When Love Knocks

Chapter 3 - Nevaeh's POV

. . . . Present Day

Nevaeh slid the lock into the lock of the door, swinging the door open to the dusty empty house. It was the first time she’s been back in 5 years, everytime making up excuses just so she didn’t have the chance to run into Ezra. Her heart clenched everytime he crossed her mind and maybe if she could go back she’d do things differently but she couldn’t and now that her grandmother’s passing left her the large family home out in the country she couldn’t turn it down after struggling for years to make it on her own; it gave her a sense of peace to have one less thing to worry about, plus it would be nice to have her family around again.

She had lucked out that her dad and brothers had come through earlier in the week to make any repairs and to turn the air on, but they hadn’t touched anything to clean it. She’d asked them to leave that to her, plus it gave her a couple of days to come to terms about being here again while she worked to clean and paint. She’d bought everything based on pictures her brother Michael had sent her before moving so she didn’t have to run into anyone in town for a couple days. She walked room by room taking in the emptiness that was once stuffed full of knick knacks and what nots, she missed her grandmother; she was a sweet woman always sending surprise packages to Neva and Jackson since they hadn’t come back to visit. She felt awful about it but her family respected her decision. She never spent any of the money that was sent to her, saving it for Jackson when he got older and needed it. She came back to the front room after passing through the house deciding first to work in the room that would be Jackson’s so that way when he finally got here he would have his room all set up and ready for him to occupy his time while she worked her way through the rest of the rooms.

Neva went out to her car and was grabbing bags of cleaning supplies out when she heard the crunch of tires on the drive, standing up her head hit the trunk lid, “Son-of-a-biscuit eater.” she grumbled, rubbing the sore spot on her head turning to look at who had shown up. She didn’t recognize the vehicle and her brows furrowed, nobody but her family knew she was back yet. The car door opened and she knew the voice before she saw the face and she smiled although slightly annoyed, “You show up here without even calling, you selfish bitch.” Dylan sayed through a grin as he shut the door and walked quickly to her wrapping her up in a bear hug.

Nevaeh laughs, “I’m sorry Dylan. I wanted some time to adjust before I let people know I was back yet. I haven’t even told Madison yet, how’d you even find out?” she asked as he let her go. She looked at him, he had made trips out to see her and Jackson so Jack called him Uncle Dylan, but it still didn’t change the fact that he had filled out nicely in the years since high school; it was too bad he didn’t bat for her team otherwise girls would be all over him in a heartbeat.

“Ran into your brother Evan the other day when he was grabbing dinner for Michael and your dad. Told me they were working on fixing your grandmother's place up for you and Jackson.” he said with a shrug. “Need help with anything?” he asked, looking at the bags of stuff on the ground by her feet.

“Evan has a big mouth, no wonder Melanie is the one that wears the pants in that marriage.” she said laughing, “Yea, I’d love some help if you got time.” she said, shutting the trunk and going to the passenger door and grabbing her large purse that had her bluetooth speaker in it. Both she and Dylan grabbed bags and the other cleaning supplies and headed inside where she directed him up the stairs and into the room across from the master bedroom. Setting down their load she spoke again, “Give me just a minute I’m going to shut the air off and open these windows to let some fresh air in since it’s not to bad out today.” he nodded and opened the one in the bedroom and she went across the hall to what would be her room and opened that one. They both made their way through the house opening any window they found before heading back upstairs. “So are you here to help or just stand there looking pretty?” she teased grabbing a bucket to fill with warm water from the bathroom in the hallway. “Well I mean if that’s an option, I’ll stand here looking pretty.” he said laughing, making Nevaeh shake her head with a smile on her face, her earlier annoyance forgotten. “Okay pretty boy, there should be a dust wand in one of the bags. It'll extend pretty high if you can start getting on dust from the ceiling and along the edges and corners, I’ll be back.” she said leaving the room while he went through the bags.

She placed the bucket under the faucet in the tub and turned on the water feeling it til it was warm enough, and let the bucket fill three quarters of the way before shutting it off and hauling it back to the bedroom where Dylan was dusting away. Nevaeh grabbed the speaker from her purse, setting it out of the way and hooking her phone up to it playing the music app on her phone and xranker the music up. She grabbed the small jug of bleach adding a splash to the water and a rag and working her way along the baseboards of the room. The pair of them worked hard on cleaning the room making it shine. She stood in the doorway smiling at the work they had done in the room. She bumped her shoulder into Dylan's arm, “So you ready to do some painting?” she asked looking at him, “Whatever you need help with babe, or you know we get could get your brothers to do that while we do that cleaning.” he said “I know you're trying to be a strong independent woman and all that but many hands make the work easy, or whatever that saying it he said.” She laughed and nodded, “Deal I’ll see if they are busy, since it’s not cleaning they might come and help. I told them I wanted to be the one doing the cleaning.” She called them while she pointed towards her room indicating that she wanted to work there next.

