A Surprise Gift
Chapter 41
Addison’s POV
Phillip and I have been officially together for over a year now. We haven’t had s*x yet, but I didn’t want to rush into this. Phillip was important to me. He wasn’t a rebound. My aunt was putting together a nice BBQ for the whole family to celebrate my twenty–third birthday. Things have been perfect between us. The fact that Phillip has been content with dating and just making out has allowed me to think everything through. I learned from my mistakes before,
but Phillip is perfect for me.
He is handsome, intelligent, and loving. What else could I ask for? I had previously thought that I could only be happy with Garrett. I had spent my life thinking that he was the only one for me. I have had time to realize that Garrett had been an asshole to me for the last eight years. I was so starved for his affection that I was willing to put up with any scrap he would throw at me. But kissing Phillip had been an eye–opener.
I had already spoken to Phillip about helping me in my next venture. He agreed to help me before he knew what I needed help with. That is the kind of man he is. He loves me so much
that he can’t help but want me to succeed. I have always been a planner, and I don’t like to wait until the last minute. I already believed that he would be helping me with the building
aspects of it. I wanted to start flipping houses. He was a contractor who knew how to do everything I needed to do.
I knew he could walk through the homes with me and share his opinions. We were very much
on the same wavelength. I knew that he would be able to see my vision. I also knew he would
be a stickler for ensuring we followed code, which was important. I needed someone I could trust. I needed help knowing which properties would be a bad investment and which we
should go for. His expertise in what we could and couldn’t do would be a bonus. I learned a lot from him, and I felt confident with Phillip by my side.
As anticipated, he was glad to share his knowledge with me. His sister, Erin, an interior
designer, offered to help me, too. They were both so happy to help me, which meant a lot. I knew I had good taste, but I would need her input for at least the first few homes. I already
knew which home I was going to start with. My former home has been rented out for the last
five years. It needed someone to come in and love it as much as we had. It was a lovely home.
It needed to be loved and taken care of again. The home was now twenty–five years old, and would need some updates made to it. It was an excellent home to start with, I may have a
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A Surprise Gift
personal attachment to it, but this should be a good test. Erin and Phillip are both going with me next week. I was leaving Corbin behind to stay with my aunt and uncle, but they were all planning on coming with me to see the house. My cousins and grandparents all wanted to go with me to show their support.
I think it is because they wanted to see where we lived. They wanted to get a feel for Mom,
even if she wasn’t there. The anniversary of the accident had just passed, and the loss was
still tough for me. I had gone to put flowers on their grave that day but found that someone
else had left flowers as well. It was a beautiful bouquet. Since it was the fifth anniversary of
losing Mom. I also had a big bouquet made as well.
We sat around after dinner, watching Corbin play with Phillip, Evan, and Bryson. He has so
many good role models in his life, which makes me very happy. I have never ignored the fact
that I lucked out. I remember the loss I felt after I was notified that my mother had been killed.
I had no one who would have helped me if not for them. I know that I would be struggling
today if not for them. Tandy and Russell would probably have invited me to stay with them. But how long would that courtesy have lasted once the pregnancy was exposed? Especially if
Garret was still with Tammy. It would have been a nightmare to stay there.
“I think that you have a great idea, Addison. We flipped houses back in the eighties and
throughout the nineties. It can be a very lucrative venture. You have a good head on your
shoulders. Phillip and Erin will be a big help to you. Picking the right materials is crucial. The
only advice I want to give you is to buy the worst house in a middle to upper–class
neighborhood. That way, you will always be able to get your money back out of it. I think that
you and Phillip should be able to make a name for yourselves in this,” my grandfather told me.
“I agree. That is what we always did. Montgomery always had a way of picking out the right
house. One with good bones that usually only needed updating and painting. I got to do the
fun stuff, like picking the new countertops, fixtures, paint colors, and appliances. I can help
you there too. I know how to find bargains. When it comes time, let me know, and I will come.
to help you,” my grandmother chimed in. Her eyes were glittering with excitement at the
thought of getting help. There was no way I would turn her down.
“When are you going there to check everything out?” my aunt asked.
