Chapter 3

Grandma

Fourteen great-grandchildren were more than enough to get me to move. I wanted to spend the last of my days surrounded by little ones and big ones too. My kids and their families were my everything. It didn't matter if they had my blood running through their veins or not, I loved them all the same. If Carrie wouldn't have wanted to move, I would have been okay with that. Scott still ran a business in Michigan, and I was pretty sure they could have used some time alone. Between the rest of the gang, I could have traveled from house to house and never worn out my welcome. They loved me, and I loved them. We were the closest you could get, and I was so damn proud of that.

I was sitting on the couch the day after Christmas, looking out Sammie and James' front window, when Carrie and Scott walked into the room. He sat next to me, and she sat next to him.

“You serious about this?” he asked. “You really ready to move here?”

“I am,” I said, as I turned toward them. “This is where I want to be. If you two aren't up for it, I get it.”

“We are,” Scott said.

“Really?” I asked. “What about your business and your parents' house?”

“We're going to keep them both,” he said. “You can stay here, and we'll go back and forth when we need to.”

“You don't have to do that,” I said. “There are four houses for me to go between here.”

“We want to,” Carrie said, from the other side of Scott. “We talked about it last night and this morning. We're ready too. Our kids are here, and we want to be with them. It was bad enough James was here, but Cassie is now too. We want to be here when the baby comes, so we can help her and Parker. I miss Lucy and Lance too. We won't give up the house in Michigan. Scott said we could, but I won't let that happen. He'll cut back at the company, so we'll just go back and forth when we need to. We want to buy a house here. What do you think?”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “I don't want you to do this for me.”

“It's what we want,” Scott said, as he looked back at Carrie.

“It is,” she said.

They both had huge smiles on their faces, and I knew I had one to match. I was so proud of them, their kids, Lance and Lucy, and their kids too. Every single one of them were amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better family. They were perfect.

“Where do we start?” I asked.

“We find a house,” Scott said.

We spent the next few days looking online and driving around to houses, but none of them were the one. Carrie and Scott wanted something big enough for the kids and parents to visit, but they also wanted something they could take care of. Carrie didn't want me to have to work hard when they'd need to be in Michigan. They asked my opinion of each house, but I watched their reactions and voted the same way they did. It was going to be their house, and they needed to be the ones to choose it.

By the end of the week, we hadn't found the one, and I could tell Carrie was losing hope, so when Cassie and Parker sent a text inviting us over to see their new place, I jumped at it.

“We could use the break,” I said, as I looked between Carrie and Scott.

“I think you're right,” Scott said. “I can't even keep the houses straight anymore.”

We got in the car and headed their way. I couldn't wait to see the house Cassie had picked. Was it huge? Were there more bathrooms than people? Did Parker talk her down to a smaller place? He was a ballplayer, so I knew she could have whatever she wanted.

When Scott pulled up the driveway his GPS directed him to, I was shocked. The house was two stories, and it was beautiful, but it wasn't at all what I'd expected. There was a swing on the front porch and flowers lining the ground just in front of the porch. I could see myself sitting on that swing for hours.

When we got out of the car, I looked down two houses and excitement filled me. There was a house for sale, and it was perfect. I tapped Carrie on the shoulder and pointed over.

“Do you see that?” I asked.

She looked over, and she smiled from ear to ear.

“I do,” she said.

Scott walked around to our side of the car. Then he looked over where we were looking.

“What are you two doing?” he asked.

“Just checking out the neighborhood,” Carrie answered.

“It's a very nice house,” he said. “Do you really think your daughter would want her parents two houses away?”

“Maybe I just want to make up for lost time,” Carrie said, with a laugh.

“We'd be close for when Parker is out of town,” I said.

“You do have a point,” Scott said, as a serious look crossed his face. “She wouldn't be alone.”

I knew I'd get his ass on our side if I brought up his little girl being alone.

“You coming in?” I heard Cassie yell from the front porch.

“Yes,” Scott said, as he took us each by the arm and headed for the house.

“I'll be right there,” I said. “I need to make a call.”

“Mom,” Scott said, with warning in his tone.

“What?” I asked innocently. “Get in your daughter's house.”

He shook his head and walked into the house with Carrie next to him.

I took my phone out and dialed the number on the sign two yards away. When the realtor answered the phone, the woman said she was more than willing to meet us in two hours. I hung up, put my phone away, and walked into Cassie's house.

“What are you up to?” Parker asked, giving me a strange look.

“I do have a life,” I said, with a smile.

“I don't doubt that,” he said. “Just know you're up to something.”

“Am not,” I said, as I shook my head. “Show me around.”

There was already a team there adding on the two rooms Parker wanted. I couldn't believe how far they'd already gotten. He must have had them working around the clock. That man was no joke.

When we walked out into the backyard, I was speechless. It was really big, and it looked out into the woods. I don't know what it was about the place, but I loved it.

“You might have a point about that house,” Carrie said, as she nudged my arm. “This is awesome. I could sit out on the deck, with my coffee and a book, for hours.”

“Told you,” I said.

“What are you doing?” Scott asked, as he walked over to us.

“Come on,” I said. “Look around. We have someplace to be in about an hour.”

“Where would that be?” he asked.

“Two houses down,” I whispered.

“Mom,” Carrie said.

“We're just looking,” I said. “It's no big deal.”

Parker got back to work while we sat out front with Cassie.

“This really is a nice place,” I said. “It's not nearly as big as I thought it would be. Did Parker talk you down?”

“Not at all,” Cassie answered. “I had to talk him down. He wanted a mammoth house, but I said no. I wanted something we could manage without help. When he's gone, I don't want to spend every moment cleaning either. We had just enough bedrooms for one spare. Then I found out about the baby, and he decided to add on. I knew better than to argue with him. It wouldn't do any good.”

