Over the Spring, we experienced heavy rainfall here in Illinois, which caused a significant flood in our basement, destroying most of it. They thought it would be the perfect opportunity to remodel it so that holidays were a little more comfortable.
“I don’t mind at all. Where are Tate and I staying?”
“Tate’s going to be staying with the girls in our room,” she begins. “I know you guys always stay in the same room when you’re here, but being out the whole basement—”
“No, I get it.”
Every time we all come home, the couples always get the bedrooms.
Somehow, Tate and I were always included in that if she wasn’t staying at her own house.
We got my old room, while my oldest sister, Lauren, and her husband, Sam, got my parents' room, as they had their two kids, and it was the biggest room in the house. My older sister, Miranda, and her husband, Julian, slept in the older girl’s room. My oldest brother, Freddie, and his wife, Abigail, slept in the room of theyounger girls. My other brother, Chase, and his girlfriend, Stella, slept in the office in the basement.
Eight of my younger siblings slept in the common area of the basement, which they loved because it was like one giant sleepover. Bode, on the other hand, always slept with our moms in the living room.
It seems like it would be an overwhelming situation, but honestly, I don’t know who I’d be without it. Although four of my siblings had left the house by the time I was six, nine children still lived in a four-bedroom home. And that’s when there were only nine kids in the house; that’s not even counting the kids who my moms fostered before they went back to their biological families.
They adopted my youngest brother, Bode, when he was six months old, and he rounded out our family. That was four years ago. I think they would foster forever if they could, but it got to a point where fostering became too much for our home to handle.
They tried to move to a bigger house during my freshman year of college, but this house holds so many memories. So, they turned to remodeling instead.
“Now, where’s your better half?”
“Mom snatched her the second we arrived, so who knows?”
“Talking about me already?” Tate rests her head on my shoulder and smiles at my mama.
“Oh yeah, all bad things, of course.”
She smacks the back of my head before hugging my mama.
“I was just telling Fletcher about the sleeping arrangements this trip. It’s a bit of a mess because we've only completed the officespace in the renovation so far. Which means the house will be more crowded than usual.”
“Oh, we could have some people stay at my place,” Tate recommends. “My parents aren’t home, so the whole place is empty.”
“I appreciate the offer, sweetheart.” My mama places a hand on her cheek. “But you know, we Reeds thrive in chaos. Plus, it wouldn’t be the same not having all of my kids under one roof.”
“I get it.”
“If it’s too overwhelming, you are more than welcome to stay at your house and then just come over—” I turn to Tate, but she shakes her head.
“Kassidy would kill me if I didn’t stay here. I was wondering why she was going on and on about us sharing a room. I just assumed she was gonna kick you out.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” I shake my head.
“All the girls are staying in our room.” My mom motions us toward the stairs. “Well, not the married ones. They are all in their own rooms, but since Sam and Lauren are in a smaller bedroom, Sarah is staying with you guys,” she points to Tate, “in our master bedroom. And Jace is staying with the boys,” she points to me, “in the loft.”
“The loft?”
“Yes. But we added curtains, so hopefully, it won’t feel too… unplanned.” My mom smiles.
She knows I won’t care. It’s always nice to be home. I see them often, but not as frequently as I’d like to. Between all of their crazy schedules, they very rarely get to make it down to Rockford.
“Christian is excited to be sharing a room with his brother again.” My mama puts her hand on my shoulder as we reach the top of the stairs. “He’s been talking about it nonstop. He loves Mateo, but 17 and 14—”
“Seems like quite the age difference?” I laugh. “Now he understands where I was coming from when I was seventeen and he was thirteen.”
“I’ll bring Tate to her room. The girls ran past us in a blur, saying they had a lot to set up, so I want to make sure they aren’t destroying our room.” My mom wraps her arm around Tate and drags her down the hall.
