Chapter 19

Aspen

I don't really know how to describe the last several days. Dreamlike maybe? After spending the night with Bryson, it all just kind of ran together. The next morning, we called his landlord and made an appointment to see the apartment above him. I was a two bedroom, so I could have a studio space to practice. I wasn't sure how we were going to afford it, but Bryson said he'd figure something out.

I'd gone home after that and started packing. I had years' worth of stuff, and only a week to get it to New York. Bryson had promised to come help give me a ride back. I hired movers because I did not want to figure out how I was going to get the piano down. When I had moved in, they lifted it from the back side of the building and came through the slider. I was guessing they'd go back out the same way.

"I guess it's good I came early." Bryson was standing in the middle of a pile of boxes in the living room.

"Yeah, I'm still not sure we have room for all of this." I looked around at the sea of stuff.

"Your couch is nicer. We can use it and sell mine." He shrugged. "Most of my things were hand me downs from friends or cheap thrift store finds."

"It's still a lot of stuff." I sighed. "Help me bring these last few boxes out of the bedroom, and then we can go." I wiped sweat from my brow as I weaved through the piles to make my way into my bedroom. The movers were coming in the morning, but I wanted to get back to the new place so we could start packing up Bryson's things to move upstairs.

"What's that pile?" He pointed to several suitcases and boxes I had separated and put in the corner.

"That's what's coming in the car. Some valuables and clothes for the next few days. I don't want to lose or break anything in there, and I need clothes to wear until all of this gets there." I laughed.

"I'd be happy to share a few tees, or you could just go naked." He winked when I glared at him.

"I don't see how we'd get anything done if that were the case." I rolled my eyes. He was being cheeky.

"Let's put that in the car, and then we can go. I wanna get started moving you upstairs tonight. Maybe we can even sleep in there." I grinned. The idea of getting a place together that neither of us had technically lived in was exciting. I mean, I know Bryson had been living in that building, but he wasn't in the same apartment, so that meant something, right? We were starting fresh and I for one couldn't wait.

Bryson

Was this really happening? I watched her twist and stack boxes in my backseat as if she were trying to win a game of Jenga. The way her mouth twisted as she shoved at the cardboard was kinda cute. When she stepped back, part of the box was still sticking out, so she pushed the car door shut and then hip checked it. "There." She announced. "Let's roll."

I shook my head as I made my way around to the driver's side and climbed in. She turned to look at her building one last time before hopping in the passenger seat and slapping her hands against her thighs.

"On to the next adventure." She grinned as she looked over at me.

"To the next adventure." I put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb.

"Are we really doing this?" she murmured as we made our way out of the city. "I mean, I've been here my entire life." She nibbled her bottom lip as she turned to look at me.

"I think this is good for you. A new start in a new place. You won't have memories around every corner reminding you of the past. You can remember when you want to, not when your surroundings force you to."

"You're right." She nodded as she turned back to look out the window.

With traffic, it took us several hours to get there, and when we did the city was full of life. A new show was making its Broadway debut this weekend and everyone who was anyone was getting a ticket. The block was bustling with excitement.

I pulled into the parking garage where I kept my car and drove to the third level to my reserved spot. "I have a dolly we can use to bring all this in. I rented one to move my stuff."

"Have you already started?" She spun to face me, her mouth falling open.

"A little. It was supposed to be a surprise." I shrugged sheepishly. I'd bought a new bed and moved it along with a few other things upstairs. I'd wanted tonight to be special.

We took the elevator to the street level, and then walked over to my building. I led us up to my place and grabbed the dolly. "You have to wait to see what I've done. At least give me that," I begged when she started to pout.

"Fine," she grumbled. We took the dolly back over to my car and stacked boxes on it. Then she clipped the suitcases together and we pulled our load back to my place. When we stepped in the elevator, I bypassed my apartment altogether and pressed the button for the new place. The elevator rose to the third floor and then stopped. When the doors opened, we walked down the hall and stopped in front of our door.

"Close your eyes." I glanced back to where she was standing behind me. When she complied, I unlocked the door. "Stay there." I walked in and placed the dolly out of the way against the wall. I went back out and reached for her hand. As I laced our fingers together, I led her inside. "Ok, open." I released her hand.

"Where's the surprise?" She looked around. The living room was still empty.

"In here." I opened the door to our master bedroom. There was a large king-sized bed against the far wall. I'd purchased light blue bedding and curtains. There was rug at the end and a large dresser against the far wall. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful." She scanned the room, taking it all in. She slowly moved forward, running her hand along the bedding. "You did all of this?"

"I started planning as soon as you left. I wanted something brand new just for us." I smiled. The truth was I was too embarrassed to let her sleep on my sofa bed for another night. I figured we'd put her bed in the room that we were using for practice space that way we could have guests over.

"I love it." She spun around in a circle. "I love all of it." She flopped backwards on the bed, grinning at the ceiling. I came over and laid down beside her.

"We have until tomorrow before the movers come. I have a few more boxes to move up here, but we can do whatever you want." I rolled onto my side to face her. I cupped her cheek as she blinked up at me. "I'm really glad you're here." She paused and closed her eyes. I knew she was thinking about something and trying to decide if she should tell me. "What is it?"

"I think we should get your stuff, but first I think we should test out whether this bed squeaks or not." Her head rolled to the side and she giggled.

"I'm game." I laughed as I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her on top of me. She draped her body over me like a rag doll, kissing all over my neck and face in the process. This was the moment I'd been hoping she'd have. One of pure happiness. She deserved it, and it made me happy to know that I was the one who got her here.

When she stopped laughing, she pulled back and looked into my eyes. "I have a concert in two weeks. Mr. Caldwell called me yesterday to make sure I could play. He's emailing the music. I'm going to leave you a ticket for opening night. I really want you to be there." Her eyes watered with happiness.

"You know where they're playing opening night, right?" I kissed the tip of her nose.

"Un huh." She nodded excitedly.