AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We haven’t even talked about it. What we need to do is save up some money so we can buy a house. If you’ll let us live here, we can save even more. Her rent is almost two grand for that dump.”
Roberta turned to Big Mike again. “What do you think?”
“It’s fine with me. I’m not sure about having unmarried kids sleeping together with the boys. What kind of message does that send?”
“You’re living in a dream world, honey. So yes, you can move in. This big old house is feeling empty with Mike and Joey moving out.”
This was news to Tony. “Where are they going?”
“Movin’ in with their girlfriends. And no one is getting married.” Big Mike couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“They will someday,” Roberta said, trying to encourage him. “So yes, your request is coming at a good time for me, Tony. We’ll even do over one of the other rooms for the baby. How long will you stay?”
“As long as it takes.”
So that was how they ended up at the Saints’ rambling ranch. When he’d arrived after work, Tony took Flynn from his mother after he put his coat and bag away and went into the living room.
“Do you want breakfast?”
“No. Joey cooked and I’m ready to bust.”
“Get right in that recliner,” she said. “He’s about ready for his baba, and you can snooze while he does. He’s so spoiled with you holding him all day.”
“It’s not every day. Stop pickin’ on me.”
“Ha! Sorry. I’m going to get some work done. If you need me to take over, just send me a text.”
Reaching for the remote, he turned the news on, trying not to let the dire housing forecast get him down. He’d found a fixer-upper that he wanted to look at as soon as Bridget got home. After nine, he’d call their Realtor cousin Giuseppe and make an appointment to see it that evening. He’d enlist the other men at the fire station to help renovate the house, just as others had used the Saints over the years. Buying a house in need would give him a chance to call favors back.
The house was a wreck. “I don’t know about this,” Bridget said, trying not to gag.
“That’s raccoon piss,” Giuseppe said. “Trust me, a house at this price in this neighborhood is unheard of. You’re really buying the land. It was in escrow once and it fell through, but I have all the inspection reports, and although I’m not supposed to share them, I will. There’s no termite damage, and in California that’s remarkable. It needs new plumbing, electrical service and HVAC, but the foundation is sturdy and the roof is only five years old.”
“What the hell happened to it?” Tony asked, unable to hide his disgust.
“It was a rental and squatters got in. Happens all the time. Then vandals took all the copper pipe and fixtures and the outside AC compressor.”
Tony glanced at Bridget and bit his lip to keep from laughing. She’d pulled the neck of her T-shirt up over her nose.
“You okay, babe?” he asked.
“I’ll live. But not in this place while it’s in this condition, however.”
“What about if we stay at Ma’s while we renovate it?”
“You stayin’ with Roberta?” Giuseppe asked.
“Yes. What do you think, Bridget? We’ll be in this house by the time the baby’s born.”
“You havin’ a baby, too? Yikes, I’m outta the loop.”
“Your wife will be invited to the baby shower,” Bridget said. “So what should we offer for the house?”
“Ten percent less than asking is acceptable, even as low as the price is.”
It was a done deal. They’d close after Christmas and spend the next three months working on the house, hopefully getting it ready for occupancy before the baby came.
Near the end of the first trimester, it was time for an ultrasound. Tony was so excited. “Schedule it for my day off, please.”
