John had received an answer for Rick that he knew he would love. The seller accepted Rick's offer for a cash sale and was swayed because of the story John told the sellers, Mr. and Mrs. Gallo when he told them of Rick's offer. They were very happy to hear that Rick gave the second client the option to buy the home instead of him. Who says chivalry is dead? When they heard that she turned it down they were more surprised at his suggestion of cohabitating in the home. After her husband complained that in his day that would never happen, it was Mrs. Gallo who reminded her husband that people meet and get together in so many different ways nowadays, so who was he to judge. She had hoped that they became a couple and raised their children together, the way they did with their own children years ago.
"Rick, It's John from Century 21."
"John please tell me that you have good news."
"Only the best for you because I know that you are tired of being cooped up in a hotel room. Should I tell you over the phone or do you want me to do it in person?"
"Do it over the phone, John, I can't stand the suspense anymore. It's been a long two days."
"Well, it seems that Mr. and Mrs. Gallo has decided to accept your cash offer of $390,000. Seeing that the house in move-in ready, you can start moving your personal effects into the house this afternoon if you so desire. But I don't think that's what you're going to do if I know you and I think I do. The second I hang up this phone you're going to be back on it talking to Kate."
If a man could blush right then and there it was Rick.
"John, what are you talking about?"
"So you do wanna go down that road, don't you Rick? Come on, I could see the sparks between you two in the kitchen."
Rick who thought he did a pretty good job of concealing his feelings that day, but obviously he didn't do that good of a job.
"Was I that obvious John?"
"Rick it was easy to tell that you were in the love haze. It just does funny things to you when you're in that zone. It's like you completely forget about everybody and everything around you. I, on the other hand, am very happy for you. She seems like she would make you very happy."
In the back of his head, Rick was thinking the exact same thing that John was. There was just something about her he didn't know what it was but he knew it had to do with her drive. Once she had a problem she would do nothing to stop from solving it.
"Yes, you right John she will be my next call. Wish me luck and when will you be here to drop off the keys?"
"Actually I have a client to take out now for a quick look at a condo not far from your hotel. I could meet you there and say… twenty-five minutes. Is that good for you?"
"Not a problem John. It's not like to have anywhere to go to."
"Okay right. I'll see you then."
After hanging up the phone he knocks on the door to Alexis' bedroom. She has been working on her school assignment at her desk. He wants to tell her the good news and then he'll call Kate. He can imagine how that call will go.
"Pumpkin can I come in?"
"Sure dad I'm just studying for this history test I have on Tuesday"
"So how is school going? I mean I know you've only been there one week. Is it as good as your school in San Francisco?" Rick really wanted to know.
"In some ways, it's better and in others, it's about on the same level. But it is a good school and I like the teachers there. So dad who was on the phone?"
"Well, it seems that the offer I put in for the house that you love so much was accepted. Now, all we have to do is gather our things up because Jon is going to swing by very soon to drop off the keys to our new home. And then we get the check out of this chicken coop. This was a good place but it's just not home."
"I agree. Did you call Kate yet?" She said with a wide-eyed sneaky look.
"That's not the reason I came in here Alexis. I need to make sure that you're okay with sharing a house with two complete strangers. I know we had lunch earlier in the week and you got to know Eli and Kate a little bit better, but I just need to make sure that you're all right with them living with us."
"Dad really, it's fine. They need to place to stay and so did we. I'd say we're killing two birds with one stone. And yeah Eli can get on my nerves a little but that's what 10-year-old boys do. They tease and torment ten-year-old girls. I'm okay with it if you are Dad."
His daughter was so mature for her age and he loved her so much for it.
"Pumpkin. What do you say we get packed up and out of here?"
"Okay, Daddy," Alexis said brightly.
Xx
Kate was behind the proverbial eight ball. Her call from Rick less than ten minutes ago had her second-guessing her position on the house that he had recently bought. Like recently as of early this morning. She really did want to move into the home, but the more she thought about it maybe this was not such a good idea. There were a million questions running through her head and she didn't have an answer for any of them.
