Chapter 7：Old married couple

When Vale wakes up, he listens for Marie. She isn't home yet and he feels a bit disappointed. He decides to surprise her with dinner and goes to the kitchen to see what she has. There is chicken in the freezer and veggies in the fridge. He looks through the cupboards for spices and picks some out. He gets busy chopping and humming as he defrosts the chicken in some warm salt water.

When Marie gets to the building and parks, she gets out and rides the elevator to her floor. She is deep in thought when the most delicious smell hits her nose. When she opens the door to her apartment she realizes the smell is coming from her apartment. She closes and locks the door.

"What are you making?" She asks as she looks in the kitchen.

"Go sit down, its almost done." He smiles at her and returns his attention to the food.

She smiles and shakes her head as she puts her bag down and drops her keys on top of it. She is quit hungry so she sits and waits. There is a pitcher of lemonade on the table and Marie pours herself a glass. "You want to go and get a money order from the gas station on the corner when we are done eating?" She asks as Vale puts a plate in front of her.

"Sounds like a plan." He smiles "How was work?"

"Good, I have all of my remodels ready to send out once they are priced and approved by George. I may stay home tomorrow to pack, since I have to wait for approval anyway. I won't be too noisy for you to sleep if I pack, will I?"

"No. I can stay up and help." He offers cheerfully.

"If you would like." Marie replies softly.

They finish their meal and walk to the gas station. Vale pays for the money order and they walk back. They stop at the landlords door and give him the money order, he writes a receipt and has Marie sign some papers, then they head up to her apartment. Marie sits on the couch and lets out a heavy sigh. Vale follows her and sits beside her. "Are you ok?" He looks concerned.

"Yes." Marie puts her feet up.

"Ok. Ill have to text Max to let him know we will be here till Friday. Maybe he can send some guys to help load and unload the moving truck." Vale put his feet up next to Maries.

At the mention of his name Marie remembered the text Max had sent her earlier and she put her hand on Vale's thigh as her eyes went wide. "I totally forgot! Max texted me earlier and said you needed to tell me the rules for the pack."

Vale jumped a little at her sudden movement and relaxed when she told him why. "Oh. Yea there are several rules but out on the farm we won't be breaking many of them. For now the most important one is not to tell people about the other side. We look and act normal so no one really knows we are around. Max wants to keep in that way."

"Ok. The only people I talk to really is my sister and her husband. I'm assuming I can't tell them either?" Marie looks at him with a hint of sadness in her eyes. She has never kept a secret from her sister, they have always told each other everything.

"Not right now. Maybe we can find a way to ease them into the pack in the future." He strokes her hair and she lays on his shoulder. He should probably talk to Max about it. They sit together quietly until Maries phone starts ringing.

"Your ears burning?" Marie answers the phone.

"You were talking about me?" Genevieve answers.

"All good things, I promise." Marie smiles.

"Well! How's tall, dark and handsome?"

"Fine, he says hi." Marie winks at Vale

"Oh! He's with you now!" If Gen could jump through the phone she probably would.

"About that, I'm going to be moving out to the country with Vale" Marie tells her sister hesitantly.

"What?! Isn't that a bit fast! I mean wow....."

Marie stops Gen in her tracks "calm down! Look he makes me really happy and I think this is going to be good. Besides you always said you could see me living in the country."

"Well, can we come meet him at least before you move? Are you going to commute to work?"

"No, I think I'm going to look at doing something new." Marie smiles. "But yes you can come visit, your my sister after all."

"Be there as soon as my hubby gets home. He is working late today. I have good news too! See you soon!" Gen hangs up before Marie can reply.

"We are going to have company soon. Fair warning my sister is my opposite." Marie laughs

"Ok." Vale reply's and gets up. "I'll clear the table and put everything in the room."

Marie and Vale take turns in the shower and change their clothes. After several hours there is a knock on the door and Marie answers it. Gen and Mat have brought pizza and drinks.

"That's enough for an army!" Marie smiles as she follows them to the table.

"Well, we are going to celebrate! My sister is finally in love!" Gen hugs Marie. "Well, where is he?" She moves Marie to the side. Vale is standing now and Marie smiles.

"Genevieve, Mathew, this is Vale. Vale this is my sister and brother-in-law." Marie introduces them and Gen claps and gives him a hug. Vale looks a bit uncomfortable and I laugh a bit. We spend the night eating, drinking and having a good time. Marie and Mat fall asleep on the couch. Vale and Marie quietly clean up in the kitchen. Marie washes and Vale drys. If one were to watch them, they would say they have been together for sometime as they seemed to be in a routine perfected by time. Gen stands in the doorway watching their seemingly boring routine and she feels warm. Marie has found her person. Gen is so happy for her sister.

Marie looks over her shoulder and sees Gen standing in the doorway. "What's wrong sis?"

"Nothing." She smiles. "There is just something so heartwarming watching you two like an old married couple that has spent over a decade together."

"Haha sis, what is that supposed to mean?" Marie laughs.

"I'm just very happy for you." She smiles seriously.

Marie smiles and looks at Vale who is also smiling. "Does your hubby have work today?" Marie asks Gen.

"No we are going to call in sick today."

Marie smiles. "What was that good news you said you had?"

"Oh. Well I wanted to tell you in person. Your going to be an auntie!" She screams.

Marie's jaw drops and she hugs Gen. "Oh my gosh! Yay! When are you due?!"

"I was wondering why you only brought soda."

"Well I think we should get home and let you guys get to it." Gen hugs Marie and gets Mat from the couch. "Time to go babe. I want to go lay in our bed."

"Ok, did you already tell Marie the good news?" Mat grumbles.

"You could sleep through a hurricane, yes, lets go!" Gen smacks him gently on the shoulder.

"Congratulations you guys" Marie smiles as they leave and closes the door.

Vale is leaning on the doorway when Marie turns around. "Old married couple huh?" He smiles.

"Sorry, she's a bit much sometimes." Marie laughs .

"I had fun. After all the pack is a family." He smiles.

Marie calls George and lets him know that she will be in tomorrow since she has to wait for approval. George agrees and she hangs up. Marie and vale begin packing up the apartment. There is a pile of boxes and furniture in one corner and as Marie is packing more boxes she is trying to decide if she should leave some of her furniture behind since Vale's home is fully furnished. By the afternoon the whole apartment is packed. They have left some boxes untapped so they can use the dishes.

Vale hasn't stayed up this late in the day for a long time. When they are done packing he is exhausted and Marie looks exhausted too. "I need to call Max about Friday. Go lay down I'll be in soon"

"Ok" Marie reply's as she closes the bedroom door.

Vale calls Max

"hello?" Max answers.

"Hey man."

"What are you doing up?"

"I was helping Marie pack her apartment."

"Oh. What's up?"

"Could we get some help Friday? We need to pack the truck and take all her stuff to my place."

"How big of a truck will we need?"

"Not a big one, her apartment isn't that big. Everything is actually packed already."

"Why Friday?"

"She is finishing up some projects at work."

"Ok. I'll be there Friday at sundown"

"Thanks man"

"Anytime."

Vale hangs up, goes to the room and finds Marie is sound asleep. He lays down next to her, looking at her sleeping face, he cant remember being this content in a long time. Then Genevieve's words ring in his head 'Old married couple'. He decides to go get a ring tonight and crosses his fingers she says yes