Chapter Thirty-Two – NOW

 

The next few days are a busy kind of relaxed.  We have lunch with my parents for their anniversary and then spend time sightseeing.  We take an elevator below the Horseshoe Falls and get drenched in water, but it’s an amazing experience and so incredibly loud.  Then we walk along the promenade to Skylon Tower and check out the observation deck.  My sister organized for us all to go on the Skywheel, which was fun, and we took Matilda to the Butterfly Conservatory, which was her highlight of the vacation.  Then the guys visited the casino while us girls ventured to the Floral Clock and Rainbow Bridge.

It was an amazing vacation and one I will definitely remember forever.  Saying goodbye to my family was hard, but we’ve never been the kind of close that Celia and Kyle are.  As we all hugged, Thomas mentioned to everyone we should all catch up in Australia one Christmas.  I didn’t say yes or no, but I think it would be fun.  Matilda would enjoy it.  I guess I’ll see what the next year or two brings.

But now we’re back to reality.  Work and school, and everyday life.  Melissa emailed and said the inspection went well.  Everything is A-OK with the house, so Kyle and I need to go in to the realtor’s at some stage this week to sign the contracts.

 

I exit the elevators and Meg collides with me, throwing her arms around me and hugging me tight. 

“You’re back!” she shouts.

“I am,” I say through a laugh.  “It’s good to see you, too.”

“I missed you so much.  I’m super busy right now, but lunch?”

“Absolutely,” I state. 

She rushes off and I head to my cubicle.  The worst thing about going on vacation, is the dread of returning and checking your work emails.  Thankfully, Martha managed my job while I was away, and besides eight that she has flagged for my attention, everything else is caught up on.  Of course, there are emails there from the weekend and this morning, but nothing I’m not used to.  I’m just thankful it’s not eight days’ worth.

I sit down at my desk, fire up my computer, log in, and start work.  The morning passes fairly quickly, my only interruptions being brief from my colleagues who welcome me back.

“So, how was Canada?” Meg asks over lunch.

“Fantastic.  So incredibly beautiful.  Our suite was unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” I gush.

“Email me some pics when you get time.”

I nod.  “I will, I took plenty.  How was your week?  Your boss is still away, right?”

“Yes, and it’s been amazing.  I’ve gotten so much fantastic feedback from everyone else in the team, and they seem to be relying on my opinions.  They’re actually looking at me with respect, instead of just the annoying coffee girl.”

“That’s great, Meg!”

“It really is.  I know it’s a long shot, but I’m hoping the next two weeks is enough time to show management that I’m a better fit for head designer, rather than my boss.  He’s been holding me back and I’ve discovered two other girls with incredible talent that he’s been hiding as well.  He’s such an ass.”

“They’d be silly not to kick him to the curb and give you the promotion.  You deserve it. You’re amazing.”

“If they don’t, there’s always my plan B,” she says through a light laugh.

“What’s that?”

“I win the lottery and start my own business.”

“Yeah, good luck with that,” I say dryly.  “Perhaps you plan B should be more realistic, like getting a business loan and starting your own company.”

“Hmm, that’s a good idea too.  But the lottery would be so much better.”

When our lunch break comes to an end, we go back to the office and finish our work day.  Kyle’s truck is in my drive when I get home and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my lips.  I walk inside and see him sitting on the couch with Matilda in his lap and he’s reading her a story.  Celia’s in the kitchen cooking something that smells amazing.

“Hey, babe,” he says.

“Hi, Momma.”

“Hey, my loves.”  I kiss Matilda’s head and then Kyle’s lips.  “How was school, kid?”

“Fun.  We did craft,” she chirps.

“Melissa called.  We can sign contracts in the morning before work,” he tells me.

“What’s contracts?” Matilda asks.

“It’s a surprise.  But you’ll find out soon,” I say, smiling as I run my fingers through her hair.

 

The next morning, Kyle and I drop Matilda off at school before driving to Greenwich Realtors.  Melissa is waiting for us and she ushers us inside the warm building immediately.  It takes around an hour to go through all the paperwork before we sign.  My hands are shaking with nerves and excitement as I scrawl my name on the dotted line in black ink.

“Congratulations!” Melissa cheers, handing us a mimosa each.

I laugh before taking a sip.  “Thank you.”

I’m giddy as we leave the realtor.  It was all so easy. Almost too easy.  I found a house I loved, mentioned it to Kyle, and he agreed.  We hadn’t spoken about taking the next step in our relationship before then, but it was effortless.  So smooth and natural.  Now just three weeks after seeing the house for the first time, we’ve signed the contracts and we’re now homeowners.  Together.  The two of us.  Building a life together.  It’s a huge commitment, but I don’t feel fear.  I’m just excited.  And I’m so, so ready for this next stage of our life.

Kyle stops his truck by the curb outside my office and when I unclip my buckle, he drags me across the console and into his lap.  I kiss his lips through my grin.

“Are you happy?” I ask, kissing the corner of his mouth.

“Fuck yeah.”

“Good.  I am too.”  Tears fill my eyes.  Happy tears.  “So, so happy.”