This week's dinner update: H text to say he finished early so he would collect D. Dinner went well. I'm finding he's reasonably chatty although it's still me asking the questions. He does tell me some information, though. He has been asked if he's interested in a new job so told me about that tonight. He rarely asks me about my day or what I am doing but he comments if I give him information.
I am going away this weekend and H joked, "Gee, I don't suppose you've booked yet." as I am notorious for last minute bookings. I proudly said I had and H said, "Someone else obviously organised it!" True!! Anyway, it was nice to have that banter.
S rang to say he would be home for Christmas. Yay!! In the last few years the kids have been to H Christmas Eve and H has been with ow for lunch, Christmas Day. Tonight after S called we briefly discussed Christmas. D laughed and said, "Grandma will want to start planning and making the pudding any day now!" We all laughed at that. H said, I don't mind what I do. I'll fit in with you.
After D left the room I asked him what he would prefer to do. He said he would have the kids on his own because he didn't want to make my family uncomfortable and spoil their day because of his presence. I just said, "I see," and added that it was really my choice since it would be at my house, that my choice would be to have the kids and him with me but we still had a while to get it sorted. Left it at that. If it came to that, I wonder how I will manage H with my parents. They probably would find it challenging but they want me to be happy. And I don't think I could take that risk unless ow was gone, for sure.
As he left I got a really half hearted, one arm hug. I jokingly commented on the hug and he said he didn't want to spread his germs (he has a cold) but then gave me a two arm hug.
There was this feeling tonight that we're moving forward but I know I have to keep a balance between gradually moving things forward and yet still being patient and not frightening him off.
