"First and Last"
Reminder: I strongly suggest you only read this story if you're of an appropriate age. This story is definitely Rated M/MA (for language and sexual content).
-Chapter 11-
~Tris POV~
*February*
I sit down with a steaming mug of coffee at the dining room table, adoption papers all laid out before me, ready for me to continue working on them. But just as I begin filling it out, I'm already stuck. Last Name? Do I write Prior? That's still my name after all. But I'm getting married in a few months, and my name will be changing to Eaton. So wouldn't I want my adoption of Jack to go through with my new name? But I don't want to hold out on the adoption any longer than I have to.
My thoughts come to a halt when I hear the front door being unlocked.
I know it's Tobias, and I immediately push myself from my chair and make my way over to greet him. I always miss him so much when he's at work for three straight days.
We meet half way, both grinning at each other.
"Hi." Tobias greets as he wraps his arms around me. Mine go around his waist, and he leans down to kiss me.
"Mm...hi." I murmur back, inhaling the wonderful scent of him as I nuzzle into his chest.
I look back up at him and admire the crinkling at the corners of his eyes as he smiles widely down at me. Then I take in the rest of his handsome face, and reach up into his still-wet hair from the shower that he obviously had at the station before coming home.
He kisses me again and I tilt my face to deepen it. He always tastes so good, and his lips are so perfect.
"Jack still asleep?" he asks when we finally break apart.
"No, he's watching cartoons. Did you eat?" I ask.
"Not yet."
"Well, c'mon, I'll make breakfast. We were waiting 'til you got home." I tell him.
"Want my help?"
"Nah, you go see Jack. He missed you too."
"Too?" Tobias asks.
"Oh shush, you know I miss you when you're away."
"I know. And I miss you too." he replies, kissing me again. I relish in the few strokes of our tongues before we reluctantly pull away yet again.
"Breakfast." I caution myself out loud, but it comes out raspy, his effect on me obvious.
As I often do, I have to remind myself to stay focused and not let this man distract me. Especially not with Jack just in the other room.
He swats my butt when I turn to head towards the kitchen. I squeal in surprise and quicken my pace. I hear his steps quickly approaching and I giggle as he laughs and chases me.
But he's fast. He catches me just as we make it to the living room. His arms circle me from behind and he playfully nuzzles behind my ear, kissing and nipping at my neck and shoulder.
"You're silly daddy." Jack says as he runs over to join us in the merriment.
"I'm silly?" Tobias teases back, reaching to tickle Jack next.
He giggles and tries to get away, but Tobias lifts jack up into the air and blows a raspberry on his tummy. Jack laughs more and Tobias carefully tosses him onto the extra cushiony couch.
I laugh quietly as they get caught up in their playful wrestle, before turning and heading into the kitchen to make omelets.
I'm just adding the spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers and cheese to the eggs, when I hear them laughing hard again in the other room.
I smile to myself, loving the sound of my boys. I am so beyond excited to officially be a part of their family soon. I'm actually quite anxious...I just want to get married already. I'm feeling impatient and eager to be wife and mother.
A thought fleetly passes my mind, of the possibility of growing our family even more. Would Tobias want more kids? How would Jack feel about that? After a moment of pondering it, I decide I think he'd like it. He's always having fun playing with Zeke and Shauna's new baby. But we could ask him what he thinks.
First things first though. I guess I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.
I plate up our breakfast and decide to just bring it out to the living room.
Jack is laying on the floor on his stomach facing the TV, propped up on his elbows so that his chin rests on his hands. Tobias lays sprawled out on the couch, watching Sponge Bob with him.
When he sees me, he smiles brightly and sits up to free space on the couch for me to sit with him.
I hand him a lap tray with his food on it, as well as a glass of orange juice, and a napkin with silverware. I give the same to Jack, but with his omelet cut up to be bite size pieces for him. I run back to the kitchen to get my own, before settling in on the couch with my fiancé.
"This is so good." Tobias compliments as he eagerly scarfs down his omelet.
"See, Zeke was right- you just want to marry me for my cooking." I admonish blithely.
He scowls at me, but he's smirking because he knows I'm only teasing.
"It's more of an added bonus. I'd still be in love with you even if you cooked as bad as Zeke or Uriah." He smiles and takes a bite of toast. I laugh at his comment and sip my juice. "I'm quite a lucky fella." he adds just as we hear a phone buzz on the table next to his side of the couch.
