The next day we decided was the day to pack up my stuff and move it over to Maddens since I was moving in.

I stay here all the time anyway so I myswell have my stuff here too.

Madden doesn't care where I put anything that he now calls our house.

I was upstairs packing up when Jerrick walked into the room.

"Now with you gone, I can take this room."

"Over my dead body Jerk."

"Rey! Why not you aren't living here."

"What's going on in here?" Mom asked.

"He wants my room."

"Now Jerrick stop picking at her you know this is her room."

"I know I just wanted to get a rise out of her." He laughed.

"Just for that carry these out to the rover please."

"Fine!" He laughed.

"Sometimes I don't know what to do with him. I feel like I'm raising a kid all over again." Mom laughed.

"He does keep you company though doesn't he?"

"He does I'm thankful for that and he's helped so much with the catering business."

The doorbell rang and mom went to get it and by the time I filled another box and came downstairs officer Gene was standing in the living room.

"Oh no! Yes, I did punch him yesterday."

Officer Gene laughed. "What?"

"Oh, nothing then."

He laughed. "I stopped by for some cookies I had your mom make me."

I arched my eyebrow and looked over at Madden who was smirking.

"I will go get them to have a seat Gene!" Mom said.

"So who did you not punch in the face Reyah?" He asked.

"Umm off the record?"

"Of course!"

"Micah. He came by my booth yesterday and started to explain and I punched him in the face."

"She bloodied him up too." Mom laughed.

"That's why he didn't report it because he could have got into trouble," Gene said.

"That's what I told Madden. I know violence isn't the way but it sure felt nice."

Gene laughed... "How much do I owe you Lib?"

"No charge they are on the house!"

"I appreciate it! No-bake cookies are my favorite." He smiled.

Madden whispered in my ear. "I bet they are."

I elbowed him and walked back upstairs to pack.

By lunchtime, we had everything packed up and we all gathered for lunch. Mom made some homemade hamburger soup and it was delicious on a cold day.

Even Officer Gene hung around and had some with us. I can tell he likes mom but I'm not so sure she feels the same. I mean dad hasn't been gone long and she's still grieving but I'm ok with their friendship.

Once we ate and Gene left I walked over to the sink. "Soooo officer Gene."

"Oh, Reyah he's a sweet man."

"Sweet on you I do believe." I smiled at her.

"Oh honey you know I'm grieving for your father and I don't want to date."

"Well, when you do I think officer Gene is a good one."

"You wouldn't be mad?"

"Well no I mean you can't grieve forever and you don't deserve to be alone."

"Thank you Reyah." She hugs me.

"Well, thanks for everything but I should probably get going and start unpacking this stuff."

"I love you and I will see you tomorrow."

"I love you too mom and thanks for everything."

By the time we make it back to the house, Madden helped me carry everything in and upstairs in the spare room until I can figure out where it all will go.

"I saw you and Lib hugging in the kitchen."

"Yeah I told her I think Officer Gene likes her and that I'm ok when she's ready to date."

"Is she ready?"

"No Madden I don't think so. She's still grieving for my dad but I don't want her to think it's wrong to date when she's ready if she ever gets that way."

"That's why you are the best." He smiles pulling me into his arms.

I kiss his lips a couple of times before going upstairs and start digging through my stuff.

I found a couple of pictures of me and my dad when I was younger and I couldn't but smile through my tears.

He was the best dad and always showed up for anything I was interested in. I played basketball in school and he came to all of my games and then when I ran track in high school he was at every game busy or not.

Madden walked into the room. "Are you ok?"

"I'm good just ran across these." I smiled handing them to him.

"Your dad was a great man Reyah."

"Yeah, he was. He showed up to all of my games busy or not he was the best."

"Games?"

"Oh I played basketball in jr high and then ran track in high school and he never missed anything."

"My dad was like that when I played football."

He sit on the floor with me while I went through old pictures.

"Don't tuck them away. Have them blown up or stick them in the dresser mirror so you can see them."

"Thanks, Madden. It's hard to look at them but then when I do it makes me smile so much."

He pulls me in his arms and kisses me. "I love you."

"I love you too Madden!"

Casper and Spooky come running into the room chasing each other.

"You said get two that Spooky was lonely and I think you were right about that."

"Haven't you learned I am right about most things Madden?" I laugh.

"Well true and I also learned you have a mean right hook."

"Yeah so don't make me have to use it on you," I smirk.

"Maybe Jerrick but not me. I heard you bickering like siblings."

"He wanted to take my room!"

"He was only picking at you."

"He said that after mom came to referee." I laughed.

"He was afraid he was going to get punched."

"I was thinking about it." I laughed.

Merry Christmas Everyone! 🎄