A colossal structure of beauty, from the roof to the manicured lawn.
She refused to let go of her breath as Xander opened the door to step out.
The block was quiet. The homes in the area were all complete, lights on in some, off in others… including the one they’d pulled up in front of.
The architectural details of the house were stunning. It was like they took their time with this one. Large, crystal-clear windows that offered a beautiful view inside.
She wasn’t sure what it was, but the second Xander helped her out of his truck and they took the small steps up to the front door… the feeling of apprehension, worry, fear… it wasn’t there.
Instead, those feelings were replaced with safety. Comfort. A sudden openness… for the future.
“Aight,” Xander said after turning the key in the front door and opening it. “Come on in.”
As Rylee’s Jordans created thuds along the hardwood flooring that echoed around them in the empty space, Xander explained the vision for every room.
The living room was bigger than the living room in the brownstone. Space for a dining room, and even more space for something else.
The stairs were winding. Beautifully structured. Sturdy.
The backyard gave way to an immense amount of land, perfect for events that could fit at least fifty of their closest friends and family.
And when he helped her up the stairs to the bedrooms, she felt her eyes prick with tears.
She could hear Nova and LJ squealing at how much space each room had. LJ always felt a way that Nova’s room was bigger than his. That argument wouldn’t even be a thing anymore.
“It’s perfect,” she commented as they stood in the middle of the master bedroom. There were skylights in the en suite and in the room, windows with a view of the area of the house.
“Okay. I can see us here.”
Those words were more for her than Xander, honestly. She said them low but loud enough to be heard. Loud enough for it to resonate with something inside of her that aided in warming to the idea of this being more than just a visit.
“I’ve never built anything of my own,” he admitted quietly behind her. “Not a home, not a family. I just wanted…somethingto offer you that feels solid. And you know…thisfeels solid, Snoop.”
She turned to look at Xander. He towered in the room.
The high ceilings accommodated his stature. So did the front door. So did the trek up the stairs.
Everything was perfect. Not just for her and the kids… but him too.
Rylee parted her lips to say all of that. To say that he’d done good—finding something for himself and for their family—but stopped when she felt the baby roll, then kick.
And suddenly… she heard a pop.
Her hand flew to her stomach.
Xander’s smile fell instantly as her eyes locked on his, her brows in a furrow.
He bent his legs at the knees to meet her eyes. “What’s up?”
The seat of her panties gradually warmed, and a second later, a gush of water sloshed out of her, soaking her black sweatpants instantly.
Xander’s eyes grew so wide. “Oh. Shit.”
“Oh, my God.” Rylee peeked down at the puddle of water around her wet sneakers. “Oh, my God, my mother was right!”
Indeed she was… because Rylee’s water had just broken.
“What?” Xander asked, taking her hand.