"Will you see who that is?" I ask him, feeling that I already know the answer.
"Its Christina." he replies after glancing at the caller ID.
"Okay."
"Do you want to answer it?" he asks, confused. He holds it out for me to grab.
"No, not right now." I say, focusing back on my food, hoping he doesn't notice my irritation.
"Is everything okay?" he asks, setting the phone back down on the table.
"Yeah." I say, although it doesn't sound very convincing. I inwardly roll my eyes at myself for being so obvious.
He doesn't push me further, but I can feel him looking at me. When I finally finish my food too and set the tray aside, I look at him.
He's still looking at me, those deep blue eyes blazing with concern and love, like he's willing me to tell him what's wrong.
I sigh and look down at my hands as I give in.
"She won't stop it with all the wedding stuff, I just need a breather from her." I admit, but then his face falls a bit. I can tell he tries to keep his face impassive, but I see sadness and confusion in his eyes. He must think I'm not excited about the wedding.
"I said a breather from her, not from you." I repeat, making sure he understands what I mean. I take his hand and give it a squeeze.
"I am beyond excited to marry you, Tobias. I'm actually very anxious and eager for it." I say, bringing his hand up to my mouth to kiss it.
"But to be honest, I feel like Christina and Julia are going a bit overboard with the wedding planning. And now they're starting to reel your mom into it too. I mean, all you and I have discussed and somewhat decided on, is that we'll do it in the summer, probably in August. But they've pretty much taken over from there with the planning...and well, I just feel like they should be our decisions, not theirs. But when I remind them of that, they just keep throwing question after question at me. Dress cut? Dress colors for bridesmaids? How will we do the seating arrangements? How about table settings? Do we want place cards? ...it's just so overwhelming." I take a deep breath at the end of my rant, and will myself not to cry.
"Baby..." he says, pulling me over to him. I practically curl up in his lap and he holds me close.
"I don't know why they've worked me up so much. I just feel so stressed and helpless. I know they're just excited and want to be involved...but it's not exactly how I saw my engagement going. It should be a happy time, not stressful and frustrating, right?"
"Absolutely. But have you told them how you feel? That they need to lay off?" he asks gently.
"No." I say, playing with the sleeve of his shirt. "I didn't want to hurt their feelings, especially now that they're so far into it.
"This is our wedding Tris, not theirs. They won't let up on this if we don't speak up."
"I know, you're right."
"Do you even like the stuff they're coming up with? Or are they taking over completely?"
"I guess, well, they have good taste...but it just seems a lot."
"How so?" he asks, encouraging me to further explain.
"The details and plans they're making are so grand and lavish, it's like out of a wedding magazine. I mean, it's beautiful, but it's just so fancy and...not me. I want it to be pretty and romantic, but I also want it to be fun and comfortable. I don't want to worry about what fork to use or not being able to use my napkin because it's made of silk or something." he nods along with a hint of amusement at my last statement. But he patiently waits for me to continue with my train of thought.
"Plus, it's going to be expensive. All that fanciness comes with a price tag, it's kind of ridiculous to me. If I leave them in charge, it's going to eat up all of our savings. I mean, $100 per place-setting, not including the food on the plate?" I sigh in exasperation. And he too seems surprised at this number that I throw out, but he tries not to show it. "I almost feel like that's what's bothering me most...is the cost. I feel like it's kind of silly to spend so much on that kind of stuff that we'll only get to enjoy for a few hours. That money could be put to so much better use. Like, what if we want to buy a house or something?"
The left side of his mouth quirks up in a half smile, then the right side follows.
"You really like that house near the park, didn't you?" he states.
I smile. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
-/-/-
*Last week*
"Make a left up here, I want to show you something." Tobias calls from behind us.
It's a bit cold out, but we're taking advantage of the sunny weather by taking a bicycle ride to the park on the other side of the neighborhood. I'm leading the way, with Jack on his little bike behind me, and Tobias follows in the rear.
I do as he asks, curious as to what he might be talking about. Once I make a left onto the street, I assume he's talking about simply showing me the gorgeous street. All the houses are well taken care of, their front yards manicured with care, and the trees along the sidewalk are mature and beautiful. It's quite picturesque.
"This street is fantastic. It's beautiful." I say loud enough for him to hear me.
"Check out the one for sale up on the right."
