Chapter 26

Tyree and Luca went to preschool. Elena was babbling away in her car seat. The car arrived just as Alicia and her teacher exited the double doors.

"Are we going home?" As they moved away from the curve, Alicia inquired.

"Not right now," Tyree said. "We're going to get some things for your sister, Elena."

"Nice," she said. "Can I make a decision?" Alicia enquired.

"Sure," Tyree said, "we're doing this as a family."

Tyree put the car in park and turned off the engine when they arrived at the baby store.

"Wow," Luca exclaimed, "this is like a baby museum."

"Where should I start?" Tyree inquired.

"Um, cribs," Luca explained.

"All right," Tyree said. They made their way down an aisle and into a larger one.

"Can we also get something for Noah and Maddie?" Alicia inquired.

"We are," Luca said. "Your sisters and your brother need beds," he said.

They came to a halt in front of the cribs and considered their options. Luca was drawn to the Baby Relax Adele 3-in-1 Convertible Crib.

"Here's one," Luca offered. "It even transforms into a toddler bed," he explained.

"We'll need to buy the Baby Relax Adele Daybed & Toddler Rail (2022 Model), Gray," Tyree explained. "They are to be used in tandem," he explained.

"Do we have enough money to buy three of each?" Luca inquired.

"Well, we're thinking $500 for three of each," Tyree explained. "That doesn't include other baby items like high chairs," he added.

Luca looked at the cribs, then shifted his gaze back to Tyree.

"Let's only get what we need right now," Luca said. "Elena will need a toddler bed," he said.

"Okay, we'll get one Baby Relax Adele 3-in-1 Convertible Crib and one Baby Relax Adele Daybed & Toddler Rail (2022 Model), Gray for now," Tyree said. They put the boxes in the cart and headed to the high chairs.

"Mommy and daddy, look here," Alicia said, pointing to the Eat and Grow 4-in-1 Convertible High Chair (Poppy Floral). Luca and Tyree glanced over the description on the box.

"This might work out," Tyree said.

"It can be changed into a booster seat as Elena gets older," Luca said, nodding his head.

"Now, for a baby monitor," Tyree said. They found a VTech VM3254 Fixed Camera Baby Monitor

After paying $300 for everything and getting it all into the car, they headed home.

"We'll get something for the twins when Christmas comes," Tyree said.

"Okay, daddy," Alicia said. Once they got home, Luca brought Elena inside while Alicia helped carry in the baby bag. Tyree walked in, carrying the first box.

"We can break down the other crib and set this one up," Tyree said.

"Yea, and in a couple of months, we can switch to the toddler bed," Luca said. An hour later, the old crib was replaced by the new one.

Everyone was famished, and Elena was fussy. Once the bottle touched her lips, she stopped crying.

"What do you want Santa to bring you?" Luca asked Alicia.

"Frozen bedroom," she said. It took Luca and Tyree a few seconds to register what she said.

"So you want a bedroom made up with Frozen characters?" Tyree asked.

"Yes please," Alicia said, nodding her head.

"Ever since she saw that movie, she's been talking nonstop about it," Tyree said.

"That was a cute movie," Luca said.

As the days passed, Luca worked on another set of drawings for the video game company. They needed to raise money if they were going to be able to buy the house. Luca put aside every cent he made from the company and from clients that wanted him to draw for them. He made sure to not tire himself out.

"What are you doing, babe?" Tyree walked up behind the chair and asked.

"I'm just making a section on my blog for donations," Luca said. "My followers are loyal and might help us out," he said.

"I was one of your followers, babe," Tyree said.

"I know," Luca said.

When Friday morning arrived, there was $50,000 in donations. Luca kissed Tyree and said, "Only $450,000 more to raise.

"Andre comes over today to tell us what he found out," Tyree said.

"What time is he coming?" Luca asked.

"Around 1 PM," Tyree said.

"I hope he has good news," Luca said. Luca and Tyree cuddled on the couch while Alicia played with her toys on the floor. Elena was in her baby carrier in front of the couch. A knock on the front door distracted Luca, making him turn his head.

Luca stood up so Tyree could head to the door. Tyree opened the door and found Andre standing on the other side.

"Hi there," Tyree said. "Come on in," he said. Tyree stepped aside and let Andre enter. They sat down in the kitchen, with Luca following close behind them.

"I talked to the seller of the house," Andre said.

"What did he say?" Luca asked.

"I couldn't convince him to lower the price," he said, sighing sadly. Tyree noticed Luca had turned sad.

"Is there any way we could buy it?" Tyree asked.

"He is willing to let you pay it off and live there," Andre said. "I explained to him your situation," he said.

"Seriously?" Luca and Tyree asked.

Andre said, "Better start moving, because I'm putting this house on the market." Luca and Tyree glanced at each other, then grinned.

"We've got to tell dad and the others," Luca said. "Oh thank you," Luca said, hugging Andre tightly.

They thanked Andre, who made their day, and watched him drive away. Luca couldn't hold back his excitement and laughed out loud.

"We got it!" he said, giggling like crazy. Luca grabbed his phone and dialed his father. Luca was still giggling when Carl picked up the line.

"Hi Dad," he said. "We have good news," Luca said. Luca pushed the speaker and handed the phone to Tyree.

"That's great," Carl said.

"The owner is letting us stay and pay off the house," Tyree said.