Here it is, after much waiting and anticipation! Thank you for the feedback and support, both helped me get through the crap life has set in my lap and write this chapter for you! It is a bit longer than the others, so enjoy! As always, feedback and constructive criticism are welcome.
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Chp 7 Monday, May 2nd
Ashley returned to school and JJ woke up Monday morning missing her. Two days in a row she'd woken up with the blonde snuggled against her and the empty bed pulled forth memories of the weekend. Delicious memories that warmed JJ's pussy and increased her hunger for Ashley.
JJ pulled herself together and checked the small notepad on the dresser. She'd written out a to-do list for the house. Almost everything was crossed off. The house was essentially finished. A few light fixtures needed to be put in, then she was done. She needed the inspector to come and inspect, then get a hold of the lawyers who no doubt would come to see her progress and bring their own inspector.
That meant she needed to decide what she was doing. Selling or staying.
No immediate answer sprang into her mind. JJ huffed and grabbed her cigarettes and lighter before stepping outside. A pleasant breeze blew down the narrow corridor, ruffling JJ's hair. She had to cup a hand around lighter and cigarette for the flame to catch, inhaling when it did.
The first few exhales of smoke cleared JJ's mind. It became a blank slate.
Tapping ash over the edge of the rail JJ thought about the advantages of selling the house, as was the original plan. She'd get plenty for it now that it was fixed up. Not a fortune, but she figured asking about one hundred twenty thousand for it wasn't too much. It had plenty of space, but just the three bedrooms and a single bathroom. The backyard was pretty big, enough for a kid or two. Maybe a dog.
She could go back to San Francisco. The money from the sale would be more than enough. She had a really sweet nest egg right now, having spent only about seventy thousand of the eight hundred thousand she had available on the house.
JJ took a short drag and blew smoke from her nose, ignoring the tickle. San Francisco. There was nothing there for her. No job. No home. No girlfriend. There was an ex-girlfriend. There were friends, but she had friends all over the place. JJ knew she'd have no problems getting a job or finding a place to stay. She didn't need to find a girlfriend. She had Ashley, a thought that made her smile.
Ashley. JJ inhaled more smoke before flicking ash. If she sold the house and moved back to San Fran, they'd have to keep up a long distance relationship. JJ had never tried that before, but already saw the flaws. Ashley had been back at school for less than twenty four hours and she missed the spunky blonde already. Not seeing her, being near her, touching her, for weeks or even months at a time was not appealing in the slightest.
She could sell the house, but stay in Sierra Falls. Rent an apartment or something. Ashley had two more semesters before she would graduate college. JJ could live with being separated for a few weeks, or only a few hours' drive.
Shit. JJ froze when she realized what she was doing. No. This decision couldn't be made for Ashley, or because of her. It had to be for JJ, for herself.
When no instant selection made itself clear to her JJ snorted, flicked the half burned cigarette into the rocks below and pushed away from the rail. She was never this indecisive.
There were pros and cons to both choices, and they rattled about JJ's head while she drove to the house.
If she sold the house she'd have money to restart in San Francisco. There were tons of opportunities in California, jobs, places to live, even things to do for fun. She'd be around her friends again, partying and having fun when she wasn't working.
If she left, it would be a replay of ten years ago. Separated from Ashley and trying to keep in touch. Granted, that would be easier with the technology available, but it was simply a revamp of their past. That didn't appeal to JJ at all. She hadn't worked to repair their relationship just to toss it back into jeopardy.
If she stayed in Sierra Falls and kept the house, she'd be a homeowner, which she felt was a big achievement. It probably wouldn't be hard to find a job in town. She'd seen a few signs out, figured it wouldn't hurt to walk in and ask around.
JJ parked the truck when she arrived at the house. She killed the engine and looked up at the house. It no longer had broken windows or a clearly neglected yard. It looked like every other home on the street, cared for. A warmth built in her chest when she looked at her childhood home. It actually looked like a home now. She could easily imagine that a family lived there, everyone pitching in to keep it up. Dad mowing the lawn, mom and the kids working on the flowers in the small flower garden beneath the windows. Maybe a dog yipping in the backyard.
Shaking herself to clear her head, JJ hopped from the truck and made her way to the front door, her boots thumping on the new porch.
Inside, she felt the same. This felt like a home now. Warm and welcoming. Light. JJ almost laughed, smiling as she walked. It wasn't just the physical changes, not to her. It wasn't just the way the sunlight brightened the place, or how open it felt, with clean carpet but no furnishings. There was a calm feeling now. JJ paused in the doorway to her old bedroom, the pale green walls pristine, and a boxed fan sitting against the wall. She'd spent sixteen years in this room, most of them unhappily. While the memories were still there, they were just in her head, not an almost visceral part of the room.
JJ backed up, leaning into the wall behind her. She wasn't sure why or how the house had changed. This wasn't just putting up a fresh coat of paint and feeling like new. It was almost like there was a new energy about the place. JJ didn't really place stock in that crap, positive energies, peace and love baby. She couldn't shake this new feeling though.
"I'm staying here. Right here." The words came out of her mouth without any conscious thought. "This is home." JJ looked down the hall to the master bedroom, its door wide open. She walked in, stopping just beyond the door. The sliding glass doors gave a view of the backyard, the green grass waving lazily in the soft breeze. The walls were a soft grey, so light they almost looked white. That warmth returned to her chest, blooming out strongly enough to make her blink at the tears suddenly welling up. "Okay." she said quietly, "I'm staying. I will make this into a home. My home."
***
Two days later, Ashley was walking back to her dorm, backpack slung over her shoulders, a book under her arm. Her roommate Lisa was giggling at Ashley, who'd been sharing how she learned to skate over the weekend.
"And then we both tried to turn and bam, down we go. I totally blurted out something that would turn your ears red, which just made JJ laugh harder. She thought it was pretty funny, but she gets points for a smooth landing."
"She sounds like she's a lot of fun. And...rather smooth herself." Lisa blushed, as did Ashley. The blonde chuckled a little. "Yeah, she is."
"So, are you two, you know, dating?" Lisa asked, nearly whispering while they passed another group.
Ashley's blush grew, as did her smile. "Yeah."
Lisa touched Ashley's arm, her wide green eyes bright. "I'm so happy for you."
