Bradford.” I pinch my lips together. “Because you’ll see I was able to salvage a lot of this home’s history. Including my second favorite thing about this house.” I walk toward the doors leading from the living room and into the dining room. “The pocket doors.” I slide them open and bring everyone into the formal dining room.
Julia walks to the cherrywood table in the center of the room beneath yet another chandelier I managed to restore, her fingers tracing the place settings.
“Look familiar?” I ask.
“My grandparents got this china as a wedding gift.” She gingerly picks up one of the plates and flips it over. “December 1955,” she reads the date etched on the back of each of the dishes.
“I found them in the storage unit,” Wes explains. “Thought it would be nice to have them here.”
They share a look, Julia’s eyes brimming with tears. It doesn’t matter that they’re not technically related by blood. The love they have for each other is more powerful than any other siblings I’ve met.
“Give you a piece of Meemaw and Gampy to keep.”
She wraps her arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”
“Mama,” Imogene says as she tugs on Julia’s shirt. “When do I get to see my room?”
“Soon, baby,” Julia replies through her tears, wiping her cheeks as she pulls away from Wes.
“Better get on with the tour then.” I wink at Imogene. “Don’t want to keep you waiting.”
I show them through the rest of the house, pointing out pieces I was able to save, including the clawfoot tub in the ensuite bathroom of the master bedroom. The house is a mixture of modern amenities and historic charm, thanks to the occasional accent of original door handles, stained glass, or light fixtures.
“You ready, Imogene?” I ask, stopping in front of the door to the final room of our tour, the one leading to what will be her bedroom whenever she visits.
“Yes!” She’s practically bursting at the seams.
“Here you go.” I pause before turning the knob, excited to not only see her reaction, but also Julia’s and Wes’. I never shared my plans for this room. It was something I wanted to do for them. And Imogene. My way of thanking them for welcoming me into their family. For giving me a place to call home.
“Oh, Londyn…,” Julia exhales, walking over the threshold.
“Is this really my room?” Imogene squeals, her frantic gaze darting everywhere, starting at the five-foot-tall dollhouse by the far wall, shifting to the reading nook in the corner, stopping at the luxurious bed in the center, sheer curtains hanging from the ceiling draping around it.
“Do you like it?” I crouch down to her level.
“I love it! Thank you, Miss Londyn.” She wraps her arms around my neck, squeezing me before darting away and exploring all the toys I couldn’t help but buy for her.
I sense a warmth approach and glance over my shoulder to see Wes looking down at me, his eyes overflowing with affection. He drapes an arm around me, and I melt into him, my heart bursting as I watch Imogene drag Julia throughout the space, picking up a toy to play with, only to find something else that catches her attention seconds later.
“The house looks incredible. And I’m not only saying that because I barely saw you this week and really need to get laid.”
I playfully swat him, and he chuckles, causing the butterflies to erupt in my stomach. It doesn’t matter how often I hear him laugh or taste his kisses. The butterflies don’t seem to tire of him. I doubt they ever will.
“I mean it.” He turns me so I’m facing him, linking his fingers together at the small of my back. “You’re incredible.” He brings his lips toward mine. “And I’ll forever be grateful that one day, you made the horrible decision to try to cross the street wearing fuck-me heels during a downpour.”
I brush my mouth against his. “And I’ll forever be grateful that one day, you braved a torrential downpour to peel my ass off the pavement. Then asked for my number in a very busy coffee shop.”
“Best decision of my life.”
“You’re the best decision of my life,” I sigh, touching my lips to his.
When he pulls back, he holds his hand out toward me. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you.”
I scrunch my brows. “What is it?”
“Patience, honeybee. All will be revealed in due time.” He grins, hand still extended.