Chapter 17 #2
Once we had our lives stabilized here and began making decent money, we did go back a couple of times.
Instead of the memories being painful, it felt like a renewal.
We saw it with fresh eyes and how much possibility it contained.
We created more memories there, and on our last visit, you were created.
With the costs of a new baby and how little time we’d have, it was obvious it would be a long while before we could make it back.
So we arranged for our dear neighbors to keep an eye on the yard, and put drop cloths on the furniture.
They loved your grandparents and refused to take any payment for it.
We get fairly regular updates complete with pictures, and I hope it stays this lovely for when we can start going back with you.
By the time you read this, we’ve hopefully been able to bring you to that house enough that you adore it as much as we do.
Who knows what your future will bring, but we want to make sure you have this important part of your family history while you’re still young enough to fully enjoy it.
Your 25th birthday seems like the perfect time.
We came to the decision recently and even added it to our will already, but I wanted to write out why we feel so much for the house while it’s still fresh in my mind.
Looking at your precious face, I’m full of anticipation about our first trip there together and many more after that.
Maybe you’ll even be in love when you receive it, and it can be the most meaningful of wedding gifts.
Your father and I want nothing more than for you to fill that beloved home with even more memories, and have it continue to be cherished for generations to come.
With the money your grandfather left, we’ve arranged it so that it should not be a financial burden to you, only what I hope will be a source of joy for you and any family you end up having.
This has all been a little meandering, please forgive my rather stream of conscious thoughts when you read it my sweet girl.
We both love you so very much. Happy 25th birthday, Mija.
My eyes sting so badly, and I’m rapidly blinking back the torrent of tears that threaten to fall.
Elias hands me a tissue and I catch the few that slip.
My entire body is shaking from the sheer volume of grief, wonder, yearning, and peace that reading my mother’s words is wringing out of me, like a heavily soaked towel getting wrung out to feel lighter.
It’s the most I’ve had of her in 20 years, and the ache is both unbearable and welcome.
My mom is this ephemeral being in my life that I can barely remember anymore, but this letter brings things back.
I can hear her voice as I reread it, smell her jasmine scent that I must have subconsciously chosen for myself to take after her, feel her arms hugging me.
Elias lets me have a few minutes to process and collect myself, excusing himself to get a cup of coffee and asking if I need anything.
It’s been nearly two hours since he started going over everything with me, and my brain is starting to fry.
I rub my temples before I quickly check my phone for notifications while he’s gone.
Seeing a text from Carlo immediately makes me smile. He sent it not long after I got here.
Thinking of you, sweetheart. Let me know how the meeting goes, ok?
Hey, you. I think we’re about to wrap it up, he just went to grab a coffee to let me collect myself. It’s been emotional but good. I’ll show you everything when you get home tonight
I see the bubbles showing that he’s responding pop up immediately, like he’s been anxiously waiting for me to text him back.
Everything’s ok though? No issues with the house?
No issues, just a whole lot of information to take in, especially since it’s an inheritance from abroad. I’m officially a homeowner now
That’s incredible, I can’t wait to hear more about it.
Then I see that he’s writing more, so I wait to respond.
I’m glad you’ll be home early, because the fur babies seemed particularly needy this morning, not sure if you noticed. They’ll need cuddles until I can get home to cuddle all of you. This seems like an ordering in pizza and having a drink kind of night, yeah?
My smile is so huge it hurts my cheeks. I swear, this man lifts my spirits on even the hardest of days because he always somehow knows exactly how to do it.
It works out well because last night I made great progress on my art to try to find my aesthetic at the tattoo shop, and Brian won’t be in tonight because it’s his and Molly’s anniversary. So I’ll be home.
Yeah, that sounds perfect. The kitties and I will be anxiously awaiting your amazing cuddles. See you tonight, baby. Have a good rest of the day at work
Ohhhh, I really like you calling me baby. See you tonight, mi sueno
When Elias comes back in right then with his coffee, I’m much better able to function and wrap things up with him.
Then I rush to get home to those needy cats.
Carlo makes good on his promise to cuddle us all when he gets home while he and I eat our pizza, have a beer, and talk through what happened at the meeting.
He holds me so tightly when I show him the letter, his eyes shiny as he takes in my mom’s words.
“You can’t sell that house,” he whispers against my temple.
“No way in hell,” I agree.
He keeps holding me as we talk about going to see the house, which leads to talking about more future plans like trips we want to take, things we want to accomplish.
Pretty soon the talking turns into getting tangled in the sheets, whispering sweet and dirty things to each other while we bask in the beauty of a simple night at home together.