In celebration of the 1yr publi-versary of And She Called Him Romeo, I decided that today I am sharing a bonus short epilogue that catches up with the married Jayson and Brooke on a date night.

These characters will always be favorites of mine and I love being able to revisit them. I hope you enjoy this short but sweet treat…


Date Night

“That kid is lucky he’s so cute.” Brooke let out a long-suffering sigh as she entered their bedroom, placing the baby monitor on the nightstand.

Jayson muted the sports channel that he’d been watching. All his grading done for the evening, he had made himself comfortable in the bed while Brooke had put Joshua to sleep. Their normally quiet kid had put up quite the fuss before bedtime. It was almost as if he knew that tonight was date night and that Jayson had plans in store to make the most of it.

“I heard. Thanks for braving the battle tonight, I’ll take the next two-bedtime shifts.”

“Oh you have got yourself a deal, sir.” She shook her hair out of the messy bun she’d spent the day wearing. “Did you call in the pizza order?”

“Yup, it should be here soon. I already folded the towels that were in the dryer and put them in the linen closet. You ready to start?”

She gave him an incredulous look. “I still need to shower Jay!”

“I thought one of the pros of having a date night at home was that we didn’t have to get all dressed up.”

Brooke shook her head. “Look at me, I’m gross.”

Jayson reached out, hooking a finger in the belt loop of her jeans, and pulled his wife closer. “Oh I’m looking at you, beautiful.”

“I feel disgusting.” She rolled her eyes at the compliment.

His hands gripped her hips and pulled her onto his lap where he kissed her, slow and deliberately. “You feel amazing to me.”

Cradled in his arms, Brooke looked up at the adoring face of her husband. “The sweet talk won’t work on me this time Romeo, I’m going to take a shower.”

Jayson playfully growled into her neck eliciting a round of giggles that melted into another loving kiss. “Fine, I’ll just have to join you in the shower… you know to keep you motivated.”

“I’m pretty sure it was one of your motivational sessions that got me here in a baby food-stained t-shirt.”

“Some of my best work too.”

His dimples were deep as he gave her that smile he liked to think had completely won her over all those years ago. Marriage had held new challenges for the two of them, but it also held new adventures. Every day he’d spent with her by his side as his wife, was also a day that he didn’t take any blessings for granted. Watching her grow from his girlfriend to his wife, and now as the mother of his son, had been the most beautiful part of his life.

She stood, pulling her shirt over her head as she walked around the bed towards the bathroom door. “I’ll jump in and out, ten minutes tops.”

That meant twenty. He gave her a skeptical glance. “Ten minutes.”

“Yeah, no more than fifteen.”

“Brookelynn!” His shoulders shook with laughter.

Brooke gave him her own flirtatious grin before disappearing into the bathroom. Moments later, he heard the shower come to life and he started the shot clock. Sure that Brookelynn was distracted in the bathroom, Jayson grabbed the baby monitor and put his plan into action. Checking to make sure Josh was still sleeping soundly, he headed downstairs to get things ready. He turned on the TV that was mounted over their mantle, getting the DVR ready to watch their show. Date nights looked a little different since Josh was born, but they had remained just as special. It was a time where he could enjoy his wife alone, and of course that was one of his favorite ways to enjoy her.

Jayson had just got a fire going in the fireplace as the doorbell rang. He scurried to answer, not wanting to give the doorbell a chance to wake his son up. Food in hand, he knew he had only a few more minutes before Brooke would be looking for him. Laying out a blanket for the two of them, he set up a little indoor picnic in front of the fireplace.

Opening up the ottoman, he retrieved the bouquet of flowers and bottle of wine he’d tucked away in secret.

“Jay?” Brooke’s voice came just before he heard her foot hit the top of the steps.

He watched his fresh-faced and beautiful wife walk down the steps in a pair of boxer shorts and one of his old t-shirts. He felt his heart skip a beat as it often did when she entered a room. The way he felt about this woman of his never ceased to make him feel more than he ever thought possible.

She took in the sight of the simple spread he’d laid out for her, a sweet smile spreading across her face almost as quickly as the tears that filled her eyes.

“Oh, Jay… you did all this for me?”

“Of course, I did. Just because we have a date night at home doesn’t mean I’m going to miss the chance to show you some romance Brookelynn.”

Crossing the room, she walked into his embrace. “My Romeo. Thank you, I needed this.”

“Thank you, baby. Thank you for all the things you do for me and our son… for our family.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Another to the tip of her nose.

One on each cheek.

And then finally her lips.

 

“Ohmygoshsogood.” Brooke’s pleasure was muffled as she ate her slice of pizza. Her head thrown back and eyes closed, she savored it as she chewed.

Jayson grinned, “You ready to start the show?”

Brooke checked the baby monitor for an all-clear. Joshua was sleeping soundly, just like the perfect wingman Jayson needed him to be. Thank you, son.

“Looks like we’re ready to roll.” She crossed her fingers as she set her plate to the side.

Jayson pressed play on the remote before setting it down. Lifting his arm, he gave her the unspoken invitation to sidle up next to him so they could cuddle, which she promptly took. Once they were comfortable and settled in, Jayson buried his fingers in her hair and began to lightly massage her scalp.

“You’re going to love this episode.” He caught his mistake three seconds too late.

“What do you mean, I’m going to love this episode?!” Brooke sat up in alarm, swatting his arm in outcry. “Jayson Mark Williams, did you sneak and watch without me?!”

“I’m sorry! I had a moment of weakness!”

“You cheated!”

Jayson tried his best to suppress his laughter. “I had to find out what happened next!”

Brooke gave him her best angry pout. “I am so upset with you, Mr. Williams.”

“I’ll make it up to you.”

“Mmhmm.”

He pressed a kiss to her neck. “I will…”

“Oh, I know you will… just wait until after the show.”

Even if he wanted to, Jayson wouldn’t have been able to stop his grin from overtaking his face. “Yes, dear.”

 

© COPYRIGHT 2017 by Santana Blair