Our House (complete)
Hi all-
Back with another quick fic. Thank you all for the wonderful responses to "Post-It" as it really made my day!
This was a prompt from will_emma_meme (Will and Emma go househunting for their first home together.)
Title: Our House (complete)
Rating: G
Summary: Will and Emma look for their first home.
It was finally time to look for a house. They had been married for two years and the apartment was getting cramped with all the things they had bought. They had saved too and were ready to make a good offer on a house they really loved. The first choice they made was to do it alone as they didn’t feel the need to spend extra money on a realtor. They got up early on a summer morning and with paper in hand which circled the possibilities they were off to a full day of open houses.
The first one was a charming three bedroom, two baths, on a side street, and three miles from the high school. It needed a paint job on the outside but it had a good yard and a basketball hoop. When Emma entered she first noticed the hardwood floors and smiled while Will walked towards the living room to see the potential of mounting a big screen TV in the corner and all the room they would have for family and friends.
They both entered the kitchen hand in hand, picking up a flyer on the specifications of the house. As they toured the hallway and inspected the bathrooms they were less enthusiastic about the way they looked. Both needed big time updates and Emma was sure mold was growing on the ceiling. They entered the master bedroom and were pleased to find all the natural sunlight but not the carpeting that was a horrible reddish color and seemed to have lifted in the corners. The closet was huge however and had plenty of drawers and cubbies which would keep everything very organized.
The second bedroom was actually nicer then the master. It was small but they both saw the future of a small crib and dresser with plenty of free space to play in. The walls were freshly painted and the floor looked brand new. As Emma and Will walked around it they smiled at each other and slowly walked out, both their eyes lingering in the corner where a crib might go.
As they approached the front door again they compared notes, Emma wrote a few things down and Will took another look at the sheet describing the features of the house and letting her know there was central air which was a plus, a brand new oil tank, plus but both didn’t like oil heat and the basement had possibilities for re-finishing.
//
Both of them were ready to move on and look at the next one, both keeping an open mind to the one they just saw. Emma got into the car first and then Will slid in as they decided to make a longer drive to the house farthest away. Twenty minutes later and a wrong turn they arrived at the much bigger house. Emma wasn’t sure she liked being so far from school but Will told her they were closer to the hospitals and the city. Emma didn’t like the fact that hospitals were mentioned as a good thing. Hand in hand they walked in to see a beautiful staircase right away with the railings and steps freshly re-finished. Emma could smell the paint and it was even better then the floral scent from the other place.
They quickly took a peek to their left to see the living room, similar to the other house but it was all updated with brand new floors and painted a pretty off white. The interior design wasn’t great but Emma knew they would be putting in all their own couches, coffee table and maybe a small desk if it would work. Will let go of her hand to explore the dining room which was in the next room over and found he enjoyed the freshly painted ceilings and plenty of room for a sideboard and if they had company, another table would fit if food needed to be brought out or more people needed to sit. He saw a large country style china cabinet that looked like a perfect accent to the room. When Emma joined him a few minutes later she had the sheet specifications and both of them read it over together and liked what they saw. As they left the dining room and went upstairs to the bedrooms, they discovered everything had been re-painted, re-sanded and cleaned. Emma was over the moon that there were no rugs and Will liked the master bedroom with its big wall for a possible TV. They loved the two beautiful glass doors that led out to a small deck, but were concerned it being on the second floor which could mean accidents for small children. The closet was also small and Emma didn’t like the way it was laid out, needing much more work to be done.
Both bathrooms were in good shape but Emma thought they could be cleaner and noticed that things needed to be re-grouted as well as new toilets because one of them looked to be on the last legs. The two bedrooms were a great size with one being perfect for a baby and the other for a guest room. Emma loved the colors they painted, a sky blue and beige but Will didn’t like the cracking in some places and knew that had to be fixed. As they walked to the backyard they liked the size but Emma was concerned with the holes she felt while walking along it and Will wasn’t a fan of being able to see right into their neighbor’s backyard since there was no fence at all. They left the house in good spirits with Emma making a few more notes and again Will reading off the sheet of the house.
//
By the time they reached their third house it was getting busier. Emma noticed their next Open House was much busier and when they got inside all they could hear were the screeches of a woman and the yelling of a man. Both of them cowered to the office room where no one was. Emma looked at the office and liked the way it was laid out and the other functions the room could have as Will ducked into the living room for a specification sheet. When he returned he had a scared look on his face and Emma laughed as they both read through it wondering if they should even bother with the crazy people. They took a quick look in the kitchen and Emma wasn’t a fan of the cabinets or countertops but when Will saw the deck that led out to the backyard she followed to find him smiling wide. The yard was wonderfully landscaped with a brand new fence besides.
Their thoughts of their future were interrupted by the shrieking wife and groaning husband as they too walked out on the deck. Carefully Will took her hand and led her back inside where they did a quick tour of the living room which was nothing special and had bad carpets to the half bath that was clean as a whistle and had a brand new sink installed. By the time they reached the master bedroom they pretty much thought they could move on as the master bedroom was small and cramped with clothes coming out of the closets and the windows seemed drafty and dirty. Will with specification sheet in hand led her back to the car. Emma took one last look at the house, made a note and they both drove off, needing to get a bite to eat before the next place.
//
They sat in a small café outside eating sandwiches as Emma pulled out her notebook. She had pictures, diagrams, price breakdowns and specifications sheets all organized. Will laughed as she read down her first impressions, last impressions, negatives and positives of the ones they saw. While she was reading a mile a minute Will gently took her hand to calm her a bit knowing she would want everything but knowing that she would have to compromise. They had discussed it even before they started that while she wanted big walk in closets and he a large living room for entertaining, they would have to be able to work with what the house offered. She smiled and closed her book as Will pulled out the paper taking a look at where they might go next.
//
There was one open house that would begin at one and it was close to where they were located. Dusting themselves off because they wanted to be the first ones there, they quickly headed out with Will helping her in the car, making sure she didn’t squish her notebook.
They approached the next one with smiles and happiness. The house color needed to be re-done but the flowers and porch were beautiful. They approached the steps and immediately Emma noticed the porch swing which is something she always wanted. They entered the house to see it brightly lit, the natural sun coming through. The foyer was very pretty with high ceilings and freshly painted walls. The floors needed to be re-sanded but they were hardwood and sturdy as they walked down the hall towards the kitchen. The kitchen was bright and Emma loved the counters that looked like they were just installed as well as the cabinets that looked clean and with no scuff marks to be found. The dishwasher and refrigerator looked to be old but not dirty which pleased the both of them as they walked towards the small eating table that looked perfect for breakfasts and impromptu dinners. A sliding glass door led out the deck that also looked freshly painted to the yard that looked pristine.
