It didn’t take us long at all to get to Nix and Sage’s new house. The beautiful sage green bungalow was set back on the two acres. We were some of the first to arrive, and we immediately were given a tour by a super excited Daphne, who showed us every nook and cranny while Sage and Nix trailed after her, smiling.
It had a stunning family room with soaring vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, and a cozy fireplace. They’d chosen luxury vinyl flooring throughout, providing style and durability. The kitchen was open concept with quartz countertops, a tile backsplash, and a stunning waterfall island, where a delicious spread of food was laid out for guests.
There were three spacious bedrooms on the main floor. The primary bedroom had a beautiful ensuite bathroom and a large walk-in closet, while the other two bedrooms shared a Jack and Jill bathroom. The laundry was on the main floor beside the mud room.
Nix had even finished the basement; it had eight-foot ceilings and two more bedrooms, as well as a recreational room and sliding doors that led to the backyard. It was the perfect home to entertain.
There was also an attached garage that was big enough for Nix’s tools and two parked cars, with space to move around. My favourite feature was the small cupboard that opened to the pantry in the kitchen, so groceries could be unloaded from the garage directly into the pantry, saving you from making multiple trips carrying in heavy grocery bags.
“Okay, this is amazing,” I declared, opening the small cupboard door, and poking my head inside the pantry. Sage joined me, peering in.
“I know, right?!” she grinned.
“Guys, this is stunning! Seriously, Nix. You ended up building Sage’s dream house,” I exclaimed, squeezing Sage’s hand, and trying not to cry.
I was so happy for my friend; I knew how long she’d wished for a home of her own for herself and Daphne. Sage nodded, her own eyes misting with emotion. We were two pregnant, hormonal messes, standing in a newly built garage in near tears over a cupboard into a pantry.
“I know, it’s crazy, right? He basically had the blueprints done when we met, and only made minor changes when Daphne and I came into the picture.” Sage moved to stand beside Nix, putting her hand over his heart.
“It’s almost like I knew you were coming,” Nix joked, putting his arms around her, and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
The distinct sound of gravel crunching beneath tires alerted us to another person arriving, and the five of us made our way out of the open garage in time to see Parker and Tabitha pull up in their minivan. They’d barely put the vehicle in park before Briella and Bella were opening the sliding door and jumping out, racing for Daphne.
“Aww, it’s so cute! Love the colour you chose for the siding!” Tabitha exclaimed, peering up at the house while Parker got Bryson out of his car seat. Her eyes twinkled as she gave Nix and Sage hugs, then she moved to me and hugged me. “Doesn’t it make you wanna move in with Noah even more? You’d be even closer to Sage!”
“I know,” I murmured, my gaze darting to Noah to make sure he hadn’t overheard his cousin. He was talking to Parker though and didn’t seem to have heard. “It’s definitely going on the pro list.”
“Is there anything on the con list?” Sage asked.
“Er, it’s getting shorter every day. Not that I don’t love the apartment,” I added for Tabitha’s benefit, but she waved her hand as if dismissing that.
“I don’t know how you’re still willingly doing those stairs almost every day.” She shook her head. “I’d have said yes to moving in just to avoid doing that many stairs in my last trimester.”
Not long behind them were Nix’s parents, Laurel and Keith. Paxton and Preston jumped out of the back seat of Laurel and Keith’s truck, both carrying wrapped gifts and booze.
“You brought alcohol?” Nix asked.
“Well, duh! What’s a housewarming without booze?” Preston asked, looking mystified by the idea.
“We know you can’t drink any of this yet, Sage, but we figured we’d get you guys some Choco Temptation for after the baby arrives. You know, for old times’ sake!” Paxton grinned.
“Thanks, guys.” Sage said as her aunt and uncle pulled up.
Noah
* * *
The drive from Sage and Nix’s house to mine was barely even six minutes, but Nellie managed to fall asleep anyway, exhausted from the day. So many people showed up to Nix and Sage’s housewarming that the party had ended up spilling out onto the back deck.
My family members had also received an invite, so they’d all showed up too, giving my mother, Laurel, Tabitha, and Charlotte ample time to start plotting the next shindig: a combined baby shower for Sage and Nellie.
All of Sage’s cousins came out, and it was cool to catch up with them. We’d grown up with Madeline, Livia, Cate, and Jo-Anna, although they’d all left Hartwood Creek after graduating college. They came back frequently enough, and Livia and her fiancé, Joseph, were booked to get married at the resort in the fall.
Madeline and her husband Patrick brought their adorable new baby, a little girl born in early May they had named Flora. Everyone couldn’t help but fawn over baby Flora, myself included. Holding the new baby in my arms reminded me that we were a few short weeks out from welcoming our own little one.
Cate and Jo-Anna arrived together, but solo. Jo-Anna was almost as bad as Easton when it came to serious relationships, and Cate was consumed with her busy career as a film director, and often travelling.
Even the Hartley triplets made an appearance, bearing gifts congratulating Nix, Sage, and Daphne to their new home.
