I grip their hands, trying not to cry.“You guys…I can’t ever repay you for this.”
DAMIANO
I lean down and kiss Madison’s sweet lips.“My sweet, sweet bella.We don’t want repayment.We did this as a gift for you, because we love you.”
My heart feels like it could burst, it’s so full of love for this beautiful woman.She is everything to me, and her happiness is paramount.I would rebuild this house with my bare hands for the smallest chance of seeing her smile.
Madison looks at the entryway before wandering into the kitchen, her hand pressed to her mouth.She takes in the new tile floor, which we arranged to match the old one as closely as possible.She gazes at the new microwave, since the old one needed to be thrown out.Thankfully, most of the cabinets and the other appliances evaded the worst damage and could be kept.
Madison asks, “Is this real?It must have taken a giant crew to do all of this work so fast.”
It took a rather large team, and expert organization.We hired a construction management company called Calink Construction.Lincoln James and Caleb Swann usually work on much larger jobs.However, for the right price, they were willing to help us out with this short-term project.It did not hurt that their lovely wife, Evelyn, assists in managing their company.She heard our story first, and seemed touched at what we wanted to accomplish.I suspect she influenced her husbands into accepting the job.
We spent the entire week working on it with Calink’s subcontractors.If I wasn’t in the hospital with Madison, I was working on the house.Seth did the same, and we made sure to always have one of us with Madison.It was a stressful week, worrying about our girl and rushing to finish her house.We tore out drywall, put in new flooring where necessary, reconfigured the kitchen and entryway electrical, and replaced whatever decorations had been ruined in either the fire or the subsequent water damage.
Seeing Madison’s resulting happiness makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Taking hesitant steps into the pantry, Madison stares at the wall.We couldn’t block it off completely due to fire risks and other regulations, but we placed a heavy latch and deadbolt on the not-so-secret door.
“When SEFD said we couldn’t block the wall off completely, we wanted to fill the whole thing with cement,” Seth says with a smile.“But we were told it was impractical.This seemed the next best solution.”
“It’s brilliant.”Madison nods.
I rub her shoulder, letting her feel my unspoken support.
Turning to face us, Madison blinks back tears.“So, when are you guys moving in?”
“We’re ready whenever you are.”I swoop her up into a hug, squeezing her gently.
“Now,” she whispers in my ear before kissing my cheek.“I’m ready now.”
Seth grabs her in a careful hug of his own.“We are, too.”
16
MADISON
Two months later…
As I’m putting the finishing touches on my first-ever zombie podcast, the doorbell rings.Seth and Damiano said they are working today.Maybe it’s true.But there was also an extra intensity to their demeanors when they left this morning.They’re scheming about something, hoping to surprise me.After living with them for two months, I can tell when they have plans in the works.
I don’t know what it is, but my money’s on something kinky.
Under my long, black skirt and red top, I’m wearing a lingerie set from Angeli’s—the white satin with tiny red cherries.If kinky shenanigans are afoot, I want to be wearing my favorite underwear.
The doorbell rings again.Curious, I get up and look through the peephole.As soon as I see who it is, I consider turning right back around and ignoring them.
Charmaine Kavlan stands on the front step.She’s wearing her usual athleisure style, with her light brown hair pulled up in a high ponytail.
When I don’t answer right away, she hesitates before ringing the doorbell one more time.This time, she doesn’t wait afterward; she turns to leave.
Curiosity gets the better of me.If she insults me again, I’m not afraid to slam the door in her face.
I open the door.“Charmaine?”
“Madison!”She spins around again.“I didn’t think you would answer.Hey, um, how are you?”
“Good,” I say cautiously.“Can I help you with something?”