Emma went into the den while Will scoped out the backyard. Emma found the den to be inviting with an old rustic feel and the rugs didn’t look worn or old. The TV was a perfect size and while she wasn’t crazy about the layout, that was something that could be changed. She looked up to see skylights and she loved seeing the natural light. A fireplace was also included and she felt that could come in handy. Will found her and both of them loved the room as he told her all about the backyard.
Together they walked up the stairs to the three bedrooms and found them all to be equally charming. They were all freshly cleaned and painted and even though one of the kids room had carpeting it didn’t seem to be dirty even though Will knew she wanted it removed. The closets were all very roomy with shelving units and cubbies and when they walked into the master bedroom they were blown away by the size and the perfect arrangement they had made with two dressers being able to fit and a tall one as well. Everything smelled new and clean as Emma went towards the master bath to find it in good condition with a large bath and sink area that also looked new. There didn’t appear to be any major issues with any of the rooms as they walked back downstairs to look at the dining and living rooms. When they entered the dining room they loved the natural sunlight and the room they had which would come in handy as well as the living room’s natural charm even though it wasn’t as big as they would have liked. When Will read off the sheet they discovered that everything was re-done in the past five years and that they would leave all the furniture for a decent price.
They left the house with Emma scribbling in her notebook at a frantic pace and when they reached the car Emma took one last look at the house while grabbing Will’s hand. She turned to him and without saying a word, he smiled.
//
They visited three more houses but each one had major issues. One had carpets in every room, the other just plain smelled like they tried to paint but used a bad kind and the last one, which while was a great space and had things they both liked, had a pool which they both decided that wasn’t going to be even something they would consider.
As they headed home and entered their apartment it was close to dinnertime. Will whipped up a salad while Emma took her notes to the small desk that Will had and placed them in a drawer. They spent the next hour talking about each one and plans to go out again the next weekend. Since their lease was up in four months they had time to decide but they knew once you put a bid on a house and then if you got it, the process would take awhile.
The next weekend they got up early and headed to the next town over which meant different styles and a different price range. They could spent a little more then they wanted to but they also wanted to save and they were willing to do renovations on a house if they really liked it.
//
As they approached the first house they discovered high ceilings and hardwood floors. Will loved the lighting and when they reached the living room he fell in love with the layout and the openness of the room, with brand new windows lighting every area. Emma liked the glass doors that led to the deck but the deck needed work and the yard was full of weeds and crabgrass. The kitchen however was wonderful with marble countertops and oak wood cabinets. Everything was brand new from the stove to the fridge to the oven. The floor also was pretty and Emma was happy that it wouldn’t show dirt. She grabbed a specification sheet and found Will in the basement, fully finished. A big screen TV was set up as well as a billiard table in the corner which seemed to be brand new. There was a recliner and a couch that seemed to be on the older side but didn’t smell strange as she walked around to find another small room that looked like it could be turned into a bedroom but was just used for storage. It was cool as well and Will liked the fact that they wouldn’t need to run the air conditioner.
The master bedroom was huge and fully re-done. There was plenty of room for the two huge dressers, two night stands and a bench. The closets were walk in which caused Emma to gasp in surprise and she could barely comprehend what she would do with all the space. The master bathroom was huge as well and could fit four people comfortably. It too looked brand new but Will noticed a few areas of mold and cracking on the sink.
The other three bedrooms were also big and Emma found it overwhelming with the space. The baby’s room that was set up was almost double the size of their apartment bedroom and she saw so many extra dressers and storage spaces that she almost thought it was too much. The crib itself seemed too big as she saw it full of things.
As they reconvened in the foyer Emma jotted some notes while Will told her that the heat was electric but not serviced for some time, central air that too was old and that the schools in the area were rated top in the state but the children needed to take the bus for a fee. They walked out of the house thinking huge thoughts and when they drove to the next one, Emma found herself wide-eyed.
//
The next house on their list was lower in their price range but was in a good location with little traffic. They parked in the street and walked up the driveway noticing the American flag blowing in the wind and a rocking chair sitting on the porch next to the window. The porch itself was beautiful with gray patio stones which lined the front of the house with brand new railings.
They entered to the smell of cinnamon and apples and they smiled as they looked to the walls to see pictures of kids and what they assumed grandchildren. They looked to the left to see a small office space with a rustic desk and small bench set up. Will thought it would be perfect for a play room or a small music room. It led into the dining room which while not huge was a good size that could fit lots of people. There was a small sideboard and the dining room table was on the smaller side for the room. The china cabinet was beautiful and was a great size that displayed all their plates even though it was on the dustier side.
They both walked towards the kitchen and found it to be quite homey. A cinnamon candle was lit as Emma walked towards the preparation area taking note of the countertops that looked a little worn but in good shape with the cabinets a pretty dark wood but probably needed to be re-sanded due to the wear. The sink was new and very clean, smelling of lemon. The fridge, oven and microwave were recently purchased and looked brand new expect for some spatters of food here and there.
There was a breakfast nook in the corner that looked like it could be updated but was a great size with the windows providing great natural light which also seemed to be brand new. Will stepped into the living room and smiled when he saw how large and light it was. There was a TV entertainment center in the corner with a couch and a few recliners opposite and the coffee table sitting right in the middle. The fireplace looked used but was clean and when he walked towards the front he could see the porch and the swing outside, the windows clean.
Emma found the master bedroom to be very pretty and a good size. The closets were also quite roomy and while there wasn’t a good light to turn on, she could still use the natural light that came into the room. There were plenty of cubbies and drawers and when she re-entered the room, Will was standing by the window looking out to the backyard.
The bathroom that was off the bedroom was medium sized but the bathroom looked clean and updated. There was a new toilet and while the bath itself didn’t look new, it was roomy and very clean. The sink too looked to be in great shape even if it was the older side. Emma loved the natural light coming in from the window across from the sink and Will liked the floor tiling.
They emerged from the bathroom and walked upstairs to the two bedrooms, bathroom and den. One of the bedrooms looked to be the perfect size for a guest and Emma liked the flooring and again, the window. The other room was smaller but a great size for a small child or another guest with it painted a light green and the closet being a good size with lots of organizational elements.
The bathroom was also in good condition even if nothing was really updated. The floor looked like it could use some new tile and the tile around the bath could use some cleaning but overall they were both impressed by the side and the storage space it had.
As they walked to the den they liked the way it was laid out with a treadmill in the corner and a TV set up on the wall with a small couch in the corner as well as a laptop that sat on a desk which Emma wasn’t a huge fan of. The walls were painted fresh and Emma also found another closet that she could use.
