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Harlow | Phoenix | Other people

3 Years Later

We had agreed on a house. There was constant staring at computer screens, scrolling through our phones, going through emails from realtors, seeing houses all over town. Saying no to houses that didn't have what we wanted, saying yes to houses we wanted and have it slip through our fingers. Late nights and long hours waiting to agree on the perfect place, Phoenix and I were handed the keys to our first house two weeks ago. I had my placed packed within five days unlike someone who took until yesterday morning. Procrastination at its finest made me want to wrap him up in duct tape just so I could pack his apartment for him without having to stop every twenty minutes.

Papa and Dad weren't exactly . . . thrilled to hear that their daughter was moving in with her boyfriend but they understood that Phoenix and I were serious and eventually we wanted to get married when the time was right. I knew my parents and Aunt Justine would help out with our future wedding but we weren't there yet. Struggling with wanting to understand, Phoenix and I had to sit with my dads and explain to them how we felt just so they could have a better understanding not that their opinion would change our decision. Eventually they came around to our plan making it all run a bit smoother especially when Papa offered to make cookies.

Pulling up next to the curb I turned to look out my window as Phoenix removed the keys from the ignition. The house was still as beautiful as it was four months ago. Aside from a little yard work needing to be down, it was perfect.

Feeling a hand on my thigh I looked back over to Phoenix's hazel eyes. "Are you ready to move in with me? This is your last chance to bail." He smirked with a raised brow already knowing my response.

"I'll tell you again like I told you last night, Phoenix. I'm in this for the long haul. I love you and we're doing this."

"Good."

"Plus the master bath has a clawfoot bathtub."

Phoenix chuckled rolling his eyes. "How could I ever forget?"

Getting out of the truck we met each other at the back of the U-Haul. Phoenix removed the locked lifting the back up showing all of our personal belongings that was no longer just Harlow's or just Phoenix's. They were ours as a couple.

Hearing a vehicle turn on our street we both smiled at my parents coming into view with Aunt Justine and Dylan behind them.

Phoenix wrapped his arm around my shoulders planting a kiss on my cheek. "Come on precious Halo. We have a house to make into a home."

Looking up to the man that has cheered me on through my frustrated nights of school, through the cranky days when I didn't sleep, to the sweet times when he would bring me lunch because I forgot to pack my own or didn't have time. Phoenix was the man that I wanted to live forever with. The man I wanted to build a family with. He was the man made just for me.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Car doors opened and closed bringing us out of our little bubble. Walking over to my parents we hugged them both as Phoenix's aunt and Dylan walked over.

Soon the conversations had switched from normal greetings of 'how are you' to 'What time are you picking me up for the Farmer's Market?' by my Papa and Aunt Justine. Dad and Dylan talked about the 1775 piece at the museum that gained Phoenix's attention since it was a Marine piece.

Another car made its way down our street pausing everyone's conversation as Corey and Timara parked across the street in front of our new neighbor's house.

Getting out of the car they walked over full of smiles. "I'm so happy for you two!" Timara said wrapping Phoenix and I in a hug.

"Thank you Timara."

"Yeah, thanks Timara and thanks Pritchett."

"No problem man but you can stop calling me by my last name. We've been out for three years."

Phoenix shrugged. "It's a hard habit to break."

"Alright everyone let's get the boxes inside."

Everyone grabbed boxes. Some stacking two or more. Phoenix and Corey trying to out stack one another almost dropping several boxes. Once all the kitchen boxes were on the kitchen floor Papa and Aunt Justine offered to unpacked the them while Timara and I unpacked the the master bedroom.

"Oh my gosh. That tub looks amazing." Timara said coming out of the bathroom holding the bubble bath gift set she and Corey brought as a housewarming gift.

"I know. I can't wait to try it out. Definitely something I plan on doing tonight."

Taking the chair next to our bedroom window she put the gift on the floor. "Try it out alone or with a special vanilla shake?"

I shook my head. "Did you really?"

"Vanilla swirl?"

"Seriously?"

"Cookies and cream sounds better though, right?" She joked.

Laughing with my best friend I hung up one of Phoenix's shirts. "You're crazy." I replied taking the chair across from her crossing my legs. "How are you and Corey?"

Smiling at the mention of his name Timara shook her head shifting in the chair. "That man is -"

"Hey Harlow." We both looked to the door where Dylan stood.

"Hey."

"Hey Dylan." Timara waved.

"H-Hey." He rubbed the back of his neck a light blush forming on his cheeks. "The pizza is here and Phoenix and Corey are on their way back with drinks."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Yeah, no problem."

Rising from our seats I whispered to Timara that our conversation wasn't over making her roll her eyes and laugh.

Out in the kitchen boxes of pizza were aligned on the table with paper plates and napkins for us to use. Everyone thanked my Dad for the food before grabbing their slices just as Phoenix and Corey walked in with a few boxes of drinks.

All settled around the living room while a movie played on tv, I scooted passed Dylan on the floor ready to take the seat next to Phoenix when he grabbed my waist pulling me on his lap.

"What are you doing? I was going to sit next to you."

"Yeah but I wanted you right here." Offering me his pizza I bit a piece off covering my mouth to thank him as I chewed. "You're welcome." He kissed my cheek. As we enjoyed our company Phoenix laughed and joked while tracing my hip with his hand closest to the arm rest and hidden from my parents giving me goosebump.

Shifting underneath me he moved my hair off my shoulder. "Am I heavy?"

"No, I just wanted to tell you that I'm glad I never stopped calling your phone. I can honestly say I don't know where I'd be if you stopped answering me and continued that deployment without your voice in my ear every morning. You're one of the best things to ever happen to me Harlow and I mean that." Shifting so that I could look in his eyes he gently kissed me. "I love you."

"I love you too Phoenix."

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