And that’s all it takes. Hank pulls her in, kissing her slow and deep, one big hand cradling the back of her head. Wyatt and I exchange a glance, then do the only logical thing. We pile on, wrapping around them until it’s just a big, messy tangle of arms and lips and breathless, overwhelmed laughter.
Emma and Juniper, apparently deciding they’ve been ignored long enough, pick that exact moment to let out identical, ear-piercing wails.
Ivy startles. “Oh! Babies! Right.”
Wyatt grins, expertly maneuvering one of them out of the wrap. “Here, mama. You take Juni.”
Ivy takes our daughter, cuddling the tiny, squirming body against her as she sways instinctively. “Shh, beautiful girl. It’s okay.”
Juni settles almost immediately, little fists curling into Ivy’s sweater, and my heart does that dumb, swoopy thing it’s been doing since the moment I first laid eyes on my girls.
Hank clears his throat, shoving his hands in his pockets. “C’mon. Let’s go inside.”
Ivy nods, still wiping at her cheeks. “Yeah. Let’s go home.”
Hank doesn’t need to be told twice. He strides up the steps, unlocking the front door and pushing it open for her. We let Ivy go first, shuffling in behind her. The second she steps over the threshold, she gasps.
“Oh my God.”
The main living area is flooded with soft golden light, the massive floor-to-ceiling windows making the whole space feel open and warm. The fireplace truly is massive—and baby-proofed, of course.
The kitchen, visible from where we stand, is decked out in warm wood and stainless steel, with a massive island that I already know will be covered in pancake batter and toddler snacks in no time.
Ivy’s eyes go wide as she takes it all in, spinning slowly in place. “This is insane.”
Hank shrugs, casual as ever. “It’s home.”
She lets out a breathless laugh. “It really is.”
We take our time showing her everything. The wraparound porch with its amazing views. The mudroom, complete with a bench built just for wrestling tiny boots onto tiny feet. The nursery, already prepped for the chaos that two babies bring.
The master bedroom is the last stop.
Ivy steps inside, still cradling Juniper, and just stares. The vaulted ceiling, the big bed already made up with soft linens, the French doors leading to a private balcony overlooking the mountains.
She turns slowly, her eyes finding each of us in turn, something unreadable flickering in their depths.
Then, she smiles. A secret, knowing little thing.
“What?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. “You’ve got a look.”
“I do not.”
“You do,” Wyatt says at the same time.
She bites her lip, shifting Juniper higher on her hip. “Okay, fine. Maybe I do.”
Hank crosses his arms. “Spit it out, baby.”
She takes a breath, her gaze bouncing between the three of us, her lips twitching like she can’t quite contain her excitement.
Then she drops the bomb.
“I have a surprise, too.” She pauses, letting it linger before hitting us with the full force of it. “We need to prep another room.”
Hank’s brows pull together. “You don’t like?—”
“I love it.” She cuts him off with a quick shake of her head, eyes shining. “But…I’m pregnant.”