Ties That Bind

Chapter 44. Guardian Angel

Walking through her front door, Lindsey came in quietly with just an overnight bag, just taking into consideration that the baby might have been asleep.

As soon as he made his way through, she sashayed up to him, just to wrap her arms around his neck---giving him a loving hug.

"Okay, not that I'm not happy with your affections and decision to move in," he kind of laughed as he pulled her away. "What brought it on? I mean, you didn't want to just a few days ago," he shut the door behind him.

"I know what I said and I was wrong," she stated.

Her words bounced around his head and he almost asked her to repeat it because he had never heard her utter those words with ease; I was wrong.

"Well--"

"Here, let's sit---" she took his bag and sat it to the side of the couch, where she guided him to sit. From her couch, she was able to look into the bedroom and keep an eye on her sleeping baby so she glanced back and pointed that out to him since he seemed to be looking around for the infant. "So, I was thinking about what you said and a lot of things have been floating around my head so if I don't make sense, I'm sorry. Just let me talk and hopefully you find your answer within that."

He nodded, knowing to listen to her words.

Having been with her, she did teach him how to talk with her again---what he needed to say and do to her rants and concerns. He was told to listen and to console of needed---though he learned on his own as a victim of multiple women not to ask questions unless it was absolutely necessary.

"I came home with Rose---I started cleaning and I started thinking about moving in with you and how it's something I want to do, but for whatever reason I'm holding myself back from doing. You know how I feel the need to find the source of problems?" she asked rhetorically only because she kept talking straight through. "I think I found it. At first I thought it was because I didn't want to give up the last nine years here because I am the last nine years here; no job that holds amazing importance plus nothing to love other than my girlfriends, very routine based and you seen that. I had to do everything on my own even if I had friends who later joined me and the Joneses across the way. But if you think about it, I had nobody here such as my mom and dad and I was used to being how I was which I know I was a sarcastic witch," she waved it off. "When I got to Arizona in May, I had to get used to the serenity of life out there---it's quiet and calm and not how I was living life here. I was content waitressing out there because it fit the norm of their area---it does here too, but not the point. But at home, I was learning to understand what it was that I had and that I loved. I love my baby to death, I love my family to death---I love you to death. I was doing the same thing for years here and with the exception of school, I went home to do the same thing. For some reason, I was able to think about the other things such as my career goal. When you met me and when people asked me what I wanted to do, I could tell you I had no idea, but an old male friend of mine, he works at Scottdale Community College and he found out I was in town through family and-- It's a small town, you get it. So, he knows I have a Master's degree in Communication and that is all you need from a graduate school and he told me he'd pay me to teach his class, Lindsey, I fell in love with it! I wish I would have taken that part-time session over the summer this last year, but I was also just learning I was pregnant and I was nervous. Oh, by the way, I mail your mother photos of the baby and we have to take her out there to visit," she added since it came to mind.

He actually cracked a smile, on the brink of laughing because she sounded pretty insane.

"But anyway, so I got home and the moment I walked into the house, I felt lost, like I didn't know what I was going to do back when I was out here. Then I remembered my teaching session, then I remembered what you said about looking for improvement and you're so right, all I do is look for improvement, but then I got stuck because-- Well, I don't know why. But change of scenery is important and improving myself. I'm only holding onto the memories of this place by a string because I feel like I won't be the same. And who really wants me to back to my rotten old self? I mean, she could come back at anytime, so don't think she's gone forever because I am a Gemini, but still... So then, I was cleaning up the house and checking on the baby and I glanced through the kitchen window and I was still expecting you to be there. It's like a ghostly thing. So, I wanna move in with you because that is something I want but my rotten self is holding onto animosity and everything that I should cut myself from. Rosemary has been like my little guardian angel to make me think about those types of things. I've learned what I really want---what do you think?"

"Well..." he inhaled deeply, trying to figure out where to start because though he was listening, he lost her at some parts. "So, I'm getting you wanna move in with me as a form of change for your past. You agree it would be a good idea for the sake of our family, for the sake of your well being---you wanna get rid of the bad parts of the past... You love to teach, which is awesome because you'd make a great teacher," he looked at her.

"Lindsey, I just said all that," she added, but then bit her tongue. "Okay, it's not what I said, but what I meant. Also, that's why-- And I think you should be happy with my decision."

"I am," he agreed wholeheartedly. "I think it's great that you were able to figure all that out in the short time frame you've been home. I'm glad I got a real portion of how your brain works," he smirked.

She rolled her eyes.

"Tell me more about the teaching thing," he requested.

"Yeah, so, I have my Com Studies Master's... I wanna continue with going to school because still working on the doctorates for other stuff. I'm gonna talk to the headmaster and all the important people I know to talk to about getting, maybe, a semester to start. But maybe I can teach every other semester and I can take classes on the non-teaching semesters. If this all goes well, I have to have a plan, but then I don't want to work so often because I can't be away from Rose for so long. I'll miss her too much."

"I support whatever you wanna do," he nodded with a smile, pretty impressed with all that she seemed to conjure up in the short time she spent home.

"Lindsey, when you come to this house, what do you think of? I think of all the heartache I have gone through before you, meeting you and then the fear that you weren't gonna come back after things got intense. You know there were a lot of good things because, we were here when we met, when I found out I was pregnant, when a lot of good was done. But I can only think of the happy thoughts when we were in Arizona. I think my journals are enough and my vivid memory is enough for them to stay happy and for me to be content. The new house could be something even better for the three of us. That'll be Rosemary's home. Her childhood home, just like you have out in San Jose. I didn't have that and I want her to."

"Okay," he nodded, following her pretty clearly. "I think it's all a great idea, sweetheart," he leaned back into the couch---hand landing on her knee.

"So, when can we start packing and all that? I need boxes and newspaper," she glances at all her Tiffany lamps.

"I can have people bring all of that out here," he winked. "We could have everything moved in, in the next couple days. You have a lot of ground to cover within decorating the house, by the way."

"Far out," she grinned giddily as she leaned forward to kiss him. "This is so exciting. So, now I'm thinking we can have Sharon move in here---she can run this place as she desires as long as it meets my instructions, I will train her so she knows what to do. Then of course if she needs real help, I can be here for her. But for the most part, how great is all of this?"

He chuckled.

"I know you've pretty much had all of this in mind and I appreciate it. I just had to really think it all over before coming to an honest decision and it took way more thinking than anything."

"I understand," he nodded. "But I agree, it is exciting. This is pretty much everything I have ever wanted," he smirked a little as he shyed away from his spoken thought.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Well, just all that I do have. My guitar playing earning me a living, I have a house to call home and you which was a challege to even attain and then Rosemary... You guys are going to be there to join me. It's like I lived up to my own pact with myself and it feels good."

"We have to celebrate then," she chimed. "That's one hell of an accomplished goal. And I'm glad I could meet your requirements, even if I am a little crazy," she added, resting her head in the crook of her arm as she stared at his handsome profile.

"Hey, if you were totally normal, I'd be bored out of my mind," he added. "You keep me on my toes---I think I hit the jackpot with you, darlin'," he stroked her jaw gently.

"So nice of you to say, kind sir," she smirked once more with a wink.

"Oh, and you're right. Rosemary is a little guardian angel---we'd probably not be together right now if it weren't for her."

"I know," she nodded. "I've been thinking of that. I'm so grateful to have her---she's the best gift you've ever given me."