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Chapter 12: Home

December 12, Sunday

Forks, Washington

Jasper

Some things you just know right away.

I knew when I was a pimply, fifteen-year-old holding Alice's tiny hand at the stuffy movie theater in Port Angeles where we went for our first date that one day, I was going to marry her. I knew when I was eighteen and sitting in my first college history class that one day I wanted to teach the subject. Who knew it could actually be interesting when the right teacher was presenting it?

I know the moment I step through the happy red door at the corner house on Sycamore that this home is supposed to be mine, ours.

I take in the small living room, the tight passage to the kitchen, and the narrow staircase that leads to the second floor. The carpet needs to be updated, the wallpaper is peeling in places, but none of it matters.

"It's a three-bedroom," Mom says, stepping in behind me. "Two bathrooms upstairs, a small powder room here," she points just off the entry. "Some updates to kitchen appliances though, it's been about twenty years since any remodeling."

I move into the living room and turn as the door opens, letting Emmett in. "It's small," he says, rolling his massive shoulders. I turn back to the living room.

"It has so much potential."

Mom is beaming next to me. "That it does," she agrees.

I wander through to the kitchen. It's dated but functional, and it's got a fantastic window out into the yard. With time and a little hard work, this can one day be our dream kitchen.

We inspect the downstairs before heading up to the second floor. The bedrooms are small, but the views out of the windows are beautiful. The master bedroom faces the backyard, and it's nothing but beautiful trees out the window. In the two smaller front bedrooms, it's the front yard, and my heart swells when I see the park just down the street.

When Mom told me the corner house on Sycamore was going up for sale, I knew I needed to see it. Alice has always admired it, with its built-out, four-season porch and the neat little flower patches of white yarrow, blue Oregon wildflower, and yellow mountain arnica. All native plants, but carefully nurtured to be the perfect landscape leading up to the bright red front door.

I'd been touring places with her quietly for a little over a month now. It was supposed to be a surprise for Alice, a home where we could start our life together. I hadn't expected to find anything so quickly, but I immediately know this is the one.

We all move back downstairs, gathering in the living room. "Well?" Mom asks.

"It needs some work," I acknowledge because I'm not dumb. The house is old, and it's been well lived in. "But I think it's perfect."

Beside me, my brother scoffs in surprise. "Really?" he asks. I look at him. "You don't want somewhere; I don't know, bigger? More updated?"

I shake my head before he's even done speaking. "Look at the foundation of this house, Em. It's perfect. Ali and I will have our whole lives to build on it, to put the work into making it just right for us, for our family."

Emmett frowns. "That's a lot of work, Jas."

I shrug, looking out the front window. There are kids on their bikes passing by, and it brings a smile to my face. "For our family?" I ask, turning back to my brother. "It's work we're both willing to do."

Emmett goes quiet, and Mom claps her hands together. "Wonderful. Jasper, let's head down to my office so we can talk about how to proceed if that's really your intent?"

I look at her and nod. "It's our home."

Mom is positively beaming as she leads us out of the house.

Sigh. The House on Sycamore Lane has officially entered the chat. We love this house!

Tomorrow, enjoy the chapter with a sentimental item in mind. It doesn't have to be holiday themed, though the holidays tend to bring sentimental value in different ways.

See you tomorrow!!