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Climb High and Ride Far (7) : In the middle of a metropolis, there aren’t many opportunities to get out and appreciate a nice snowfall. Sure, maybe you can look out of your window and appreciate the beauty of nature, but when was the last time you got to do something fun, like go sledding? Maybe never! This year, Destiny City has gone out of their way to set up the perfect hill for sledding–sixty feet tall, four hundred feet long, in a recently landscaped area of land close to the heart of the city. Vendors have set up stalls with snacks and artisan goods, and you can bring your own sled, innertube, skis or snowboard–or borrow, courtesy of the city, if you don’t have one already. Whether there’s been recent snow or not, DCU has some artificial, environmentally friendly artificial snow to keep the slopes fresh. You might not find an opportunity like this without heading elsewhere in the city, so why not take advantage of some fresh, free Winter fun?
“Again! Again Dad!”
The young boy’s voice cut across the chatter and Quinn couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. It might have been cold. It might have been busy and crowded. But he was here with his son, and his son was having fun. That's all that mattered to him. He was out here to spend time with MJ so it didn’t matter how many times he went down the artificial hill on an inner tube, it didn’t matter how many times he nearly ate snow at the end, or how many times he practically got ran over by kids on their own tubes. None of it mattered by MJ. Especially since he had something very, very important to talk to the boy about.
A few hours later the duo were sitting on a picnic bench enjoying snacks and hot drinks. MJ was excitedly chattering on and on about nothing in particular while Quinn listened intently. Once the kiddo wound down, Quinn decided it was time. “MJ… how do you feel about Ms Anna?” He had played the conversation out over and over again in his head but there was very little he could actually ‘plan’ since the newly minted eight-year-old always surprised him.
“She's alright. Nice and all.” The boy looked over at his father, suddenly skeptical. “Why?”
“Well, I asked her to marry me.” Quinn fiddled with his cup of cider.
“Oh.”
“Oh? No questions or anything?” Honestly he had expected more of a reaction.
“I mean. What is there to say?” The boy shrugged and took a bite of his pretzel. “Does this mean you won’t be coming over any more?”
“What?” He was shocked and horrified at that idea, “God no! MJ, you're my son. I love you. You will always be my child.” Quinn reached out and put a hand on the sandy blonde hair that was just like his own. “You are part of my life, and honestly when we do have a ceremony I would be honored if you would be part of it. But that's in the future since we aren't getting married anytime soon.” Not that he wouldn’t mind getting married sooner rather than later. That had been Anna’s decision.
“Oh? Really? Cool! I totally want to do that!” The boy smiled and ducked his head out from under Quinn’s hand, hiding behind his cup of hot cocoa as a blush warmed his face. It was nice hearing his dad say he loved him. It was still strange but a good kind of strange. “Uh, why won't you be getting married soon?” The boy had caught that little tidbit and was now asking about it, frowning into his drink and silently wondering if Quinn was delaying the wedding because of him.
“Well, that's the other reason I wanted to talk to you.” Quinn took a deep breath and after a moment of nervousness spilled the beans. “You're going to be a big brother! Ms. Anna is going to move in and soon it will be the five of us in the apartment. You, me, Ms. Eli, Ms. Anna, and your baby brother or sister. I know it's going to be a little crowded for a bit but I’m working on that. I promise, everything will be great!”
“She is pregnant? Like mom was with me?” The boy looked so crestfallen that Quinn got up and moved over to snuggle the boy close. “You're going to leave again aren't you?”
“No! Never!” Quinn denied vehemently. “Work might have stolen you from me for several years but I will never let it happen again! MJ, I love you. I also love Anna, and the baby growing in her belly. I love you all and there isn’t a force on this earth or any other planet that would keep me away. MJ I want you to always know you have a place with me. You are wanted and loved.” He pulled away just enough so he could look in the young boy’s face, “And I’ll definitely need your help with your sibling. I have no idea what I'm doing. Do you think you're up for the job? Can you help your old man out?”
“You sure?” MJ sniffed and scrubbed his nose with his coat sleeve. “I guess.” He looked up at Quinn, and with a watery smile continued, “I mean, you really do need all the help you can get. Just look at how you go tubing.”
“Why you little,” Quinn smiled back and ruffled the kid’s hair, teasing him back when the boy decided to rib him on his skill on inner tubing. “I’ll show you a thing or two. Come on, let's get in a few more rides before your mom shows up ok?” He let MJ go and stood up, collecting their trash, and holding out his free hand.
The boy didn’t hesitate, he took the offered hand, and the duo quickly made their way back to the snow mountain to slide down it once again. Their earlier conversation might not be completely over but it at least was out there. There was a lot more to say. More details to share. But it had been a start. One Quinn knew needed to be done. He just hoped he had done it right. Or at least hadn’t completely screwed anything up.
