WHO: Jasper Sampson Spencer & Ryan Comley. WHEN: Future Times. WHERE: Their House. SUMMARY: First comes love, then comes... WARNINGS: This is also long. Which is apparently how I say goodbye to my ships in this game. STATUS: Complete.
2018
Jasper looked down at his lap, where Ryan’s head currently rested. His boyfriend’s eyes slowly adjusted from one side of the page he was reading to the other. Jasper was also meant to be reading the book in his hand. But watching Ryan had seemed more enticing at the moment.
It took another page and a half and Lola, who was sleeping on the floor in front of them, rolling over onto her back before falling back on her side before Ryan realized that Jasper’s attention wasn’t on whatever novel he was supposed to be reading. He looked up at him, a lazy smile on his face. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself,” Jasper responded softly, as if he was afraid of waking Lola. Now that Ryan was also distracted from his book, Jasper set his down. It seemed silly to keep the pretense up. “How’s your book?”
“It’s slow,” he admitted, taking his cue from his boyfriend and settling his bookmark between the pages, setting the book on his stomach. “Too much detail, not enough fighting. I have hope that it will pick up, though. Maybe in the next chapter. Definitely before the midway point. How about yours?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t been able to concentrate on it, really.” Jasper ran his hand through Ryan’s hair. “I was just...thinking, I guess.”
Ryan’s brow furrowed. “Thinking about what?”
Jasper bit his lip, as the thoughts made themselves more concrete in his head. That there were certain things the two of them had to establish. He spoke a bit more slowly, as if taking “Do you remember when I said I intend to marry you?”
He blinked slowly. “Yeah?” A small, questioning smile tugged at his lips. “Re-thinking that?” He ignored the way his stomach lurched at the thought.
“No, absolutely not. But we should talk about things related to my intention.” Jasper kept his eyes on Ryan’s face, trying to gauge it. “Like, kids, for example.”
Visibly, he relaxed. “Okay. I’m kind of attached to the idea of marrying you, you know,” he teased. “What about them? I like kids.” A truth, although he’d never truly given much thought to having any of his own, not when he’d spent so long just trying to be what his parents’ wanted, even when he’d known deep down he never would be.
“Good, because I would hate you to break my heart and say no.” Jasper gave him a small smile. “Us, having them. Well, not having having. More like adoption. So, you and me adoption a child, potentially in the next five years.”
“Oh.” Ryan blinked again and sat up. Somehow, it seemed like a better position to have this sort of conversation in. “I’ve never really thought a lot about having kids. My parents---” He cut himself off and dropped his gaze for a moment. “I think you’ll make a great dad. And I want to have a kid and a life with you. In five years seems reasonable, but we’d have to be married first.”
Jasper readjusted in his seat as well, facing Ryan. “I hope I’ll make a great Dad. But I want to know if you’re interested in that. Not just because I’ve told you that’s what I’d like. I was thinking we’d get married first too. And that adopting a kid sounds okay to you and something you’d want for yourself too.”
He lifted a hand and cupped Jasper’s cheek. “I’m interested. And adoption sounds great.”
Ryan’s face seemed to read as being genuinely honest. It was a relief. Because Jasper could have only seen a disagreement about having a family as being a roadblock to spending the rest of his life with Ryan. The details of how they’d find Tales to adopt, particularly if they were outside of Woodsbridge was the kind of thing they could figure out when the time came.
He smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” was the earnest reply, and he leaned forward, brushing their lips together.
When they broke apart, Jasper asked, “Your preference is still white gold, right?”
“It is,” he confirmed. “What’s yours?”
Jasper shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve never really worn any jewelry. And I like the idea of them matching so I’m okay with white gold too.” He leaned forward to kiss Ryan. “I’m not particularly keen on diamonds for mine. You?”
The brunet made a face. “Just a plain band is good. I don’t really wear jewelry, either, so simple is good.” A hallmark of his life, really: the simpler, the better. In the past, because it was easier to keep track of; in the present, because it was habit. “When you imagine your perfect proposal, what does that look like?”
He tilted his head to the side, giving it a moment for though. Jasper had always thought about making it perfect for Ryan rather than himself. “Something that’s just us,” Jasper decided confidently, on the spot. “I would want the two of us to have time where we can really let it sink in and just have the rest of the world be unaware it’s even happened.”
