Collateral Damage

fourteen

"Why couldn't you just come get ready at the house?" Ethan questioned as Arya took her time doing her makeup. They were on FaceTime with each other while getting ready for this charity gala. Although they had made up, Arya was still trying to keep some healthy boundaries between them until they made it to the wedding that was right around the corner. It's also been helping her come up with ideas for the new service her company is currently working on perfecting.

"Because, I'm doing research. I told you that."

"Well I don't think it's healthy for you to be doing research on our relationship. We're already two weeks from our wedding date and you still haven't started moving your stuff in. We're going straight from the wedding to a two week honeymoon. When we come back we're going to be solely focused on catching back up at work, so stop playing games with me." Hearing the frustration in Ethan's voice, Arya decided to be even more petty by sticking her tongue out at the screen.

"You're overthinking it, babe. My company has a contract with movers. They'll come pack up all of my personal items sometime next week and move them into your house. I'll probably spend one night with you before we head to the resort that everyone will be staying at. You know how tradition goes and what not, so we won't see each other from that point until we're walking down the aisle and you know the rest."

"What are you going to be doing with your condo?"

"Keeping it. All it takes is one bad argument for me to be put on the streets, and I'm not moving back to my mom's house." Arya joked while adding her bronzer onto her face.

"Arya." Ethan spoke in a low tone, not thinking her statement was funny at all.

"I'm just playing, but I am going to keep it though. This is the first big purchase I made and I want to keep it under my belt in a way. I'll probably lease it out to someone. I don't know yet. Maybe one day I can give it to my child. Property generally adds value." Ethan took in her words carefully, hoping that she wasn't still trying to keep the place for any sort of security.

"If it means anything, once we get married I'll add your name onto the deed. This house is just as much yours as it is mine. I even knocked out a room to add a walk in closet for you."

"I very much appreciate it. You don't have to add my name to the deed though. If I'm marrying you then I'm placing all of my trust in you. I'm trusting that you won't get mad and drag me out the house like Charles did Helen." Ethan gave Arya another blank stare, causing her to burst out laughing. "I love you." She smiled.

"I love your goofy ass, too. Let me see what you about to put on." Standing up, Arya walked over to where her dress was and flipped the camera so Ethan could see it.