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They returned to the main house. Tim activated both baby units, set one in the twins’ room on the changing table, and the other in Becky’s room on her night table.
“I hope you can finally relax,” he said when they tiptoed down the stairs.
“Yes, and I’ll have another glass of Amaretto to make a special toast.”
Grabbing the bottle, he led her to his cottage.
He poured the liqueur for her, and she raised her glass. “To the wonderful man who’s making me so happy. I love you, Tim.”
“I love you, Erin.”
They swallowed their drinks, and he scooped her up into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much.” He peeled off her top and covered her face and chest with kisses and caresses. “We can start our new life together.”
Chapter Eighteen
September-October
“We went to Arkansas to meet with Russell’s clients and then spent three days in Las Vegas.” All excited about her first vacation in years, Teresa had returned with a new suitcase full of gifts. “Russell insisted I should spoil you all.”
Erin and the kids had gathered around her waiting impatiently for her to distribute her presents. “These are shirts, pants, and little dresses.” She handed each girl a gift-wrapped package and watched them tear off the wrapping paper and squeal in excitement. “This one is for David. A polo shirt, sweatshirt, and a cap. Here are overalls for the twins, and for my only lovely daughter, the rest of the clothes in the suitcase. I didn’t bother wrapping them.”
Erin pulled out two sweaters, a black cashmere adorned with rhinestones at the neck, and a deep blue and green turtleneck, two silk blouses, and two winter dresses. “Oh Mom, you’ve spoiled me. They’re gorgeous.”
“You haven’t bought yourself anything in years. It’s time to get new clothes. Hopefully, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a normal life, now that Tim lives so close by.”
Erin tried to suppress her smile. Tim’s proximity was the cherry on top. She’d spent more nights in his cottage than in her room where she returned in the early morning.
The children had adjusted to their new rooms where they did their homework and regularly played in the family room, patio, or backyard. David loved his private domain in the basement he shared with his faithful Chip. He often invited his best friends to play ping pong or practice basketball in front of the garage.
But the old house remained on the market for another month, without a single offer presented to Erin. “I’ll relax when I sell the small house.”
Tim had urged her to work during the day to spend more time with the children in the evening, and had managed to convince her that her time with the family was more important than the money she earned in her late shifts.
“I can provide the money, but I can’t replace the children’s mother. Even Brianna needs your presence.” She left for the hospital as soon as the children rode the bus, while Tim drove the twins and Becky to daycare.
By the end of October, she had almost despaired of selling it and wondered if she should rent it, when Josie called. “Erin, we have an offer.”
“Seriously?”
“I’ll bring it right away.”
Tim arrived, too. The offer wasn’t the best, but the young couple who wanted to buy the house were in a rush to move in.
“We can close in a week, if they raise their offer by 1%,” Tim counter-offered.
“You have a deal,” Josie announced an hour later. “We’ll close by next Monday. You’ll have three days to empty and clean the house.”
Eager to get rid of the house that was causing her so much stress, Erin promised it would be spic and span by Monday.
“We’ll have a garage sale for whatever I left in the house. I can use every penny I get.” Energized by the good news, Erin was ready to work as hard as needed.
“Tomorrow and the day after, we’ll move the stuff to the garage and clean.” As usual, Tim stood at her side, determined to back her up. “Teresa, we count on you to stay with the children. No dinner at Russell’s,” he specified.
She chuckled. “I’m sure he’ll come here to babysit and supervise with me. He loves the children and asked me if they could call himGramp.”
“Whatever you want.” Erin rolled her eyes. She had an important task ahead of her and wouldn’t waist a minute.
The next day, Tim drove her to the old house. “We’ll start by moving the furniture that’s on the first floor to the garage.”
