Layers of Us (Second Generation Book 2)

Chapter 33

EMBER

I never bought a house before or went through any process like it, but between Anne and my parents, Miles and I were able to put a bid in on the dream house that we walked through. We put it in a bit under asking, but I guess the family had already moved and they were really wanting to get the house sold, so they accepted our bid without any other negotiations. We’re in our 30 days waiting period before closing, an excitement that I almost cannot contain. When we told Miles’s family at Sunday dinner the other day they were just as thrilled. Bev even grabbed one of the bottles of champagne for the adults to celebrate. 

Stef reacted just the way I thought she was going to when I told her. Miles was really worried that she was going to be angry, but she jumped up and down with us and embraced us both in huge hugs. I promised her that I would continue to pay her half of the rent and although she told me that it really wasn’t necessary, I wanted to because I knew she was saving money to transfer her mom to a care center here.

Right after Miles’s alarm went off for work, my phone dings with a text message. I reach over to the side table and grab my phone to see a message from Stef.

Stef: Hey Ems, not feeling too good today, one of those horrible headaches coming on. Mind if I take the day off today?

Me: Go ahead, nothing super important that I’m doing today. Do you need anything?

Stef: No, I’ve been up for about an hour trying to wait for the Tylenol to kick in. I figured you’d be getting up soon with your boy toy.

Me: Boy toy is getting ready for work. Let me know if you need anything. Get some rest.

Stef: Will do, talk to you later, love ya

Me: You too.

“Who was that?” Miles strolls out of the bathroom with his jeans still undone, hanging low on his waist. He was always well built and fit, but I’ve noticed his muscles clearly becoming more defined the longer he has his job at the mechanics. 

“Ember?” I finally notice that he’s waving his hand in front of my face. 

“Sorry, I was just taking in one of my favorite sights.”

“Uh huh, what is that?”

“Your damn hot body.”

Miles throws his head back in laughter, but then we both quickly glance over to Peyton to make sure that she’s still asleep. Of course, she is, the sweet angel’s face just laying in his crib sucking her thumb. Once again I get sidetracked by the conversation, caught up by her perfection.

“That was Stef. She’s got a headache today, been up with it for about an hour so she’s going to stay home.”

“That going to put you behind for the weekend?”

“Nah, I was just doing the baking today, I can handle that all by my lonesome.”

“Alright. Well I’m heading out. You sure you’re okay with her?”

“Are you going to ask me that every day?”

“I just don’t want to put too much on you.”

“I wouldn’t have volunteered to do it if I didn’t want to. She’s sleeping peacefully and there is no reason to wake her. Go to work, Daddy. Your girls will be just fine.”

Miles throws on a t-shirt and tucks it into his jeans, finally pulling them up the rest of the way. He slips his cell phone into his back pocket and then crawls over the bed to get to me and gives me a nice long kiss.