This is really happening

 When Emmie got word from Macy about the big move (Gram moving out of L's apartment and Jake and Jonas moving to Chicago), it didn't really set in until Stevie showed up.

"I have to live with a stranger?" Her wide eyes looked at both of them, as if this was just too much.

"Well..." L hugged herself tightly, looking at Emmie to find the right words, but L spoke her peace. "You've already lived with Macy's grandmother for weeks now... so..."

"So it means you want me to go home?" Stevie was in a huff. She paced, telling them that she loved her job. She didn't think it possible, but she loved the staff as much as the clientele at the business suit hotel.

"You could live there, you know," Emmie shrugged with a sigh.

"No, I wouldn't!" Stevie snapped with a glare. "I'm not that desperate." Once again, she looked at them as if she needed her space at the apartment.

"Fine, stay at L's. Room with Jonas." Emmie knew she'd spoken too soon when L looked over at her as if it weren't for her to decide. 

"Well, I don't know, Jonas," L told Stevie as she plopped on the couch to get comfortable. Naturally, Stevie made herself comfortable as if they had a lot to discuss. She propped her elbow up and put her legs under her to get cozy.

Emmie went to put on the kettle and bring out the sugar-free sweets.

"He's Jake's brother," Emmie reminded them.

"We hardly even know Jake." L looked back at her as if they seriously needed to talk about this living arrangement.

"Who's Jake, actually?" Stevie said she knew Liddy (Macy's grandmother) had spoken of him more than once. "I don't even think she likes him." Stevie's eyes were big with seriousness. She pressed her lips tight as if maybe she was supposed to keep that a secret.

"Liddy would be that way, but she knows she can't change her mind about Macy's boy," L said as if she knew Liddy very well.

Emmie nodded.

"What about you two?" Stevie moved on from the Macy and Jake saga. "Are you or aren't you?"

"What do you mean?" L cracked into laughter. Emmie joined in as she sat across from them in the livingroom.

"Oh, don't deny it. You two have it bad for each other." Stevie pointed out that they were a real couple.

Emmie looked to L. They had a long way to go to say they were in a relationship.

"You have kissed, haven't you?" Stevie jumped ahead as if she might be their sex coach. Suddenly, Emmie felt a bit nervous, but L stretched out her hand, clasping Emmie's fingers.

"Of course, we have." L grinned as if this was where she wanted to be. Emmie smiled back. It felt decided. Now they just had to make it happen.

You know you did, you know you did, you know you did.....

 

If only Macy had known sooner about Jonas, her grandmother would have taken her cue and made an exit. Of course, it wouldn't have quite turned out that way.

Gram was getting her own apartment in the building. Naturally, Macy didn't want to laugh or cry about this matter. After all, it was Gram who made the call to the old priest who got a job for Jake at the all-boys Catholic school. 

"But..but  we're not even Catholic?" Macy croaked at the idea. Neither was Jake, but at this point and time he said he was OK, being the librarian at a prep school for boys going into the priesthood. Naturally, this gave Macy nightmares that awoke her in the night that Jake might become a priest.

"Look, Jerry and I got way back," her gram explained over tea and shortbread cookies. "We were in high school together. He was like a big brother to me."

Macy bit into another cookie while Gram went on to the fact, that Stevie was a bit much to live with. "I wish I knew if she was a boy or a girl, and I can't ask, you know. I'm not very good at keeping the pronouns straight. And besides, I know I'm crowding them." Gram was a bit testy. "Jonas can live with her."

"Wait," Macy squinted. "That's L's apartment?"

"So, she seems very happy with Emmie. I think they belonged together."

"Oh, Gram!" but Macy would let it go. She wanted Jake here, like yesterday. She was happy, but a little bitter. It felt like Gram was in control of everything. How did the woman do it?

"I like being alone, you know." Gram practically winked at her.

"Oh, really?" Macy didn't believe her. Still, it felt as if it were miles to go before Jake could settle into the apartment. At least, this would really be her apartment now with Jake. Nobody from the past was tied to her living space like that old high school friend of hers, Wade Woo (the apartment was now under her name). It was great having his fiancée as a co-worker.

I want the world to know

Jonas was going with Jake, no matter what. "No, You..you can't," was, of course, Jake's answer. "You need to be here for Mom and Dad."

Jonas knew he'd say that. "It doesn't matter, I'm going," Jonas told him, trying to help Jake get ready for his move. They worked together, going through Jake's things. Apparently, Jake didn't know he was this much of a hoarder, living in his tiny apartment. It was a tidy little place. Not even a man cave. It always looked Mother-approved, even if their mother never dropped by.

Together they let some old photos he boxed away with the promise that Jonas would archive them.

"That means, you need to stay." Jake gave him the eye about this move.

"No, I'll do it there."

Jake rolled his eyes, knowing this meant the box of pictures was coming with him after all. They whittled down Jake's wardrobe, which was full of clothes he never got to wear at the library.

"It's too casual, man," Jonas agreed, boxing it up for Goodwill Again, he knew his brother didn't want to hear this, but Jonas grouped together the essentials that would work together. "I guess you better take this heavy coat." Jonas reminded him that he was moving to the Windy City.

"I just want to help you, you know," Jonas said a few days later as they cleared out the apartment so Jake could stay with their parents until he left. There was still that problem. Jake didn't have a job, and he knew this hurt Jake the most. He'd always been busy, even if the jobs didn't pay much.  "I've learned a lot from you. It's just-"

"Just what?" They were eating the last of the snacks before they went to the garbage. Jake had lots of healthy stuff, like trail mixes and yogurt.

"You've been that person I've always wanted to be," Jonas looked at him blankly. "I...I just think if..if I get out on my own." He swelled a frown. "I need this move as much as you do." Jonas finally said. "If I stay here, I'm going to rely on Mom and Dad forever."

"OK," Jake suddenly said. "We'll give it a try." But first he needed to call Macy to get her thoughts on Jonas moving to Chicago.