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Nevaeh grabbed the pack of smokes from her purse and stepped outside onto the porch sitting on one of the steps and lit it. After her brother had arrived shortly after she called them the four had been busy and the noxious fumes were starting to get to her brain, she needed to step outside for some fresh air, where the cool evening air was beginning to creep in. The four of them had been like a power house working today. The boys were finishing up the painting in the living room, she had lucked out her grandma only ever had white walls so it was a pretty easy paint job in any of the rooms. After she was finished smoking she was going to go in and check on the walls in Jackson’s room to see if they needed another coat or if she could start having his bedroom stuff unloaded from the large moving truck, the company had sent two drivers one in the truck and one in a car following so they could return when they arrived, they told her to call when she was done with the truck and someone from the company would be down to get it. The door slamming against the frame made her turn her head around and saw Michael, “Mom would have your hide if she caught you smoking.” he said which made her roll her eyes.

“If mom realized how much these calmed my nerves over being doped up on medication after medication I think she’d understand Michael.” she said, taking a drag. “I’m not saying it’s the healthiest option because I know it’s not, but I’d rather have these than be on multiple medications just to deal with side effects of the original medication.” she added smashing it out in the dirt along the steps. “What’s up though?” she asked. He shook his head, “Nothing, just wanted to let you know we finished in the living room, will probably head out here soon, Lorie called saying she’d have dinner ready in a bit.” she nodded in acknowledgement, “Thanks for your help today, before you go as long as the walls in the bedrooms are done do you think you can help unload the stuff for those rooms before you take off?” she asked, “I’d like to get Jack’s room finished tonight so he can start staying here with me. I know Mom and dad don’t mind him being there but I’d feel easier having him here with me.” her heart aching a bit at him not being here with her. Michael nodded, “Yea I’ll get the other two knuckleheads and we’ll get it knocked out.” she smiled as they went back into the house.

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She closed and locked the door behind her brothers and Dylan after they left. While her brothers and Neva had unloaded the truck of the two bedroom spaces and her bathroom stuff at least for tonight, Dylan had run into town grabbing himself and Neva for some food. He came back telling her to stop and eat before doing anything more tonight which she had agreed on only to get him to leave. She moved the food into the fridge to come back to later but she knew if she stopped working that she’d have no motivation to get back to work. Nevaeh climbed the stairs to her son’s room and began with the bed putting it together and moving it into place before putting the mattress on it. She placed the nightstand and dressers in spots she thought would look nice and set up his kid sized table as well with the matching chairs. She took a look at her phone blowing out a breath at seeing the time. It was late. Jack was probably already asleep but she wanted to hear his sweet little voice so she called to her parents house and listened as the phone rang, Her dad’s voice came over the speaker, “Neva? Everything going okay?” he asked.

“Yea dad, everything’s fine I just wanted to call and tell Jackson goodnight if he’s still up by chance, I know it’s kinda late for him.” she said, the sounds of screaming and laughter coming through the phone back to her.

“Nah, he’s still wound up, your mothers been having a blast spoiling the boy today, let him have a big ol’ sundae after dinner.” he said chuckling.

She smiled, shaking her head with a laugh, “Good luck getting him to bed now,” she said, “Can I talk to him?” she asked. She heard her dad speaking loudly, “Jackson your mommy is on the phone,” her sweet boys voice came over the speaker sounding a bit breathless, “Mommy, mommy, mawmaw and pawpaw let me have ice cream for eating all my dinner how come you don’t let me have ice cream after dinner they have a huge yard Sammy and Lilah really like it can we stay here please?” he said it seemed like in one breath which made her chuckle, “You get to stay there tonight, but mommy’s been busy today with your Uncles fixing up our new house where you and the dogs with have plenty of room to run around outside. I bet we can even talk pawpaw into building you a big ol’ swingset out there too. . .'' She was about to continue when he cut her off, “Really mommy can we have a swingset pretty please I’ll be really good.” he said and she could almost see the big puppy dog eyes he was giving through the phone. “It’ll take a little bit of time but I’m sure we can have a swingset. I wanted to call and tell you to keep being good for mawmaw and pawpaw, and that I love you so much. I love you my sweet string bean, may good dreams come to you and bad dreams stay away, goodnight. Hand pawpaw the phone back now okay?” she said, “I love you too mommy one hundred billion times, here pawpaw.” his voice faded so she could tell that he was gone. “Need anything else princess?” her dad asked. She shook her head, “No that was it, Thanks dad, I’ll be able to come pick him up tomorrow late afternoon along with the dogs, I just have to get a couple cables from the hardware store til I can get a fenced in yard built.”

