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“Christ, Wolfe, do you know what this means?” I said, clutching the letter to my chest as if it were a winning lottery ticket.
“Sure,” he replied, leaning back in his chair with a nonchalant shrug. “It means some deadbeat parents are finally being made to pay up.”
But I shook my head, my eyes shining with hope. “It means more than that! It means I can buy a new car. And we can get our own place! Maybe I can even afford somewhere in the Valley!”
Wolfe grinned and said, “That’s great!” But as I watched him, I couldn’t help but think that his smile looked a little forced. And it was at that moment that the reality of what moving out of Wolfe’s house would mean for me sank in.
CHAPTER27
Wolfe
“Holy shit! This is amazing!” Esme’s eyes were glowing as she looked through the windshield at the potential rental house. The late afternoon sun bathed the charming little house in a warm, inviting glow. I turned off the engine and together with Esme and the kids, we stepped out onto the gravel driveway.
“Wow!” Esme breathed, taking in the house and the neat front yard. Her pale blonde hair caught in the breeze as she craned her neck to see the roofline. “It’s so cute! I can’t wait to see what it’s like inside.”
I smiled at her enthusiasm, castigating myself a bit just the same. It was hard to admit that I hadn’t really given much thought to what the child support money would mean to Esme and the kids. This was a rare opportunity for her to find a proper home for her family, and I was glad to be a part of it.
We walked up the steps to the front veranda, the wooden boards creaking beneath our feet.
“Alright, everyone,” I said, grinning at Tiana, who was practically bursting with excitement as we waited for Esme to unlock the door. “Let’s take a look.”
Inside, the house was unfurnished, but neat and well-kept. The worn hardwood floors were solid, and the walls were freshly painted warm ivory. It had a cozy, welcoming feel that seemed perfect for Esme and the kids.
Of course, Esme made a beeline for the kitchen, and I trailed behind her, watching her blue eyes widen with delight as she took in the spacious room. Sure, the cupboards were battered, and the benches chipped, but it was neat, clean, and big. I could just imagine them all huddled around the large island for breakfast in the morning, or for taco Tuesdays.
“Would you look at this kitchen!” Esme’s voice was full of awe. “I’m so excited I could almost pee my pants! A fucking dishwasher! I’ve never had a dishwasher before!”
She turned to me, her face radiant with happiness, and I felt my heart squeeze. No one deserved this more than Esme. “It’s amazing,” I agreed with a smile. “I’m glad you’re finally getting the money you deserve.”
“Turns out having a full law firm on retainer has its benefits. Who knew?” She was teasing me, but then her smile faded. “I don’t know what we would have done without you.”
I shrugged. “You would have figured something out. But yeah, this place is perfect for you guys.” I could hear the kids in the living room, stomping their feet on the wooden boards and laughing as the sound echoed around the empty room. Christ, I could already tell this house was perfect for them. “Let’s go check out the rest,” I suggested, my voice barely audible over the sound of the kids’ laughter and banging as they moved up the hallway.
“Good idea,” Esme agreed.
“Two bathrooms!” Florian yelled out; his voice filled with awe. It was a minor detail that most people would take for granted, but for them, it was a game changer.
“Hey Wolfe! Esme! You have to come see these rooms!” Tiana’s voice bounced off the walls.
Following Esme up the hallway, I felt a sharp pang in my chest. I knew this was perfect for her and the kids, but it also meant they would all be moving out of my house. While I wanted her to have a place of her own, the idea left me with a bittersweet feeling.
“Wow, this room is huge!” Esme exclaimed as she entered one of the bedrooms, her eyes wide with amazement. “I can already picture how we’ll set it up.”
“Isn’t it great?” Tiana chimed in, spinning around in the open space.
“Absolutely,” I agreed, trying to keep my voice steady despite the conflicting emotions inside me.
“Alright, Tiana and Belle, which room do you both like best?” Esme asked.
“Maybe I’ll stop sleeping with you now, Esme,” Belle said thoughtfully, her big brown eyes full of hope. The innocence in her words tugged at my heartstrings.
“Only if you want to, baby,” Esme replied, ruffling her sister’s hair affectionately.
Ariel glanced around her room before turning to me with a question. “Wolfe, do you think this room is big enough to fit a dresser?” she asked, gesturing to the wall opposite, where her bed would likely go.
“Definitely,” I answered with a nod, taking in the dimensions of the space. “You’ll have plenty of room for all your things.”
“Awesome!” Ariel grinned, her eyes brimming with joy.