Shane's POV

I heard the doorbell ringing, but I could not move at all. Bliss finally fell asleep. I just hate that I have to move her. But Andrea is here. Slowly, I moved Bliss to answer the door.

"Sorry, Shane. I would have been here sooner, but traffic was crazy this morning. And I have Bliss's crutches. They are in my truck."

"Come in." Andrea opened her trunk, and I grabbed Bliss's crutches.

"I also brought some of her favorite games to play. What we usually do after Bliss has a nightmare is to play her absolute favorite game - Monopoly. I have to warn you because Bliss can be very competitive when it comes to Monopoly. She likes to play Madden football games too on PS4. One time, she entered a tournament. It was Bliss and another guy in the final game of the tournament. Bliss won the game fair and square. He cussed Bliss out, and she beat him up pretty badly. Not only did the guy lose the game, but he also lost a few teeth, had a black eye, and probably will never have kids. Bliss is 5'4", but she is strong. Our parents taught us to defend ourselves."

"Ouch. It has been a while since I played Monopoly. Let's make it a game day today. And we can order food. I would cook, but my cooking sucks. But Bliss offered to help me learn how to cook."

"Hmm, she did? My sister likes you, Shane. She hates teaching others how to cook because they never follow her instructions."

I hope she does like me. I already told her how I felt. "Let's set up the games in the dining room. Does Bliss have a favorite piece she likes to play with?"

"Bliss likes the car. I usually choose the dog."

"Okay." Once we set up the board, we headed back to the living room. Thankfully, Bliss stayed asleep and did not notice that I was missing. Andrea and I watched tv until Bliss woke up. It was quickly approaching noon.

"OH MY GOODNESS!! THAT FREAKING HURTS!!" was screamed in my ear.

"I'm sorry, Shane. I felt a surge of pain in my ankle."

"I'll get you some water and pain pills. Be right back."

"Thanks."

Bliss' POV

"Hey Andrea, I missed our tradition this morning."

"Bliss, it is okay. Jessica wanted to come too, but she will come by later. What matters is that we support each other. And Shane gave me the day off so we could spend it together."

"I just can't explain why I keep having that same dream."

Shane came back with water and two pills. "Thank you."

"Bliss, a lot of times, Jessica and I see how you push yourself to take care of us. Please don't burn yourself out feeling you have to care for us. We love that you do. We want you to focus on you."

"You both are all that I have. Sometimes I feel like I am going to lose you guys. We already lost mom and dad."

"We are NEVER going to leave you, Bliss. NEVER. One day, I would like to experience living on my own. Now that I think about it, now would be a good time. We can have dinner together, family nights, sleepovers, etc."

"You're right. I am just afraid of being alone. And I am not staying in that house by myself."

"You will never be alone. I drove past some nice-looking apartments here in Long Island. And we can take family vacations together. I have plenty of money left from the insurance money. And we can split the money from selling the house in three ways. When you go house hunting, we will go with you."

"Yes, I would like that. I will have to wait about a month or maybe two."

Andrea came over and hugged me. "We love you very much, Bliss."

"I love you both too."

"I can call my real estate agent to search for houses for you - what are you looking for?"

"I have always wanted a big, modern kitchen with double ovens and an island in the middle. And, a pool because I love to swim. A master suite with a walk-in closet and master bathroom. Two additional bedrooms with a shared bathroom. And a basement with a game room, a room to create a gym, and a tv room. Then, on the main floor, kitchen, living room, dining room, a home office, and a full bathroom. Oh, and I love spiral staircases. Plus, enough room to park three SUVs."

"Okay. I will send the list over to my agent later. We set up a game of Monopoly in the dining room. Are you ready to play?"

"Of course! I never turn down a game of Monopoly. I am hungry now."

"Let's order food before we play. And I am paying."

For myself, I ordered beef fried rice, spring rolls, sweet & sour chicken, and boneless spare ribs. That will be for lunch and dinner, and probably lunch for Wednesday.

Narrator's POV

They played an intense game of Monopoly. "Now that is not fair," Shane complained when Bliss bought Boardwalk and Park Place.

