Page 35 of Conflict Conclusion

“Because they’re homey, and this is James’ home now, so they belong here, just like he does,” Leon stated matter-of-factly.

James ducked his head but not before catching the sappy looks his mom and Linda were throwing at him. If Howard had been in the room, he would have made the sappiest face of all. The three of them had been cheering James and Leon on from the beginning, but as soon as James told them they were moving in together, it had dialed up to a thousand. Howard had sent them several housewarming presents, including the gorgeous, cat-safe flowers currently on their dresser, and Linda had emailed James an annotated schedule of all Arbor Manor’s family events from now through the end of the year.

After they finished unloading the car, they were going to an evening concert on the lawn, one of the last outdoor events Arbor Manor was hosting before it got too cold. It turned out Leon was a big fan of the classic rock events the community hosted, and he and Howard had plans to go see a concert across town next month. Through the multiple moves they were managing, James had gotten closer to Linda, and they now had a standing date every other Thursday to play Hearts.

“Trina should be here any minute with the pizza,” Hailey said, patting Purrsephone’s butt until her purrs took on a staccato rhythm.

“And then you’re going to get Howard to look at your history homework, right?” Leon pressed, an edge of desperation in his voice.

While Leon had easily been able to help with any complicated Calculus problems, and James had volunteered to proofread essays, they were both abysmal at history. It turned out one of Howard’s hobbies was watching the History Channel, and he was beyond thrilled to offer his expertise to the two college students.

“Once we’re all fueled up, I’m sure we can conquer this Alexander the Great project,” Howard said, finally emerging from the office with a sheen of sweat on his brow.

“Is the desk finished?” James’ mom asked sweetly.

She managed to keep her smile intact even as Howard shook his head. “Like many things in life, good furniture construction takes time. I think I’ll let it breathe for a little bit.”

Leon made eye contact with James over Hailey’s head, and they both nodded, understanding that they would be responsible for actually building the desk tomorrow.

“Best not to rush a good thing,” Linda said, rubbing an affectionate hand down James' mom’s arm before holding out her other hand to Howard.

He bustled across the room, avoiding an empty box James still needed to deconstruct and a half-emptied suitcase. The second his butt touched the couch cushion, Leon was walking over to them, Yarmen tucked against his chest and his phone out and at the ready.

“James, come sit with your mom, and Hailey stand next to Howard,” he said, and James didn’t bother protesting.

After Hailey’s going away party and their conversation about living together, Leon had begun taking a lot more photos, purposefully posing Hailey and Trina together at restaurants, capturing the many stages of their move, as well as cataloging all of James’ and his mom’s favorite parts of their house.

“You and my mom are hellbent on making sure I have more photos for my college graduation collage,” Hailey grumbled, even as she willingly made her way over to stand next to Howard.

Admittedly, Hailey’s high school graduation collage had been a little sparse, given Hailey’s interest in taking photos of food, animals, and Trina, but not of herself. While James didn’t think that was the only reason Leon had started taking more photos, it probably didn’t hurt to let Hailey think that.

“Do you want me to hold Yarmen?” Linda offered right as Howard said, “You have to be in here too, Leon.”

Leon easily handed over Yarmen and began taking candid shots as James maneuvered himself onto the arm of the couch next to his mom.

“Just turn the camera around and put your big head in the corner,” Hailey said, gesturing at Leon’s phone.

“Or you could lie across us like one of those goalkeepers,” Howard said, flapping his hand at Leon to encourage him to come over to the couch.

“My arms aren’t that long,” Leon complained, but Howard ignored him, trying to get up from his seat to take the phone from Leon, much to Linda and Hailey’s protests.

“I’m so happy for you, sweetie,” his mom whispered, unhelpfully taking the hand James had been using for balance and holding it against her chest.

Yarmen began to yowl and, not to be outdone, Purrsephone began to meow, her voice vibrating as she refused to stop purring.

“I can just edit myself into the photo,” Leon protested.

“Yeah fucking right,” Hailey said as Howard pulled out his own phone, presumably to demonstrate for Leon how to put it in selfie mode.

“I’m happy, too,” James whispered back, ignoring the chaos erupting around them as Yarmen tried to crawl across Howard’s lap to Hailey, and Purrsephone waved her tail, her meows taking on a threatening quality.

James finally managed to get himself settled on the arm of the couch, even with his mom still clutching his hand, right as the door opened, revealing Trina carrying a ridiculous number of pizzas.

“How many did you order?” Linda asked, her voice somehow still wrapped in affection even as she shook her head in disbelief.

“They’re growing children!” Howard protested, and Yarmen yowled his agreement.

“Trina, can you take this photo please?” Hailey said, ignoring Leon and Howard’s protests.