20. A month later

twenty

A month later

As we survey the piles of remaining items in my dad's garage, North and I can't help but chuckle at the absurdity of some of them. First, there is a broken pizza oven that Dad swears still works. Before we packed it up to donate, he added a note saying, "Works, but cooks unevenly. It doesn't make the best tasting pizza, but it makes a fun conversation piece." I really just want to chuck that oven into the garbage, but getting rid of this stuff has been an emotional journey for Dad, and the only way he's made it through it is by believing his stuff will find a better home where people who need it, can use it.

My favorite item is the whole box of flamingo yard ornaments. I can't fathom why someone would ever need that many, but my childish brain wants to prank North by putting them in his yard one night.

Such innocent fun, but I resist.

Oh, and don't get me started on the hideous plastic garden gnomes. There are eleven of them. Who in their right mind needs that many lawn creatures? I would think if you had eleven, you'd actually want a full dozen, which leads me to think one is missing. Frankly, that's a little terrifying. I've learned to tiptoe around, hoping it doesn't pop out at me sometime. Their facial expressions are just too creepy.

I know it's silly.

But really, its creepy.

Now, we are down to the last load of stuff, and I couldn't help but rub my hand along the base of the old palm tree shaped lamp adorned in Christmas lights.

"Quite the assortment of stuff, eh?" North chuckles, his eyes wafting to the lamp, and I couldn't help but join in.

It is definitely a relief, after the last few weeks, to finally be able to laugh about this stuff. "Yeah, I think we can honestly say we have something for everyone."

"Too bad this violin doesn't have a bow. I'd definitely give you ten bucks for it." He picks up a small stringed instrument. Dad is always more eccentric, even in his collections, and I doubt that he had any classical instruments. I squint my eyes at North, and I burst out laughing.

"That's not a violin. It's a Ukulele, and it's definitely worth at least twenty bucks," I tease, pretending to be offended.

"Sorry." He put it back in the box with his fingers exaggeratedly spaced, as if he is now afraid to touch it. His expression takes on a bit of a conspiratorial gleam. "I have a surprise."

One of my brows rises higher than the other in a skeptical glare. "After reading the news article this morning about Rocco and his buddies and how detectives were able to bring to light even more closed-door embezzlement and fraud, I don't know if I can handle any more surprises."

"This has nothing to do with them. I actually think they are the only ones who are surprised they didn't get away with their scams for good. They will be in jail for a long time." He shakes his head, but continues with excitement inflections in his voice, "This is a good surprise. I was talking to your dad about Mexico. It turns out my parents aren't that far from Lake Xochimilco, the most popular place in North America for finding wild axolotls."

"Oh, I see where this is going." I pretend to be alarmed, but inside I'm already excited. "That's enticing, and you want to visit, right?"

"What do you think?" His head takes an inquisitive angle. "Both our parents are there, and maybe we could visit for Christmas? It would be our first vacation together, cementing another milestone in our still new relationship."

My heart patters over several beats as I love how thoughtful North is, and how willing he is to include me in his life, making plans for Christmas, which is a month away. It feels normal though. Like how it's supposed to be. "You're asking me if I want to go to Mexico in cold December? Of course, I would love to go."

"One more thing." His easy smile graces his face, but I freeze as a serious gleam sparkles out of the corner of his eye. "In the spirit of letting go, I cleaned out a few of my closets, too. I was going to toss this, but part of me always had this weird fantasy and I wanted to give it to you." He lifts up a box and pushes it toward me. "You'll like this one."

"Promise?" I hesitate, but lean over, peering inside the box. When I make out the contents, a full smile bursts on my lips. "Are you kidding me?" I yank it out, and eagerly slip it on. "You brought me your high school football letterman jacket?"

"I know we aren't in high school." He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, "But seeing you walk through the halls in my jacket was one of those things I always fantasized about. If only I would have been a little braver back then, we'd have a lot more memories." He pulls up one side of his mouth into a flirty grin. "So, what do you say, Gia Bella…I'm a little late but will you wear my lettermen jacket?

"Gosh, North." I playfully bat my lashes and tug on the collar hugging it closer around me, already loving everything about this jacket. The worn leather still smells amazing, and it's soft and so easy to mold against my skin. "If you want me to wear your jacket, that must mean I really am your girl?"

"That's exactly what you are to me." He leans in, stealing a chaste kiss from my lips, before tacking on, " My Girl."

That kiss isn't enough for either one of us. Our gaze lingers over each other, and he dips his chin again, pressing his lips against mine. This kiss is sweet and filled with the promise of something more. As we pull away, I see the same wonder in his eyes that I feel in my heart.

I tug the jacket even tighter around me, a warmth seeps into my chest, and I take one more look around the garage. I can't help but smile. It had been an overwhelming several weeks, but now that we'd gotten through all that junk, I know we have better things ahead.