"You're cute when you whine," Bliss tells him while laughing.

Andrea and Shane were in trouble. Lunch came, and they were going to eat in the kitchen. Bliss used her crutches and made her way into the kitchen. She was thoroughly impressed.

Shane's POV

"Shane!" I walked to where Bliss was sitting. "Your kitchen is beautiful! Come here for a minute."

"POW!"

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"Not learning how to cook until now. Now, this is the type of kitchen that I want for myself. Tomorrow, you are learning how to cook, mister. I will give you a list of items to get from the store. You will learn how to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

"I told you, Shane. Bliss is powerful."

She is not kidding. I may be muscular, but that punch hurt. But I did hear Bliss say I was 'cute.' I will take it. I grabbed some plates from the cabinet and forks from the silverware drawer.

"Shane, what have you attempted to cook?"

"Bagels - burned to a crisp." While walking to the table, "I burned bacon to a crisp and almost started a fire. I even tried to make some chicken in the oven. The chicken was not thoroughly cooked."

"POW!"

"Ouch! What was that one for?" Bliss popped me again.

"Because it is a sin to burn the bacon. Tomorrow for breakfast, you will learn how to fix bacon, eggs, and bagels. We may have to skip that. So, we will save that for Thursday. For lunch, we have Chinese food. And, for dinner, you will fix spaghetti and garlic bread. I will write a list of what you will need. Do you have seasonings?"

"Just salt and pepper."

"POW!"

"Ouch!!"

"Shane, salt is a no-no!! Throw it out. Open your cabinets so I can see what you do have."

I opened every cabinet in the kitchen. Scrap the list. Bliss sighed, "Shane, you are a lost cause. We will go shopping in the morning. For the next few weeks, I am taking over your kitchen. I need to know if you are committed to learning because cooking is my passion, and I don't want to waste your time or mine."

She is serious. "I am committed because eating out is tiring."

"What about pots and pans? Open the bottom cabinets."

I opened the island cabinets because that is where I keep them.

"Oh my goodness! You have all of this and never used it? Okay, Mr. Billionaire, get ready to cook, eat and clean almost every pot, pan, and utensil in this kitchen. I can be bossy and demanding, but nothing like Gordon Ramsey. I do that because I want people to have the same joy that I feel when it comes to cooking. I hope you will not take it personally."

"I won't." Anytime I get to spend with Bliss, I will take it.

"And, I will taste each dish. If I don't like it, you will fix it again. I haven't done this in a while, so I am excited to teach someone. We will need to stop by a bookstore for cookbooks. Now, let's go finish playing Monopoly."

************************

Andrea was not kidding about Bliss and Monopoly. She didn't cut either of us any slack. The money we paid to get out of jail was held in a pile on the board. Bliss even won that and flashed it in our faces. Even when Andrea was out of money, Bliss did a chair dance, waving bye to her own sister. There was no way I was winning.

"Shane, you might as well quit because this board is mine," Bliss confidently says.

"Don't do it, Shane. It is of no use. Bliss has the board," Andrea pleads with me.

"Ding Dong!!"

"I will answer it." Andrea got up to answer the door.

"Okay, you won, Bliss." It was my mum. Time flew by fast because it was after 5:00 pm. She ran right over to Bliss.

"Bliss! How is my daughter doing?"

"I had a little pain this morning, but I am fine."

"How has Mr. Landes been treating you?"

"So far, so good. I am even going to teach Shane how to cook."

"Thank goodness because his cooking stinks."

"I know. Shane told me he burned bacon. It is a sin to burn the bacon."

"POW!!"

My mum hit me this time. "What is it, 'Hit Shane Night?'"

They both looked at me and said, "Yes."

"Shane is fixing dinner for us tomorrow. You're welcome to come. He is fixing spaghetti with Italian sausage and garlic bread."

"Sounds yummy. I'll ask Brently and Carly, too. Did you take Bliss outside to see the backyard?"

"No, I haven't. But we can go back now if you would like. I'll turn on the lights."

"That is where he holds company parties. It is usually each department at a time. He has an indoor pool and an outdoor one."

