Neighbors

Chapter Fourteen, Surprises

It’s been almost two weeks since Aria had little TayTay and I’m enjoying my last few days before I go back to work. “QUINN! Come in here!” I throw on my robe and race into the living room where Chris is standing with Peyton. “Here! What’s up?” Peyton smiles at me. “Well I went to our apartment only to find it empty.” I laugh. “Yeah I spent the night with Chris again. Follow me, Chris, can you make some coffee please?” He smirks. “Only if you give me a kiss.” I stand on my tippy toes and kiss him. “Ok…I’ll make coffee now.” Peyton laughs and follows me into the living room. “So you two look really happy.” I smile. “We are. So what did you want to talk about? You look a little worried.” She smiles at me nervously. “Well… I have news, don't get mad at me but… I’m moving in with Cole!” I stare at her in shock. “What? Oh my gosh!” I hug her tightly. “So you're not mad?” I laugh. “Are you kidding? Of course not, I spend more time over here anyways and you're so happy with Cole. Why would I be mad at you for growing your relationship?” She smiles relieved. “I didn’t know if you would have been upset of course she wouldn’t have shown it but not the new Quinn honestly I like this one better Chris brings out the happy carefree side of you that you kept locked up for so long.” I smile as I see Chris come into the living room with our coffee. “Yeah I like this version of me better too.” “So what was the girl talking about?” We laugh. “Peyton’s moving in with Cole.” Chris smiles. “Good, I like that guy, he seems really good for you.” Peyton laughs. “Well I also have another question but this one’s for the both of you. Can you two help me pack? I also asked Amy, Owen, Mark, Aria, and Ezra to come.” I laugh. “Of course we can, but this sounds more like a party than packing.” We all laugh. “I mean come on, isn't it always a party with us?” I nod. “This is very true. Ya know I like having so many friends.” Peyton and Chris share a smile. “So when?” Peyton laughs. “Now. Mark and Amy are already in there Owen is on his way and so are Aria, Ezra and the kids, oh and Cole is over there.” I laugh. “Well I guess everyone’s going to see me in my robe because my clothes are over there.” Chris stares at me. “I can go get your clothes.” He stands before I can say anything and disparers across the hall. “That was hot.” I laugh. “My boyfriend being protective of me? Yes, very.” He comes back with denim shorts and a grey tank top with socks. “Thanks!” I change and then we head across the hall. “Hey guys!” I walk in to see Amy and Mark laughing over something. I go up and hug them both. “Hey little sis.” “Hey Quinn.” “I’m the best matchmaker! How are you two?” They laugh. “That depends on if we stay together.” Amy smacks Mark’s shoulder. “If?” He laughs. “Well I mean I’m wary because of Victoria… but you're amazing and nice unlike her.” I wander over to Peyton and Cole. “So I hear you're stealing my roommate.” Cole looks at me scared. “I thought you were ok with it?” I laugh. “I’m just messing with you Cole. Will you ever understand my humor?” He seems to think about this. “Probably not. I’ll try though.” I smile and drift back to Chris. “Need some help?” He’s marking the furniture that Peyton wants. “Sure.” I help him and a few minutes later the door opens. “AUNT QUINN!” I hear Jamie yell from the entrance as he comes running into the room. “Jamie!” I pick him up and kiss his head. “AH I’m too old for that!” Chris laughs and Jamie looks over my shoulder. “Hey Uncle Chris!” “Hey buddy!” Jamie jumps down from my arms and follows Chris into Peyton’s room to help. I walk around the corner to see Aria holding TayTay and Ezra right beside her. “TayTay!” I ran over and took her out of my sister’s arms. “Woah eager much?” She laughs. “Yes very! It’s been a whole day since I’ve seen her!” Aria and Ezra laugh. “Where did Jamie go?” “He went to help Chris in Peyton’s room.” Ezra nods and goes back there. “How are you?” I follow my sister to the kitchen where she sets her bags. “I’m good, Ezra goes back to work tomorrow. How about you?” I smile. “I’m good. I go back to work in three days and Chris and I are doing really well. And I’m a very happy Aunt!” Aria laughs. “Where is Mark?” “Somewhere with Amy.” Aria nods. “You know if they get married, which I’m almost a hundred percent sure they will, then you can say it was all because of you!” I laugh and smile at TayTay. “Yes, well that would be cool. I’m happy I introduced them. Mark needs this and Amy does too. And I need more time with TayTay…I’m really gonna miss spending almost every day with her.” Aria laughed. “Well I’m gonna miss getting to take a nap every day.” I laugh. “When I have days off I’ll spend them with this little girl. But I have an idea.” Aria turned and looked at me. “Say less…what is it?” “Well what if we watched TayTay and Jamie and you and Ezra can have the rest of the day and night off.” Aria stared at me in shock. “What?!” I laugh. “I mean only if you're ok with it of course!” She shakes her head. “You don’t have to ask me twice. Let me