“Hmmm,” Ryan murmured thoughtfully. “Okay.”
Jasper ran his thumb over Ryan’s cheek. “That’s an interesting response. What were you thinking?”
Ryan smiled softly. “Just rethinking my proposal strategy.” Not that it would require much tweaking - something as important as that wasn’t something he wanted to do with a crowd watching. When he proposed (if - there was always the possibility that Jasper could beat him to it), he’d planned to do so in private. Just them. “Remind me to cancel the marching band.”
“Oh, is that why they were booked when I tried to schedule them in?” Jasper teased. Though he’d always imagined he’d be the one proposing, it was fun to think it might turn into a bit of a competition.
“Probably,” Ryan teased back. “I was going to have them play Never Gonna Give You Up, too.”
“Wow, you were going to rickroll me during the proposal? It’s a very good thing you’ll be cancelling that now.” Jasper laughed. Then tilted his head, “Are you telling me that’s what your perfect proposal looks like?”
Ryan laughed. “No, not really. I’ve always pictured something quiet,” he confessed. “Like dinner at home, or something? I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m not really into having the focus on me.”
“What?” Jasper feigned surprise, even going to far to have his hand clutch at his chest. “This is completely new information that I’m hearing right now.” He let the facade drop to add, “But if that were the case you’d be suspicious about every time I bought steak or lobster or something moderately expensive and special. So let’s increase those expectations, at the very least, to a dinner for the two of us prepared by a personal chef.”
“But why hire someone when we both cook?” was the mock-puzzled reply before he was grinning back at him.
Jasper shook his head, then leaned forward to kiss Ryan, deeper this time. “To make the night special,” he answered.
“So you’re planning an evening proposal,” he murmured against Jasper’s lips, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him closer. The realization that this was something that could - would - happen was dizzying, and he kissed him again, letting it all sink in as fingers made their way under Jasper’s shirt, skimming against the skin of his sides.
“You see-” Jasper started when the broke apart, “That makes it sound like you’re going to try to do it in the morning to beat me.” He pulled Ryan into his lap. “So it sounds like I’m not going to be able to tell you we’re going to have a personal chef night. It might sound suspicious or something.”
Ryan bit his lip as he straddled Jasper’s thighs, before ducking his head to start kissing down his neck. “Probably a good idea,” he agreed. “You know what else sounds like a good idea?”
“Something that involves less clothes?” Jasper suggested, and his boyfriend nodded, grinning.
Later 2018
Camping had become something of a respite, something that got them away from town, where Jasper could truly relax. It was always a relief to see some of the weight of the world lift from his boyfriend’s shoulders as they set up their tent, wind ruffling their hair into their eyes as the blond (once again - Ryan was never going to remember, hopeless case that he was) reminded him secure the straps with the stakes.
Usually, their trips were quiet, spent hiking during the day and chatting by the fire in the evening. And, barring the tiny box that sat heavily in Ryan’s pocket, this one wouldn’t be much different.
Just, you know, a little.
It seemed to be universally true, in Jasper’s experience, that the air smelled better and the world looked brighter when you were camping. But this trip felt even better because there was a bubble of excitement of what was to come. Inside of his backpack there was a wooden box that housed a ring for Ryan.
“This is the perfect weather for camping,” He said to Ryan, and their clearing in general. “Not disgustingly hot, not too cool.” Jasper smiled. “And you’re getting much better at setting up tents.”
His hand briefly brushed against his pocket, a reassurance that the ring was still there, hidden by the angle of his body as he stood up from where he’d just managed to secure the last strap. “I learned from the best,” Ryan quipped cheerfully. “But you’re still better at it than I am. What’s left to do?”
Jasper looked around, trying to find anything they might have looked over. “I think everything that needs to be set up, is.” He smiled over at Ryan. “The choice is yours - you want to go hiking or canoeing?”
“Canoeing” was the immediate reply; as much as he enjoyed walking around the town, getting in a canoe and paddling down a river sounded more fun. But as soon as the decision was made, he began to second guess himself - he didn’t want to leave the ring behind, but he didn’t want to take it with him on the off chance they tipped over.
He bit his lower lip. There was another option - he could do it now.
“Canoeing it is,” Jasper responded happily. He grabbed his backpack, the only bag of his with anything that he wanted to be sure was secure while they were away from the clearing. “You need to lock anything up?”
