Chapter 14

…

The next morning Sean had gone out to get the morning papers, circling houses that he thought Elise would like, she came though just after 9am to see Sean at the table.

"Morning." She smiled.

"Hey, you're up. How did you sleep?"

Elise poured herself some tea before coming over to join Sean at the table.

"Not too great."

"Your back again?"

"Mm-mm."

"Come here."

Elise got up and sat next to Sean on the bench, her back to him as he massaged the knots in her back, letting out a small groan as he hit the problem areas.

"That feels so good." She sighed.

"I'm sorry you're not getting enough sleep, why don't we look for a better mattress while we're out today?"

"Oh Sean, a new mattress won't make any difference. It's just this one." She smiled, as her hand went to the baby.

Elise's eyes drifted to the papers Sean was looking at, seeing a few houses circled.

"What's all this?" She asked, as she turned around, leaning in to him.

"Well, I thought I'd get a head start on the house hunt. I circled a few that might interest you. I thought we could go and see some today if you're up to it."

"Why not."

"You still want too, don't you. I mean there's no rush?"

"No, today sounds good. I'll just go and grab a quick shower and then we can go."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

Elise leaned in and kissed him, before getting up and heading to the bathroom.

…

The first house they looked at, both Elise and Sean were unimpressed with the place, there was barely enough room to swing a cat, let alone accommodate five people. The next house which was situated in Sherman Oaks was certainly big enough, five bedrooms, two bathrooms but Sean could tell that Elise wasn't happy. He came over to her when they were inspecting the kitchen, his arms going around her waist as his chin landed on her shoulder.

"You hate the place, don't you?"

"It's not that I hate it, I mean it's certainly big enough for all of us."

"So what is it?"

"It's just so…white."

"Okay, so you don't like it. We'll find somewhere else."

"But you like it."

"It's what you want Elise."

She turned around in his arms, looking up at him with a smile.

"No Sean, our home has to be somewhere we both love, not a place just to please the other person. It has to be both our decision, deal?"

"Deal, come on. Let's go and check out some others."

He took tight hold of her hand as they left the house, getting in the car and driving off.

…

They drove over to San Fernando, stopping outside. When Elise stepped out of the car, the marble brickwork on the front of the house spoke to Elise immediately. Sean came up beside her, seeing the smile on her face.

"Well I'm gonna take that smile as a good sign?"

"Oh Sean, it's beautiful."

"Well why don't we look inside first huh?"

Elise nodded as Sean took her hand, the pair heading inside to look around. When they opened the door, they stepped in to the brightly lit hallway, walking on, the dining room was to the left of them, the kitchen a few metres through. Elise entered the kitchen, light brown cupboards, wooden flooring throughout the downstairs.

"You like this kitchen, I can tell."

"Sean it's beautiful, it's more me."

"It is beautiful."

"You're not just saying that because I like it?"

"Of course not, it's lovely. Let's go and look at the front rooms."

Elise followed Sean thorough. The front room had marble brickwork surrounding the fireplace, a rug just in front of it. The room was light and airy with a wood ceiling above them.

"We haven't even been upstairs yet and already I love it." She smiled.

"Well that is a very good sign. Let's go upstairs then."

As they made their way up, they inspected each of the four bedrooms, while two were a little smaller than the others, they both agreed they'd manage.

"Alex doesn't need much space, as long as he has his computer games, he's fine."

"And the baby won't need a big room either." Elise said.

"So just Quinn, but what's new there." He joked.

"And there is open space downstairs, we could always make that in to a playroom, Alex for his games and somewhere for this ones toys and things."

"See, it's already working out."

"Why don't we go and inspect the garden?" She smiled.

"Lead the way."

…

They made their way down to the garden, decking just outside the back door, a few feet away from there, a garden big enough for everyone to enjoy, and a pool just at the end of the garden.

"Well I know where Quinn will be taking up residence." Sean laughed.

"The pool?"

"Pretty much, so…what do you think?"

Elise turned, Sean's arms going around her.

"I think…I want this house."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

"Me too." He smiled as he leaned down and kissed her.

"We better go and put an offer in then."

"Lets go."

…

To Be Continued…