The Daddy Box Set

From what Jess said about Chloe’s alcohol recovery, there were several “routines” in Chloe’s life that she wasn’t willing to cut for fear of relapsing.

“Did ya tire out the little one?” Chloe asked.

Gina dragged herself over to the couch and laid her head on Chloe’s lap. Chloe covered her with the afghan that regularly sat on the sofa.

“Mom, we’re going to look at one more house.”

Chloe waved her hand. “I’m not moving my tushie for a while. Have fun.”

I took Jess’s hand and led her out of the house, gathering the courage for what I was about to do.

I had driven for a little while before I decided to come out with it. “Jess, I already made the decision to buy the house. Sami is drawing up the paperwork this afternoon.”

Her eyebrows knitted together. “Then why are we going back?”

“I want to make sure that you like the house too.”

“Don’t take my word for it; you’re going to be the one living there. Besides, Gina is pretty easy, but she really liked that one.”

“That’s the thing,” I said. “Gina and I were talking, and we wanted to make sure that all three of us liked it.”

“Why?” she asked.

I had her full attention now.

“Because we want you to live there with us.”

Her mouth fell open. “You’re asking me to move in with you?” Her voice shook slightly.

I glanced at her then back to the road. “Yes. Will you?”

“Is that why this house is so close to Mom? You wanted us to stay near her?”

“That’s part of the reason,” I said. “Gina and I came here for you. And we want to be close to you and Chloe. This house is exactly what I’m looking for in all aspects.”

“I didn’t get to look around much,” she said. “Gina was all over the place, unable to pick her room. You might want to watch out because she was eyeing the master bedroom.”

I chuckled. “She must not have seen the ocean views from the room next to the master.”

“She did,” Jess said. “She liked the bigger terrace off the master and the private bathroom.”

I shook my head slowly. Maybe if I told her Jess and I needed the space, I’d be able to get her to give it up. Or I’d have to bribe her with something else. There was no getting around her stubbornness sometimes.

I pulled up the driveway to the house. I imagined pulling up every night ready to see Jess and Gina after the end of a day. I couldn’t wait.

“Where’s Sami’s car?” Jess asked.

“She left me the key,” I said. “Come on.”

Looking at the house again with fresh eyes made me love it even more than the first time.

Jess looked a little nervous, so I took her hand and walked with her up the front steps. I picked up the key from under the WELCOME mat and stuck it into the door.

“Welcome home,” I said as I let Jess inside the house first. “Now, there’s no pressure,” I said quickly, “but if you like it, you can move in. Or you can wait until later.”

“I’ve never heard you babble before,” Jess said with a smile.

I laughed and scratched at my chin. “Asking a beautiful woman to move in with you is a big deal.”