It took six months for the house to be built. It would have taken longer if Karen hadn't ordered the contractor to start earlier. The night she gave me the book, being surprised is an understatement. I was in awe that my idea was put to life, so to speak. There would finally be a place to have my family, without wondering where we would check in next.

Karen was always a mystery to me. She'd never tell me what was wrong unless we were fighting. It was a constant thing with us at the beginning; us fighting. We'd fight about everything and eventually I got tired of it. I wanted to divorce her, but the night she gave me the book, I tossed the papers in the fire. She built my dream and I was thankful for it.

The first morning in their new house, Karen rolled over Will, waking him up by kissing him. Groaning, he wrapped his arm around her waist and smiled into the kiss. There was a pleasantry in waking up, in a new bed, in a new house, with the person who brought it to life. Karen laid her head on Will chest, feeling his fingertips drawing a design in her arm. She stared at the white wall that had various pictures of them together; the ones that showed their relationship through the years. It was her favorite wall in their house. Their house. She smiled as she thought about it.

"You know we can't stay in bed all day," He said, before kissing her head. The groan that escaped her caused him to laugh lightly. "Your children are going to wonder where you're at."

"So their my children now? " She asked, tilting her head to look at him. He nodded. They heard a crash coming from farther down the hallway. "Well, I'm going to go deal with my children. I guess we really won't be spending all day in bed," She said rolling off of him, getting ready to put on her robe. She was stopped by Will's arms wrapping around her, pulling her down onto her back.

"The children can wait." He mumbled in her ear. The laughter coming from Karen filled his ears, along with the mumbled 'I thought so.'

It had been hours since their choice to 'stay' in bed. Will was sitting on their back porch, nursing a cup of coffee, with his paper at his feet. Jonathan was switching between kicking around a soccer ball and hitting a whiffle ball. Will laughed every time he missed, causing Jonathan to get mad, yet he continued. The closing of the back door leading out into the backyard signaled to Will that someone was coming. It was Elizabeth who came running around the corner first at a full speed, with Karen behind her walking at a slower pace.

"What happened to her?" Will asked as Karen took a seat on the arm of the chair.

"Someone at school told her that her dad used to work with you and said that you only slept with guys. Hence the screaming ten year old Elizabeth Truman." Will nodded and wrapped an arm around Karen's waist.

"Who was it?"

"Mike Jackson," Karen informed him. "I really never did like accountants."

Will laughed and pulled Karen onto his lap. "She was really that upset over it?"

"She was screaming at me that you didn't love me. And that the only reason we lived together was because I was there mother. So yes I'd take that she was that upset over it."

"Elizabeth!" Will yelled. Karen shot Will a look and he simply shrugged. Elizabeth came over with a look of 'I didn't do it,.' " So I heard about your little situation at school. I don't sleep with boys. The only person I sleep with is your mother. It's not going to change any time soon. Okay. So the next time he tells you that, have him come talk to me okay?" She nodded her head and smiled at her father. Karen smiled at Elizabeth giving her a 'I told you so' look. Elizabeth nodded and ran off to the side of the house.

The next thing they knew they were being soaked under the head of a hose. Karen and Will both sputtered under the water, Karen shrieking and Will jumping to his feet, causing Karen to do the same. "Elizabeth Marie!" Will yelled. She didn't look guilty, she looked pleased.

Karen eyed the hose and made a bee line for it, getting both her daughter and son wet. Will shook his head and took a seat once again looking at his family, who was now soaking wet. Somebody out of the four of them were going to get sick, it always happened.

Will watched Karen running around with her children at her heels, with the hose in her hand. If they got too close she'd spray them. She picked up Jonathan in one arm and taunted him with the hose. He squealed in delight, kicking and screaming to be put down. She put the hose down and went after Elizabeth and successfully got her in her arms, not realizing that her son had gotten hold of the hose, prepared for his payback. They were happy. Karen was happy. It was all Will wanted.

Ten years ago if someone asked me what if you designed a house, I would have thought they were insane. It would have never been the same if Grace designed it. I was only supposed to be sitting in the office to look pretty, and damn it I did. But I'm happy I picked up a few things in my time there.

Ten years ago if someone asked me what if you got married after two months of being together with someone, I would have showed them my engagement ring. To know that Will was the one to spend my entire life with, took two weeks. And then I had to admit to myself that I actually loved him.

Ten years ago if someone asked me why I stopped drinking and stopped taking pills its because I changed. People change, whether they knew it or not. Will got me to change. I did it voluntarily because it's just who he was, and he was capable of doing it. In these ten years I've done more things because of him, because I would do anything for him. I never had that before. Never been able to say I'm going to change because of one person. I changed because I had a family to look forward to.

So this book is dedicated to my family. My family who was with me through my various Street Musings.