Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
SERENA
C hristmas break has finally arrived. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of packing, house staging and open houses, all while trying to take my final exams and hold down my job at the coffee house. Dom, Mom and I agreed moving during break would be best, so today she finally moves into her apartment at Whispering Grove, and I will move in with Dominick. There are already several offers over asking price for the house, so now it’s up to the realtor to sift through them and make sure we accept the best one.
Every day has been an exhausting drain of my mental fortitude, reminding Mom each morning why the house was packed up and about the changes coming. She’s handled it surprisingly well, but my stomach is still twisted in a knot of anxiety. I’m constantly nauseous and have barely slept since our visit to Whispering Grove. It’s a small miracle I got through my finals without failing in my zombie-like state.
I’m standing in our empty kitchen, staring blankly at the bare walls, my vision clouded over with tears. The wall that used to host all the artwork I brought home from school throughout my childhood is now a stark white empty space. The sweet, spicy scent of gingerbread cookies is noticeably absent. We’ve been too busy getting ready for the move, so Mom and Mrs. G haven’t had their annual Christmas cookie bake-a-thon. There are no festive Christmas decorations bringing cheer to our home. No tree that we picked out together and decorated while drinking eggnog. My home is as empty and sterile as an operating room, and my heart is breaking over it. The worst part is, I don’t even have my best friend to lean on right now to get me through this.
I haven’t spoken to Kai since the day he saw the for sale sign out front. Grace and Luther have stopped by to help with packing while I went to work or class, but Kai has been notably absent. You told him to stay away, I remind myself, shoving down the feeling of longing that slithers through my veins when I think of him. Mrs. G has done her best to keep Mom excited about the move, which is precisely what I need, since I am dreading every moment of it myself.
Mom enters the kitchen, disrupting the pity party for one I’m busy throwing. “Hey, Sweet Pea. You okay?” She comes up to me, cupping my face in her warm, gentle hands, and peers into my soul the way only a mother can.
“No, Mom. I’m not.” That’s all I get out before the dam bursts, and the tears begin falling in earnest.
“Oh baby. I’m here. Tell me what’s wrong.” Mom pulls me into a hug, and I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her familiar scent of warm vanilla and sweet berries. She’s smelled like strawberry shortcake for as long as I can remember. I let her hold me through my sobs until I’m able to talk.
“It feels wrong. Leaving here, I mean. This is our home. This is where we lived with Dad. I feel like I’m losing him all over again, and now I’m losing you too.” I hiccup on my last word, and Mom squeezes me tightly as she soothes me.
“Serena, listen to me. You aren’t losing me. I’m still here—I’ll just be getting the professional help I’ve needed for the last two years—and you’re going to finally be able to focus on your dreams and goals without having to worry about me. I want that so badly for you, Sweet Pea. Your dad will always be here with you.” Mom presses her hand to my heart. “He would be so proud of the young woman you’ve become, and I know he would want you to be able to chase your dreams uninhibited.”
I nod, wiping my tears away as I do my best to accept Mom’s words.
“I know, Mom. I know. It’s just so many big changes at once.”
Just then the sound of the front door opening disrupts our heart to heart. A moment later, Dominick strides into the room, a wide smile on his face as his eyes alight on us. “How are my two favorite girls today? You ladies ready for moving day?” Dom pulls my mom into a firm hug before wrapping me up in his embrace and dropping a kiss on top of my head. He pulls back, his brows furrowing in concern when he takes in my tear-streaked cheeks and red eyes.
“Is everything okay, Kitten?” Dom cups my face in his hands while he studies my face, trying to discern what has me so upset.
“I’m fine, I was having a moment about leaving home. I got overwhelmed by it all.” I force a smile as I reach up on my tiptoes to plant a reassuring kiss on Dominick’s lips. Before I get the chance to pull back, Dominick tightens his hold and deepens our kiss until I am breathless and dizzy. He doesn’t pull back until Mom clears her throat with an amused grin playing across her lips.
Dominick shoots Mom a bashful look. “Sorry, Laura. I just don’t like seeing my girl looking so sad.”
“Right, well how about we get this show on the road, and after you kids drop me off, you can…carry on without an audience.” Mom waggles her brows at me, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“Mom!” The woman in question cackles at my mortification as she turns and walks out of the kitchen.
“I’m going to say goodbye to Gloria. I’ll meet you two lovebirds at the car.”
Hours later, after getting Mom settled into her new apartment, we arrive at Dominick’s house. It’s a modest two-story farmhouse built in the early 1900s, just outside of town. According to Dominick the house has been in his family for over a hundred years. It is nestled on a private lot, surrounded by trees, without any immediate neighbors. We’ve been bringing stuff over for the last few weeks, but tonight will be the first night I will sleep here in his home. Our home , I mentally correct myself.
I take in my new home, from the cozy front porch with a swing to the bay window in the dining room that lets in the morning light from the east. Fruit trees dot the large yard. Dominick told me his family used to have an apple orchard, hence the large plot of land the house sits on now. They got out of the business when his grandfather passed away years ago, but a few of the trees remain. It really is charming in a rustic sort of way, but I am slightly unsettled by the absence of neighbors and the calm quiet of the secluded area. Gone are the noises of suburbia, cars driving past, neighborhood dogs barking, the low persistent hum of power tools being used by Mr. White who lives two houses down on the other side of Mrs. G. The only sounds are of wildlife and the creaking of limbs as the wind rushes through the bare branches of the trees.
“Welcome home, Kitten.” I let Dominick help me out of the car and lead me up the steps to the front door. I find myself taking small, hesitant steps, still partially resisting the idea of this being my new home. Dominick must not pick up on my hesitancy, because he picks me up without warning and carries me across the threshold bridal-style.
“Dom!” I let out a surprised laugh as I clutch his neck. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking you to my bed, Kitten and giving you a proper welcome. I’ve been waiting entirely too long to have your scent on my sheets, and I’m not wasting another moment.”