“Ah, no.” Ryan scratched the back of his neck, thinking, worry suddenly beginning to eat at his confidence. All of his doubts seemed front and center, a hundred what ifs that weren’t there before now deceptively rational.
He stepped forward, hand shooting out to grab Jasper’s wrist, heart beating quickly in his chest. Somehow, it had become now or never; he’d wanted to wait, but now he was realizing that the longer he did, the more he’d overthink it until, finally, he talked himself out of it. And he didn’t want that. “Jas?”
Jasper looked back over at Ryan, concerned by the conflicted look on his face. “Yea? What’s wrong?” He looked down at the ground between them, unsure if there was something physical he could find that might have changed the tone of the moment so quickly.
In one what was supposed to be smooth motion but really just ended with a rock digging painfully into his knee (he’d never been suave in the past - why would now be any different), he got down on one knee and removed the box from his pocket, fumbling the hinged top slightly before it opened. A plain white gold band sat nestled against black velvet.
“Jasper Sampson Spencer, will you marry me?”
It was both entirely surprising and entirely unsurprising that Ryan had the same idea as him, though his boyfriend beat him to the punch.
Jasper nodded his head in response to the question. “Yes, of course, yes.” He leaned down to kiss his boyfriend.
Ryan wrapped his arms around his boyfriend -- fiance -- and kissed him back, giddy with relief. When he pulled back, a huge grin had spread over his face. “Oh, good. I was worried you’d say no.”
“Yea, I bet you were.” Jasper grinned, then started to laugh. “I can’t believe you won.” He shook his head back and forth. “And I had it on me too.” He raised the backpack still in his hand.
Surprise, happy laughter bubbled out of the brunet. “I was going to do it later,” he confessed, biting his lip. “But I was starting to talk myself out of it, so it was sort of now or never thing.”
Jasper ran his thumb across Ryan’s cheek. “I’m glad you did it. But would you like to see the ring I was going to surprise you with?”
“Yes.”
The Wedding
Jasper collapsed onto the hotel bed. He felt like even the hair on his head was tired - but still deliriously happy. He propped himself on his side to watch Ryan on the other side of the room. “So, husband, how do you think it went?”
Husband. Ryan smiled, exhausted but happy. “I’d say it went okay,” he replied, tone mock-assessing. “I’m pretty sure the photographer missed me getting frosting on your nose, so it could have been better.” He collapsed next to Jasper and kissed his jaw. “Really, though, it was perfect, husband.”
“I think enough people were snapping pics on their phones that we’ll have some kind of picture of it,” Jasper assured him. He turned to kiss Ryan on the lips. “And, your suggestion of using a band was one of the most perfect choices I think you’ve ever made.”
He shrugged awkwardly; it had been odd to suggest things and have them taken into consideration. “It seemed easier than fighting over a playlist.”
Jasper snorted. “Yes, we were in so much danger of that. Still, it was great. I’m glad we did it like that.”
“I don’t know,” Ryan teased, pressing a quick kiss to his husband’s lips. “What if I wanted an entire playlist of 90s boy bands? Or mariachi music?” He wasn’t entirely certain what mariachi music was, but it was something that was universally disliked, and Ryan was enjoying giving Jasper a hard time.
“Why would I ever say no to boy bands?” Jasper teased. “Obviously, that’s the only kind of real music out there.” He ran his finger, up Ryan’s arm, then back down again. “It’d be a good education for the youth.”
“Mm.” He flipped up onto his side and looked down at Jasper, settling his hand on his hip. “Either way, the music was good, the wedding was good, even the cake was good and I was always told wedding cake never tasted good.” Ryan smiled.
Jasper shook his head, a grin still on his face. “I still don’t know who told you that but it hasn’t been my experience. Maybe I just have friends who know a whole wedding is judged by the food that’s served.”
“People who had bad weddings.” His voice was amused. “But we had a good wedding. And, hopefully, we’ll also have an okay wedding night.” Teasing, but his hand was tugging the neatly tucked dress shirt from Jasper’s pants, fingers sliding underneath and splaying against warm skin.
“Okay?” Jasper rose his eyebrows. “I’m a little offended.” He pulled Ryan closer to kiss his husband’s neck. “I’ll have you know that it’s going to be an amazing night,” he promised.
