Page 98 of Somewhere Only We Know
“Nathan Alexander, if I wasn’t already married to you I would drag you to the courthouse.”
“Good to know.” He told me and leaned over, kissing me on the cheek.
“So why are you showing me these now?”
Nate threw his arm over the back of the couch and leaned into me. “I want to build a home with you, Bee. A life. A place where we can hear our kids running and laughing upstairs. A place where we can host our families and friends. A place where you and I can grow old and gray together. This house is your dream and you’re mine.”
I look over at him with tears in my eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Bee.”
“So do we go practice making babies now?”
“I thought you’d never offer.” Nate says and stands up, tossing me over his shoulder and walking to the bedroom. Our joint laughter echoes through his house as he goes down the stairs to the bedroom where he keeps his promise and we practice making babies for the rest of the night.
“Yeah. I do have good taste.”
Nate snorts. “Come try this. I need to know if it’s missing anything.”
I scrutinize the dining room one last time before walking the handful of steps to the kitchen. My wine glass finds a spot at the end of the kitchen island and I slide my hand in the back pocket of Nate’s jeans. He holds his hand out with the spoon and I test what he’s making.
“Maybe more garlic?”
“You have impeccable taste.”
“I know.” I say and tap him on the butt.
The sound of forks tapping and scrapping on plates fills the dining space. A lot has changed in these few years, but one thing has remained the same. We’ve all shown up for each other. We’ve healed in ways beyond our wildest imaginations. Sure, we’ve lost a couple of people along the way. But we’ve gained so much to make up for those losses.
A throat clearing at the end of the table has us all coming up for air from our food.
“I have some news,” Kamryn says from the other end of the table and I narrow my eyes at her. She looks at Mason before looking back at the rest of us and I think I know where she’s going with this. “I’m pregnant.”
“Shut up!” Sarah and Emily say at the same time.
“How far along are you?” Sophie asks.
“Twelve weeks.”
“Is that why you’ve been treating her with kid gloves?” I ask my brother-in-law.
Kamryn and Mason had begun trying to conceive fairly quickly after they got married. I know my sister would never admit to it, but every negative test wore her down. Apart from losing Liam, I had never seen my sister so defeated.
“I told him not to,” Kamryn whines.
“Since we’resharing news,” Sarah says.
“Not you two too.” Bryce groans and his girlfriend gives his neck a squeeze.
“No. We eloped.” Riley perks up.
“Why?” Kamryn asks, sounding a little like she’s on the verge of tears. Which is highly possible due to the hormones.
Sarah looks at Riley and they share a look. “We didn’t want the big wedding. We wanted the two of us and our parents in attendance. Plus, the justice of the peace.”
“Well, congratulations!” We all cheer.
I look around the room at my family and chosen family. Years ago I could never picture this. I could never picture being in a room with those I love unconditionally. Where we can come together at least once a month, when schedules allow, and have dinner or lunch together. I sit back in my chair and swing my leg over Nate’s thigh. He gives me a wink before joining in conversation with Mason and Adam. This is a good life.
