Mabels old house was stripped down, and we tried to kept as much of the original building as we could, rebuilding and extending it to finally make those four extra rooms that we’d always spoken about all those decades ago. This time, it’s become reality.
Mabel meets Ellie on the freshly laid lawn, hugs her and exchanges words that I’m too far away to hear. She reaches me after Ellie heads straight inside; to her new room no doubt.
“Hi, Mav,” she beams up at me, tucking herself under my arm. I smirk back down at her before placing a kiss firmly on her forehead. “Hi, Firefly.”
Her head spins straight back around to join me in eyeing up our upmost pride and joy being completed. “Get the last bits?” sheasks.
“Course, all in the truck, baby,” I reply.
She nods back at me, before removing herself from under my arm and bounding straight towards my truck bed to what I presume will be to make a start to unpack.
“Hey,” I say, catching hold of her hand and pulling her body back towards mine, her scent of paint and wood stain filling my nostrils. It seems to be our new scent after months of long hard labour.
“Yes?” she asks, her big sky-blue eyes shining straight up to mine. “We need to get this inside, no?” she questions, again.
I laugh at the notion, whilst I cling hold of the ring located quietly in my pocket.
“Listen, baby,” I croak out, attempting to clear my throat and regain some saliva back into my dry mouth.
Her eyes beam wide up at me from her short stature; her hair loose in a ponytail. I cough again, clearing my throat. “I, uhm, I just want to say,” like a year ago, I struggle to find my words again.
Mabel’s eyes squint up to me, “What’s up?” she asks.
I look down into her eyes and my panic eases, this is my girl, the one who’s forgiven me and welcomed me back into her life.
I stand tall, talking hold of both her hands, I hold in a breath and get down on one knee….
EPILOGUE
Mabel
Hanging onto my ladder at the side of the new house, putting the finishing touches of paint on, I hear Mavericks truck pulling down the long picket fenced drive.
One of the new upgrades of building from new on a piece of land.
It’s certainly been a year, and after a lot of hard work and manpower, and a construction company or two, the house is finally done and we’re moving in today.
I watch as Ellie waves frantically at me from the frontseat of Mavericks truck and I smile back at her. Leaving the paintbrush on the step of the ladder, I start to make my way and onto the grass.
Wiping my hands against my dungarees, I start to walk towards the gravel drive, Ellie throws herself out of the truck and over to me.
“Hey, baby-girl,” I say, enjoying her embrace.
“Hey, Mama.” She says, Ellie’s almost eleven and she’s certainly growing, her new room proving a hit.
“I’m gonna’ go up to my room, Daddy’s sorting the truck,” she smiles up at me.
Ellie started calling Maverick dad around six months ago. I gave looking for her father another try with Mav’s help, but I still had no luck, it was like looking for a needle in a very large haystack.
“Okay, sweet pea, if you need me, I’ll be finishing the roof,” I wink down at her before placing a kiss on top of her head.
I watch her skip off into the house and run down the very long hall. The house finally, was finished; aside from a few bits of paint.
The structure’s the most important. Its more than liveable now, but one thing I’ve learned is good things come to those who wait.
I see Mav’. leaning up the side of his truck and I’m so glad he came back; it was rough in the beginning but we’re getting there.
I reach him, folding my arms around his hip, cradling myself under his arm. “Hey, Mav’,”.
