Page 92 of Everything After

“Every month’s rent you pay, is a downpayment on the house,” I explained, smiling.

Excitement danced in Kara’s eyes, as if I’d given her the key to her situation. “Are you sure you’d want to do this?”

“Baby, I’d buy you a place tomorrow and gladly gift it to you.”

“You’ve worked hard for your money,” Kara argued.

“Yeah, but I’ve got deep pockets now, and I’ve been given more luck than the average person could ever dream of. So, go on, make me happy and let me help you.”

“Do you know how hard it is for me to agree to this. I’m not that stupid young girl that I was the last time you saw me.”

“I know. And I never thought you were stupid. You just got in with the wrong sort… plus you were grieving.”

“Iwasgrieving… and scared to be on my own. I know now I spiraled out of control after I lost Gary, but at the time…”

I pressed my finger to her lips. “Hush, that’s all in the past. The future looks brighter now you’re back where you belong. Plus, Poppy’s a credit to you, after everything you’ve both been through.”

“Thanks. I’m beginning to think you’re my guardian angel.”

“Don’t ever say that in public, you’ll ruin my image,” I joked.

“Promise,” Kara said, crossing her heart, smiling. As always when I’ve been in conversation, I glanced around the room looking for Lily. My heart stopped for a beat once I saw her sitting on the floor, knees to her chest, with her head resting on her arms across her knees.

“Lily, are you okay?” I asked as I strode toward her. She lifted her head, glanced at me with a small smile. “Just tired after all the socializing yesterday,” she muttered with a small yawn. Stretching my leg past her, I sat on the seat behind her, placed my hands on her shoulders and pulled her back against the couch, between my legs.

The moment I began to massage her neck and shoulders, she let out a moan of pleasure. “Oh, God. That feels amazing,” she murmured, The atmosphere felt relaxed until Jack wandered over from the kitchen with a Tupperware box of ham in his hand, climbed onto our large sectional and sprawled out the length of it.

“Make yourself at home, buddy,” I told him. The sarcasm in my tone went over his head.

“Thanks. I’ll take a turn once I’ve finished this,” he remarked, nodding at me massaging my wife, and gesturing at the cold meat in his hand.

“Nah, you don’t. I got this,” I replied, winking. “Besides, you’ve got Mya who’s produced all your kids and works incredibly hard for them. Don’t you think she’d like a massage?”

“Of course, have at it,” he mumbled around a mouthful of food and tipped his chin toward Mya.

“I meant you should massageyourwife.”

“I’d prefer if you did it, Alfie,” Mya confessed. “I could do with some firm handling. Jack’s arms aren’t that strong, our boy, Geordie gives firmer massages than his dad.”

“Liar. And he only uses his hands. I do my best massaging with my tongue,” he replied, grinning.

“For God’s sake, Jack,” Mya chastised in a hiss, wide-eyed and nodded toward the teenagers again.

I chuckled. “Talking about Geordie, Mya, that last picture you sent Lily of him?—”

Lily burst out laughing. “Alfie!” she barked, turning as she sat forward to glare at me in warning.

“Well, he does,” I insisted, not mentioning what we both thought and guessing that was the reason she’d cut me off.

“What?” Jack asked as he sat up and swung his feet to the floor, instantly intrigued by our conversation.

“Geordie looks like a miniature, spitting image of Rick,” I disclosed.

“No, he doesn’t,” Jack snapped, glancing toward Mya for support.

“I’m afraid he does, honey. There are plenty of photographs of Uncle Rick as a kid, and Geordie looks like a clone,” Mya disclosed, laughing.

“What do you think this one will look like?” Lily asked, sliding her hand over her barely changed shape.