Happy Humpy Word Day. Midweek means new words based on a theme–or two, brought to us asipiring writers by #1LineWed and #ThursdayThreads. Our two prompts this week, for those playing along, are **EVER** and “One day at a time.” Yes, this was an easy one, after a bit of thought. Meg and Kin’s story has jumped ahead in this one. There’s no immediate danger, there’s breathing room…and way too much time for thinking. Hope you enjoy.
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Some of the rooms in the old hotel had balconies. Meg’s was one of them. She’d come outside to get fresh air and to think. Hands on the stone balustrade, she leaned against them staring at nothing in particular. The door opened behind her and ever cell of her being perked up. She didn’t have to turn around to see who had joined her.

Without looking back at Kin, she asked, “Do you ever think about tomorrow?”

“In what way?”

“Well, as in the future.”

“Don’t you know, the future is now.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t go all metaphysical on me. It doesn’t suit you.”

“What? You don’t believe I’m a deep thinker?”

“I think you are a man of action.”

“Aye, lass, I am that.”

“So you don’t think about…like…ever after?”

Kin cut her a side-ways glance but Meg doggedly stared out over the city.

“Are ya talkin’ about happily ever after?” His brogue thickened as his voice turned growly.
She lifted one shoulder in a minimal shrug. “I like to plan ahead. I want to think about what tomorrow might bring, what might happen next year, and five years from now. I want to be prepared.” Now she did focus on him. “I’d think given what you do for a living, you’d think the same.”

“No, lass. I live one day at a time. Tomorrow brings what it brings and next year? Or five years down the road? Considering my line of work, I’ll be lucky t’still be breathin’.”

“Don’t say things like that!”

“Tis true though.”

Meg stared back out across the city’s ancient architecture. Silence enveloped them like a scratchy wool sweater—irritating but also a bit comforting. “Have you ever come close?”

“T’what?”

“To…dying.”

“Yeah, I have. I’ve learned to live life t’its fullest and I plan t’keep on doin’ it for the rest of m’life.”

Her smile was bittersweet. “Sounds like a plan.”

His hand suddenly swallowed hers where it rested on the railing. He tugged it up so that their entwined fingers rested against his chest. “Sayin’ that, lass, doesn’t mean I don’t care. And I have news for ya. Whether ya like it or not, that future you might or might not be envisioning? It’s gonna include me. Ya don’t have a choice in the matter.”

She bristled at his statement. “I do too.”

His slow smile lit up golden lights in his eyes. “Can you live so easily without me then?”

Well…shit. He had her there.
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So there you have it. Just a random scene that will help finish out the puzzle nicely when the time comes. Writers, feel free to add your own words to the mix. Readers, are you a “Happy Ever After” or “One Day at a Time”  kinda peep?