Page 128 of Destined Lovers

Max nods and shoots me a cheeky grin. Danny doesn’t answer because Declan punches him in the arm.

“Okay, you’re all good,” Jameson says as he steps out from the front door.

“You don’t say,” I mutter.

Jameson rolls his eyes, and Declan squeezes my neck, then releases me and intertwines our fingers.

“Come on, Pip,” he whispers, suddenly seeming nervous.

What’s going on with him?

We walk up the steps to a beautiful brick mansion, this one bigger and much different than Declan’s. It’s older and has more character. We’ve barely stepped inside, and I can see it’s in terrible shape.

“I told you I had a surprise for you today for our date day. I still plan on showing you later, but this isn’t it. This is another surprise I had planned on showing you next week. However, this morning, I received a call saying I could come today and thought it would be the perfect addition to our day.”

“I don’t understand.” I look around at the empty old house. No one could possibly live here. It’s too far gone.

From the outside, you would have no idea. The façade is still in almost perfect condition. Declan’s side of the street, including his house, are perfectly matched white Victorian homes, typical for Notting Hill.

Yet, on this side, I had never noticed until now, since I haven’t really left the house, that, although still quincentennial British, these houses have more character.

This one, in particular, is a light red brick with ivory trim and a small amount of ivy climbing one side. The steps and the pathway are black and ivory diamond patterned tile. The front door looks like it might have been painted a shade of sage with an antique knocker.

He squeezes my hand to get my attention and nods his head toward the steps. I follow, and at the top of the landing, I gasp at the beauty of the woodwork.

“This could be so stunning if it was taken care of.” I run my fingers along the carved wood and old wallpaper. Turning my head in every direction.

“Wow,” I whisper. The history in this house must make for some good stories. I could only imagine the parties they threw here back in the day. Considering it’s an area full of wealth, even way back then, it must have been extravagant.

Live music, champagne pouring and spilling everywhere as they dance and laugh their worries away.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh.” I laugh again. “I hadn’t realized I laughed out loud. I was picturing this house in its glory days, so I reenactedThe Great Gatsby.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t far off, with the size of this house and the crazy money that floated around this area, back in the day. I think they all partied similarly,” Declan says and pulls me into the room ahead of us.

“Hey, that’s where we live.” I point across the street. “It looks small from here, and that house is anything but small.”

“Aye, that’s where we live now, and this is where we will live when we have a family. If you choose.” He sweeps his arm across the room.

I don’t understand.

Wait.A soft gasp escapes my lips. “You bought this?” I ask, twirling around again, taking it all in.

“I-I…” A flicker of apprehension crosses Declan’s face, “I hope this was the right move, I can’t read you, and I can always read you.”

I bite my bottom lip, nervous, only because he seems nervous.

When I don’t respond, he continues…

“I always knew, if I could financially afford it, I would move Maeve to London when she turned eighteen. However, I didn’t anticipate the both of you moving in within the same year. I thought you would have already been living here, and our life would have been long on its way, settled into our jobs and life together.”

I nod my head to encourage him to keep going.

“After finally having you here, as much as I love living with my sister, I know we need time to ourselves, and who knows the family we may be growing.” He looks down at my stomach.

I never thought I’d see the day when Declan would be hoping to knock me up unwedded.

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