She tugs the fabric away and blinks in the afternoon sunlight. The Victorian house rises before us, three stories of restored pale blue siding and white trim, wraparound porch complete with swing, bay windows catching the light like jewels.
"It's beautiful," she says slowly. "Whose house is it?"
I produce the keys from my pocket with perhaps excessive theatrical flourish. "Ours."
Maya stares. Then at me. Then back at the house.
"Ours?"
"Happy birthday, wife."
"Youboughtthis? Without telling me?"
"Surprise?"
She circles the porch, examining details: the restored gingerbread trim, the original stained glass panels flanking the front door, the flower boxes I installed last weekend and attempted to fill with seasonally appropriate plants.
"Ursak." Her voice carries warning undertones.
"The ceilings are twelve feet high," I explain quickly. "Perfect acoustics for vocal work. The front parlor has natural sound amplification. No more bathroom practice sessions."
"You can't just buy a house without discussing it!"
"I wanted to surprise you."
"Houses aren't surprise gifts! Houses are major financial decisions requiring mutual consultation and careful planning!"
She's right, of course. But watching her examine the wraparound porch, noting how she tests the stability of the porch swing and peers through the bay windows, I detect underlying excitement beneath her reasonable objections.
"Would you like to see inside?" I ask carefully.
Maya considers this, hands on her hips. "We're definitely discussing your decision-making process later."
"Understood."
The front door opens onto the restored foyer, complete with original chandelier and refinished stairs. Maya steps inside and stops, tilting her head to listen as our footsteps echo off the high ceilings.
"The acoustics are incredible," she admits.
"Wait until you hear the parlor."
I lead her through rooms still smelling faintly of fresh paint and new varnish. The kitchen gleams with modern appliances set into vintage-style cabinetry. The dining room could seat twelve comfortably. The upstairs bedrooms offer space for proper offices, guest accommodations, and...
"This house is enormous," Maya says, standing in what the realtor optimistically labeled the "master suite." "Just the two of us rattling around in all this space."
"Well," I say carefully, "perhaps not just the two of us forever."
She turns to study my expression. "What do you mean?"
"The house has good bones for a growing family. Strong foundation. Safe neighborhood. Excellent schools nearby."
Maya goes very still. "Growing family."
"Eventually. When we're ready."
"Ursak." She sits heavily on the built-in window seat. "We've never discussed children."
"We've discussed the future. Building a life together."
