Epilogue
"This is really happening," I say when the doorbell rings. I look over at Bennett, who is standing with his arm around my waist. He smiles at me and I make a conscious effort to relax my shoulders.
"We've already lived here for a few weeks," Bennett says. "This is just us having some friends and family over."
"In our house." I love saying that it's our house. It took about a month to get everything fixed and updated that we wanted to. The backyard took the longest with the firepit and patio we had built. The whole house is perfect, especially the bay windows I surprised Bennett with on the second level.
"In our home," Bennett fixes my words. "Come on, let's not keep them waiting any longer."
I open the door to greet whoever is behind it. To my surprise, it's Bennett's parents. I shake Mr. Murray's hand— I'm still hesitant to call him by his actual name— and take the bottle of wine from his mother. "Please, come in."
The next visitors to arrive are Charlie, Joyce, and Clark.
Then my parents. Finnigan even shows up, which doesn't surprise me.
After everything he helped us with, he did go back to Chicago for a few weeks but then made the announcement that he was moving here.
It surprised all of us and there was a bit of fallout from their parents, but eventually it was all settled.
At least, I think it's been settled. Bennett says everything is good and I trust him.
I'm not sure what he's planning on doing here, but he seems happy. No mention of Veronica anywhere.
Bennett and I grab the plates of assorted foods from the kitchen and set them up on the dining room table, along with the plates and 2-liter bottles of drinks and cups.
Everyone mingles around, making their own plates and finding a spot to sit.
I give the official house tour to the ladies while Bennett shows off our backyard set up to the guys.
We put a lot of effort into designing the perfect cookout set up.
I know that we'll still be visiting the farm on the weekends and having meals with the family often, but I like the idea of having our own spot to do that as well whenever we want.
By the time I'm done showing the house around, I've answered more questions about decor and wall paints than I care to admit.
"We all know who the decision maker was," Joyce says jokingly. "Bennett did a good job."
"Hey." I act offended, but honestly that was exactly what happened.
Bennett did do a great job, too. We brought most of our things from our own places, but a few details were bought new.
Like the couch that is bigger than what either of us had.
Bennett surprised me with a large print canvas of a night time sky at the outlook on the farm as well.
We have that hanging up above the couch for everyone to see.
What they don't know is that picture brings memories of fucking in the back of the truck, too.
I smile every time I look at it. "I fixed up the cabinets and a few cosmetic things, thank you. "
I find Bennett outside with the rest of our group.
We have our rocking chairs on the front porch, but all the patio furniture out back is new.
Bennett bought it while I was at work one day and I loved it instantly.
There is enough seating for everyone and it has a fireplace sitting in the middle.
He had a company come in and dig out a spot of the yard and lay this tan gravel to set the furniture on.
It looks really nice and we have plenty of yard for other things still.
The rest of the evening is spent hanging out and having a good time with friends and family.
Kevin and his wife stop by for a bit, as do Paul and his family.
Their little girl is only a year old but she laughs and giggles as each of the adults fawn over her.
When she reaches her hands out for me, I'm shocked, but I oblige her and hold her to my chest. Her face immediately drops to my chest and she lets out a yawn.
"Oh, my non existent ovaries." Bennett whispers the words beside me, only loud enough for me to hear. I snort, startling the little girl. She goes right back to laying her head on my chest though. Bennett's hand rubs circles on my lower back. "You're good with kids, Nel."
"And thus concludes our first hosted event," I say as we wave goodbye to the last car driving away. I lean against Nelson and smile when I feel his arm around my body, holding me close. "I think it went well. You?"
"It did," he agrees. "Everyone loved your style, too. Dad asked about the canvas print, too. He asked if they could get a copy."
"No way," I say quickly. "That picture holds memories for us. I can get another one for them."
"I love when you get all possessive over our things," Nelson says. He turns and folds me into a tight hug.
"I get possessive over you," I point out. "You're no different, though. That faculty dinner the other night, you were glued to my side."
"Because I didn't know anyone else there," Nelson says.
I roll my eyes at that statement. It's true he didn't know anyone and I was more than happy to show him off.
Neither of us mentioned that he'd taken my class over the summer, but I noticed the way Nelson would wrap a hand around my waist or take my hand when one of the professors or staff stepped a little too close to me during conversation.
"Now that we're alone again, what should we do?" I change the subject as we head through the house and pick up the stray piece of trash here and there.
"I'm thinking a shower and bed," Nelson says as he places a couple of forks in the sink to wash later. I stop in the doorway and sulk at that answer. He senses the quiet and turns around to face me. "What?"
"We just hosted our housewarming party," I say. "I think maybe we should commemorate the moment."
Nelson laughs. "We've already had sex in literally every room of this house. Everything is fully broken in; these walls have seen you do things to me that I'm sure would scar anyone else."
"You love when I do that," I say. I know exactly what he's talking about, too.
We've tried many things in the past two months; more temperature play, using toys, and even a bit of restraints.
I love that he's so open to trying new things, even giving suggestions.
We still have our nights of love making and even nights where we just cuddle and hold each other. I love all of it.
I love him.
"Let's take a shower," Nelson says, pulling me toward the stairs.
Our bedroom is upstairs, along with another bedroom and then an office.
It'll be my office when I'm away from the campus.
The bedroom has an ensuite with a gorgeous walk-in shower and a claw foot tub.
Both of which we have used many times. We strip out of our clothes and I adjust the water so it's warm enough for both of us.
Nelson hugs me from behind, kissing along the back of my neck and across my shoulder. "I love you so much."
I smile at the words. I hope that I never get used to hearing that from him. I turn around in his arms and press our lips together. I brush my fingers through his hair. His eyes are sparkling tonight, his face beautiful.
"I love you too, baby."