Finding You

The House

I can see it in my head. A beautiful white crib with a mobile with beautiful dangling planets. A navy dresser with gold handles and a changing pad decorated with stars. A toy box overflowing with toys from everyone that loves them. This is it. This is the house. This is our house.

"Natalie." I blink at Brad's voice, causing a tear to roll down my cheek.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought." I smile and wipe the streak away, turning my head from the empty room. Bradley smiles and walks to wrap his arms around me.

"Do you like the house?" He asks softly, looking into the room I just envisioned for our nonexistent child.

"I think it's the second greatest love of my life." I look up at him and he nods.

"I think it's perfect for us."

"Cristina say anything?"

"Foundation is solid. The roof, plumbing, and HVAC were all just replaced and updated by the owners to sell. Even the cosmetic work seems to be just cosmetic. But with buying a house comes surprises and since it's older, we should plan for surprises."

"Let's put our offer in." I take his hands and kiss them softly.

"I already did. I came up here and found you standing here looking at this room and just had a feeling. Care to share what's so special?" He asks and I blush.

"We've looked at so many houses and I kept waiting for the moment. The moment that I could see us in the house. It's hard to see past the cosmetic work but this room is just perfect, amongst all the chaos, this is the calm. I had my moment standing here." I tell him, looking back at the room. The room with a navy wall. The room that inspired a starry night nursery theme.

"What is this room?" He asks and I smile.

"What do you think of stars and space and constellations?"

"I think it's cool and scary."

"Just like kids." I bump him and he looks from me to the room again and a small smile raises the corners of his mouth.

"A nursery?" He asks and I nod.

"I pictured the crib on the navy wall with constellations. A white sheet with gold stars on it. A navy dresser with gold handles. A changing pad to match the crib sheet. A mobile for above the crib with stars or planets that dance around."

"The perfect nursery, huh?" He asks and I shrug.

"I don't know how well it would work if it was a girl. Everyone wants everything pink for girls."

"It doesn't matter. So what if it's blue? Whose to say she has to be surrounded by pink all the time?"

"You're right. It doesn't matter what we do the nursery, we will love the person they grow up to be. No matter what."

"Exactly. We could put rainbows on a boys wall and it doesn't change anything. It's just a room." And just like that, my uterus exploded from the cuteness. From the sweetness. How will I ever choke down that stupid pill now?

"How long do you think it'll take to get us in here and settled?" I ask, changing the subject, Kinda.

"I don't know baby. Can't exactly rush the process."

"I know."

"Are you ready to go? We can grab a bite before we head to the resort or maybe we can see how far the seats lay back in the car?" I turn my head up to him and shake my head.

"Did everyone leave us alone?"

"Sorta. Gregory went outside to talk to his people and Cristina went home. You wanna practice making that baby in here?" He asks and I blush.

"I think it's good luck to conceive a baby in their future room." I smile and he shakes his head.

"I think you made that up."

"I think you're right but I mean, how wrong could I be, huh?"

"I'm not picky on where I knock you up. I could do it in that corner, in the car, at the resort, back home, in that lake out there, literally anywhere. So if you want me to pick your ass up and fuck you right here, say the word and I'm there." I blink and swallow. Fuck. Why does he have to be so sexy?

"Brad? Natalie?" The front door opens and closes. That's Gregory here to completely ruin the mood. Well, not complete.

"Were coming." Bradley holds his hand to me and I let him lead me to the entrance.

"I have good news. They have accepted the offer. All we have to do is finalize everything." He says and I take a deep breath of relief.

"That's wonderful news." I look at Brad and he smiles.

"This is it. I know I'm a little late but happy anniversary." Bradley says and I roll my eyes. Okay.

"I'm just glad we finally found the one. I have been stressed to the max trying to figure you guys out. Thankfully, when my friend called me about this place, I knew I needed to get you guys in first." Gregory tells us and I smile.

"We are so thankful for you. I don't think anyone else would have worked as hard as you did." I tell him and he smiles.

"It's clients like you guys that make it all worth it."

"When will we need to finalize the paperwork?" Bradley asks.

"Drop in first thing on Monday."

"Sounds good. We're going to head out. We have a strict checkin time."

"Yes, go! Have fun and relax." Gregory tells us, walking behind us.

"We will see you Monday morning. Have a good weekend." I tel Gregory before he smiles, muttering "you too" and shutting the door, locking it.

"Are you gonna throw away the pills?" Brad asks and I look at him confused.

"I thought you didn't want to know."

"You're right, I don't want to know, I think. I just want you to know that if you do, I'm on board. I'm all in." He softly grabs my face.

"I am too and if we were good to start moving in tomorrow, I'd throw it away right now. I just don't know it's a good idea to be between houses while I'm pregnant." I tell him and he nods.

"So the sooner we get this house done, the sooner we get to start?" He asks and I nod.

"Something like that. I need to get with Collin about work first and see what can be done about my job."

"You don't need it. The podcast is doing great. We could probably do more episodes if you stayed home too."

"I would go crazy being home all day. You know I'm built for the hustle and bustle."

"Work off site and travel when need be."

"I'll pitch the idea. Then, if I get pregnant we can have something a little less strict and I'll hopefully be able to stay home longer with the little babe."

"Sounds like you have an idea of what you want then."

"I know exactly what I want. Since the house is no longer an option, let's find a shady spot to lay the seat down." I grab his hands and pull him behind me.

"Hey, wait." He pulls me to him and I laugh.

"What?" I raise an eyebrow and his arms tighten around me.

"I love you." He kisses me softly and I sigh, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"I love you."