"I've got a lot of baggage... it's all probably more complicated than it's even worth." Jill to Asher
This had to be the best first date of Asher’s life. Not that it was anything too spectacular - he took Jill to some 24/7 diner - but they were approaching the 3 hour mark together. It was safe to say that he was absolutely smitten. He’d known from their first meeting that Jillian Walsh was something special, and every moment together reaffirmed that, but tonight? He’d like to confidently say was with his future wife.
He really thought the night was going amazing, so he couldn’t begin to understand why she was now bringing this up. It wasn’t like he didn’t know about her ‘baggage’ - it was literally how they met. Sure, he didn’t know the extent of everything, but he doubted it would change things once he did. Asher had a good feeling he knew what he’d been getting involved in when he asked Jill out. His expectations weren’t going to o be changing anytime soon.
“Good thing I have plenty of experience with complicated.” He tried to tease, but his tone and smile fell flat. It wasn’t that he didn’t mean his words. It just pained him so much that no matter how gentle or accommodating he could be - that Jill knew he had this experience from his mom - that she still felt this way about herself. Like she was more of a trouble than a joy. As if she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, be the best thing that ever happened to him. She probably didn’t even realize how much she was treasured by everyone else who knew her.
“My father is an abusive asshole who cheated on my mom multiple times and drove her to become an alcoholic herself. I have an older half sister who acts like I don’t exist, and a younger brother who thinks none of this is relevant and wants a relationship with me.” He said simply, almost robotically. He wouldn’t normally admit this, but he felt safe with Jillian. Plus, it looked like she could hear that she wasn’t the only messed up person at the table.
Asher reached across the table, taking his date’s hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze. “What I’m trying to say is that I have baggage too.” He murmured. “And perhaps it’s not the same, but it doesn’t change anything for me. You are so much more to me than what you’re going through, Jill.”













