This is the last chapter written in Seth and Gabriela's story. It's my hope that you've enjoyed reading about their journey as much as I did writing it. I appreciate all votes, feedback and comments.
****
Nicole and Shelby enrolled in college together. Both got their letters of acceptance from the school and would begin with the fall semester. They informed their parents of their choice one weekend in February when Nicole was visiting.
"Mom, Seth, you know Shelby and I have been looking into colleges. We finally chose one and are starting with the fall classes."
"There are so many great schools to choose from. Nicole and I looked at what degrees we each wanted and narrowed it down from there," Shelby said.
Nicole nodded and picked up their explanation. "It's easier for me to move than her because of Dallas. He's been through enough and it wouldn't be right to take him from you and Effie. So I'll be moving and we're both going to school right here."
Gabriela grinned at the news that her daughter would be living close to her again. Seth nodded with pride at both girls. Their wisdom in making this decision pleased him a great deal.
"We hoped maybe you could help us find a place to live closer to campus, Dad. Nicole and I are going to try for classes opposite each other so one of us is with Dallas most of the time. If we get part-time jobs, along with some grants, we'll be able to manage pretty decent. Neither one of us wants to be in a dorm of course," Shelby replied.
"I think you've both thought this out very well," Seth said. "Tell me what price range you're looking for and I'll find a place for you by school."
They talked more about what they hoped to find in a rental. Seth had an idea of the area but was more familiar with the properties for sale. He promised he'd check right away and let them know as soon as he had anything for them to look at.
That evening Seth and Gabriela talked about their daughters.
"I'm so proud of the girls, Seth."
"This is going to be good for both of them. It's giving them hope for their future."
"Thank you. I could never have done anything like this for Nicole."
"You'd do the same thing for Shelby if you could," he said. "Now, I have some concerns about this renting thing."
He listed a few of the issues he'd faced in his business with owners not taking care of repairs. Gabriela could see where the girls could find themselves having problems with the wrong property owner.
"So what do you think we should do, Seth?"
"We need to be sure they rent from responsible people."
He crossed his arms and sat back with a smug look. It only took her a moment to catch his meaning.
"Oh, I love shopping. Do you know a good Realtor that can help us, though?"
They laughed as they made their way down the hall to their bedroom.
"I'll see if I can find someone. Right now, though, I know a way you can help me ..."
****
Gabriela knew she didn't want a big wedding. She and Seth both had that their first time and they'd ended in divorce. Marriage for them at their age was more about the future than making a big production out of it all.
Hours went into planning the special day. They'd chosen the twenty-third of May after careful thought. It gave her some time to find the right dress and not rush into choosing some of the other details. Nicole had already moved down to Florida and offered to help. She was staying with Shelby and Dallas in their apartment while Seth found them somewhere closer to college to rent.
He'd called her from the office on a Tuesday morning with a request. "Honey, do you have time to check out a house today?"
"I was just heading out to the florist's. Can it wait until tomorrow?" she asked.
"This place just went on the market and I think it sounds like what the girls are looking for. I can't get away from the office and I'm afraid the price will make this one go fast. If you could look it over for the things we talked about, I can run up a contract. An inspection will catch anything wrong before closing."
"I don't have an appointment with the florist, so tell me where it is."
She'd gone to the address in an older neighborhood near the college and parked in front of the soft yellow two-story home. Bright white shutters framed windows that glistened in the sun. Gabriela loved the homey feel of the place and smiled as she went up the front steps. Seth had long ago given her one of the special keys to get into the Realtor lock boxes and soon she was stepping through the front door.
Love and laughter reverberated in every room. Gabriela wandered through the main floor before going up the open staircase. A central hallway led to four bedrooms and a full bathroom. Sunlight poured in through the large windows to make the spaces cheery and welcoming. She discovered a small attic room already finished that would make a perfect playroom for Dallas.
A full basement held the laundry area and shelving for storage. The backyard was fenced in with a huge old pecan tree shading the back corner. Gabriela locked the house up and sat on the steps to absorb the atmosphere of the houses around her. Five minutes passed before she called Seth.
"This is it, Seth. There isn't one thing that's not perfect for them."
She told him all the positives she saw in the house and why she felt it would suit the girls. He listened to the passion in her voice and felt the energy flowing from her.
