take it or leave it

No way could they afford a wedding if they wanted a house. Final option from Aidan's parents and Audrey's parents too. They would help with the house if they were serious about getting marriage.

Aidan still felt bad that Henry wasn't there for the ceremony. He knew his little brother meant well, but it was kind of funny, the fit he threw, and then for his Dad to get so pissed about it. Aidan had no idea his family could get this angry.

But then again, he knew his dad was not in the best mood, and he knew this was quite possibly the last thing his Dad might ever do for him, help with the down payment for a house. Of course, Audrey's folks helped as much too.

Yet, such a strange time to move in the dead of winter into an old house not all that far from Asa's.

"Just think of the walks we can take in the summer. And..and you can see Jane." He was optimistic as he looked around at the empty house. They'd moved in his bed and dresser into the main bedroom. But they set on the wooden floor with their Chinese food as a small feat of making it through the week. There were big plans for the place in his head. He hoped and prayed it wasn't a money pit.

Audrey's Dad didn't seem to think so. The old house had new windows to keep out the cold and there were a lot of good things about the place. Thankfully, Audrey was down to two cats now. Henry had taken one.

"Yeah, its great to have our own place." She agreed as if she was sure they'd made the right decision.

But Aidan wished he could have given her more. Sure, she wore a white sweater dress with a plush bouquet of red roses. It was all so very simple.

Now the two black cats roamed the house as if to mark everything by rubbing all over it. Aidan watched as he ate at the lo mein noodles.

They didn't even have cable. Not even wi-fi. Audrey sat next to him snacking on an egg roll with hot mustard.

Even if they didn't have much, he was happy. Audrey fed him a fresh egg roll. This one with sweet and sour sauce. She did know him. He loved that about her.

There was a lot of work to do, but she didn't seem in any hurry. It was as if this was their honeymoon, after all.