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Click here"There's no one else I'd want to start that future with than you."
"Then kiss me. And don't stop until the sun rises," said Jenna coyly.
Austin eagerly pressed his lips to hers. It was a request he was only too happy to fulfill.
EPILOGUEโ16 YEARS LATER
"Dad, why are we doing this again?"
Austin laughed and looked at his son, Ben. "Because it's the neighborly thing to do."
"But can't other people help out with this kind of thing? Just because we can do it doesn't mean we have to, right?"
Austin grabbed two shovels and handed one off to his son. "Wrong. Just because we can do it is all the more reason we need to. Old Mrs. Hess would surely appreciate us doing this for her. Besides, it's not like I don't know you have a thing for her granddaughter."
Ben went red in the face. "No, I don't," he said quickly with not nearly enough subtlety.
"Mm-hmm," muttered Austin with a knowing look. It wasn't too often that he wasn't able to see through most of his son's words. Now being one of them. "Come on, get your boots on."
Father and son finished getting ready and then stepped out the front door into the neighborhood. It was a cold February afternoon and a heavy layer of snow had just fallen. Their own driveway had already been cleared, but across the street, their neighbor Mrs. Hess still looked completely untouched.
Austin and his son quickly crossed the street and began to get to work. Luckily, the driveway wasn't big enough for it to be too much work for two men, and they were able to clear it in just a short amount of time. Austin grabbed a handful of salt from the bag Mrs. Hess left outside and scattered it around the driveway. That's when they heard the knock on the glass.
Turning around, they saw a teenage girl with blonde hair peering out the window. She waved to them, or rather, waved more so to Ben than anyone else. Austin watched his son turn red once again before he gave his own awkward wave back.
Once the girl had turned away from the window, Austin put his hand on his son's shoulder. "See what I mean? Now you have an in. You have a reason to talk with her now."
"That's what you think," said Ben sullenly. "All we did was clear off her driveway. There's no way she'd agree to go to the spring formal with me."
"You'll never know if you don't ask. And it looked to me like she was pretty happy to see you. I know the type of smile she gave you," said Austin as he nudged his son. "I think she likes you."
Ben looked up at his father. "Do you really think so? No jokes, right?"
He playfully rustled Ben's hair. "I do. Girls like the type of guy that can be handy. I'd say you should give it a shot."
"Maybe," grumbled Ben as they turned to go back to their house. "I'll think about it."
"Maybe you should ask Grandpa Robert about it. He'll have some stories to tell you for sure. Or maybe even your mother," said Austin as he nodded to their house. Ben looked up to find his mother on the front porch, waiting for them to get back.
"What do you think, mom? Should I ask out Beth Hess from across the street?"
Jenna smiled at her son. "You're off to a good start by doing this. That reminds me of a story by the way." She hugged her son before turning her affections to his father. Taking her husband in her arms, Jenna gave him a long, deep kiss.
Austin started to laugh. "You're not going to tell the whole story, right?"
It was Jenna's turn to blush. "Not thewhole story," she confirmed before giving him a wink. "Besides, you never know what can start from a simple act of charity."
- COMMENTS
Took way too long -- pretty much almost to the end -- before I started giving a shit about the main characters. Just finished it to see how you wrapped it up, really, and I'm glad I did. You did wrap it up nicely and well... but at the risk of losing readers like me with meh characters for a "romance." Sure, both Austin and Jenna had superb character in taking on responsibilities and doing their duty, but I was presold a romance here, and a totally weak character (no fight in him, not even a goddamn spark) for most of the story matched up with a woman who seemed to just trade sexual favors in a FWB arrangement with zero useful clues or hints in the narrative as to her motivations... not exactly a palatable pair for a tingly love story. Too realistic maybe? lol (I do have ideas on how that could be fixed with a few additions early on without really doing rewrites, but hey, the fun for authors is figuring all this out yourself, eh? So I'm not bugging you with any of them.)
Would've liked to see how that bitch MacKenzie turned out (in a neg way), but that's just me being vindictive. Totally not needed for the way you packaged the tale.
Good story,
Had trouble believing he would just go no contact instead of telling her why he had to let her go. Didn't fit with the character you had created.
Was expecting Austin to look up as (Ben was finishing the drive) to see Mrs Hess(who Knew how Austin and Jen met)holding a plate of cookies. Austin signals 10 minutes and Mrs Hess gives a nod. Walking back home Austin suggests hot chocolate planning to leave the teens to cookies chocolate and a little privacy.
Austin City Limits? (Pregnant Pause?) Best comment ever..... Great story telling and just loved the ending to death.
Wonderful Story, well told. Kudo's CJ Mac
5* and put in my Romantic tales folder to reread again and again.
