Chapter 366: Prelude to Next Phase
"I can\'t believe we\'re actually leaving this place," she said. "We could have just left all the furniture here and bought a new one for our house…"
Michael chuckled softly at Bridget\'s comment, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they both took in the now-empty space that had once been their home. "I know, but some of these pieces hold too many memories to leave behind. Besides, it\'s nice to have a mix of the old and the new in our new place."
Bridget nodded, leaning into him as they stood there, absorbing the moment. "You\'re right. It\'s just that this place has been your home for so long. It\'s where we built so much of our life together. Moving on feels a little bittersweet."
Michael squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "We\'ll make even better memories in the new house, and these pieces will help remind us where we started."
With a final glance around the penthouse, they made their way downstairs to where the last of the boxes were being loaded into the truck. The movers were efficient and professional, handling their belongings with care. Michael and Bridget exchanged a few words with the lead mover, confirming that everything was ready to go.
"Alright, I think that\'s everything," Michael said as the last box was secured. He turned to Bridget, a grin spreading across his face. "Ready to head to our new home?"
Bridget smiled, her earlier nostalgia giving way to excitement. "More than ready."
They climbed into their car, with Michael behind the wheel. The drive to Forbes Park felt different this time, filled with anticipation rather than the cautious excitement of a viewing. This was their home now, and the realization filled them both with a sense of pride and joy.
As they pulled into the gates of Forbes Park, the guards waved them through with familiarity. The tree-lined streets and manicured lawns looked even more beautiful in the early morning light, and Bridget couldn\'t help but feel a surge of excitement as they turned onto their street.
When they arrived at the house, the moving truck was already there, and the movers were beginning to unload their belongings. Michael parked the car in the driveway, and they both stepped out, taking a moment to admire the house that was now theirs.
"It\'s even more beautiful than I remembered," Bridget said, her voice filled with wonder.
Michael nodded, his eyes scanning the property with a sense of ownership. "It really is. I can\'t wait to start making this place our own."
They walked up to the front door, where Clara, their real estate agent, was waiting with a set of keys in hand. She greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome home, Mr. Reyes, Ms. von Reimann. It\'s a pleasure to see you again."
Michael and Bridget both shook her hand, and Clara handed them the keys. "These are yours now. If you need anything as you settle in, don\'t hesitate to reach out."
"Thank you, Clara," Michael said sincerely. "You\'ve been fantastic throughout this whole process."
Clara smiled, clearly pleased. "It was my pleasure. I\'m sure you\'ll be very happy here."
With that, Clara bid them farewell, leaving Michael and Bridget standing at the entrance of their new home, keys in hand. Bridget turned to Michael, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Shall we?"
Michael nodded, unlocking the door and pushing it open. As they stepped inside, they were greeted by the spacious foyer, now filled with the smell of fresh paint and new beginnings. The movers were already inside, carefully placing their furniture and boxes in the designated rooms.
Bridget walked through the house, her eyes wide with excitement as she took in the empty spaces that would soon be filled with their belongings.
"This is it," she said, turning to Michael. "Our new home."
Michael wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "It\'s going to be incredible. Just imagine all the things we\'ll do here."
They spent the rest of the morning directing the movers and slowly beginning to unpack their belongings. Each box opened revealed a piece of their past that they were now incorporating into their future. The familiar items from their penthouse seemed to fit perfectly into the new space.
By the time afternoon rolled around, most of the larger items were in place. The living room was starting to look like a place they could relax, and the kitchen was well on its way to being fully functional. Bridget found herself drawn to the garden, where she imagined future gatherings with friends and family and quiet moments with Michael.
Standing by the large window that overlooked the garden, Michael joined her, sliding his hand into hers. "This is just the beginning, Bridget. We\'re going to build a life here that\'s even better than what we had before."
Bridget squeezed his hand, smiling up at him. "I know. And I can\'t wait to see what the future holds for us."
As the sun began to set. Michael and Bridget took a moment to sit on the couch in their now-furnished living room. They were surrounded by unpacked boxes, but it didn\'t matter. They were finally home, and everything felt just right.
Michael pulled Bridget close, kissing her on the forehead. "Welcome home, Bridget."
Bridget smiled, leaning into him. "Welcome home, Michael."
"After this, it\'s time that we resume our responsibilities. A lot of our work has surely been piled up. But let\'s not rush it. We\'ve worked hard to get here, and we deserve to enjoy this moment."
Bridget nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "You\'re right. We\'ll tackle everything one step at a time. But for now, let\'s just appreciate where we are."
Now, Michael had to pick up where he left off. That\'s right, a global war was still looming and he needed to increase his system points. There are over 99+ missions, and he is determined to finish them all.