by Lydia Rose
“What did you want to talk about, Sandy?” Eva asked patting the cushion on the sofa.
Sandy sat down with a thud. “Nadine wants us to move in together. Well, more like she wants to buy a new home for all of us.”
“All of us?”
“Yes. She wants you to move in too.”
“Me?” Eva asked touching her chest.
“Yes, Mom. She said this way you won’t be alone and you’ll still be there for Carly. Nadine wants to find a house that has an in-law suite so you can have your own space,” Sandy sighed. “Isn’t that the craziest thing you’ve ever heard? We’ve only known each other for a few months and dated even less than that.” Eva sat there staring into space without responding. “Mom, are you okay?”
Eva nodded her head. “Yes.
“What do you think?”
“Do you love her?” Eva asked softly.
“I do.”
“She loves you, right?” Eva asked and Sandy nodded. “I think it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. Nadine is willing not only to have your daughter in her life, but she is asking your mother to be part of that life too.”
“But, Mom. Suppose we don’t last. Where will we go? I doubt I’d still have a job if we broke up.”
“Is that what you are worried about? Your job? You can’t enter into this relationship thinking it’s going to end. Have you ever loved anyone the way you love her?”
“No. I’ve never felt this way before and it’s a little scary.” Sandy’s hand went to her head. “Suppose I’m not enough for her. I don’t make the money that she does. How am I going to share the bills with her?”
“I want to know what your heart says to you,” Eva said putting her hand on Sandy’s thigh.
“It says tell her yes and don’t be an idiot.” Sandy looked at her mother. “Did I just blow the best thing in my life?”
“Only you can answer that question, Sandy.”
“I’ve got to go see her, Mom.”
“Go.” Eva was already off the couch getting Sandy’s coat.
The knock on the door surprised Nadine. She had been sitting in the living room most of the day. The television played in the background, but she never saw what was on. Getting up, she flipped the front light on and peeked out the window. “Sandy,” she said surprised. “Is something wrong?” Nadine stepped out of the doorway so Sandy could enter.
“Yes. I’m an idiot, Nadine.”
“Let me take your coat and come sit down.” Nadine grabbed the remote and shut off the television. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I’ve been thinking about what you asked me this morning and I have to tell you why I said no.”
“Okay.” Nadine waited for her to continue.
“I was afraid. Afraid that you would stop loving me. That I wouldn’t be enough for you. You had a great love with Kim and I thought I might be a disappointment to you.” Nadine opened her mouth, but Sandy said, “Please let me finish.” Taking a deep breath. “I love you Nadine, with all my heart and soul. I have never loved anyone the way I love you and I think you feel the same way.” This time Nadine smiled, but didn’t comment. “I can’t believe you want me, Carly and my mom to live with you. I can’t afford a house like this. Let alone the type of house you were talking about. You are used to living alone and you lived with Kim, but we are a noisy family. Eight-year-olds can be lovable one minute and temperamental the next. When you will want to be alone with me, my mom and Carly will be there. Again, I was afraid that after a few months you would look at me and say she is so not worth it.” Sandy let out a breath and sat back against the cushion.
“Can I speak now?”
“Sorry. Please,” Sandy answered keeping the center cushion between them.
“You’re right. I did have a wonderful relationship and marriage with Kim.” Nadine’s eyes teared up without her permission. Swallowing she continued. “I’ve spent the last three years alone. I didn’t want anyone else. I didn’t even look at anyone else.” She wiped her eyes. “Then you walk into my office and I take one look at you...” Her smile opened. “I was a goner. I didn’t know if you were gay or straight, but I knew I needed to find out more. I hired you because that’s what Kim would have done. That’s what I told myself, but I wanted you there. I wanted to be able to see you every day. I bought those fundraiser tickets with you in mind. I didn’t get those tickets for free.”
“I know,” Sandy said grinning.
“When we danced, I knew I loved you. I was going crazy still not knowing how you felt about me. Then Kate came into your life. If she had been nice, I would have lost you forever.” Sandy squeezed Nadine’s hand. “I know I rushed you and then I got angry when you rejected my offer. I will wait for as long as you need to feel comfortable moving in with me.”
Sandy moved closer and kissed Nadine’s lips softly. “You don’t have to wait, Nadine. I’m ready to move in when you want me to.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Yes, honey.” Sandy’s finger trailed down Nadine’s cheek. “I’m not afraid. I think we are going to be great together. Even if we are living with my mother.”
