The next day the newlyweds met to discuss finances and living arrangements. It's a conversation they knew they had to have. The two of them had spent all of Friday afternoon together. They talked about their hopes and dreams for their future, as individuals and as a married couple. One of the major elephants in the room was living arrangements.
Johnny stated "Now that I know you're mine for keeps, I want to actually be with you. Not that I don't see you every day, it's just different. Everything is different. I don't feel like I'm on a roller coaster anymore. It feels like home and that's with you." His voice got weak and he spoke some more to her. "Those four walls I call my room isn't my home. It's just a place I sleep. But you are my home and wherever you are that's where I want to be."
She feels the same way. Despite those big items, of finance and housing, hanging over their heads, knowing the one you love is with you forever is a wonderful way to go through the day. It's freeing. So freeing that Johnny told her, "I'm excited I get to love you for a really long time. I get all the days and all the nights with you. Well, eventually all the nights."
Her hand lightly brushed over his. "I get to come home to you for the rest of my life. I love you too." At present they're sitting side by side on the sofa, at the house Johnny took her to at Christmas. In the light of day, her first impressions were correct. It's not a beach house. It's a house that happens to be at the beach and it's huge. Really huge.
First of all, to be fair, the house is not in Santa Monica as once thought. It's more in between Pacific Palisades and Malibu. It's in this little coastal town called Sandcastle Cove. As they drove through the town, she fell in love with the quaint streets and businesses. There's even a saltwater taffy shop, with a sign that reads "Fresh taffy made daily". Â She'll have to visit that store for sure, along with the other cute boutiques and specialty shops.
Another fun fact is the town has a street named Kaleidoscope Court. The reason it's named that is that each of the fourteen houses, on the row, are all painted a different color. There are red, light blue, turquoise, purple, pink, yellow, green, coral, white, brown, khaki, etc., etc. Besides being colorful and cute, it's a real eye-catcher. Johnny told her that tourists come from all over just to take pictures of the colorful street. That is not surprising in the least as it's really beautiful. It's picture-perfect.
The whole town is quaint and feels like a wonderful place to settle down at, to raise a family. Being a lot less busy than The Hills, it just feels charming. It beckons the spirit. It's all reminiscent of traditional Southern coastal towns and she loves that. Savannah, Hilton Head, Charleston, St. Simons Island, they're all her favorite. Sandcastle Cove is similar.
However, as fun as the colorful houses are, the one Sid owns is by far the prettiest. The house alone is gorgeous. It's the epitome of a traditional, coastal-style home. Deep wrap-around porches, wood beams, large windows, salvaged floors, abundant built-ins, high ceilings, and a grand staircase create an inviting, homey atmosphere. The house is topped off with a "lantern", which is a reference to 19th-century design. You can walk up in it and see views across the harbor to the ocean. It would be a great place to relax after a long day.
Right, when you walk into the house you're instantly met with the gorgeous staircase. It goes up, up, up to forever. Not really, but it looks that way. On either side are white walls with beautiful wanes-coating. It has five bedrooms and bathrooms. Besides the normal living spaces, the house boasts of a dining room, large chef's kitchen, a coastal eating nook, sunroom, and an open-air back porch. How Sid owns something as lovely as this she'll never know. It has to be the work of his wife. Because it definitely is not the ornate style of the mansion, he's accustomed to.
Which brings her thoughts back to the family room. Laid out on the coffee table are all of Johnny's financial items, as well as hers. He had asked his mother for the documents the night before. She gave him a strange look but handed them over anyway. He and Ava had just ended a steamy kissing session. Exhaling a huge breath, and wiping his lips, he declared "OK Babe, we need to focus." It's hard to do though when all he wants to do is make out with his wife. He picked up a blue folder and opened it. Taking out a paper, he began to speak. "This is my trust fund. It's worth a millionâ"
She interrupted him. "Yes, but it doesn't kick in until you're twenty-one. That's three years from now."
Looking at her he stated "True but it's still there on the horizon. It's nice to know we have it to look forward to." She can't disagree with him. He put that paper behind the others. "Next I have my savings bonds which total about two hundred thousand. If we need to, we cash those in. Also, there's my actual savings account. It also has two hundred thousand, which I've never touched." He looked up from the papers and shared, "I've been saving that money to stick it to Sid after I graduate."
Nudging him playfully with her shoulder, she gave a smile. "Of course you would."
Giving her a roguish look, he grinned. "Naturally Babe." Then he took his black headband off and ran it through his fingers.
Ava noticed him doing so. Only if he's really nervous about something, does he do that. He toys with it. Whatever is going through his mind is a major deal. He also clenched his fist. That's another dead giveaway. He's about to tell her something important, so she sat straight and gave him the consideration he deserves.
Turning his own attention back to her, he confessed something. "So you're the only person who knows about this. What I tell you stays between us. Marriage code over any other code you women have like lipstick codes, going to the bathroom in pairs code, whatever." Once he saw her nod, he continued. "Here's the deal. When I was in seventh grade, I was a total loser. I had no friends, no girls, nothing except music and math. I was a bit of a geek." She knows all of that already, but she placed a comforting hand on his leg regardless. "So, I hired a financial advisor independent of Sid's. Since then my finances have grown exponentially."
That is new news. What is he saying? Her eyes dug into his. She picked at her pink neon striped sweater. "What are you trying to tell me?"
He locked eyes with her and announced "I have a little over a million in a separate bank account."Â In an instant, her hand flew to her mouth. "I know it's pretty badass right? Who knew Johnny Lawrence, top Ace Degenerate, could actually do something besides run his mouth? But seriously, my whole plan was to use that money to pay for my own college and buy an apartment. Then the rest I'd save to buy a building for my dojo one day. I was going to give Sid back all the money in my other savings and say kiss-off."
