3D: Lady of the House

Aubrey gawked at her future residence like seeing the ocean for the first time. The great, beautiful edifice towered over her, and the enormity of the future loomed like dense fog. She was just a girl from Oasis Springs but would soon be the lady of the house. It didn’t seem real. Honestly, it didn’t seem right. Marrying into such a rich family seemed … The situation conflicted her in so many ways. Aubrey wasn’t just any girl; she was a Pruett! That name didn’t carry the weight it used to, but it meant something to her. The Pruetts weren’t rich anymore, but they were still powerful, and her history made them equals. But, extravagant living was foreign. Money and nice things weren’t essential, but soon they would be the norm. Marrying and merging lives probably wasn’t easy for anyone, but she sure wished their relationship had fewer levels of complication.

Standing on the sidewalk wishing for a simpler life, however, wouldn’t change anything so she shook herself out of a daze and went inside. “Julio?”

A magnificent statue stole her attention while glancing around. Opulence wasn’t his style, and it looked out of place.

“Hey,” Julio said. “Oh. About that …”

The tone in his voice was one of guilt, and his face was as red as the curtains when she greeted him. “What’s wrong?”

His shoulders deflated as the sigh of relief exited his lungs. “You don’t know what that is.”

Her shoulders tensed. Julio was even-keeled and only ever stressed about the family feud.

“I’m gonna give it back to your dad. Mine gave it to me, but I can’t keep it knowing what it means.”

She wiped damp palms on her jeans. “And what’s that?”

He hesitated and fidgeted with the buttons on his blazer. “Every legacy family has one. Not having it is like saying the legacy doesn’t exist. My dad wanted to make a statement.”

What response could she give after that? Sometimes, the dissenting voices of the family shouted inside her head. And, honestly, she understood why they refused to support their relationship. But, this wasn’t some elaborate plan Aubrey and Julio cooked up to spite everyone. The person with whom she chose to create a life just happened to be related to the monster under the Pruetts’ beds. They were innocent back then. Never in a thousand years would she consider breaking-up. But, truthfully, loving someone else would be a lot easier.

His arms around her waist brought her back to the present. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

“Ready to see the house?”

“Of course!”

The tour began in the living room. The high ceiling and wide walls echoed their footsteps. Aubrey grew up in a single-wide trailer. Even her current house, though larger, had an intimate, cozy vibe. Julio’s house felt more like a museum or a ballroom. No wonder he described it as cold. Her whole family could fit comfortably in that one room. As intimidating as the house was, hosting holidays would be incredible. Too bad the family would never come.

The dining room and kitchen were a dream! The style was weird, but the space was ginormous. The dining table sat 14. Fourteen!! And, the island sat seven more. Her heart ached knowing her dream of the entire family gracing the halls of her own home would never come true. What a glorious time they could have.

The next room gave her a little chuckle, and she appreciated the tiny mood boost. He wasn’t a party animal, but as a wealthy business owner, he had to have it.

She elbowed him in the ribs. “So, uhh, you plan on entertaining a lot? Or, are we going to dance and drink every night?”

He blushed. “It’s here when we need it.”

Embarrassing him was so easy. Oh, the fun she’ll have with him.

The loop around the house led them to a room filled with expensive computers sitting atop elegant desks with plush leather chairs tucked under them. This room wasn’t a room at all but an odd space with doorways on two sides. It was so close to the front of the home and would have been perfect for a sitting room, music hall, or art gallery. Instead, it was just an office.

“This was a very interesting choice for this space,” she said.

He shrugged. “Yeah, it’s kinda weird, but I didn’t want to take up a bedroom for the office. And, one desk looked kinda lame so…yeah.”

She nodded. “Makes sense.” She reached for his hand. “At least, in the future, all of us can do our work together.”

His eyes glowed from the warm smile radiating off his handsome face. “Yeah. Exactly.”

The hand squeezing hers led her across the hall to a small room with a single window and a few pieces of exercise equipment. The tiny gym was better suited as the office. It even had a door. But, family work time sounded so romantic, the weird space grew on her.

The next tour stop took them upstairs. They eyed each other as they ascended toward their future. Her anxious heart yearned to see where real life would happen. Downstairs was the showcase: the trimmings everyone would see. Only the closest of the close would go upstairs. In one of those bedrooms, she’d lay with Julio and make love to him. Soon, she’d welcome a child and spend time in another room comforting after nightmares, reading to sleep, nursing back to health, punishing insolence, and giving sage advice. She and Julio might argue in the privacy of their suite. All the significant moments would happen upstairs, and she couldn’t wait.

He showed her into the room just off the stair landing. “The master suite.”

“Oh, my goodness, Julio! This is wonderful!”