“I love you, Sandy.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
EPILOGUE
Six Months Later
The moving van had pulled out of the driveway less than an hour ago. The house was now filled with boxes that had to be unloaded. When Nadine and Sandy found this house in Nadine’s complex they had both been excited. The house was close to Carly’s best friends and it was perfect for the newly-formed family. Eva would have a bedroom and living room off the kitchen that would give her privacy when she wanted it. It would also give the women their own privacy too. Carly was on the same floor as the master bedroom, but at the other end of the hallway. The women had decided to start out fresh with new furniture. Eva brought her bedroom and living room set to the house. The hardest thing Nadine had to do was tell Sandy the truth about the money. She sat her down one evening.
“There is something I haven’t told you,” she said softly.
“Whatever it is,” she took Nadine’s hand, “it will work out.”
“I hope so,” Nadine sighed and began, “Kim won the lottery before she and I met. The money went to me after her death. All except two million dollars that was left to Eric.”
“Two million dollars. How much did she win?” Sandy asked almost hyperventilating.
“She won fifty million. After taxes.” Nadine waited for Sandy’s reaction.
“So, you’re very wealthy?”
Nadine nodded her head and grinned. “No. We are very wealthy.”
“That’s your money, Nadine,” she said shaking her head firmly.
“I don’t want to argue about this. I just wanted you to understand that when we look for a house, money isn’t an issue.”
“I would have never known,” Sandy said looking around the house. “This is beautiful, but it isn’t ostentatious.”
“That was Kim. She would rather use her money to help people than to throw it around on houses, cars and clothes.”
“I think that is wonderful, Nadine. I hope you continue doing that with the money.”
“I will, but a house for all of us is important too. I think we should hire a decorator that you can work with.”
“Me? Why me?”
“I thought you might like decorating our new place.”
“I’ve never had the money to do something like.”
“Then I think you’ll have a good time.” Her hand caressed Sandy’s cheek. “You aren’t angry with me for not telling you sooner?”
“No, Nadine. I understand why you didn’t tell me before.”
Nadine and Sandy were working on the boxes in the kitchen while Eva and Jennifer got the bathrooms into some type of semblance. It was a good thing that Carly was at the Carey’s while the women worked. After the boxes were emptied in the kitchen, Nadine came up behind Sandy and kissed the back of her neck.
“I can’t wait until we’re alone tonight. I want to christen our bedroom tonight.”
Sandy laughed. “Big talk from a woman who will probably fall asleep when her head hits the pillow.”
“Hey, that happened once when we were packing up for the move.”
“What is different about today? We have a ton of work left.” Sandy kissed her lips softly.
“Because we have help today. We aren’t doing all the work ourselves.” Her lips came back to Sandy’s as she pinned her up against the counter. Hands began to wander and the women were so caught up that they forgot they weren’t alone.
“Eva, they’re at it again,” Jennifer said as she entered the kitchen area.
Sandy and Nadine pulled away from each other. “We finished emptying all the boxes,” Nadine said pointing at the neatly broken down boxes in the corner of the room.
Sandy moved next to Nadine and wrapped her arm around her girlfriend’s waist. “We deserved a break,” she said grinning.
Eva looked at Jennifer. “Is that what you do on a break?” Eva asked laughing.
“Yes,” Nadine answered quickly.
“The bathrooms are all unpacked,” Jennifer said smiling at the women who were still holding onto each other. “Now if you two can tear yourselves away from each other, we can finish the rest of the boxes.”
*
It took all afternoon for the house to finally look like a home. The women sat in the living room with bottles of water in their hands. The doorbell rang and the women jumped.
“I’ll get it,” Nadine said already out of her chair.
“Dad,” she said opening the door wider. “And Carly. Did dad pick you up?” Nadine asked.
“Yep. Pop bought pizzas,” she said running over to her mother.
Since Nadine and Sandy got together, Jennifer and Joe treated Carly like another one of their grandchildren. “Did you have fun today?” Sandy asked holding her daughter to her side.
“We went in the pool,” Carly answered.
“How do you like the house?” Nadine asked as she approached Carly.
“Can I see my room again?” Carly asked her.
“Sure. You know where it is,” Nadine said and smiled when Carly hugged her before going up the stairs.
“That little girl loves you so much, honey,” Jennifer said smiling at her daughter.
“The feeling is mutual, Mom,” she said before her eyes found Sandy’s eyes.
