He’d just about reached it when the door swung open. Kiara’s eyes widened when she spotted him.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, her hand still on the doorknob.
“Yep. I was just coming to see if you were ready to go for dinner.”
“I am,” she said with a nod. She stepped through the doorway, then closed the door behind her. “I just forget that everything takes a bit longer these days. Not to mention trying to find something to wear. "
“Well, you look very nice,” he said, taking in the long-sleeved light pink blouse that flowed over a long fitted black skirt. Her hair was loose, with the curls hanging down past her shoulders.
She gazed at him for a moment before she said, “Thank you. You look very handsome as well.”
Julian gave her a quick smile, then gestured toward the garage. “Shall we go?”
Nodding, she fell into step beside him as they walked to the door of the garage.
“Do you want to drive?” he asked as he pressed the button to open the overhead door.
“No, you can have that honor this time.”
Julian walked around the UTV and opened the door for her. Offering her his hand, he helped her up onto her seat, then closed the door.
It was dark out already, but the road was well lit with streetlamps all along the way. Once November hit, which wasn’t that far away, the estate would be decorated for Christmas. Elizabeth insisted that their celebration of Thanksgiving wouldn’t be lessened by the presence of some Christmas decorations.
For the first time in over seventeen years, there would be a baby celebrating its first Christmas. His baby. His son. It was crazy to think about.
He wondered if Kiara was going to decorate their house, or if she’d want to hire someone to do it for her like Elizabeth usuallydid. Given the baby would only be a month or so old, he didn’t know if she’d feel up to doing it on her own.
When they got to the house, they found that the others were there already. Angie greeted Kiara with a hug, then they were all ushered into the dining room.
Julian took his seat beside Kiara and went on to enjoy one of the most relaxing family dinners he’d ever experienced at the estate. It was exactly the opposite of how things had been at the gala.
Later, as he and Kiara prepared to go home, they made arrangements to go to church in Coeur d’Alene the next day. They decided to take two vehicles, with Jude and Angela going in Jude’s truck, while Julian, Elijah, and Kiara would go with their bodyguards in an SUV.
After saying goodnight to everyone, Julian once again drove the UTV back to the house. Kiara let out a sigh as she walked into the kitchen.
“Tired?” Julian asked, becoming more aware of how physically taxing the pregnancy was on Kiara.
“A little.”
“Want a fire?” he offered.
She glanced over at him. “If you want to light one, sure.”
“I’m happy to do that.”
“I’m going to get into something a bit more comfy,” she said as she headed to her room.
Julian decided to also change before starting the fire and quickly went to his room to pull on a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt.
Kiara still wasn’t out when he went to the fireplace to start the fire, but he’d just gotten it going when she joined him.
She lowered herself slowly onto the same end of the couch she’d taken the last time. As the flames grew, Julian got to his feet and joined her on the couch. He settled in, keeping a comfortable distance between them.
In the past, he’d brought his laptop out to work on while they’d sat together in the living room. Now, he left it in his suite and just enjoyed being in the moment.
The warmth from the fire radiated across the room, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Julian watched the flames for a moment, feeling more at peace than he had in weeks.
"This is nice," he said softly. "I didn't realize how much I needed this quiet time until now."