With a giggle, she remarked "John you're one of the smartest guys I know. I don't think you're stupid. You're far from it, which I've told you before. But wow! You're like a real-life Alex P Keaton." She saw his face scrunch up in revulsion. Then added, "But way, way less boring and stuffy. You're much more handsome and badass."
His hand rested on hers, on top of his leg. "That's more like it. Anyway, I think we should use that money to buy a house. We can use it until we get truly settled and have jobs."
Standing, she began to pace. Motioning with her hands, she retorted "Johnny no. We're not going to use it. You had a plan for it. Pay for your college outside of Sid, and buy a building. I think you should stick to your plan."
He stood too and came to put his hands on her shoulders. "I hear you but the thing is, I'm married now. And my wife is more important than sticking it to Sid. We can buy a house, which shouldn't be that much. We're talking a hundred to two hundred thousand tops since we don't need a mansion. We just need something nice and more like us. Plus I can still pay some on college and save the rest for a dojo one day."
Shaking his hands off, she went back to the sofa and pulled her own financial papers. They're less than his, but still worthy contributions. "Look I have two savings bonds from my grandparents. They total a hundred thousand. I can cash them in and it might work for a house. I don't know. Plus there's the golf tournament and if I win that's another fifty thousand. I think we should hold off on using yours at least until after the tournament this week." She picked at her sweater again.
His irritation is mounting. Why doesn't she understand he wants, no, needs to take care of her, of them? He crossed his arms and his red sweater pulled across his chest. Her eyes became mesmerized by it. "Babe I need you to listen. I really want to take care of you. It's my job as your husband."
Seeing his muscles tense, she relented (a little). With a soothing voice, she told him "OK fine. But can we at least wait until after the golf tournament? If I win, we can use that money as a down payment for something." She saw him nod. And then an idea hit her. It's staring her right in the face. Why didn't she think of it before? It's doubtful he'll go for it, but she at least has to try.
Patting the seat next to her, she beckoned for him to come and sit. He came and sat, but not without hesitation, which is one of the ways she knows he's irritated right now. What she's about to propose may annoy him further. With one leg under her, she turned to him and presented her idea. "So stay calm, but what if we asked Sid for this house." Before he could say no, she continued on. "According to you, he doesn't use it. It's gorgeous and just sitting here begging to be home. It's everything I know I could ever want. I'm certain you like it too since you've stayed here before, and have clothes upstairs. It's at least worth a shot to ask."
He pushed the sleeves of his sweater up and wrinkled his nose. What is she thinking? "Ava no. We're not going to ask him for anything." He put his head in his hands on his knees, in an effort to calm down. "You of all people should know what living with him does to me. I don't want anything from him, especially charity. Which we're not you know? We're not a charity case. We have adequate funds."
She tried and that's all she could do. Placing her hand on his back and scooting toward him, she acknowledged his hurt. But at the same time "Just at least be open to it. That's all I ask. I won't say anything else about this."
Lifting his head and sitting back as normal, he looked at her and said "As long as you do the same about my money."
Getting up and coming to sit in his lap, she assured him "Alright. I'll be open to it. I promise."
His arms went around her. The hand on her back rubbed it. His other hand went to his pocket, where a green ring box was pulled out. He placed it in her lap and waited for her to open it.
Shaking hands clutched the box. "Is this what I think it is?" She saw his eyes sparkle in the sunlight. Gently she opened it and gasped. Ensconced atop a pillowy velvet cocoon is the most beautiful ring in the whole world. Touching her bracelet, and peering at the ring, they're both an exact match of each other. Mates. "Your grandmother's ring. It's beautiful."
He took the ring out and placed it on her finger. It's a perfect fit as if it's made for her. "It's your ring now." His hand caressed hers with soothing motions.
Laying her head on his shoulder, she promised "I will take care of it, treasure it, and honor it, along with the memory of your grandmother."
Seeing the ring on her finger made him think of something else. "Babe when do you want to tell our families about us?" He pointed between the two of them.
Somehow she forgot about that in the midst of gossip, and telling Johnny they're married. She straightened her shoulders and thought. Feeling her tense up, his nose nuzzled her neck. "Oh gosh. I think we need to wait until we have a place to live. That way if our parents do kick us out, which most likely will happen, we'll have somewhere to go. What do you think?"
His satisfied voice muttered "Mmhmm". Then he lifted his head up from her neck. "Alright. That means we can't be seen with our rings on. We'll have to keep this secret until then. And that really sucks because you're hot and I want you. But then I want this to work out for us. I'm torn between hotness and houses" he admitted and went back to nuzzling her graceful neck.
Laughing, she stroked his face with a loving touch. "You're hot and I want you too. I'm torn between hotness and houses as well."
He looked into her eyes and saw love, lots of love and desire. Desire for him. That made him want her even more. "I don't think it's very fair for you to have all these memories of our wedding night and I have squat. I think we need to fix that. Right now." In a swift, muscular move he picked her up, as if she weighed nothing, and carried his wife upstairs. Where they proceeded to allow themselves to be carried away completely.
It wasn't until much, much later that they paid attention to the time. After showering and changing, which was a totally different experience, they talked about dinner. They decided on meeting their friends at the Santa Monica Pier. She called Rachel and Dawn. Then he did the same with the guys. Before they left, Ava carefully took her ring off and placed it back in the box. The box went into her purse. The happy, relaxed couple drove to the Pier knowing they have each other forever. No matter what happens here on out, they're in this together. They're in it for the long haul.