Chapter Thirty Eight

Chapter Thirty-Eight

By the time Daisy was twelve weeks pregnant, everyone had stopped pretending she didn't already live at Roman's penthouse.

Because she did.

Officially?

No.

Reality?

Absolutely.

Her clothes were there.

Her books were there.

Lillie's entire life was there.

Even the nanny automatically came to Roman's apartment now.

The only thing still missing was Daisy admitting it.

Roman, meanwhile, had been patiently waiting.

For approximately three months.

It happened on a quiet Tuesday evening.

Lillie was asleep.

The penthouse was peaceful.

For once.

Roman and Daisy sat together on the balcony overlooking Manhattan.

A blanket draped across both their laps.

The city lights glittering below.

Daisy rested her head against his shoulder.

Comfortable.

Happy.

Home.

Roman looked down at her.

Then smiled.

"I have a question."

Daisy immediately became suspicious.

"What?"

"You should move in."

She laughed.

"Roman."

"I'm serious."

Daisy sat up slightly.

"We literally had breakfast together here this morning."

"Exactly."

"We had dinner here."

"Exactly."

"Lillie's nursery is here."

"Exactly."

Daisy narrowed her eyes.

Roman looked far too pleased with himself.

"I practically live here already."

Roman pointed.

"My argument exactly."

Daisy rolled her eyes.

"You know what I mean."

"I do."

For a moment Roman simply looked at her.

Then his expression softened.

"Daisy."

The seriousness in his voice immediately got her attention.

"You and Lillie are my family."

Her heart squeezed.

Roman reached for her hand.

Holding it gently.

"This is your home."

The simple honesty behind the words stole her breath.

Because he meant every single one.

There was no pressure.

No demands.

Just certainty.

Roman already considered them home.

Daisy looked out across the city.

Thinking.

Not because she didn't want to move in.

Because she did.

The truth was she'd wanted to for a while.

She'd just never admitted it.

"What about my apartment?"

Roman smiled.

The smile of a man who had already thought about this.

Extensively.

"You keep it."

Daisy blinked.

"What?"

"You own it."

"Obviously."

Roman nodded.

"Rent it out."

Daisy frowned thoughtfully.

"Rent it?"

"Why not?"

The businessman had entered the conversation.

She could always tell.

Roman leaned back slightly.

"It's a great property."

"It is."

"Fully furnished."

"It is."

"Prime location."

She laughed.

"You sound like a real estate brochure."

Roman ignored that.

"Keep the asset."

Now he definitely sounded like an investor.

"Let it make money for you."

Daisy considered it.

Actually considered it.

Because he wasn't wrong.

The apartment would sit empty otherwise.

And she wasn't exactly planning to move back.

Not with Roman.

Not with Lillie.

Not with another baby on the way.

The realization settled quietly inside her chest.

She wasn't moving in with Roman.

She was already living with Roman.

This was simply making it official.

A week later Daisy stood in her apartment.

Her apartment.

The one she'd bought years ago.

The one she'd brought newborn Lillie home to.

The one where she'd cried.

Laughed.

Panicked.

Fallen in love.

It would always mean something to her.

But it wasn't home anymore.

Not really.

Home was waiting across Manhattan.

With Roman.

And Lillie.

And their growing baby.

The realization felt bittersweet.

But right.

Very right.

Harper stood beside her.

Watching.

"You okay?"

Daisy smiled.

"Yeah."

"You look emotional."

"I am emotional."

"Pregnancy?"

"Probably."

Harper laughed.

"Fair."

The decision was surprisingly easy.

The apartment would be rented fully furnished.

There was no point moving furniture.

Roman's penthouse already had everything.

Besides, she'd spent years carefully creating this place.

Someone else could enjoy it.

Someone else could make memories here.

Just like she had.

That evening Daisy walked into the penthouse carrying the final box.

One box.

That was all that remained.

Roman looked up from the couch.

Lillie immediately crawled toward her.

As always.

The sight made Daisy smile.

Roman stood.

Then noticed the box.

Then looked at her.

Slowly.

"You done?"

Daisy nodded.

A smile appeared.

Small at first.

Then bigger.

"Yeah."

Roman crossed the room immediately.

Taking the box from her.

Setting it aside.

Then pulling her into his arms.

Daisy laughed.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"You look happy."

"I am."

His forehead rested against hers.

"You officially live here now."

Daisy smiled.

"So do you."

Roman laughed.

"Good."

Behind them, Lillie babbled loudly from the floor.

Demanding attention.

As usual.

Roman looked down at his daughter.

Then at Daisy.

Then at the future waiting for them.

A family.

A home.

Another baby on the way.

And for the first time, everything felt settled.

Not temporary.

Not uncertain.

Permanent.

Exactly the way it was supposed to be. ❤️📖