“I'm proud of you,” I said.

“Thank you,” she said. “Have you guys found a house yet? You said you were moving here.”

“Not yet,” I said. “I'm working on it though.”

I watched the realtor pull into the driveway two houses down, so I gave Carrie and Scott a look. Scott shook his head, and Carrie laughed.

“What's so funny?” Cassie asked.

“You know your mom,” I said, as I shrugged. “We need to go.”

“Oh yeah,” she said. “Where are you headed?”

“To look for a house,” I said, with a smile. “You get back inside and help Parker. Just don't do too much.”

“Trying to get rid of me?” she asked.

“Not at all,” I answered.

We all hugged her. Then we got in the car. She waved before walking in and closing her door behind her.

“Two doors down,” I said.

“You don't think she can see us?” Scott asked.

“We'll be fine,” I answered. “Stop worrying.”

We parked in the driveway and walked up the walk.

“This porch is beautiful,” Carrie said. “I really like it.”

The door opened before we even got to it. We walked in and Carrie gasped.

“It really is amazing,” she said, as she looked around the open floor plan. “We could all fit. There's even a room the kids could play in.”

We followed the realtor up the stairs and down the hall. There were five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Scott had a smile on his face, but he didn't say a word. When we walked out the back door, I looked down to see Cassie sitting on a chair on her deck.

“Shhh,” I whispered, as I motioned in her direction.

When the realtor gave me a strange look, Scott laughed.

“That's our daughter,” he whispered, and the realtor laughed.

“I see,” she said. “Should we go back inside?”

“Yes,” I answered.

We walked back in and continued looking around.

“This really is a nice house,” Carrie said.

“I do like the yard,” Scott said. “I honestly could sit out there all day. I could see a pool and maybe even a hot tub.”

“That does sound good,” Carrie said.

“What do you think?” I asked.

They looked at each other and then back at me.

“It's perfect,” they both said.

“What do you think Cassie would say?” Scott asked.

“Cassie,” I said. “What about Parker?”

“What about him?” Scott asked. “I don't care what he thinks.”

“Scott,” Carrie said, with a laugh.

“What?” he asked. “I don't. He should have kept his hands off my baby.”

“Really?” I asked.

“We want to bid on the house,” he told the realtor. “I'll give what they're asking if we can sign and get the keys within the week.”

“Give me one minute,” she said, as she walked out of the room.

We stood, looking out the back window, as we waited for her to return. A few minutes later, she was congratulating Carrie and Scott on their new home.

I pulled my phone out and started a text.

Me: We found our house.

It only took a minute to get an answer.

Cassie: Seriously? That's awesome. I can't wait to have you closer.

I turned my phone toward Carrie and Scott and they both laughed.

“Not sure she means this close,” Scott said.

Me: We totally agree.

Cassie: Where's the house?

I showed her text to Carrie and Scott, and he shook his head.

“Come on,” I said. “It'll be fun.”

“Go ahead,” he said, with a laugh. “You're something else.”

“Come outside,” I said.

We all walked outside quietly, while the realtor stood in the doorway laughing.

“Ready?” I whispered.

“Yes,” Carrie said.

Me: Look to your left.

We watched Cassie look down at her phone. Then her eyes came up, turned toward us, and widened more than I thought was possible. She got to her feet, turned toward her door, and yelled.

“Parker!”

“Are you okay?” we heard him yell, as he came running out the door.

She shoved the phone at him. He read it and then looked toward us. Scott motioned to his own eyes and then toward Parker, and the three of us burst into laughter.

“Totally worth it,” I said, as we turned to walk back into the house.

“Yes it was,” Scott said.

“You two are mean,” Carrie said.

“I could have sworn you were right there laughing with us,” I said.

We hadn't even made it out the front door when Cassie and Parker came running up the walk.

“Is this a joke?” Parker asked.

“What?” I asked. “You don't want to live by me?”

“That's not at all what I meant,” he said, looking at me with a nervous look.

“You should see your face,” I said, as I pulled him in and hugged him.

“Mom,” Cassie said.

“What?” Carrie asked. “We just want to make up for lost time. You were the one that kept you and the babies away.”

“I know,” Cassie said, with defeat in her tone.

“I'll be watching you, Parker,” Scott said.

“Dad,” Cassie snapped.

“I will,” Scott said. “Only speaking the truth. You thought it was a great idea for us to move here. You just said a bit ago that you were looking forward to being closer.”

“Closer,” Cassie said. “Not two doors down.”

“Maybe you should have been more specific,” Scott said.

Cassie looked up at Parker, and he looked from her to us.

“Well,” he said. “Welcome to the neighborhood. Since you're here, maybe you'd like to come help me with the house.”

He stepped forward, put his arm around Scott's shoulder, and turned toward the walk.

“Come on,” Parker said. “I can't wait to get to work.”

“Carrie,” Scott yelled out from over his shoulder.

Parker let out a laugh and turned back toward us.

“All joking aside,” he said, “I'm kind of happy someone will be this close when I'm out of town.”

“Hey,” Cassie snapped.

“They're your crazy family, princess,” Parker said.

“Soon they'll be yours too,” she said.

“I can't wait,” he said, as he looked at the three of us. “They just want to live here because they love us most. I can't wait to tell your brother. I'm actually going to do that right now.”

“No you aren't,” Cassie said.

“Want to bet?” he asked.

She pulled her shoulders back and stood a little taller, and we all burst into laughter.

With that, Parker scooped her into his arms and headed toward their house.

“Come on by when you're ready to help, Dad,” Parker yelled back over his shoulder.

I looked over to see Scott's eyes go wide, and I couldn't contain my laughter. We really were a crazy bunch, and I wouldn't have traded that for anything.