Fated (A Chris Evans Series)

Goodbye, California

With the decision to move to Boston made at the end of May, the couple had approximately two months to pack for their state move. They would've had longer if Chris hadn't just signed a contract; the 5th of August was the latest date they needed him in Boston by, so they were on a bit of a time crunch. Unfortunately, this move was not one that could be completed within a few days. They could not fit everything in a couple of suitcases and half a dozen boxes, and simply drive forty-six minutes to their desired destination. They were married, with a toddler, and a dog. They were moving states so they had to reroute their mail, inform their doctors, and cancel the delivery subscription they had signed with their local grocer. They had to decide on a moving company, then on items that were worth moving and that was not an easy task. Everything seemed to hold some sort of memory that neither could let go of. They wanted to take everything with them, even an old tennis ball that Dodger had worn out playing fetch.

After two weeks of unsuccessful sorting, putting things into donation boxes and garbage bags only to take them out an hour later- the couple agreed they'd had about enough. They bit the bullet and got rid of clothes they hadn't worn in over a year, donating them to Goodwill as soon as they'd boxed it up so they couldn't change their mind. It was after that first step that things started to fall into place. Their grips loosened and they actually became productive. They got rid of the things they didn't need and packed up what they did, boxing and setting them aside for the big day. Everything they didn't have an immediate need for, items they could live without until they moved- they packed up. With each day, they chipped away at their list of to-dos until it came down to their final week in California.

Their final week, members of their families gave up personal time to lend a hand in the packing. Lisa flew in with Scott and Shanna; Richard and Tina drove up; and Donovan and Erica stopped by on their days off, offering help wherever it was needed most. Together, they tied up the loose ends and directed the moving men when they came to collect the furniture and boxes. Before long, the line of U-Hauls were on their way to Boston and the couple was left standing in the empty house they once called their home.

Chris and Denise's last night in Los Angeles, Richard and Tina hosted a farewell dinner at their home. With Lisa, Scott, and Shanna already staying there until the flight back to Boston- Richard and Tina had extra hands with the food preparation. What was meant to be a simple home cooked dinner ended up being a feast. Bottles of champagne were popped as they celebrated another one of Chris and Denise's big milestone, with subtle hints dropped that a second child be the next milestone they aimed for. After a long night of festivities, laughter, and lounging around, the dinner party came to a close. With family members being the only attendees, everyone helped with the clean up. Everyone, but the guests of honor, who'd excused themselves an hour ago. After their son fell asleep, they tucked him into the bed Nana Lisa had been sleeping in and watched as Dodger settled beside him. They kissed Jack's forehead and scratched Dodger behind the ears before leaving them in the care of their parents and siblings to spend one last night in the house they'd spent their first night together in.

With the house emptied out, their footsteps echoed as they walked in from the front door. Denise looked around with a rueful smile, sighing when she thought of all the wonderful memories they'd made in the house. The house was where she'd met Dodger for the first time. It was where Chris had told her he loved her, where they'd spent their first night together. It was where they'd made up after their first big fight, as well as where he'd proposed to her. It was where Jack was conceived, where they found out she was pregnant with him, where his first and second birthdays were celebrated. It was where she signed the contract that made her a director for the first time, and where Chris first watched her film and gave her his unbiased review. It was crazy to think that this time tomorrow, they were going to be settling in their new place in Boston. It was also a little scary, starting over. But she was also excited for all the new memories they were going to create there.