I spot a 'For Sale' sign in the yard of a pretty tan colored house with white trim. I come to a stop in front of it, and take in the home that looks like it's been updated quite nicely. I admire the classic architecture, and the cute little porch. It has great curb appeal.
Jack has come to a stop beside me and is looking up at it too.
"Whose house is this?" he asks.
Meanwhile, Tobias has hopped off his bike to retrieve one of the flyers from the little plastic box attached to the For Sale sign. He hands me the flyer and my jaw drops at the pictures of the interior, and from the square footage of it.
"It's nobody's house right now, it's empty." Tobias responds to Jack. "It's for sale, buddy."
"Really? Can we buy it daddy? It's so cool!"
Still observing the photos, I can't believe how nicely it's been redone. It's clean and modern, but hasn't lost its unique and charming bones of the original construction. It's a common Chicago style home- long and narrow, one story above the main level, as well as a basement level. But it's much bigger than it looks from the outside. Four bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a rec room, a laundry room, a beautiful modern kitchen. And the backyard is incredible, full of lush grass for Jack.
Wait, for Jack? Are my thoughts really going this way?
I look up at Tobias and as I hand the flyer over to him, I try to gauge his thoughts by his expression. He has a timid smile, a look of excitement, as well longing.
"Something to think about, huh?" he asks simply, folding up the flyer and tucking it into his pocket.
He climbs back on his bike and winks at me before looking to Jack.
"Maybe we'll live in a nice house like that one day. But for now, you ready to go to the park?" he asks.
"Yeah!" Jack replies.
On our way to the park, my mind is reeling about that amazing house. We've talked about moving into a bigger home one day, but the conversation on that topic has never really strayed further than that. I think we've just been focused on the busy holiday season at the bakery, the planning of the wedding, the applying for adoption- it's been a lot going on, and we're not necessarily in a rush to move. But it seems that he's seen this house before. Perhaps when he and Jack when on this bike ride a few days ago when I had to go to the bakery and cover for Tori for a while?
He seemed eager to show me, like he actually wants to consider it. I guess the price isn't too unrealistic. Well, if we weren't spending so much damn money on a 6-string quartet, the pricey caterer or the open bar at our wedding.
Maybe I do need to be a bit stricter with the plans that Julia and Christina are coming up with. They have expensive taste, and it's getting out of hand.
I then think back to the house. Maybe if it's still available after the wedding, it'll be a sign that we're meant to consider it. And maybe by then it'll have dropped in price.
Who am I kidding? That place won't last that long. It's amazing. But I can just picture myself planting flowers in that cute little front yard...
No Tris, focus on the wedding first. That's the priority right now.
-/-/-
*Back to present time*
I shake my head, clearing the thoughts of that day. I had already been battling with myself all that week, with the idea of spending so much on the lavish wedding that I'm allowing my best friends to coordinate. I had tried reminding myself to be happy and thankful for their help, tried telling myself that I was just overreacting. But underneath, I knew I'd rather spend the money on something more logical- like a house. And there Tobias was, showing me a dream house. Causing my apprehension with the price of the wedding, to grow even more.
I'd rather just eat lasagna than the fancy tuna tartare and gazpacho with spicy shrimp at our wedding, if it meant being able to afford a house like that too.
"Yeah." I finally say, coming back to reality. Looking back up to him with a shy smile. "I mean, I love this place. I'm really happy here. You guys have welcomed me in so wonderfully. But like we said, eventually, we might want something bigger. I had already thought of something like that, and then when you showed me that place, it was like a sign. And I can't stop thinking about it.
"It's a great place. As soon as I spotted it, I wanted to take you back to show you." Tobias says, with an encouraging smile.
"I loved it. And so did Jack." I say, becoming somewhat giddy about where this conversation is heading.
"But the wedding..." I add, my stress with that topic coming back to the surface again.
"Tris, what do you want to do?" he asks simply, stroking my cheek with his thumb as he cradles my face. "How do you truly picture our wedding?"
I close my eyes and lean into his touch, trying to decide what I truly want.
"I don't know...I just feel so indecisive. But when it comes down to it, I think spending thousands of dollars on it is kind of silly. I'm not there to impress people or make a statement. I'm there to marry you. I'm there to celebrate becoming your wife, with our close friends and family." I say, then open my eyes. "What do you think? This is your wedding too." I add.
