Chapter 47
THE RIGHT KIND OF HOME
NATALIE
Time had moved quickly. The school year was winding down, and summer was just around the corner.
The kids were buzzing with end-of-year excitement, and everything had started to fall into place in a way that still amazed me.
After Christmas and New Years all the kids knew about our feelings for each other and our interactions became open and comfortable.
Will and I had settled into a rhythm. Some nights at my house, others at his, depending on where our kids were.
The transition had been smoother than I could have imagined.
James adored Carter and Chase, who let him join in on their games.
Ivy and Bebe had gone from best friends to practically sisters. Even Madison had embraced my children.
Madison and I had taken our time, but our relationship had started to flourish.
She and Meredith had grown close, bonding over fashion and New York, and we were even planning a girls’ trip this summer.
The biggest surprise, though, was that Kelly and I had managed to build a friendship, learning how to work together for the kids.
Once Madison and I connected, we realized we had more in common than we ever expected.
I had fallen in love with all of Will’s kids.
Ivy had been easy from the start, she was just darling.
Carter and Chase were quieter, but I’d learned they were night owls who loved sleeping in on the weekends and devoured my French toast and muffins.
Chase was heading into high school next year, which felt like a big transition.
James looked up to the older boys so much, and it was heartwarming to see.
Carter, on the other hand, was already a little heartbreaker.
Will had told him one day he’d meet a girl who would stop him in his tracks, and he wouldn’t be able to chase her if he was busy chasing everyone else.
Sarah and I had grown close too, so much that she had asked me to be a bridesmaid at her wedding.
She included my kids in her wedding too, which was so sweet.
Ivy and Bebe were flower girls together and James was the ring bearer.
It was a perfect day, made even more special when she and Todd announced that they were expecting.
A baby was coming in the fall, and the kids were already excited about their new cousin.
Jason and Brooke had just gotten engaged and had bought a house together, a beautifully renovated four-bedroom in Dana Point, painted all white with a baby blue door.
It was big enough for several kids, which I suspected was in their plans, to continue to grow their family.
Their wedding was set for the winter, and Bebe and James were excited about it.
They were going to be a flower girl and ring bearer once more.
Meredith was visiting as much as she could, and her relationship with Evan was growing. He was even flying to see her. They weren’t calling it exclusive, just fun, according to Meredith. But from the way Evan had her as his date to Sarah’s wedding, I had my suspicions it was getting serious.
Kelly’s wedding was coming up in June. They were flying to Hawaii for a small, intimate ceremony, just her kids and Jeff.
One afternoon, Will and I were walking through town, coffee in hand, when I mentioned, “Your mom actually asked me about our summer plans the other day.”
Will huffed, taking a sip of his drink. “See? She’s warming up.”
I shot him a look. “You really believe that?”
He shrugged. “She didn’t insult you. That’s something.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You have a very loose definition of ‘warming up.’”
Will just smirked. “Give it time.”
That evening, just before dusk, with the kids at Jason’s for the weekend, Will turned to me, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Come on. I want to show you something. Let’s take a drive.”
We drove inland listening to Sonny and Cher sing “I Got You Babe,” until he pulled into the driveway of a large white colonial-style house.
The black shutters needed work, but the house had character.
A giant tree with a swing stood in the front yard.
The landscaping was beautiful, with manicured grass and vibrant flowers.
A porte-cochère led to a five-car garage.
I turned to him, suspicion creeping in. “Will, what are we doing here?”
He stepped out of the car, motioning for me to follow. “Just come inside.”
I hesitated before trailing him up the steps. He unlocked a keypad and took the key out. The moment the door opened, my mind spun into designer mode with ideas—black-and-white checkered tile in the foyer, a wrought-iron staircase, warm sconces along the walls.
In the back, there was a pool, a half-court, and a swing set. Beyond the property, the land opened to a breathtaking valley view, where the sun was just beginning to dip toward the horizon.
I stopped in my tracks, taking it all in.
He turned to me, his expression serious yet full of hope. “Is it something you could picture living in? With me. With our families.”
My heart stilled.
“I know my house isn’t your style, even though you designed the interior.
And I know you love your house. But it doesn’t have the space for all of us.
I want to live with you, Natalie. I want to wake up next to you every morning.
I want this house full of love, laughter, and the chaos of six kids running around—maybe even a seventh.
” He smirked at me as I shot him a look.
“Okay, six is enough,” he laughed, pulling me into a kiss. “Keep in mind, it’ll need your touch.”
I glanced at him suspiciously. “How did you get access to this place?”
“This off-market gem?” He grinned, dangling a set of keys. “I’m in real estate, baby. It has its perks.”
We toured the rooms—spacious living and dining areas, an office, a large open-concept kitchen and family room. Everything needed updating, but that was my favorite part.
“This could be Meredith’s room,” Will suggested when we found a bedroom downstairs. “We could turn the dining room into an extra office for you, and the front living room into a theater or game room.”
Upstairs, we found five more bedrooms. A loft sat in the center, and over the garage was another large room.
“I think Carter and Chase could share this one,” Will mused. “The loft could be a playroom, with desks for homework. Bebe and Ivy can take the Jack-and-Jill room. Madison can have this smaller one, she’ll be off to college soon. And James can take this one.”
Finally, we stepped into the master bedroom. The floor-to-ceiling windows faced the stunning valley view. The sunset painted the room in warm gold.
“This,” Will said, turning to me, “is where we’d wake up together. Every day. And, you know, do all the other things.” He raised an eyebrow playfully.
I laughed. “Don’t be cute.”
He stepped closer, his voice suddenly softer. “What do you think?”
I looked around, already envisioning every detail I would design. “It’s timeless,” I admitted.
Then, without warning, he dropped to one knee. His blue eyes locked on mine.
“Natalie Rose Bradford,” he said, his voice steady but full of emotion.
“I wanted you when I wasn’t supposed to.
Every part of me was drawn to you, no matter how hard I tried to resist. Whatever this pull is between us, it has only brought me love and happiness.
I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me? ”
Tears blurred my vision as I looked down at the man I loved.
“Yes, Will,” I whispered. “I would love to marry you.”
He stood up and slid the ring onto my finger—an oval-cut diamond on a rose gold band, sparkling like the sunset.
I stared at it, then at him. “Did Meredith help with this?”
He smirked. “Hey, give a guy some credit. But, okay, yes, she did.”
Will stood, wrapping me in his arms. Kissing me deeply, sharing all the love he has for me in this one kiss.
“So, what do you say? Let’s put in an offer. Once we close, you can run free with your design plans.”
I laughed against his chest, feeling utterly happy. “Let’s do it.”
Will picked me up and hugged me tight, kissing my nose.
I let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything settle in, the life we were building, the home we were standing in, and the future we were stepping into together.