Settling in Seattle

Chapter 3- The House

They were handed the keys to their new home pretty much as soon as they landed. They had chosen a house this time, instead of an apartment. Thinking ahead, and decided if they were going to live here, they didn't want to move again in a year or so, wanting a forever home, and had found one. It was perfect, and at that point they could afford it. It had five bedrooms, of different sizes, two with ensuite bathrooms, Rachel's favourite bedroom was the smallest, up on the top floor, it had a window in the roof, and seemed very cosy. The kitchen was ostentatious, and very airy, light and perfect for Rachel's taste in cuisine. In the same room was where they were going to place a dining area too. There was also a room that was intended to be an office, for all Rachel and Mike's home work.

Rachel couldn't wait to start decorating. They had two weeks before the firm was up and ready to go, and they were hoping to fit the décor into that two weeks. Considering what Rachel did in one day to their old apartment, they could easily fit that in.

The outside was perfect, a city house, on a bustling, but somehow quiet road. It was very modern, filled with lots of broad glass. They had a big enough garden, with grass plentiful, brilliant for summer parties with their new friends. From multiple windows in the house you could see the skyline of the big city, in which they were to start their new jobs.

Rachel and Mike pulled up in their cab and thanked the driver excitedly jumping out, greeting their hand luggage on the side of the road. Their furniture was already here, as they had ordered it ahead the arrival. They couldn't wait to go in. Mike pulled the keychain from his pocket, and dangled in in front of Rachel, offering her to take it and unlock their front door. They waltzed hand in hand up the driveway, and reached the house, unlocking the door, pushing it open at ease. Rachel's eyes widened as they stepped inside the modern, open house, still clutching Mike's arm with her free hand, and her suitcase the other. She let go of the suitcase as well as her breath, as relief flooded her senses. This was their home, she had to remind herself, as she couldn't quite believe they had bought a house, let alone moved across the country.

Rachel felt tears prick her eyes as she turned towards Mike, staring at his face that was scanning the room in the same way she was. It was perfect. Mike pivoted so he was facing Rachel and cupped her head in his hands using his thumb to tilt her head up towards his by her chin. Her big, brown eyes looked up at him full of love.

"This is our place. You're my life, my whole world. I love you so much, and I can't imagine anything different. You, Rachel Elizabeth Ross, I love you." Mike kissed Rachel's soft lips as a small tear slipped down her freckled cheek, not giving her time to respond.

She pulled away reluctantly, "I love you too, Mike James Ross." She hadn't had a chance to say that since the wedding, it tingled through her spine. They held each other close, embracing each others bodies, before pulling away and running up the stairs, chasing to their bedroom. They sprinted down the hallway, and pushed into a door to the left, racing to get there first. Mike got there before and hurtled himself onto the new bed they had purchased. He rolled over on his back and laid his hands on his chest. Rachel joined him, and cuddled up, she tucked into him underneath his arm, which he wrapped around her chest, his fingers collided her collarbone. They led there looking up at the lights above them, Rachel talking about how much she could do with the space.

When they eventually got up, Rachel went slightly dizzy. She had to sit back down for as second just to get back up again. Mike looked at her a bit concerned, but she reassured him she was sure she had stood up too quick, after all, they had led there for a very long time. Plus, they hadn't eaten since the start of the plane journey, which was some time ago. She didn't think anything of it, but when she finally rose, a rush of sickness imploded on her stomach. She winced and held onto the doorframe as she bottled over slightly. Her eyes wrinkled shut and Mike turned to see the hunched frame with her hand to her head.

"Hey, what's up?" His eyebrows scrunched together, and he frowned at the sight of her slightly reddened face. Rachel looked up at him and forced out a smile as the nausea quickly subsided.

"Oh, um, I just went a bit funny, I think it was just standing up too quickly after lying down for a long time! It's quite hot in here, shall we open the windows whilst we look through everything else in here?" A flustered Rachel darted the answer.

"Okay, just be careful." Mike stepped towards his wife and planted a kiss on her forehead as she seemed to come out of the giddy trance.

The rest of the day was spent with more and more planning of what they were going to do with their walls, how they were to be painted, and what was going to be hung on them. They were going to set up two guest rooms, and that would leave one to decorate as a nursery when the time came. They had decided to keep their living room furniture, so they didn't have any of that yet. However, whilst it was being delivered tomorrow, they had planned to go out and explore their new home city.

They ordered Thai for dinner, finding a take away service nearby before they arrived, and sat by the fire on the floor, in an empty room. Rachel pulled out the blanket she'd used on the plane journey, and laid it out in front of the fire they had yet to light.

"This is absolutely perfect. Thank you Rachel." He looked over her head, then around, drinking in a view that would assumably only get better with time.

"Oh, this is nothing!" Rachel beamed at Mike as she slumped into his lap, taking a big gulp of water, after Mike pried on her to drink something.

"I love you." He rubbed her shoulders with his thumbs and she closed her eyes tightly. He couldn't help but wonder if her wobble that afternoon was something more serious, but for now, she was safe in his arms.