Chapter 33
A/N Move
This is kinda a filler chapter
Spring was coming to Charlottesville and Suzanne was excited. Their new home was almost complete and they would be moving in in about a month. Suzanne had met with the contractor that morning to make the final changes. They had broken ground on it back in the fall. Her parents had given them 20 acres to build their dream home on. Suzanne of course had designed it right down to the landscape. She was so proud of it. She was sitting at her desk admiring her dream project and their dream home. Benjamin had told her that she could design it and put anything she wanted in it as long as it had an office/library for him. She had done just that and hoped he would love it once it was finished.
About a week ago, she had caught Tom and Benjamin in the backyard talking. They were whispering and kept looking over their shoulders to see if anyone could overhear their conversation. She was wondering what they were up to. She put it out of her mind and went back to work.
They had decided to wait until school was out to make their official move to the new house. Lizzie was up in arms about the move. The house in town was only a few blocks from the Barnes' and the girls were joined at the hip all the time. With the move to the new house, someone would have to bring her in town to play with Isabelle. She had voiced her displeasure of the move on multiple occasions and her sour mood was starting to wear on Suzanne and Benjamin both.
Will was enjoying tormenting his sister every chance he got. He too was not happy about the move to the new house, but not like his sister. He was at the farm everyday, but since he had not started school yet it was not as hard on him.
Suzanne was going to Richmond in the morning to make the final decisions on some of the furniture and arrange the last of the appliance deliveries. Benjamin was going to take the opportunity to finish up Suzanne's surprise and have it ready for when they moved.
Suzanne too had a surprise for him. She had ordered a king size bed for their master bedroom. They had only had a double the whole time they were together. They had both complained about the lack of room when the kids would pile on the bed with them or end up in their bed after a nightmare.
She also was going to get bunk beds for Lizzie's room. She decided it would be a good idea since the girls would be spending time together on the weekends at their house. She had also put a window in her room with a bench seat. Lizzie spent lots of time sitting on the back porch of their current house reading and she hoped she would enjoy it.
Late May came around and there was lots of activity at the Adams town house. Joe had sent 3 trailers and the barn hands to help with the move. Frank and Sam showed up with Isabelle to help too. Will had been taken out to the farm the night before so he would be out from under foot,
After the last of the items were moved into the house, Benjamin and Suzanne collapsed on the couch exhausted. Lizzie had got to spend the night with Isabelle and Will would be staying with her parents. Benjamin still needed to reveal his surprise to Suzanne. She went upstairs and Benjamin ran out to put the bow he made on her surprise.
He had a scarf laying on the table and called her into the kitchen. "I have a surprise for you, but you have to put this scarf on first."
She laughed, but turned around so he could tie it. He took her hand and led her out the double door to the deck on the back of the house. He helped her walk down the steps and into the back yard. He walked her a few more paces and stopped her. He reached up and took off the scarf revealing his surprise.
Suzanne blinked her eyes trying to get them to adjust. Benjamin was standing next to a wooden swing hanging from the limb of the oak that she had insisted not be cut down when the land was cleared. There was also a rope swing.
She stepped forward and looked down at the wooden swing. She placed her hand on her mouth and gasped when she looked at it. He had taken the wood and carved ADAMS HOME in the seat. She was so touched by his gesture and gift. She sat down and he walked behind her and pushed her. He had made the swing big enough that they could sit side by side and swing on it. He also made a rope swing for the kids to enjoy.
The many walks they had taken in the park while at UVA often found him pushing her on the swings. Her laugh as he pushed her warmed his heart. He loved her and the small things he did for her brought her the most joy.
The Adams slowly settled into their new home as summer turned into fall.
Thanks to 2queens1prince for letting me use the part about the swings. It is from her story This Old House. If you haven't read it you should. It is awesome.