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At least, I didn’t until today…
But as I draw the curtain in the kitchen aside to see Wren and Starling pulling up in the U-Haul we packed last night, the morning suddenly feels miraculous. Wren is here, moving in with me, and when we say goodnight, we get to go to bed together.
“I’m one lucky bastard,” I tell Keanu, who insisted on being picked up so he could look out the window, too.
He gargle-purrs happily, wagging his possum tail as he watches Wren and Starling emerge from the truck and start up the walk.
“I know,” I say, heading toward the front door. “And she loves you, too, so I guess that goes for both of us. Don’t piss in her shoes and fuck it up, okay?”
Keanu makes a squeak-yip that sounds like—I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try—and I decide that’s good enough. After all, Wren will forgive him. She adores the hideous beast, a fact she proves when she steps through the door and takes a beat to coo hello to the little monster before grinning up at me and whispering, “Last chance to change your mind before I turn one corner of your office into my craft area.”
I smile and bend to press a soft kiss to her lips. “I’ve already cleared a space and bought you a little welcome home gift to help with the eye strain when you’re beading.”
“You did?” Her eyes light up with love and excitement and I marvel all over again that I know how to do this with her. I know how to make her happy. I don’t even have to try that hard. Loving her, pleasing her, supporting her—it all comes so naturally. “Can I go see?”
I nod down the hall, grinning at Starling over Wren’s head. “Of course. It’s your home now, too. You can go wherever you want. Good morning, Starling.”
“Good morning, Dr. McGuire,” she says, beaming as she follows Wren down the hall, a box labelled “craft room” in her arms. As she passes, she kisses the top of Keanu’s head and whispers, “That’s from Kyle. He says he misses you and wants a playdate soon.”
“Where is Kyle?” I ask, shutting the door behind her. “You could have brought him, and he and Keanu could have played in the backyard while we unpack the truck.”
She sighs as she moves down the hall, Keanu and I close behind her. “I know, but he has a big night ahead of him. We’re doing a photo shoot with some of the animals at the ball venue now that the decorations are set up for tomorrow night. I figured he should stay home so he doesn’t get worn out.” She lets out a soft squeal and steps into the office/craft room. “Oh my God, that’s amazing! She’s needed one of those forever!”
Wren looks up from the desk with the built-in spotlight and magnifying glass attachments with shining eyes. “Thank you. It’s exactly what I’ve always wanted. But now I feel awful, all I got you was this.” She reaches into her jacket pocket, pulling out a scrap of red cloth. When she holds it up, I see it’s a dog t-shirt that reads, “Mommy’s Little Angel Monster.”
I laugh and Keanu gargles and squirms in my arms. “It’s perfect. I love it.” I set Keanu down and he runs to Wren wiggling and twitching until she bends down and slips the tee over his head and helps him work his legs through the armholes. “Looks like he does, too.”
Keanu turns to grin up at me, showing off his new duds and new tooth. I swear the beast grew another incisor overnight, one that lifts his lip on one side, making him look like a mix between a hellhound and an Elvis impersonator.
“You look good,” I tell him. “But don’t get used to new clothes every week.”
“Oh, but he really should,” Wren says, laughing as he runs back to her, blender barking with excitement. “I can’t resist tiny dog clothes, and he’s so cute in everything. I’ll just set aside a section of my closet for Keanu and shop happily ever after.”
Starling makes another excited sound. “I can’t believe you get a walk-in closet of your own. Show it to me. Show it to me now, so I can fantasize about being a full-fledged grown-up with a walk-in closet someday.”
“I’ll start bringing in boxes,” I say as they start down the hall toward the master bedroom. “Christian’s getting here in half an hour to help with the couch and the other furniture.”
“Thank you, we’ll be right out to grab some, too,” Wren says, blowing me a kiss. I swear I can feel it land on my cheek, making my chest even warmer.
I’m fully aware I’m approaching the point where my affection for Wren will become repulsive to innocent bystanders, but I can’t help myself. I thought I knew what love was, back when Lane and I were first a couple, but that was nothing compared to what I feel for Wren.
