The next few days passed quickly as Wesley and I adjusted to living together. We quickly fell into a simple routine, one that worked for both of us. I tended to get up earlier than him and would head down to the second floor to wake up the kids before going to the kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. Wesley would join us a bit later, clearly tired, his hair always standing up in various directions as he yawned and poured coffee before sitting at the breakfast bar and watching me make breakfast.

As soon as we were done eating, he would go into the garage to exercise. That had been another surprise I discovered when I took the time to explore the house. Wesley never used the garage because the entire thing had been turned into a home gym. He loved to exercise and told me that it kept his mind clear and gave him something to focus on outside of what was happening in his life.

Our homeschool supplies arrived on Monday and I quickly got things set up in our classroom, making sure that it was best for the kids. We decided to take the rest of the week off of school, knowing that things had been shocking and rough for all of us and that we needed a break.

We used that break to explore, go on small hikes around the area and spend time together. The kids were inseparable, I would often find Arlo in Aurora’s room cuddled up to her in her bed. When I asked why he did this, he told me he was scared of being in a new house but Aurora helped to calm his bad dreams.

We were currently getting things together to head down to Fern Prairie to see my family and Sara. Arlo and Aurora were spending the night with Holly and Jeremiah at their house so Wesley and I could go on our date. We thought it was unnecessary to go down a whole day early to look through things only to have to drive back again for our date.

“Honey?” Wesley called from the top floor.

“What?” I called back, going to the bottom of the stairs.

“Where are we going for dinner?”

“I thought we could head to Tacoma. I mean it’s a lot of driving but we can come back here instead of trying to find a room somewhere. Holly and Jerry are bringing the kids back up tomorrow night anyway. It’d be best if we weren’t all driving.”

“You’re so smart. I don’t mind driving. Do I need to dress fancy?”

“No,” I laughed, “wear something nice but comfortable. I think we should go for a nice walk after we eat. You owe me something after all.”

“I do, don’t I?” he smiled, “got it. Did you pack up the kids?”

“Yes and I grabbed the clothes I want to wear. I’ll change at Jerry’s. I’m ready to go. Literally waiting on you, baby.”

“Sorry! Give me a minute. I want to shower and get dressed.”

“Okay,” I laughed as he ducked back into our bedroom.

I made my way up to the second floor and peeked into Aurora’s room where I found her alone, poking her bumblebee.

“Hi, bug. Where’s Arlo?” I smiled, sitting next to her.

She pointed across the hall to his room and I tilted my head.

“Did you get in a fight?”

She nodded and I patted her leg, getting to my feet, “Okay. I’ll go talk to Arlo.”

With a sigh, I left her room and went across the hall, softly knocking on Arlo’s bedroom door, “Arlo? Lo, it’s daddy. Can I come in?”

“Okay,” he sniffled, calling back.

Walking into the bedroom, I found him sitting in the middle of his bed, resting his forehead on his knees.

We had done Arlo’s room similar to his room in our old house. We had managed to find the same sheets and comforter that he had had before, as well as new wall art and a new projector, creating the room that he had before, while still ensuring it was new. His new bedroom was twice the size of his old one, and we were still trying to find new ways to ensure he felt secure in the room.

“Baby, what happened?” I sighed, sitting next to him.

“Rory said that when we get to Auntie and Uncle’s she doesn’t wanna play because Uncle Jerry is there and he’s gonna make her talk and she doesn’t wanna go now.”

“He won’t force her to talk,” turning to my left I could see Aurora sitting on the end of her bed, “come here, Rory.”

She made her way over to me and wrapped her arms around one of mine.

“Jerry will never make you talk if you don’t want to. He knows what you’re feeling. He’s been there himself honey. So you can’t get mad at Arlo for not understanding where you’re coming from. No one will ever force you to speak. We understand okay? If you feel like someone is trying to make you, then you tell me or your daddy. We won’t let that happen. But Jerry and Holly won’t make you. I know you see Jerry for your therapy, but you’re not going to his house for that, sweet girl. You’re getting to spend the night with them as friends. That’s all. So don’t be worried. I think you both hurt each other's feelings. Arlo got hurt because he thought you didn’t want to play with him anymore, and you got scared because you thought someone was going to force you to do something you were not comfortable with. If the only person you talk to tonight is Arlo then that’s okay. So, I want you, Arlo, to apologize to Rory for thinking that she didn’t want to play. She was just really scared.”

“I’m sorry, Rory,” Arlo got off the bed and hugged Aurora and she hugged him back, “I didn’t know.”

She whispered something in his ear and he giggled, “you’re right. Don’t worry. I keep you safe okay?”

