The Arrangement: The Finale

ANGELA

I didn’t sleep well that night.

One thought kept playing over and over in my head:

What if we found the perfect school for our kids...and immediately ruined their chances of attending?!

While Xavier slept soundly next to me, I couldn’t stop imagining how the admissions officer must have thought of us.

Just another classic rich couple. Checked-out dad, high-strung mom.

Xavier and I hardly even looked at each other for the whole tour, and then we were rounding second base at the end.

We must have seemed completely toxic.

And even though in my heart I knew all that was wrong, I couldn’t stop my mind racing.

So, I decided to accept defeat from sleep. I checked my phone, and I was delighted to find messages from Dustin.

It was after 2 in the morning, but he had texted me just minutes before.

I smiled at my phone, my face illuminated in blue light in the darkness. Dustin’s sense of humor never failed to brighten my mood.

From the very first day we met, he knew exactly what to say to help me shift my perspective.

I turned off my phone screen, holding onto the mental image of Dustin on vacation with his family.

It’s true...we’ve come a long way.

Rolling over in the silk sheets, I wrapped my arm around Xavier’s waist so I was the big spoon. His skin was warm through his T-shirt, and I breathed in the scent of his neck.

He stirred, threading his fingers through mine. “Love you,” he whispered in his sleep.

My heart swelled. Dustin was right: it didn’t matter what the admissions officer thought.

All that mattered was the unconditional love between us. With that, I drifted off into a deep sleep.

***

When I woke up in the morning, Xavier’s blue eyes were the first thing I saw.

His hand was stroking my hair as he watched me, a small smile on his lips.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning, yourself,” I replied. “How long have you been watching me sleep?”

“Well, I tried to wake you up a half hour ago, but you weren’t having it. So, I thought I’d let you rest and just enjoy the view.”

I propped myself up on my elbow. Xavier looked relaxed, carefree. Sunlight streamed in through the windows onto our bed.

Seeing my husband in such a good mood put me in a good mood.

“The kids?” I asked, rubbing sleep from my eyes.

“They’re playing outside with Ken,” he answered.

“Wow.”

I could tell we were both thinking the same thing. For once, having my dad around was actually convenient.

Leah and Ace were early risers, so Xavier and I were, too. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a lazy Saturday morning in bed with my husband.

And it’s just what we need.

“Come here,” Xavier said, opening his arm and inviting me to lay on his chest.

I did, letting my whole body relax in his embrace as he traced gentle circles on my back with his fingers.

“I owe you an apology,” he said, and I met his gaze. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I want us to make decisions together...and I haven’t been the best about that lately.”

“Thank you, and it’s okay,” I replied, meaning it.

He kissed me, and I returned his kiss deeply. It was like we were picking up exactly where we left off outside the school.

I was so tired of tension, so tired of distractions. And I knew Xavier felt the same. Finally, we were alone, and we could just be together…

Xavier’s hand reached under my loose cami, caressing my breast as I struggled to catch my breath.

I pushed closer against him—his rippling abs, his strong legs, his growing erection. His arms wrapped around me tighter. I couldn’t get enough.

“You feel sooo—”

Just then, a loud metallic shriek sounded from the front yard.

“Good,” I finished, refusing to accept that our serene moment was over.

“That sounds like the buzz saw,” Xavier noticed.

We both leapt from bed to the big windows that overlooked the lawn.

Sure enough, Dad was cutting 2x4s.

Ace was helping him feed the wood through the saw, and Leah was turning cartwheels across the grass a little too close for comfort to the whirring metal blade.

“Oh gosh,” I whispered.

“Let’s move!” Xavier said.

***

“Grandpa’s making me a barbecue!” Ace shouted the explanation, jumping up and down so the grown-up safety goggles fell down around his neck. “I’m going to cook steaks.”

Xavier and I took in the scene: hammers, saws, and various tools were strewn around the lawn by the playhouse.

“Uh, Dad?” I began. “This is quite the project.”

I can’t believe I’m about to have this conversation.