Once the pizza was finished, Jennifer and Joe went home. Eva looked around and said, “Since there isn’t anything left to do tonight, I’m going to turn in.”
Carly had fallen asleep on the living room floor exhausted from her day of fun. “We are going to do the same once we get Carly into bed,” Sandy added putting her arm around Nadine. “Good night, Mom.”
“Good night, you two.”
“Good night, Eva. Thank you for all your help today.”
“My pleasure, Nadine. The house is beautiful.” She smiled. “Your mother said she was jealous that I was getting to live with you two.”
The women looked at each other and smiled. “Really?” Nadine asked.
“Yes. She is so happy for the two of you.” Her hand came up to cover her yawn. “Good night.”
Nadine picked up Carly from the floor as Sandy shut off the lights downstairs. “Isn’t she too heavy?”
“No, but soon I won’t be able to do this.” Nadine put Carly down on the bed. “Can you handle it from here?”
“Sure. Go take a shower. I’ll be right in.”
Nadine dropped her clothes in the hamper and ran the water for her shower. Walking back into the bedroom, she opened the drawer on the night table and stared at the box. I hope she doesn’t get upset. She went back to the bathroom to take her shower. When she came out, Sandy still hadn’t appeared. Opening the bedroom door, she heard Sandy reading a book to Carly. Nadine closed the door again and put on a shirt and pair of boxer shorts for sleeping. Lying on the comforter she took the box out of the drawer and put it next to her to wait for Sandy to appear.
Sandy opened the bedroom door and saw Nadine sleeping half up and half way lying down. “I told her she’d never make it,” she said softly and went toward the bathroom. While Sandy was gone, Nadine lowered herself so she was lying on her back. Sandy couldn’t resist and bent over to kiss her forehead. She watched as the brown eyes opened and looked at her.
“Hi.”
“Hi, yourself. Why don’t you let me pull the comforter back so you can get under the covers?” Sandy waited for Nadine to move from on top of the comforter. As she did, the box that had once been in Nadine’s hand flew across the comforter. “What’s this?” Sandy asked picking up the box.
Nadine closed her eyes and then realized what Sandy had asked. “Wait,” she said excited, but then she saw the open box in Sandy’s hand.
Sandy looked at Nadine. “Were you planning on asking me something tonight?”
Nadine nodded her head. “You took so long to come into the bedroom,” she shrugged, “I fell asleep.”
“You’re awake now,” Sandy said still holding the open box.
“Oh, yeah.” Nadine jumped off the bed and got down on one knee. “Sandy, would you marry me? I promise to take care of your mom, Carly and of course you for the rest of your lives.”
Sandy grinned. “Are you marrying all of us?”
Nadine got up and took the ring from the box. “If you all will have me.”
Sandy put her arms around Nadine’s neck and pulled her close. “Nadine, I would be honored to marry you.” She smiled. “All of us.”
Nadine couldn’t hold the tears that were now flowing. “I am so happy and I thank Kim for sending you into my life.” Nadine looked into the blue eyes that were filled with tears too. “I love you so much.”
Sandy allowed the tears to fall. “I love you too.” She looked up toward the ceiling. “Thank you, Kim.
Nadine finally slipped the ring onto Sandy’s finger. “We’re going to have a great life. I just know it.”
“I do too, love.”
Nadine, no longer sleepy, pulled Sandy onto the bed where she could show her how much she loved her and would for the rest of her life.
THE END
I appreciate your purchase of my work. If you enjoyed the story, please take the time to review my book on Amazon or Goodreads.
If you have a comment regarding my work, please contact me at [email protected] or visit me on Facebook at Lydia Rose
Other Books by Lydia Rose:
The Summer of Our Love, Jersey Girls, Book 1
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? Jersey Girls, Book 2
Stay With Me
The House on the Lake
The Country Girl
Coming Home
Are You the One?
The Story of Annabelle & Alison
Love Comes to Alaska
Family Ties
The Cruise
My Heart Wants You
Somebody Like You
Lost Memories
Just What the Doctor Ordered
Love Isn’t Always Easy, Jersey Girls, Book 3
Return to the Shore, Jersey Girls, Book 4
Taking Chances
She Found Me
Never Let Me Go
Something Real
There is Just Something About You
Casey’s Last Chance, The Jersey Girls Book 5
Now & Then
Trust in Me
Accidental Love
Forever in my Heart
Summer of Dreams
filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
