"Mom, holy shit." I breathe in awe, turning to look at her.
Her eyes light up in happiness, "This is my dream house. I'm so fortunate to have it." Her voice soft, but her smile is bright and radiant. She's happier than I have ever seen her. "Come on, I'll show you to your rooms, and you can explore the house later." She takes my hand and leads me toward the stairs. "Lacey, you'll be on this floor with Harrison and I, if that's okay?"
I turn and look at Lacey, her eyes wide as she takes in everything around her, "Of course Mrs. Brady, I'd have been happy with the sofa."
"That would never happen Lacey." She says as we walk up the stairs, "You're just here on our left." Mom says as she reaches the door.
"Thank you." Lacey replies softly as she opens the door and gasps, "This is bigger than our entire house."
I peer into the room and see that she's right, it is bigger than our house in Arizona. There's a king-sized bed, and like the hall, it's white, even the bedding is white. As I take a step inside the room, I see the floral print on the other wall. It looks phenomenal, and it's so Mom.
"Mrs. Brady, this is awesome." Lacey has a smile as big as Mom's. "Can I move in permanently?"
Mom laughs, "Want to see Mia's room?" She asks, and I glance at Lacey. We're both wondering what it's going to look like. "Once Hudson arrives, he'll be on the same floor as you, I want you both to get along, I know he's quite a bit older than you, but he's your brother now."
I roll my eyes, "He's hardly my brother, Mom." I'm excited to meet him, but I don't want to be forced to spend time with him while I'm here, what if we don't like each other? That would be so awkward.
"Just try and be nice." She warns me as we walk up another flight of stairs, whoever decorated this house sure loved the color white. It's everywhere, each and every wall has white on it, not to mention the marble staircase along with the tiles. I'd be surprised if there was a room that didn't have white in it.
"Okay," Mom begins, and I watch as excitement grows in her eyes. "So, I wanted you to feel at home here." She seems nervous.
I frown, "Okay, Mom."
She opens the door to a room, and I'm speechless, it's not white, it's a deep maroon color. The room is bigger than Lacey's, and that's something I didn't think could be possible. There's a sofa in the corner and beside it is a small bookcase. Walking into the room, I walk over to the bookcase and run my fingers across the spines of the books that are there. Mom went all out. She bought books from my favorite authors. Nora Roberts, Harper Sloan, Carly Phillips, and of course E.L. James. I love the story of Christian and Ana, it's such a beautiful love story.
"Thanks Mom," I whisper, tears stinging in my eyes, she’s so thoughtful with the little things she's added to my room.
"I just want you to feel at home here Mia," She gently strokes my hair, "I miss you so much," she whispers, she sounds as though she's going to cry. "I'll let you two get sorted. Dinner will be ready in a couple of hours. So no rush."
"Thanks Mom."
"Thanks, Mrs. Brady."
Lacey and I say at the same time, I stick my tongue out at Lacey, and she returns by sticking her middle finger up at me while making sure that Mom can't see her.
"I'll call you when it's ready," Mom tells us, giving me another hug. “I’m glad you’re here.” She whispers before walking out of my room leaving Lacey and I alone.
"Holy shit Mia, this place is awesome. I can't wait to explore and see what else is here."
I nod, "Me too, but first let's grab our bags, and then we'll start snooping." Although all I want to do is curl up on the sofa and read a book.
There’s three floors. The first floor is where the swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym, and movie theater are, along with the kitchen, dining room, and what Lacey and I refer to as the ballroom although Mom said it’s the entertaining room. Th
e room is three times as big as our house in Phoenix. That’s not an entertaining room, that’s a ballroom, it’s where the party will be tomorrow. The second floor houses the master bedroom and three other rooms, one of which Lacey is using, Harrison’s office, and a spare bedroom. The third floor is where I am staying. There’s only two bedrooms here, and a huge sitting room. Mom thinks Hudson and I could use it to get to know each other.
Four
Mia
“Mia, Lacey. Dinner’s ready.” Mom calls out, and I glance at Lacey, her pale skin is so noticeable in this light, as is the dark circles under her eyes. I wonder if my appearance is as haggard as hers? All I want to do is get in the shower and then collapse on the bed. Maybe even sleep for a week.
“Ugh food,” Lacey groans and I can’t help but laugh, “don’t say it, Mia.” She warns me.
I laugh harder, “I told you not to eat anything else.” I smirk at her as she climbs out of the bed. “Coming, Mom,” I yell. Harrison hasn’t come home yet. I’ve been keeping a close eye on the window.
“Do you think your mom would mind having a housemate?”
I shake my head, “For the fifth time Lace, I don’t think Harrison and Mom want you crashing their newly wedded bliss.”