Page 222 of As The Shifter World Turns

“Me too,” Toby mumbled. “You woke me up.”

Daire shrugged and didn’t apologize for coming over so early. “This concerns you too, Toby.”

I shoved mugs of coffee toward Daire and Martin and poured one for myself, before getting out Toby’s favorite cereal and the milk.

“I can’t stand living in 3B any longer. It’s too small for us, especially when we have Charlie there.” Martin and I shared a glance. Surely Daire wasn’t suggesting he and Nate should move in with us. “But it’s really about Charlie.”

“Charlie?” While our little boy spent time with all four of his parents, he spent the bulk of his time with my family.

“He shouldn’t be shuffled back and forth between the manor and here.”

I didn’t like where this conversation was headed and I sidled over to Martin while Toby sat at the kitchen island eating his cereal.

“So, I’ve made a decision.”

Any changes in Charlie’s life had to be discussed with me first and even though I had no idea what Daire was talking about, I wanted to shove him out the door and lock it.

“I heard through my contacts that the building next door to the manor is going up for sale. But it’s not on the market yet.” Based on the company Micah and Daire built up and sold, he knew plenty of realtors. “So, I got in touch with the owners and they’re willing to sell.”

Was he suggesting we buy the building together? Martin and I didn’t have that sort of money.

“I’m going to buy it. It’s smaller than Sunshine Manor but it has two three-bedroom apartments. One on each floor. It has gardens front and back and a roof. And I thought Nate and I could take one apartment and you could live in the other. That way, both of Charlie’s families would be living in the same building. What do you think?”

“I’d have to leave Patch,” Toby whined.

We’d only just been hit by this news from Daire and our eldest son was complaining he wouldn't see Archer and Micah’s dog, even though they’d be in the next street.

“We need more information before we can make a decision.”

My friend agreed but insisted we go look at the house now, but even though it was early, Toby had to go to school and Martin needed to get ready for work. We agreed we’d go with Daire this evening. Apparently, the owner had already bought another place and had moved out. How had I not noticed that? I guessed it was because I didn’t live in the manor any more though I was there every day for work.

When Daire left, Martin made scrambled eggs while I fed Charlie who had woken in a good mood and was banging his spoon on the tray of his high chair. Daire hadn’t mentioned rent or utilities. We knew next to nothing, only that he wanted us in the same building. It’d be a mini Sunshine Manor.

It'd been nice living in the same building as Archer and Micah, and our two families would often have a potluck dinner in the back garden.

“It won’t hurt to look at it,” I told my mate and Toby.

“But what if we don’t like it or the rent’s too high?” Martin asked. “How will Daire react when we say no?”

“We’ll explain that what’s best for him and Nate isn’t ideal for our family. At least he and Nate will live in a bigger apartment so that should make them happy.”

After Martin and Toby left, I pushed Charlie to the manor in his stroller. There was a house on either side of the manor but one was much bigger. That wasn’t it. I stood out front of the one Daire was hoping to buy and imagined us living there. The garden was a good size and I remember when the place was renovated so it shouldn’t look like the motel when Daire and Micah first bought it.

But thinking of how some of the renovated rooms at the motel turned out, maybe it’d be worse. I giggled as I thought back to the one motel room that had spikes on the walls.

The morning dragged on as it was all admin work, though I had a couple of live sessions later in the afternoon and Anthony asked if I wanted to go over to 2B and take a nap. With the running of the company and having two children, I was scaling back my live work and handing those clients to Anthony.

Martin wanted me to give up 2B, but it was perfect when I was working. Charlie and I could cross the landing at lunch time and I could feed him there, and yes, if I wanted to, I’d take a nap.

I kept peeking out the window at the house, imagining us living there next to the manor. Daire had been sending texts all day with photos of the inside. It was bigger than our current place. He mentioned he was going to put a door in the fence between the two buildings. He’d thought of everything.

When finally Toby got off school and Martin finished work, they came to the manor. Daire and Nate were already next door working out what furniture they needed and how to arrange it in their new home.

“I don’t want to move. I’ll miss Patch and I have my room just the way I want it,” Toby grumbled. While I was sure Patch could have sleepovers, I wasn’t going to mention that when Martin and I hadn’t discussed a possible move.

“I know you don’t like being on the first floor, Neil.”

Toby and Martin looked at me open-mouthed.

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