Chapter 64: A House to Make a Home

The house was a good deal more than the first one they looked at and more than Jeremy would get for his condo, but the realtor had been willing to negotiate. If Jeremy would list his condo with her and purchase the house before she had to put the time and work into listing it, she would waive her fees for the condo. However, he would have to put an offer in before her office opened on Monday morning. He was ready to buy, but Melissa was dragging her feet.

Melissa is deep in thought all the way home. Jeremy knows by now, pushing her to decide means pushing her away. So, he lets her stay inside her head until they are back at the condo. There he sits on the couch and pulls her into his arms. “Talk to me. I see you processing, let's work this out together, okay? We’re a team, a team of three, remember?” He tries to get her to open up.

She wiggles out of his lap and sits with her back against the arm of the couch, but doesn’t protest when he puts her legs up across his. He caresses her legs with one hand, while placing his other on her belly. She is biting her bottom lip and God he wants to do the same but they need to talk this out.

“How about you tell me why you want the house and why you don’t want the house. Then I’ll go. We’ll keep a tally.” Jeremy is trying to appeal to her logical side. Jeremy takes out his smartphone and opens the notes app. “Ready when you are,” he says with a grin, fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Melissa rolls her eyes at this antics but can’t help but smile. “Well, as for why I want the house, it has plenty of room but still feels cosy and not empty like the first house did. I loved the layout with all the bedrooms on the upper floor. And that balcony off the master, I’ve always dreamed of having one. The yard with all those flowers and the fact that it opens onto Markus’s property, that is just too weird.” She shakes her head as she says this.

“Or fate!” Markus cuts in, knowing that she does not believe in fate. She rolls her eyes at this comment and bites her lower lip again. “Spit it out Melissa, what’s worrying you?”

“It’s a big move to make, Jeremy. We haven’t known each other that long.” Melissa pauses, takes a deep breath, and Jeremy knows what is coming next. “What if we don’t work out? What if after the baby comes we find out we can’t stand living together? Then what? You’ll have to sell another home? Move again?”

“Melissa, you know there are no certainties in life. You can’t keep saying what if. If you did, you would do nothing in life. You would never have met the man of your dreams.” Jeremy says with a smirk as Melissa rolls her eyes again. God, he loves seeing her do that. “You wouldn’t be pregnant, with our precious little gift. You wouldn’t be living here now having amazing sex whenever you wish. Shall I continue?” Jeremy asks again, making her laugh.

Suddenly Melissa’s eyes mist over, and she takes a shaky breath. “I don’t deserve you, Jeremy. I don’t know how to please a man. I’ve never had a steady man in my life.” This time a huge sob comes out of her, “I don’t want to make you feel trapped, like you have to stay with me because of the baby or because of a mortgage.” Tears are flowing steadily now.

At that, Jeremy gathers her into his arms. He gives her the time she needs to get it all out, while he kisses her face and neck. As her sobs subside, he decides it’s time. He is going all in. Using his thumbs, he wipes the rest of her tears away, then pushes her back far enough to make eye contact with her.

Easing her up to what he really wants to say, Jeremy starts, “Okay, you had your say, now it’s my turn. I absolutely love that house. The kitchen is a dream, I love the style, the neighborhood and the fact that Markus is right next door is a tremendous bonus. The only negative I can think of is the fact that you are hesitant about it because of the price and your lack of faith in our relationship.” At that Melissa starts to speak but Jeremy simply presses his lips to hers and murmurs, “you had your say, now I get mine.” He continues.

“You need to get over your hang-ups, Melissa. The money is not me, it is part of who I am, I would give it all away for you except I know it is not what my grandparents wanted. They worked hard for that money because they wanted me to have a comfortable life. Have I ever given you reason to believe that my bank account means anything to me? Have I ever used it to get what I want? To manipulate you, or anyone else? As for your insecurities about us, I’m frankly hurt. I’m hurt that you would allow the mistakes of your mother to control your life. You didn’t drive those men away, Melissa, your mother did. Why are you punishing yourself for her faults? Don’t you think you are better than that? Better than her?” Jeremy gives her a minute to think about this before he continues.

“There were two things I really loved about that house. One, it felt like a home. The home I always wanted but only ever felt like I had when I was at my grandparents’ house. Two, I loved that house for the look it put on your face. I love that face. I love YOU, Melissa. I want you in my life forever. I’m not going anywhere and as much as I love this baby,” he kisses her belly as he always does when talking about the baby. “I love you with or without our child. Please say you will buy this house as our home. Together we will make this house our home.”

Melissa slowly nods her head as he can’t wait any longer, he takes her in a passionate kiss. Jeremy finally ends the kiss and pulls back, wanting so much for her to say the words back to him. “I love you more than anything in this world. Please say you will take this next step with me.” Jeremy is getting anxious now as he looks deeply into her brown eyes. He can see it. He can see the love there. But does she trust him enough to say it?

Melissa opens her mouth and there is a banging on his door. Melissa’s eyes wide then to the door. No one should be able to get up here without the doorman buzzing up first.

“Ignore it,” Jeremy pleads.

“Jeremy, open this door right now. I know you are in there, the doorman told me.” Comes the slightly slurred voice of his mother.

Fuck, what is she doing here? She bangs again and knowing his mother, Jeremy rises quickly and goes to the door before everyone knows his business. He pulls open the door quickly and widely, to see not only his mother standing there but Vanessa as well.