“Why don’t I grab my notebook from the kitchen, and we can start writing down the features we’d like? That way she can start looking for possibilities for us.”
“Yes, please,” Leo replied. “You’ve totally got me excited about house hunting now, which is not something I ever thought I’d hear myself say.”
“Then let’s get rolling on it while you’re still in the mood,” Maverick said, scooching off the bed and hurrying from the room.
He was back a few minutes later, pen in hand, while we were just finishing up the last few bites of food on our plates. He took them from us when we were done, set them back on the tray he’d left on top of the dresser, and carefully climbed back up on the bed so as to not bounce our now extremely full and sated bellies.
“Okay, so outdoor space to enjoy is going at the top of the list, along with a master bedroom with plenty of windows for letting the sun stream in, a walk-in closet, and an ensuite with a shower big enough for three.”
“What about a sunken tub?” Leo asked.
“Let me jot that down too,” Maverick said, steadily scribbling.
“How many bedrooms were you thinking?” Leo asked.
Now that was a good question. “Hmm, ideally, we’d want to start out with at least three, I think, so we already have space to set up a nursery for any little ones that come along. After seeing what my sister and her mates went through, trying to set up a house while she was still heavily pregnant, I’d like to avoid that for us if we could.”
“Yeah, I can definitely work with that,” Leo said. “But if we’re going to look for our dream house, then let’s go for four bedrooms. We can always use the spare space for other things if we don’t fill it with little ones, so I wouldn’t look at them as being a waste.”
“True,” I replied. “Four bedrooms it is.”
“And a massive kitchen,” Maverick chimed in as he kept track of our decisions.
“With an island in the middle,” I added.
“Ohh, I like that; I’ve never been a fan of a formal dining room. Do you think we can get a kitchen with an island and a nook like the one in the kitchen here?” Leo asked. “That’s way cozier.”
“I agree,” Maverick said. “Let me get all of that noted.”
“A laundry room is a must,” I added, “preferably not in the basement. I hate the thought of trying to lug a basket downstairs like that. Basement steps are never wide enough, and there is way too much risk of falling.”
“Mkay,” Maverick muttered, pen flying over the page. “I’ve noted that too, as well as a large living room so we have space for game and movie nights and a garage that will fit at least two cars, since Briar and I will be riding to work together in the morning. I, um, really want the house to be set back from the road, though I’m sure we’ll put some kind of fence around it anyway. Still, I don’t know; it scares me to think of one of the cubs slipping outside and the road being right there.”
“I’m with you there,” Leo said. “I, um, kind of feel the same way about in-ground pools too. As much as I love to swim, I don’t think I’d want to have one in the yard; that is way too tempting for little ones. Even with a gate the idea scares me.”
I nodded and carded my fingers through the ends of his hair. “Yeah, we can pass on the pool. Parenting is going to be stressful enough, especially in the beginning when we’re all getting the hang of it. I don’t wanna add something else for us to wake up in the middle of the night obsessing over.”
“Okay, I noted that we did not want a pool and added that we wanted three bathrooms, because I just don’t see two cutting it.”
“Neither do I,” Leo added. “Three sounds like a good number.”
“I think that’s it then, unless someone can think of anything else we need.”
I had nothing, so I stayed quiet, while Leo just shook his head.
“Then I’ll text this to Mom while you guys get in the shower,” he said, stretching overtop of Leo to kiss him before doing the same thing to me. “I need to get the last batch of cookies in the oven too.”
“Then it’s together time, right?” Leo asked.
“Definitely,” Maverick said. “I’m already itching to cuddle between the two of you for movies. The wind is really howling outside too, even if it’s still not snowing. I can’t think ofanywhere I’d rather be than snuggled up in front of the fireplace with my mates and a few good movies. Now we’ll have snacks to go with our evening too.”
“Then we’ll get moving so you’re not out there alone any longer,” I said, catching his hand before he could turn to leave. “Wake me next time you get up early and can’t fall back to sleep.”
“Why, are you gonna come out and bake with me?”
“Nope. I’m gonna tie your ass to the bed.”
Chapter 14
