Adriel winced at her description of the Ambrosios quarters. "As long as we check with Gavriel to ensure we do not get rid of anything he may want to keep. I say that is a wonderful idea."
Vivi looked up at Hal. "How bad?"
Hal nodded. "There is a fair bit of gold overlay."
"We need to get in on that swap. Because as much as I love my golden mate, I don't want to live surrounded by the stuff." Vivi liked a more minimalist style. She and Hal had gotten used to moving every ten to fifteen years, which meant they tended to pack light.
Eva pointed to the large area in front of the three royal quarters. "What if we just set up stuff out here? We can put Sebastian in charge of making sure the swap is fair while we go through everything."
"Step up ladies and gentlemen! It's the deal of several lifetimes. Our trash could be your treasure," Vivi pretended to be speaking into a megaphone. Bree giggled, and Eva got in on it. "Is your toilet looking a bit drab? Why not upgrade to a new gold covered model? Guaranteed to impress your friend and freeze your ass."
Etain and Adriel leaned against one another laughing uproariously as Vivi continued. "Don't let your decor, bore, the neighbors. Everything is on the gold standard."
Kendrick walked from the DuCoeur quarters. "We have gold, silver and even jeweled mosaics! Literally blind your friends with a golden shower," he leered at them. "Pun intended."
Vivi wiped her eyes. "It's going to take us forever to make this a reasonable living area."
Adriel kissed his mate before he headed back into their home. He came back out carrying his iPad. "I will organize the swap. You ladies just tag anything you want gone," he paused. "On second thought, tag what you want to keep. It will probably turn out to be less items." He winked at Vivi. "I am calling in the cavalry. With our fae and witch warrior brothers, it should not take us long to gut both homes."
"Work smarter, not harder," she quipped.
Adriel looked at Kendrick. "Could I ask that you assist us as well?"
"Of course. We're all on a hiatus while we wait for the next batch of treatment to finish. Point me in the direction of your dust bunnies," Kendrick replied with a sweeping bow.
Eva nodded toward the open door. "That-a-way. Help yourself." Kendrick disappeared into the Ambrosios' quarters.
Adriel turned to Hal and Pavil. "Since most of the major cleaning is done. Could the two of you work with Sebastian to see if you can secure items we may actually use?" Hal and Pavil both nodded then together they walked back to the Rioux home to recruit Sebastian.
Vivi was dying to get inside and see where her mother grew up. She tugged at Etain's hand while walking toward their new home. "We'll be going through stuff," she called over her shoulder.
"Take your time," Eva replied. "We still have to get with Gavriel about the Ambrosios antiques."
Feeling like a kid at Christmas Vivi crossed the threshold and entered her mother's home for the first time in her adult life.
*****
"This place looks like something out of museum," Vivi couldn't believe the ostentatious decor.
Etain stared at the large tapestry and shook his head. "Maybe we should start in your mother's bedroom where the more personal items may be? I have a feeling everything else can go."
"Good idea. Now, we just have to find it."
After opening several doors Vivi walked into the room she knew had been her mother's. "This is it."
"How do you know?" Etain asked.
Vivi felt her eyes fill. "Because it smells like her. Gods! I remember this smell! This is my momma," Vivi covered her face with her hands as a lifetime of yearning overwhelmed her. Etain was beside her in an instant, rocking her back and forth.
"Shush my love, it is okay."
"What if we get rid of things and I lose that smell? I can't lose it! It's the only thing I remember."
Etain pulled his walkie-talkie out. "Kendrick, can you come over here please?"
"On my way... again," Kendrick replied.