“Okay Neva, no rush we can always keep them another night if you need us too. We miss the boy.”

“Night dad, tell mom I love her, love you.”

“Love you too.” he said, hanging up the phone.

She stared at the phone for a minute more before taking a deep breath and getting back to work. By the time Neva was done in Jackson’s room everything was put in a place empty boxes were in the hallway ready to be taken downstairs. She took a stack with her as she went setting them down and grabbing a smoke from the pack and stepped outside, looking at her phone as she lit up showed it was a little before 11pm. But considering it was just her working on Jackson's room wasn’t too bad of a time frame, since she had started about 7pm. She just hoped her room didn’t take as long. Inhaling the nicotine laced smoked she let her shoulders relax as she dropped down to the step and scrolled through her email. She needed to get this done so she could get back to work. Between caring for Jackson and working, she had finished getting a degree in business and had started up her own bake shop out of her kitchen for extra money but shortly before she had decided to come back it had really exploded and she thought that she might be able to actually do it full time now, but she’d need to actually look for a small store front because it was starting to grow too big for just herself to manage. She finished off the cigarette and put it out alongside the other, she’d need to get a small pot to put out here to collect the butts in so they didn’t end up littered in the yard. Heading back in she went up to her room and set to work.

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The sound of incessant banging made Neva roll over and bring her pillow over her head. She had stayed up too late working on unpacking the bedrooms and whoever was here was here too damn early for her liking and that was saying something since Jack usually had her up early anyway ready to eat breakfast; but she’d be lying if she wasn’t enjoying sleeping a bit later than normally. The knocking continued and she moved her ass out of the bed running her fingers through her hair as she went to answer the door, “f**k, quit banging you damn idiot.” she grumbled, throwing the door open. The sounds of squeals hit her before a body did, and she was wrapped in a hug, “Girlfriend why the hell didn’t you call. You just thought you could hide away here? Smalltown makes news spread fast.” said the familiar voice of her friend Madilyn, “Now where’s my rugrat?” she asked letting go of Neva and stepping around her. Nevaeh looked to see if anyone else was out there and landed on Dylan standing back sheepishly mouthing ‘sorry’; but he held to-go cups of coffee so she forgave him as he handed one to her.

Nevaeh turned and shut the door after Dylan entered, then spoke to Madi, “Jackson stayed the night with my parent’s so I could focus on cleaning and unpacking without him and the dogs underfoot.” Walking back to the kitchen and grabbing a smoke before heading towards the porch out back, “Since you woke me up you can either come out with me and talk or I’ll be back in, in a few.” she said heading out the door, coffee in hand. She took up her spot on the steps and rubbed her face with her hands before lighting up. The door opened and shut and she felt Madi sit down beside her, “So how are you doing being back in town?” she asked her.

Neva thought about it for a minute, “You know I’m doing better than I thought but then again I haven’t seen Ezra yet. I’m glad to be close to my family again and my friends,” she bumped her shoulder into Madi, “But I think it could fall to s**t real quick too and I’m not sure that I’m mentally prepared for that.” she said honestly. They fell into a silent companionship while she finished her smoke. “So what are you trying to get done today?” Madilyn asked. Neva thought back to what rooms still needed cleaned, “Need to finish cleaning the two bedrooms and the hall bathroom upstairs, the den and laundry s***h bathroom, then my brothers can get in to finish up the painting for me. They said they’d be back about 10 this morning after being good husbands and helping Lorie and Mel with the kids. Other than that I need to get unpacking the truck, I really don’t want to keep it longer than I have too.” Nevaeh replied as they went inside. Madi nodded before speaking, “Well I’ll help where I can, I can start unpacking stuff while you guys clean and your brothers paint. That way not everyone is on top of eachother.” Neva smiled, “Thanks Madi, but before I start doing anything I should probably go change first.” she said heading off to her room passing Dylan on the way, “Hey, I’m going to have Madi start unpacking kitchen stuff if you can start bringing that in then we can bust through cleaning the rest of the rooms if you're still able to help.” Dylan laughed, “You have more faith in Madilyn getting anything done than I have in my little toe.” Neva snorted, shaking her head and left the room.