The basement wasn’t finished and was used for storage but as Will read off the sheet he found that it could easily be converted if they chose to. It ran on electric heat and didn’t have central air but could be installed easily. The basement was cool and Emma found it not as scary as some others as they had put in some nice lights overhead. The bulkhead was open so they walked up the stairs and out to the back to find the yard clean and open. Trees had been taken down a few years before which left the grass to grow and no dirt spots. Will pictured a swing set while Emma pictured lining the back of the house with pretty flowers. There was no deck but one could be installed if they so chose.
There was a small shed in the corner which Will liked so he could store his bike and their lawnmower and snow blower which they needed to get. A pretty fence kept the neighbors at bay and a few small bushes lined the front of it that Emma could trim and keep tidy.
Hand in hand they walked to the front of the house and took a look at the siding finding it to be strong and hassle free. The color was also pretty so there was no need to replace it. The hedges on the side needed to be trimmed but they didn’t need to be pulled and the shutters were a pretty blue-grey which they both liked.
As Emma made her notes as Will pulled away from the house she took one last look before it was out of sight. They headed back home needing to get ready for his parent’s dinner they talked about the houses they saw and they agreed they had found two lovely homes over the last two weekends.
When they approached his parent’s house they found themselves getting more and more excited at the prospect of making a bid. As they sat down and spoke to his folks they held hands and talked about their favorite parts which seemed to be the same things. Even though it was the freshest in their minds, both of them liked the one they saw that afternoon, as they called it, apples and cinnamon. Emma left her notebook at home but shared with his mother everything she loved about it even the parts that she didn’t. Will’s father took him aside and they talked finances and when it was discovered it was more than within their price range his father couldn’t have been happier.
As they left their house that evening, Emma and Will went to bed deciding they would place a bid the very next day. Emma was sluggish getting up the next morning not feeling well but didn’t want to miss out on such an important event. As they left the house with Emma taking water with her they went to the office of the seller and placed their bid, putting down a good down payment. They were then told they would be contacted if the bid was accepted.
They left the office feeling good even though Emma was still a little achy. Will told her his mother wasn’t the best cook and he too woke up not so great. They went back to their apartment and spent the day cleaning and organizing. Even if the house wasn’t going to be theirs, they would be moving and it would make it easier if everything was ready to be moved. By the time evening hit Emma gained her appetite and they both had pizza for dinner on the small space of floor they could find. Boxes littered the area and even though Emma was doing well in therapy she didn’t like seeing things stacked. They watched the evening news and headed to bed with the air conditioning on full blast because Emma was extra hot.
When they awoke the next morning they did some more packing and cleaning and went on some errands for food and other things. They ran into a few school friends and when Emma had to sit down because she was feeling dizzy, Will quickly took her back home where he pampered her all afternoon. Emma said it was the heat with the temperature reaching 100 and she was dehydrated. Will left her to be by herself at her request and went to work on some of his music, making sure the headphones were plugged into his piano. He almost didn’t hear the phone ringing and when he picked it up, it was the homeowners of the house they bid on. They were a charming old couple and he loved their story of moving into the home ten years ago after their children grew up and moved away, not ready yet for a real retirement village.
Slowly he walked back into the bedroom to see Emma propped up reading a book. Smiling he put the phone on speaker and spoke into it, making small talk. When they finally got to the point of the call Emma and Will were on the bed, huddled next to each other, the phone in Will’s hands. The old gentleman then with great conviction told them that he accepted their bid and he would love them to move in. Hugs and kisses filled the room and with tears in Emma’s eyes she thanked him.
After they hung up, Will and Emma looked into each other’s eyes and said they were now homeowners. Squealing with delight Emma jumped off the bed and went to the phone to call her family. As the chaos settled and they got into their pajamas for the evening, they huddled close and talked about what they wanted to do first in their new house.
The next few weeks were a blur for them. They packed, sorted and organized. They had to get the house inspected and the sale approved which alone took a few days. They went to the bank and filed paperwork which took a whole afternoon. Emma found herself overwhelmed and tired, needing to go to bed right after dinner and sleeping until seven which she rarely did. Will too found it to be stressful but he couldn’t sleep and ended up spending most evening’s online browsing furniture, TV’s, kitchen supplies, and basketball hoops.
His parents came over once they had the keys to the house, making a few improvements. They painted, sanded and made sure everything was clean. His mother loved to spend time with Emma talking about how they would decorate each room and Will’s father loved to tell Will about the first piano he bought.
They made daily trips to Home Depot and picked up a new sink and worked on choosing a new tile floor for the bathroom. Sometimes they would come back with a few things and other times, the car would be filled. By the end of their full first week of having the house most of the projects that they wanted to do were done. The next big project was purchasing furniture and even though Emma wasn’t a fan, a new flat screen TV. They spent their evenings in the apartment still, needing to move in their bedroom things. Most of the time Emma found herself so exhausted she could barely move and her stomach didn’t like what she was eating, though she was living off of pizza and cold cuts which her stomach wasn’t used to. Will would soothe her at night as she refused to take any pills.
They had a man come to do an estimate for central air as well as what it would cost to finish the basement. They had a list of priorities with number one being all the bathrooms and bedrooms being done first.
Will enlisted some friends to help move their bedroom furniture out of their apartment and when they somehow were able to disassemble the bed and take the mattress away Emma had to sit on the floor, too tired to do anything else. Will stayed by her side for as long as he could but he had to get moving and help. When his mother came by and offered her food and water, Emma threw up in their bathroom and couldn’t hold down anything for the rest of the day.
Emma kept it from Will and was able to help move in a few things into the house from a office desk to the small couch they had. Everything looked so small when they got into the house and by the time darkness hit, even in the summer it was another long day. Emma reluctantly took some Pepto Bismal from the small First Aid kit that Will’s mother brought over and sat on the floor, helping Will put together the bed again.
It was two in the morning before either of them were able to get into the bed, and even then only the mattress and sheet covered them. Emma was scared she was going to be sick again and with no cleaning supplies to clean, it made her anxious. The clock was on the floor and she couldn’t see the time as she slowly removed herself from Will and padded towards the kitchen needing another dose of the pink stuff.
It was then she felt sick again and before she knew it, she was outside, barefoot, heaving on the nice grass. Will found her a few minutes later and sat next to her on the porch, stroking her hair and telling her she was going to be fine.
The next morning Will got up and moved more things into the house. Emma stayed behind, instead drawing room design possibilities. She also spent time cleaning, making sure everything smelled good. She went to purchase a washer and dryer and had it delivered that afternoon, needing to start doing laundry. She also went back to Home Depot where she purchased a light that she wanted for their closet in their bedroom.
