Page 80 of Agony of Our Regret

“We already are one.”

“Yeah.” His voice sounded like a smile. He kissed my hair again. “And we’re growing, but I want more.”

“Well, Noah said we’d have at least two,” I reminded him.

“I want more than that. A house full of love and laughter with at least...five kids.”

“Five!” I gasped, and tried to face him, but he burst out laughing and stopped me.

“I’m kidding. That might be too many.”

“Might? I don’t know if I can do this four more times.” I shook my head. “Not unless you guys start carrying and birthing them.”

“We probably need a bigger place, too.”

“Noah had me close my eyes and envision what I wanted in the future. It included a big house, like mine and Gavin’s. Enough space for the six of us and the three kids we’ll have.”

“Four?” he countered, and I laughed.

“Maybe.”

“Okay, so a big house. With lots of land, or do you want to be close to the city?”

That was a good question. “It makes sense to be somewhat close to the city since most of us work here, but I don’t want to go back to Arlington Park.”

Way too many memories, mostly bad.

“So, the suburbs.”

“Yeah, not too far from our parents though.”

He laughed. “Close, but not too close?”

“Right. Even though there’s six of us, we’ll probably still need help with the baby.”

“That’s a good point. Plus, the parents will want to visit.” He sighed, his chest lifting me up and down. “So, a big house close to the city with a pool.”

“Is that a requirement?” I teased.

“Yes. If we’re making wish lists, then I’m adding that.”

“Fair enough. I also want a theater room,” I added. “We used mine way too much to not have one in our own house.”

“Fine with me.”

“And the backyard can’t be just a pool. We need some lawn for the kids to run around and maybe even add a play set.”

“Big house, pool, theater, big yard, close to the city and Arlington Park.”

“Without actually being there,” I reminded him.

“Got it. Sounds...possible.”

“Ugh, maybe we should just stay here and find ways to make it work.” It made the most sense to stay close to the office.

“But that’s not what you want,” he protested.

“Not for forever, but with only one baby, it probably wouldn’t be too bad.”

---