Eventually wasn’t so far away

Twenty-six days, same breath, same floor

Living out of bags by the bedroom door

Christmas Eve felt like thin ice cracking slow

But Christmas Day lit the whole damn road

Four boys loud, one extra soul

Museum locks, escape room codes

Drive-in screens and a dying car

Jump start hearts under broken stars

We were tired but laughing

Knuckles bruised from holding on

I kept saying “eventually”

Like time was something we could stall

⸻

I was saying eventually like it meant someday

Like I wasn’t already halfway there

But you found the ring between holes in the fairway

Dropped to one knee, couldn’t breathe, didn’t care

If the world burned down right where we stand

I’d still choose you with shaking hands

I said eventually to slow the fear

But loving you made it disappear

⸻

Sat my boys down, voice shaking low

Told ’em I loved you, asked what they thought

They smiled first, said “It’s about time, Dad”

Like they already knew what my heart forgot

Your boy nodded, quiet and sure

Said, “She’s happy — that’s enough”

Then I talked to your dad, man to man

He said, “Take care of her — and son, you’ve got my trust”

I thought I needed distance

Thought I needed space

Turns out I just needed

Everyone standing in the same place

⸻

I was saying eventually like it meant someday

Like I wasn’t already home

But you pulled the future into yesterday

Made every excuse I had feel old

If love’s a fire, we’re standing close

No exit signs, no safety ropes

I said eventually to outrun fear

But loving you brought it here

⸻

Nine days quiet, no voices calling

Just us learning the sound of falling

Discs in the air, winter on our skin

I hid forever in a nylon bag

You froze, laughed, caught your breath

I watched your hands shake, my chest collapse

Got down on one knee, said your name

And time finally stopped playing games

(half-time / stripped)

We stained the wood, we laid the boards

Built something real, not just a porch

Sketchy projector, flames in the night

Burnt marshmallows, sparks in your eyes

I don’t need perfect

I don’t need safe

I need your laugh cutting through my doubts

I don’t need time

I don’t need space

I need right now

⸻

I was saying eventually like I wasn’t ready

Like I didn’t already know

But I’ve been choosing you since day one steady

Just scared to say it out loud before

If this is reckless, let it be

I’d burn it down to build with you and me

I said eventually to keep love away

But you made it stay

⸻

Twenty-six days

Same breath

Same floor

Turns out eventually

Was never far at all.