Layers of Us (Second Generation Book 2)

Chapter 10

EMBER

“Okay, Bug, I think that is the last box.”

My dad runs the tape gun over the last box in my bedroom, making a loud screeching noise. Carson and Hayden will be by this afternoon to move all these boxes into their trucks, along with the boxes from Stef’s place that they’re currently packing up and then together we will be caravaning to Port Ranch.

After Harlow and Lyle’s wedding, Stef and I made the six-hour trek home with on hour two we had already decided that this was the right move for us. Not only would it give me a chance to break away from the bakery and move into the wedding industry as I wanted, but it was a chance for both of us to get on our own two feet and spread our wings a bit. I loved my parents, but I also knew that they had spoiled me most of my life. That happens when you’re the youngest and the only girl to boot. 

Not that I didn’t work hard for the things that I got, but when it came to cost and finances, they were always there for me to fall back on. I have been able to take risks in life because I knew that I have a home, a car, and most of my bills paid for me. Moving to Lawrence and working for Port Ranch would change that a bit. In the month since the wedding, we traveled back once already. It was a super busy weekend of finding a place to live and sitting down with Brielle and Brooke to make sure that we had everything that we needed for the cake kitchen.

The entire thing was slightly overwhelming, but having my best friend there, plus my growing friendship with Harlow, the task was made easier. Although they had given us the option to live in the cabins, we did find a cute townhome on the edge of town in a new community that would fit into our budget. It was two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and because of the way it was built, we each had our own floors and then the main floor that had our living space and kitchen. Carson was with us and he made sure to ask the management group all about the safety and he gave the green light, not that we needed he approval.

“What are you thinking about, Ember. Talk to me, sweetheart?” My dad put his arm around me and I rested my shoulder on his head. 

“I’m fine, Daddy. Just nervous about all the big changes, I guess.”

“I can understand that. Your mom and I are so proud of you, though.”

“Even though I’m leaving the nest?”

He laughed and he held me tighter. “Bug, if you didn’t move out soon, Mom and I were going to kick you and cut you off.”

“Liar.”

“Yeah, you’re right. You know that we’re still here for you though. The distance doesn’t change that. It may take a bit longer to get to you, but if you or Stef need anything, somebody will be there.”

“Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for giving me that perfect balance between spoiled rotten Daddy’s girl and a strong independent woman.”

“Ahh, that strong independent stuff was all your mom. I could never say no to you. Speaking of, I think you need to say bye to her before you leave.”

“Yes, sir.”

Downstairs in the kitchen, my mom was putting together tupperware containers full of food for the four of us to take on our little road trip. I wrap my arm around her and she turns around, a glassy look in her eyes makes a knot hit my throat.

“Mom?”

She waves me off. “Nope, don’t do it. I’m fine. You’re not a baby or anything. You’re a  grown-up adult woman and you’re doing grown-up adult woman things and I’m not going to cry about it.”

“You aren’t crying though.”

“Nope, just giving my cheeks a little bath.”

“I love you. I’m going to miss you.”

“Can’t miss me when you’re going to be talking to me every single day.’

“Sounds like a plan.”

We were able to get on the road by two, so with just one step at the halfway point, the four of us pulled into the complex to our new townhome around 8:30 at night. It was dark and we knew that we weren’t going to be able to unload the cars until morning, but we had planned ahead and had air mattresses and sleeping bags for the first night. Bright and early the next morning, the four of us unloaded the two trucks and the two cars full of things.

“Alright, Sis,” Carson threw an arm over my shoulder. “I think we’re ready to let you go.”

“Oh please. I’m sure you were ready to get rid of me a long time ago.”

“Maybe, but you were a favorite, so I’d never admitted it. Be sure to set you alarm when we leave.”

“Always the security guy.”

“Always. Love you, Bug.” He kisses my cheek and then walks over to Stef and places a kiss on her cheek as well. “Love you too, Stef. Try to keep her in line.”

“Impossible.”

“You’re probably right.”

“Come here, you two.” Haydon throws an arm over both our shoulders and gives us a good squeeze. “Don’t forget to come for a visit every now and then. Have fun. Congrats on everything, you two deserve it.”

Only a few tears were shed as the boys drove off, mostly me. Once they were gone, Stef and I stood inside the kitchen with two glasses of wine held up. “To us!” She tapped my glass and we both sipped our glasses. 

“To us! I’m so glad we’re doing this together.”

“I’m just glad you asked me to come with.”

“Of course I did! I can’t do all of this without you. You’re the one that always keeps me on schedule.” 

“Well I know that, but with everything with my mom, it would have been easy for you to say that I wouldn’t want to come.”

“I thought that, but I figured that was a choice for you to make yourself, not me. I know that she was on your mind when you made this choice, so I didn’t feel a reason to put in my two cents, you know?”

Stef’s dad passed away when she was just a kid and for a long time, it was just her and her mom. Unfortunately, her mom suffered a stroke right before we met and has been living in a long term care facility since then. Stef visits as often as she can, but because of the cost of such care centers, the one her mom is in was about three hours from Arlington. Of course, now we’re even FURTHER away, and I worried that she would say no because of that. 

“So, I don’t know if this is going to happen or not, but there is a place about an hour from here that has a small hospice type care center. I haven’t looked into it too much, but it looks nice. The only problem is it is private pay only, so state insurance wouldn’t cover it.”

“Oh no, is it expensive?”

“It is, but not near as expensive as some of the places in Arlington that I had looked into. Living here, splitting rent with you, plus the extra pay from this job, I don’t know, maybe after six months of saving I can look into it again.”

“I’ll go with you whenever you want.”

“I know. So, what time do we need to be at the ranch tomorrow?”

“I told Bev we’d be there around 9. She already has a couple for us! Their wedding is only two months away, but they haven’t picked a bakery yet.”

“Well, it is their lucky day!”

“Maybe ours too.”

“Well,’ Stef grabs the bottle of wine from the countertop, “since it is still kind of early, what do you say we get drunk and unpack?”

“I like the way you think!”