Chapter Sixteen
Jake
I've been so excited about the baby that I almost forgot about showing Emily our house. We're back in Chicago after an amazing honeymoon, and I've just told Emily that she's finally going to see the house. I'm driving us there as we speak.
“I'm so excited, Jake. And just think, we are going to have to decorate a room for Baby Benson.” She grins at me when I look over at her.
“Baby Benson?” I question. This is the first I've heard her say that.
Emily shrugs. “Yeah, that's what I've been calling the baby. It's silly, isn't it?” She laughs softly.
I grab her hand, bring it to my lips, and kiss her knuckles. “No, Sweetness. It's not silly at all.” We're getting closer to the house and I can't wait to show it to her. Our place is secluded on the outskirts of Chicago. When we turn in down the driveway, Emily squeezes my hands in excitement as the view of our new two-story home appears.
“Jake, it's beautiful.”
“Wait until you see the inside,” I say as I park in the garage where Emily's car is already waiting.
“How did my car get here?”
“Your husband works in mysterious ways, Sweetness.”
She laughs as I lead her inside. We first walk into the kitchen, which is large and spacious. The floors are dark hardwood against the contrast of white cabinets and steel appliances. Emily runs her fingers along the counters before we move on to the living room. There is plenty of room with the large sectional couch, a flat-screen TV, a fireplace, and pictures from our former apartment. The dining room hosts a round table, more pictures, and a beautiful chandelier. I show Emily the bathroom, what I like to call the game room, which has a pool table, another flat-screen TV, and so much more.
There are long windows to showcase the backyard. There's an in-ground pool, a fire pit surrounded by swings, and then it's wide spaces. I lead her away from the view to show her the rest of the house. Upstairs are all the bedrooms. I show her Drake's room, the guest bedroom, two spare bedrooms, one of which will turn into Baby Benson's room, and then it's finally time to show her the master bedroom.
“Jake,” Emily whispers when she steps inside.
A large California King bed sits on one side of the room. There's the usual bedroom furniture, but also a view of the backyard thanks to glass double doors that lead outside. With a little push, I was able to get one of our wedding pictures blown up and it's hanging over the head of our bed. I tug on Emily's hand to show her our bathroom. It's practically it's own room with his and her sinks, a shower stall with a shower-head at each end, a jacuzzi, and we each have our own closets, one on each side upon entering the bathroom.
“I love it, Jake. You did a wonderful job,” Emily says, turning to face me.
“Sweetness.” I bring my hand up to cup her cheek. “We are at the beginning of what will be our amazing happily ever after. I just have one question before we spend our first night together in our new house.”
“What's that?” she grins.
“Do you think Baby Benson will like it here?”
Emily wraps her arms around me. “I think Baby Benson will love it here. And you're right. This is and always will be our happily ever after.”