The Arrangement | Completed | Wattys2020

53

As we approached the house that would be our home for the next week, my eyes went wide. I didn't know it was possible, but this house was even better than the one in Vail. The beautiful concrete walls were unique to me. All of the houses here seem to be made out of concrete. It's very unlike the houses you see in Vancouver.

"It's concrete." I say to myself.

"Yeah, all of the houses here are made of concrete. Well, most are. It's because Florida is known for having a very bad termite problem. Plus, all of the moisture doesn't help either. Concrete is just easier to keep up with." Matty says, answering the questions that were running through my mind.

"It's beautiful." I tell him.

"It is, isn't it? Just wait until you see the beach. It's practically in our backyard." He smiles widely. "Phoebe, are you ready to see the ocean?" Matty asks her.

She shakes her head quickly, earning a chuckle from Matty. "It'll be fun, I promise. You'll love it." He assures her, but she doesn't look convinced.

"I'm telling you, she is terrified of the water." I laugh, earning a small pout from Phoebe.

"Don't worry, I got you some floaties. That way you won't drift away from me." He jokes, poking her side playfully. She whines and goes over and hugs his leg. "Come on, let's go inside and find our room. I have no idea what room they are going to put us in. Hopefully Phoebe has her own room." He tells me.

I see a pattern with this family. When any of them say that the house is "small and simple" it's actually a mansion. This house is just about as big as Matty's house back home. It's insane. It's absolutely beautiful.

"There you kids are! We were beginning to think that you would never show up!" Lizzie says, walking towards us with her arms spread open. Phoebe runs over to her and gives her a hug. "Are you excited to be here, sweetie?" Lizzie asks her, to which Phoebe nods her head in reply.

"I didn't know we turned this into an entire family reunion." Matty mutters to his mother, but leans over and hugs her.

"Oh, I didn't know either. Your father did all of that on his own." She sighs, shaking her head.

"Aunt Dee is here? And her kids?" He asks, already knowing the answer.

"Yes. Your uncle is going to be here later, too." She informs him.

"Johnny or Ricky?" He asks.

"Both. That will be a joy, won't it?" She asks, giving him a very sarcastic smile and kisses his cheek. "Candace, come here. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." She says, opening up her arms for me to hug her. I absolutely adore Lizzie. She is as close to a mother as I have had in a very long time.

"I know! We all need to have dinner soon." I say. I haven't really been with them all since the entire incident with my dad. It's nice to see her when I'm not a complete wreck.

"Absolutely. But, thankfully we will have plenty of family dinners while we are here. You'll get to meet Daniel's siblings. They are...interesting." She says in a teasing way.

"I've already met Daneisha. She seems nice." I say, not knowing if I actually mean it or not.

"Nice? Oh, if you say so, love." She laughs. "Now, let's get inside! We put Phoebe in the smaller room in the house. You and Matty will have the joint room." She informs us as she leads us into the house and down the long hallway.

"The joint room? Mom, please. Can't we have anything else?" Matty groans, moving the duffle bag on his shoulder.

"Yes, the joint room. It's not that bad, Matthew. You will survive for a week, I promise." She scolds him.