Always Been You

“Oh it’s no problem, sweetie. Go ahead with whatever you are doing, dear”. Jonah said.

Knowing him, Katherine knew it was useless to try to argue. She just couldn’t understand why Jensen was helping… Again.

Well, at least they were getting the work done. She murmured to herself. She returned to the kitchen to continue with her cooking. She heard the lawn mower cross and recross the lawn outside the kitchen window. She glanced outside to view their progress.

Jensen was riding the lawn mower past the window. His hair, slightly rumpled, gleamed as the mower crossed from a shadow into a patch of sunlight. He looked like any other neighborhood husband doing his chores while his wife prepared the meal.

She watched Tim hop along beside the mower, obviously giving directions. Jensen signaled ‘gotcha’ with his thumb and index finger. Tim swooped, gathered a handful of grass and threw it at him. The grass caught Jensen full on the face. He brushed it off himself, smiled at Tim, and called something to him. Tim matched his smile and threw another handful.

Shakily, Katherine braced a hand against the counter. She closed her eyes and listened to the lawn mower complete another pass.

This was really too much. She decided. This best buddies thing with Tim and Jensen was not what she needed right now.

“Mom!” Tim erupted into the kitchen minutes later. “Guess what? Jensen let me sit in his car when he moved it next to grandpa’s house. You know, he told me he used to be a major league pitcher. You know that, right? Since you both went to the same school. Well, he said he’s going to help me practice before the game at school.” Tim rambled on. Then he added.” Let’s eat, mom. I’m hungry. Can Jensen stay too?”

” Look Tim, Jensen is… ”

“Jensen is what?” a voice said.

Katherine turned around slowly to find Jensen Packard standing in her kitchen. She reached out just as Tim’s body collided with her own, his arms going around her.” Mom, don’t you think it’s great that he’s gonna help me practice?” he asked.

Automatically, Katherine hugged him, mesmerized by the large, bare chested man behind him. “Great” she managed to say. “Just great”.

Tim’s excitement warmed her. He acted as if Jensen were his personal discovery, a fantastic new friend. The hero worship shining in his eyes reminded her of how she felt about her father when she was little. She understood. Tim didn’t have a father, which made him an the more vulnerable to Jensen’s friendly overtures.All content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Katherine rested her cheek on the top of Tim’s head. Jensen not only knew how to make her ache for him, but he also knew how to befriend her son. Her arms tightened around Tim.

“It would be nice if he played with you, Tim. I think it’s okay” she said slowly, regarding Jensen coolly.

“I knew you would think so, Mom,” Tim said as he slid from her arms. He sprinted outside.

Jensen’s body filled the kitchen as he came closer to her. “Hi, Kat,” he whispered softly.

“Hi, Jensen,” Katherine replied. “I’m grateful for your help today, really, but you didn’t have to help with the lawn. I was actually going to do it with Tim.”

“Oh what the hell are you talking about… It’s fine” Jensen said. “I like helping you… And I really like Tim.. And besides I have an ulterior motive… Maybe like ten ulterior motives” he said smiling.

Katherine glanced away. His bare chest was distracting. She remembered being pressed against that chest, his amazing lips on hers and then him leaving without even bothering talking about it. Like it wasn’t a big deal.

It wasn’t really. She had reminded herself that many times. Her problem was that she always thought that things meant more than they were. That was why she got hurt in the first place. And now she was doing it again.

Except this time she was in control. And she wasn’t going to let him get in her head -in her heart. So she was going to push him away before things got out of hand.

“You know, I’m so glad you used that particular turn of phrase. It reminds me to tell you not to use foul language around my son”. She said, turning to the dishes in the sink.

“Have you been eavesdropping on my conversations with Tim?” Jensen asked.

“Certainly not,” Katherine replied. “He quotes you. He thinks you are bloody marvelous”

For some reason that gave him a rush of pleasure. “Really? He thinks that?” he asked.

“Really.” Katherine replied. “So watch what you say around him”.

“I haven’t said anything he doesn’t hear on TV,” Jensen said.

“I don’t care.” Katherine said as she turned from the dishes to face him. Her voice was a bit loud. “That is not the point. I don’t want him saying stuff like that. Period. He is my son and you will do as I say”

“Fine… Fine. I’m sorry”. Jensen said. He looked surprised as hell. “I guess I’m so used to saying stuff like that. I will try to control what I say around Tim, okay?”.

“Thank you” she said and returned to the dishes. Hoping he would leave. He didn’t though.

“Is something bothering you, Kat?” he asked, moving closer, which was exactly what she didn’t want. Obviously yelling didn’t make him leave. She had lost it. So much for not letting him know how she felt.

She put on her ‘I don’t give a damn face’ and looked at him straight in the eye.

“I’m fine, ” she said.

In his eyes she saw concern for her… Or maybe she was just seeing what she wanted to see. She looked away.

“It doesn’t sound fine to me. Are you angry about something?” he asked.

“No”. She said, but she forgot that Jensen knew her so well.

“Wow.” he said. “You have always been a terrible liar”.

“Shut up,” Katherine said.

He laughed. “What’s the problem, Kat. Talk to me, please. Is it me? Are you still mad about the language thing with Tim?”.

“No I’m not,” she replied. “Just go”

Jensen cursed under his breath

He didn’t want to leave without knowing she was okay.

He studied her with clinical detachment. she was a stunning woman… She always had been. Her eyes met his without flinching. He liked that about her; he had from the start. Of course, there were other qualities he liked, as well.