“And we all know you’ll step into it every chance you get,” Oliver butts in and the room erupts with laughter.
Apollo taps the end of his index finger on the side of his nose, then points at Oliver with the same finger and winks. “You know it, brother. So, I’m going to take a moment to tell her how incredibly proud I am of what she made happen here.”
“With a lot of help,” I add as I take my place next to him. “I couldn’t have done this without you.” He slides an arm around my waist. “Or Blake and his crew carving time out of their already swamped schedule to make it happen. Charlie for holding off the city an extra week for them to finish. And as always, the love and support from all of you. Thank you all.” I look up at Apollo already looking at me with the warmth and love I always find in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“There’s someone else who would like to thank you,” Apollo says as Mr. Davis approaches from where he’d been sitting in his easy chair. “But I wouldn’t let him. His offer of thanks was far too generous but I couldn’t talk him out of doing it either. So, instead, I countered and he accepted. Just remember, Lily, this was going to happen regardless of anything I did,” Apollo tells me, without a hint of humor. He’s being more defensive than anything.
“What are you—?” I start to ask Apollo but Mr. Davis breaks in. “I’m old, Lily. It took seeing Blake turn back the clock on this old house for me to realize, no one can do that for this old body. This house deserves to be cared for, the way you’ve cared for me all these years.” He holds out a sheet of notebook paper in his shaky hand.
I read it but can’t comprehend it.
“I don’t understand. What—?”
“I bought it, Lily,” Apollo says and I can tell he’s worried. “Mr. Davis just wanted to sign the deed over. I couldn’t let him do that. So I insisted he let me buy it.”
“But you love this house,” I say to Mr. Davis. “You told me once, you’d rather live on the street than go to a nursing home.”
“Did you see what Apollo paid?” Mr. Davis says, pointing a knobby finger at the paper. “I can hire live-in care and spend my days in a nice beach house by the ocean and still have plenty left over.”
“That is a lot of zeroes,” I mumble staring wide-eyed at the paper.
“I would have talked to you about it,” Apollo says so only I can hear him. “He wanted it to be a surprise and—.”
“I understand,” I say placing my hand on his beardy cheek. “Thank you for making sure he’ll be well taken care of.” I turn to Mr. Davis next. “And thank you. I’m overjoyed at the offer but Apollo and I don’t need this nearly as much as my sister and her family.”
“What?” Blue blurts out even though she’s only a few feet away.
“It’s your house now,” Mr. Davis says smiling wide and I swear I see palm trees dancing in his eyes. “Do what you like, dear.”
“Lily, no,” Blue says as I hold the paper for her to take it.
“We can make it all official and handle the deed later but for now, this standard sheet of spiral-bound is the answer to your housing crisis.”
“We can’t,” Blue insists pushing the paper away. “It’s your gift. Apollo paid for it. You deserve it, not us.”
“But we don’t need it. We have a house,” I argue.
“Um, I got an idea,” Oliver says stepping forward, then pulling Blue off to the side.
I watch as Blue’s face becomes brighter with every word her husband says before finally, she takes fists full of the front of his shirt and pulls him down to kiss him. Mason complains about the sudden movement. She kisses him next, patting his dark-haired head to soothe him.
“Problem solved,” Blue says coming back.
The whole room is quiet, on the edge of their seat like they’re watching their favorite movie waiting for the resolution.
“Let us buy mom and dad’s house from you,” Blue says and I’m floored. “We need more space but we don’t need this much.”
“Neither do we—.” I say starting to argue but she cuts me off again.
“You need out of that house though. To stop living with ghosts.” My sister knows me better—has paid more attention than I’ve ever given her credit for.
“Sounds like a good deal,” Apollo whispers in my ear and I agree.
“There’s no way I’m turning down the chance to keep you guys around,” I say and pull Blue in for a hug. She squeezes me so tightly I might burst. It's not just an obligatory sister hug but an honest to goodness, full-of-love hug.
“I’ll draw up the paperwork,” Charlie says taking the paper from me. “You all can come by my office tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Charlie,” I say as everyone else surrounds us calling out their heartfelt congratulations. I maneuver my way out to give Mr. Davis a proper thank you and hug.