He chuckles and kisses my temple. "You know I don't really have a preference on how big or small our wedding is. As long as you're there and saying "I Do" with a smile on your face, that's all that matters to me. But I want you happy with it. So, think about what you want. Not what Chris or Jules want, or what you think would make others happy." he says and he strokes my cheek with his thumb again. "If you want a big grand wedding that sounds great. We'll make it happen. We may just need to wait another year or two to consider buying a house. But that'll be quicker than we know it. Or if you want to do something smaller and consider that money towards a house sooner, that sounds amazing too. Whatever you want baby."
"No pressure." I say sarcastically with a roll of my eyes, causing him to chuckle again.
"You can think about it, don't feel like you have to rush into any decisions."
"I'm tired of thinking about it." I pout.
"Well, maybe if I tickle you, your decision will just subconsciously come out." he says with a laugh as he begins tickling me. I laugh and squirm in response, obviously reacting to the areas he knows I'm most ticklish. We end up laughing and falling off the couch to the floor in a tangle of limbs until he's on top of me and has my arms pinned above my head.
He relents with the tickling for a moment and we both attempt to catch our breath.
"I want a small wedding. And I want to make an offer on that house." I say confidently, staring up into those gorgeous eyes, trying not to let myself get side-tracked and too turned on in the position we're in. After all, Jack is only feet away, even though he's still wrapped up in his cartoon.
I watch as the smile on Tobias' face grows even wider, showing off all his pearly white teeth.
"I thought you were going to say that. And I'm so happy you did." he says, suddenly bending down to kiss me firmly on the mouth. As he does, he releases my wrists and allows my arms to wrap around his neck.
After a good long kiss, he sits back up and has to discreetly adjust himself in his pants before sitting up and leaning his back against the couch. I sit up too and give him an unconvincing scowl.
"So you didn't want a big wedding after all?" I admonish.
"I'm not against it, it'd still be fun. But I honestly love that house, and a part of me has been worried it won't last long, even though it's only been on the market a short time."
"I haven't actually paid for or booked anything yet on the wedding, so it's not too late for the changes. Well, except that I'll have to deal with Christina and Julia."
"I'll be there too, if you want me to be. Maybe we should we invite them over tonight to talk about all this?" he asks.
"Yeah. But let's call about the house first." I grin at him and lean up to kiss him again.
-/-/-
"Aw, Tris, I'm sorry we've been so pushy and overbearing. We're just so excited for you and we love you, so we wanted to make it special. You deserve to feel like a princess." Christina says as we enjoy some wine after dinner.
We ended up not only inviting Julia and Christina, but also Jason, Will, Evelyn and Doug. Just after finishing off our food, Tobias and I made the announcement of our change in plans. How we will not be having an extravagant wedding in August as previously planned. We explained how we decided to have a much smaller and more intimate wedding. And we surprised them even more, when telling them that we've bumped up the date to next month. That way I can submit the adoption paperwork as Tris Eaton. We thought coordinating the two events to occur within the same week would be wonderful. Plus, we're just so excited to just get married already.
They were confused and surprised at first, but they understood and showed their enthusiasm and excitement about the new ideas. But they also apologized, saying they felt bad for taking over and getting carried away.
"No, I'm sorry I didn't speak up sooner." I tell them. "I feel like a bad friend, not being honest and letting myself get worked up.
It's just us girls left at the table. The guys offered to clean up and then made their way to the living room to watch TV. I think Tobias knew I'd like some time with just them, to explain further and make sure they didn't feel too harshly confronted about the whole thing.
They go to speak up, but I continue. I feel like I need to apologize for my behavior too.
"You were so excited, and seemed to really know your stuff, so I just went along with it. And it really was fun at first, you girls have amazing taste and event planning skills. In fact, you could probably make a career out of it. But the more details we got into, the more overwhelmed I got. And as the price of everything increased, my excitement turned to stress and I started second-guessing all the plans. I should have just spoken up before you got this far." I say, pointing out to the over-stuffed binder in front of Christina, filled with things like color swatches and venue pamphlets. "I really do appreciate all your hard work, and still want you to be involved with things. We just have to drop the scale down...a lot."
"Hey, I think that's a great idea. And don't worry, these plans won't go to waste. I can save them for my wedding one day." Christina says. "Which I assure you, will be sooner rather than later." she adds, speaking that last sentence louder so that Will can obviously hear her from the other room.
"I heard that!" Will yells back with an amusing tone.
They've been playfully bantering back and forth about getting married ever since Tobias and I got engaged. Will pretends to be less interested in the idea, but he's clearly smitten with her, and enjoys teasing her.
