Here & Now // T. Hall Sequel

Chapter 17

Just a few months before the wedding, everything was finalized. It was a huge relief, but I hated playing the waiting game. I wanted to wear the dress I got and dance with him.

It's pretty obvious that patience is a virtue that I don't have.

"There's like two months until we leave for Ontario. After that, it's not long." Taylor laughed at me as I paced around our room. "Oh and I may or may not have said that our rookie can live with us. In our small house."

I shot him a dirty look, he would do that without talking to me first. Oh well, someone to help out around the house because I would most likely be working or traveling whenever they're gone.

"Taylor, I think I'm going to open a branch of the business up here. While I get my MBA."

His eyes widened, then his smile. "Belly, that's amazing."

"And a lot of time and effort and I don't know how many games I'll miss or if I'll be able to vacation very much this summer." I didn't want him to suffer because of what I wanted.

"You'll be fine. You can always take a break. It's not like I have a completely full schedule. I can always become more domestic or something."

I looked at him, not believing what he said. "Yeah, when hell freezes over."

"So I'll hire a cook." He shrugged. That was always his idea for everything. Hire someone. While that's fine for something like handy work, but someone else was not going to cook my dinner. I'll just get multiple crockpots so that I have one while the other is soaking. I didn't exactly count on Taylor to clean anything. "Or we'll just eat dinner with someone else every night."

"No, I'll be able to handle it. But for now I want a nap in our big fluffy bed. With the love of my life. Keeping me warm." He pulled me onto his lap, placing his lips on my shoulder. "Seriously, it's nap time. You need to be rested for the game."

"Okay, but since you shared some news, I get to share mine." I looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate on what he wanted to say. "Our house is almost ready."

My jaw dropped, I wasn't quite sure what he was getting at. Last time I checked, we didn't have a house yet. And how would they build it in the winter? Granted, it was very mild, but still. "Taylor, how long have you had this planned?"

"Before I knew you. They just have to work on some of the stuff inside and then we can move our stuff in before we leave. I really think you'll like it." The look on his face made me cry. I never thought I would be this excited to settle down and have a life with someone that I loved.

We had a messed up relationship at first, and towards the middle, but now it's like Taylor doesn't do anything without me. He asks me what I want to do and if I don't want to do anything, he just goes out with his friends. 

"Since we probably aren't going to take a nap, let's just talk." Taylor laughed. I knew that he wouldn't sleep anyway, but it's always been part of our game day routine.  

"Okay, what do we want to talk about?"

"Our future together. We could plan some things."

"Belly," he shook his head, "Since when do we plan anything? I mean, we got married in Vegas. You randomly showed up at my door when you lost your family. We went on one date and I proposed.  I don't regret any of it, but let's just spend this summer traveling and getting your MBA and everything that you planned on doing."

"What about kids?" I didn't want them, but ours would obviously be really cute.

"Let's cross that bridge when we get there." He kissed my cheek and made me lay down with him.

I, of course, fell asleep right away. He was my own personal space heater. This was helpful when it came to the cold, Edmonton winters. I could hear him shuffling around the room as he got dressed for the game.

"Tie or no tie?" He turned to me with his shirt half tucked in and messy hair. 

"No tie," I responded, smiling at him. I didn't want to get out of the nice warm bed, but I knew I should shower before the game. He finished getting ready, leaving the top button of his shirt undone. He ran his fingers through his hair, making sure that it was okay for his arrival at the arena.

"I love you Annabelle Paisley."

"I love you, too."

I debated on whether or not to just watch the game at home. I had a ticket waiting for me, but I didn't  exactly feel like talking to anyone. So I ordered in some Chinese food and made myself comfortable in the living room. I shot Taylor a quick text and turned on the game.

I'm staying home tonight, I'll be watching from the living room. Will probably be in bed by the time you get back. Good luck!

I figured he would probably go out with the guys tonight, so as soon as the game was over I brushed my teeth and climbed into bed. I was woken up not too long after, by Taylor stumbling in. I wasn't sure how he got drunk in a short amount of time, but he did.

"I'm home, Belly." He singsonged as he stripped down.

"I was trying to sleep."

My fiancé reeked of alcohol and I knew he would want to make me stay up later than I planned. "You should've come out with us. In that black dress that I like so much." He pulled me closer, kissing my neck. 

"Tomorrow night, Taylor. But I doubt you'll be wanting to leave with the way I'll look." I tried rolling away with him, but his lips were teasing me. "Taylor, I want to sleep." I laughed, he knew exactly what he was doing. I wasn't going to stop him.

His hands wandered up my sides, ignoring the thin fabric of my tank top. "Taylor. You said nothing until the wedding!" He stopped, placing one more kiss on my lips. 

"I forgot about that. I'm sorry." 

Taylor pulled me into his chest, murmuring about how much he loved me and what not. It was cute, honestly. It was like he was a child again. Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night and see him sleeping there. It's times like that, that make me fall in love with him even more.

I let Taylor sleep the next morning. He didn't have morning skate and well I'm sure that he would be hurting once he woke up. I got up, taking an uber to a car dealership. I didn't know how to drive in the snow, but I was going to learn.

The car salesman was friendly. Overly friendly. I knew what I wanted and I just wanted to get out of there. I'd make improvements later. Right now, I just needed transportation.

"I need an SUV or jeep or something that's going to be good for the winters here." I thought about it for a few seconds, "Actually, I want that white wrangler out there."

"The 2015?"

"Yeah. Not a fan of the new ones."

"Okay, I'll get the paperwork."

It took about an hour before I was able to leave with my car. Then, it was off to search for a building because it would be a lot easier on me than actually having to hire a contractor and all of that. I had a few meetings with realtors but I would have to talk to my uncle, even though he told me that all of this was up to me.

Eventually, I was on my way home. I stopped by to get some groceries. I figured I would make barbecue chicken for dinner, before we went out for the night. If he wanted to go out, that is.