CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Miller
We signed the papers on the house on Friday of the next week. We passed the papers around and each signed on all the dotted lines as Ellie smiled at me with shimmering eyes. Once everything was done and the cashier’s check was handed over, our agent handed me the keys as she looked at us. She knew the situation and while surprised, she seemed to appreciate how much we cared about each other.
I led us out of the title company and Ellie hugged me tightly. This was perfect. Both of the condos had generous offers on them that would more than cover a bulk of the house once it was in the account.
“We did it.” Ellie said as she looked at me with a grin. “You did it. I’ll be doing it after I start my job at the magazine.”
“It’s yours as much as it is ours,” Chris told me as we walked out to the car. “Should we celebrate with dinner and champagne?”
“Yes.” Ellie and I said together as he unlocked the door. We went to our favorite seafood place and ordered appetizers and plates with glasses of the best champagne that they offered. We clinked the glasses together, toasting the rest of our lives as I smiled at both of them.
When we got back to the apartment, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at my screen as my mom’s name flashed across it. I held it up and went to sit down to answer it as Chris pulled Ellie against him.
“Mom,” I said softly, dreading what she was going to say. I didn’t realize I missed her until I saw her name again.
“I didn’t tell Chris’ family, Miller. I didn’t think it was my place. I only spoke to your father, and we talked about it a lot over the last few weeks.” I sat still, unsure of what to say.
“We both liked her when we met her. I didn’t read into it too much with all the crazy around me, but you looked happy when you came back. I haven’t seen you that happy in a long time. I have to think about that and not how complicated this could get.” I smiled.
“I am happy, Mom. We all are. We just signed papers on a house in Aurora on the river today. We’re back.” I told her as she sat quiet on the other end of the line.
“All of you?”
“Yes. It’s a big house. We sold the condos and we’re ahead of the game right now. I feel like I am more in control of my life than ever before, Mom.”
“What if this ends? You have been friends with Chris for years, Miller. Like brothers.”
I hadn’t thought too much about that but I nodded as Ellie stared at me.
“It will be fine. We’re all adults and can handle tough times.” I looked at Chris, wondering why his family hadn’t called if they didn’t know. Was he just hiding the fact that they had?
“Let’s plan lunch soon and give this a chance. I might take it slow but I miss you, Miller.”
“That sounds great,” I told her before she told me how much she loved me and ended the call. I set the phone down and took a deep breath. “She wants to meet for lunch. She isn’t doing cartwheels over everything, but she sounds more accepting. She did say that she said nothing to your family, Chris. Why haven’t they called?” I stared at him as he frowned.
“Devin. Fucking Devin. I’ll bet that he picked up on it right away.” He shook his head.
“Your brother. He didn’t talk to me all that much.” Ellie sat down on the chair across from me as Chris went to the fridge to get a soda.
“He has always been in tune with me. I wonder if he told them or he’s waiting for me to call him. Hell, maybe they all knew.” Chris popped the can open and took a sip.
“Do you think he suspects the truth or that I am only with you?” Ellie asked as I stared at Chris.
“I’ll call at some point. We don’t talk as much as normal families but we’re good. I need to tell them about the house, anyway.” Ellie looked at him with concern and he smiled. “It’s fine.”
“I hope so. I still hold guilt over ruining your perfect families.” Ellie told us as I laughed.
“We’re close with our families and had a good childhood. I would never say that we’re perfect,” I assured her as she looked at me.
“In my experience, that’s what I think. I guess I’m jealous.” Ellie shrugged and walked into the kitchen for some water.
We gave our notice to the apartments for two weeks and went furniture shopping in the meantime. We picked out guest room stuff, more couches and chairs, things for each of the bathrooms, and new kitchen supplies. I admired the way that Ellie found the best deal on the highest rated items through her research. She bought quality stuff but didn’t seem to want to spend all the money on it. She thought of a future and I loved her for it.
Once everything else was delivered to the new house, we moved in. The four rooms were divided into our room, an office and two guest bedrooms. We put a some exercise equipment in the finished basement but there was also plenty of space for hiking and outdoor activities. It all fell into place and we started our new lives there.