Rose #2
Joel laughs as I roll my eyes at Dad’s joke. And it is a joke. They’d have supported me no matter what career I chose, even if that included law school.
“Great story,” Joel says, grinning, “Got any more of them?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” He wraps an arm around Joel’s shoulder, and they walk off together.
Dad starts telling Joel about me herding all the kids in our neighborhood and even a cat one time for “lessons” when I decided to become a teacher. I was eight years old. That’s not the most embarrassing story he could tell Joel, but I probably shouldn’t leave them alone for too long.
Pleased they’re getting along, I head to the front of the house, where boxes cover the lawn, and everyone has been busy unloading the cars and the U-Haul parked on the sidewalk.
On a gorgeous sunny day, it’s like a block party out here, which is why I lost sight of Joel in the madness.
My other dad, Trey, and Mom are busy grouping boxes by room to make taking everything a smooth process.
Ben is sitting on Murph’s shoulders as Murph points something out: a squirrel in a tree, I think?
Our neighbors came over to help unload the U-Haul and have either stuck around or said they'd come back if we need more help, and even Murph’s bosses are here to help with the heavy furniture.
Lina said she’d stop by after work with Nico to help unpack.
I’m not sure there’ll be much left to do then, given how many hands are involved, especially since Sam is here with his parents.
Ever since Sam’s incredible success with Nico’s office, everyone wants to hire him.
He decided to stay longer in Rios and had his parents pack up and fly with some of his things from upstate New York.
I was very nervous when they arrived, but I had no reason to be.
Sam was right. They were ecstatic to be grandparents again.
Seeing how happy Ben and I were and reassured by Win, Joel, and Murph that Simon would never be forgotten or replaced, they hugged us all.
We don’t have room for everyone to stay at the house, but my parents and Sam’s parents will be staying at the motel in Rios for the next few days to help us unpack, explore town, and spend time with Ben before they head home.
“Rose, right?”
The soft female voice comes from my left, and I turn to see a smiling, beautiful blonde in a pale yellow sundress, revealing a hint of a rounded belly.
It takes a second to realize who she must be, since she arrived with Murph’s bosses right around the time I noticed Murph was missing and rushed to find one of my dads cornering him in the living room.
“Maisie?”
She smiles and sticks out a hand. “We keep passing by without meeting. I’m not supposed to help with any heavy lifting even though I’m not that pregnant, but I wanted to come say hi and welcome to Rios. It’s a bit belated, but better now than never, huh?”
Grinning, I shake her hand. “Thanks. And I appreciate all the pie you made for us.”
There are four large, beautiful pies in the kitchen, waiting for us to enjoy when we have a break before we start moving everything into the house. I’m not sure we have enough cups for everyone to have tea or coffee, but maybe the neighbors wouldn't mind sharing a few.
“Give me any excuse to bake pie, and I’ll take it. Is that your son?” she asks when she sees Murph set Ben down from his shoulders and crouches so Ben can whisper in Murph’s ear. “I don’t think I’ve seen him without a smile on his face.”
“Yeah. Ben’s so happy. We both are.” At a loud bark of laughter, my gaze drifts from Ben and Murph to Win, who’s happily chatting with my mom and my dad, Trey. He feels me watching and flashes me a grin, which I return. “We found something really special in Rios.”
“So did I,” Maisie admits.
When I track her gaze, she’s watching four big alphas working together to unload furniture from the U-Haul.
I know a bit more about her history from Murph.
About the trouble she had with her abusive ex-husband, the alphas who stepped in to watch over her, and how they fell in love and she stayed in Rios to be with them.
If anyone here could understand what it feels like to leave a painful past behind and start over somewhere new, it’s Maisie.
Our pain is different, but we both found a new home and a fresh start in a place we didn’t expect.
We chat for a bit about Rios and her pie business, even exchanging numbers, until something catches her eye, making her smile.
Ben has one of Murph’s hands and is dragging him toward us—toward me.
Maisie laughs. “They look like they’re on a mission. I’ll get out of your way. We should have dinner one night.”
I grin. “That would be amazing.”
She walks toward her alphas as Murph reaches me with Ben, who's literally bouncing up and down.
"Come on, sweetheart. Time for your surprise before Ben dies of excitement," Murph says.
"Should I close my eyes and hold my hands out?"
He chuckles. "It's not that kind of surprise." He calls out to my parents. “Can we borrow Rose for a few minutes? We have a surprise for her.”
My parents wave us off. “Go. Take your time.”
We leave my parents and Sam’s parents talking with Murph’s bosses and Maisie in the front yard. On our way into the house, we collect Win, Joel, and, surprisingly, Sam.
“Is it big?” I ask.
“Kind of but not really,” Murph says.
I stare at him. “Seriously? That’s the clue you’re giving me? You couldn’t be any more vague if you tried.”
He chuckles and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “It’ll make sense when you see it. We’re going upstairs. Then you need to close your eyes. I’ll cover them to make sure you don’t peek, and I’ll guide you the rest of the way.”
I look at Joel and Win to gauge their reaction to all this, but their expressions are blank. Too blank. I could ask them for a clue, but I have a feeling no one’s going to tell me anything. “Let’s go.” At the top of the stairs, I turn to Murph. “Okay. What now?”
“Ready for me to cover your eyes?” he asks.
I nod, and Murph steps behind me.
I trust him not to walk me into anything, but I’m both nervous and excited about what this surprise could be. If Sam’s here, he must have helped Murph build something. But what?
We walk forward about ten steps. All I know is that we’re not going to my bedroom or any of theirs. A door snicks, and Murph guides me forward a little more.
“Ready?” Murph asks me.
“Ready.” Butterflies fill my belly as Murph takes his hands from my eyes.
At the same time, Ben yells, "We built you a house, Mommy!"
It's not a house, but a teepee.