Thanks for the hours of entertainment.
Admirable. Selfless love, without expecting any gratuities in return. Where is it written, "cast a bread upon the waters and it will return tenfold"?
OK, now that Iโve read the whole story, Austin has been redeemed, even if he was a bit of an idiot (x2) along the way.
I havenโt finished the story, but I was really enjoying it up until Austinโs โI think you know whyโ the first time Jenna is in his room. He went from a great guy to a high school level horn dog โ it seemed very out of character for him and really cheapens him and calls into question what youโve been trying to build for him. ( Jennaโs decision to give him sexual favors is kinda weird, imo, but the case can be made.)
Iโll read at least a bit more, but the story is now working from a deficit. :/
To me blowjobs and licking pussy is sex. Sex is not just intercourse. When did these views happen? I'm an old fart and will be 65 in April.
Loved it. I know all to well the depression of finding out you can't be a dad,my first wife was just like Austen's, except she started cheating on me. I have since remarried and we adopted a set of twins....
I think many commenters, like the Austin, are confusing low fertility with infertile. Austin wasn't infertile, it didn't magically go away, he just had low fertility.
Good story. Thank you
This was lovely, but I think it would've been nicer if they overcame his infertility together rather than it just magically going away. And what was up with Robert talking about grandkids if he knew Austin was infertile and wanted them together?
I offer that as constructive criticism. It was a lovely story and I thank you for it. Beautifully written.
Thank you for a lovely story. And special thanks for letting Robert have a long life after his bone and lung cancer!
Amazing story! Well written and full of emotion. It's too bad Austin was a dumbass, even though all's well that ends well. It seems like there's too many stories where men are stupid and/or oblivious. It seems commonly accepted to view guys as stupid but people need to realize sexism works both ways (possibly more than two ways nowadays, we need to be more inclusive). Enough rant, this is easily a 5 star story.
I'm grateful Austin had no hatred for his ex and didn't seek revenge. It just didn't work out. 'Before starting on a path of revenge, first dig two graves.'
5 stars โญโญโญโญโญ
Since I believe in Karma:
It would be a kick in the head that McKinsey finds that she can't carry a child to Term (secondary infertility)๐. She then reads that Austin & Jenna announce having a bouncing baby boy๐ถ about 8 months after their their wedding announcement (she can do the math)๐ง.
I didnโt read all the comments but side with the the criticism that the โpaymentโ for help could have been handled in a more positive way. He could have said I would love to accept your offer but only if I can reciprocate. I really enjoy your writing and will continue reading your stories.
Promise me that youโll keep writing just like this. You have the knack, the story is erotic, heart warming, great story line, good choice of character types and good ending.Promise me youโll keep writing
What a great story. Second story I've read from this excellent Author! 5 BIG FAT BLAZING STARS!
very nice story I really enjoyed it the only thing that could have made it batter is if the ex wife had a series of very bad relationships the cold blooded woman deserved nothing better . sorry solid five
Another amazing love story from a amazing author. Every time I read one of your stories it provides such great reading entertainment. This story was well written with great characters. Well done 5++stars
This was a really nice story and I loved every minute of it. Keep up the great work. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work in the near future.
I enjoyed most of it. But the pregnancy announcement and reconciliation felt rushed and overly dramatic. They didn't talk like people who've gotten close they talked like people from bridgerton, with over passionate airs.
For the folks that questioned the "repayment' aspect. I don't think the blow job was ever just "repayment" for snow shoveling and leaf raking. I thought the author gave us lots of hints about that aspect. Plenty of women like giving blow jobs. (Hard to imagine since the ones that hate them really broadcast that opinion, though sometimes only after they have their guy trapped.) He got along great with her father and took time to sit and talk with him. She had no time for a regular dating relationship. She probably thought he was attractive from the start. She would be sexually frustrated with no boyfriend and really no prospects. She got to know him a little, liked what she saw and saw no barriers. And she knew him enough after the cookies and booze that she knew he wasn't going to make a move - when he said he was quiet, she replied "I know". And President Bill said it really isn't sex anyway. So she had her icebreaker, doing something nice for him in return for him being great to her family. And it worked out quite well for her. However, to be on the safe side, just in case snow shoveling turns her on, he probably shouldn't let any other guys shovel snow for her.
Pretty good story. There were a couple of places that stretched credibility quite a ways, but for the most part I thought it was very believable. And enjoyable. Thanks to the author for it.
She came over and gave a near total stranger a BJ for clearing the driveway? So far beyond the realm of possibility to be comical.
