Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Eve
I stand in in our new living room, boxes piled high around us. I grin, catching Carter’s eye. This empty space, messy and full of potential, feels like the start of something amazing.
“Well,” I say, gesturing at the chaos, “I think it’s official. Your culinary reign is over, Professor Morgan.” I lean in and lower my voice. “If I’m cooking, we’ll be living on burnt toast and mystery casseroles.”
Carter’s laugh fills the room, warm and rich. It sends a thrill through me. “Are you saying we surrender on our first night here?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
I nod. “For our own survival, we’d better order pizza.”
“Agreed.” He grabs his phone, fingers tapping quickly.
“Extra cheese?” he asks.
“You know me so well,” I reply, smiling. This is our space now, messy and perfect. Somehow, even with all the boxes, it already feels like home.
Carter finishes the order. I look around at the mountains of boxes. “All right, Professor,” I say, rolling up my sleeves. “Let’s see if we can make a dent before dinner gets here.”
He pockets his phone, grinning. “Challenge accepted, future Dr. Moreland.”
We dive in, grabbing boxes and tearing them open. We move around each other like we’re in sync, unpacking, stacking, organizing. Carter hums while he sorts linens, and I tackle random office supplies. When that’s done, I put my hands on my hips and survey the room.
Curious, I open a box labeled “Kitchen.” Instead of plates, I find novelty mugs. Holding one up, I laugh. “Carter, care to explain why we have an entire box of mugs?”
He grins. “It’s a small obsession.”
“Small?” I pull out mug after mug. “There must be twenty in here.”
He shrugs. “They make me smile. Plus, they’re great for starting conversations.”
I shake my head. “Well, I hope you’re ready for a lot of coffee.”
I watch as he opens another box, this one filled with my books.
“I didn’t realize you had so many medical journals,” he says, setting them on a makeshift shelf.
“They’re not all medical,” I say, feeling a warmth in my chest. “There’s fiction too.”
He picks up my worn copy of Pride and Prejudice . “This one’s seen better days.”
“It’s my favorite. I’ve read it every year since high school.”
He looks at me, eyes soft. “I love that you’re passionate about science and literature.”
Before I can respond, a blur of orange and black streaks between us. Valentine and Marmalade, our kittens, think unpacking is playtime.
“Someone’s got energy.” I laugh as Marmalade pounces on a piece of packing paper.
Carter scoops up Valentine, who’s batting at a ribbon. “Hey there, troublemaker.”
“They’re trying to help,” I say as Marmalade weaves between my legs.
“Some help,” Carter replies, setting Valentine down. The kittens dash off to explore another box.
The doorbell rings, and my stomach growls. “Pizza’s here!”
Carter grins. “I’ll get it. You find us a table?”
I spot an unopened box in the center of the room. Clearing some space, I push aside smaller boxes.
Carter returns, filling the room with the smell of melted cheese. “Dinner is served,” he says, bowing.
I laugh as we settle on the floor, pizza box between us. “Bon appétit,” I say, grabbing a slice.
As we eat, I glance around. The room’s a mess, but it’s our mess. My eyes land on the mantle, where two items catch my eye: Margaret’s check and a small ring box.
I swallow, feeling a surge of emotions. Fear, excitement, hope. Those objects represent our past, present, and future.
“Eve?” Carter’s voice pulls me back. “You okay?”
I turn to him, smiling. “Just taking it all in. This is our home.”
Carter’s eyes soften. He reaches for my hand. “Yeah, it is.”
His thumb traces circles on my skin. His deep brown eyes meet mine, intense. “Eve, I may not have my old job, but I have you. And that’s enough.”
My heart swells. “Carter, I?—”
He shakes his head, smiling. “We’re a team. We face it together.”
I blink back tears, feeling lighter. With a mischievous grin, I say, “Care to put our teamwork to the test?”
Carter raises an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?”
I jump up, pointing at the boxes. “Last one to unpack does dishes for a week!”
Before he can answer, I dive into the nearest box, laughing.
“Oh, it’s on!” Carter exclaims, jumping up.
We race around, ripping open boxes. I can’t stop laughing as Carter wrestles with a tangled string of lights.
“Having trouble?” I tease, stacking books on a shelf.
He tosses a pillow at me. “Just you wait, Moreland.”
As we unpack, I realize how happy I am. This messy, chaotic room is the start of something real.
When we’re done, I step back to admire our progress. The room, filled with our mismatched furniture and Carter’s novelty mugs, looks like home.
“Wow,” I say, feeling proud. “We did it.”
Carter slips an arm around my waist. “It’s starting to feel like home.”
We collapse on the couch with sighs of relief. Valentine and Marmalade curl up on our laps, purring contentedly.
“I think they approve,” I say, scratching Valentine’s ears.
Carter smiles, petting Marmalade. “Smart cats.”
My mouth puckers and Carter touches my face.
“What are you thinking?”
“You know,” I whisper, “I never imagined I’d be here. With you.”
Carter’s arm tightens around me. “Second thoughts?”
I lift my head. “Not a chance. This is exactly where I want to be.”
His eyes soften. “Me too.”
We lean our head together, blissfully happy in our little bubble.