His mother helped her with the laundry, hanging everything outside on a makeshift clothesline while Will and his helpers slaved over getting in his office furniture and the dining room table. Will’s father came from his own house, donating a few extra tables and chairs. Once everyone had gotten everything in, Emma was the director telling everyone where she would like it to go. After more pizza and soda Emma and Will went to take a walk where Emma felt better, knowing very well the stress and excitement was getting to her.
Another few days went by and every day they would have a new project. Will trimmed the bushes while Emma called an electrician to install the closet light and make a few improvements on the lights that already existed. Emma spent a whole afternoon cleaning the oven while Will went to get a basketball hoop that did not sit well with her but she forgave him when he played her in the driveway that same evening, finding she could beat him in HORSE.
They made a list of the things they wanted to do in three months, six months, a year and two years. The next project that they wanted to do was the basement and they were able to price it out to what they liked. Emma felt better as the days went on but still very tired and at times, very emotional. Of course she knew it was because of the house and how well things were going but she thought to move up her appointment with her therapist just in case. Sometimes Emma found herself angry at Will for no reason for overly clingy which were two things she didn’t like. Will would go out for hours on errands for the house and she would want him home as soon as possible or she would scream and yell when he didn’t do something the way she asked but lucky for her Will was patient and they always went to bed not feeling upset or angry.
Her parents visited a month after they moved in and with their first real entertaining, Emma thought she did well. Will thought she did amazing and even through the chaos they were able to make the guest bedroom nice and fresh. The bathroom floor still needed to be done but it looked better than before and with the new towels they purchased only days before they arrived, Emma knew that they would be pleased.
After dinner as they sat in the living room, on a small couch and two recliners that were hand me downs they talked about the future and when Emma jumped up because she didn’t feel well, her mother followed her to the bathroom where Emma sat on the edge of the tub.
Her mother kneeled down next to her and asked her what was wrong when all Emma could do was shrug her shoulders. She had been irritable, tired and all around confused. Her mother hugged her and told her she was letting her OCD get the best of her and she was doing just fine. The two of them came out a few minutes later to see Will spooning out ice cream which immediately Emma flocked to and helped herself which caused her mother to raise an eyebrow.
Emma and her mother planted flowers the next day since there was a nice chill in the air while her father went with Will to get some sealant for the driveway. Will and her dad spent the afternoon sealing the driveway while shooting hoops and her mother helped Emma with the den, putting some of her summer clothes away in the spare closet and deciding what kind of furniture would look best in the room.
It was there that her mother brought up grandchildren. Emma rolled her eyes knowing full well she wanted a granddaughter since her brother had two boys. While the thought settled in her head Emma couldn’t even comprehend having a child, not when they were just settling into a house and in the next part of their life.
Her parents left the next day and the two of them spent the rainy afternoon on their porch, in the new swing they bought looking out, watching the rain fall. They had been so busy for weeks that they never stopped to look around at all they had done. When Emma fell asleep on the swing, into Will he gently picked her up and brought her to their room, placing her on the new sheets they bought days before and turned on a fan, letting it run on her arms and side.
When Emma awoke it was dark outside and when she looked over to find Will not there, she slowly removed herself from the bed and walked to the living room. The TV wasn’t on but Will was asleep on the couch, a book about music next to him. He looked funny sleeping like that and she almost laughed but didn’t want to wake him. She gently laid down next to him and closed her eyes hoping she could fall asleep again but she felt the churning in her stomach and she quickly got up and went to the bathroom where she emptied the contents of her stomach. Frustrated and upset, she cried over the toilet bowl, trying to reach for the cleaning products when she had the strength.
Will awoke to cries and sobs. Confused and worried he quickly got up and stumbled to the bathroom half-awake. He found Emma on the floor, cleaning the toilet with a towel and Bleach. Quickly he took both from her and enveloped her in a hug, smoothing her hair away and getting the water going for a bath.
When she came back to bed after Will made sure she was ok to be by herself he was sitting up, looking over a home improvement book. She snuggled into them and they didn’t talk, instead she was able to fall asleep and he soon followed.
Emma got up early and was out the door before Will even moved. Never in her life did she plan on stepping into a walk in clinic but she was tired of feeling sick. The nurse asked her for her history and then as Emma described her symptoms, the nurse smiled and asked her one simple question.
When she left she felt only slightly better with a few things in hand and when she arrived at the house she saw Will looked concerned. When she told him she was fine and then went to clean up the mess from the night before they didn’t talk and Will went to the backyard so he could cross off another thing off their master To Do List.
That evening when they were both tired from another long day of organizing and preparing for their new furniture they were going to have delivered the next day but Will sat at the table confused and upset over Emma’s symptoms and behavior. When they argued for a bit which led Emma to run into their bedroom in tears Will sat on the small couch watching a movie, waiting for her to cool off.
He spent the night on the couch and fell asleep to one of her favorite movies while she kept the bedroom door closed. Emma meanwhile spend the evening in the bathroom taking test after test. When it was apparent it was no fluke, she got sick one more time, took a quick shower and fell asleep on top of the covers.
A week went by and they spend time getting ready for school again and readying the house for the cooler weather. Will cleaned the gutters and Emma made sure that the heat was working all right. The basement had been organized and cleaned as she looked for a few fall decorations to put up in the next few days. Will washed the windows and Emma made sure the new dining room set was the way she wanted it.
By the time summer ended, they had made all their important home improvements and were now ready for another school year to begin. Emma was feeling better and ready to start fresh. The night before school started, Emma told Will she had a surprise.
Slowly she led him up the stairway while Will guessed. He wanted a grand piano but since they weren’t in the living room it wasn’t that. He wanted another flat screen for the den and since they were going that way, it was possible. But they turned and went down towards the guest bedrooms to which Will rolled his eyes because new drapes or sheet patterns was not that exciting. Carefully she opened the door of the smaller room and let him enter first. In the middle of the room, was a bunny, her childhood bunny sitting in a big rocking chair with an envelope resting on him. He looked back to her for a moment and then approached the envelope which read Daddy. Before he could even speak she was next to him, tears her eyes, trying to keep her composure. Slowly he lifted it, shaking a bit and pulled out the contents to find a sonogram and a gift card to Babies ‘R Us from her parents.
Before she could respond he turned to her, wrapped his arms around her and lifted her slightly off the ground, telling her he loved her very much. He then moved his hands down to her belly and whispered to the little one saying he loved her already.
Will sat in the rocking chair with Emma gently in his lap telling her that their home was complete. Emma agreed and they both placed their hands on her stomach thinking that their next adventure would be an amazing one.
The End!
