The Neighbors

Chapter 30

We took a cab home instead of having my father pick us up at the airport. While Harry paid the driver, I raced inside the house to see my girls.

"Mommy!" They screamed and came running. They all but tackled me and I fell backward onto the couch, holding all three of them against me at the same time. Rachael held onto me for dear life, while Aurora and Grace sat on either side of me, both of them talking at once.

Harry came in a few moments later and greeted my parents, who once again offered their condolences along with generous hugs. Then he came over to the girls and kissed their foreheads, realizing they wouldn't let go of their death grips on me just yet.

However, only a few moments later, Rachael looked up at Harry with delight in her eyes and she practically jumped from my lap to his. She snuggled into his neck and he held her tight. I could see a little moisture forming in his eyes. Their relationship never ceased to amaze me – Rachael and Harry had a bond that I couldn't comprehend.

My parents sat down in the living room with us, happy to tell us of their adventures in grand-parenting. I couldn't say thank you enough, although I know they were happy to do it.

Finally, I said, "Well, we just wanted you both to know that we're together now," I said, grabbing Harry's hand. I knew that my mother was already aware, but I wanted it to be completely clear for both of them. "And just so you know, we're quite serious." I was trying to choose my words so that I could talk above the girls' understanding, but Aurora didn't miss a beat.

"Serious about what, Mommy?" She asked.

"Serious about being good friends," I said, biting my lip. "Harry is my best friend. Did you know that?" I asked.

"Does that mean he's going to be our Daddy?" She asked.

Oh, my heavens. She really didn't miss anything, did she? I looked to Harry for help in answering. And then I stole a glance at my parents, who seemed a little stunned.

Harry finally managed an uncomfortable reply. "Not just yet Princess." And I hoped that would appease her insatiable curiosity. She seemed happy with that and went on to tell us – again – about the snow day and about her friends at school and about Grandpa taking them out for ice cream, even though it was freezing outside.

My parents left shortly after we arrived home. They loved my children dearly, but I could tell they were weary after a week of full-time parenting. Harry and I both thanked them profusely.

Then Harry turned to me and asked, "Now what?"

"I don't know," I responded. "We shouldn't make it too obvious. And as much as I want to, we shouldn't sleep in the same bed. We've already had to answer too many questions."

"Well, we've had our first date, so is it too soon for me to propose to you?" He asked.

I just laughed, thinking he wasn't serious. But his face told a different story. 

"Harry, you need some time to grieve your father's death. And being a Daddy is a huge responsibility. You've got to think about all of that before you decide you want to be with me for the rest of your life. It's a package deal."

"All right, then," he said. "We'll give it a little time. I think I'll go home and get cleaned up and maybe catch up on some sleep. I've got to make up all the work I missed." He seemed a little disappointed, angry even. We were both emotionally spent after the trip, so I just let it go.

I gathered my girls for some more snuggle time and then we all went to bed.

Harry was quickly plunged back into the craziness of school and performing, especially since he was trying to make up for lost time. The university said they would give him a grace period for mourning, and that he could make up some of his work during the summer semester, but it sure didn't seem like his work load had lightened up very much.