Delicate

Jump into the Fog

Serenity sat on the couch in the living room finishing up an email to Ibrahim when Dani walked in. "How did it go?" Serenity asked as Dani sat her purse on the kitchen counter. "Pretty well. I sometimes forget how easy it can be to enroll people in school". She grabs a diet cola from the fridge and sits next to Serenity. "I'm still really shocked that Craig and the twins said they wanted to come out," Dani said as she opened the can. "I was sure that Craig would tell me there was no way we were going to make that move". She took a sip of the soda and cleared her throat.

"So how is this going to work out?" Serenity asks as she closes the email and opens the Bloomingdale's website on her laptop. "Well I talked to Ahmed and he said he would have no problem letting my family stay here since it would probably take a while to find housing for the four of us. And that works out great since you've already put a deposit on a place for yourself. The twins are going to come back with me when I go back to get my things. Craig is actively putting in applications with accounting firms so he can come out as soon as possible. It's going to be a stressful next few months for us, but it'll all come together".

Serenity searched through clothing options as Dani spoke. "The twins and I are going to start the house hunt as soon as we come back. I don't think the four of us will be able to function with one bathroom for long," she chuckled. "The two of us are having an issue with that," Serenity laughed. "But I was checking housing prices and they're ridiculous out here! Granted, Craig and I make great money but the housing prices are absurd". Serenity clicked on a Reiss Millie pleated flutter-sleeve top and began to order it.

"Are you all packed? Our flight leaves tomorrow afternoon," Dani asks. "Yeah, just about. I have a few more things I need to get while I'm out today and then I'll be ready to go". The doorbell to the house rang and Dani got up to get it. Kyle walked in and greeted Dani. "Are you ordering more clothes?" Kyle asked as he walked behind Serenity. "You can never have too many blouses," she says as she finalizes the order. "I'm having it shipped to your place since I haven't moved into mine yet and it'll probably arrive before I get back," she says as she closes the laptop. "That's fine," Kyle says as Serenity stands up and grabs her purse from the side table.

"I'll be back later," Serenity says to Dani as she and Kyle walk towards the door. Dani waved as she closed the door. They got into Kyle's car and he pointed at the backseat. Serenity looked back and saw the paper bag. "I went ahead and got the souvenirs for everyone so that would be one less thing for you to worry about," he says as he buckles in. "That's so sweet of you," she smiles as she swivels her head forward and buckles in. Kyle pulls off and head towards his place.

When they got upstairs, Serenity immediately plopped herself on the couch as Kyle went and grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge. He came and sat next to her as she flipped through television stations. "It's kind of funny how I act like I live here," she said as Kyle handed the water to her and she untwisted the cap. "I actually wanted to talk to you about that," Kyle said before he took a drink of water. "I was thinking maybe you should move in when you come back".

Serenity choked on her water and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, what?" she said as she screwed the cap back on. "I've been thinking about it since you told me you accepted the offer. Why pay for your own place when I have one. I would love to have you around". Serenity stared blankly at Kyle. He awaited for an answer he wasn't sure was coming. "Umm, can I like, think about it?" she said nervously. "Yeah. I wasn't an expecting a yes or no right now". Except he was. Kyle thought Serenity would be overjoyed at the idea of living with him and would immediately accept his offer. He wasn't hurt, but he was a little offended.

*****

Serenity opened the door to her apartment and looked around. She wheeled her luggage completely into the apartment when Gideon walked out of the bathroom. "Oh shit. I thought you wouldn't be here for another few hours," he said as he walked towards her. They hugged and her eyes scanned the apartment. "I see you've kept the place nice," she says. Her eyes look over at two glasses on the coffee table. At least they're on a coaster. "Have you had people over?" she asks as she walks towards her room with her luggage. "Yeah. I had a girl over," he says nervously.