"Yeah?"
"Let's call Uncle Walter tomorrow. Tell him we want the house."
Lucy's eyes went wide. "Really? You're sure?"
"I'm sure. We've been talking about it for a month. We both want it. Let's do it."
"Okay. Yes. Let's buy a house together."
They sealed it with a kiss, and Jake felt something settle. They were doing this. Really, officially building a life together.
The next morning, they called Uncle Walter.
"We want the house," Lucy said. "If the offer still stands."
"Of course it stands! Oh, Lulu, I'm so happy. Your grandmother would be thrilled."
They spent the afternoon with Uncle Walter and a real estate attorney, going over paperwork and logistics. The house would officially transfer in October, giving Uncle Walter time to move and Lucy and Jake time to prepare financially.
"It needs work," Uncle Walter warned. "The roof is old, the kitchen hasn't been updated since the nineties. But the bones are good."
"We'll figure it out," Jake said. "We're good at figuring things out."
After they left, Lucy was quiet in the car.
"Second thoughts?" Jake asked.
"No. Just—processing. We're buying a house. Together. That's huge."
"It is huge. But Lucy—we're ready for huge."
"Are we? Six months ago I was asking you for more time to commit. Now we're buying a house."
"Six months ago, you were scared. Now you're brave. People change, Lucy. You changed."
"I hope so. I really hope so."
That evening, they went to Mac's Tavern to celebrate. Rei and Marcus met them there, along with Mae and Uncle Walter.
"To the homeowners!" Marcus declared, raising his glass. "May your mortgage payments be reasonable and your plumbing never fail."
"Very romantic," Lucy said.
"I'm a romantic guy."
They spent the evening celebrating, and Jake felt surrounded by family. Not blood family—chosen family. The people who'd supported them through Paris, through distance, through rebuilding. The people who'd believed in them even when they didn't believe in themselves.
Around 10 PM, Emma appeared with her parents. She ran straight to Jake's table.
"Coach Jake! I heard you're buying a house!"
"News travels fast in this town."
"My mom told me. She said you and Miss Lucy are getting married!"
Jake and Lucy exchanged glances. "We're not getting married," Lucy said. "Just buying a house."
"But you will get married, right? Because you love each other?"
