After days of relentless searching, I've finally stumbled upon the perfect mansion. It's nestled deep in the countryside, surrounded by sprawling acres of land, just begging to be turned into our little slice of farm life.
The nearest city is a manageable thirty-minute drive—close enough for grocery runs and errands, but far enough to keep the chaos of urban life at bay.
The place feels like a dream, eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, rolling fields, a remodeled barn, and a extremely nice porch that practically screams for a rocking chair and early morning coffee.
Now, the challenge is figuring out when to reveal this surprise. Christmas is tomorrow, and as much as I'd love to drop this bombshell then, it feels too rushed.
I need to plan it out, make it special. Damn it, I'll have to talk this over with Bella and get her take on the timing.
I tossed my phone behind me, the screen clattering softly against the cushion of our bed. Leaning over, I wrapped my arms around Noah from behind, pulling him close as he nursed contently on Bella.
I couldn't help but feel a tiny pang of jealousy—it's been mostly me lately, and I've grown accustomed to those quiet, intimate moments. But Bella deserved her turn, and seeing them together, so peaceful, made it worth sharing.
"He suckles so damn well, no wonder you're so hooked on this..." Bella murmured, her voice soft and almost reverent.
Her fingers played gently with Noah's hair, curling the soft strands around her fingertips, twisting them absently as she gazed down at him.
Noah, completely at ease, slept in her arms, his tiny chest rising and falling with each steady breath. He looked utterly serene, as if the world outside didn't exist, as if he had not a single care to weigh him down.
And he didn't. After everything we've been through, every sacrifice and hard-fought battle, we've made damn sure of that.
Noah will never be out of our sight again, not for a second. We've built this bubble around him, around us, and nothing—no one—is ever going to pierce it.
"He's asleep, right?" I asked Bella, my voice low to avoid stirring Noah. She glanced down at him, snapping her fingers a couple of times near his face.
His little eyelids didn't even flutter—he was completely knocked out. She gave a small nod, confirming it.
"I found the perfect house in the perfect location," I said, excitement creeping into my tone. "It's out in the countryside, tons of land for that farm life we've been dreaming about. Only problem is, when do we surprise him? Tomorrow's Christmas, and there's no way we can set it all up that fast."
Bella's brow furrowed as she sank deep into thought, her gaze drifting somewhere beyond the room.
A soft moan escaped her lips as Noah suckled harder, her left eye squeezing shut for a moment, her body tensing briefly with the sensation. She took a shaky breath, trying to focus.
"I-I think New Year's," she stammered, her voice tinged with distraction. "That'd be p-perfect."
I rolled the idea around in my head. New Year's made sense. It gave me a solid window to handle the paperwork, finalize the deal, and set everything up just right for the big reveal.
I nodded in agreement, satisfied with the plan, and shifted closer to Noah. Wrapping my arms around his small, warm body, I nestled into the cuddle, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing against me.
Bella's hand rested lightly on my arm, the three of us tangled together in a quiet, comforting heap, the future slowly taking shape in my mind.
-
"Casa Sisters, right? Yeah—hi. I was calling to ask about purchasing the property out in Mayville..."
I took a slow drag from my cigarette, the ember glowing briefly before I exhaled the smoke into the cool air. Noah hated when I smoked inside—said it lingered, said it stressed him out—so I stayed out here on the backyard porch. Quiet. Private. Perfect for business like this.
"Mm-hmm... yes, that's the one. I've seen the listing."
I leaned against the railing, eyes drifting toward the yard as the woman on the other end spoke. The place was already pictured perfectly in my head—wide land, distance from people, quiet mornings. Exactly what Noah always dreamed of, even if he never thought he'd get it.
"Absolutely, I'd love to tour it. Would next Tuesday work? I already have the address marked."
There was a brief pause, then confirmation. Easy. Too easy, almost.
"Perfect. I'll be there."
The call ended, and I lowered the phone, staring at the screen for a moment longer than necessary. One step closer. Just one more thing to figure out.
Do I take Noah with me to tour... or leave him here with Liz?
I flicked the cigarette from my fingers, watched it hit the ground, then crushed it under my boot. The smell curled upward, bitter and familiar.
I sighed, I should quit this shit. The cigarettes. The drinking. All of it.
I want to live long enough to enjoy this life—to grow old, to raise our kids, to be there for my husband instead of burning myself out before it even begins.
I turned back toward the door, decision still forming, but the goal clearer than ever.
I walked back inside and immediately spotted Noah sprawled on the couch, eyes glued to some random YouTube video playing on the TV. The glow from the screen lit his face in soft flashes. Across the house, Elara was demolishing a plate of chicken tenders and fries like she hadn't eaten in days. Honestly? It looked good as hell.
I dropped down beside Bella and yawned, the chair creaking slightly under my weight.
"So," I murmured, keeping my voice low, "I've got a tour set up to check out that property—just to make sure everything's right, you know? But I don't know if I should take Noah with me... or leave him here with your mom."
I tilted my head just enough to keep Noah out of earshot. He had a bad habit of hearing things he wasn't supposed to.
"Leave him here," Bella said instantly, popping a fry into her mouth like the answer was obvious. "No question."
I let out a quiet breath, my shoulders loosening without me even realizing they'd been tense.
"Yeah," I said softly. "You're right."
My gaze drifted to the Christmas tree in the corner of the living room, lights glowing warmly, branches heavy with ornaments. Presents were stacked underneath—too many, probably. I'd gone overboard. Stuff for all of us. Even a few for Liz.
"He's gonna look so damn cute opening all the stuff I bought for him," I said with a faint smile.
I reached over without asking and stole a fry from Bella's plate, tossing it into my mouth. She didn't even react. We shared food all the time—despite her reputation for guarding her meals, she never cared when it was me.
"The tour's gonna be fun," Bella said around a bite of an oversized chicken tender.
I nodded absently, my eyes settling on the back of Noah's head as he laughed quietly at whatever was on the screen.
Yeah. Fun. And one step closer to making all of this permanent.