Page 22 of Little Bedtime Snack

“What’s not fair? That we’re combining our strengths to build a home together? That’s 100% fair.” How could he look at my lack of contribution that way?

“But that would make this your house.” Which had been the entire reason we had looked to move. “We can live in your house already.”

“No, it wouldn’t make it my house.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “You’d be paying the mortgage too.”

“You know what I mean.” Paying half of my old rent wasn’t close to covering my share of expenses.

He took a step back and waited for me to meet his eyes.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. If I sell this house now for this profit, the reason why I’m able to make that money is because we’re choosing to leave now. It was our decision. For all we know, in another two years, that neighborhood is going to crash in value, and instead of making money, I’d lose it.”

I rolled my eyes. “You forgot to stretch before doing those gymnastics.”

It was his turn to roll his eyes.

“The real estate market isn’t like that, Daddy.”

“Remind me to give you a history lesson,” he said and rubbed his cheek against mine. “But seriously, can’t you see this room filled with a craft corner and blocks and maybe a changing table?”

I shrugged. “I guess. But I don’t like feeling like I’m not contributing.”

“But you will be. You’ll pay your part of the mortgage every month.”

“I— ” He put a finger to my lips.

“Let Daddy take care of you.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m more than sure.”

I stepped into his embrace. “So…we’re gonna buy this place?”

“We’re going to try.”

When we got downstairs, someone else was talking about putting in an offer, but from the sounds of it, there were a ton of pretty intense conditions—needing immediate occupancy, a delayed closing, and using a kind of mortgage I had never even heard of.

It had me worried, until Daddy assured me that people like that often got turned down if the homeowners had another option, and we were going to be their other option.

We went back to the realty office and wrote our offer letter. That was when both my nerves and excitement kicked in. It was a good thing Daddy was there to distract me.

The next morning, we got the call.

The house was ours. In one month’s time, we were going to be living in our very own home. I could hardly wait.

EPILOGUE

MASON

Eli’s nursery was done, and as a happy new-nursery present, I arranged for him to have a playdate with Jeb at our home.

My sweet boy was thrilled and spent the morning planning everything they were going to do. He picked the menu. He picked the activities. He even sent Jeb an email telling him which outfit to bring. They were going to have a blast.

Jeb didn’t have a Daddy, Mommy, or caregiver of any kind, and Eli and I discussed in detail what he wanted my role to be today. At no point in time did I want to make him feel uncomfortable. And as a rule, he wasn’t so great about sharing his Daddy.

But this was Jeb.

And, of course, he and Jeb had different boundaries than he would with a stranger.

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