“Next Sunday, so we have a week. I wanted to give them a little extra time to move out. I know they were unhappy about it but weren’t willing to buy it. I want to proceed with this before I
have time to overthink it. I don’t think I will sell it, at least not yet. This is an opportunity to see
how it will go. I want to keep it. Potentially use it as our home,” I said the last of it, waiting to
hear the reaction I knew was coming.
“You have a home here, Addison,” my aunt was the first to respond.
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A Surprise Gift
“Yes, for however long you need it, you are always welcome here,” my uncle quickly agreed.
“Have you thought this through?” We can always buy you a home, or Phillip can design you a home that would be perfect for you,” my grandfather suggested.
“I have thought it through. Corbin will be starting pre–K soon. I took a tour of the local
elementary school. The teacher–to–student ratio was not good. Most classes are overfilled. I
also looked into private schools. But I don’t want Corbin to grow up entitled. It would take
some time for him to get there, but I can see it happening now. I don’t want him to be like that.
I want to raise Corbin how I was raised. Right in the middle. I have been thinking about this a
lot. Our old house is perfect. I could use Mom’s old office to design and work from. I could
work on clothing and the homes I wanted to flip. Plus, we are so close to Dallas that we could
come up to see you every weekend. Or you could come to us,” I blurted out.
I knew I was talking fast, but if I slowed down before I got it out, I would never be able to say it.
I loved them all and didn’t want to hurt them. But I wanted Corbin to have the opportunity to have as normal a life as he could. Garrett is gone. I have let all my feelings for him go. I am not worried about him anymore. His life is in North Carolina. Tammy’s family moved away
years ago. They lost their home after he lost his job. They had gone back to Tennessee. I have
to assume that Tammy went back there, too, after she was released from prison almost two
years ago. If she was going to try to come after me, I am sure that she would have done it long
before now.
“Have you completely thought this through?” my grandmother asked.
“I have, Gigi. I’ve already planned this with Colton instead of driving me to college or work. He will be driving Corbin to and from preschool. Maybe a weekly trip to the grocery store for the first few months to see how things go. I will drive Corbin back and forth from my house here.
to visit. I am having the security system upgraded and cameras added. Don’t forget, it’s in a gated community. I believe that we will be safe there. No one other than my former classmates will recognize me or know who I am. None of them know I’m part of your family. I’m looking at this as a trial. If it doesn’t work out, that’s fine. We’ll come back. I can always sell the house. I just feel a connection with it. It was my home for eighteen years. Plus, Tandy and Russell are next door. They are empty nesters now. I haven’t mentioned it yet, but I am sure they will love the opportunity to see Corbin more often,” I tried to soothe their worries.
“I don’t like the thought of you and Corbin living alone there, even if it is gated. That concerns me,” my grandfather anxiously replied.
“Who said she was going to be alone?” Phillip asked as he came up with Corbin in his arms.
He was right; he was going to be there with me. Phillip had also been concerned about us staying there alone. The home had three bedrooms, so I was not worried about him staying
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A Surprise Gift
with us. The moment he put my son down, Corbin ran up to me, climbing onto my lap and handing me a gift.
“Is this for me, baby?” I asked Corbin. He nodded at me with a smile on his face. I could tell that he was excited about giving it to me. He climbed back down from my lap, and my cousins walked up and stood watching with their parents. Everyone was quiet as I unwrapped the box. I gasped in shock as I looked at the beautiful princess–cut engagement ring inside the box. I was too surprised to think for a minute.
When I looked up, I saw my son and Phillip kneeling on one knee, both looking at me hopefully. “Addison, I know you weren’t expecting this. I know I said I would wait. I am still willing to wait for as long as you need me to, but will you agree to accept my ring? Addison, will you agree to one day marry me?” Phillip asked. He has stood by me and loved me without asking for anything in return. My son was clearly on board with this, as he had played a part in it, which made it even more special.
“Mom?” Corbin asked, getting my attention. I realized I had been crying but hadn’t answered Phillip yet. I could see the fear in his eyes as he waited for my answer.
“Yes, I will marry you, Phillip,” I told him as I rose from my chair. He jumped up to meet me and gave me a thorough kiss. We only broke apart when I heard my grandfather clear his throat.
