Page 104 of Any Kind of Life

“Maybe I will be, and maybe I won’t be.” Juliet took a step back as she lifted a shoulder. “But I’ll still come back here with you this evening and that’s what matters.”

God, Paige couldn’t love this woman any more than she already did.

“And when we do come home this evening, I’ll hold you just as I always do. I’ll kiss you goodnight as I always do. And I’ll wake up in your arms tomorrow, happy either way.”

Paige looked around the apartment, a hint of sadness sitting in her chest. “I’m going to miss this place. It’s where it all began for us.”

“It is, and I agree. But I’m ready to make new memories with you, Paige. I’m ready to build our own dream home while remembering exactly how we came to be there together. Life is moving forward for us, and I couldn’t ask for anything more with you by my side.”

“I’ll always be by your side. No matter what.” Paige stared back at Juliet, briefly reminding herself of the last few months. “Always, babe.”

“You’ve already proven that to me, Paige.” Juliet took Paige by the hand and guided her towards the bedroom. “And now it’s time to get ready for the next step in our lives.”

Juliet grinned as she exited her car, her breath stolen as she looked around the expansive driveway. She felt Paige approaching to the side of her, also lost for words, as they stared ahead of them. Andi was waiting on the steps and close to the front door, a smile of her own plastered on her mouth. Oh, this is perfect.

“Paige,” Juliet whispered. “I think I’ve already fallen in love with it.”

“M-me too.” Paige’s eyes shone as Juliet chanced a look in her direction. All she ever wanted was to see Paige looking as happy as she did in this moment. “Fuck, babe. I thought the pictures did it justice, but they really don’t.”

“Shall we take a look inside?” Juliet placed a hand to the small on Paige’s back, urging her towards Andi. “I’m dying to see the entire thing.”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

They crossed the driveway. The manicured lawn was the greenest Juliet had ever come across. Her mum had always been a keen gardener and proud of her lawn, but this was on another level to anything Juliet had known. Perhaps it was living in the city for so long, but she didn’t believe it was. No, this place was just stunning.

“I’m very happy to see the look on your faces right now.” Andi cocked her head towards the open front door and invited them inside. “I was going to do the walk around with you, but I think you’d appreciate it more without me in your ear giving you details. Anything you want to know or anything you need to ask, we can sort that out once you’ve finished the viewing. If you need me, I’ll be out in the garden.”

Juliet squeezed Andi’s hand as she stepped past her. “Thank you, Andi.”

Paige followed, and then the footsteps stopped once they were in the hallway. Juliet turned around to a shocked looking Paige.

“Are you okay?”

Paige shook her head, her bottom lip quivering. “I…I don’t think I’ve ever been in a house like this. It’s out of this world, Juliet.”

“And it could be ours if we decide we love it once we’ve had a look around.” Juliet held out a hand, relieved when Paige took it. For a moment, she thought she may have been doing this viewing alone. “Let’s start upstairs and work our way down.”

They took the huge staircase central to the hallway. Juliet glanced around, adoring every little feature she came across, and stopped when they reached the top of the stairs. Paige remained silent, but she suspected that her fiancée was taking everything in. It was hard to find words, in all honesty. Juliet had never seen anything so beautiful.

They both took their time inspecting each room, gasps and grins galore as they found more and more behind each door. The roll top bath in the main bathroom certainly caught Juliet’s attention, the idea of relaxing in it with Paige firmly on her mind.

“Have you seen the size of the back garden?” Paige suddenly interrupted Juliet’s delicious thoughts. “You could fit another house out there and still have room to entertain people!”

“We should go down and take a closer look. I’m happy with everything I see up here, and I’m sure I won’t be disappointed with the rest of the house.”

Paige visibly swallowed when Juliet turned to her. “Babe, is this really happening? Could this be our new home?”

“Do you want it to be our new home?”

Paige smiled as she lowered her eyes. “This sort of thing doesn’t happen to me. I never thought I’d find the courage to come out, let alone find a woman who wants to give me this life and marry me.”

“You deserve this life, Paige. You deserve anything you want.”

“It never used to feel that way.” Paige stepped closer and took Juliet’s hands. “I’m so madly in love with you, Juliet. I don’t know what I’m doing half of the time because all I think about is you, but if you really want this life with me…if I can be blessed to have this life with you, then I swear I’ll never let you down, and I’ll never hurt you.”

“Oh, baby. I know you wouldn’t.” Juliet regarded Paige with a gentle smile.

“You saved me. You showed me what it was to be loved. All I want is to have a beautiful life with you, and I don’t care how that happens.” Paige leaned in and kissed Juliet. “If that is in this house or a cardboard box, I don’t care. So long as I have you, I have everything.”

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