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Coming back down in a pair of shorts and a tank top, her hair tamed into a messy bun; she slipped on her sneakers before heading out to the truck. “How’s it coming?” she asked Dylan in the truck, shifting through the boxes looking for ones labeled kitchen. “I think pretty good, I think I’ve found most of the boxes just need to get them in and then if you want to give me a hand we can get the table in.” he said, sliding the boxes to the edge before jumping down and grabbing one. “Sounds like a plan.” she said, grabbing a box herself. They quickly got the boxes in for Madi and placed the table and chairs. She took a drink of her now cold coffee and grimaced slightly, “Alright Madi that should be that for the boxes, need anything or questions just come get me but I trust your judgment.” she said, turning to collect the cleaning supplies where they left them last night and heading to the rooms upstairs to finish those.

They were just about through with the room they were working on when her brothers showed up, stopping in the doorway wearing clothes to get dirty in. “Hey Neva, so what are your plans for this room?” Michael asked. “It’s going to be a nice coral color, nice and fun and it’ll make the black furniture here stand out against the background, `` she replied wiping the back of her hand across her forehead. “You got it,” he said. Neva and Dylan finished the last touches before leaving the room to Michael and Evan.

The hours flew by and when she looked up it was after 2 in the afternoon. She hadn’t heard a sound from Madi in awhile so she went to go check on her. “Hey how’s it coming?” she asked, making Madi jump, which made her laugh, “You know whenever Jackson jumps I tell him he was probably doing something he shouldn’t be.” she teased which made Madi blush. “I wasn’t doing anything.” Madi replied, trying hard not to smile. “Uh huh, that makes me think you were doing something. Anyway I want to make a grocery list before going and grabbing Jackson so he can pick out some things he wants too. If you want to hang around you can, otherwise Michael and Evan are finishing up painting then going to finish unloading the truck for me.” Madilyn smiled, “I’ll go into town and grab everyone some lunch then, want anything special?” she asked and Neva shook her head no as she rifled through her purse for a notebook and a pen as Madi took off to ask if the guys wanted anything in particular.

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She knocked on the doorframe to get her brother's attention, “Hey I’m heading to get Jackson pick up from mom and dad’s, then heading to the store, probably a couple hours but shouldn’t take too long since I actually made a list for the immediate items to start us out.” she said, earning her grunts in return. She swung by the kitchen grabbing her purse and keys from the counter, grabbing out a smoke before tossing the rest of the pack in the bag. She lit up soon as she stepped out the door leaning against her car to inhale the nicotine into her lungs letting her body relax. It was one of her rules when it came to smoking; no smoking in the car, and no smoking in the house.

When she finished she drove the ten minute trip over to her parents and knocked on the door, before letting herself in. “Hey I came to get Jackson. Thought he might like to help me get some groceries.” Her mother’s voice sounded out, “In the kitchen dear.” Neva walked towards the kitchen and heard giggling, “Hmmmmm, I wonder where Jack could be? Mom, have you seen him? He’s about yea tall, has some beautiful blonde hair and pretty green eyes. He also really likes cookies.” she said, which caused more fits of smothered laughter to float through the kitchen. “I don’t think I’ve seen him, maybe he’s outside with your dad.” her mother replied, playing along. Nevaeh stepped lightly towards the island and waited a few moments, “Is she gone mawmaw?” Jackson’s sweet voice spoke, her mom winked, “Yea baby, your mom went to go look for you with pawpaw.” She waited a moment longer before jumping out, “Boo!” she said causing Jack to scream followed by laughter, “I missed you momma” he said making Nevaehs eyes to get a little misty as she reached out for him and pulled him in close giving him a hug and a kiss to the top of his head. “I missed you too, little bean, but guess what. I have a surprise when we get to the house after shopping.” she said. “Thanks for watching him mom, I’ll come back later to grab Samson and Delilah.” Her mom smiled, “Anytime Nevaeh, you know we can’t wait to have more time with our grandson.” Jackson said his goodbyes and together they went out to the car and headed to the hardware and grocery store.