Kira and Anthony woke up to the alarm before the kids woke up. They wanted to get the last of the stuff out of the trunk and into the house before it got too hot and before he had to return the truck. By nine thirty, the truck was empty, and all the boxes and bags were in the house. With the kids off at school, Kira was able to get herself and the baby ready to go. While she did her hair, she debated what to wear. While she was going to the mall, with a girl and a baby, would she be invited in Natalie's house to wait while Natalie finished getting ready? And if so, who else would be there? With her hair and make up done and her baby dressed, she stood in her underware in front of her clothes. She decided on a snug pair of jeans, a blue baby doll t-shirt and a black vest, with balck heels. Grabbing her stuff and putting the baby in his car seat, she practically ran next door. Catching her breath, she rang the bell and glanced at her watch. Five after. Shit. When the door opened, she looked up and was face to face with Zac. When he smiled at her, she almost dropped the car seat. Fortunately for her, she didn't have to pretend to not know who he was, because her brain couldn't put any words together any way. So the always ready "Ah..." presented its self.
"I- I'm Kira. Natalie and I-" was all she could manage after what felt like an eternity of standing on the door step. Why was it so much more difficult here than during a walk? He leaned against the doorway.
"She's almost ready." Kira saw his brown eyes sweep over her, then he tucked a loose lock of hair behind his ear. "So ah, I haven't seen you here before." Kira tried to smile, and hoped she didn't look stupid.
"I just moved in next door yesterday." He seemed to be in one of his good moods, so she was able to relax slightly. Then again-
"Zac! Is that Kira?" She heard Taylor yell from somewhere inside.
"Yeah!" He called over his shoulder, then looked back at her. "Sorry. It's a little chaotic around here. Oh- here she comes."
"Thanks Zac." She ducked under his arm and came outside. "Sorry about the wait."
"No big deal. I was late myself. Don't feel so bad now." She smiled at Natalie as Natalie dug through her purse. Why did Zac have to stand there watching, with tat small half smile on his lips? When she found her keys, Kira nearly cried with relief. Why was this so much harder than she thought it would be? At this rate, she'll have to stay away from them just to keep her system level. As they walked to Natalie's car and got the kids buckled in and then got themselves in, it was then Zac closed the door.
"I'm glad you decided to come. I needed a break from that mess!"
"Glad I could help."
"So did you get all your stuff unpacked? I see your moving truck is gone."
"We got it all in, but not unpacked. Anthony dropped it off this morning, and then went to work."
"If you need help, let me know. When I moved from Georgia, I didn't have a loit of my own stuff, but the stuff I did have, it was a huge pain. So a whole house..."
"It's a lot of work, but I think unpacking is a lot easier than packing. But anytime you're bored or need a break, come on over."
"Thanks. I'll probaly be taking you up on that offer regularly." She laughed. "You might even get sick of me."
"Nah. I'll be glad to have company. It's my first tine in six years to have the house so quiet, and in a new town." They exchanged smiles, and Kira was excited to be friends with Natalie, not even so much anymore just for the fact of who she's married to, but she was turning out to be pretty cool, and it would honestly be nice to have a friend in a new town. Who she's married to is now just a bonus.
They made it to the mall, walked around a couple times, bought a bunch of clothes for their kids and themselves, had lunch, and walked around some more.
By the time Kira was home at three, she had Natalie's phone number in her myfaves, and she had to pick her kids up from school. Then it was snack time, more unpacking, then dinner and bedtime for her kids, then her. When Anthony joined her a couple hours later, she woke and turned to him, but it was Taylor's face she saw in her mind.

Chapter Three