doesn’t mean we need to do the same. Not right now, not next year and maybe never. It’s our decision. And who knows, maybe in a couple months or years we see it differently, but I think we should focus on other things right now.”

“Yeah.” This time Kim nodded.

“You need to feel better first, and then there is the tour in Europe. We will have tons of time to figure everything out. We don’t need to rush here.” He not only tried to calm her with his words. This time he wanted this relationship to last. Maybe marriage wasn’t the way for it, but only time would tell.

“Yeah, you are right.” She said and hesitantly rested her head on his right shoulder. Jon smiled lightly and carefully put his arms around her.

Kim exhaled deeply and tried to relax, but she couldn’t. When Jon’s hand softly caressed her waist, she jolted away from him.

“Jon, I can’t!”

“What?” he looked at her irritated.

“I can’t.” she repeated and grabbed the covers to pull them closer to her body.

Jon still stared at her until he finally realized what she was talking about.

“Kimi, I didn’t want to have sex…I just wanted you to relax.” He said astonished.

“Oh.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry.” She whispered while bowing her head. Nervously she was clenching the covers and tried not to erupt in tears.

Jon closed his eyes and forced himself to stay calm. There was no use in him getting mad now. He wanted to comfort her, but that bastard even destroyed that. He had to realize they were right where they were at the beginning of their relationship, maybe even further away.

“Hey…” he gently tugged at her hand. “Come here, yeah?” She swallowed hard. Her emotions were totally messed up; he could see it in her eyes.

“It’s ok, honey. It’s not your fault. I’m sorry…. Come here.” He softly tried to lure her in. She looked like a distraught little girl right now.

She watched him for a whole minute and searched his eyes. It was as if she needed to be sure it was really him. Jon wondered what kinda pictures and feelings she was trying to push aside in her mind. He didn’t move, he didn’t blink.

“Jon.” She suddenly whispered and slowly moved back into his arms.

“It’s ok, honey.” He murmured and pushed a streak of her blond hair back so he could see her. Tears were shining in her eyes and she was trying hard to keep it together.

“Honey…let go. It’s alright. Remember it’s me…”

It seemed his soft words were all she need and in a split of a second Kim erupt in tears. She was sobbing and clinging to Jon like a drowning person. He could feel her shivering and pulled the covers over her shaking body. He closed his eyes and hoped his best friend was having a much enjoyable night.