Page 59 of Chase

“I’m happy I’m here as well.” And it’s true. I am. I have no idea what I did before I had these people in my life.

After Ally leaves, I head to the kitchen to see if the girls are awake yet. I don’t find the girls, but I do I find Nat standing in the kitchen staring out the window in her own little world.

“Morning,” I say, trying not to startle her.

“Morning Hun want some coffee?” she says.

“Yes please. Are the girls up yet?”

“No, I don’t think they’ll be up for a while. I could hear them giggling at about four a.m.”

I’m not surprised Millie and Julia have become best friends. I love that they have that friendship. Especially considering what they have been through. When you grow up with absent parents, making friends is harder. Well, for us it always has been.

“Sorry,” I say apologetically.

“It’s fine. Honestly, it was nice to hear. How are you feeling this morning?” she asks, looking me over.

“I’m good. Thank you for making me eat before bed. It helped. Ally and I were thinking about driving up to New Hope to surprise the boys. What do you think?”

“That’s a good idea. A night away will do you both good. Plus, you and Ally need to have a say in the house. Since it’ll be your house as well.”

Wait. What? I knew Ally was moving with the boys, but we haven’t discussed me moving is as well.

“What do you mean mine?”

Mumma Nat laughs at my question. “Do you really think they are going to let you move into a room on campus? Even if something happens with you and Chase, Arden wouldn’t let you stay on campus. From what I hear, the apartment he wants to renovate will allow you to have your own space anyway. Maybe you need to talk to them.”

“I hadn’t thought about it. I knew what Arden wanted to do, but I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes,” I say, hating the way my voice sounds uncertain. This is years of insecurities clawing their way back to the surface.

“You aren’t stepping on anyone’s toes. Trust me, I know those kids. You’d know if they didn’t want you around.”

“Do you think this is all happening too quickly?” I query. I feel like I need the reassurance. Dad’s words still hurt, and I’m second-guessing everything.

I may have only known these people for a few weeks, but they are family. Well they are what I assume family feels like.

“Yes and no. I always knew there was something special between you and Chase. I could see it when you were babies. It was amazing at how you could calm each other down without even realising. Deep down I always hoped you would find each other again. It’s almost as if this was written in your stars. So yes, it may seem like it’s moving quickly, but I think you both are just making up for lost time.” She offers me a smile that reaches her eyes and I believe every word.

“I knew the moment I saw New Hope University online that it was the school I wanted to attend. Maybe it was fate.”

“Probably. But I think you and Ally need to go and surprise the boys. You’ll have to be prepared to argue with Arden though. Someone needs to reel him back in. He told me some of the plans for the house. You may want to be there to squash them. Unless of course you’re okay with stripper poles and a waterfall.”

“Oh god no… ALLY move your ass; we have to go!” I yell down the hall.

Mumma Nat starts laughing. “Go get changed I’ve got today off so I’ll make the girls breakfast and then Ralph can come and pick them up.”

“Thanks, Mumma Nat,” I say giving her a quick hug before going to get ready.

***

An hour and a half later I park Wander in front of a massive apartment block. It’s four storeys high with twenty three-bedroom apartments and a big garden in front. I have no idea how much Arden plans on spending or why we would need such a big space, but I heard Arden mention earlier in the week that he wanted to add a fence to offer some more security.

“I have no idea what Arden was thinking? What’s wrong with just getting a four or five-bedroom house?” Ally asks me while she observes the building.

“He said he wanted us all to have our own spaces as well as a together space. You’ve known him longer; this shouldn’t surprise you,” I say to Ally.

“You’d think I’d be use to it and then he goes and does something like this that reminds me just how much money he really has.”

“I like that about Arden. He doesn’t flash his money around you guys. It’s nice.”

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