Chapter 4 Welcome to the Neighbourhood
It seems like the whole neighbourhood livens up when new people move in. Suddenly people start to jog, walk their dogs and their kids and all conveniently move past the simple, but cosy house. Furniture is still being carried in, but the children are more interested in all the colourful equipment that is being set up in the backyard. Their parents don't mind them playing so close to the fence, because they want more information.
Who are these new people? Why hasn't anyone seen them yet? What will they be like?
The only thing they have been able to deduct is that they have children. Or at least, that is what they can assume with all the toys being moved inside. They'd rather not think of another option.
But the curious things is that they don't know anything else. Even the nosiest people of the street can not figure out who the new neighbours are. It has never happened before, which makes this all the more mysterious and interesting.
This is the reason that Camille Mitchell finds herself working in the front yard more than usual. Just so she can try to catch a glimpse of the mysterious strangers. She has planted two flowers at least six times already and she knows other people have noticed. But nobody cares. They are all waiting for someone to find out more. After realizing she is about to replant the same flower again, Camille has had enough. It's time to take action. It's a nice Saturday morning. The sun is out and she has nothing planned. Logan is off to work and she has the house all to herself.
But what fun is it to go snooping when you have to do it by yourself?
Moments later she finds herself knocking on her best friend's door. Jo Knight immediately smiles and greets her friend, inviting her in right away.
"So, any news?" Is the first thing she asks the blond, who shakes her head. They walk into the living room, where another blond is sitting on the couch. "Hello Kendall." is all she can utter.
"Camille." Is the only reply she receives in return. She is used to it. Jo and Camille always kept in touch. So when both suddenly found themselves moving to Minnesota, this didn't change. Not even when their husbands refused to speak to each other. It made dinner parties impossible, but it didn't stop the women from meeting up and chatting without them.
They quickly move into the kitchen.
"You want something to drink?" Jo asks as Camille sits down at the kitchen table.
"Sure, whatever you're having." She answers with a smile. Jo soon sits down and hands them both a steaming mug with tea.
"Okay, so how much do we know so far?" Camille asks with an eager smile.
Jo chuckles. "Well, I do know that they seem to have kids. If it is a 'they', maybe it's a single parent." Camille nods in confirmation. "They brought in multiple toys and play sets for the backyard. This could mean that they are friendly and happy to invite other children. Plus; Kaycee and I saw them haul in parts of a red swirly slide yesterday." Camille's eyes grow while Jo smiles.
"No..." She gushes.
"Uhuh." Jo nods.
"But wait, they hauled it into the house? Not outside?" Camille asks. Jo shakes her head, keeping a knowing smile on her features. Camille's eyes grow in realization. "You don't think..."
Jo shrugs. "I don't know. But I've never heard of anyone else who would install a swirly slide inside a house." Camille sits back in her chair in slight shock.
"Wow... If that's true, than all four guys are back in the same neighbourhood." Jo nods again. "But, we don't know for sure."
"Yeah, that's true." Suddenly, Camille's eyes twinkle and she leans forward with a mischievous smile.
"I guess we'll have to stop by and find out." Jo smiles and nods her head in agreement. Camille claps her hands. "I think this calls for your famous chocolate chip muffins." She announces, before starting to head for the kitchen cabinets.
"Maybe we should just make some corn dogs. If it really is him, he'll come running to us." Jo mentions with a chuckle. Camille chuckles as well.
"True. But what is he is married and his wife is home alone?" Camille muses.
"Good point. But, he would never marry anyone if she didn't like corn dogs as well." Jo answers in return.
"That is an excellent point." Camille tells her friend.
"But just in case, let's go with the muffins. I mean, who doesn't like chocolate chip muffins?" Jo gushes and Camille squeals in delight before starting to rummage through her friend's cabinets to find the right ingredients.
About an hour later the entire Knight house has the aroma of freshly baked muffins sifting through. The children have come to watch the baking going on in the meantime and are now happily munching on a muffin of their own at the kitchen table. Jo is putting the remaining muffins in a basket, but leaving one on a plate on the kitchen counter.
"You're not going to bring it to him?" Camille asks her, pointing towards the treat.
"If he wants it, he can get up and get it. He's not cripple and it's about time he finds that out for himself." Camille nods her head in astonishment. "Now how about we go and get to know the neighbours?" Jo announces as she holds the basket in her hands. Camille smiles and the women head for the front door.
"Camille and I are going to welcome the new neighbours. Don't know when I'll be back, there's a muffin on the kitchen counter if you want one. Ad the kids are in the kitchen." Jo announces to her husband as they open and close the front door, not giving him a chance to respond.
Camille looks at her in slight bafflement as they head on their way to the newest family on the block.
"Wow, Jo. Good for you that you're standing your ground. How are things between yo anyway?" She asks, some concern etched on her features.
"The same. I just don't know how to handle him anymore, Cammy. I've tried everything. But it's like he doesn't care. I don't know. Maybe he doesn't love us anymore." Jo muses with a long sigh.
"Oh honey, I'm sure that's not it. Kendall still loves you and the kids. I think he's just lost and he doesn't know how to find his way back. Have you tried therapy, like the doctor suggested?"
"I've tried to bring up the subject, but he won't even hear me out. He seems to think that he doesn't need any help and that everything is fine." Jo tells her. Camille sighs.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I wish I could give you any other advice. But don't just give up. I'm sure the real Kendall is still in there somewhere." She offers with a smile. Jo smiles back.
