“It isn’t a past that you created. It is one that you escaped, and he was the crazy one. Knowing the staff and how stunned they were seeing me with you and Lindsay, they’re probably speculating about your side piece or something.” I watched her wince. “I hate that image as much as you do but we know how it works. Try to come up with something that will appease them without revealing too much if you can. If not, I’ll work on something.” I kissed her hair as she smiled at me in the moonlight.
“I haven’t talked about it with too many people. I have always tried to keep it vague.” Her voice was soft, and I played back the various times that she looked hesitant or scared. It made so much sense now.
“I know, honey. I wish that this wasn’t out there like it is but I’m also glad that he’s gone. I’m glad that you can walk the city and not look over your shoulder.” I looked at her, shifting on my leg. “Now we get our new start.”
“You still tell me to be careful,” she teased me, reminding me how I was when she took Lindsay to the park alone.
“I have two gorgeous girls. Of course, I do.” I kissed her lips gently and pulled her against me.
Mom came over the next morning to make breakfast with Rosie. She came home when we returned, taking back her room and new duties. The women all got on well and Stan would sit with me to escape it when it was too much. They were all compassionate and generous with it, but I missed living alone sometimes.
Mom started talking about going home after the first month. I was still putting her up in a hotel room in the same place as Soledad’s mom and dad. She sat with me over dinner one night at the loft as Soledad took Lindsay out with Rosie. They were missing their time together and I encouraged them to enjoy it. They spent far too much time with Daniel in the past. “Are you ready to get back to the house?” I asked Mom as she sipped her wine slowly.
“I am going to miss you, all of you. It’s been nice staying here in Seattle with you.” Her voice was sad, and I eyed her. “Now that Alli is in school and she will end up on her own, the house seems a little lonely.” My mind raced with possibilities as I reached for my beer.
“You would stay here?” I queried as she looked thoughtfully out of the window.
“I think so. You have a family now, Alex. It isn’t like it was before now and seeing you all together has been so nice. Even though the situation started off bad, it brought us all together.”
“Mom, I have an idea. I’ve been thinking about this for the last few weeks, but I might move out of the loft.” Her eyes widened as she looked at me. “It’s paid off since I paid cash for it. I got a great deal and it’s nice. It just holds too many memories for Sol now. I know she always sees that scene when we walk up to the door. It’s in her face and her eyes.”
“I’ve seen that as well,” Mom noted as she looked around. “This is a big place. Wouldn’t you rather sell it to buy another home?”
“I could but you could also move in. It’s a great location to tour the city and there’s room for Alli to stay here. She could even move when she’s done with school and get a job at one of the local papers. You could also set up an office and a craft room if you want, start painting again. You have the room here.” I looked around at the place where my life began here in Seattle as a single man, transitioning into that of a family man. “I was thinking about a house with a yard.”
“That would be lovely.” Mom’s eyes shimmered as I chuckled.
“Keep it quiet, Mom. I need to make some plans but feel free to stay in the hotel if you want to. I have that covered.” She shook her head and took a longer look around. “What about Rosie?”
“It is up to her. She’d welcome to stay with us and help with Lindsay. She’s kind of like a third grandma.” I made sure to look at her, but Mom laughed.
“That she is.” I wondered what would happen if we got a house and Mom moved here. Would Rosie want to stay? Would she feel like she was intruding on my mom’s time with Lindsay? I should ask Soledad about this, but I wanted it to be a surprise.
Fuck. I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Don’t start worrying, Alex. This will all work out.” Mom was laughing at me as I drew a long drink of the beer. “I have never seen you like this over a woman.”
We both heard the door and smiled secretly to each other. Lindsay walked in first and she was carrying a white bag. “We brought you dessert.”
“What is it?” Mom asked as she patted the chair beside her.
“We went to the cupcake place after sushi. There’s a bunch of different kinds.” Rosie and Soledad walked in and I took in the sight of my beautiful girlfriend. She was smiling and looked happier than she had in a while walking into the loft. Maybe she was over the past, but I doubted it.
“Are you hungry? I had a Groupon to use and she begged.” Soledad grinned as she moved to the table. Mom stood and grabbed some glasses to pour more wine, sitting down as Lindsay opened the bag. She handed out the small cakes and we ate them as we talked about going to the outdoor market tomorrow.
I imagined doing it in a house with a view of the water. I could grill outside while Lindsay played, and everyone relaxed at a large outdoor table and chatted while they watched her. We could have drinks in the evening after Lindsay was in bed, making love later with the window open so the fresh air could blow through the room.
Chapter Twenty-One
Soledad
Our families returned home a month and a half after Alex got shot. We had plans to have Thanksgiving and Christmas here in the city all together. I also told them we’d bring Lindsay to visit them, hugging them at the airport before they boarded their flights. I watched as they walked away and turned to Alex with watery eyes. “I am so glad to be back to normal, but I will miss them.”
“I feel the same way,” He told me, hugging me as Lindsay waved goodbye. We were going back to work the following week, both full-time to see how it went. I was admittedly suffering from cabin fever and the lack of control I had on the daily of
fice duties. I had a great staff and trusted them, but I missed the feeling of being in the building. Soledad was a bit torn about leaving Lindsay all day again. We had a great time with her. We just both loved our jobs.
We went out to dinner on the way back home. I picked Soledad’s favorite place and she looked out over the city lights as we ate, Lindsay chatting her way through dinner. She was quiet, and I suspected that she was worried about the reaction at work to our return.