34 - Lane
Lane
Today marked the first day that this house truly felt like a home.
Not just in atmosphere, but in an aesthetic that actually matched the warmth.
The past few months had been a battlefield of loud, dusty renovation work, exposed studs, screeching saws and the constant threat of Sandy’s heavy thumping from the floor above.
But today, there was none of that. No drywall dust, no roaring equipment, and no angry banging from an HOA POS. The peace in the house was so thick, even despite the blues music blaring from the basement below where the guys were putting the “ultra final touches” on the master.
I smiled to myself, loading up the charcuterie board with the last of the celebratory spread I'd planned for today. I was evidently not the only perfectionist in this household. Bear refused to sign off on the job until they did whatever the hell they were still working on.
But I wasn't complaining. I did love to watch them work.
I walked down to the basement with the board in hand and took a moment to appreciate the view.
Bear was wiping down the polished shower fixtures.
Silas was running a smooth, final bead of white silicone caulk along the seam where the new tub met the green tile.
And Dax was testing the dimmer switches.
But it wasn't just the gorgeous men occupying my bathroom. The room itself surpassed my expectations for what I wanted. The color palette I'd picked out was the perfect choice; deep green forest-tiled walls, crisp white porcelain fixtures and warm oak accents.
The replacement mirror served as the anchor point of the room, hanging over a double vanity where the matte-black metal sconce lights cast a warm, flattering glow against the wood.
It was perfect, and both a nod to the past while being firmly rooted in the future.
Bear was the first to notice me, and gave me a huge grin as I wiggled the board of snacks like it was a trophy. “I take it this is your way of trying to tell us we’re done?”
“It might be,” I said teasingly.
“Don’t even bother, Red. Bear refuses to give us a break until the bathroom is pristine. And I don’t know how much more pristine he wants this to get, so keep an eye on a potential labor lawsuit,” Dax said glibly.
“Shut it, Miller.” Bear stopped what he was doing and grabbed his work bag. “Don’t say I never did anything for you.”
He pulled out a bottle of champagne and Sy whistled. Dax’s eyes actually lit up and he clapped his hands once, then rubbed his palms together and started walking backwards. “I’ll get the glasses.”
As he passed by me, he gave me a quick wink.
I put the tray on the deep, wide ledge of the new bathtub, ensuring it kept food from the floor and chemicals or construction dust from the food. “This is a new business model you’re trying out, Bear?”
He chuckled. “Think of it as an exclusive client privilege.”
“Oh, so it’s package-based?”
“Yeah. And you’re the only one who's bought in,” he replied. He paused, setting the bottle down. “On a serious note, Lane, I wanted us to celebrate properly. Not just the renovation being finished but everything you were able to accomplish. I’m proud of you.”
A swell of emotion caught in my throat. Before I could respond though, Sy wiped his hands on his knees and stepped over his caulk gun to stand right in front of me.
He held out his palm and I took him up on the offer.
He pulled me up to my feet, then loped his massive arms around my waist, directing us into a leisurely sway against the sultry, slow-tempo music.
I let my body melt into his, enjoying the feeling of just being this close to him as we danced together across the new tiles. I’d never thought I’d be doing this, but these past few months had shown me multiple sides of myself I didn’t think existed anyway.
As Sy directed me into a slow turn, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
I almost didn’t recognize who I saw. The woman who’d first walked into this house looked unsure of herself even though on the surface, she moved with purpose.
But the person I saw now? She had purpose that extended beyond just her work.
I’d squared off with a criminal and beat a corrupt landlord at his own game. I stood up to my mother and kicked her out of my life for good. I fought for my home and actually won. And I’d found the kind of love that went beyond even my wildest dreams.
Staring into Sy’s soft eyes, I was overwhelmed with a sense of belonging. He kissed my cheek and I sighed softly.
“Mind if I cut in?” Bear asked, politely tapping Sy’s shoulder.
He shook his head and brought one of my hands up to his mouth, then brushed his lips against my knuckles before passing me over the Bear. Dax got back with four champagne glasses, and took it upon himself to open up the bottle and start filling them to the brim.
Sy sat on the edge of the tub, beaming at us while he popped a cracker from the board into his mouth.
Bear’s hands were rougher than Sy’s, but his touch was no less gentle as he pulled my body against his and swayed with me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, marvelling at the fact that he was even dancing at all.
“I didn’t know you dance?” I said playfully, my eyes locking onto his.
He smiled. “When the mood strikes.”
“You’re not half bad.”
“Your compliments are getting better,” he replied.
“Good to know because I have another one I’d like to give you. All of you, actually,” I said.
“This should be good,” Dax murmured and his tone was just as cocky as ever.
I felt a jolt of nerves hit my stomach as I looked from Bear to Sy to Dax. After everything that happened, it was still so difficult to just be honest with them about what I was feeling. But they waited patiently for me to find the words.
“It’s less of a compliment actually, and more of a thank you,” I amended.
“Your check cleared, Lane. You thanked us enough,” Dax said with a smirk.
“No, not just for the amazing bathroom although, yes, I am grateful for that too,” I said.
Bear frowned lightly in confusion. Sy leaned forward from his seat on the tub and Dax’s eyes glinted.
I took a shaky breath. “I want to thank each of you for being the men that you are. Individually and together. All of you brought something to my life that I didn’t realize was missing. Your support, your care, your protection. I’m so thankful for all of it.”
There was a weighty pause in the room, the music in the background fading against a deeper silence between us.
But then Dax broke it, sharp-tongued as ever. “Yes. And don’t forget, we gave you this kickass bathroom, too.”
The joke set us all at ease again, and we burst out laughing. I shook my head. “It’s stunning. But you really are obsessed with this room, aren’t you?”
“For all the blood, sweat and tears we poured into it, I’d say it’s pretty damn valid to be obsessed,” Dax said.
Bear hummed. “We’re all obsessive personalities, Lane. And this bathroom isn’t the only thing we’re obsessed with, even if it is pretty damn close to perfect.”
He pulled me into the giant shower even though we were both still fully clothed. My heart started pounding in my chest as I suspected what he had planned. Sy and Dax looked at each other, then started making their way over to join us.
“But it’s not quite there yet. The only thing left for us to do is christen the place.”