Chapter 35
Stella
When Sean pulled up to the curb of the home, Miles opened the door and helped me from the Escalade.
“Stella, this is Grant Roman. Grant, my beautiful wife, Stella.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Grant.” I smiled, placing the pack of crackers in my left hand and extending my right.
“The pleasure is all mine, Stella.” He shook my hand.
Sean took Ben from his car seat and handed him to Miles. As we walked up the steps to the beautifully white-bricked home, Grant opened the door, and we stepped inside.
“Wow.” I looked around, feeling a welcoming vibe.
“This home features six bedrooms and six baths.” Grant smiled.
We toured the six-story home as I ate my pack of crackers.
“Well, sweetheart?” Miles glanced at me. “What do you think?”
“It feels like home already, but?—”
“But what?” His brows furrowed.
“There are some changes that need to be made.”
“I agree. The whole place needs to be repainted.”
“It does, but the kitchen needs to be remodeled,” I said.
“Why? What’s wrong with the kitchen?” he asked.
“I don’t like the cabinets or the countertop. Dora won’t either. Also, this half-wall needs to go, and the island needs to be extended. I can envision it now.” I smiled, biting into another cracker.
“Do you know how much it’ll cost to remodel this kitchen?” Miles asked.
Taking my son from his arms, I stared at my sexy husband.
“I thought nothing in this world was too expensive for our son or me.” My brow arched.
Grant chuckled.
“I love it, Miles. The kitchen, not so much. We can hire Adalyn to help design it.”
“Happy wife, happy life, Miles.” Grant smirked.
“Okay. We’ll make an offer and remodel the kitchen.”
“Thank you.” I grinned, kissing his lips.
* * *
Three Months Later
“Congratulations, you two. It’s another boy.” Dr. Gregario smiled.
“Ah, another boy.” Miles leaned over and kissed my lips.
I was happy. As nice as it would have been to have a daughter, the thought of having two sons so close in age excited me. They would be brothers and as close as two brothers should be.
Miles helped me from the table and handed me my purse.
“Before I head to the office, let’s go take a look at how the kitchen remodel is going.” He hooked his arm around me.
We stepped into our soon-to-be new home. Painters were on each floor, painting the walls in the color we chose, gray. Bright white moldings and casings would grace the light gray walls throughout the house. Once the painters started and Miles looked around, he decided all the doors throughout the home needed to be replaced with six-panel doors painted white. I silently smiled because it was exactly what I thought.
“Wow. Oh wow!” I said, walking into the kitchen and looking at the brand-new Italian white custom cabinets that had been installed. My eyes diverted to the pristine white Italian marbled countertops with veins of gray throughout and the same marbled waterfall-styled island that stretched across the kitchen in all its natural beauty.
“This really makes the kitchen a lot bigger,” Miles spoke.
“Do you love it?” I asked, running my hand along the marble.
“I do love it. Great idea, sweetheart.” He winked.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw.” One of the contractors walked into the kitchen. “All we have to do is hang a couple of more fixtures, and the kitchen is complete.”
“Excellent. The painters are almost finished, and we’ll be able to move in soon.” Miles grinned. “I better get the moving company lined up.”
I walked up the stairs and into the room that would be Ben’s. We had it painted exactly how it was at the penthouse. Walking through the Jack and Jill bathroom, I stepped into the other room, which would be turned into a nursery. Miles walked in and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“What do you want to do with this room? Now that we know it’s a boy, we need to pick a color and tell the painter,” he said.
“Pewter blue.” I opened my purse, took out the paint sample, and held it up against the wall.
“Wait a second. “When did you get that sample?” Miles asked.
“When we went and picked the color for the rest of the house.”
“Did you also pick any pink colors?” His brow arched.
“Nope. Just this one. I knew it was a boy. I could feel it.” I smiled.
* * *
One Month Later
Miles
“Be careful with that piano!” I nervously spoke.
“Miles, they’re professionals. They know what they’re doing.” Stella smirked.
“Oh my God. This kitchen!” Dora held out her arms.
“Right?” Stella grinned.
I smiled as I shook my head and went to make sure the movers were properly placing the furniture. We were fully moved out of the penthouse, and it was officially up for sale. Grant told me he had a prospective buyer already, and nothing pleased me more.
As I walked around our new home, I never saw myself in anything but a high-rise penthouse. Stella changed that for me. She changed a lot of things. She changed my entire life. I was the husband I never saw myself being and the father I never thought I’d be.
“All moved in?” I heard Levi’s voice.
Turning around, he stood there with his hands tucked into his pants pockets.
“We’re getting there, my friend.” I walked over and hugged him. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the office?”
“I could be asking you the same thing.” He smiled. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop in to see how everything is going. Wow. You and Stella did really good with this place.”
“Thanks. We’re going to be very happy here.”
“I think Laurel and I will be too.” A smirk crossed his lips.
“What do you mean?” My brows furrowed.
“The real reason I dropped by was to say ‘howdy, neighbor.’ I just closed on the townhome three down from you.”
“Are you serious? I didn’t know you and Laurel were looking.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise. I told Grant not to say anything to you about it. After all, my Allie and your Ben are best friends and potential future husband and wife.” He smiled.
“Congratulations, Levi.” I hugged him. “I can’t believe we’re neighbors. Man, we’re going to have some good times here.” I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Stella!” I shouted. “Come in here.”
“Did you tell him?” Stella asked Levi with a smile.
“You knew?” I cocked my head.
“Of course, I knew. Laurel is one of my best friends.”
“And you couldn’t tell me, why?”
“Because I know how much you love surprises, babe.” She patted my chest.
“You wait until later.” I pointed.
“If that’s a threat, I’m looking forward to it.” A sly smile crossed her lips.