She nodded and they hugged again.

“There. Is everything good now?”

“Mhm,” Arlo smiled, “we’re gonna play until we leave okay daddy?”

“Sure bud,” I nodded as they ran across the hallway to Aurora’s room.

“You did good,” Wesley leaned into the room, a bright smile on his face.

“Were you there the whole time?”

“I was,” he nodded, “I didn’t want to interrupt. You had it handled. I thought I might need to when you got to the bottom of why Aurora was upset, but you didn’t need me.”

“I figured it was some kind of misunderstanding. That’s all. They’re both little. It makes sense. I’m sure it’ll get worse as they get older,” I laughed, “why aren’t you coming in here?”

“I want to see if what I’m wearing will work with what you plan to wear tonight. I don’t want to clash.”

“Well, I can’t tell you if you’re hiding out there.”

Wesley came into the room fully and my mouth fell open as I stared at him. He was wearing black skinny jeans with a powder blue long-sleeve button-up tucked into them. On top of the shirt was a soft tan sweater, the collar of his shirt over the neck of the sweater, his shoes tan and matching his belt.

“Holy… hell…” I whispered.

“What? Is it wrong? I can change…”

“No… god no don’t you look incredible,” I got to my feet and went over, laying my hands on his chest, “I appreciate you dressing up for me.”

“Does it work with what you’re wearing?”

“I need to get different bottoms, but yes.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want us to both be wearing black skinny jeans. I can switch to non-skinny ones.”

“I’m sure you’ll look good no matter what,” he bent down and kissed me softly.

“Oh, I will. But I don’t want to match,” with a laugh, I ran back upstairs and went back into the small bag of clothes I had laying on the bed, switching my black skinny-legged pants for black flared-legged ones.

Going into my closet, I grabbed my heeled boots, knowing that my tennis shoes would cause the pants I wanted to wear to drag on the ground, and swapped them out before grabbing the bag and running downstairs.

“Alright, let's go, everyone!” I called.

They all came downstairs, the kids with their backpacks on and we loaded into Wesley’s car, heading off for Fern Praire.

We arrived at Jeremiah and Holly’s house an hour later. It was early afternoon and they were out front, sitting on their porch waiting for us.

“Auntie!” Arlo yelled, as soon as I got him out of the car.

“Arlo!” Holly smiled and wrapped him in a hug as soon as he reached the porch, Aurora right behind him, “hi Rory.”

Aurora waved as Wesley and I made our way onto the porch.

“Hey you two,” Jeremiah smiled, getting to his feet and hugging the both of us, “how are things going?”

“Better than we expected. It’s been easy adjusting,” I smiled, patting his back.

“I figured as much,” he laughed, “I’m usually right about these things.”

“Yeah shut up,” I shoved him softly, “what do we need to get done before we go?”

“Well. Wes needs to go to the rental to meet Sara and mama. Tell them what needs to go. They’ve already packed up all your clothes and everything. I’m planning to bring that up tomorrow night when we bring the kids home. But she was unsure about some stuff and needs you to take a look.”

“Got it,” Wesley nodded with a smile, “I can go do that now while you get ready babe,” he softly kissed the side of my head.

“Sure, but don’t get dirty okay? You didn’t bring extra clothes,” I smiled up at him.

“I’m literally going to my old house. If I get dirty, I can find something in my closet. It’ll be fine,” he pinched my chin between the side of his finger and thumb before kissing me, “get the kids settled and I’ll be back soon okay? Then we can head to Tacoma.”

“Alright. Try not to miss me.”

“No promises,” he laughed, “kiddos. I’m gonna go take care of something okay? Be good while I’m gone.”

“Okay,” Arlo smiled, hugging Wesley’s leg and Aurora did the same, nodding her head.

With a wave, Wesley left the porch and climbed back into his car, heading to his rental house.

The kids and I followed Holly and Jeremiah into their house, all of us taking seats around the room.

“Hey kids, I set up the room for you. Just be careful okay? Isabella’s crib is already in there so don’t play on it,” Holly smiled, hugging them both.

“Okay Auntie,” Arlo smiled, taking Aurora’s hand and pulling her to the bedroom they were going to use.

“So,” Jeremiah poked me, “where ya goin?”

“Tacoma. There's a restaurant there I thought Wes would like, then we’re going to take a walk before heading back home.”

“Is the house working for you? Are you cramped?”

