Coffee with Helen [THE END]

"So, I don't know how to ask you this the subtle way, so I'm going to come right out. Can we move in with you?"

I nearly choked on my coffee at the question. The Starbucks was nearly empty, I noted with some surprise. It wasn't normal for a Monday and was actually a little disconcerting, especially considering how many of my associates at the business had taken the opportunity to work from home.

"Well, I'll have to ask Carla and Kaila..." I sputtered out after wiping up the small amount of coffee that had managed to get onto my shirt.

"Ok, great, already going better than I was afraid of. So, next question. Today?" Helen looked a bit different than she had on vacation. The corporate suit didn't suit her. At all. It was obviously not her preferred mode of dress, and the valise at her side didn't do much to help the image. If anything she looked like she was trying to not be noticed. Her short hair was neatly combed, and I honestly didn't like it with the gel. It made her look artificial, like she was conforming to a role that she really didn't enjoy, but had to do. Sadly, that was the real world, and since I'd been back in it, I kept noticing all the little conventions that we didn't seem to follow, any of us.

"Wait, TODAY, move in today? Why today?" I asked, my head whipping around the area.

"Because our apartment had been broken into while we were gone," Helen sighed. "I hate this fucking suit, but it's the only professional thing I had left. They didn't take my work bag for some reason. BUT, everything with a cord is gone, and honestly, I have a bad feeling. Just feel like I need to get out of the city. TODAY. We stayed at a hotel last night because the lock was broken and the landlord told me to put in a work order."

"And Charlotte?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around the idea. Well, I mean, I HAD spent the previous night in Kaila's room, and Carla had joined us all night. If that continued, we would have an extra room at our place.

"Yeah, and Charlotte. I know it's a lot to ask, and probably... well, I know it'll cause stress, but... I love you, Brent. If I'm wrong on this... well, nothing happens. We keep going to work as usual, things are fine, and we laugh about when we can move back in to our old place." Helen's face took on a bemused expression. "Just have a bad feeling, and think it's important to be close to the people who I care about. That's you. And Kaila. Carla... well, I can tolerate her so far... we'll see how it goes."

"Ok..." I nodded. "You know this is going to be a hell of a lot of work, right? I can't speak for Carla or Kaila, but you know I'd be fine with..."

"You're just fine with having more pussy on tap." Helen snorted. "But at least you understand the word NO, so... "

"I don't know about that... I seem to have discovered that it doesn't always mean what you ladies say it does."

THE END

Credit Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTYcOQnJaSI

OR

Credit Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyTn7H5-HFE (If you prefer to wonder if this is a happy ending or not)

Third Ending Done. This was the "Original" ending, which I wasn't entirely happy with. I've reworked a LOT of it, and changed many of the beats and format. Overall, I'm happier with this one, but this has reached its logical end, as far as I'm concerned. They're moving in, there's a LOT of work to do, and a lot of responsibility. But it'll work out. I think.

Thanks to Hera for reminding me about how much WORK a good relationship is. They don't just magically appear. But when things click... they just click. Just had to have the work in beforehand to recognize and let the story happen.