Chapter 22
Sydney
“Mom? What’s going on?” Danny steps slowly into the living room and drops his school bag on the ground.
On the way home from the court house, Maverick and I stopped to get moving boxes. We’ve spent most of the day packing and he went to pick the kids up from school so I didn’t have to stop working.
“We’re moving,” I say firmly as soon as Bree walks into the room.
“What? Why?” Bree looks like she’s seconds away from crying and it breaks my heart.
“Because your father wants the house.”
“He’s not my father. A father doesn’t leave his kids,” Danny growls.
“Ok, what do you want me to call him?” I drop down to my knees and take Danny’s hands in mine. This is the first time he’s responded like this.
“Rob. That’s his name.”
“Ok. We’ll call him Rob.” I nod my head once, hoping this will help him get over this a little bit more.
He’s been doing so well between Pecker and Maverick. He’s turning back into the sweet boy I raised.
“Where are we going to live?” Bree’s bottom lip trembles.
“You’re moving in with me, princess.” Maverick scoops her up into his arms and hugs her tightly. The two of them are adorable together. He makes me want to have more kids.
“Really? I get to live with you, Mommy, and Danny?” Bree puts a hand on both of Maverick’s cheeks and pushes until his lips pucker like a fish.
“Yeah, do you think you can handle the ballerina room? Or should we redecorate?”
“No! I love that room. Thank you, Maverick!” She wraps her arms around his neck and squeezes as tight as she can.
“Does that mean I get your old room?” Danny blinks up at him.
“Unless you don’t want it.” Maverick shrugs like it isn't a big deal.
“No! I want it so bad! It’s the coolest room ever! Thanks, Maverick!” He throws himself into Mav’s body and Maverick catches him easily.
“You’re welcome. I'm more than happy to have you living with me. Our home will be awesome.”
“Can I keep some of your old stuff?” Danny peeks up at Maverick.
“You can keep all my old stuff, slugger.”
“Wait… But where will Pecker live?” Bree’s little brows tug together as she stares at me.
“Well, he’s been living with Sophia, but they’re moving to Mulberry Lane soon.”
“Oh… Ok,” she whispers.
“You know I'm not going to forget about you,” Peck says as he struts into the room with a big smile on his face and an arm around Sophia’s waist.
“Pecky!” She squeals, wiggling out of Maverick’s arms and racing over to my brother.
“I'm going to call you all the time and we can video chat. And maybe in the summer, Mommy will let you come stay with us for a little bit.”
“Really? Can I stay at Uncle Wyatt’s house too?”
“I guess, but I'm much cooler,” Peck scoffs.
“Will Cody and Jax be at your house?” She blinks innocently at him.
“They’re more likely to be at our house than Wyatt’s.” Sophia winks.
It’s become an ongoing competition between Peck and Wyatt as to who’s the cooler uncle. Sophia and Charlie have been competing as well, but it’s not as obvious. Cody and Jax are definitely Bree’s favorites though.
“Why?” Danny frowns at Sophia. “Both of you are their sisters.”
“Because I'm more fun, duh.” Pecker rolls his eyes.
“Because my brothers have a man crush on Peck and they know I won't get mad at them for being too loud, unlike Charlie and Wyatt. I don’t have a baby for them to wake up.”
“Oh, I didn’t think about that… That means we’d need to be quiet at Uncle Wyatt’s house too.” Bree thinks for a few moments. “Yeah, we’ll stay with you, Pecky”
“Thanks so much. Somehow, I feel like I'm the default choice because your other option sucks,” Peck grumbles under his breath.
“We love you, Uncle Pecky,” Bree singsongs, blinking up at him with big innocent eyes.
“Yeah, I love you too, princess.” He turns his attention to me and his eyes soften. “When are we moving your stuff, Syd?”
“Whenever you’re free to help. I’d like to get out of here as soon as possible though.”