"What about a safe place for Dallas to play? I'm worried about him wandering away," Seth said.
"The entire backyard has a fence. If we get one of those jungle gym sets for him, he'll never want to leave. Get the papers started, I'm on my way."
He chuckled at the way she'd decided on the house without even knowing the price but was pleased at her insight as well. Seth trusted her instincts more than he did those of his staff. That's why he needed her to be the one looking at the house. His next clients arrived and Seth went back to his own work.
Gabriela had to wait to see Seth. Jill told her he was finishing up with a finicky couple that took forever. She'd rolled her eyes when she said they'd looked at twenty-six houses before they decided on one.
They walked out of Seth's office fifteen minutes later and smiled at Jill. "Mr. Flynch is a wonderful man. He's been so patient with us."
"I'm glad you're happy," Jill said.
The man turned to Gabriela and spoke. "He'll help you find the house you want, too. There's just one thing. I'm thinking he's in love because he gets this dreamy look on his face sometimes and I know he isn't married."
Jill chuckled and Gabriela spoke to the couple. "I'd say the woman is very lucky to have someone like him love her."
They gave a slight wave as they headed out the door and Gabriela walked into Seth's office.
"I'm the lucky one," he said and kissed her.
"I'd say it's mutual."
He wanted to show her just how lucky she could get right there but knew he didn't have time. His schedule had minimal gaps all day. Instead, he stepped back and talked about the house she'd looked at.
"Seth, I wish you'd been able to see it too. It's light and airy with huge windows. The bedrooms are bigger than average. I think the attic will make a great playroom for Dallas so his toys aren't scattered all over the house."
They went over the asking price and talked about taxes. She knew he'd already gone through listings in the area for comparisons. Half an hour later, they had a contract ready to go to the selling agent.
"What are you going to tell the girls?" Gabriela was a bit worried they would think their parents were interfering.
"I want to be upfront with them. This is business only. They'll have a rental contract just like anyone else would. The only difference is that we'll take care of any repairs right away. I just want them in a safe environment, Gabriela."
"I do, too. Let me know when you get an answer, okay?"
He didn't want her to go and held her close. Seth wished he could walk out that door with her and forget work for the rest of the day.
"Mr. Flynch, the O'Malley's are here," they heard Jill say through the intercom.
"I'll be home as soon as I can. I'm sorry —"
She stopped him by putting her fingers over his lips. "Don't be, this is what you do. I'll be waiting whenever you get there."
He watched her walk away and knew he was indeed the lucky one.
****
It was theirs. They'd put in an offer for the house and the owners accepted it. Seth and Gabriela took care of the paperwork on a Monday afternoon in March. The girls didn't know about it yet but that was changing over the weekend. Seth wanted to take them there and then explain what they'd done after the girls saw it. Gabriela knew they'd love it.
Saturday mid-morning they all piled into Seth's Cayenne in good spirits. The girls were excited to see it after Gabriela told them a few of the home's features. She'd left out several of the best parts to surprise them with.
"This is it," Seth said when he pulled into the driveway.
"It's gorgeous," Nicole said from the backseat.
It didn't take long before they stood at the front door. Seth pulled out a key and let them all in. Shelby checked out the kitchen while Nicole wandered into the downstairs bathroom.
"That shower is huge, Shelby," she said when she went back out into the kitchen.
"Let's go see the bedrooms. I get the biggest one." Shelby laughed as they ran up the steps.
All four bedrooms were similar in size. One had a connecting door into the next room that Shelby thought would be perfect for her and Dallas. Nicole agreed and checked out the other two. She had no trouble choosing one with an extra large closet. The attic room brought squeals of delight from them both as did the upstairs bathroom.
"Dad, this place is awesome. Can we afford it for real?"
Shelby stood by her dad and waited for his answer. They'd checked the entire house out and Dallas was now running around in the backyard. Gabriela walked over to Seth and held his hand.
"Yes, the rent is within the budget you girls gave us. Your father and I made sure of that," she replied.
"So, is there a lease we can sign? I don't want someone else to get it before we do. Nicole, it's perfect, right?"
"I want this place." Nicole's gaze went around the room as if she was already decorating it in her mind.
"Girls, Gabriela and I have a small confession to make. We bought this house last week."