Hope you enjoyed!
Back with another quick fic. Thank you all for the wonderful responses to "Post-It" as it really made my day!
This was a prompt from will_emma_meme (Will and Emma go househunting for their first home together.)
Title: Our House (complete)
Rating: G
Summary: Will and Emma look for their first home.
It was finally time to look for a house. They had been married for two years and the apartment was getting cramped with all the things they had bought. They had saved too and were ready to make a good offer on a house they really loved. The first choice they made was to do it alone as they didn’t feel the need to spend extra money on a realtor. They got up early on a summer morning and with paper in hand which circled the possibilities they were off to a full day of open houses.
The first one was a charming three bedroom, two baths, on a side street, and three miles from the high school. It needed a paint job on the outside but it had a good yard and a basketball hoop. When Emma entered she first noticed the hardwood floors and smiled while Will walked towards the living room to see the potential of mounting a big screen TV in the corner and all the room they would have for family and friends.
They both entered the kitchen hand in hand, picking up a flyer on the specifications of the house. As they toured the hallway and inspected the bathrooms they were less enthusiastic about the way they looked. Both needed big time updates and Emma was sure mold was growing on the ceiling. They entered the master bedroom and were pleased to find all the natural sunlight but not the carpeting that was a horrible reddish color and seemed to have lifted in the corners. The closet was huge however and had plenty of drawers and cubbies which would keep everything very organized.
The second bedroom was actually nicer then the master. It was small but they both saw the future of a small crib and dresser with plenty of free space to play in. The walls were freshly painted and the floor looked brand new. As Emma and Will walked around it they smiled at each other and slowly walked out, both their eyes lingering in the corner where a crib might go.
As they approached the front door again they compared notes, Emma wrote a few things down and Will took another look at the sheet describing the features of the house and letting her know there was central air which was a plus, a brand new oil tank, plus but both didn’t like oil heat and the basement had possibilities for re-finishing.
//
Both of them were ready to move on and look at the next one, both keeping an open mind to the one they just saw. Emma got into the car first and then Will slid in as they decided to make a longer drive to the house farthest away. Twenty minutes later and a wrong turn they arrived at the much bigger house. Emma wasn’t sure she liked being so far from school but Will told her they were closer to the hospitals and the city. Emma didn’t like the fact that hospitals were mentioned as a good thing. Hand in hand they walked in to see a beautiful staircase right away with the railings and steps freshly re-finished. Emma could smell the paint and it was even better then the floral scent from the other place.
They quickly took a peek to their left to see the living room, similar to the other house but it was all updated with brand new floors and painted a pretty off white. The interior design wasn’t great but Emma knew they would be putting in all their own couches, coffee table and maybe a small desk if it would work. Will let go of her hand to explore the dining room which was in the next room over and found he enjoyed the freshly painted ceilings and plenty of room for a sideboard and if they had company, another table would fit if food needed to be brought out or more people needed to sit. He saw a large country style china cabinet that looked like a perfect accent to the room. When Emma joined him a few minutes later she had the sheet specifications and both of them read it over together and liked what they saw. As they left the dining room and went upstairs to the bedrooms, they discovered everything had been re-painted, re-sanded and cleaned. Emma was over the moon that there were no rugs and Will liked the master bedroom with its big wall for a possible TV. They loved the two beautiful glass doors that led out to a small deck, but were concerned it being on the second floor which could mean accidents for small children. The closet was also small and Emma didn’t like the way it was laid out, needing much more work to be done.
Both bathrooms were in good shape but Emma thought they could be cleaner and noticed that things needed to be re-grouted as well as new toilets because one of them looked to be on the last legs. The two bedrooms were a great size with one being perfect for a baby and the other for a guest room. Emma loved the colors they painted, a sky blue and beige but Will didn’t like the cracking in some places and knew that had to be fixed. As they walked to the backyard they liked the size but Emma was concerned with the holes she felt while walking along it and Will wasn’t a fan of being able to see right into their neighbor’s backyard since there was no fence at all. They left the house in good spirits with Emma making a few more notes and again Will reading off the sheet of the house.
//
By the time they reached their third house it was getting busier. Emma noticed their next Open House was much busier and when they got inside all they could hear were the screeches of a woman and the yelling of a man. Both of them cowered to the office room where no one was. Emma looked at the office and liked the way it was laid out and the other functions the room could have as Will ducked into the living room for a specification sheet. When he returned he had a scared look on his face and Emma laughed as they both read through it wondering if they should even bother with the crazy people. They took a quick look in the kitchen and Emma wasn’t a fan of the cabinets or countertops but when Will saw the deck that led out to the backyard she followed to find him smiling wide. The yard was wonderfully landscaped with a brand new fence besides.
Their thoughts of their future were interrupted by the shrieking wife and groaning husband as they too walked out on the deck. Carefully Will took her hand and led her back inside where they did a quick tour of the living room which was nothing special and had bad carpets to the half bath that was clean as a whistle and had a brand new sink installed. By the time they reached the master bedroom they pretty much thought they could move on as the master bedroom was small and cramped with clothes coming out of the closets and the windows seemed drafty and dirty. Will with specification sheet in hand led her back to the car. Emma took one last look at the house, made a note and they both drove off, needing to get a bite to eat before the next place.
//
They sat in a small café outside eating sandwiches as Emma pulled out her notebook. She had pictures, diagrams, price breakdowns and specifications sheets all organized. Will laughed as she read down her first impressions, last impressions, negatives and positives of the ones they saw. While she was reading a mile a minute Will gently took her hand to calm her a bit knowing she would want everything but knowing that she would have to compromise. They had discussed it even before they started that while she wanted big walk in closets and he a large living room for entertaining, they would have to be able to work with what the house offered. She smiled and closed her book as Will pulled out the paper taking a look at where they might go next.
//
There was one open house that would begin at one and it was close to where they were located. Dusting themselves off because they wanted to be the first ones there, they quickly headed out with Will helping her in the car, making sure she didn’t squish her notebook.
They approached the next one with smiles and happiness. The house color needed to be re-done but the flowers and porch were beautiful. They approached the steps and immediately Emma noticed the porch swing which is something she always wanted. They entered the house to see it brightly lit, the natural sun coming through. The foyer was very pretty with high ceilings and freshly painted walls. The floors needed to be re-sanded but they were hardwood and sturdy as they walked down the hall towards the kitchen. The kitchen was bright and Emma loved the counters that looked like they were just installed as well as the cabinets that looked clean and with no scuff marks to be found. The dishwasher and refrigerator looked to be old but not dirty which pleased the both of them as they walked towards the small eating table that looked perfect for breakfasts and impromptu dinners. A sliding glass door led out the deck that also looked freshly painted to the yard that looked pristine.