Us girls just smile at each other and refill our wine glasses, amused at our men.
"So, small wedding...like courthouse small?" Julia asks.
"Maybe not quite that small. I'm still not sure when and where exactly. I want to wait and hear about something first. I have some ideas...so I'll keep you posted." I say vaguely.
"What are you waiting to hear about?" Christina asks curiously, probably noticing my excited attitude when I mentioned it.
"Well, we're meeting up with a real estate agent tomorrow." I say, not able to contain my smile.
"Aw, sweetheart." Evelyn says with a pleased grin.
"Yeah, we actually already found a house we want to get. So cross your fingers." I tell them and they all come over to hug me, showering me with their excitement over this news.
-/-/-
"Shall we head on in?" Loretta asks from where we're gathered on the sidewalk in front of the house. I remain looking up at it with a big smile. It's so pretty.
Loretta is a kind woman in her 50's, and reminds me a bit of my Aunt Ruth. She has been one of my regular customers since I first opened Sweet Pea's, and since she's a Real Estate agent, I gave her a call as soon as we decided to jump on the house idea.
She was happy to set up an appointment to check the house out, and I'm glad she was able to arrange a visit on such short notice. She called the listing agent to meet us there the following day, so that she could go over any details and specs about the house, and quite possibly, be prepared to present our offer to the current owners.
Loretta leads the way to the front door, and just as we make it to the top step, the door swings open.
There ready to greet us, is a young woman, probably in her mid to late 20's like us. She's wearing a perfectly pressed grey pencil skirt and blazer, over her white blouse that is unbuttoned low enough to probably be considered unprofessional. Her shiny platinum blonde hair is cut into a bob just above her shoulders, and her big toothy smile stands out with her bright cherry colored lipstick.
"Welcome. Welcome." she says, opening the door wider for us to enter. The way her eyes roam Tobias and the appreciative smile on her lips, does not go unnoticed by me. But neither does the way he simply nods at her in greeting, then steps past her with my hand in his.
You'd think I'd be used to the way women look at him by now, but I'm not.
However, I'm thankful that he always seems unfazed. He simply acts as if he doesn't notice their lingering looks and instead, keeps me close, proudly showing me off as his one and only girl.
And the sweet looks he saves just for me, make it all the more sincere and wonderful.
"My name is Sabrina Parker. Feel free to look around, and let me know if you have any questions." she says, but Tobias is already guiding me into the house further.
"Check out these original hard wood floors babe." he says to me. And like that, Miss Lipstick is forgotten. These dark wood floors are gorgeous and the delight in his eyes likely matches mine as we take in the enormity of the space around us.
"And this fireplace... and the crown molding." I say, looking around at all the detail and craftsmanship.
"It's even better in person." he agrees.
Loretta lingers and chats with Sabrina as Tobias and I look around more. And I can't contain my smile along the way.
We make our way into the kitchen, which has an eat-in bar area, as well as a small dining room off to the right. Then into the less formal family room, before heading to the back patio that overlooks the lush green backyard. It's much bigger than most yards around here, and I can just envision Jack running around playing joyfully.
We then make our way upstairs, where we tour the spectacular master bedroom and bathroom, the massive walk-in closet, and the two bedrooms that share another bathroom.
Lastly, we head downstairs to the finished basement. Which includes another bedroom that would make a great office or spare guest room. And I can tell Tobias loves the giant rec room.
"We could put a pool table down here, or make it a TV room. Or both." he says. "We could even make half of it a play-room for Jack." he says, looking at me excitedly.
"Yes, yes we could." I say, smiling back at him. I'm so relieved and happy he loves this house as much as I do.
After the full tour, it just confirms our decision even more. This is the place. It has to be.
Please let it be.
We had checked out several other houses online last night, but none of them seemed to compare to this one. It's definitely a rarity.
So we happily proceed with trying to make it happen.
"Loretta, we'd like to make an offer. Immediately." Tobias tells her directly.
-/-/-
"Mmm...good morning." Tobias says groggily. His hair is the epitome of bed head, as it's getting slightly longer and curls slightly at the ends.
"Morning." I say, smiling at him. I'm much more alert, as I've been lying awake for almost an hour now. Despite the fact that it's not even 7am, I'm stuck on my baker's hours. But I remain lying here, happy to enjoy his warmth and comforting embrace. It's relaxing and restful.
