Chapter 37
CHAPTER 37
L evon
I watched as my father hoisted the other side of a dresser. Ryan was helping him shift it out of the back of his truck, angling it slightly so he could get safely to the ground. Jen stood next to the truck with her fingers in her mouth.
“Baby, be careful!” she groaned. “I don't want you hurting yourself.”
“I'm fine, darling.”
I chuckled and took Clara's hand. “Those two are so cute.”
“I know, right?” she whispered. “I'm so happy. We're really getting all your stuff in here pretty quickly.”
“Well, there wasn't much.”
“There was a lot more furniture than you led me to believe.”
I chuckled. “Well, at least we know we're good on spaces to put things.”
“I have some ideas for how to expand our space.”
“That's why I love you so much.”
She laughed. “Because I had ideas?”
“Yeah, it's sexy.”
I wrapped her in a hug.
After embracing Clara, I stepped aside to allow my dad and Ryan to get the dresser into the house.
“Free-loader,” Ryan teased. “You want to grab that shelf up there?”
“Sure!”
I ran toward the truck and hopped on the bed, steadying myself as I approached the shelf. I lifted it over my shoulder and carefully climbed down as Clara observed.
She extended her arms. “Need a hand?”
“Nah, I got it, sweetie.”
“Are you sure? It looks heavy.”
“I don't want you to hurt yourself.”
She laughed. “So, it's fine if you hurt yourself?”
“If it's for you, then it's worth it.”
“You just want to show off your muscles.”
“I mean, is it doing it for you?”
She smirked playfully. “It might be. I'd say we should bless the sheets, but we already did that.”
“We can always do it again.”
I hauled the shelf up the steps of the porch and into the living room. It was already getting crowded. With my family and the additional furniture, we were going to have to figure out a good setup that would offer us more room to entertain.
I'll need to set up an office space as well.
“Dude, do you even have a spare bedroom?” Ryan asked as he glanced around at the furniture scattered around the living room. “Where is all this going to go?”
“There's an upstairs den area,” I replied. “That will likely be my office. We can haul some stuff up there now to make room.”
“That's a solid plan.”
My dad patted my back lovingly. “Son, you have so much money. Why would you live in such a small house?”
“Because Clara is here and I love Clara.”
He laughed.
I took the end of the dresser and Ryan took the other, carefully approaching the narrow steps leading to the upstairs den. Once we got it up the stairs, he had to pivot to make it fit. We set it in the corner.
I pointed to the window overlooking the driveway. “That's where the desk is going next.”
“You got it, man.”
I wandered back down the stairs where Clara was passing out bottles of water. I accepted one from her along with a kiss. I could hear Jen say “awe” behind us.
I turned around and pointed at her with a teasing expression. “Hey, I had to see you and Ryan doing this at your wedding.”
“Don't get your boxers all bunched up. I thought it was cute!”
“I think it's cute, too,” Ryan added as he slipped his arm around Jen. “But maybe in a bigger house it would be cuter.”
“What's wrong with this house?” Clara asked.
“It's so cramped. Don't you think it's cramped?” Mom inquired. “I just wouldn't be able to handle how small it is.”
“I think it's cozy,” Clara chimed in. “Right, honey?”
“It's so cozy,” I agreed. “I think it's perfect for us.”
“Well, it's not cozy enough for kids,” Mom commented.
I covered my face. “Oh my God—Mom!”
She laughed. “I'm just saying!”
I looked at Clara and noticed her cheeks were red. I wrapped my arm around her and hugged her tight, assuring her that we were nearly done moving.
“I think we'll be getting the desk up there next,” I told her. “Do you want to help me?”
“I thought you didn't want me to hurt myself?”
I winked. “I decided I wanted your help.”
We walked over to the desk as my family fell into idle chatter. I grabbed one end and she grabbed the other, helping me guide it toward the stairs. I started up the stairs first and kept my eye on her to make sure she didn't trip. Once we were at the top, we guided the desk over to the window.
When we set it down, I patted the top. “Beautiful.”
“So, did you really need help with that or did you just want to get me alone?”
I smirked. “A little bit of both.”
“Ah, well, what are you going to do now?”
“What I haven't done for ten minutes.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Which is?”
“What else?”
I took her in my arms and kissed her. As I wrapped my hands around her, I heard laughter erupt from downstairs. My family sounded like they were having a good time.
Clara sighed. “Do you think this house is too small?”
“Of course not, darling.”
“You can be honest with me.”
I laughed. “It's a little tight, but we can make it work. I do think it's cozy like I said downstairs.”
“I think so, too.”
“Then, it's just fine for us. We can always look for another place if you think it's too small.”
“Would you?”
I nodded. “Of course. Anything for you, Clara.”
“That's so sweet of you to say.”
“Well, I love you. I wouldn't want it any other way.”
“I love you, too, baby.”
She stepped up on her toes and kissed me on my nose.
I chuckled. “Are you ready to go back downstairs?”
“Maybe in a second. It's nice and quiet up here.”
