Chapter 28
Upon disembarking from their honeymoon flight, Oliver and Harper swiftly retrieved their belongings from the conveyor belt, cleared customs, and finally emerged into the open air. Harper let out a delighted exclamation, revelling in the sensation of fresh air filling her lungs. Eager to know who would be picking them up, she turned to Oliver and inquired, anticipation gleaming in her eyes.
Oliver contemplated for a moment, realising that his parents were the likely candidates for the task. However, he hadn't spotted them on the plane, which led him to speculate that they might have returned home earlier. "My Mum mentioned that either of them would pick us up," he replied, a hint of uncertainty colouring his voice. "Considering we landed a bit ahead of schedule, they shouldn't be too far away. By the way, did you manage to get some rest during the flight?"
A grin spread across Harper's face as she recalled her slumber. "I think I dozed off for most of the journey," she confessed. "Feeling completely refreshed now!"
"That's great to hear," Oliver acknowledged, intertwining his fingers with hers. "I have a feeling we'll have a busy day ahead once we're back home." Contentment radiated from Harper as she nestled her head against Oliver's arm, a blissful sigh escaping her lips.
Just then, Oliver's attention was drawn to a familiar voice calling out his name. He turned to see Marcus, his father's personal assistant, approaching them and courteously opening the car door. Oliver's eyebrows furrowed slightly, puzzled by the fact that Marcus had been sent to pick them up. His parents had been present throughout the honeymoon, so their absence on the plane struck him as odd. Nevertheless, he decided to follow Marcus, who collected their luggage and led Harper towards the waiting vehicle.
"Need a hand?" Harper offered, reaching for the handle of her suitcase.
"Don't worry, I've got it," Oliver assured her, a hint of concern tugging at his mind. "You go ahead, I'll join you in a moment." With a nod of understanding, Harper climbed into the backseat while Oliver and Marcus loaded their bags into the trunk. Once everything was secured, Oliver joined Harper in the car, and Marcus began driving them away. However, Oliver couldn't help but notice that they were heading in a direction unfamiliar to him, a disquieting realisation dawning upon him.
"Where are we going?" Oliver inquired, his gaze scanning the surroundings, devoid of any recognizable landmarks that would lead them home.
"You'll see, sir," Marcus responded, his eyes meeting Oliver's in the rearview mirror. A sense of unease crept over Oliver as he detected something amiss in Marcus's demeanour. What if this wasn't Marcus at all? What if there was ill intent behind this unexpected detour?
Oliver attempted to shake off these doubts, reminding himself of his father's implicit trust in Marcus. Such suspicions were more fitting for Harper's imaginative mind, not his own. Sensing his unease, Harper nudged him gently, silently urging him to share his thoughts.
As Oliver and Harper journeyed for another 20 minutes through the picturesque countryside, their curiosity grew as they approached a grandiose mansion, dwarfing their own humble abode. A sense of wonderment filled the air as they caught sight of a banner above the front door that proudly proclaimed, "Welcome Home Newlyweds!" The entire family stood beneath, vigorously waving their arms and cheering with excitement. In that instant, realisation dawned on Oliver, and he turned to Harper, unable to conceal the mix of shock and elation on her face.
"Do you know where we are?" Harper exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the magnificent house outside the car window. The moment the vehicle halted, she eagerly stepped out, greeted by the rest of the family who rushed over to them.
Eleanor, beaming with anticipation, inquired, "Do you like it?" Leading them toward the front door, she added, "Just wait until you see the interior. I'm certain you'll love it!"
Oliver's gaze wandered over the expanse of the house's exterior, and it dawned on him that this place must have cost an absolute fortune. "Before we do anything, could we please have an explanation?" he requested, his curiosity piqued.
Eleanor, clearly proud of her achievement, began to elucidate their new abode. "A couple of months ago, we decided that with your marriage on the horizon, we needed a larger space. So, I started browsing online and came across this place," she gestured toward the house. "A few weeks ago, we put in an offer and expedited the sale through the solicitors, ensuring it would be ready for your arrival. Come, let me show you around!"
As they entered the house, Eleanor commenced her tour, starting with the grand foyer. Oliver and Harper's eyes were immediately drawn to a towering 5-foot photograph prominently displayed at the entrance. It captured their silhouette on the beach, a snapshot from the final night of their honeymoon when they shared a passionate kiss beneath the starry sky. Oliver's perplexed voice broke the silence, "What's this all about?"
Harper added her confusion, "Who took this photo?" She had no idea everyone was secretly in Okinawa with them.
"My mother took it. They were all in Okinawa, disguised as locals," Oliver revealed. "Take it down. You didn't ask us, and this is already an invasion of our privacy."
"But I find it so endearing," Eleanor cheered, her hands clapping together. "Isn't that right, Harper?"
Harper replied, a hint of bashfulness in her voice, "Yeah, I suppose so." Oliver shook his head in frustration, realising that he wouldn't prevail in this battle of opinions.
Undeterred, Eleanor continued the house tour, showcasing the open-plan living room and kitchen area, a downstairs study, and even a cinema room for their movie nights. With enthusiasm, she led them down the hallway to their new room at the end, a vast space adorned with a super king-size bed, two desks with chairs, a plush leather sofa, and a large TV. Harper couldn't contain her excitement, letting out a joyful scream. This was the most incredible room she had ever laid eyes on, and the fact that she would be sharing it with Oliver made it all the more special.
"And you have an en-suite bathroom with a bathtub, so no need to share," Eleanor explained, opening the door to a generously sized bathroom. Oliver breathed a sigh of relief, realising that the room was designed to their taste. They must have enlisted the help of a professional, not that he had any complaints.
With hope in her eyes, Eleanor turned to Oliver and Harper, awaiting their verdict. "Do you both like it?"
"I absolutely love it!" Harper exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine delight. All their belongings had already been transferred to the room, with the exception of their suitcases from the holiday.
"Fantastic! Now, both of you, come with me because there's more to see!" Eleanor led them out of the room and into another nearby. The couple exchanged perplexed glances as they entered an empty room freshly painted in white.
Eleanor clarified, "This will be the baby's room!"
Oliver interjected, "I understand the thought, Mum, but we still have a long way to go before we even consider having a baby." With a sense of urgency, he headed for the exit.
Eleanor chuckled warmly, saying, "Well, we can never be too prepared for unforeseen circumstances."
Oliver turned to face her, aware of his mother's determination when she set her mind to something. "Just promise me you won't do something rash, like tampering with Harper's pills or anything," he warned, his voice tinged with concern.
Eleanor shook her head, assuring him, "I would never do such a thing"
"This is a discussion for two, when we're ready, and not a moment sooner." He looked at Harper, sharing a moment of understanding before they exited the room, closing the door behind them. Harper's smile grew wider as she allowed herself to envision a future with Oliver and their little one. Though that day was still far off, she couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. Walking hand-in-hand with her husband, she cast one final glance at the room, cherishing the possibility it held for their future.