My Recluse Valentine (Hope Peak Valentine’s Day)

6. Chance

six

Chance

B lossom snuggles against my chest like she's done it a thousand times confirming she's the other part of my soul—the one I've been waiting for my whole life. She tells me story after story of her family and life growing up in Hope Peak from the time her parents adopted a pet racoon named Chewy to the time some high schoolers toilet papered the whole town during Homecoming week.

Her parents have since retired to Florida. They sound a lot like my parents. I can't wait to meet them but first I'm going to put a baby in Blossom's belly as soon as I can, so she'll never leave me. I know it's an asshole move, but now that she's here in my arms I'm never letting her go.

I could listen to her talk all night, her voice is so soft and soothing, perfect for singing a lullaby to our future children—even if that lullaby is an ABBA song.

"And then, Mr. Collins, from the grocery story started locking up the toilet paper. He made everyone show their ID before he would sell them any."

"What a dick move." I brush a lock of hair off her face gazing down in her eyes as she gazes up at me with a smile that warms my heart.

It might be Vantine's Day—a day made for love. Which some people equate to sex, but holding Blossom in my arms, in my home, with our two cats curled up next to us and Blossom wearing nothing but my favorite flannel—this is love.

Blossom launches into another story until her eyes begin to droop before finally fluttering closed as a soft snore part her lips. I hold her closer, vowing to keep her and Milo with me forever.

I gently kiss her forehead, "Happy Valentine's Day, Sweet Girl." I murmur into her hair before falling asleep with visions of our cabin full of human and fur babies for many years to come.