"Thanks, Cammy. How are you and Logan doing?" She cautiously asks.
"Well, nothing has changed. I work in the garden and teach drama and Logan is at the hospital all day and tries to avoid me whenever he is home." She tells her friend with a tired sigh.
"I'm sorry... I guess we could both use some extra help, huh?" Jo mentions with a smile and puts an arm around her friend's shoulders. Camille returns the gesture and together they walk up to their destination. The house looks simple from the outside, just a nice family home. Not too big, but not exactly small either.
The two friends know that the house has been empty quite a while. It seems the old owners couldn't get it sold. Until now, of course. They look around for a doorbell, but can't seem to find it. Camille quickly knocks as loud as she can. Jo laughs and lightly shoves her, making Camille look at her.
"What? I want to make sure they can hear us." Is her defence.
"Yeah, but now they might think someone's coming to attack them or something." Camille rolls her eyes and is about to knock again when the door flies open.
"I'm sorry, I was in the kitchen. How can I help you?" Jo and Camille look up to see a woman their age with dark hair tied up in a ponytail. She has dark blue eyes and a slightly tanned skin. Her slightly swollen stomach reveals that she is pregnant at the moment. She eyes them with a friendly smile.
"Uh, hi. I'm Camille and this is my friend Jo. We just wanted to welcome you to the neighbourhood." Camille tells her with a smile.
"Yes and we brought a housewarming gift; freshly baked chocolate chip muffins." Jo offers with a bright smile, holding out the basket.
The woman's eyes light up immediately like an eager child.
"Are you serious? You made these? For me?" She asks and Jo nods. Suddenly she squeals in delight, making Jo and Camille chuckle. She quickly grabs the basket and sniffs up the aroma. She sighs deeply in content. Then she seems to realize the two people standing in front of her again. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. You must think I'm insane. I'm Delilah." She holds out her hand and both women shake it. "Well, come on in." She leads the way into the house and the other women follow right away.
"I'm sorry for the mess, we're still busy unpacking. My husband took the kids to my parents, so they don't get in the way. Would you like something to drink?" She asks as she walks towards the kitchen.
"Do you have any tea?" Camille asks her as they follow her into the kitchen.
"Yes, we do. Thank god you drink tea, I was afraid you'd ask for coffee. We never drink coffee, so we never buy it." Delilah explains. In the meantime, she puts the basket of muffins on the counter and takes another whiff of the smell. "My husband is going to love you. These smell amazing."
"They taste good, too." Camille offers and Jo laughs. Delilah looks for mugs in one of the boxes, while Jo and Camille look around as much as they can.
Boxes are lined up everywhere, some already unpacked, but most still stacked up. The house already seems cosy and very child-friendly, despite all the boxes and emptiness. Jo suddenly pokes Camille, who looks at her. The blond points at something in the living room. Camille looks and smiles knowingly at the large part of a yet to be installed red swirly slide which lays in the living room.
"So uh, you're installing a swirly slide in your house?" Jo asks as both women accept tea from Delilah.
"Oh, that. Yeah, our kids begged us for it." Jo and Camille share a look.
"Kids, huh? How many do you have?" Jo asks her.
"Three right now, including a set of twins. And number four is on it's way." She says with a loving smile and rubs her stomach affectionately. Camille smiles longingly, so Jo quickly changes the subject back.
"And all three wanted the swirly slide inside?" Jo asks her.
"Well it's kind of hard to resist those huge puppy dog eyes." Delilah muses as she sips her tea. "My husband's I mean." She mentions suddenly.
Camille and Jo both look at her in surprise. "Your husband?"
"Yeah, when I say the kids begged for it, I mean, my husband made them beg me. Because he knows I would have never agreed to it if it was just his idea." She informs them. Both women share a look and they start to grin.
"What's your husband's name?" Camille boldly asks.
Just then the front door is heard opening and closing.
"Deedee?" A male voice shouts through the house.
"In here." The woman yells back while Camille and Jo wait on the side. Their eyes go wide when they watch her husband step into the kitchen.
"And how are my favourite girls doing?" He asks lovingly as he greets her with a kiss and puts a hand on her growing stomach.
"How are you so sure it's another girl?" Delilah asks him and he smiles.
"Hey, I've been right so far, haven't I?" She shrugs.
"Oh, honey, I almost forgot. We already got our first welcome present." She mentions with sparkling eyes as she points to the basket. The man walks over and peers inside. He cheers and doesn't waste time grabbing a muffin and starting to eat it.
"Oh wow. Best welcome present ever." he mentions with his mouth full of food.
"First of all, don't talk with your mouth full and secondly, it's the only present we've gotten so far." His wife tells him. Camille and Jo watch the couple in amusement.
"I don't care, it's already my favourite." He mentions as he starts for a second batch.
"Well, then maybe you should thank the women who brought it." She tells him as she points to the very amused looking Camille and Jo on the side. He turns around curiously and his eyes grow wide. Soon the muffin in his mouth falls to the floor as he looks at the women in shock.
"Hey Carlos! Long time no see." Camille chirps happily. Jo waves.
A/N Yeah, I know. Wasn't a shocker ;) But I hope you still liked the chapter!
Much more to come, so stay tuned
Thank you so much to those of you who reviewed, favourited and read the story. I really like it, so look out for more chapters soon!
Love, Baxxie