Emma went into the den while Will scoped out the backyard. Emma found the den to be inviting with an old rustic feel and the rugs didn’t look worn or old. The TV was a perfect size and while she wasn’t crazy about the layout, that was something that could be changed. She looked up to see skylights and she loved seeing the natural light. A fireplace was also included and she felt that could come in handy. Will found her and both of them loved the room as he told her all about the backyard.
Together they walked up the stairs to the three bedrooms and found them all to be equally charming. They were all freshly cleaned and painted and even though one of the kids room had carpeting it didn’t seem to be dirty even though Will knew she wanted it removed. The closets were all very roomy with shelving units and cubbies and when they walked into the master bedroom they were blown away by the size and the perfect arrangement they had made with two dressers being able to fit and a tall one as well. Everything smelled new and clean as Emma went towards the master bath to find it in good condition with a large bath and sink area that also looked new. There didn’t appear to be any major issues with any of the rooms as they walked back downstairs to look at the dining and living rooms. When they entered the dining room they loved the natural sunlight and the room they had which would come in handy as well as the living room’s natural charm even though it wasn’t as big as they would have liked. When Will read off the sheet they discovered that everything was re-done in the past five years and that they would leave all the furniture for a decent price.
They left the house with Emma scribbling in her notebook at a frantic pace and when they reached the car Emma took one last look at the house while grabbing Will’s hand. She turned to him and without saying a word, he smiled.
//
They visited three more houses but each one had major issues. One had carpets in every room, the other just plain smelled like they tried to paint but used a bad kind and the last one, which while was a great space and had things they both liked, had a pool which they both decided that wasn’t going to be even something they would consider.
As they headed home and entered their apartment it was close to dinnertime. Will whipped up a salad while Emma took her notes to the small desk that Will had and placed them in a drawer. They spent the next hour talking about each one and plans to go out again the next weekend. Since their lease was up in four months they had time to decide but they knew once you put a bid on a house and then if you got it, the process would take awhile.
The next weekend they got up early and headed to the next town over which meant different styles and a different price range. They could spent a little more then they wanted to but they also wanted to save and they were willing to do renovations on a house if they really liked it.
//
As they approached the first house they discovered high ceilings and hardwood floors. Will loved the lighting and when they reached the living room he fell in love with the layout and the openness of the room, with brand new windows lighting every area. Emma liked the glass doors that led to the deck but the deck needed work and the yard was full of weeds and crabgrass. The kitchen however was wonderful with marble countertops and oak wood cabinets. Everything was brand new from the stove to the fridge to the oven. The floor also was pretty and Emma was happy that it wouldn’t show dirt. She grabbed a specification sheet and found Will in the basement, fully finished. A big screen TV was set up as well as a billiard table in the corner which seemed to be brand new. There was a recliner and a couch that seemed to be on the older side but didn’t smell strange as she walked around to find another small room that looked like it could be turned into a bedroom but was just used for storage. It was cool as well and Will liked the fact that they wouldn’t need to run the air conditioner.
The master bedroom was huge and fully re-done. There was plenty of room for the two huge dressers, two night stands and a bench. The closets were walk in which caused Emma to gasp in surprise and she could barely comprehend what she would do with all the space. The master bathroom was huge as well and could fit four people comfortably. It too looked brand new but Will noticed a few areas of mold and cracking on the sink.
The other three bedrooms were also big and Emma found it overwhelming with the space. The baby’s room that was set up was almost double the size of their apartment bedroom and she saw so many extra dressers and storage spaces that she almost thought it was too much. The crib itself seemed too big as she saw it full of things.
As they reconvened in the foyer Emma jotted some notes while Will told her that the heat was electric but not serviced for some time, central air that too was old and that the schools in the area were rated top in the state but the children needed to take the bus for a fee. They walked out of the house thinking huge thoughts and when they drove to the next one, Emma found herself wide-eyed.
//
The next house on their list was lower in their price range but was in a good location with little traffic. They parked in the street and walked up the driveway noticing the American flag blowing in the wind and a rocking chair sitting on the porch next to the window. The porch itself was beautiful with gray patio stones which lined the front of the house with brand new railings.
They entered to the smell of cinnamon and apples and they smiled as they looked to the walls to see pictures of kids and what they assumed grandchildren. They looked to the left to see a small office space with a rustic desk and small bench set up. Will thought it would be perfect for a play room or a small music room. It led into the dining room which while not huge was a good size that could fit lots of people. There was a small sideboard and the dining room table was on the smaller side for the room. The china cabinet was beautiful and was a great size that displayed all their plates even though it was on the dustier side.
They both walked towards the kitchen and found it to be quite homey. A cinnamon candle was lit as Emma walked towards the preparation area taking note of the countertops that looked a little worn but in good shape with the cabinets a pretty dark wood but probably needed to be re-sanded due to the wear. The sink was new and very clean, smelling of lemon. The fridge, oven and microwave were recently purchased and looked brand new expect for some spatters of food here and there.
There was a breakfast nook in the corner that looked like it could be updated but was a great size with the windows providing great natural light which also seemed to be brand new. Will stepped into the living room and smiled when he saw how large and light it was. There was a TV entertainment center in the corner with a couch and a few recliners opposite and the coffee table sitting right in the middle. The fireplace looked used but was clean and when he walked towards the front he could see the porch and the swing outside, the windows clean.
Emma found the master bedroom to be very pretty and a good size. The closets were also quite roomy and while there wasn’t a good light to turn on, she could still use the natural light that came into the room. There were plenty of cubbies and drawers and when she re-entered the room, Will was standing by the window looking out to the backyard.
The bathroom that was off the bedroom was medium sized but the bathroom looked clean and updated. There was a new toilet and while the bath itself didn’t look new, it was roomy and very clean. The sink too looked to be in great shape even if it was the older side. Emma loved the natural light coming in from the window across from the sink and Will liked the floor tiling.
They emerged from the bathroom and walked upstairs to the two bedrooms, bathroom and den. One of the bedrooms looked to be the perfect size for a guest and Emma liked the flooring and again, the window. The other room was smaller but a great size for a small child or another guest with it painted a light green and the closet being a good size with lots of organizational elements.
The bathroom was also in good condition even if nothing was really updated. The floor looked like it could use some new tile and the tile around the bath could use some cleaning but overall they were both impressed by the side and the storage space it had.
As they walked to the den they liked the way it was laid out with a treadmill in the corner and a TV set up on the wall with a small couch in the corner as well as a laptop that sat on a desk which Emma wasn’t a huge fan of. The walls were painted fresh and Emma also found another closet that she could use.
