Chapter 2 Everett

I couldn't believe it. We were finally home, but that's not what had me all keyed up though. I was going to get to see her. She had managed to keep away from me but I wasn't going to lose any more time with her. I would look at the pictures that Mrs. Morris sent to my buddy. I had a feeling that Sky had a crush on me when we were younger but she was way too young for me. I am five years older than her. Through those pictures though and seeing her while home on leave I became more aware of her as she got older.

Then she got with Cooper's dad and I wasn't about to break up a family so I stayed more with my family when we would come home. I had enlisted at eighteen with Nolan and we had been gone for ten years now. At that time Skylar had grown into a beautiful woman and mother to Cooper. She loved that little boy more than anything else in her life. I do remember the last time I saw her though. She was pregnant and from the look of it, she was pretty far along. I caught a glimpse of her inside the flower shop through the big glass window. She didn't notice me standing there watching her go by each flower smelling their sweet nectar us both knowing that she will only pick the lilies. For God's sake, the woman's best friend's name was Lily. She had always liked them even when she was a little girl. Nolan and I had met in kindergarten just like Sky and Lily. Nolan and I did everything together and that meant joining up together after graduation. I wanted to make something of myself and I knew Sky wouldn't leave her home here. The time before that we had made it back in time for her eighteenth birthday I was going to see if we could hang out but that's when I met the punk she was dating who would later turn out to be Cooper's dad. He left her shortly after she told him she was pregnant with his child. From what I understand is he's only saw Copper a handful of times and it was only when Daniel wanted something or to prove to his girlfriend that he was a good dad. Then they would break up and it would start all over. Sky never took him back after he left and she didn't even put his last name down for his son. Nolan wasn't happy when he found out that Daniel had left. He wanted to fly home and whip the guy's ass. She was only nineteen and had Cooper at twenty. "Hey man, what are you thinking about so hard over there?" Nolan asked. "Oh, nothing you know that I'm always in my head," I say. "All right, well Sky hasn't texted me back so she is probably busy. Let's go to your family's house and let them know about this weekend then we can head to the bank. Sound like a plan to you?" He asks. "Yeah man sounds good to me," I say. We head out of town to where my parents live on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. I always like being here. It's so peaceful. Once we hit the gravel road I get excited to see my family again and this time for good. We park out by the barn and make our way inside. "Mama are you home?" "Is that my babies?" She asks from the kitchen. "Yes ma'am," I say. "Oh get in here," she says coming to the front door with her arms out wide. She hugs us and holds us until we have to pry her off of us. "Come in and have some lunch. Your daddy is going to be so happy to see you boys," she says. "How are you doing Elena?" Nolan asks my mom. "Oh, you know busy busy busy." We have lunch and that's when my pops come in and see me. "My boy, how are you?" He gives us both a long hug and then sits down for lunch. "Hey, mama, pops Nolan's folks are having a get-together Saturday and want us all there," I say. "Goody it's been ages since I saw Stella," mom says. "It's only been a few days dear," dad says. We listen as my folks bicker back and forth when my phone chimes.

Skylar- String bean? Really? After all these years you couldn't come up with anything else?

I wait to text back a few minutes and then send it,

Everett- What would you like me to call you?

Skylar- How about my name?

Everett- I have lots of names that I want to call you but I shouldn't.

I don't hear anything back so we head into town and park at Manny's thinking the girls would be there. They hadn't shown up yet so we head on over to the bank and wait for them there. I head to the restroom and relieve myself when I get back I'm struck by her beauty. She's wearing a black skirt and a blue top with the sexiest pair of heeled boots I have ever seen. As he steps back and releases her, I know I have to hold her in my arms for a second. "It's nice to see you String bean. I hug her and whisper "I can't call you that anymore, can I? You look damn good mama," I say as I back up. We discuss the get-together and how everyone is invited. "Well, we had better get. And you need to get back to work. I'm picking up my nephew before you go to work tomorrow and spending the whole day with him," Nolan calls as we walk out of the bank. We had decided to buy a house outside of town and fix it up. We were meeting the real estate agent in about half an hour so we head on out there so we could look around. We just needed to sign the last of the papers and then the house is ours. They had already received the money and we were getting the keys today. We reach the house and it doesn't look that bad on the outside. Some fencing needs to be fixed and the porch needs to be redone. A car comes flying down the dirt road and turns into the driveway. I know who it is right away. "Hey, Mark. How the hell are ya man?" I ask. "Hey, guys. Man, it's good to have you both back home and safe. Everything has been turned on in your name so you have water, power, and sewer," he says. "Good our moving truck will be here tomorrow with the furniture and everything else that wouldn't fit in our trucks," Nolan says. After Mark leaves we start to unload our trucks. By the time we are done, it's evening time. I decide to pull out my phone to see if anyone has tried to get ahold of me and sure enough I have a text from Skylar.

Skylar- I heard you and my brother bought a fixer and you're moving in today.

Everett- Yeah we just got the keys today and we moved some stuff in today.

She doesn't respond for a while so we head into town for some supper. Tomorrow I'll go grocery shopping. We head to Manny's for some burgers and fries. I love this little town, but there can be some downfalls living in a small town. Everyone knows everything. So I wasn't surprised that Skylar knew we bought a house before we could tell her. That woman is all I have thought about for years now. I wanted to be with her but she wasn't showing me any signs that she wanted me back. We finish up our meal and head back home. Still no reply from Sky, she must be busy with Cooper. I unpack the boxes and put away the rest of my stuff when my phone goes off.

Skylar- Why do you want to move back here? Besides your family being here.

Everett- I have a few reasons for being back.

Skylar-Are you going to tell me those reasons or am I going to have to guess?

Everett- I'll show you when the time is right mama.

Skylar- Show me huh? What do you want to show me?

Everett- I have lots of things to show you darlin.

Skylar- I honestly don't even know how to take that. Lol

Everett- I want you to relax in a bath after you put Cooper to bed.

Skylar- Don't tell me how to live my life.

Everett- I just think that you may need some alone time.

I put my phone on the charger and head to shower this day off of me. I crawl into bed with my mind on a little fiery redhead. I drift off to sleep with her in my dreams.