“What, this? This is simple! We’ll be grilling steaks out here by lunch time. Right, Ace?” Dad replied, leaning against the buzz saw table to catch his breath.

“Why don’t we use the grill that’s in the garage?” Xavier asked.

“Because where’s the fun in that?” Dad shot back.

As Dad leaned down to pick up another board, I noticed a large sweat mark growing on the back of his gray T-shirt.

I met Xavier’s gaze and shook my head slowly.

“Let me help you with that, Ken,” Xavier insisted, picking up the other end.

“Don’t worry about it, sport!” Dad said to Xavier. “I don’t want you to get a splinter out here.”

“Dad! Just let him help you!” I snapped.

They placed the board on the saw table and Dad turned to me, crossing his arms over his chest in defiance.

“We were doing just fine out here before you two arrived,” he insisted.

“Oh, really? This looks like a chaotic mess to me!” I cried. I was starting to lose my temper. “And I have no idea why you would choose to break out the power tools on a Saturday morning!”

“To build the barbecue,” Dad repeated once again, as if it was the most logical answer in the world.

“How about you let me give you a hand with this, Ken?” Xavier asked, clearly trying to diffuse the tension building between us.

“I don’t need your help. I’m not some helpless grandpa. And I’m certainly better with power tools than you are, sport.”

“Dad!” I shouted. “Why in the world are you doing this? Didn’t you hear the doctor?! In what world does this fall under the category of ~taking it easy~?!”

I felt like I was losing my mind.

“News flash! You’re not thirty anymore, Dad. Your life is changing. Projects like this are not only totally pointless, they’re freaking dangerous!!”

My fists were clenched at my side. Dad’s expression shifted, and I could tell I struck a nerve.

“Oh, I see. For you two, the only worthwhile activities are being waited on hand and foot. I wanted these kids to learn how to build something. So sue me!”

XAVIER

I watched as Angela’s face flushed red, and she shook her head in rageful disbelief.

That’s my cue.

“We really appreciate you looking after the kids, Ken, but–”

“I don’t want to hear it from you. This is between me and my daughter, pretty boy.”

Sport I could handle. But ~pretty boy~ just about pushed me over the edge.

“This stopped being just between the two of you when you moved into my house!” I shouted. “Our house,” I corrected myself.

“You know, this is what I was worried about!” Angela shouted at Ken, pointing her finger. “You are our guest, dad. But you act like you own the place.”

“I’m sorry to be such an inconvenience,” Ken shot back. “In my day, we used to have some respect for our elders.”

“Respect?! All I’m asking is for you to treat Xavier and me with one iota of respect!” Angela shouted.

It was a true face-off, none of us willing to back down.

I heard a small whimper, and I remembered the twins. Leah and Ace were holding hands, gazing up at us with wide, terrified eyes.

Oh, fuck.

“Guys,” I said, breaking the staring match between father and daughter.

Angela caught one glance of our kids, and her anger disappeared. She crossed the lawn and got down on her knees, pulling them into a hug, and I could hear her soft, comforting words.

Ken and I met each other’s eyes. There was no resolution between us, but the wind had left our sails.

I took a deep breath and turned away, taking a walk to the other side of the lawn.

My head was spinning, wondering if it was even possible to make this living arrangement work for all of us.

Maybe it was time to step back and reconsider the whole thing.

If only we could all get away somewhere without power tools, where Ken would be forced to take it easy…

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I fished it out. Sam O’Malley had texted me.

It was an invitation for me and the whole family to visit the O’Malley ancestral castle in Ireland as soon as tomorrow.

It wasn’t a business trip, but if I changed my mind, all the better.

A vacation with those old fogies? No, thanks.

But then the pictures came through.

A stunning castle surrounded by lush green grass. A spa with couples massage tables. A suite with pink marble floors.

Actually…

Maybe this getaway was just what my family needed. It was the perfect pit stop before the Brussels Grand Prix next week.

I turned back to my family and the mess strewn across the yard.

“Hey, I have an idea!” I called. “Is everyone up for a European adventure?!”