Chapter Forty One

Chapter Forty-One

The following Saturday morning found both couples standing outside one of Roman's townhouses.

And for once—

Roman looked nervous.

Not business-meeting nervous.

Not billion-dollar-deal nervous.

Actually nervous.

Because he really wanted Daisy to love this one.

The townhouse stood on a quiet tree-lined street in Manhattan.

Far enough away from the chaos.

Close enough to the city.

The kind of street where children rode bikes on the sidewalks and neighbours actually knew each other's names.

Daisy immediately noticed how peaceful it felt.

The noise of Manhattan seemed distant.

Muted.

Almost forgotten.

Lillie sat happily on Roman's hip staring at the enormous front door.

"It's beautiful."

Harper said it first.

Before anyone even stepped inside.

Roman looked smug.

Noah groaned.

"Don't encourage him."

Too late.

Roman was already smiling.

The second they walked through the front door, Daisy understood why.

The house was stunning.

Not flashy.

Not cold.

A home.

The entrance opened into a bright hallway flooded with sunlight.

Wood floors.

High ceilings.

Large windows.

Everything felt warm.

Welcoming.

Lived-in despite nobody living there yet.

Daisy slowly walked further inside.

Roman followed.

Watching her reaction carefully.

"Well?"

She looked around.

Then smiled.

"It's gorgeous."

Roman visibly relaxed.

The kitchen was enormous.

Completely open plan.

The kind of kitchen people actually gathered in.

Not one that looked pretty and never got used.

A huge island sat in the middle.

The dining area flowed seamlessly into the family room.

Floor-to-ceiling doors opened onto the garden.

The garden.

Daisy stepped outside and immediately stopped.

"Oh wow."

Roman smiled.

Exactly the reaction he'd hoped for.

The garden stretched far beyond anything she'd expected.

A huge lawn.

Trees.

Space.

Actual space.

Enough room for children to run.

Play.

Kick footballs.

Have birthday parties.

Grow up.

For a moment Daisy imagined Lillie running through it.

Then imagined another little child following behind.

The image made her heart squeeze.

Meanwhile Theo had already claimed ownership.

"I'm putting a football goal there."

Noah sighed.

"You don't live here."

"Yet."

Harper laughed.

Roman looked impressed by Theo's confidence.

Back inside, they continued exploring.

Five bedrooms.

Then six.

Then another guest room.

The house seemed endless.

Finally Roman opened a pair of double doors.

Two offices.

Side by side.

Daisy blinked.

"What?"

Roman shrugged.

"You'll need one."

Her heart softened immediately.

Because despite what he'd said before—

he wasn't assuming she'd stop working.

Not really.

He understood her.

The need for independence.

For purpose.

For her career.

Daisy stepped inside one office.

The room overlooked the garden.

Bright.

Quiet.

Perfect.

Roman leaned against the doorway.

"You know..."

She looked up.

"What?"

"You don't have to work."

Daisy smiled.

There it was.

The conversation she'd been expecting.

Roman shoved his hands into his pockets.

Looking slightly awkward.

"I make enough for all of us."

A massive understatement.

Daisy laughed softly.

"I know."

Roman smiled.

"But."

She waited.

"I know how much your career means to you."

The words warmed her heart.

Because he got it.

Really got it.

She loved being a mother.

Loved spending time with Lillie.

Loved being pregnant.

But she also loved medicine.

Helping children.

Making a difference.

That part of her hadn't disappeared.

Roman stepped closer.

"If you want to go back, you'll go back."

Simple.

No pressure.

No expectations.

Just support.

The way it always was with him.

A little later they stepped outside onto the front porch.

And immediately noticed Harper wasn't listening.

Or moving.

Or breathing.

Noah frowned.

"Harp?"

Nothing.

Harper was staring across the street.

Completely frozen.

Everyone followed her gaze.

Another townhouse.

Almost identical in size.

Beautiful.

Elegant.

Perfectly renovated.

Harper pointed.

Slowly.

"I want that one."

Noah blinked.

"What?"

"I want that one."

"We haven't even seen inside."

"I don't care."

Noah looked horrified.

"You don't care?"

"I love it."

"You've literally seen the front door."

"I love the front door."

Roman burst out laughing.

Daisy covered her face.

Noah looked like a man fighting for his life.

Five minutes later they were standing outside the house across the street.

Because once Harper made up her mind, resistance was generally pointless.

Roman looked amused.

Noah looked defeated.

Daisy looked delighted.

And for the first time all day, she found herself imagining it.

Not just the house.

The future.

Living across the street from Harper.

Watching cousins grow up together.

Sunday lunches.

Barbecues.

Children running between houses.

Chaos.

Wonderful chaos.

Roman slipped an arm around her waist.

Following her gaze.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Daisy smiled.

"Probably."

Across the street.

Two growing families.

One six-bedroom townhouse.

One future full of possibilities.

And for the first time, it felt like they weren't just looking at houses anymore.

They were choosing where the next chapter of their lives would begin. ❤️📖