“You don’t know about his house in Puyallup?” I looked at him surprised and he shook his head, “it has 5 bedrooms. It’s massive. Both kids have their own room, the master is the entire top floor. One room has been completely done into a classroom for the kids and the last bedroom is empty right now. I didn’t even know where the last bedroom was until a few nights ago. It’s also on the second floor, right next to the bathroom.”

“It’s 3 stories?” Jeremiah’s eyes grew wide.

“Mhm. It’s not wide, but it’s tall. You’ll see. It’s beautiful. Welcoming. Needs some more color, but Wes told me I can add it as I go. He just wants us there. He’s still struggling but he seems to get better day by day. I got him to start writing a journal. It seems to be helping him cope.”

“What about you?” Holly sighed, sitting next to me, “you went through so many changes in such a short amount of time.”

“Having the kids and Wes has helped me realize that life moves how it’s supposed to. It was a blessing we left the house that night or there’s a chance… Arlo, Aurora, and I wouldn’t be here. Everything that happened… I think it saved us. Plus Jerry is the entire reason I even decided to be with Wes. I trust his opinion of people. He’s never wrong.”

“I know,” Jeremiah laughed, “I tried to warn you about she who will not be named sooner but you refused to listen. I’m glad you are now. Wes won’t hurt you.”

“I can see that,” I smiled and nodded, “I need to get ready. Can I borrow your bathroom?”

“Duh! Can I do your hair?” Holly wiggled happily.

“Sure.”

With a laugh, I headed into the bathroom and changed into the date night clothes I had brought.

It took me a minute to pull the white button up on, my hair getting caught but once that was on, I pulled a black sweater vest with a white stripe on the sides over it and slipped my pants and boots on before tucking my shirt into my pants. Walking out to the living room, I spun in a small circle.

“Is this okay?”

“Oh, you look so cute!” Holly squealed, “but!” she ran over and pulled my shirt out of my pants, only leaving the back tucked, “that looks better. Now sit, I have to fix your hair.”

Holly quickly pinned the sides of my hair back, ensuring I couldn’t hide behind my curls, before slipping my glasses back on and kissing the top of my head, “there. You smell nice.”

“I stole some of Jerry’s cologne. I ran out. His is nice.”

“Agreed,” Jeremiah yelled from the living room, “ya look good. Just be careful. Don’t get robbed or anything.”

“I will literally have a huge retired marine next to me all night. I think we’ll be okay. After everything that’s happened, I don’t need your negativity.”

“I’m just looking out for you, asshole. You’ll be fine. I know. Just have fun. Be Elijah for a night. Not a parent. We’ve got the kids. Mama and Sara are gonna come over for dinner. That should help Rory feel comfortable, and they can share the bed in that room. I know how Arlo gets sleeping alone. We’ve got this. So just have fun with your boyfriend okay?”

“Thanks, Jerry,” I went over and hugged him tightly, “also thank you for spending the last 4 years telling Wesley about me. That’s not embarrassing in the slightest.”

“I figured you’d be a good couple. I was right,” he shrugged, “no regrets.”

“I hate you.”

“I love you too.”

We spent some time together, talking about the baby and I agreed to help Holly plan her baby shower. The kids got bored with their toys, so we took them out front to play as we waited for Wesley. It took him 2 hours to return, a look of annoyance on his face when he arrived and I pulled him into the house, never releasing his hand.

“What’s going on?” I cradled his cheek.

“First. You look fantastic. I have the most attractive boyfriend in the universe. Second, hi I missed you,” he kissed me softly, “finally. David showed up. Asking about the money he felt he was owed from my father's estate. It was such shit. I got him to leave after threatening to press harassment charges against him. He doesn’t know where we live, or where Jerry lives so it’ll be fine. I waited a long time to leave, I wanted to ensure he was gone before I came here. It just… pissed me off. He’s a vulture.”

“I’m sorry,” I rubbed his cheek softly, “was he always like this?”

“Yes. I just ignored it.”

“Then we just keep ignoring him. He can’t do anything. He just wants you back. Wants your money. Do I need to worry?”

“No,” he shook his head and kissed me again, “there’s no reason I would ever give up the life we’re living.”

“We just started living it,” I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“I know. But it’s the happiest I’ve been.”

“Agreed.”

“Are you ready to head out?”

“Mhm.”

We went out front and said goodbye to the kids, both of them squeezing us tightly before running back to Jeremiah and Holly.

“Be good!” I called, climbing into Wesley’s car, “we’ll see you tomorrow night. If you need us, call!”

“We’ll be good, daddy!” Arlo called waving and Aurora waved as well, “I love you!”

“I love you too!”

Wesley pulled out of the driveway, his hand on my thigh as always and we smiled at each other as we headed off to Tacoma.