“We'll have some quiet time later, too.”
“I look forward to it. Are you getting hungry?”
I nodded. “Very hungry. Do you want Chinese takeout?”
“Oh, yes! That sounds great. Let's ask everyone else.”
She took my hand and led me back down the stairs. My parents were on the couch with Jen sitting on the armrest next to them. Ryan was in the kitchen gathering some boxes to sit on the counters.
“Who wants Chinese food?”
Everyone raised their hands and shouted, “Me!”
Clara lifted her phone. “I'll call it in and pick it up. What do you guys want?”
As Clara organized the takeout order, I relaxed on the couch between my parents. Mom scooted over to give me room. She took my hand and patted it like she had the other day.
“This has been nice, Levon. Are you happy?”
“Of course, Mom. I'm very happy.”
Jen pushed my arm playfully. “Look at you becoming a settler.”
I laughed. “I'm certainly doing my best.”
“Hey Jen, do you want to ride with me to pick up the food?”
Jen perked up from the armrest. “Sure!”
She hopped away from the couch and followed Clara out the door. Before Clara left, she threw me a kiss. I held up my palm to catch it.
Ryan chuckled. “You two are gross.”
“You mean as gross as you and my sister?”
“I mean, we have our moments.”
I turned to look at him. “Are you treating her well?”
“Yes, I promise, my dude. I would never be rude to Jen.”
“You better not or you'll catch these hands!”
My dad guffawed. “Boys, there's no need for all that.”
“Why not?” I asked. “It's how we settle things in our generation.”
“When I was growing up, we played a game of chess to settle our differences.”
“I don't think Ryan is smart enough for that.”
Ryan laughed as he reached over the couch to swipe my hat from my head. I shook away from him, darting across the room.
My mother shook her head. “Boys will be boys.”
“Would you expect any less?”
“Well, I did raise you better. I don't know about Ryan.”
Ryan laughed. “Hey, that's fair. But I swear, I'm being as good to Jen as she's being good to me.”
“Oof, that doesn't bode well,” I teased. “She's not always the nicest girl in the world.”
“She's doing her best.”
I smiled. “Well, good. I'm glad to hear it's going well. How's the house coming along?”
“She's been flying around decorating everything. We'll need to borrow Clara one of these days so she stops freaking out about the colors of the walls.”
“Is she obsessing over specific colors?”
Ryan nodded. “Man, you have no idea how obsessive she's getting.”
“Trust me, I've lived with her. I'm so aware of her obsession with fine details.”
“I'd say it would make her a great decorator if she wasn't committed to opening her own coffee shop one day.”
“She sure loves coffee.”
“I'm proud of her. She's already started saving for a deposit.”
I beamed. “That's my sister! Always business-minded.”
“I think she gets it from you.”
My dad perked up. “It certainly wasn't me.”
We all laughed as the front door popped open. Clara and Jen walked in carrying bags of food. The heavenly smell of Chinese takeout greeted my nostrils and my stomach growled immediately.
As everyone cheered for food, I wandered into the kitchen to gather plates. I handed them out as Clara set up the food on the coffee table. I squatted next to the coffee table with my plate, scooting close to Clara who was already piling her plate high with food.
I looked between the boxes and licked my lips.
“Need help choosing?” she offered. “The lo mein looks really good today.”
“I'll take that.”
She added noodles to my plate and then a spring roll. “I remembered they were your favorite.”
I grinned. “You know me so well.”
“I do my best.”
“I think you're doing more than your best.”
Ryan laughed. “Eww, they're doing it again.”
Clara rolled her eyes and I shook my head as Jen swatted Ryan's arm.
“Stop teasing them!” she scolded Ryan. “They're trying to eat!”
I laughed. “It's fine. He'll get what's coming to him eventually.”
“You can't catch me off-guard. I'm too paranoid for that,” Ryan joked.
“Don't worry. I'll pitch real slow so you can catch it.”
Jen snorted into a giggle fit and Clara joined her, causing me to guffaw. Everyone else laughed with us as Ryan shook his head.
He pointed his plastic fork at me. “Alright, let's settle this with a game of chess later.”
“You're on, you dork.”
“I'd like to propose a toast,” Jen said while standing and raising her can of Coke. “To the happy couple in their new place. The place that was originally Clara's place but now belongs to both Clara and Levon. It's a cute place!”
Everyone joined in and chimed, “Cheers!”
Silence fell over the room as we all dug into our food. My stomach was more than happy for the break. I swallowed my noodles and then bit into a spring roll, delighting in the taste. I sighed with content as I leaned against the coffee table.
“You know, I never thought this would happen,” Jen commented. “I didn't think you two would reconcile, but I'm really happy that you did.”
I smiled warmly. “Thanks, sis.”
“You're welcome, bro.”
“I'm happy, too,” Clara added. “I also didn't think we would reconcile.”
“I never thought we would either.”
“Never? Not once?” Clara asked. “But you hoped for it, right?”
“Of course, I did, baby.” I smiled as I kissed her lips. “I always hoped for it.”