"Yes, I would love to see it now. I want to try to walk without the crutches."

"Okay. I will carry your crutches just in case."

Once Bliss stood up, I gave her my arm to brace herself. "Do you mind if I hold onto your arm?"

"No, I don't mind. And, take your time." I sure don't mind. Her touch sends shivers up and down my spine.

Bliss' POV

"Thank you, Shane." The first step was the hardest. It feels way better than Friday. It took us about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the patio door.

When he opened the door, I was amazed. First, we entered an enclosed porch with patio furniture - it included a comfy, looking couch, lounge chairs, a large table, a fireplace, and a 60" television. Then, Shane opened another door that led us to the rest of the yard.

"Shane, you have a grill? Please tell me you use it."

"I haven't, but I always hire a catering company for the food, and they use the grill."

"Smack!!"

"Ouch!! My arm is going to be sore tomorrow."

"Why have a beautiful kitchen and a grill not to use it? Well, that is why I am going to teach you. My dad taught me how to grill, and mom and grandmother taught me how to cook."

"Now, that is what I am talking about. That patio with the fireplace will be one of my favorite spots. I love being outdoors."

"It may take more than four weeks to teach you how to cook. I don't mind coming over after I leave."

"However long it takes, I am committed."

"I need to sit down. Can we go back to the enclosed deck?"

"Sure."

Once we reached the porch, a blanket was draped over the couch. So, I picked it up, sat down, and put it over myself.

"Bliss, I am going to head home before it gets dark. Jessica sent a text saying she couldn't make it. But, she will be over one day this week."

"Thanks, Drea, for spending the day with me. Call me or text me when you arrive home. And, tell Jessica that it is okay."

"You're welcome, big sis. Goodnight, Shane and Adrian."

"I think I am going to be leaving too. Goodnight, Bliss."

"Goodnight, Adrian. Please call me or text when you made it home safe."

Shane's POV

"I'll walk you ladies to your vehicles." I handed Bliss the remote before walking with my mum and Andrea.

"Goodnight, Shane and Mrs. Landes."

"Call me Adrian, honey. We are practically family."

"Okay, Adrian." Andrea got in her truck and pulled off.

"Can you have Mercedes email me my schedule for the next four weeks?"

"Sure. I better be heading home too. Goodnight, son."

Then, my mum got in her car and pulled off. After she left, I went back to the porch to check on Bliss. That fast, she fell asleep. I didn't want to disturb her sleep, so I went inside to grab a blanket and went back outside.

Bliss was watching a Fast & Furious marathon. Well, it was watching her. I didn't bother trying to change the channel. So, I got comfortable and just watched the marathon.

******************************

Wednesday morning

"Why is it so bright in my room?"

I scanned my surroundings and realized I had fallen asleep on the back porch. Bliss wasn't on the couch. I need to check on her to make sure she is okay. So, I turned off the tv and went inside the house. I walked towards Bliss's room but noticed her sitting on the living room couch, dressed and ready for the day.

"Good morning, Shane. I was going to fix some breakfast, but your cabinets and refrigerator are bare."

"I'll go get ready, and we can have breakfast out."

********

After a nice, hot shower, I dressed and met Bliss downstairs. Then, we left the house to go to eat breakfast first. After breakfast, we made our way to the grocery store.

"Shane, we are going to need at least two carts. Let's hit produce first. What do you like?"

"The only thing I don't like is grapefruit."

Bliss had me pick up enough fruit for us - bananas, apples, oranges, etc. Then, she had me pick up some fresh herbs and tomatoes for pasta sauce. Once we were done with the produce, we made our way toward the aisle with the pasta. While walking down the aisle, I heard someone call my name.

"Shane? Is that you?"

I turned around to see.....

**********

Thank you all for reading chapter 13.

The pictures are courtesy of Can Stock Photos

1. Shane's kitchen - © Can Stock Photo / lmphot

2. Luxury ground pool and patio - © Can Stock Photo / thesupe87

3. Exterior covered patio with fireplace - © Can Stock Photo / irina88w

And thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