“This will actually be a pretty simple fix.” Peyton said, looking around the store. She, Elisabeth, Katie and Kevin were taking in the mess.
Various things were spray painted on the walls. The Saint Patrick’s Day display was torn to shreds and various items for sale were strewn across the carpet.
“I guess this actually works out great because we were looking at remodeling.” Elisabeth added.
“A new paint color, new office doors, a whole new set-up. This place will look great.” Katie said, sipping her coffee. “We have been talking about adding in that scrapbook supply section.”
“And we’ve wanted to move things around.” Peyton added.
“And we could try to get it done fast and have like a big Grand Re-opening weekend.” Elisabeth suggested.
Katie looked at Kevin, who was slowly sipping his coffee. They both knew where they were headed after this. They knew what saying they were done at the store really meant. They were going to their house.
“It’ll be awesome.” Peyton said.
Kevin nodded. Katie was starting to look frightened, however. She kept sipping her coffee and glancing around. He knew she had thousands of things flying through her head. She hadn’t looked forward to this since it had been mentioned.
He rested a hand on the small of her back, reassuring her. She smiled at him, a small smile. But, it was a smile at that moment from Katie.
************************************************************************
The house looked different, almost as if it was looming. It sent chills down Katie’s spine as she stood in the driveway. “I’m scared.” She confessed as Kevin walked over.
“Scared of what?” Kevin asked.
“I’m scared to go in. It’s nothing about what’s hiding in there or anything. It’s more along the lines of just scared that it won’t feel like our home anymore. That it won’t feel safe to live here or raise kids here.” Katie said.
“It’ll be fine. We can remodel it, just like you’re doing to the store, to make it feel homey again.” Kevin replied.
“It won’t be the same.” Katie said, looking at Kevin. His hand was at the small of her back, reassuring her again.
“Things won’t be able to be the same. But, we can start new. This can be a fresh start.” Kevin said, as they slowly made their way into the house.
It was the first time Katie was seeing the house in full force. It wasn’t as trashed as the store, but things would have to be replaced.
“Kevin, I can’t do this.” Katie said, making her way deeper into the house.
“You’re doing dine.” Kevin said, following her into the kitchen.
“There’s so much wrong.” Katie said, looking around the emptied cabinets. The house was a fire hazard in the making.
“We can fix it.” Kevin assured. “There is nothing here that can’t be painted over, slip-covered, or replaced. We can take the negatives and get new pictures made.”
“I can’t do it.” Katie said. “I’m not that strong.”
“You are one of the strongest women I know. You have faced so much and are still standing. You have so much strength that you haven’t even tapped into yet.” Kevin said.
He watched her lean up against eh island, her knuckles popping a little from the pressure she was exerting. Her hair was slowly falling over her shoulder. It reminded him of the fear she had their first night in the house, and how she had looked. And then, it reminded him of what they had done to deal with that fear.
Kevin came up behind her, placing a soft kiss on the back of her head. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him. “And that’s one of the things I love about you.” He said, brushing her hair from her shoulder and placing kisses along it.
She groaned a little when he placed a kiss on her spot on her neck. “And, I plan to show you how much I love you.” He said, turning her around and helping her up onto the island.
Katie pulled him close by the belt loops on his jeans and helped him unbutton and pull off his button up shirt. “How long have you loved me?” She asked, sweetly. She watched him smile and his hazel eyes sparkle at her.
“Since the moment I first met you.” He said, pulling her in for a kiss that made the world go dark….
************************************************************************
‘Burnin’ Up’ was playing rather loudly from the speakers. Random people that he either hadn’t met or didn’t really care to meet were milling about, talking about whatever subject they could think of.
That was when he saw her, the girl in the red dress. He laughed at how fitting it was, how she had him entranced.
When she smiled, her face just lit up. It looked as if she was barely wearing any make-up and her hair just fell so naturally over her shoulders in waves. The red dress hugged her body yet seemed to skim over her body so softly. It tied behind her head in a halter and fell to her kneed. On her feet, she had a matching pair of peep toe heels.
“I’ll be right back.” Kevin said, walking off before he got a response. He followed her through the crowd and all the way to the bar.
“Ginger ale.” He heard her say.
“Make that two.” Kevin said, causing the girl to turn and face him. “Hi, I’m Kevin.” He said, sticking his hand out for her.
She accepted his hand and shook it. “I know who you are Mr. Jonas.” She replied, her hazel eyes sparkling and a sly smile growing across her round face.
