Too Good To Be True?

Chapter 22 Ⅲ

Over the next few weeks all we could think about was how we could make this house into a home that reflected us and our relationship in the most genuine ways possible, making countless trips to the hardware store for painting materials and going furniture shopping and buying brand new setups for our offices.

Our excitement never faded as each day we loaded up the car with a new project and drove to the house, singing and dancing as we painted room after room, telling jokes to distract us from the pain of moving the heavy furniture and making up new curse words when we couldn't figure out how to put a desk or a shelf together.

We had a revolving door of friends coming over to help out, the girls loving to help Angel paint and the guys constantly competing to see who could lift more. They were all super happy for us and we made sure to let them know that they could come and stay over any time they liked.

After almost two months of exhausting but incredibly fulfilling work, we were finally ready to lock the door on the old house for the last time. I met Angel's gaze as we sat in the car, squeezing her hand and smiling as we left Huddersfield behind.

As I pulled the car into the garage of our new home, Angel quickly opened the door, eager to get inside but I stopped her and she stuck out her lip in a pout.

I chuckled, guiding her outside. "Come on, trust me," I said as I punched in the code to close the garage door. I took a moment to watch her as she gazed up at the house, smiling warmly at the pleased look on her face.

Just as she was about to turn and face me, I scooped her up in my arms, smirking as she yelped and clasped her hands behind my neck to keep from falling.

"David!" she laughed. "You scared me! Put me down!"

"Nuh uh, I've got to carry you over the threshold," I teased, setting a hand on the knob and pushing open the door.

She rolled her eyes at me. "I think that's for when you're married, Charming."

I shrugged, pretending not to notice the way my heart leapt at the mention of marriage and instead just smiling down at her perfect face. "I think this is a special enough occasion, don't you?"

She looked down shyly, a light blush blooming on her cheeks.

I grinned and stepped into the house, feeling a rush of energy as I gazed at all that we had accomplished. The new appliances in the kitchen shone brilliantly in the afternoon sun, the natural light streaming through the windows providing a warm, homey feel to the whole space.

I kicked the door shut behind me and carried her up the stairs to our room, plopping down onto the bed with her cradled in my lap.

She nuzzled her head in the crook of my neck, sighing softly as she took it all in.

"Now this feels just right..." she murmured, giving me a loving squeeze. "I'm sorry I didn't want to get a new place right away..."

I chuckled, kissing her temple. "Would've saved a little time, yeah."

I felt her shoulders droop guiltily and nudged her with my chin, silently telling her to look up at me.

"I'm just kidding, Princess. I'm glad we had that time to figure out what we really wanted."

She studied my eyes for a few moments, curiosity sparking in her gaze.

"So... is this what you really want...?" she whispered, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the tips of my hair.

I smiled, leaning my forehead against hers to deepen our gaze. "More than anything in the entire world."

She bit her lip coyly, her breath warm on my cheeks as she said, "Me too..."

I tilted my head to meet her lips, sighing at the familiar sparklers on my tongue. "I love you, Angel," I murmured under my breath, feeling my heart thud beneath her hand on my chest.

"I love you, too..."

I slid a hand across her hip, muttering softly, "Did you wanna... go out for dinner or... something..." failing at my attempts to keep my mind clear as her lips held me captive.

My head spun as she dug a hand into my hair, her voice low, nearly a groan as she murmured, "Not yet..." and I felt the world fall away beneath me.