Jim

The sound of my alarm cracks through the dark, chilly morning. I groan and reach over to smack it until it stops it's incessant beeping. I roll over towards Brenda, wrapping an arm around her and kissing her cheek before forcing myself into a sitting position. I plant my feet on the floor, stretching out my back before standing. My knees pop and I let out a frustrated grunt as I hobble the first few feet before my legs get steady under me.

"I'm too old for this shit." I mutter under my breath. I hear Brenda's quiet laughter from the bed behind me, but choose to ignore it this morning. I shower and dress before meeting her in the kitchen, our coffee waiting for us.

I sit across from her like I do every morning, taking a sip of my coffee as I reach across the table to hold her hand. My heart still flutters every time.

"Has Wren come around yet?" She asks, drawing little patterns on my open palm with her pointer finger. I can't help but chuckle at her question as I think about the young woman I have come to think of as the daughter we were never blessed to have.

"Not yet. She's giving the boy hell." I answer and Brenda's sweet laughter rings through our small kitchen.

"Well, he deserves it after what he did. Just up and disappearing like that." She says and I grunt in response.

"Wren says he had a reason." I say with a shrug and she huffs out an incredulous breath.

"What reason could he have possibly had to disappear from the face of the earth for four years?" She asks. I take another sip of coffee, shaking my head slightly.

"Don't know. Wren didn't tell me. She said she didn't think it was a good reason, but could see why he did." I say and Brenda makes a thoughtful noise.

"Hmmm... Well, I always did think those two would end up together." She says and I nod.

"Me too, honey. You don't think that anymore?" I ask and she gulps down the last of her coffee.

"I don't know. I sure hope so." She says. I look at the clock and curse quietly under my breath.

"I better go or I'll be late." I say, standing and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"How much longer are you gonna do this, Jimmy?" She asks and I shrug, rinsing out my coffee mug in the sink.

"I don't know. I'm old and tired, but I don't trust anyone else with Wren." I say and Brenda nods, giving me a knowing look.

"I know, baby." She says, hugging me tight.

"Well, except maybe Huxley." I say and Brenda's brow furrows in adorable confusion.

"What do you mean?" She asks. I sigh and run my hand through my rapidly thinning hair.

"If there was anyone I would trust to take over as the cook at Wren's diner, it'd be Huxley." I answer. Brenda laughs a little and gives me one last kiss before helping me slip on my coat.

"Well, she'd better forgive him first." She says and I bark out a laugh.

"You're right, honey. Maybe I can help with that." I answer and she waves her finger in my face.

"Now, Jimmy. Don't be putting that nose of yours where it doesn't belong." She says, making me grin.

"Just think. If Huxley took over, maybe we could take a vacation. Somewhere warm.... With a beach..." I say and her eyes light up.

"Ok, stick that big old nose of yours wherever you want." She says excitedly. I bark out a laugh as I bound down the stairs of our porch, pulling my coat tighter around me in the cold morning air.

"Love you, baby!" I call over my shoulder.

"And I love you." She answers, just like she has for over thirty years, but that doesn't stop the warm feeling in my gut every time she says it.