A Walk to Eden

4

I'm really glad I cleaned. And I'm also glad they dress like me and Eden in the hippy sense, so maybe they will like the house.

We pull up and start getting out of the car when the guys pull up.

"Jeez Eden. I didn't know you lived out of town." Sammy chuckled.

"Well me and mama need room for the garden, and we like to listen to music really loud." She smiled at him. He laughed and ruffled her hair. All the guys were out of the car and looking at the house.

"Damn. This house is nice." Jake whistled.

"Well not really." I laughed. "It was the house I grew up in. When dad left, me and Eden made into our own home." I said smiling back. I looked at Josh was smiling looking around.

I had flowers planted all around the sidewalk to the house, potted plants sitting and hanging on the porch. I love plants. My mom gave me the green thumb.

He looked back at me and beamed.

"It's beautiful." He said. I love his smile. I nodded.

"Alrighty. Let's go in." I said picking up the bags. Danny grabbed the rest, and Eden was on Sam's shoulders again. Jake grabbed the cooler. We all walked up the house, and i opened the door.

Eden and I walked in. Everyone stood out the door looking in, eyes wide. I looked down at her and she smirked.

"You guys can come in ya know?" She giggled. They all laughed and stepped inside. I heard "woahs" and "nice" through out the guys. I sat the bags down and turned to them.

"So. This is our sanctuary." I smiled. They were all still looking around. "Do you guys like it?" I asked. They all looked back at me and they all nodded. I laughed. "Well bathroom is down the first door on the left, mine is across from it, and Eden's is the last one." They all nodded. "Oh, and the music room is in the loft." They all looked up with wide eyes.

"You have a music room?" Jake asked.

"I'll give them a tour." Eden said looking at me. I nodded and she took Sam's hand and led them all around. I laughed and brought the bags in to put away.

It was only a couple of minutes until I left warmth next to me. Josh. He was standing so close, but i can't complain. I looked at him.

"So how was the tour?" I asked.

"It's a beautiful home." He softly smiled.

"Really? You think so?" I asked.

"Mhm." He said. He was doing it again. Staring. I blushed and looked down. "It has a lot of character. Has yours and Eden's. It's vibrant and lively. Like Eden. And at the same time, it's cozy. And full of love." He paused. "Like you." He whispered. I looked up at him. This man. His eyes felt so inviting and safe. "I love it." He said. I smiled and giggled. "What?"

"Nothing." I said looking back down.

"Tell me." He chuckled.

"It's sad and weird to say." I said.

"Doesn't matter. Speak your thoughts." He said. I looked back at him.

"Well. Eden's dad..." I swallowed. I didn't want to, but the tears showed up anyways. I blinked them back. I felt Josh's hand gently grab mine. I looked at our hands and smiled. I squeezed his hand. "Eden's dad is nothing like us. He's very old fashioned. It's not a bad thing, it was just hard to be myself. I love plants. They remind me of my mom." I sniffed. I looked back him. He smiled softly and i continued on. "He didn't like things. Like plants, pictures, art. He was very plain. I didn't want Eden to be like that. I wanted her to live with color and surrounded by life. He didn't want that. So I guess, when he left it was... relieving." I sighed. He was still looking into my eyes. "I've always gravitated to this stuff because my mom was a hippie. And this is who I am. Ya know?" I said. He chuckled.

"I think it's good for people to be themselves." He said. He was right. Many people were modern and wanted clean and cut. I was never like that. I liked the Knick knacks. I loved the feeling of a house being full of your favorite things.

"Thank you." I said. I looked at him and smiled. He stood there and stared back. He opened his arms. I blinked and immediately went in. I wrapped my arms around his torso, and he wrapped his around my back and shoulders. This was the best feeling I've ever had. His hug felt warm, and full of love. He smelt like a bon fire, and rain. It felt safe. It felt like home. I put my head in the crook of his neck and he put his head onto mine. "Thank you." I said.

"You said that already." He laughed. I poked his chest and pulled away. He was smiling, but i was smiling bigger. My cheeks hurt a little. We pulled away and I instantly missed him.

"Josh I-" I tried to say before Eden came running in.

"Mama, when is supper ready?" She asked.

"I have to get it started. Why don't you guys hangout in the music room for a little bit?" I said patting her hair. She looked up and nodded. I bent down and kissed her cheek and she ran off.

"I'll help you." Josh said. I looked at him and he was staring back.

"Okay." I smiled.