Josie had joined them and babbled on about the key points of the house, but he was too busy soaking in all its perfection. The backyard was enclosed with high walls of pretty stone and tons of natural light. A deck and patio led to a small finished yard. It even had a garden, for fuck’s sake.
Were they supposed to grow tomatoes or some shit?
Wasn’t that a kick?
He wandered behind Margo and Josie as they talked square footage and bedroom sizes. The bathrooms were amazing and created for tall people. Halle-fucking-lujah. Both he and Margo were in the six-feet club. She needed a heel to get there, but considering his wife viewed heels as sneakers, it was a valid concern.
The house was made for them.
Margo was slightly more reserved with their realtor, but he saw the excitement in her bouncing foot whenever she stood in a room too long. Excitement thrummed through her, and he was feeding off of it.
“Why don’t you guys take a look at that last bedroom?”
Simon didn’t have to be told twice. He took Margo’s hand and pulled her down the hallway from the master bedroom. The room was light and airy like the rest of the house, but there was one marked difference. There was a bassinet in the corner.
“Oh, Simon.”
His vision wavered a little at her gentle sigh. Margo ran a trembling hand over the lacy fluff around the edges of the tiny baby bed. She glanced back at him, her eyes swimming. “A nursery.”
It was painted a soft yellow and had a few pieces of furniture staged to show what a baby’s room might resemble.
“Can’t you see it? One of those cute convertible cribs that can become a bed for a toddler?”
He didn’t before, but he could now. He followed her over and curled his arms around her. “In that dark wood you like?”
“Yeah.” She twisted in his hold. “Just like that.” She laid her hand on his chest and pressed her cheek into his neck. “God, are we really doing this?”
“What? Having a baby? I think we’re past the point of no return there, babe.”
She laughed. “No, I mean buying a house and being adults.”
“Eh, well, it had to happen sometime. I suppose we have to actually do it together.”
She looped her arms around his waist. “I love you, you idiot.”
“Your idiot.”
“Yes, my idiot. And soon to be a father—God help us all.”
He lifted her off her feet and swung her around. “This is going to be fucking amazing.” Her laughter filled the room, and he was so fucking happy he could barely hold it inside.
They would be a family here, the three of them.
Finally, he had his own family.
Twenty-Six
God save the Queen.
I’d had no clue what I was in for when Zoe came in to take more promo shots for the EP cover. And for the upcoming single cover. And for God knows what else, just that Sabrina needed a lot of “coverage,” whatever that bloody well meant.
I’d been at it with the guys all day, hammering out songs, doing and redoing takes of what we’d come up with so far. Simon ever watching from the fringes, not saying a fucking thing.
Now it was late in the evening, and I was wearing more of Roman’s finery. Somehow I was supposed to look sexy to boot.
“You know when I let you borrow Matilda, I was expecting a little more fun with her.”
She peeked around her camera. “Borrow? It’s my freaking camera.”