Bondi Rescue

It's Starting to Feel Like Home

Eventually, Kerrbox and Reidy woke up, both groaning and moaning about their headaches. Harrison just laughed and handed them aspirin and water bottles. I stood in the kitchen, with a cup of hot coffee, smiling at the boys. I hadn't had drunk nearly enough to cause much of a headache, and neither had Harrison.

Nevertheless, we had stayed in bed till almost noon, and Kerrbox and Reidy didn't get up until almost 1, so most of the day was almost gone already. I was just thankful that none of us had work shifts for the day, so we were free to laze around. 

I was startled out of my musings when my cell phone started ringing, causing those with a hangover to wince at the startling noise. I quickly grabbed my phone, mouthing "Sorry," to them as I answered. "Hello?"

"Hi, is this Emilie Bryant?" A male voice on the other end of the phone said. I frowned in confusion, not recognizing the voice. 

"Yes, this is she?" 

"Hi Emilie, this is Tom Hannity, I'm the landlord of The Oceanfront Apartment Complex, and I'm calling about your application for an apartment?" My eyes widened, and I quickly gestured for the boys to all be quiet.

"Yes?" I asked, biting my lip, excitement curling in my belly. I was bouncing slightly on the balls of my feet, unable to stand still, earning me looks of confusion from the boys.

"I wanted to let you know that your application has been accepted, as soon as you sign the paperwork the apartment is yours." 

My eyes widened and I grinned so wide my cheeks hurt. "When should I come in to sign?" At my words, Harrison's eyes widened as well, silently asking me if the phone call was what he thought it was. I nodded, and his face split into a grin as wide as mine.

"Well, we're open till 7:00 today, and we open again at 9:00 tomorrow, so whenever it is convenient for you." I quickly thanked Mr. Hannity, explaining that I'd stayed over with a friend in the apartment complex, so I'd stop by the office before closing today to sign all the paperwork. 

I hung up the phone and turned to Harrison, practically vibrating with excitement. Both Kerrbox and Reidy were standing slightly behind him, looking rather confused. 

"I got it! I got the apartment!" I squealed, and Harrison let out a whoop of excitement, sweeping me up into his arms and twirling me around the kitchen. I was laughing the entire time, clinging tightly to Harrison's neck. 

As soon as my feet touched the ground, Kerrbox was on me, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug, congratulating me on finding a place, only to start laughing hysterically as I told him where the apartment was. 

"Girly, that's awesome! Jesse and Maxi are gonna be thrilled you're so close by too," he cackled. I looked at him, grinning slightly, my eyes showing my confusion. 

Kerrbox noticed the look in my eyes and took a couple of deep breaths to get himself under control. "Don't tell me you didn't notice they've practically adopted you as their little sister?" 

I stared at him in shock, but before I could get a word out, there was a banging on the door. 

Harrison walked over, opening the door just as Jesse was about to knock again, causing him to stumble across the threshold. He quickly righted himself, sweeping his eyes over the apartment, before finding me, and running at me, practically tackling me in his excitement.

"Emi, I can't believe it, you're gonna live here?!?" He exclaimed, picking me up and swinging me around, my second time today.

He set me down and I grinned at him, keeping one arm around his shoulders and using the other arm to pull Maxi, who had come up beside us during Jesse's freakout, into a side hug. "Yep, I'm gonna be living here. I just have to get my friends to send over all my crap from Hawaii, now that I have somewhere for them to ship it to!"