Decent story,but how come they didn't buy each other Xmas presents the first year.
great story. the second one of your stories I have read and it will not be the last
Very good, very good indeed. Thanks so much for such a good read. Just what I needed to overcome a bit of the Winter doldrums. At my age Winter is getting to be a bit of a PITA for me to get around so with my activity level a bit down I have more time to read and work on hobbies. Reading your lovely romantic story today gave me one of those "lifts" we seniors appreciate so much. Thanks again and with a big KUDOS to you and your wonderful active mind and writings.
This is a beautiful and romantic and lovely story. The story line is simple yet full of drama, love and romance. This is my fifth time reading it. Hopefully you can give us more. Definitely a 5 star โจ๐โจ๐โจ๐โจ๐โจ๐. Thank you for such a wonderful story.
This is a really wonderful love story. From the begining till the end the story flows like river. It got its sadness, happiness hatefulness and ebds with a lovevablefamily. Definitely a more tgan 5 star.๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
This is the perfect love story! It is extremely well written and it flows smoothly from the beginning to the end. In case you cannot figure it out, I LOVED it, so much that it has become my personal favorite. Just a personal note: my Wife and I have been married for over 50 years.
I guess there's nothing new under the sun because by the time I made it down to the bottom of page 1 the whole plot was laid out and it just took 8 more pages to wrap it up. I do agree with the comment that artificial insemination would have been the next step or even IVF although that can get expensive. The people were all good souls and functioned well in their roles. I am particularly pleased that our hero didn't blurt out: "Are you sure it's mine?" when Jenna shows him the pregnancy test strips.Well worthy of a 4*.
Loved it
That is A cracking good story. This old fool has tears in his eyes.
Omg. I'm still reeling from the last one I read earlier from your work. Very heartwarming story indeed. Kudos. You pulled at my heartstrings again. Keep it up!
I liked the story, but, like a previous commentator, I kept thinking why the couple did not try artificial insemination. That nagged me throughout the story.
I also would have liked to know whether the couple had more than Ben -- the story was unclear, although that may have been an intended mystery.
I really loved the story. Please write more, soon.
MORE! I started this story about three times before I committed to reading it. I am not sure why except that I seemed to start it late in the evening. Then I went back to it today and couldn't put it down. That's the kind of story we all want.
Re: Anon from yesterday, I doubt McKinsey really would have considered putting herself through the AIH process at that point in their relationship. It appeared that she was already looking for a way out.
Sometimes good deeds get good results, that's one of the reasons we give stories like this 5 stars.
detroitdave
A bit longer that what I normally like to read but once started, I could not not put down my iPad. Well done.
Thanks for writing this great story about good people sacrificing for others for no other reason than to just be helpful. Finding each other in the process is just icing on the cake. I liked the length of this story and the pacing was excellent as well. I hope you create more of the same. Now Iโll check out your other stories.
A totally enjoyable story...great characters...easy to follow...liked the ending!
Well written and interesting. What I didnโt like was the total improbability of her giving a near total stranger a BJ just for clearing the snow. Took the enjoyment of the story right away. Way too long.
A very good story. I gave it 5 stars. I liked the premise of the story and the characters. I think you did a good job of showing them and their flaws. I liked the flow of the story and the was you brought them together. I would think this new type of story for you should be considered a success. Thanks for your time and imagination.
Congratulations. Your best story yet. 8 stars. A worthy winner of awards. You should be proud.
Thank You!
I havenโt even read it yet, but I wanted to rush to comment on posting your story in its entirety instead of dribbling it out so it loses its flow. I really appreciate reading a story the way it was meant to be read. Thank you. Now back to the beginning . . .
Just what I needed tonight to lift my mood...a good story with a happy ending for everyone.
This was a wonderfully romantic story! Early in the story I almost moved onto another story TWICE because I did not like the โrepayment โ part of the story. When you can see that the story is well written and it is nine pages long you get a sense of confidence that it will balance out in the end. Thank you for sharing such a great story!
Very nice, with a great build up. Thanks for giving us the whole story at once.
This reads like a feel-good movie storyline. I got lost in Austinโs head and heart, and Jennaโs too when it switched perspective. I found myself rooting for them as people and as a couple. Naturally, I was telling Austin to stop being an idiot and communicate with her. While the plot was predictable, it didnโt feel insulting. It seemed like the ability to tell what would happen was part of a carefully crafted plan. Romantic comedies are usually predictable, and as a fan of the genre, I donโt really mind, as long as I can enjoy the people and get lost in the story. In fact, what makes this particular romance work so well for me is that I was emotionally involved with the characters, and forgot the storyteller, which is always a good sign for me. The ability to foresee made me feel part of the action, as a subjective insider, rather than watching objectively as a critic and uninvolved observer. Well done. You obviously have natural writing ability, but youโve also clearly developed your craft. Sorry for the lengthy comment and thanks for an enjoyable escape.