go get Ezra. Here is her baby bag. It's got all sorts of clothes in it and you already have some of Jamie’s clothes when he stayed while we were at the hospital.” I laugh as my sister hurries down the hall to get her husband. I take TayTay into the living room and help Peyton with writing on boxes. “So  you're keeping the little ones huh?” I smile. “Yep.” A few minutes later Ezra and Aria come racing into the room. “Thank you so much Quinn really. Bye guys!” “You're welcome have fun, you two!” They say goodbye to TayTay and then they are out the door. Jamie comes racing into the room knocking over a lamp. “Woah little dude!” Chris chases after behind him catching the lamp before it hits the ground. “AUNT QUINN I’M STAYING WITH YOU!” I smile and laugh. “YES YOU ARE!” He looks at me sadly. “What can I do though? I don’t want to write on boxes.” Chris comes up beside me. “How about you watch Me, Cole, Owen, and Uncle Mark load up the U-haul?” He smiles brightly and runs after Mark and Cole. “Thank you babe.” He leans down and kisses me then kisses TayTay’s tiny hand. “Of course princess. Have fun ladies.” He and Owen head out after the others while Me, Amy, Peyton, and TayTay stay inside. “I think you hit the jackpot with Chris.” I laugh. “I sure did.” “Someone's phone’s ringing.” I turn and realize it’s mine. “Hey, who wants to hold TayTay?” Amy runs over and picks her up a second before Peyton. “I’m gonna go answer that.” I run into the kitchen and see there’s no caller Id odd. “Hello?” “Hey baby girl.” I dropped my phone in shock. I picked it up a second later. “Come on Quinny it’s Mama…how are you baby?” I turn cold instantly. “It’s Quinn not Quinny not baby girl Quinn. And you're not my Mama, you're just a woman. What do you want?” There's a sigh on the other end. “I want to see you.” I laugh cold heartedly. “See me? Since when you haven’t thought about me since you left when I was Twelve.” “That’s not true Quinn. I have thought about you every day since I left. I wasn’t in a good place then, I am now though.” I laugh. “Oh yeah? Because being in jail is such a good place?” “Oh you know? Well can you please come see me? It's important.” I think about this. “When?” “Oh good! Today it’s urgent.” I shake my head. “So let me get this straight, you call me out of the blue after all these years and want to see me but it has to be on your time. You do realize I have a life right?” There’s a pause. “I know but please Quinn.” “Fine.” I hang up and walk back to the living room. “Hey do you want this shelf?” Peyton turns and stares at me. “What’s wrong? You look pale.” Amy turns now. “Deb called me and said she wants me to come see her…today.” They both stare at me in shock. “WHAT! You're not going right??” Peyton shakes her head. “Of course she’s going Amy…It’s Quinn.” Amy sighs realizing Peyton’s point. “I need a favor…I don’t know how long I’ll be gone but can you guys watch the kids?” “I can’t because me and Cole have to start moving stuff in today.” Amy shakes her head. “No, sorry, me and Mark have a concert we booked last week.” Hmm. “Maybe Chris can watch them?” I stare at them. “By himself? He probably doesn't want to do that.” “I can watch them.” I turn to see Chris in the doorway. “How long have you been there?” He smirks. “Since you came out… I was curious what was going on up here. But I’ll be fine with TayTay and Jamie.” I nod. “If you're sure. Thanks babe.” He walks around boxes and pulls me into a hug. “Of course. You should throw some shoes on and go.” I nod. “Yeah you're right let me go grab some shoes.” I’m in my room putting on flip flops when Jamie comes barging into my room. “AUNT QUINN GUESS WHAT!?” I laugh. “What?” He does a happy dance. “Uncle Chris said once we finish here we can go to the park before nap time!” I smile. “Well I bet that’ll be tons of fun!” “Can you go with us Aunt Quinn?” I shake my head as I slip on my flip flops. “No sorry Jamie…but I’ll have him send me pictures and it’ll be just like I was there with you!” He smiles as he heads out of the room no doubt going to tell Chris he needs to take pictures. “Alright guys I’m heading out.” I hug the girls and kiss TayTay. “Good luck.” Peyton says as I exit the room, I’m gonna need a lot more than luck. I go outside and say bye to the boys. “Bye boys! Have fun!” Chris comes around the corner and hugs me. “You’ve got this princess, you're strong. I love you.” I freeze. We hadn't said the three big words yet but they felt right when he said them. “Sorry-” I kissed him again. “I love you.” He smiles and then goes back to see what Jamie wants to show him. “Hey little sis…you’ll be ok whatever she has to say can’t do any damage because she’s already hurt you as much as possible.” I nod and hug him. “Thanks Mark. Have fun with Amy tonight.” He smiles and walks off. “THANKS FOR THE APPROVAL QUINN!” I hear Cole shout from somewhere inside the U-haul. Owen comes over and hugs me. “Good luck.” I smile. “Thanks Owen.” I smile and walk to my car feeling very good about this. If only things went how we want them too. I prepare myself for the worst.