“Well, you’re one up on me because I don’t know who you are.” Kevin replied as the bartender set the two drinks down in front of them. The girl reached to lay some money down to pay, but Kevin stopped her.
“That’s not fair. This is your party, which means I should be paying.” The girl said, walking over with her drink to a seat. Kevin followed and took a seat across from her.
“I’ll let you buy the next round on one condition.” Kevin said, watching her sip. “You have to tell me you name.”
She smiled again. “Kate Lynn.”
“Very beautiful.” Kevin said, smiling. “So, what brings you here tonight?”
“You guys.” She replied, sipping her drink.
“Really?” Kevin asked, a little surprised.
“I work for the firm who planned this party.” Kate said.
“Well, let me be the first to tell you that I think you did an amazing job, Kate.” Kevin said, smiling at her. He watched her blush a little and smile more.
“Call me Katie.” Katie said, both of them smiling. “All my friends do.”
They talked for what felt like hours. Anything and everything, mostly things about Katie, were the topic. She talked about being the middle child in her family, how everyone’s name had Lynn in it, growing up in LA, her two best friends, working for a party planning firm, anything. Even her favorite kind of music to listen to.
“I actually love Switchfoot.” Katie said, laughing. They were on their fourth or fifth round of the ginger ales.
“Really? You’ve heard of them?” Kevin said, sounding surprised.
“I have every CD except for ‘The Legend of Chin’.” Katie replied.
“Wow, I am impressed.” Kevin said.
“I love that a rock band can still be romantic. And, it may not fully come across as romantic. ‘Learning To Breathe’ may not seem like Barry White, but it’s still so sweet and beautiful.” Katie explained.
“So I take it that ‘Learning To Breathe’ is your favorite Switchfoot song then?” Kevin asked.
“Actually, it’s in the top ten. If I had to pick my favorite though, I’d have to say….” Katie started as the songs switched. Out of nowhere, ‘On Fire’ by Switchfoot started playing. Katie chuckled a little.
“You okay?” Kevin asked.
“This is actually my favorite Switchfoot song.” Katie said, pointing overhead at a speaker. “And you’re on fire when he’s near you. And you’re on fire when he speaks. And you’re on fire burning at these mysteries.” She sang.
“This is a good one.” Kevin said, scooting closer. Katie noticed and scooted closer.
“Though, this one isn’t as closet romantic as some of the others.” Katie said, scooting to where their knees touched.
“I think I’m going to kiss you.” Kevin whispered, as they both kept leaning closer.
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.” Katie replied.
It was feather light, almost exploring. But, Kevin packed so much passion and fireworks into such a soft kiss.
Katie pulled away, her hazel eyes slowly opening. “Wow.” She whispered.
“You okay?” Kevin asked.
“This is going to sound very corny, but I’m burning up.” Katie said.
“It does feel a little warm.” Kevin said.
Katie noticed Joe and Nick, so she turned back to Kevin. “I think your brothers are ready to go.” She said, pointing at them.
“You should come by the concert tomorrow night.” Kevin suggested as the two of them stood up and started walking.
Katie chuckled to herself. “I’m kinda busy tomorrow night.” She said.
“Oh.” Kevin said softly.
“I have to go to this concert for this newspaper I write a music column for. I have to go listen to some band called the Jonas Brothers.” Katie said, watching Kevin stop walking and smile at her.
“Well, you will defiantly have to go backstage and visit the band. I hear they are amazing guys to get along with.” Kevin said.
“I’ll have to talk to Peyton. She’s always going to the concerts with me and….” Katie started.
“Peyton can come backstage too. If Elisabeth lived here still and not in New Jersey, she could come too.” Kevin said.
“Well, Mr. Jonas, I will see you tomorrow.” Katie said, as she waved and then walked off.
“Tomorrow.” Kevin said.
************************************************************************
Katie pulled the sheets closer to her body. Her breathing was starting to finally slow down. “When was the last time we did anything like that?” She asked, turning on her side to look at a flushed Kevin.
“Probably our first night in the house.” Kevin said. He ran a hand through his curls, trying to calm his breathing.
“We should do that more often.” Katie said, snuggling closer.
“Definitely.” Kevin said, placing a kiss on the top of her head. “So, do you think this house will be okay?” He asked, much like he had that first night.
Katie smiled, a genuine Kate Lynn smile that lit up her face. “It’s perfect.” She replied.