Chapter 24

Twenty-Four

Natalie

I stirred from my slumber, the faint clatter of pans and the aroma of sizzling bacon drifting into the room from the bustling kitchen. The morning light danced playfully on the walls, infused with the sounds of a lively breakfast preparation. It was peaceful here in Ethan's Dallas home. For the first time in a long while, I felt at ease, like everything was exactly as it should be. I stretched out under the covers before the delicious smells lured me out of bed.

I took a moment to soak in the surroundings, letting the reality of my new life with Ethan sink in. This place had gone from an elegant house to our cozy haven, where peace settled in like a comfy blanket. As I looked around the room, a smile crept up—what used to be Ethan's space had become ours, with photos capturing our memories in Cedar Cove and the plants I'd brought in, adding a touch of life to every corner.

Slipping on one of Ethan's oversized shirts that I'd claimed as my own, I padded barefoot toward the kitchen, following the scent. The hallway was quiet, the thick carpet muffling my footsteps. Moments like these, the calm before the day began, made me realize how much my life had changed. No more rushing off to work with a million things on my mind; I could just be here.

As I turned the corner, I found Ethan at the stove, flipping pancakes with a confidence that made me smile. He was dressed casually in jeans and a fitted T-shirt, his hair still slightly tousled from sleep. The way he moved around the kitchen, so at ease and in control, was mesmerizing. It was a side of him I was still getting used to—the domestic, loving Ethan who wanted to take care of me.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," he said without turning around. The corners of his mouth curled up in a smirk. "I was beginning to think I'd have to come drag you out of bed."

I leaned against the doorway, grinning. "You could have tried, but who would have cooked breakfast?"

He pivoted towards me, balancing a spatula in one hand and a steaming cup of coffee in the other, extending it my way. "No doubt. But I thought you could use the extra shut-eye after yesterday... and hey, Millie's got the day off."

Taking the coffee, I walked over and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. "And what a day it was. But waking up to this?" I gestured to the spread of food on the kitchen island—pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. "You're setting the bar pretty high, Mr. Sterling."

He chuckled, pouring himself a cup of coffee as well. "Just wait until you see what I've got planned for today."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Are you finally going to tell me, or do I have to guess?"

"Where's the fun in that?" he teased, sipping his coffee. "But first, let's eat. I don't want you fainting from hunger before we even get started."

We sat at the kitchen island, and as I dug into the breakfast Ethan had prepared, the lighthearted banter continued. The food was delicious, and I couldn't help but marvel at how quickly I'd adapted to this new life. Just a few weeks ago, I'd been in Cedar Cove, worried about the future and wondering what would become of my small-town life. Now, here I was, in a beautiful home in Dallas, sharing breakfast with the man I loved, with the world full of possibilities ahead of us.

As we ate, Ethan asked about the things I missed from Cedar Cove. "I know you're a small-town girl at heart," he said, his eyes searching mine for any signs of hesitation. "Is there anything you wish we could bring here to Dallas?"

I thought about it for a moment, sipping my coffee as I considered his question. "Honestly, I miss the sense of community. You know, everyone knowing everyone, that sort of thing. But I also love the energy of Dallas. It's so vibrant, so full of life. It's different, but I think I could get used to it."

He smiled with a hint of relief in his eyes. "I'm glad to hear that. I want you to feel at home here, Natalie. I want this place to be ours, not just mine."

I reached over and squeezed his hand, touched by his thoughtfulness. "It's already starting to feel that way. Being here with you… it's more than I could have ever hoped for."

After breakfast, Ethan was quick to clear the dishes. I couldn't help but notice the mischievous glint in his eyes every time he glanced at me, which only made me more curious about what he had up his sleeve.

"So," I started, leaning against the counter with my arms crossed, "are you going to keep me in suspense all day, or are you going to tell me what this surprise is?"

He dried his hands on a towel and grinned. "I could tell you… but where's the fun in that?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile spreading across my face. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Maybe," he teased, stepping closer and wrapping an arm around my waist. "But you love me anyway."

"This is true," I admitted, laughing as I leaned into him. "So, are we just going to stand here all day, or do we actually get to leave the house?"

Ethan grabbed his keys from the counter and held them up with a grin. "Go get dressed so we can go. I've got something planned that I think you're going to love."

As I headed upstairs to get ready, I couldn't help but feel a buzz of excitement. What could he possibly have planned? The anticipation was thrilling, and I moved a little faster than usual, eager to see what the day would bring.

When I came back down, dressed and ready, Ethan was waiting by the door. His smile widened as he saw me. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a warm blush rise to my cheeks. "Now, let's get going before I burst with curiosity."

As we headed out the door, I watched for signs of what he had up his sleeve. Ethan always had a way of surprising me, and today seemed like it would be no exception. We climbed into his car, and as we pulled out of the driveway, he kept the destination a mystery.

While we drove through Dallas, Ethan pointed out some of the city's landmarks, but I could tell he deliberately avoided telling me where we were headed. My heart was practically bubbling over with joy when we arrived in a charming neighborhood with tree-lined streets and quaint, historic buildings. "Alright," I said, trying to mask my eagerness, "are you finally going to tell me what we're doing here?"

Ethan's handsome face lit up with a mischievous grin as he turned onto a quiet street, slowing down in front of a beautifully restored building with a sign that read "For Sale." The sun glinted off the windows, giving it an inviting warmth. My heart fluttered with anticipation as Ethan parked the car and turned to me, his eyes sparkling.

"Natalie," he said, taking my hand in his, "you've done so much to support me. Today, I wanted to do something that supports your dreams." He gestured towards the building. "This is just one of the properties I wanted you to see. I think it could be the perfect spot for your new preschool."

My breath caught in my throat as I looked at him in disbelief. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious," he replied, his expression softening. "I want you to have the best of both worlds—your flourishing career and our life together. I know how much the preschool means to you, and I want you to keep doing what you love, no matter where we are."

Tears pricked at my eyes as I felt overwhelmed with emotion. Looking at the building, its exterior painted a cheerful yellow and adorned with colorful drawings from children's hands, I couldn't believe what Ethan was saying. "Ethan… this is incredible. I never expected… I mean, I thought?—"

"You thought you'd have to give it up?" he finished for me, gently squeezing my hand. "Not a chance. I want to see you thrive, Natalie. I want to see your dreams come true like you've been helping me with mine." His voice was filled with love and determination.

Gratitude filled me as I gazed at the man whose unwavering love and support enveloped me. A smile spread across my face, my mind alight with visions of the building being transformed into my dream preschool. The prospect of being a billionaire's wife promised a future beyond my wildest imagination.

Tears welled in my eyes, and I blinked them away, not wanting to lose this moment. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

Ethan leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "I think I have a pretty good idea."

We spent the rest of the morning exploring the property, my mind racing with ideas and possibilities. The more I saw, the more I fell in love with creating something new in this beautiful space. Ethan was right there with me, listening to my ideas, offering suggestions, and encouraging me at every turn.

As we wrapped up the tour and headed back to the car, I felt a sense of excitement and contentment that I hadn't felt in a long time. This was our future, and it would be everything we dreamed of and more.

And as we drove back to Ethan's home, our home, the anticipation for our upcoming visit to Cedar Cove grew. I couldn't wait to share all of this with Jess, see the look on her face when she saw my engagement ring, and finally show her that Ethan was the man making all of my dreams come true.

But for now, I was just happy to be here, with the man I loved, building the life we'd always wanted.