Fresh Air

Chapter 5

"Honey I'm home" Joey shouted as he stepped near the kitchen island.

There were two boxes set on top of the island, a brown suitcase set down on the ground, and he was holding a dozen roses in one hand. While he waited for Evelyn to pop out of their room, likely taking a break from writing, he smiled to himself. The realization that this is how life together would be like for the foreseeable future.

Evelyn heard Joey come in and immediately closed her laptop and smiled before getting up to go greet him. Her hair had migrated to a messy bun on the top of her head with a few stands hanging out, but she still felt beautiful. She slipped her feet into her slippers, grabbed her water bottle, and walked out of the bedroom.

"Hey.. I was just finishing up some writing...." her words trailed off as she looked up to see him holding a dozen roses in his hands.

She touched her hand to her chest and smiled wide as she took in the scene. He was in her home ready to start a life with her and in the midst of a hectic morning thought about bringing her some flowers. There were only a few things a girl could want for more than that.

"I picked these up for you"

"They are beautiful. How did you know I like roses?"

"Lucky guess or maybe some help from your brother"

"What a traitor" she giggled as she took the flowers from his hand.

She leaned down on the other side of the kitchen island and took out some of her favorite vases. Measuring which of them would suit the length of the roses the best, she picked a medium height rose colored vase. It was just what she needed to get some inspiration on romance. This was after all her own personal romance.

*Incoming text from Antonio*

It read "So I think Dad wants to come visit you next week. I tried to buy you some time, but he was not being reasonable. You need to figure this out. I will keep you posted if anything else comes up. "

"Fuck" Evelyn whispered.

Joey heard her mutter something under her breath and inched his way closer to her. Offering her a hug and a kiss on the cheek before asking...

"Is everything okay?"

"No. My dad wants to visit. I haven't finished the book which I have been writing for 2 years, while he has funded my life. He also has no idea a man lives here with me now. He is going to kill me."

Sweat started to form at the palms of her hands, feet, and underarms while looking from her phone to Joey's face. A bombshell like that is sure to cause some issues in a newly formed relationship for various reasons.

"We will figure it out okay? Together"

Together? Me and him. Us. A unit. I guess that's how things should be going forward. My dad is insane though, the man loves me but he is quirky at best.

"Tomorrow? I want to enjoy today with you. It is our first official day living together.

"Now you are talking"

They both giggled and swayed in each other's arms ready to tackle the world. It was crazy that they were moving in so quickly, but who is to say that it is wrong?

"I have some space set aside in the closet and will make room in the drawers for your stuff too."

"Perfect. Let's get to work then"

They spent the remainder of the organizing, reorganizing, and finding places to fit some of his personal items. They decided to share an underwear drawer with his and hers on separate sides, but everything else fit into their own drawers. He was assigned to the left side of the room near the door, and she was on the right ride so she could always be protected from outside of the room. It was an evening full of laughs, passionate kisses, and sweet hugs. They settled in for the night around 9pm spooning each other, this time in their bed and not the couch.