Just a Soldier

Chapter 32 - Planning

Y/n's POV:

Safe to say Scarlett and I didn't sleep much last night. And it's not for the reasons you're thinking! We stayed up talking about everything that has happened in the last 24 hours. It's been a hell of an emotional roller coaster, but there's no one else I'd rather ride it with than Scarlett.

The next morning, we are sat snuggling on the sofa. Ava is sat playing with some toys whilst Scarlett and I are being all sickly in love. But neither of us care. "So, when are you actually going to move in with me?" Scarlett asks, breaking the comfortable silence we had been sat in. I look up at her and think for a moment. "Well, I have to give a month's notice for the apartment, but from the date rent is due. Luckily that is next week. I can call the landlord this afternoon and let him know." I explain, thinking things through as I go.

"Then we'll need to pack up and decide what's coming with, what I'm getting rid of. Most of this furniture is old tatty stuffy that I got second hand when I arrived here, so that can all go. I guess it'll be mainly our clothes and Ava's stuff that will be coming with." I finish off explaining, Scarlett's eyes never leaving me as I spoke. "So, I've still got another month to wait until you're both with me?" She asks with a huff.

I laugh at her actions and pull her closer to me. "No, we can move in whenever you want us too. But we're going to New York next week and then you're staying for work, so if we move in before, we'll both be pretty lonely." I share, giving her puppy dog eyes with a pout. She laughs and pushes my face away.

"Fine! How about when I'm back from New York we move you in that weekend?" She suggests and I smile, so happy that we've got a plan. "Sounds perfect." I reply, leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "I'll call some van hire places tomorrow to get some quotes and some boxes delivered. Maybe I can convince Tom and Robert to help us pack. Oh, and we need to work out bills and stuff." I share my thought process but am greeted by a confused looking Scarlett.

"What do you mean about bills?" She asks. "Well, how much is your mortgage and your monthly outgoings for the house. I can set up a standing order to transfer Ava and I's share each month." I explain in a 'duh' tone. "Y/n, babe, you don't need to pay towards that. I can cover it." She responds with a smile, but I quickly sit up, not comfortable at all with that suggestion.

I shake my head. "No, you're not paying for everything. If we're living together, then I want to be contributing. That's a deal breaker for me. I don't want you paying for everything. I may not have as good a paying job as you, but I can still provide for us." I tell her, getting a little agitated.

Sensing this, Scarlett quickly sits up and cups my face. "Hey, babe, calm down ok. I know you can provide for us. You've done an amazing job at providing for Ava with everything that she needs all on your own. But I'm here to help you both now." She tries to calm me down, but she's not understanding that I can't live with her if I'm not paying my way. "I'm serious Scarlett. I won't move in with you if you don't let me pay towards the living costs. I know that you want to 'cover it' and that's really sweet. But we're a couple, we're doing this together, so it's only right that I pay our way." I tell her more firmly.

She sighs and rubs her hand over her forehead, which is wrinkled in a frown. "Ok. I understand, we can work that out." She replies defeatedly. "Thank you, angel. It may seem like an overreaction, but this means a lot to me." I share in a much calmer manner now. "That's ok babe. I get it, I guess it's easy for me as I don't have to worry about money that much. I'm sorry if I was insulting you. I didn't mean to. I just can't wait to be able to look after you and Ava properly." She says in a quiet voice.

I pull her closer to me and place a kiss on her forehead. "You didn't insult me love. Ava and I can't wait to be with you, living as a family. But we can look after each other ok." I reassure her and she nods, leaving a kiss on my jawline. "Ok, so ballpark, how much do you pay for your house each month and what is your monthly house outgoings? I know that it's going to be a lot and I won't be able to completely match what you put in, but I can still contribute." I ask and she laughs a little at me. "What?!" I ask, unsure as to what I've done to earn her response.