"I have an idea" he says, kissing my shoulder.
"It's been almost a week since our offer went through, and we should be hearing back soon." he begins.
"Yeah, I sure hope so. The anticipation is killing me." I reply, not sure where he's going with said question.
"I know, me too. But I have a good feeling about it. And say we do get it...what if we get married there? In the back yard? If everything moves along quickly enough with it, it could quite possibly work out."
He rolls over onto his stomach and looks at me to gauge my reaction to that idea.
I smile and lean up to kiss him. "I love that idea."
"Yeah?" he asks, pecking my lips again.
"Yeah." I confirm with a grin.
"Well, now we just have to think of a way to spend our time while we wait to hear back from them." he asks, a sexual hint in his tone. He continues his kisses along my jaw and neck, before working his way down and nuzzling his face between my breasts through my camisole.
I bite my lip and delight in the feeling of his face there, his teeth teasing my nipples through the cotton fabric. Then the sensational feeling of his hand that travels south, slipping into the back of my sleep pants to squeeze my bare behind.
"Hmm...how to pass the time..." I murmur.
He says nothing, but I feel his smile against the skin of my neck before going back to my mouth. He begins to kiss me as he reaches down to remove both of our pajama pants.
He lifts off my camisole as well, making us both deliciously naked, but still shielded by the warm covers of our bed.
He hovers over me, but leans back, and looks me up and down. He gazes at me, his breathing heavy. All I can see is the depth of his need- the depth of his love for me.
"You're the sexiest woman I've ever laid eyes on." he says huskily.
He reaches for me then, grasping my legs above my knees and hitching them around his waist. I feel him against me, feel him hard and wanting at the apex of my thighs as he leans down and runs his lips down my throat. I moan, trying to keep quiet, as my arms go around his neck.
I feel him reach down and run his two fingers through my soaking wet folds, and again, I feel his smile against my skin.
"Always so ready for me." he says appreciatively.
"Always for you baby." I tell him. And it's true, it's amazing how quickly he can turn me on and have me begging for more.
"I'm going to take you now, my love." he breathes and I arch my back in response, pressing myself against him, eager for the friction.
He groans deep and low in the back of his throat and rubs against me, teasing me.
His words are intoxicating and all my stress from the week is temporarily forgotten.
It's just him and me, doing what we do so well.
Without taking his eyes off mine, he sinks slowly into me. My body bows and I tilt my head back, closing my eyes, relishing the feel of him inside me. He pulls back, and then moves into me again, so slow, so sweet. I groan in pleasure, so thrilled that I am fortunate enough to have him in this way
"I love you. I love that you're mine." he murmurs against my throat.
"Yes, yours. Only yours." I pant. "I love you too."
He starts to move faster, and I surrender myself to his relentless rhythm, savoring each push and pull, his ragged breathing, his need for me, reflecting mine.
It makes me feel powerful, strong, desired, and loved. I hope he feels the same. The man whom I love in return with all my heart.
He pushes harder and harder, making love to me sweetly, but also with an intensity that shakes the whole bed like the hinges might fall out of the bed frame. He's so good at making it rough, without losing his tenderness and loving intimacy.
His breathing is ragged as he loses himself in me, as I lose myself in him.
I feel myself building, tightening, and with a few more thrusts, I'm soaring. I bury my face in his shoulder to muffle my moans, so as not to wake Jack. But I really can't comprehend nor control how loud I am right now.
As my orgasm takes over me, for what feels like forever, I feel him make his final thrust before he comes too, my name emanating from his mouth like a prayer on his lips.
When he eventually slides out of me to lie beside me on his back, we leisurely kiss some more. But it's only a minute or two before we hear a ping on my phone.
I furrow my brows in confusion. Who would text me this early in the morning?
I lift the phone from my side table and see a text from Loretta.
[Loretta: Call me when you wake up. I have news about the house.]
-/-/-/-/-/-/-
A/N-
Thank you for your patience waiting for this chapter! Again, real life has been busy, so didn't have as much time to write. But I'm hoping to have chapter 12 up this time next week. Therefore hopefully putting me back to my weekly update schedule.
Also, thank you for the wonderful comments and feedback with that last chapter. Especially with the question regarding the wedding, it was fun to hear your opinions!
The picture collage for this chapter is already posted on my Tumblr. So you can check it out if you'd like- madisonr1129
Thanks for reading! Please continue to let me know what you think!
:-)