The basement wasn’t finished and was used for storage but as Will read off the sheet he found that it could easily be converted if they chose to. It ran on electric heat and didn’t have central air but could be installed easily. The basement was cool and Emma found it not as scary as some others as they had put in some nice lights overhead. The bulkhead was open so they walked up the stairs and out to the back to find the yard clean and open. Trees had been taken down a few years before which left the grass to grow and no dirt spots. Will pictured a swing set while Emma pictured lining the back of the house with pretty flowers. There was no deck but one could be installed if they so chose.
There was a small shed in the corner which Will liked so he could store his bike and their lawnmower and snow blower which they needed to get. A pretty fence kept the neighbors at bay and a few small bushes lined the front of it that Emma could trim and keep tidy.
Hand in hand they walked to the front of the house and took a look at the siding finding it to be strong and hassle free. The color was also pretty so there was no need to replace it. The hedges on the side needed to be trimmed but they didn’t need to be pulled and the shutters were a pretty blue-grey which they both liked.
As Emma made her notes as Will pulled away from the house she took one last look before it was out of sight. They headed back home needing to get ready for his parent’s dinner they talked about the houses they saw and they agreed they had found two lovely homes over the last two weekends.
When they approached his parent’s house they found themselves getting more and more excited at the prospect of making a bid. As they sat down and spoke to his folks they held hands and talked about their favorite parts which seemed to be the same things. Even though it was the freshest in their minds, both of them liked the one they saw that afternoon, as they called it, apples and cinnamon. Emma left her notebook at home but shared with his mother everything she loved about it even the parts that she didn’t. Will’s father took him aside and they talked finances and when it was discovered it was more than within their price range his father couldn’t have been happier.
As they left their house that evening, Emma and Will went to bed deciding they would place a bid the very next day. Emma was sluggish getting up the next morning not feeling well but didn’t want to miss out on such an important event. As they left the house with Emma taking water with her they went to the office of the seller and placed their bid, putting down a good down payment. They were then told they would be contacted if the bid was accepted.
They left the office feeling good even though Emma was still a little achy. Will told her his mother wasn’t the best cook and he too woke up not so great. They went back to their apartment and spent the day cleaning and organizing. Even if the house wasn’t going to be theirs, they would be moving and it would make it easier if everything was ready to be moved. By the time evening hit Emma gained her appetite and they both had pizza for dinner on the small space of floor they could find. Boxes littered the area and even though Emma was doing well in therapy she didn’t like seeing things stacked. They watched the evening news and headed to bed with the air conditioning on full blast because Emma was extra hot.
When they awoke the next morning they did some more packing and cleaning and went on some errands for food and other things. They ran into a few school friends and when Emma had to sit down because she was feeling dizzy, Will quickly took her back home where he pampered her all afternoon. Emma said it was the heat with the temperature reaching 100 and she was dehydrated. Will left her to be by herself at her request and went to work on some of his music, making sure the headphones were plugged into his piano. He almost didn’t hear the phone ringing and when he picked it up, it was the homeowners of the house they bid on. They were a charming old couple and he loved their story of moving into the home ten years ago after their children grew up and moved away, not ready yet for a real retirement village.
Slowly he walked back into the bedroom to see Emma propped up reading a book. Smiling he put the phone on speaker and spoke into it, making small talk. When they finally got to the point of the call Emma and Will were on the bed, huddled next to each other, the phone in Will’s hands. The old gentleman then with great conviction told them that he accepted their bid and he would love them to move in. Hugs and kisses filled the room and with tears in Emma’s eyes she thanked him.
After they hung up, Will and Emma looked into each other’s eyes and said they were now homeowners. Squealing with delight Emma jumped off the bed and went to the phone to call her family. As the chaos settled and they got into their pajamas for the evening, they huddled close and talked about what they wanted to do first in their new house.
The next few weeks were a blur for them. They packed, sorted and organized. They had to get the house inspected and the sale approved which alone took a few days. They went to the bank and filed paperwork which took a whole afternoon. Emma found herself overwhelmed and tired, needing to go to bed right after dinner and sleeping until seven which she rarely did. Will too found it to be stressful but he couldn’t sleep and ended up spending most evening’s online browsing furniture, TV’s, kitchen supplies, and basketball hoops.
His parents came over once they had the keys to the house, making a few improvements. They painted, sanded and made sure everything was clean. His mother loved to spend time with Emma talking about how they would decorate each room and Will’s father loved to tell Will about the first piano he bought.
They made daily trips to Home Depot and picked up a new sink and worked on choosing a new tile floor for the bathroom. Sometimes they would come back with a few things and other times, the car would be filled. By the end of their full first week of having the house most of the projects that they wanted to do were done. The next big project was purchasing furniture and even though Emma wasn’t a fan, a new flat screen TV. They spent their evenings in the apartment still, needing to move in their bedroom things. Most of the time Emma found herself so exhausted she could barely move and her stomach didn’t like what she was eating, though she was living off of pizza and cold cuts which her stomach wasn’t used to. Will would soothe her at night as she refused to take any pills.
They had a man come to do an estimate for central air as well as what it would cost to finish the basement. They had a list of priorities with number one being all the bathrooms and bedrooms being done first.
Will enlisted some friends to help move their bedroom furniture out of their apartment and when they somehow were able to disassemble the bed and take the mattress away Emma had to sit on the floor, too tired to do anything else. Will stayed by her side for as long as he could but he had to get moving and help. When his mother came by and offered her food and water, Emma threw up in their bathroom and couldn’t hold down anything for the rest of the day.
Emma kept it from Will and was able to help move in a few things into the house from a office desk to the small couch they had. Everything looked so small when they got into the house and by the time darkness hit, even in the summer it was another long day. Emma reluctantly took some Pepto Bismal from the small First Aid kit that Will’s mother brought over and sat on the floor, helping Will put together the bed again.
It was two in the morning before either of them were able to get into the bed, and even then only the mattress and sheet covered them. Emma was scared she was going to be sick again and with no cleaning supplies to clean, it made her anxious. The clock was on the floor and she couldn’t see the time as she slowly removed herself from Will and padded towards the kitchen needing another dose of the pink stuff.
It was then she felt sick again and before she knew it, she was outside, barefoot, heaving on the nice grass. Will found her a few minutes later and sat next to her on the porch, stroking her hair and telling her she was going to be fine.
The next morning Will got up and moved more things into the house. Emma stayed behind, instead drawing room design possibilities. She also spent time cleaning, making sure everything smelled good. She went to purchase a washer and dryer and had it delivered that afternoon, needing to start doing laundry. She also went back to Home Depot where she purchased a light that she wanted for their closet in their bedroom.
