We landed in MIA yesterday. Kim and I were staying at her folks' house till we found a place of our own.
"Hey babe, you ready?" Kimberly asked as she walked into the guest room, although Kim's parents offered no protest to her and I staying in her room, we decided it would be respectful if I stayed in the guest bedroom.
"Yup, just need to slip on my shoes," I replied.
I stood up and Kim tossed me the keys to her dad's car. My car was being shipped down and wouldn't be here for another couple days.
"Why don't you drive, you already know where to go," I stated.
Kim refused to take the keys back from me,
"You have to learn, you're a South Floridian now, the more you drive the more you will get a feel for the place," she reasoned.
I smiled and nodded, she was absolutely right. Kim and I stepped outside and hopped into the car.
"Guess I'm gonna have to get used to this warm weather," I commented.
"That's right, and you'll also have to get used to short skirts and short shorts," Kim smiled in reply before slowly rubbing her exposed thighs.
We laughed and I started the car, we were off the meet our real estate agent.
XXXX
After a day of driving around Miami and seeing numerous apartments, townhouses , condos , and houses with our real estate agent, Gertrude, we decided to call it today.
"I'll have a couple more places lined up for you two tomorrow," Gertrude informed as we said our goodbyes.
"So did you like anything we saw today?"
Kim looked over to me as I drove,
"No, not one," she dejectedly stated.
"That's okay sweetie, we'll find something," I tried to console, at the same time trying to raise my own spirits.
We stopped off and had a quick bite for dinner then headed back to Kim's parents' place.
Kim and I were exhausted. We showered and found ourselves curled up on the couch in the living room. The television was on but we weren't watching. I was gently running my hand through Kim's hair as we spoke, her head resting comfortably on my chest.
"Did Adam call you?"
"Yeah, this morning," I replied.
"How's their home search going?" Kim asked.
"About the same as ours I guess, but he did mention they might have found one this afternoon," I informed.
"That's nice; remind me to give Summer a call in the morning."
We laid there a few more minutes before Kim turned her face to me,
"Come to bed with me," she whispered.
"I wish I could baby."
"You can, they're not going to mind," Kim insisted, referring to her parents who were upstairs in their room.
"But I will Kimmy, we're in a serious relationship and I know that they know that, but we're still an unmarried couple staying at your folks' place, and it just feels like it would be disrespectful to them," I tried to explain.
"I just miss being next to you," Kim responded as she pressed her forehead down on my chest in defeat.
"I know baby, me too, it won't be for long, I promise.
I kissed Kim on the head and we laid there for a little while longer. Eventually we both retired to our rooms.
XXXX
The next morning it was the same routine, Kim and I were up early, had a quick breakfast together, then set out to meet Gertrude.
By lunchtime, Kim and I were beginning to feel despondent again; the places we'd seen just didn't speak to us, that was until Gertrude took us to an apartment building in North Miami Beach. The building was a four story located in a somewhat quiet suburban area. Gertrude led us up the elevator to the third floor, then all the way to the end of the maroon carpeted hallway. We stopped at "315" and the red haired Gertrude fiddled with the keys. She swung the door open and Kim and I walked past her. We rounded a short corner and entered a living room area. The area was pretty spacious; in the foreground off to the left was the kitchen, separated from the living room by a long black marble island countertop. The kitchen seemed a tight fit, but came with all stainless steel appliances. To our left, right at the entrance was a doorway that led to one bedroom. Kim and I explored. The first bedroom seemed big enough to just be comfortable, a good guest bedroom perhaps. The sliding door in the bedroom led to the bathroom, which was spotless, it almost looked brand new. Back out in the living room, Kim and I walked out through some glass sliding doors to the balcony, which since we were at a corner apartment, wrapped from one side of the building around to the other. From our vantage point we could see the ocean in the distance and had a nice view of the park across the street. Gertrude led us back into the living room and into the master bedroom. The room was very spacious, well lit by two windows, and had large walk in closets. The bathroom was large as well, fitted with a luxurious tub in the corner as well as a separate standalone glass paneled shower.
"So what do you guys think?" Gertrude asked, "It's right in your price range too," she added.
Kim and I looked at each other and smiled.
"Do you mind if we take a minute to discuss?" I asked.
"Of course," Gertrude replied and excused herself.
As Gertrude stood on the balcony and closed the doors, I turned to Kim,
"Sooo?"
"I love it," she quipped.
"I do to," I replied.
Kim's face lit up,
"Are you sure? You're not just agreeing because I like it?" she asked.
"No, I really like it's just big enough for the both of us, and seems like a really nice neighborhood."
Kim wrapped her arms around me and we hugged.
"I take it we've found our place," Gertrude interrupted as she re-entered the living room.
Kim giggled as she spun round,
"Yes, we love it, we'll take it," she excitedly chirped.
"Wonderful, well, let's head down to the office and get started on the paperwork, you'll be able to pick up the keys tomorrow," the woman explained, "I'm so happy for you two," she added.
After taking a few quick pictures, Kim sent them off to Summer and then we made our way down to the real estate office. We signed the necessary paper work and Gertrude explained to us all the amenities the apartment building offered; pool, security, parking, cable TV, etc.
When we got home there was more good news, we were notified that my car and the rest of our stuff would be arriving tomorrow. Kim immediately called the shipping company and gave them the new address. That evening, we were excited to relay the news to Kim's parents. They seemed genuinely happy for us. Kim and I went to bed early that night; we were so excited to start moving in to our new home.
XXXX
Kim's dad drove us to the new place the next morning. Gertrude was waiting for us and handed over the key. Kim was overjoyed to give her dad a quick tour of the place and get his approval.
"You guys did great," he complimented, "Really wonderful place."
"Thanks daddy," Kim replied as she smiled and the two hugged.
Kim's dad waited downstairs with us till the shipping company showed up, then took off for work. We signed the papers from the shipping company and they proceeded to take our stuff upstairs.
It was midafternoon; Kim and I were sat on the floor of what was our new living room after just having completed lunch, some subs I picked up down the street. We were surrounded by boxes, it seemed a daunting task but Kim and I were excited to take it on. After lunch, we made a quick trip to Home Depot for a couple items. Once back at the apartment, Kim set about cleaning the kitchen before unpacking all the kitchen stuff. I began my task of changing the locks and swapping out the toilet seats with new ones we bought at Home Depot; I personally didn't mind using the old ones but Kim had insisted.
Once done in the bathrooms, I wiped my brow and joined Kim in the kitchen. She had just finished packing away the cutlery. I chugged my bottle of water and helped to fold up some empty boxes.