Yellow was her favorite color. Did he select it on purpose? Or, did the decorator get lucky? The room was way over the top like a presidential suite in some swanky hotel. It desperately needed curtains but felt homey enough. Or, maybe the comfort came from Julio’s closeness. She would need time to get used to the house, but at least she found something to look forward to: cold winter nights and lazy Monday mornings cuddled up next to Julio in the most amazing bed. 

The playroom next door was the most delightful room. It was so bright, cheery and had everything. EVERYTHING! Their children could spend hours in that one room playing and learning with their friends, cousins, and even the whole neighborhood!

The other rooms remained empty because he didn’t want to make assumptions about the children. Until then, they could be guest rooms for the family who would never spend the night.

The outdoor living space was also a dream. Even if the entire Pruett clan never visited, movie nights with her parents, Oliver, Maya and Ranveer satisfied that longing. Jonathan would do his thing on the grill she prepared the sides. Skyla would want to help, but Aubrey would politely tell her to sit down and relax. Maya and Ranveer would tear themselves away from the hot tub at dinner time, and Oliver would be glued to the theater-sized television. Life would be amazing.

The pool was a good size, but it consumed half the backyard. The end of the property would have been a better place for it. The narrow path around the pool to the playground concerned her.

“So, what do you think?”

She sighed. “I’m overwhelmed.”

“In a good way?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Everything is so grand and wonderful. It’s a lot to take in.”

He nodded. “We can make as many changes as you want. I want you to be happy and comfortable.”

Her parents’ marriage began the same way, and it was cool to live a life like theirs. “I might want to do something with the kitchen and dining room.”

He grinned. “I figured you might.”

“Where’s the butler? I was looking forward to meeting her.”

“Yeah, I know. I told her you were coming, but she said she wanted to give you space.”

“Oh. Ok.”

Maya and Aubrey’s friends said she was so lucky to have live-in help. They swooned at having prepared meals, coming home to a spotless house, and having a permanent babysitter. But, the whole concept sometimes freaked her out. In theory, a butler sounded amazing but Aubrey didn’t see it that way. She imagined this woman, unrelated to anyone in the house, lurking in every corner, eavesdropping on private conversations, and interrupting the most intimate moments. That was an experience she didn’t need. Why did she have to live there? They could hire a maid service to clean the house, a gardener for the yard, and if they needed help with their children, her parents would be more than glad to spend time with their grands. As a chef, a cook was superfluous. But, the woman probably worked in that house ever since her young adult birthday. Julio grew up with her, and she probably influenced him a lot. Dismissing her wouldn’t be as simple as Aubrey imagined.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked. 

“Anything.”

“Would it be terribly upsetting to you if I kept my name?”

His face fell and eyes darkened more than she’d ever seen. Whatever arose in him faded as he slumped in the chair and stared at his loafers. “I suppose it wouldn’t be right for me to take that from you too.”

“Nooo, it’s not that. Well, it’s related but not how you think. It may sound a little selfish, but hear me out.”

He nodded.

“I’m a Pruett. I didn’t know that meant anything until recently. Now that I know where I come from, I’m proud of it! Traditionally, I should take your name, but I’m not ready to stop being a Pruett. And, I understand getting married doesn’t erase my history, but it takes me out of the Pruett story and puts me into yours. And, that’s great! I want to be in your story, but I want to do it as me.”

Julio still glared at his shoes.

She would give anything to hear his thoughts. “But, I also have a less selfish reason.”

“What is that?” he asked quickly, louder than before.  

“For business. I’m building a brand with these restaurants, and the Pruett name is the biggest part of the brand. People will understand I got married and have a different name, but it would be easiest on the suppliers and other partnerships if I keep my name.”

His eyes narrowed with his stiffening posture. “Are you ashamed of me, Aubrey?”

She gasped. “No! Never!” How dare he think such a thing! “I’ve never hesitated to tell people we’re together! Yes, there’s bad blood between our families, and it totally sucks, but I don’t care about that! I’m just doing what I think is best for myself and my family’s business.”

She wasn’t ashamed but couldn’t gather the courage to explain how changing her name could hurt the business. The vendors and suppliers wouldn’t care who she was as long as her money remained green, but the customers would care. Associating the Corleonesi name with the Pruett business was risky; he had to understand that. Though the patrons flock to restaurants for the food, the restaurant business was about attracting and keeping customers. Violating their trust threatened the very foundation of the business, and that could not happen. At least not yet.

“Fine,” he blurted. 

She felt bad for upsetting him but not bad enough to change her mind.

“What about our kids? Are they going to be Pruetts too?”

“Well, no. They don’t have to be.”

He sighed. “But you want them to be.”

“Of course I would! But, that would unforgivably selfish, right?”