His mother helped her with the laundry, hanging everything outside on a makeshift clothesline while Will and his helpers slaved over getting in his office furniture and the dining room table. Will’s father came from his own house, donating a few extra tables and chairs. Once everyone had gotten everything in, Emma was the director telling everyone where she would like it to go. After more pizza and soda Emma and Will went to take a walk where Emma felt better, knowing very well the stress and excitement was getting to her.
Another few days went by and every day they would have a new project. Will trimmed the bushes while Emma called an electrician to install the closet light and make a few improvements on the lights that already existed. Emma spent a whole afternoon cleaning the oven while Will went to get a basketball hoop that did not sit well with her but she forgave him when he played her in the driveway that same evening, finding she could beat him in HORSE.
They made a list of the things they wanted to do in three months, six months, a year and two years. The next project that they wanted to do was the basement and they were able to price it out to what they liked. Emma felt better as the days went on but still very tired and at times, very emotional. Of course she knew it was because of the house and how well things were going but she thought to move up her appointment with her therapist just in case. Sometimes Emma found herself angry at Will for no reason for overly clingy which were two things she didn’t like. Will would go out for hours on errands for the house and she would want him home as soon as possible or she would scream and yell when he didn’t do something the way she asked but lucky for her Will was patient and they always went to bed not feeling upset or angry.
Her parents visited a month after they moved in and with their first real entertaining, Emma thought she did well. Will thought she did amazing and even through the chaos they were able to make the guest bedroom nice and fresh. The bathroom floor still needed to be done but it looked better than before and with the new towels they purchased only days before they arrived, Emma knew that they would be pleased.
After dinner as they sat in the living room, on a small couch and two recliners that were hand me downs they talked about the future and when Emma jumped up because she didn’t feel well, her mother followed her to the bathroom where Emma sat on the edge of the tub.
Her mother kneeled down next to her and asked her what was wrong when all Emma could do was shrug her shoulders. She had been irritable, tired and all around confused. Her mother hugged her and told her she was letting her OCD get the best of her and she was doing just fine. The two of them came out a few minutes later to see Will spooning out ice cream which immediately Emma flocked to and helped herself which caused her mother to raise an eyebrow.
Emma and her mother planted flowers the next day since there was a nice chill in the air while her father went with Will to get some sealant for the driveway. Will and her dad spent the afternoon sealing the driveway while shooting hoops and her mother helped Emma with the den, putting some of her summer clothes away in the spare closet and deciding what kind of furniture would look best in the room.
It was there that her mother brought up grandchildren. Emma rolled her eyes knowing full well she wanted a granddaughter since her brother had two boys. While the thought settled in her head Emma couldn’t even comprehend having a child, not when they were just settling into a house and in the next part of their life.
Her parents left the next day and the two of them spent the rainy afternoon on their porch, in the new swing they bought looking out, watching the rain fall. They had been so busy for weeks that they never stopped to look around at all they had done. When Emma fell asleep on the swing, into Will he gently picked her up and brought her to their room, placing her on the new sheets they bought days before and turned on a fan, letting it run on her arms and side.
When Emma awoke it was dark outside and when she looked over to find Will not there, she slowly removed herself from the bed and walked to the living room. The TV wasn’t on but Will was asleep on the couch, a book about music next to him. He looked funny sleeping like that and she almost laughed but didn’t want to wake him. She gently laid down next to him and closed her eyes hoping she could fall asleep again but she felt the churning in her stomach and she quickly got up and went to the bathroom where she emptied the contents of her stomach. Frustrated and upset, she cried over the toilet bowl, trying to reach for the cleaning products when she had the strength.
Will awoke to cries and sobs. Confused and worried he quickly got up and stumbled to the bathroom half-awake. He found Emma on the floor, cleaning the toilet with a towel and Bleach. Quickly he took both from her and enveloped her in a hug, smoothing her hair away and getting the water going for a bath.
When she came back to bed after Will made sure she was ok to be by herself he was sitting up, looking over a home improvement book. She snuggled into them and they didn’t talk, instead she was able to fall asleep and he soon followed.
Emma got up early and was out the door before Will even moved. Never in her life did she plan on stepping into a walk in clinic but she was tired of feeling sick. The nurse asked her for her history and then as Emma described her symptoms, the nurse smiled and asked her one simple question.
When she left she felt only slightly better with a few things in hand and when she arrived at the house she saw Will looked concerned. When she told him she was fine and then went to clean up the mess from the night before they didn’t talk and Will went to the backyard so he could cross off another thing off their master To Do List.
That evening when they were both tired from another long day of organizing and preparing for their new furniture they were going to have delivered the next day but Will sat at the table confused and upset over Emma’s symptoms and behavior. When they argued for a bit which led Emma to run into their bedroom in tears Will sat on the small couch watching a movie, waiting for her to cool off.
He spent the night on the couch and fell asleep to one of her favorite movies while she kept the bedroom door closed. Emma meanwhile spend the evening in the bathroom taking test after test. When it was apparent it was no fluke, she got sick one more time, took a quick shower and fell asleep on top of the covers.
A week went by and they spend time getting ready for school again and readying the house for the cooler weather. Will cleaned the gutters and Emma made sure that the heat was working all right. The basement had been organized and cleaned as she looked for a few fall decorations to put up in the next few days. Will washed the windows and Emma made sure the new dining room set was the way she wanted it.
By the time summer ended, they had made all their important home improvements and were now ready for another school year to begin. Emma was feeling better and ready to start fresh. The night before school started, Emma told Will she had a surprise.
Slowly she led him up the stairway while Will guessed. He wanted a grand piano but since they weren’t in the living room it wasn’t that. He wanted another flat screen for the den and since they were going that way, it was possible. But they turned and went down towards the guest bedrooms to which Will rolled his eyes because new drapes or sheet patterns was not that exciting. Carefully she opened the door of the smaller room and let him enter first. In the middle of the room, was a bunny, her childhood bunny sitting in a big rocking chair with an envelope resting on him. He looked back to her for a moment and then approached the envelope which read Daddy. Before he could even speak she was next to him, tears her eyes, trying to keep her composure. Slowly he lifted it, shaking a bit and pulled out the contents to find a sonogram and a gift card to Babies ‘R Us from her parents.
Before she could respond he turned to her, wrapped his arms around her and lifted her slightly off the ground, telling her he loved her very much. He then moved his hands down to her belly and whispered to the little one saying he loved her already.
Will sat in the rocking chair with Emma gently in his lap telling her that their home was complete. Emma agreed and they both placed their hands on her stomach thinking that their next adventure would be an amazing one.
The End!
Hope you enjoyed!