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Yesterday, while he was sitting at the desk going through his mail, I told him I wanted to get a job and he sweetly told me no.
“No? What do you mean?”
He shook his head. “Your job right now is to get settled, see if this feels like home, and to write.”
I frowned. He opened an envelope and pulled a bank card out. And then ripped open another envelope.
“Here.” He handed me two cards. “One debit, one credit. You can give me the Carmichael card back since you’re… you know… fired.” He smirked at me. “Call the number on the back and follow the prompts to pick your pin.”
“Fired?” I gasped.
“Yeah. You’re no longer my housekeeper. You’re my girlfriend.”
“Yeah, well, your girlfriend is not looking to be a kept woman.”
He studied my face for a minute. “How about this? Take two months and then we’ll talk again. Those cards are for anything you want or need in the meantime.”
“I don’t need anything.” I pouted.
“If you do, use them. Especially the credit card. I get killer air miles with it and then we can fly for free when we wanna go to Glasgow, Spain, or wherever. I use that and pay it each month so groceries, gas, whatever. Racks the miles up fast.” He waved his hand.
“I saved almost all the money I made while working for you so if I need something, I can buy it myself.” I pouted and crossed my arms. I also have some money in the bank leftover from my father’s finances.
“Okay, fine. But buy the food, gas for the car, and shit for the house with the Amex, though.”
I said nothing.
“Stop pouting or I’ll put you over my knee and spank you.”
I jolted in surprise. And then I put a huge fake pout on my face. I pushed my lower lip out as far as it’d go.
Austin’s eyes lit with delight, then I was hauled up over his shoulder. I dropped the bank cards in surprise and was taken up to his bedroom, spanked on my butt three times over his knee, and then he fucked me doggie style on his bed.
I love that he wants to take care of me. It’s something I’ve never had.
I also don’t want to be a burden, don’t want to be a taker and not a giver in the relationship. But he’s been so sweet and nurturing and I know it comes from a good place, so I figure I’ll take the two months he’s offering and then make sure I’m contributing somehow beyond cooking, cleaning, and shopping.
***
It feels a little daunting walking into Adele’s house with Austin for my first Carmichael family Sunday dinner, but it’s a big and important one so the focus won’t all be on me, the newcomer. As soon as we’re out of the car, the door is flying open. Once we climb the steps, I’ve got little Braeden grabbing my waist and hugging me.
“Told you!” Braeden beams a smile up at me.
“Uh, what?” Austin squats. “And don’t I even get a hello?”
“Hey Unco Austin.”
Austin’s face goes funny.
“What’s wrong?” I whisper.
He shakes his head and clears the expression. “Told her what?”
“Never mind,” I say to Austin. And I wink at Braeden. He winks back. Or tries, but it’s a struggle and the cutest attempted wink I’ve ever seen as his little face goes all twisty as he blinks with both eyes and then pulls one open with his little hand.
Adele and Carly approach together with big smiles on their faces and I’m engulfed in hugs.
“He said my name properly,” Austin grumbles to his sister, hugging her.
She shrugs. “I know. He’s growing up too fast. He still mispronounces Aiden. I’m guessing that’ll end in a week max.”
“And he’s wise beyond his years,” I say, stroking Braeden’s head.
“I told her she was gonna be my auntie,” Braeden announces. “And I was right.”
“We haven’t gotten married,” I warn in a whisper.
He shrugs. “I think it’ll be a couple months,” Braeden announces.
I laugh nervously. And then my eyes are met by Austin’s and he has a serious look on his face that makes my heart skip a beat.
I smile shyly as we move further into the house.
“How are you?” Carly asks, eyes concerned.
“I’m okay,” I say, “and also amazing. Austin’s made it all so much easier. It’s kind of crazy to have everything fall apart and come together all at the same time, you know?”
She squeezes my hand. “I know,” she says softly.
Austin’s eyes are on me with a look of love and promise. I feel all squishy inside.
“So, Audra and Q are here with their significant others?” Austin asks under his breath.
“Oh yes…” Adele says with her lips pulled tight and her eyes saying something like ‘oh shit’.
We head into the big family room and as I compliment Adele on her lovely home, I see Alice holding Baby Lilly on her lap. Lilly is sucking on a fabric book. Austin’s dad Quentin is beside her on the couch, smiling at the baby.