Would they get along? How would they split the household chores? Would he watch Eli if she got called in for an emergency? Would Eli and Alexis fight or get along? Then there was the house itself. Maintenance, upkeep, and all the headaches that went with owning a house. She was startled when Eli came to the kitchen and noticed her worried look.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"Eli, Rick just called my cell and told me that his offer to buy the house was accepted. Do I need to ask you if this is really what you want to do? I know you've told me on Saturday that you would move in with Rick and his daughter but listen E, this is going to be for the rest of our lives. We're going to be staying with Rick and his daughter for the duration. And if you don't know what duration is think of it as you finishing high school and then going to college. You will be leaving for college from this house. But you can always change your mind if you…"
"Mom, you're taking this way too seriously. Rick is a decent guy and Alexis is a good friend even though we've only had lunch together once. She has the same likes and dislikes I have and she understands that we might be good together as friends. You know, new friends and all? And I know I'm a boy and she's a girl and that will cause issues when we get older, but let's try it out just to see what happens, okay?"
"If you are sure, I'll give Rick a callback and tell him that we accept."
"Mom, it'll be fine." Her son told her as she walked back to get her phone.
Xx
"Rick, I have talked it over with Eli and we would love to share the house with you."
"Kate this is going to be great you'll see! So, we meet you there later this afternoon say around two?"
"That would be great Rick we will see you then."
When Kate ended the call, she knew that she had to at least bring they necessities. She will get Eli and herself clothes to change into for the next couple of days. The bigger stuff would have to come out of storage later but she could take what she had in her parent's house over in small loads. She didn't know where Rick's stuff was only that it was in a storage area somewhere near Dallas. They would need to get a truck rented to move his stuff as well.
When she returned back to Eli's room she noticed him sitting on his bed and that his duffel bag was stuffed full of clothes already. Well at least one them were ready to go.
"Let me guess, you wanted to leave ten minutes ago, right?"
"Well yeah. Are my packed clothes a giveaway."
"Eli listen I'm going to have to pack some more stuff. So why don't you decide on what you want to take to your new room that you can't live without and whatever is left we can come back for tomorrow. If you can, find a box to put it in."
"Okay, mom. You need any help?"
"Now I'm pretty good for now I'm just gonna throw together some clothes for the week, my scrubs, and my hospital stuff." Kate said as she walked back to her room.
Xx
They both knew would happen one day. But why didn't have to happen so soon? They had both known she had left two days ago to go house hunting. But what they did not know was what happened after. She was very guarded when she entered the house and Eli who is usually very talkative didn't say a word. And that in itself was highly unusual. Joanna heard her moving around upstairs about fifteen minutes ago. And whatever she was doing it was like a tornado was let loose inside the house. It was until later when they both came down when they found out what was going on. And Joanna was hurt at first but understood that her daughter was an independent woman and needed to be on her own. She didn't like to rely on other people that much. And she's glad that she had the last month and a half with her daughter and grandson.
"So Katie, can tell me where you are heading off to?" Her father asked.
"Dad, mom I have found a place to stay. It's the funniest thing really me and Eli were going to look at a house not far from here. When we got there, there was someone already looking at the house. We decided to let our realtor show us what's the inside while the other clients walked around the outside. As it turns out a little girl who was there with her father had to use the restroom. It was only then when I realized that they were the people I rescued with the Ryder truck. They were looking to buy the house I was looking at. So, to make a long story short he initially offered us the house even though he was their first. But then we came up with another idea and somehow, he worked his daughter and Eli into the mix by asking them if they loved the house. Now it seems that we're sharing a house together. I will pay my part of the rent and utilities but we each have our own rooms. Would you like to come along to see it mom, dad?"
"Well, that seems like a fairy tale, Katie. Your knight in shining armor comes in it rescues you at the last minute." Joanna said a little sadly.
All Kate could do was look down and her feet blushing as she did.
"Come on Katie let's get to your new place so I can see what kind of a woman's touch it will need," Johanna said reaching for her keys.
"Eli shake a leg were leaving now!" Kate yelled.
Eli was trying not to fall down the stairs by looking over the box he had in his arms to make sure he was still hitting the steps as he walked down them. He was failing miserably because it was overflowing with mostly his baseball stuff.
"Eli, what do you have there? His grandfather asked.
"Grandpa, these are all my souvenirs from all the Ranger games that we went to. I want to put them up in my new room. Can you help me?"
"Sure I can. Come on let's get this loaded into your SUV."
"Katie, your dad and I will follow you over to this new house," Johanna told her.
"Okay, mom. Come on you're going to love it." Kate said with enthusiasm.