“Yeah, just wanted to check in on you and see how it went with Ella.”
“Good, I am at her place.”
“So, what’s the plan? You still going to ask her to move in with you?”
“I plan on it. I want to talk to her and see how she feels. I’ll let you know later.”
I hung up with Shawn because I didn’t want Ella to hear me. We hadn’t ever discussed her moving so I didn’t know how she felt about it. I would love to have her to come home to every day. It would be better if I didn’t have to fly out here and only see her on the weekends. We could spend every night together.
I heard Ella rustling around in the bedroom. She must be awake. I had already made breakfast.
“So, Ella, I know we just reconciled, but I would like to talk to you about something. I planned on asking you before the hotel thing happened.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“How do you feel about moving in with me in Baltimore?”
I couldn’t read her. Was she shocked I asked her?
“Umm, I guess I hadn’t thought about it.”
“Well, I am extending the offer. We would be able to see each other much more if you lived there since I can only fly out on weekends.”
She needed time to think about it. I was happy. Maybe was better than a no. I took her in my arms and gave her a subtle kiss. I planned on showing her for the rest of her life if she would let me. It was a big step, and I didn’t want to rush her into an answer. Rushing never helped anyone achieve anything. I knew she was happy with me; I had no doubt about that. Asking her to move away from all she had ever known was a huge decision.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
ELLA
This was a huge step. I needed to think long and hard about this decision. It wasn’t like I’d be moving into his house here in New York City. I would be moving to another state completely. I loved him, and we had been together for a year if you don’t count the day breakups. He pretty much lived with me while he was in town. He had stuff that he kept here. I needed to think about everything. Where would I work? It was Baltimore. I was sure I could find something to do out there. They had big businesses there. I could probably find an office job. I had plenty of experience. What would I do with my house? I called my brother Kevin.
“Kevin, I need to ask you something. You got a minute?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“I am thinking of moving to Baltimore with Alexander, but I don’t want to just leave the house vacant. When’s your lease up?”
I was asking this, even though I wasn’t comfortable with this decision. Who knew, maybe he had grown up in the last few years since I’d seen him. The last time I saw him, nothing had changed. He was a big baby who thought he was entitled to everything. We hadn’t exactly had the best relationship.
“It will be up next month. I’m out hunting for a new one right now. Why?”
“Well, if you want to stay at the house and take care of it, then you can just stay there.”
“No way, sis. Are you serious?”
“Trash it and you’re dead.”
We exchanged a few more words, and then I hung up. If he would stay at the house, I would feel better. I didn’t like the thought of it sitting vacant. Well, I guessed it was official. Alexander and I loved each other, and the next step would be us moving in together. Why the hell not? I called my parents to let them know, but they didn’t sound too thrilled. I wasn’t sure why. Alexander was a good man. I figured at least my dad would like him. He just needed to be around him more.
It only took a week before I had everything essential packed up for Alexander to ship to Baltimore. He was getting everything shipped overnight so in the morning when I woke up at his house, it would all be there. After the short flight, a car picked me up and dropped me off at his house.
“Honey, I’m home,” I said to him.
We both laughed. It was the start of our future together. We were officially moved in together. I never thought I would see this day. If you would have asked me a year ago, where I would be in a year, I would have said single and living in New York City. I thought I was doomed from finding my soulmate, but then Alexander knocked me down in front of that coffee shop. That day my life changed for the better.
We walked inside hand in hand. I noticed all the staff was waiting by the door.
“Welcome home, Ella.”