“Why?” His brows pull together as he watches me carefully. I glance at the kids before turning my attention back to Pecker, making him understand I don’t want to discuss this in front of the kids.
“How about you two show me your rooms and I’ll help you pack some things.” Sophia claps her hands and points in the direction of the bedrooms. “I wonder who can pack faster!”
“Me!” Bree squeals.
“No, I can pack faster!” Danny darts down the hallway ahead of Sophia and Bree.
“What’s going on, Syd?” Peck pulls me into his arms and rests his chin on my head, just like he always does.
“Rob has a key to the house. He never left it when he moved out and I didn’t ask for it back because I didn’t want to remind him that he still had it. Now, I'm afraid he’ll come here and take my stuff or ruin things as payback.”
“Payback for what?”
“The judge ruled in Sydney’s favor. Rob won't get a penny from the bakery and he has to pay off their personal debt. The judge was going to split the house, but gave Sydney the option to keep it and pay off Rob, until Rob threw a little fit and demanded he got the house,” Maverick explains.
“Why would he want this house? He hates this house.” Pecker frowns.
“I think he believed the judge would let him have the entire thing if he complained.” I lift my shoulders in a shrug.
“So, what actually happened?”
“Rob has to pay Sydney for half the house within ninety days,” Maverick snorts with laughter.
“Seriously? This judge is awesome.” Peck chuckles.
“He’s livid. I don’t trust he won't try something,” I whisper.
“Ok. So, what all are you taking? Are we moving all the furniture?” Peck tugs a small notebook out of his back pocket. I swear the man always has one with him.
I glance at Maverick, unsure of how to respond. His house is fully furnished so we don’t really need any of it and his stuff is much nicer… But maybe he doesn’t want the kids to ruin his stuff.
“Sweetheart, we can take as much or as little of your stuff as you’d like.” Maverick takes a step towards me.
“But what if the kids ruin your furniture? It’s nicer than mine.”
“I'm not worried about it. It’s just stuff. It can be replaced. If you like my furniture better, leave yours for Rob to deal with. It will be more of a headache for him.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. How much do you think we can get packed tonight?” Maverick smirks. “I’m wondering if we can get it done today.”
“Sophia and I don’t have plans and we’re both off tomorrow, we can help as much as you’d like,” Pecker offers. “I think you’re better getting out of here as soon as possible. I don’t trust Rob one bit, especially when you just won everything he wanted today.”
“Thank you so much for your help, Soph.” I wipe my hands on my pants and hand Pecker the last box from my room.
“Oh, it’s nothing. The real work begins when we get everything to Maverick’s and we begin unpacking.” Sophia smirks.
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” I groan, letting my head fall back until I'm staring up at the ceiling.
“We’ll help. Maybe we should just have a sleepover tonight.” Sophia wiggles her brows.
“Yes! Please can they stay over?” Bree bounces on her toes as she clasps her hands under her chin and begs me.
“That’s up to Maverick. It’s his house,” I say softly.
“It’s not my house, baby. It’s our house now.
” Maverick wraps his arms around my waist from behind and presses a soft kiss to my temple.
“Sophia and Peck are welcome whenever they want, Bree, even for a sleepover. Maybe they should stop at home and grab a bag with a bathing suit and we can have a party in the hot tub tonight.”
“Dang, now I’ll definitely help if I get to relax in a hot tub!” Sophia claps her hands in excitement.
“The truck is loaded up. We can stop at home and then meet you at your new house.” Peck scoops Sophia into his arms and races towards the front door before we can even respond.
I’m so happy my brother found Sophia. She’s absolutely perfect for him and he’s happier than ever before.
I always worried about him, especially when he left his life in Tuft Swallow to come help me with the kids.
I was terrified I was ruining his life, but he insisted it was fine.
Now, I like to remind him if my marriage hadn’t fallen apart, he never would’ve met Sophia.
I have no doubt they’ll get married one day very soon and I can’t wait for that to happen.