Parenthood
“Cassie left her chemistry book in the living room again,” Ryan announced, shaking his head, amused. Like clockwork, they'd get a text asking them to drop it by school as soon as she realized. “I'll swing it by during lunch.”
Jasper sighed into his coffee cup, before taking a small sip. “You shouldn’t. The only way she’s going to remember it is if she has to suffer the consequences of forgetting her school books.”
He shrugged, looking only mildly chastened. “Next time she forgets, she forgets,” he promised, even though they both knew that it wasn’t one he could keep. Of the two of them, Ryan was the more indulgent parent, and Cassie had him wrapped around her pinkie. Had, in fact, since she had come home with them, although these days he didn’t jump to cater to her every whim the second she made a sound.
“Oh, really?” Jasper smirked. Ryan had evolved from the bundle of nerves he’d first been when it came to parenting. But he still let their daughter get away with far too much. “And, let’s say I’m maybe a little bit skeptical about that?” He took another sip of his drink. “Maybe we could put a little bet on it?”
“I’m hurt, Jas,” Ryan deadpanned, slipping into the chair across from his husband and wrapping his fingers around the warm coffee mug waiting for him. “Depends on the bet.”
Jasper leaned forward, a grin on his face. “I was thinking it’d have to be some kind of reward to motivate you. Like me handing the reins to my deputy sheriff for, let’s say, a week?”
Ryan’s eyebrows knit together, thoughtful. “An entire week?” he repeated. “And you won’t spend that week not-so-secretly fretting about what’s going on at the station? Or texting for updates?” He knew his husband - he took his work and the trust placed in him as sheriff seriously, and it was one of the things he loved about him, but occasionally, he needed nudges to turn off the cop part of his brain.
“Sounds about right. Milo can hold down the fort. I’ll tell him not to contact me unless there is true emergency.” Jasper put his hand over Ryan’s. “Promise.”
“All right,” Ryan said decisively, turning his hand in his husband’s and brushing fingertips against his palm. “You’ve got yourself a deal. Starting tomorrow, I will leave her books wherever she leaves them.”
Jasper grinned, then leaned out of his chair to kiss Ryan on the forehead. “Good, you get 1 week at the end of the month if you keep up this deal until then. Think you can manage it?”
“Easy,” was the confident reply, although Ryan was already thinking ahead and trying to figure out how he was going to make it three weeks with Cassie pouting at him when he refused to be her gopher. “I’m looking forward to this week of you relaxing. It doesn’t happen nearly enough for my liking.”
For his part, Jasper tried not to outright laugh at Ryan’s confidence. He’d seen how easily Cassie could get him to change his mind. And that was when Jasper was watching and giving Ryan the ‘stand your ground’ glance over their daughter’s head.
Jasper nodded his head. “Yea, I know.” He squeezed Ryan’s hand. “If you ever feel like I’m becoming an absent father or husband you can tell me.”
“I know,” Ryan said, squeezing Jasper’s hand back. “But you’re not. You’re the perfect husband and father, even if you’re a workaholic.” He knew how conscious his husband was about making time for them, not wanting to stumble onto his father’s path. And Ryan, for his part, was conscious about reassuring him, just as Jasper was whenever Ryan worried he’d start following his father’s footsteps. “If that changes, I’ll let you know, but I don’t think it will.”
“I will be disappointed in myself if it does.” Jasper finished off his cup of coffee. “Let’s go out for family dinner this weekend though.” He kissed Ryan on the cheek when he got up from his seat. Jasper picking up Ryan’s mug that was now empty as well, to bring to the sink.
Ryan stood, too, stretching. “Sure, sounds good. It’ll give me a reason to not go into the office and keep working on event plans.” Another one was right around the corner, and though he’d long since stopped having to do to the grunt work, there was still something about finalizing the blueprints himself that was satisfying. “I’ll take care of the dishes. You’re going to be late if you don’t leave in a few minutes.”
Jasper looked at his watch, then smiled at Ryan. “Yes, I will be. I’ll get the dishes tonight.” He kissed him again, this time on the lips. “Also, I love you and I’m going to think about how great your ass looks in those pants today.” He winked as he stepped away to put his suit jacket on.
Predictably, a light blush dusted his cheeks, but he went to Jasper and pinched his ass before stealing one last kiss. “Funny, I was thinking the same thing.”