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ChapterNineteen
Joseph
My brothers and I are in the conference room discussing where to go with the project. We are to a point where we no longer need all the extra help, and we are preparing to let them go with generous severance packages.
“After the surgery, I do not think I will be coming back,” I throw out in the room and all eyes turn to me. “It’s not just the accident, but it is a huge part of it.”
“Well since someone threw it out there, I have been ready for a change as well,” Atlas says, and we all look at Joshua to see what he is going to say about this revelation.
“This was never going to be a rest of our life thing, so if it is time to make a change then we will talk about it. All of our lives are changing, two of us are married and Joseph is engaged and if he is anything like Atlas and I, he will be married within the next six months. So, it’s time, but let’s have this conversation at home so the wives can put in their two cents too.”
We wrap up the meeting and head out to the site and drive through what might be our last company build. It is a beautiful neighborhood that is completely self-contained for the most part. There are only a few more houses left, and Mosaic Commons will be complete. It turned out better than even we anticipated it would. A lot of other developers said we could never build what we planned, and I am glad we were able to prove them wrong. The project was so extensive however, we decided not to pick up a new project until after this one was over, and we had a real vacation.
We are working on getting Joyce’s new headquarters renovated according to her specifications. She found the perfect place not too far from our offices or downtown, but it needed a few upgrades. I want to have that done and her moved in before I have the surgery, making that one less thing she and I have to worry about. T’Aundrea and Angie bought one of the houses and will be moving in within the next month or so. We had to make some additions to her house as well, like a state-of-the-art chemistry lab for T, an indoor playground for their future kids, and Angie requested a cigar lounge complete with a humidor and bar for her Uncle Nearest Whisky collection, the originator of Jack Daniels Whiskey, and a gramophone to play her extensive record collection in peace. In the meantime, they are renting a short term furnished apartment and are living between North Carolina and here until they can fully move into their new home, so everything is working out for everyone.
We came down for breakfast the morning after Peter’s wedding, and just like Joy predicted, T’Aundrea screeched noticing the engagement ring Joy was sporting as soon as we crossed over the threshold. The women came over to gush over the ring and my brothers gave me congratulations and told me it was about time I proposed. Since then, she and I have been hard at work getting her moved, planning our wedding, and preparing for my upcoming surgery. We head over to the new offices and Joyce and T are already there moving in the things that had been delivered. The trucks will be coming pretty much every day this week and next week delivering her products and equipment.
“Solo!” she says surprised as I come up to her and she leans over and kisses me.
“How much longer before the furniture company gets here?”
“They will be delivering and putting the furniture together tomorrow.”
“The product will be coming the day after that. Once you guys finish with remodeling the rooms for T, we will be able to move in fully. So, all in all, we should be all settled in before your surgery.”
“Good. Lennox and I have already set the date for the surgery and then I will be transported back to the house after they clear me.”
“Hey J2! How are you?”
“Hi T, you keeping her on task?”
“You already know it.”
“Good, and even though the offices will be ready before I have my surgery, I know Joyce won’t leave my side, so feel free to come by the house to work and you can use my chemistry set.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I've been itching to get myself back in your chem lab. It’s amazing!!” she gushes. T and I worked together in my lab when she was having a difficult time incorporating certain ingredients with their current formula. Joyce had to come in and make T leave after it had been hours of us locked in there. Her title really should be mad scientist instead of master mixologist; she is a genius.
“You’re family. T, anytime you want to come over and play in the chem lab, you are welcome to.” She grins a maniacal grin and rubs her hands together like a 1980’s cartoon villain.
“You ready to go home?”
“Yes please,” she says grabbing her purse and we head out the door.
Joyce
We finally got everything moved into the offices last week and this is our final free week before Solo is set to go in for his surgery. I am still worried about how fast he wants to have the wedding ceremony. I just want him healthy whether he is walking or not.
“Solo, are you sure you want to have this wedding so quickly after your surgery? There is no hurry. We can wait a little longer or just go off and get married,” I tell him.
“Elope? And when we get back who is going to tell my brothers and sisters, T and Angie, and my parents we ran off and got married?”
“OK, point taken.”
“I will be fine, baby, I promise. OK?”
“Ok.” So far, we are all set with food, decorations, venue, and guest list. My dress and bridesmaids’ dresses are being made. Once he has the surgery, we will be ready to get married.
“You better go get ready before you are late, and Savvy has to come get you.”
